Giants holding training camp in Albany again

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants are heading back to the University at Albany for training camp for at least another year.

The Giants and the university announced Tuesday that the new deal includes a two-year option to train in New York's capital through 2012.

There has been little doubt that the Giants would return to Albany this year, but the two sides wanted to wait until an agreement was signed before announcing it.

Camp will open on Aug. 1, with the players reporting in the morning and practicing in the afternoon.

"I can't say enough about the cooperation we receive from the university and its staff," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "The spirit of a common purpose and objective allows our team to get the work done that is necessary for us to compete at the highest level at the outset of the season."

The Giants have trained at the university, about 150 miles north of the Meadowlands, since 1996. This will be their 15th season in Albany, their longest period at one site in the team's training camp history.

"Albany has been an ideal summer home for our football team," Giants president John Mara said.

The Giants' average attendance since moving to Albany from Fairleigh Dickinson-Madison in New Jersey has been more than 33,000 fans. The attendance last year was a record 46,960.

This camp will be shorter than most of the previous camps, with the team leaving Aug. 20. The team, which missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record last season, will practice 16 days, including seven double sessions.

"The New York Giants' training camp at UAlbany has become part of the fabric of the Capital Region," Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings said. "The countless number of fans that live in Upstate New York have an opportunity to watch and interact with players, and, ultimately, form a greater bond with their team."