Injuries give Moss chance to impress

ALBANY -- When Sinorice Moss played for Carol City High in Miami, he spent much time running down the field and jogging back to the huddle without touching the football. His team ran far more often than it passed.

When he played for the University of Miami, Moss started only 12 games in four years. College stars like Kevin Beard and future NFL standout Andre Johnson played in front of him.

"Whenever I got opportunities, I knew I had to make plays," Moss said.

Here may be opportunity, staring Moss in the face.

Tonight in the Giants' preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, at least four receivers figure to be sidelined by injury. That may offer Moss, a third-year player and former second-round draft pick, a chance -- perhaps his last -- to make an impression.

"I'm sure I will have some opportunities to go out there and do some things and make some plays for this team," Moss said. "When I look at this year, I'm just saying, 'Stay healthy, do what I have to do and make plays.' I know I'm capable of making plays. It's just about staying healthy and being out on the field doing it."

Indeed, injuries sidetracked Moss' first two seasons. He missed almost all of his rookie year with a quad injury and sat out the postseason a year ago with a hip problem. He caught just 26 passes in two seasons.

The Giants stuck with Moss in part because he packs big-play potential into his 5-foot-8, 185-pound frame. But given the emergence of several young wide receivers and the Giants' depth at the position, Moss may need a strong preseason to secure his roster spot.

Moss may even start against the Lions because of the Giants' injury woes at receiver. Plaxico Burress (ankle), Mario Manningham (quad), Steve Smith (groin) and David Tyree (knee) all expect to sit. Brandon London, a training-camp standout, also could be out with a hip flexor.

"When you see guys down and they're injured, you want them to be practicing, you want them to be on the field," Moss said. "But it also gives me and the younger receivers an opportunity to get some more reps and get some more passes in, show the coaches what we can do."

During the off-season, Moss sidestepped much of the Super Bowl celebration circuit to work out near his home in Miami. He met a martial-arts trainer who introduced him to kick-boxing, which he said helped his balance, coordination and explosiveness.

"I have a newfound respect for the guys who do that stuff," Moss said.

Moss said he talked about kick-boxing with fellow receiver Amani Toomer, who also uses martial arts as a means of training for the season.
There's also this similarity: Toomer endured injury-related struggles early in his career -- a torn knee ligament as a rookie forced Toomer to miss half a season. He caught just 17 balls his first two seasons combined.

"It's a very similar story," Toomer said. "I think that he has a lot of potential, and I think that he's working real hard. Personally, I think that he is going to pan out."

The first preseason game may offer Moss his best chance yet to prove as much to the Giants. At least a few of the injuries at the receiver position appear to be short-term, meaning Moss' time may be more limited later in the preseason.

"Whenever my chances come, whether it's this game or down the line, I'm just going to go out there and make some plays," Moss said. "That's what I'm here for."

(timesunion.com)