The first time Tom Brady faced the Giants was more than 18 years ago. It was Oct, 12, 2003, and Brady completed just 8 of 21 passes in the Patriots’ 17-6 victory in Foxborough, Mass.
Jason Garrett was the No. 3 quarterback for the Giants back then (behind Kerry Collins and Jesse Palmer). Garrett, now the Giants’ offensive coordinator, has faced Tom Brady nine times as an assistant in the NFL or head coach with the Cowboys. Those head-to-head battles, as well as everything else the 44-year-old Brady has accomplished in his career, has Garrett convinced of one thing.
“They’re going to make a Mount Rushmore of football players at some point and the first face they chisel will be that guy’s face,” Garrett said Thursday. “He’s the best that ever walked and he’s a hell of a football player, and what he’s done over the last 20 years has been remarkable. To think he’s 44 years old and probably playing the best ball of his career, it’s really amazing. He’s an inspiration to everybody in and out of sports.”
The second half of any season is ripe with speculation about who is getting fired and who is next in line as head coach material. Going into this season, Patrick Graham’s name appeared on many “Hot candidate” lists.
Graham’s defense got off to a slow start, but in the past three games — two victories — his unit has come together, with Graham cutting back on some of the game plan to allow his players to be more decisive. Just like that, Graham’s name is again surfacing as a head coach-in-waiting.
“The ‘Pat Graham get fired’ buzz was starting, too,” Graham said. “I don’t even think about. … Again, I’m a New York Giant, I love being a New York Giant. This is my dream job to be here representing this organization for the people. I’ve told you, some of my best friends, the head coach [Joe Judge] is one of my best friends, the ownership, the fact that the people I learned football from are New York Giants — I couldn’t ask for a better situation. I could care less about that stuff.”
Thursday’s developments were promising for LT Andrew Thomas, who has missed four of the last five games with foot and ankle injuries. Thomas, who is expected to be activated off injured reserve this week, was able to practice. Judge sounded as if he is expecting to play three tackles — Thomas, Matt Peart and Nate Solder — Monday night in Tampa.
“We can absolutely rotate all of our tackles,” Judge said. “As we get into the game, I would expect everyone to play.”
RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) was a limited participant in practice as he continues to trend toward making his return after missing the past four games.
WR Sterling Shepard (quad), TE Kaden Smith (knee) and special teamer Nate Ebner (knee) did not practice. RB Devontae Booker (hip) and FB Cullen Gillaspia (calf) were limited. … K Graham Gano returned to the team after he was told to stay away while recovering from a stomach bug. LB Lorenzo Carter also is ill with the bug and has not yet rejoined the team. Carter is also dealing with an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out of Monday’s game.