ALBANY, N.Y. -- David Tyree has gone from a Super Bowl hero to a player seemingly not ready for prime time.
Less than six months after making a spectacular one-handed catch against his helmet to spark the New York Giants' late game-winning drive against the previously unbeaten New England Patriots ( **Highlight**), Tyree is rehabilitating a surgically repaired right knee and has not practiced in training camp.
Tyree conceded Friday that there is a good chance that he will be on the physically-unable-to-perform list when the Giants kick off the regular season on Sept. 4 against the Washington Redskins in a nationally televised game. Being on the list would force him to miss the first six games.
"At this point, most of my frustrations are done," Tyree said before lunch at the University at Albany. "I always know what is expected of me. That's nothing new. Of course, it always hurts to see the guys going out there. You miss the camaraderie."
While teammates have practiced, Tyree has been running up and down hills next to the university's football stadium, riding a stationary bike, lifting weights and watching practices.
Tyree insists he is on schedule. He was hurt working out during the offseason, had surgery in April and was expected to be out four months. Thursday was the four-month anniversary.
"I am much closer and much stronger," said Tyree, who had four catches for 35 yards and no touchdowns in 12 regular-season games last year and four catches for 47 yards and a TD (in the Super Bowl) in the postseason. "I can do breaks and in cuts. The consistency and endurance are still not where they have to be."
The one thing that has changed since last year is that everyone attending practices knows No. 85.
It's hard to be anonymous after making one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history; Eli Manning somehow escapes the clutches of would-be sackers and heaves a 32-yard pass that Tyree snares, pinning it against his helmet while falling to the ground with safety Rodney Harrison draped all over him.
One had to think Tyree had either Krazy Glue on his hands or Velcro on his helmet.
Everywhere he has gone at camp, fans constantly remind him of the catch, want to talk to him or get autographs.
"The one thing I have learned is that you can't please everyone," Tyree said. "It's been a wonderful year, obviously everything that has happened with this football team and for me personally. At the same time, you can't please everyone."
While he would like to be ready for the season opener, he said it is logical that he will remain on the PUP list.
If so, Tyree would be eligible to return to practice any time between weeks seven through nine. The team would have 21 days from the day he returns to practice to either activate, waive or place him on season-ending injured reserve.
"It's a great situation to be on PUP and have the time when you need it," Tyree said. "I want to be in position to help the team, not hurt it."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
