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EVENTS
CNNSI.com GROUP
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Benign Toomer Toomer shows enough improvement that he'll likely start
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The sprained left ankle that caused Amani Toomer to miss two days of practice felt a lot better Friday, allowing the New York Giants' leading receiver to work out with the team. Toomer ran surprisingly well on his routes, running straight ahead and making cuts. He probably will start in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings. "I would say after today he is ready to go," said Giants head coach Jim Fassel. Toomer, who was hurt in the fourth quarter last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, said he had round-the-clock treatment Thursday. "It feels good," said Toomer, who had 78 receptions this season. "I was just doing agility drills yesterday at half speed. Today, I was going full speed. I don't know how I looked, but I felt good." With Toomer healthy, Fassel said either Ike Hilliard or Toomer would return punts with Tiki Barber in reserve. It will be a game-time decision. Barber returned punts all season, but broke his left arm Dec. 17 against Dallas. He has not felt comfortable fielding punts with a cast.
Giants Stadium grass should be playableThe surface of the grass field at Giants Stadium was frozen Friday, but that should not present any problems for the NFC championship game between the Minnesota Vikings and New York, Giants head coach Jim Fassel said. "I've played and coached on frozen fields that are rutted, and that makes it really tough," Fassel said, noting this field is flat and level. "When you are playing on a grass field at this time of year, that's what it's like. I think it will be fine. I know one thing, it's a lot softer than AstroTurf at this time of year."
Giants announce four deactivationsThe Giants deactivated place-kicker Jaret Holmes, offensive tackle Chris Bober, defensive end Jeremiah Parker and fullback Craig Walendy on Friday for the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Veteran OT Brown ready to be SuperOffensive tackle Lomas Brown, who will be trying to make the Super Bowl for the first time in his 16-year career, thinks the Giants are ready. "I think we are loose and I think we are ready to go," Brown said after the Giants final practice Friday. "I think we are a confident team. I think right now we don't have any fear. That's the only way I know how to go into this game, go in confident, with no fear, a little cocky." Brown said the Giants might even be a little more relaxed than last week before playing the Philadelphia Eagles for the third time. "It was such a pressure-filled game last week," Brown said. "Not to say this isn't pressure filled, but I think guys are a little more confident what they are doing. There is a little more swagger to the walk, therefore, the hurdle don't seem as high." "We believe," halfback Tiki Barber said.
Saturday will feature lots of walkingThe Giants and Vikings will both have walkthroughs at Giants Stadium on Saturday. Former Giants great Lawrence Taylor is expected to talk with the team briefly after the walkthrough. Jim Fassel said six to eight former Giants are expected to be at the meeting.
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