National Football League

After rooting for Giants, Jimmy Kennedy now is one

Published Aug. 24, 2011 7:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

After growing a up a New York Giants fans, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy is now going to get a chance to play for them.

The 31-year-old Kennedy officially joined the Giants on Tuesday and is hoping to prove that he can be among the league's top tackles.

Kennedy is the first to admit that his play last season in Minnesota was bad and it needs to improve soon. But he adds he was bothered by tendinitis for more than two months.

Kennedy said he has worked hard in the offseason to get his knee back in shape. And the Giants could use a healthy Kennedy after seeing second-round draft pick Marvin Austin's rookie season ended by a torn pectoral muscle on Monday.

"I pray it works out here," Kennedy said. "I mean, I'm a fighter. I've been fighting all my life. It's the NFL. There are 32 teams. But I'm going to do everything in my power to work my (rear end) off to stay in New York."

Kennedy, who grew up in Yonkers, N.Y., is excited to be back home.

"It feels good to be home and around people that love you," he said. "But I want to make sure I continue to focus off the field, that stuff is important to me."

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Devin Thomas has established himself as the Giants' No. 1 kickoff returner.

The fourth-year receiver nailed down the job on Monday night, averaging 46 yards on three returns, including a 73-yarder that set up Brandon Jacobs' go-ahead touchdown in the 41-13 win over the Chicago Bears.

"I think the biggest adjustment is just making sure I catch it on the run," Thomas said." Other than that, getting to the blocks is pretty much just running. So, it matches up pretty well."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said fellow receiver Michael Clayton made some monstrous blocks to open holes for Thomas.

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Receiver Mario Manningham was not at practice on Wednesday because he had to attend to some personal matters, Coughlin said.

Left tackle Will Beatty sat out with a migraine headache. Jamon Meredith replaced him at the starting left tackle spot.

Beatty had his right foot X-rayed at halftime of Monday night's game vs. Chicago. They were negative. It was the same foot Beatty broke in the season opener last year. He said the discomfort on Monday was the result of trying different shoes in the game.

And veteran center Adam Koets, who has been on the physically unable to perform list because of lingering problems coming back from an ACL injury, had arthroscopic surgery on his knee Wednesday.

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Giants quarterback Eli Manning says it won't be weird seeing Plaxico Burress in a New York Jets uniform on Saturday.

"You play in this league long enough, you're going to play against some (former) teammates," Manning said of the receiver who caught his game-winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl against New England in February 2008. "He was a great teammate for the Giants. We had a great run together. Things happen and he's with the Jets now and playing well. I'm happy for him and look forward to getting to see him. I haven't seen him in a long time, so looking forward to seeing him before the game or after the game."

Burress was released from prison in June after serving 20 months for a weapons possession charge. He signed with the Jets this summer after the players and owners agreed to a new CBA.