Category Archives: New York Giants
Today is the day the rookies get their first taste of NFL life when the Giants open rookie camp ay their training facility at the Meadowlands. We will have the latest on all the fun, so stick with us all weekend.
The Giants came to terms with their third-round selection last night: CB Jayron Hosley of Virginia Tech was inked to a four-year deal as per Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger:
“The team’s third-round pick will sign a four-year deal, according to someone informed of the progress of negotiations. The person requested anonymity because the Giants haven’t announced the contract yet…..Based on his slotting as the 94th overall pick, Hosley’s deal will include a signing bonus of $515,000.”
They also signed their second fourth-round selection – OL Brandon Mosely – to a four-year deal.
The Giants and fourth-round pick OT Brandon Mosley have agreed on a four-year deal, source confirmed. Should compete for job at RT in camp.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) May 11, 2012
Garafolo: “Mosley, the second of the team’s two fourth-round picks, will get a $300,584 signing bonus.”
Scott Spratt of Pro Football Focus questions the Giants’ selection of Virginia Tech RB David Wilson in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.
“Wilson, in particular, strikes me as an odd choice. He is within an inch in height and ten pounds of Bradshaw and has a similar skill set. He provides no change of pace. He is depth. When Bradshaw is tired or hurt, Wilson will do Bradshaw things. And that realization sparked my own creativity. Why do the Giants believe they need more Ahmad Bradshaw?”
Spratt answered the question by explaining the Giants need to have a proper run/pass balance to ensure the safety of QB Eli Manning….
“With the increasing likelihood for a pass, defenses appear to have noticed. Eli was sacked merely 16 times in 2010. That number jumped to 39 times in 2011. Some of the blame can be placed in a diminished offensive line that fell from top-10 in 2010 at +2.9 in pass protection to dead last in 2011 at -99.3, almost twice as bad as the lamented Bears. However, some blame has to land on Brandon Jacobs, the lone Giants back who rated negatively as a blocker last season.
All of a sudden, Wilson makes a lot of sense. He can help the Giants as both a rusher and a blocker and could be the keystone to a return to a balanced offense. As such, I advise some tempering of expectations when it comes to the Giants’ passing game. Eli, Hakeem Nicks, and Victor Cruz will not stop being good, but they may not have quite as many opportunities to show you just how good in 2012 as they did in 2011.”
One player who may open some eyes this weekend is WR David Douglas of Arizona. His pro day was very impressive but there were apparently no NFL GMs present to see it. He went undrafted and was signed by the Giants as a UDFA after the draft. The Giants don’t really have room for another WR, but you never know….
“The 6-1, 205 pound Douglas was overshadowed throughout his career by (Juron) Criner (who was taken in Round 5 by Oakland) but timed faster (4.40-4.46) and surprised scouts with his crisp route-running and soft hands despite the ugly weather. “The other receiver was pretty good. He had a strong workout. He may have moved himself into the 7th round Monday.” There were few big names among the scouts and coaches on hand for the workout. There were no general managers or head coaches present, though the Buffalo Bills’ Director of Scouting Chuck Cook did attend.” - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
“The speedy receiver turned scouts’ heads at Arizona’s pro day by running a 4.45-second 40-yard dash. Douglas also turned in impressive performances in the 225-pound bench press drill (20 repetitions), and demonstrated his 37-inch vertical jump. He is projected as a potential late-round draft pick.” – John Kreger, CBS Sports
Tagged Giants Rookie Mini Camp, New York Giants News |
In the aftermath of the free agency and the draft, you start to realize you may have quite a few bodies at one certain position.
In some cases you don’t necessarily have too many bodies; however, a young guy or even a rookie is ready to step up and take someone’s job. It happens every year.
This version of the Giants “STEP UP” is the “B” addition.
Tagged 2012 New York Giants |
The incredible comeback of safety Chad Jones, the 2010 third-round draft pick who nearly lost his leg in an auto wreck two years ago, will have to wait a bit longer.
The Giants have said that Jones will not be on the field at TIMEX this weekend for the team’s rookie minicamp. From Paul Schwartz of the Post:
“Though his presence at the Giants offseason workout program is uplifting for him and his teammates, Chad Jones is not close to making his NFL debut, and he will not participate in the three-day rookie mini-camp that begins Friday.”
The Giants are expected to sign another of their draft choices today. Tuba-playing offensive tackle Matt McCants, the team’s sixth-round selection out if UAB, should be in the fold before rookie minicamp opens tomorrow. From Mike Garafolo:
“Offensive lineman Matt McCants and the team reached an agreement today on a four-year contract, according to McCants’ agent. The sixth-round pick is expected to sign on Thursday, one day before the start of rookie camp.
According to someone smart enough to do the math on this stuff (i.e. not me) McCants will receive a signing bonus of $88,232 on his deal. Though some are disagreeing with me on Twitter right now, I say that will buy him a lot of tubas.”
