Last season Eli Manning had two starting WRs well over 6ft. Plaxico Burress was 6-5 and Amani Toomer was 6-3.

This year he has Domenik Hixon who is 6-2 slated to start on one side, and the 5-11 Steve Smith on the other. Sinorice Moss who is set to play in the slot is only 5-8.

Eli Manning says there are some things he can’t do as easily with this group of receivers that he could with last year’s crop,

“Naturally, you just see them and you have to put it in a spot,” Manning said. “Some throws we threw to Plaxico, we might not be able to throw to these guys — some back-shoulder, high balls.”

On the other hand, some different throws should open up for Manning. He explains,

“But these guys will be able to run by some guys and get deep on them. So what you lose in something, you gain somewhere else.”

Hixon, Moss, and Mario Manningham can fly, but Hakeem Nicks, and Smith don’t have that kind of speed. What they can do is run nifty routes, and hang onto the ball.

It appears the Giants have a good mix at the wide receiver position. Don’t forget about Ramses Barden, who is 6-6 and should see some playing time this season, especially in the red zone.

So what can we expect from Manning and his new look receivers this year?

I think we will see them take more shots down the field. The reason being so they can keep opposing team’s safeties out of the box to open up the running game. Big Blue will look to use play action to hit medium and short range throws.

Manning went on to say,

“Some of the receivers might be a little smaller than what we’ve had in the past, but they have a lot more speed,” Manning said. “They can get deep on the corner backs and get over the top of them. That’s exciting. That kind of takes a lot of the reads out of things.

“You just say, ‘You’ve got a go-route. Let’s go win. Let’s go back to a little backstreet football and let’s see if we’re better than the other guys.’”

There will be an offensive challenge for the Giants this year, but they do have the talent at the wide receiver position. Also they have training camp and the preseason to work out the kinks.

Of course all that doesn’t matter until September.

“We create objectives, we create goals and we work towards accomplishing those things.  Just like in anything else, perfection.  But you know you are human, but let’s keep that as our goal regardless of that fact.  So we have had an outstanding off-season program.  The attitude has been really good for all of the OTA’s, for the work here in the mini camp.  The attitude has been great.”

“It is a longer stretch than normal for us.  I gave them some notes about the number of practices up there and how it is reduced.  Let’s face it; we don’t get the same number because we play the Monday night game.  So we have to make things count when we get them.  I wished them and their families, “God bless them for the summer.”  But they need to think long and hard about the disappointment of January in terms of what we have created for ourselves and how badly we want to prioritize our 2009 season.”

Other thoughts:

• Sinorice Moss looked great in camp before tweaking his hammy. Let’s hope he’s at full speed for training camp.
• It looks like the Giants are going to attempt to have a deep passing attack this season. Domenik Hixon is looking to improve off of last season where reports are that injuries slowed him down near the end of the year.
• Kenny Phillips looks stronger due to putting on some muscle in the past few months. Look for him to have a big season.
• Patricia Traina notes that the Giants defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan appears to be adding some new wrinkles. Patricia  wrote that the defense looks more aggressive, and is disguising more pressure packages. Look for more safety blitzes.
• Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden didn’t look out of place this spring, and I hope they make an impact this season.

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.

 “Sometimes, things didn’t really go my way,” Moss said. “But I stayed at it. I came to practice with that same attitude. I always ran fast, I always listened to the coaches. I always did what they asked me to do, never complained. And whenever I had my opportunities in a game I stepped up and made plays. So there is no reason for me to be mad at the coaches or look down on myself. But when I am given the opportunity to go out and make the plays, I go out and do that.”

Here is the full article about Sinorice Moss called Time To Shine by Michael Eisen.