3 Giants Out With Illness

[January 26, 2008]  EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants starting fullback Madison Hedgecock and two others missed practice Friday because of illness.

Rookie safety Michael Johnson and defensive tackle Manny Wright also missed the team's next-to-last workout before leaving Monday for the Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.

"They all have whatever is going around, the high temperature and that kind of thing," coach Tom Coughlin said.

Starting left guard Rich Seubert (knee) and backup cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip) missed their second straight day of practice with injuries.

Seubert sprained his right knee in the NFC title game in Green Bay on Sunday, but has vowed to play.

Dockery has been sidelined the last two playoffs games after aggravating a hip flexor injury in the wild-card win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"The last two weeks have been very tough," Dockery said. "I'm getting closer, though."

Meanwhile, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is ignoring all the hoopla surrounding Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his right foot.

Brady was photographed in New York on Monday wearing a protective boot. He reportedly has a minor high ankle sprain that isn't expected to keep him out of the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.

"I don't believe the ankle injury for one, so I am not really concerned about that at all," Pierce said. "Now if the guy had a sling on and some crutches and a cast and all that, then I might consider it. We expect the Tom Brady to come out that was the MVP of the league, that put up one of the best seasons all-time for a quarterback this year, and that is what we expect. ... We expect the best from Tom Brady."

[Associated Press; By TOM CANAVAN]

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