One of the more-watched draftees this weekend will be fourth-round selection Brandon Mosley, the G/T out of Auburn. He could be another big hit for Jerry Reese an the Giants. From Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York:
“Giants believe Mosley is old school, tough-minded and versatile like David Diehl. Diehl could start at right tackle this season with Kevin Boothe at left guard and Will Beatty at left tackle. So Mosley could sit and learn this season and provide depth and perhaps compete for a starting spot next season. At best, perhaps Mosley can compete at right tackle this season.”
Tagged New York Giants News, NFL |
The rookies have been assigned uniform numbers. TE Adrien Robinson will wear #81, the number worn by the recently deceased Stacy Robinson. WR Rueben Randle will wear #82 (which belonged to Mario Manningham) and OL Brandon Mosely seals Kareem McKenzie‘s fate by taking his #67…
Rookie Mini Camp Jersey numbers for draft picks – Wilson 34, Randle 82, Hosley 36, Robinson 81Mosley 67, McCants 71, Kuhn 78
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 9, 2012
The Giants are moving quickly to get their draft picks under contract ASAP. Yesterday, they inked 4th rounder Adrien Robinson and now it seems they have a hook into 6th rounder Matt McCants…
Giants close to agreement with their sixth-round pick, OL Matt McCants. Source says he’ll likely sign when rookies report to camp Thursday.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@TheBlueScreen) May 9, 2012
2009 third-round selection Chad Jones is still eligible to participate in this year’s rookie minicamp, but he does not appear to ready to hit the field yet. Our colleague at Newsday, Tom Rock, tweeted today that Jones will be a scratch this weekend.
I’m told Chad Jones will not be participating in this week’s rookie minicamp. He said last month he was hoping to be cleared to participate.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) May 9, 2012
Tagged Giants Twitter, New York Giants News, Twitter |
The Giants began signing their draft picks yesterday, starting with one of their fourth-round selections – TE Adrien Robinson. The deal is for four years and is reportedly worth around $2.5 million.
Mike Garafolo: “It used to be most rookie contracts weren’t completed until June or July. But under the new collective bargaining agreement signed last year, these deals are a lot less complex and thus easier to negotiate.”
The Giants have high hopes for the supurbly talented Robinson, who GM Jerry Reese has compared to another one of his raw recruits: DE Jason Pierre-Paul.
The team was on the practice fields at TIMEX yesterday for the first time in front of coaches this year. QB Eli Manning is glad to getting back to work after being on national television (again), this time as the host of Saturday Night Live.
“I’m excited to be back and practicing today, be with my teammates on the field and trying to get better here,” Eli told Michael Eisen of Giants.com. “It’s great to be back on the field, have the coaches. We’ve been doing some stuff on our own, but to have the coaches out there and have a structured practice and have everybody running around and getting the full speed was good. It was good to get out there and get started working on things that we need to improve on to get better for next year.”
DE Osi Umneyiora has gone from Twitter luddite to Twitter superstar overnight. His account is one of the more informative and entertaining ones out there – as far as athletes go….Yesterday, he came to Kurt Warner’s defense that football is a dangerous game:
“Kurt Warner is Right to think how he is thinking about his kids and football….Its an awesome game and has done a lot for me, but i know when im 45 there is a strong chance il be in a wheelchair. If i can avoid that for my son, i will. But if he wants to play i wont stop him.”
Osi appeared on ESPN’s Outside the Lines which is examining the effects of head trauma on NFL Players. From Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:
“Football is dangerous. It’s a dangerous sport at the NFL level. I can’t speak for the youth programs because I didn’t go through that but at the NFL level it’s a dangerous sport, period. But at the end of the day we’re going to continue to do it because we love to do it and it allows us to provide for our families. Now the NFL has owners who care and a commissioner who cares and you can see them taking steps to eradicate the head traumas . . . but at the end of the day there’s really not much you’re going to be able to do to eradicate that completely, unless you’re going to eradicate the game of football, and that’s not going to happen.”
Tagged New York Giants News |
I’ve been reading these rumors about the Giants possibly trading DE Osi Umenyiora to Baltimore for a third-round draft pick.
My take? The Giants would gain nothing by doing this. They would only be doing the Ravens a favor by providing them with a world-class pass rusher to fill the void left by the injury to Terrell Suggs.
The Giants have to face the Ravens this season, too, and trading Osi to them would be making their effort to repeat as Super Bowl champs even more difficult.
Osi should not be traded for anything less than a second rounder at this point. Here’s why…
The Giants can keep him for one more season, (it’s his contract year, btw) get a monster season out of him and then let him walk via free agency.
They would most likely get a third-rounder awarded them by the Commissioner via a compensatory selection, which would be ….wait for it…..a third rounder…
So why trade him? And don’t give me the distraction angle, either….
