GIANT NOTES
It was third down, eight yards needed for a first down for the Bears, and quarterback Cade McNown looked for Dez White, a rookie receiver. No contest. McNown threw, White reached and Jason Sehorn came in-between the two Chicago players, in perfect position to deflect the ball away and force a punt.
That is the sort of play Sehorn expects out of himself and the Giants expect out of Sehorn, the sort of play he made regularly in 1997, the kind of play that’s often been missing from the Giants defense the past two seasons. A defense that, in those two seasons, has only seen Sehorn play in 10 games because of injuries.
“I felt good,” Sehorn said of his showing in Saturday night’s 20-8 loss to the Bears in the Giants pre-season opener. “It was nice to just go play football. There was nothing else on my mind but football, for a change. No worries, no concerns, just the game of football. On the third-down play it felt good. I felt ‘OK, football now.’ You don’t really get into the game until somebody actually throws your way. You got to cover somebody at some point in time and be around the receiver then they throw the ball to him. I think that was the nicest thing, to actually be close to somebody for a change, instead of being on the sideline watching it happen.”
Not that everything went smoothly for Sehorn, who is back healthy again and enjoying a stress-free training camp. Two plays before he broke-up the pass to White, Sehorn was tested, and the Giants were burned. McNown looked for White, deep, and Sehorn broke off his coverage, obviously expecting deep help from a safety. None came and Sehorn and the Giants were fortunate that a wide-open White simply dropped a pass in his hands, with Sehorn helpless to do anything but watch what was taking place far down the field.
“We had a minor, what do you call it, missed assignment,” Sehorn said. “Let’s leave it at that. Things happen. I’d rather that happen now than Sept. 3 [in the regular-season opener].”
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Jim Fassel said he was pleased with the work of the revamped offensive line. The starting unit did not allow a sack in 18 Kerry Collins pass attempts. … Second-round draft pick Cornelius Griffin, impressive throughout camp, had a big-time pre-season debut with two sacks and he also came up with a memorable play. He batted away and nearly intercepted a pass by Clint Dolezel and was angry with himself for not holding on. “I have a long way to go,” said Griffin, who looks to be a very solid defensive tackle. “I was very upset about that, I should have had that ball. I should have made that play. If I touch it, I should get it.” Asked how he felt about his first game, Griffin added “It’s not that much different than college. It might be more different as I get along, but right now, I think I can play with these guys.” … Pete Monty started at MLB in place of Mike Barrow (knee) and continues to show he is worthy of playing time, if only there was a place for him in the lineup. … The grass surface at Giants Stadium once again attracted raves from players. “This thing is firm, it’s fast but soft,” Tiki Barber said. Added Sehorn, “You just feel better, it’s a nice environment to be in. Any time you play football it should be on grass.” … Giants resume their camp schedule today in Albany.