Giants Fine Strahan For Missed Training

New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese hasn't talked to holdout defensive end Michael Strahan in a while and has no clue when the seven-time Pro Bowl player will make a decision on whether to

Friday, August 17th 2007, 7:20 am

By: News On 6

New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese hasn't talked to holdout defensive end Michael Strahan in a while and has no clue when the seven-time Pro Bowl player will make a decision on whether to retire.

``We would like for him to be here if he's going to be here, just for him to get some work,'' Reese said Thursday at training camp at the University at Albany. ``Michael knows that if he's going to come back, he has to get some work in. You just can't show up and play in the National Football League.

``If he decides to come, I think he will be here soon, but it's still his decision and we'll see what happens in the next few days.''

The Giants are fining the 35-year-old Strahan $14,288 for each day he misses. His three-week total is now $300,048.

Reese used the word ``deadline'' several times in discussing the holdout, but the Giants can't do anything to hasten Strahan's decision. They can either fine him or release him, and they are not going to do the latter.

Reese believes Strahan is working out, but said that won't replace training camp in getting a player ready for the season.

``We just worry about the guys who are here day by day,'' Reese said. ``It's Michael's decision whether or not to be here. He's still pondering, and he deserves the right to do that, so that's what he's doing.''

Giants co-owner John Mara said Thursday that he still believes Strahan will play this season.

Seahawks

Matt Hasselbeck wants to play. Mike Holmgren wants to talk.

The Seattle quarterback and coach were to have what Holmgren called a ``heart-to-heart'' discussion about Hasselbeck avoiding contact on his surgically repaired non-throwing shoulder throughout the final three exhibition games, beginning Saturday at Green Bay.

``If I can keep him from getting banged around, it's to our advantage. The best way to do that is to not let him play,'' Holmgren said Thursday.

``It really isn't what Matt wants,'' the coach said, smiling. ``Matt certainly would like to play. I give him a lot of leeway on decision making around here _ but that's one I have to make the call on.''

Holmgren added that Shaun Alexander, Marcus Pollard, Deion Branch and many other starters on offense may play through the first quarter, but no more. That is per the coach's usual preseason plan for veteran starters.

Holmgren surprised Hasselbeck by starting him in the exhibition opener Sunday at San Diego, after doctors had Hasselbeck bracing for four consecutive weeks of watching from the sideline.

Hasselbeck played one series, completing four of five passes for 65 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass to Branch. Holmgren said he called plays that minimized the quarterback's chances to get hit. And that might be the most Seattle sees of Hasselbeck until the real games start Sept. 9 against Tampa Bay.

Packers

Wide receiver Robert Ferguson's injury-marred career with Green Bay is over, coach Mike McCarthy said after practice Thursday night.

McCarthy said the team has decided to cut ties with the seven-year veteran, although he didn't say how that would be accomplished.

Ferguson, a second-round selection of the Packers in the 2001 draft, wasn't on the practice field for the second of Thursday's two practices.

``Robert will no longer be a Packer. We're going to go another direction,'' McCarthy said.

Asked if Ferguson would be traded, McCarthy responded, ``Possible.''

The team also could release Ferguson, who is under contract through 2008.

Patriots

New England released 11-year veteran punter Josh Miller on Thursday, leaving the team with two punters in camp, neither of whom has appeared in a regular-season game.

The 37-year-old Miller played his first eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing a free agent contract with the Patriots in March 2004.

The two remaining punters in Patriots camp are Danny Baugher and Tom Malone. Both were on the practice squad last season and both played in NFL Europa last spring.

The Patriots also released offensive lineman Brian Barthelmes and claimed rookie offensive lineman Chris Patrick off waivers from the New York Giants.

Bills

Buffalo starting center Melvin Fowler is expected to miss the Bills' preseason game against Atlanta on Friday night because of a sore left ankle.

Fowler missed his second straight practice Thursday and coach Dick Jauron said the team will be cautious on whether to allow him to play. If Fowler can't play, the Bills will go with reserve lineman Duke Preston in their preseason home opener.