Football
Associated Press 17y

Wright looking to make the most of his last-chance with Giants

ALBANY, N.J. -- Manny Wright talked about playing football
for the New York Giants. He had a smile on his face and not a tear
in his eye.

As a rookie two years ago, he cried on the field after being
scolded by then-Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban. A lot has changed
in Wright's life.

The 340-pound defensive tackle who seemed overwhelmed making the
jump from Southern California has learned to approach football in
the NFL as a job. He has gotten his head straightened out, worked
hard and gotten into his best shape in years.

The goal now is to win a job with the Giants, who signed him
Wednesday to add size after the Carolina Panthers chewed up the
line in the preseason opener.

"I don't feel like this is my last chance but I feel like it's
getting toward that," Wright said Thursday between practices at
University at Albany. "It's either now or never. I have to keep
doing what I am doing."

If there was rock bottom for Wright, it probably wasn't the
crying episode. It happened three months ago after the Dolphins
released him and the Buffalo Bills signed him.

Wright reported to the Bills weighing 365 pounds. They dumped
him less than a week later.

"I was only up there for four days and they were like, 'Oh,
he's too big," Wright said. "I can't rely on my talent like
that. All of the other guys are moving faster and I am big and
strong. I just figured I had to get into better shape."

So Wright returned to Long Beach, Calif., and started sweating.
He worked out twice a day and did extra cardiovascular work at
night, shedding 25 pounds.

"This is the best (shape) I have been in a long time," Wright
said. "I feel really good, I feel really confident."

Wright said most people in Miami forgot about the crying when he
played well in the final three games of the 2005 season.

That didn't make his problems go away. He had a weight problem
in training camp in 2006 and left the team. Miami placed him on the
nonfootball injury list, then released him this May.

Wright would not elaborate on his problems in 2006, although he
acknowledged problems at home..

"I had a lot going on and I mean, I was only 22 and it
overwhelmed me," he said. "I am better now and I have my head on
straight."

Wright denied that he was depressed in 2006.

"I am just going to prove a lot of people wrong by playing
really well and contributing to this team," Wright said.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said the team did a lot of research on
Wright. General manager Jerry Reese had a good talk with him and
Coughlin spoke to him on the field after he worked out.

"You can see the athletic flashes that he showed yesterday,"
Reese said. "I don't think he's in awful shape, but I don't think
he's in top condition, either."

Wright hopes to get down to 335, what he weighed with the
Dolphins. After two workouts he doesn't feel that far behind. He
said he might be able to play Sunday against Baltimore.

"I am really motivated," he said. "That is why I was getting
up early in the morning working out extra. I mean, I am motivated.
I see a lot of guys on the TV and I am like OK, I am better than
him. I got my motor running."

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