Ware Drawing Interest From Teams


...posted by Gary Grund...

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that several teams have expressed interest in trading for Giants runningback Danny Ware, and it’s possible that he could wind up on another team in the coming days. If the Giants do trade Ware, they could potentially add a third quarterback to their roster.

A certain ‘hefty’ quarterback was released by the Colts yesterday…just saying…

Giants Sign McDougle, Add Seven To PS


...posted by Gary Grund...

Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger reports that the Giants have signed recently released defensive end Jerome McDougle, formerly of the Eagles. McDougle was the Eagles first-round draft pick in 2003 but has only recorded three sacks in his career. The Giants released defensive tackle Rodney Leisle to make room for McDougle.

They have also added seven players to their practice squad. Quarterback Andre’ Woodson, cornerback Geoffrey Pope, offensive lineman Na’Shan Goddard, offensive lineman Kurt Quarterman, defensive tackle Jeremy Clark, wide receiver Marcus Monk and defensive end Wallace Gilberry. Garafolo noted that wide receiver Brandon London was expected to be the eighth man added, but he was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins before the Giants were able to get a chance to sign him.

Lastly, cornerback Terrell Thomas has changed his jersey number from 30 to 24.

Giants Make The Cut


...posted by Anthony De Rosa...

The Giants cut 20 players and placed 3 on injured reserve to get their roster down to 53. In addition to the cuts, the Giants added kicker John Carney to replace Josh Huston who they also released. Huston missed an extra point on Thursday and missed two field goals in previous preseason games.

Here are the 20 the Giants released.

K Josh Huston
QB Andre Woodson
FB Robert Douglas
WR Marcus Monk
WR Brandon London
TE Eric Butler
TE Jerome Collins
OL Kurt Quarterman
OL Na’Shan Goddard
OL Andrew Bain
DE Wallace Gilberry
DE Alex Morrow
DT Jeremy Clark
DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo
LB Tank Daniels
LB James Terry
CB Geoffrey Pope
S Stuart Schweigert
OL Cliff Louis
CB Darren Barnett

T Guy Whimper (foot) was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Also placed on IR was QB Anthony Wright (back) and OC Digger Bujnoch (sprained knee).

The Giants opening day roster come courtesy of Mike Garafolo at The Star Ledger.

QB (2): Eli Manning, David Carr
RB (6): Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward, Danny Ware, Reuben Droughns, Madison Hedgecock
WR (6): Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon, Sinorice Moss
TE (3): Kevin Boss, Michael Matthews, Darcy Johnson
OL (9): David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, Guy Whimper, Adam Koets, Kevin Boothe, Grey Ruegamer
DE (4): Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Dave Tollefson, Renaldo Wynn
DT (4): Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, Jay Alford, Rodney Leisle
LB (7): Antonio Pierce, Danny Clark, Gerris Wilkinson, Chase Blackburn, Bryan Kehl, Zak DeOssie, Jonathan Goff
CB (6): Aaron Ross, Corey Webster, Kevin Dockery, R.W. McQuarters, Sam Madison, Terrell Thomas
S (4): James Butler, Michael Johnson, Kenny Phillips, Sammy Knight
K (2): Lawrence Tynes, John Carney
P (1): Jeff Feagles

Video: Mike Garafolo Talks Giants Football


...posted by Anthony De Rosa...

Are You A Die Hard Giants Fan?


...posted by David Jacks...

College is often called “the best years of your life.” It is a time for education. But the mixture of youth, co-ed dorms, and alcohol can overwhelm even the most disciplined party-goers. During my sophomore year of college I attended a mandatory symposium on the dangers of Alcohol. They passed out a survey called “Is AA for you?” According to the survey everyone I knew, including myself, was not only an alcoholic, but we were borderline insane.

To question number six on the survey “have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?” My friend Fran answered, “does eating three blocks of swiss cheese while wearing a traffic cone on your head, completely naked, count?

To question number two, “do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking– stop telling you what to do? My friend EB responded “you mean like the demons in my head, or are they talking about actual people?

Finally, to question number 9 “do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want, even though you keep getting drunk when you don’t mean to?My friend Q responded, “how does that work? Is that like the time I accidentally played seven games of beer pong and made out with the cleaning lady?” No doubt we enjoyed college life a bit too much.

As we grow older the drinking is no longer an issue (unless the Mets give up another 7 run lead), but other addictions have arisen. For my friends and I, the main culprit is sports. I thought I should take the time to right up a similar survey for those of you out there who feel overwhelmed. Here is a survey called “I might just be addicted to my team.” If you answer yes to any of these questions you may have a problem.

