Hey, this is Josh Thomson filling in today from minicamp. You may recognize my name from the last few years because I’ve done a lot of backup work for Ernie, particularly on Thursdays. As you can imagine, those Thursday phone calls with Ernie are always lively. They usually include several reference to Italian food (“That place makes a great pesto sauce”) or a Giants story from when I was still in elementary school.

Anyway, Day 2 of minicamp was much like Day 1. Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey were notable for what they didn’t do rather than what they did do. Burress continued his protest and watched practice from the sideline. He wore the regular jersey and shorts and a hat, but carried his helmet around by the face mask. The closest I’d imagine you’ll get to see Plax slide on a helmet tomorrow is the picture at the right. (One thing you have to credit him for: He at least worked with the younger receivers. At one point I saw him discussing football with Michael Jennings, so he wasn’t a total non-participant.)

Unlike Jennings, we didn’t talk to Burress, but Wednesday’s comments were apparently conveyed to Tom Coughlin at some point yesterday afternoon. In a somewhat surprising admission, Coughlin said he “wasn’t aware” of Burress’ disappointment coming into camp, or of the 6-foot-5 WR’s plan to boycott practice, which is why he told reporters that Burress skipped practice to rest his various injuries (ankles, knee, shoulder).

Coughlin wouldn’t disclose whether or not the organization has or will fine Burress. “That’s between Plaxico and his people and the team,” Coughlin said. (For what it’s worth, Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News contacted the league and found that the max fine the NFL allows teams to levy on players for skipping a mandatory offseason workout is $8,638.)

As for Shockey, we didn’t see him. Kevin Boss said Shockey has attended TE meetings and been a help “coaching up” the younger TE.

Shockey’s leg has progressed according to Coughlin, who, yet again, wouldn’t disclose Shockey’s whereabouts. He must be hiding in a bunker somewhere.

Burress and Shockey weren’t the only non-contributors at practice. As I joked to a couple other reporters, it’s a wonder any of the higher-profile players participate at these things. Among the inactive or partially inactive were: Burress (contract/protest), Shockey (leg/in hiding), Antonio Pierce (back), Osi Umenyiora (undisclosed, although he did practice in the afternoon), and Justin Tuck (foot, although he did practice in the afternoon).

Corey Webster (back) returned after sitting out yesterday.

The other news of the day was Shaun O’Hara, who, in a rather pointed fashion, addressed the distraction caused by Eli Manning’s top two pass-catching targets. I’ll post more on O’Hara in the morning.