12/05 — There was a bit of housekeeping at the top of head coach Eric Mangini's morning news conference today, topped by a swap of running backs on the practice squad that is reminiscent of a battle from training camp.

Mangini announced that RB Alvin Banks has been signed to the P-squad, a day after the Giants went to the Jets' well for the second time in three years by signing RB Danny Ware to their practice squad. In fact, the Giants signed Ware to replace Derrick Ward, whom they signed from the Jets practice squad late in 2004 and who broke his leg against the Bears on Sunday.

I'll have more on Banks in a later Radar entry today.

The coach also announced a switch of wideouts on the practice squad, signing Shaine Smith, a last cut of the Rams in late August, and releasing Evan Prall.

As for those coveted player of the week awards, Mangini, after protecting the vote count for three days after the win over the Dolphins as well as Price Waterhouse Coopers, finally released the winners, and in fact handed out double honors on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

On offense, the winners are Leon Washington and Laveranues Coles. On defense, David Harris and Kerry Rhodes got the nod. Special teams recognition goes to Eric Smith for his sound blocking and coverage. And the practice player award goes to DL Eric Hicks, who saw his first action in three games on the D-line at Miami.