Tagged New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora |
Here’s som more stories that may interest you this morning…..
Giants’ OC Kevin Gilbride visited his alma mater – Southern Connecticut State University – yesterday, accompanied by WR Hakeem Nicks who was making his first trip to the Nutmeg State….from Jeff Nowak of The Hartford Courant:
“It’s especially nice to come back when you can bring a Super Bowl trophy with you,” said Gilbride, who went to North Haven High School, graduating from Southern in 1974. Those in attendance were able to take pictures with the Lombardi Trophy, Gilbride and Nicks.
“I’m always amazed at how many Giants fans there are,” Gilbride said. “I’m riding my bike and people are honking their horns. At church I was signing autographs last Sunday. … It’s a reminder of how fortunate you are more than anything else.”
Tagged New York Giants News |
There are a number of exciting 2012 draftees on the Giants’ schedule this year. Below, I have listed the rookie(s) I am anticipating most among each of the Giants’ opponents, starting with their four pre-season foes.
Jaguars (Preseason Week 1): WR Justin Blackmon
The consensus best wide receiver in the draft, Blackmon was an absolute beast at Oklahoma State. He may not be the “can’t-miss” talent his fifth overall billing suggests, and he’s not quite as good as last year’s first rounders AJ Green or Julio Jones either. That doesn’t mean he can’t develop into a top-20 wide receiver.
The Jags also drafted a punter, Bryan Anger, in the third round. So that’s something…
Jets (Preseason Week 2): WR Stephen Hill
One of the many talented second round receivers, Hill is a size/speed freak who would not have been out of place at the end of the first round. Along with Santonio Holmes, the Jets now have two great deep threats, and two quarterbacks who struggle to throw the ball deep.
Quentin Coples, their first rounder, has loads of talent, but is a high risk/reward type who has (unfairly) been compared to Vernon Gholston. He could have a huge impact, or he could be invisible his rookie season.
Tagged New York Giants News, nfl draft, pre season, rookies |
Giants players walk the picket line at the Meadowlands during the 1987 NFL players’ strike.
The Giants have won four Super Bowls in their history, and many feel there could fifth in the cards for them in this Tom Coughlin-Eli Manning era. But it may not be this season.
The team’s performance history after winning Super Bowls is not overwhelmingly good, which had brought to ask what will happen this time around. How has the team fared coming off SB victories? Thought you’d ask that question….
In their defense of Super Bowl XLII, the Giants finished the 2008 season with a 12-4 record winning 11 of their first 12 games. WR Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg the night before that eleventh win against the Redskins and Giants would win just one more game the rest of the way. They went on to lose miserably in the Divisional Playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles, 23-11.
Tagged New York Giants, New York Giants History |
Live from New York……Eli Manning is set to host Saturday Night Live tonight.
From the gang at NFL Films….
It will mark the 35th time in the show’s 37 year history that a sports-related figure (athlete, coach, broadcaster) has been named a host for the durable comedy-variety series. Manning will be the 10th host with ties to the NFL.
The others? Fran Tarkenton (1977), OJ Simpson (1978), John Madden (1982), Alex Karras (1985), Joe Montana/Walter Payton (co-hosts, 1987), Deion Sanders (1995), Tom Brady (2004) and Peyton Manning (2007). That’s an impressive list that includes five Hall of Famers and totals 14 Super Bowl titles. Not surprisingly, the list is dominated by quarterbacks. (READ)
Mike Garafolo tells us that OL David Diehl is ready to stave off another group of young challengers seeking to unseat him on the offensive line:
All Diehl knows is he will be playing, period.
Despite Will Beatty returning from a detached retina to again compete at left tackle, James Brewer coming in as a candidate at right tackle, veteran Kevin Boothe making a case for a full-time role at guard and draft picks Brandon Mosley and Matt McCants entering the picture as prospects.
“That’s great to bring in young guys and have depth and create competition,” Diehl said this afternoon by phone in an interview in part to promote an appearance at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Union this Sunday. “I’ve already been told, ‘You’re getting old.’ I laugh when people tell me I’m old when I’m 31 and have only missed four games. People are asking, ‘Are you worried about your job security?’ This isn’t the first time they’ve drafted somebody at my position and it definitely won’t be the last time.” (READ)
Not sure if the Twitter universe is ready for this….DE Osi Umenyiora, who told us last week he does not have a Twitter account, finally got one: @OsiUmenyiora. It was quickly verified and promises to be entertaining…..
And fyi, i dont always play defensive end. But when i do, i prefer to play it for the NYG. Stay thirsty my friends
— Osi Umenyiora (@OsiUmenyiora) May 5, 2012
Tagged New York Giants News, Osi Umenyiora Twitter | ← Older postsNewer posts →
