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Now that wide receiver Mark Clayton knows that he didn't suffer any serious injuries as a result of Antrel Rolle's illegal hit on Saturday, he can laugh about the play.
Asked how he was feeling after the Giants' safety's big hit to Clayton's neck/ear area in the second quarter, Clayton cracked a big smile.
"I was just talking to myself," Clayton said. "I was saying, 'Man, I can't believe he hit me like that,' because I saw him coming. I was like, 'Dang, he's fittin' to hit me,' and then I was like, 'Dang, he hit me.'
"After that, I was like, 'Yeah, take your time getting up, because when you get up, there'll be a rush to the head.'"
Rolle was flagged for unnecessary roughness for the hit, which officials ruled was on a "defenseless receiver". That's a term which we'll hear a lot this year, as the league is making it a priority to look after receivers who don't have a chance to protect themselves while making a play on the ball.
Clayton says he spoke to Rolle yesterday and the two men checked up on each other's health and cleared the air a bit.
"Yeah, we talked," Clayton said. "He asked if I was OK. I asked if he was OK. He said he was doing alright as well."
Clayton said he's still got some soreness in his neck today, which makes it tough for him to turn and look for passes. Other than that, the fifth-year receiver said he feels fine, but he likely won't play in Thursday's preseason finale.
According to the wide receiver, he won't be in danger of missing the regular season opener against the Jets, however.
"No, not at all," Clayton said. "It's good."
