(Note: Quotes gathered for this post come from an article written by Patricia Traina called Giants’ Kiwanuka Masters Adversity.)

Flash back to the 2007 season. Justin Tuck had ten sacks rotating in with other players on the Giants defensive line. In the Super Bowl, Tuck was a monster, recording six tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and two QB hurries.

Can Mathias Kiwanuka duplicate Tuck’s success in 2007 in 09?

I say yes.

Last season Kiwanuka was up and down. While he did record eight sacks, an injury at the end of the Washington game set him back for the first part of the year. He said,

“I played the first four games at less than full speed,” he said. “I had so much tape on my ankle that sometimes I found it hard to lift my foot up, and that affected my initial burst.”

In addition Kiwi seemed to wear down late last season, similar to other Giants players.

Some fans question why the Giants picked up Chris Canty, and Rocky Bernard in the off season. Don’t forget it was the DL rotation in 2007 that helped the Giants reach the Super Bowl. Add Osi Umenyiora to the mix this year and Big Blue has the potential to wreak havoc this season on opposing quarterbacks.

When Kiwanuka came into the league in 2006 he had a very good season for a rookie. In nine starts he had fifty- five tackles, twenty-three QB hurries, four sacks, and two interceptions. He moved to SLB in 2007 and broke his leg on November 18th against Detroit. He missed out on the run to the Super Bowl, and that was hard to take,

“I understood what Shockey meant when he said all those things because I felt the same way,” Kiwanuka confessed. “As much as I wanted to be a part of that, in any capacity, I understood why I couldn’t. But I won’t lie to you. It hurt me deeply.”

2009 is a new season. A new slate for Kiwanuka,

“A lot (of ) this is still a dream,” he said about his NFL career. “Playing in the NFL is definitely a privilege that has to be earned. If you’re committed to working hard, doing what the coaches tell you, and focus on your job, which I am, there’s no reason why anyone can’t be successful.”

So can Kiwanuka duplicate the success he had in his rookie season? Absolutely. Look for him to have a great year. If all goes well the Giants defense could lead the league in sacks.

This year, Kiwanuka has a real shot of  playing in the Super Bowl. A shot he’s eager to take.

Here’s a quote from Sinorice Moss regarding his injury:

“It’s not serious,” Moss said, adding, “It was frustrating because it was the end of practice. I felt something in my leg — something I didn’t really want to feel. … I know when it’s something that’s serious and when it’s something where you just need to rest your legs. I just feel like one of those things.”

From Tom Coughlin on the injuries to his players:

“There are different degrees of strains, but we’ve been looking at a couple of young guys that have been out forever,” Coughlin said. “Why they’re not progressing to the point they can come back …”

PM Practice Report:

• Eli Manning hit Domenik Hixon on a play action pass over the middle. Hixon has been getting good separation from defenders all spring.
• At one point, Dave Tollefson and Darcy Johnson mixed it up with a short scuffle.
• Guy Wimper lined up at right tackle

AM Practice Report:

• Domenik Hixon made a nice catch in between double coverage.
• Ramses Barden made a diving catch for 20 yards

For more information on both AM and PM practices read Patricia Traina’s blog.

CB Corey Webster (shoulder), DT Fred Robbins (knee), DT Barry Cofield (knee), OT William Beatty (hamstring), DT Rocky Bernard (shoulder), WR Taye Biddle (finger), TE Travis Beckum (hamstring), and TE Lee Vickers (unknown) did not practice. LB Clint Sintim (hamstring) was limited. WR David Tyree (hamstring) started to practice, but left after a few plays.

From The Giants Afternoon Practice:

• Sinorice Moss strained a hamstring in a 2:00 drill to end practice. He did make a diving catch on the ball thrown by David Carr.
• Lawrence Tynes was 3-4 on field goal attempts.
• Hakeem Nicks made a nice grab on 7-on-7 drills

Gerris Wilkinson is fighting to remain with Big Blue. He hopes to put questions on his ability to play for the Giants behind him:

“I feel like I’ve definitely been improving,” he added. “Now I’m just trying to work on the details. I’m pretty comfortable with his defense. I’ve been in it for three years now. And I’m comfortable with the coaches and the team and everything. It’s just a matter of focusing on details and staying healthy.”

Terrell Thomas On Sinorice Moss:

“I think his back is against the wall. We drafted two wide receivers and he really hasn’t played to the potential that he has. He’s one of my good friends and we talk about it all the time. He’s just waiting for his opportunity. He’s a hard-worker and I think it’s really starting to show. Plus he’s in a contract year this year and for some reason when people are in contract years they play better.”

Morning Big Blue Practice:

• Sinorice Moss (there’s that name again) made a pair of nifty over-the-shoulder catches on deep passes
• Kevin Boss made a nice play in the end zone, pinning the ball to his butt with his right hand on a pass from Eli Manning
• Hakeem Nicks made some nice catches
• David Carr looked sharp
• Mario Manningham made a nice over-the-shoulder catch with Terrell Thomas in close coverage.

That’s it for today. Stay tuned for more New York Giants news.