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Giants camp report
Monday, August 21, 2006BY MIKE GARAFOLO
Star-Ledger Staff
PLAYER PROFILE
DT MARCUS GREEN
Training camp can be a rough time for a rookie. That's why Marcus Green is happy to have Barry Cofield around.
Green, an undrafted free agent from Ohio State, has spent much of his time in Albany with Cofield, his Big Ten rival from Northwestern but his friend of four years off the field. The two defensive tackles met as freshmen through Rob Sims, a rookie guard for the Seahawks who played for the Buckeyes and knew Cofield from their high-school days.
"It makes it easier because he's a real funny guy," Green said of Cofield. "When we're out there on the field, he keeps you laughing even when you're tired. He just keeps it funny and real interesting."
While Cofield is almost a lock for a roster spot as a fourth-round pick, Green is fighting the odds to stick as a free agent. He clearly expected to get drafted -- especially since six Ohio State defensive players were selected -- and was disappointed to not hear his name called.
But as soon as he saw only three defensive tackles were taken on the first day of the draft, Green began preparing to work for a roster spot as a free agent.
"I knew I might be in trouble because the defensive tackles weren't coming off the board like I thought they would," he said. "I was real disappointed, but I have an opportunity here to make this team and contribute. That's all you can really ask for."