Read more…

preGame: Patriots (0-3) @ Giants (1-2)


...posted by Gary Grund...

Giants/Pats

The New England Patriots will face the New England Patriots tonight at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands.

The Vitals:

Game: New England Patriots (0-3) @ New York Giants (1-2)
TV: NBC-4 (Bob Papa & Carl Banks)
Radio: WFAN-660 (Chris Carlin, Dick Lynch & Karl Nelson)
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

  • This will be the last chance for rookies or players on the roster bubble to make a case for themselves to be included on the 53-man roster. Each team will need to make 22 cuts on Saturday to set the final roster for the 2008 season.
  • With Osi Umenyiora going down with a season-ending injury, Mathias Kiwanuka will need to adjust to his new role as the starting defensive end. Expect him to get a few more snaps than the rest of the starters.
  • Coach Tom Coughlin intends to use his starters on about ten snaps before handing it off to the backups.
  • David Carr will follow Eli Manning.
  • K Lawrence Tynes, WR Plaxico Burress, LB Jonathan Goff, LB Danny Clark and LB Antonio Pierce are not expected to play tonight.
  • Watch out for the backup quarterback battle between Anthony Wright and David Carr. Tonight’s game could determine which quarterback the Giants carry into the regular season.

Quote of the Day:

“It is a waste. We don’t need to be playing these games. Obviously you see in the league that guys are getting hurt. You don’t need to play. Obviously with us having a long season last year, going to the Super Bowl, playing more games in the preseason and having a risk of injuries is not smart.”
Antonio Pierce on the fourth preseason game

Chat:

For a live chat during tonight’s game, join us tonight in Giants Football Blog’s Giants Tailgate chatroom.

Giants Being Cautious Tonight


...posted by Anthony De Rosa...

The names of the teams on the marquee tonight are impressive but the names on the back of the jerseys on the field are less likely to be.

The Giants will have their starters in for essentially one series tonight, careful to avoid risking another potential injury like the one Osi Umenyiora incurred last week.

Some players however will be playing for an expanded role when the regular season begins. Others, like Mathias Kiwanuka will be working on adjusting to a new position.

Coach Tom Coughlin tells Tom Rock at Newsday what he approach to this evening’s match up against the Patriots will be.

“What you would like to do is have a chance to play a lot of young guys and let them play and put them in situations and let them fend for themselves. But obviously when the game is over you want them all standing tall and ready to go the next week, too.”

NJ Assemblyman Blasts Giants Over PSL


...posted by Anthony De Rosa...

Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone praised the Jets for selling 27,000 upper-deck season tickets without having to pay for a one-time personal seat license fee and blasted the Giants for not doing so as well.

The Associated Press reports that Chiappone is trying to ban the sale of seat licenses at all sports facilities in New Jersey.

“What the Jets are doing is different than the Giants,” he said. “They are leaving 27,000 seats PSL-free. A large portion of the stadium fan base will be able to buy seats without having to purchase a PSL.”

Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said the team had no comment.

The Giants plan to sell seat licenses for $1,000 to those in the upper deck and as much as $20,000 for those with field-level seats. The Jets are selling PSLs for between $4,000 and $25,000 for lower level seats at the stadium the Jets and Giants will share, scheduled to open in 2010.

Video: Strahan Staying Retired


...posted by Anthony De Rosa...


Coach Coughlin Speaks


...posted by Anthony De Rosa...

Note: This conference took place prior to Michael Strahan’s announcement that he would remain retired and not be returning to the Giants.

Coach Tom Coughlin began with a statement regarding Osi Umenyiora:

Regarding the surgical procedure on Osi Umenyiora, the doctors were very pleased. The surgery went well. The knee looked good. The prognosis is very, very optimistic for a full recovery. That is my quote.

Do you know how long that might be?

What did I tell you the other day? What did I say the other day?

My memory is ….

You don’t have a very good one, I know. I received information and notes from some of your colleagues indicating that I should have called you a little bit different name than I did yesterday.

Is Osi Umenyiora going to go on IR?

That has not been determined just yet.

Is that because there is a possibility that he could be back sooner?

That is just because we haven’t talked about it yet. We haven’t had the doctor and Jerry Reese and ownership together. And we will.

If there is a chance that he could return in January, would that…?

That would be something that the doctor would have to have a great deal of input on because there wouldn’t be sense in going that long and then not having him fully ready to go.

Did you receive any long distance phone calls (from Michael Strahan)?

I did not. I do know that contact has been made. Jerry Reese and Michael did talk, but as of my being out here there has been no information.

Read more…