The Giants finally returned to the practice field, but not before their daily session with the media. Here are some odds and ends from the availability period.

There are a few things that signal the beginning of a new NFL season. Brett Favre throwing his first interception. Randy Moss lashing out at somebody. And Bob Sanders being injured.

Raiders owner Al Davis has interviewed at least two candidates for positions on the staff this week, and both have ties to coach Tom Cable. Despite published reports, however, the team has not interviewed anyone for the head coaching job.

Is Tom Cable still coaching the Raiders? Nobody is saying, but there are reports that owner Al Davis is interviewing his potential replacement.

Raiders coach Tom Cable was schedule to meet with owner Al Davis Monday about his coaching future in Oakland according to multiple published reports.

Groundhog Day usually overlaps with the Raiders’ nearly annual head-coaching search. Oakland always takes more time than any other team, and this year has been no different.

After remaining idle the first week of the off-season, Raiders owner Al Davis finally was planning to interview his first head coaching candidate Saturday.

It’s not to say that the Raiders will not reach out to interview Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride for Oakland’s head coaching job. But as of midday on Tuesday, they still hadn’t, despite multiple reports that they had.

Syracuse recently reached out to speak with Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride about becoming its head coach. Gilbride declined to discuss it, saying he was focusing on Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, but a source close to the school did. Gilbride is on the school’s list of coaching candidates, though it’s uncertain how high he is on the list.

When hot head coaching candidates are debated, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo usually is mentioned, rightfully, near or at the top of the list.

But New York’s other coordinator, offensive Kevin Gilbride, also has coached his way into the conversation.