Giving second-round draft pick Chris Snee a starting job on the Giants' offensive line has been a move expected from new coach Tom Coughlin.
Having starters Tiki Barber and Amani Toomer as punt returners for the preseason opener against Kansas City was a switch almost no one anticipated.
Coughlin made both moves Monday, shifting David Diehl to right tackle and giving Snee, his son-in-law, the open spot at right guard. The change put Ian Allen, who started 11 games at right tackle last season, in a backup role and makes Snee a starter before Eli Manning. Manning was the first pick in April's draft and is trying to beat out veteran Kurt Warner at quarterback.
The move that seemed to catch the players off guard was the decision to waive return man Delvin Joyce. It left Barber and Toomer as the leading candidates to return punts Friday against the Chiefs.
Barber and Toomer were stunned.
"I was surprised they let Delvin go, but whatever it takes for this team to win, I'll do," said Barber, who was the Giants' punt returner from 1999-2001, returning one for a touchdown.
COWBOYS: Keyshawn Johnson was late returning to camp in Oxnard, Calif., after some time off. Coach Bill Parcells said only one player was late in returning, but he wouldn't say who. Johnson told reporters it was him. The receiver said he expected to be fined about $7,500. ... Owner Jerry Jones said Quincy Carter was sent a letter about his contract, but wouldn't say if the team was seeking to recover part of the bonus the quarterback received as the team's first pick in 2001. "The day we released Quincy, we wrote him a letter regarding his contract," Jones said. "I can't go into any detail about what was in the letter, what aspects of the contract it gets." Carter was released Wednesday amid widespread reports he failed a drug test.
EAGLES: Defensive end Jevon Kearse sprained his left ankle but didn't consider the injury serious. He was carted off the field after he hurt the same ankle he injured in Tennessee last season. X-rays were negative, and Kearse - listed as day to day - jogged to his car after speaking to reporters.
PANTHERS: The team's unsettled offensive line took another hit when projected starting right tackle Adam Meadows retired. The 30-year-old signed a five-year, $15-million contract March 9, but was kept out of most of camp by persistent shoulder problems. The team encouraged him to undergo treatment for arthritis in the shoulder, but Meadows decided to call it quits.
