Tag Archives: Domenik Hixon

With free agency (hopefully) around the corner, the Giants will soon have to decide whether or not they want to pursue free agent Plaxico Burress.  A lot of factors will go into this decision, not the least of which is the current wide receiver core.  Let’s take a look:

Duke Calhoun, Michael Clayton, Derek Hagan, Jerrel Jernigan, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, Devin Thomas, Ramses Barden, Victor Cruz, Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Travis Beckum

Yes, I am aware that Travis Beckum was drafted as a tight end/H-back, but the Giants don’t use the H-back and he can’t cut it as a tight end.  At this point, his best shot to make the team is as a slot receiver.

(more…)

Tagged 2011, Devin Thomas, Domenik Hixon, Duke Calhoun, giants, Hakeem Nicks, jerrel jurnigan, Mario Manningham, michael clayton, NFL, Plaxico Burress, Ramses Barden, Steve Smith, Travis Beckum, Victor Cruz |

Every team in the NFL has assets.  Things they can’t live without when planning to have a successful season or franchise.   These assets are the cornerstone of every winning team.

I was fortunate to spend a few minutes with one of the New York Giants’ hardest working and most respected players on the team.   That asset is wide receiver No. 12 Steve Smith.   Steve was in town promoting the Vaseline MEN Keep Your Grip Challenge and I caught up with him to ask about the knee, his rehab, Plaxico and a few other topics that are on the minds of Giants fans everywhere.

It was an absolute pleasure talking to Steve and I can say without question that this guy gets it.   He is true professional and for all the Giant fans in the area, Steve Smith without question plays a vital role in making the Giants successful.

Check out keepyourgripchallengegame.com for more details on the Vaseline MEN Keep Your Grip Challenge

Giants Wide Receiver talks to Craig J. Santucci – Click Here for Audio

Tagged Domenik Hixon, Eli Manning, Giants Stadium, Mario Manningham, Michael Strahan, NY Giants, Plaxico Burress, Ramses Barden, Steve Smith |

After much speculation regarding the viability of retaining the talented Domenik Hixon, the Giants will not lose the dangerous WR/KR to free agency.

Hixon told his fans via Facebook this evening that he plans to sign a deal with Big Blue in the morning and that he is extremely grateful for the opportunity to return to New York.

God answers PRAYERS! My agent and I have been negotiating with the Giants and it looks like we have came to terms! Going to sign the papers in the a.m. and make this thing official! Thank God and all the support from family, friends and fans!!! Thank You and GO G-MEN!!!

Hixon’s presence will not only give the Giants quality WR depth (Hixon is a prime candidate to replace Smith if he is not ready by season’s start), but it will also certainly boost the miserable return game.

Tagged Domenik Hixon |

Some say timing is everything. The New York Football Giant’s timing is terrible. In likely the most confusing and volatile offseason of the modern era, the Giants find themselves staring at 21 roster members that lack a contract.

Of these 21 players, several are key contributors. TE Kevin Boss is among the players in limbo. Boss is ultimately expected to stay in New York. HB Ahmad Bradshaw, who racked up over a 1,000 yards in 2010 has been told that he is a top priority when negotiations can finally start and thus is expected to remain a Giant as well.

There are three Giants, however, whose futures are less certain. Two of these players could directly affect the other’s future, while the third will need to battle back from a devastating injury.

(more…)

Tagged Domenik Hixon, Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants Blogs, Steve Smith |

After an embarrassing two weeks, the New York Giants are very likely only 6 days away from beginning preparations for 2011. With the new year approaching, I thought it would be smart to go through some of the current members of the organization whose futures with the club are either hot button issues or otherwise in doubt. The piece is a long one and it is broken up into three sections: Out/On The Bubble/ In. As always feel free to let GFB know what you think.

Out
HC Tom Coughlin: While ragging on Coughlin has been an overused go-to option for writers and pundits league wide lately, the blade is swinging ever closer to his neck after yesterday’s loss. There is an argument for keeping him of course. His tenure thus far in New York has been an upgrade from a bleak stretch of time in the team’s history that spanned from 1992 through 2003. After a rebuilding period in 2004, Coughlin fielded an overall competitive squad from 2005 through 2008 and obviously brought New York an impressive Super Bowl win. But things have not been quite the same for the Giants since jumping out to an 11-1 start in 2008. Following up a Super Bowl run with 3 months of utterly dominant football, the Giants stumbled at home against Philadelphia that season and ultimately lost to the Eagles again in their first appearance of the playoffs. 2009 saw a 5-0 start turn into a 3-5 finish and 2010 saw a historical single game collapse, an unspeakable rash of turnovers, and an overall failure to execute on special teams. Coughlin, who is historically quite reliable when it comes to challenges, blew the Giants final challenge of yesterday’s game on an obvious unfavorable ruling and thus was unable to protest against at a late Eli interception on a key drive that was clearly caught out of bounds.

(more…)

Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, Devin Thomas, Domenik Hixon, Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Keith Bulluck, Kevin Boss, Mario Manningham, Mathias Kiwanuka, Matt Dodge, Ramses Barden, Steve Smith, Tom Coughlin, Victor Cruz |

As you already know, Mathias Kiwanuka is on his way to IR for the second time during his Giant tenure. While this is clearly unfortunate and undoubtedly a loss for the team, it is yet another odd resemblance to the 2007 season. The Giants, who were breaking in a new blitz-happy defensive coordinator after a 1-2 start, lost Kiwanuka mid season to a broken leg.

Though Kiwanuka would have been a welcome addition to the Super Bowl run, there was little doubt he would return for the ’08 campaign. This time around, things are not as certain. Kiwanuka is not under contract for the 2011 season and even if he was, he is  dealing with a potentially career ending injury.

With the success that the Giants defense has enjoyed without Kiwanuka, and the steady emergence of young Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants may not be in the market for the ailing DE’s services next year.

On a similar note: Keep an eye on the Domenik Hixon situation. The former Akron standout is certainly missed in the return game, but would likely find himself stuck at 4th receiver if not worse should he return next season. No longer under contract when free agency begins, do not be surprised if he looks to take his talents elsewhere in hopes of seeing legitimate time at receiver. The Giants will obviously want to retain him, but he just may be out of their price range if he gets interest from teams with less receiver depth.

Tagged Domenik Hixon, Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka |

The release of Bryan Kehl was the fourth surprising cut by the Giants over the past two weeks.

Kehl has the look of a prototypical linebacker. A standout in BYU’s 3-4 scheme as an outside pass rusher, he has yet to break through as an NFL player. It can be argued that Kehl’s raw talent was hampered by his landing spot come draft day. Of all the 4-3 defenses to be brought into, the Giants were the worst fit.

It is no secret that the Giants have been carrying at least four top level defensive ends since the 2007 campaign. This year the total grew to five with the addition of Jason Pierre-Paul. For a mid-level draft pick striving to see the field, the opportunities were slim. When other defenses might have dialed up a rush from an extra linebacker, the Giants simply placed another DE in the spot.

His release is still odd considering that the Giants activated him instead of veteran Gerris Wilkinson for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Either Kehl played poorly enough on kick coverage to warrant being dismissed or perhaps parting ways was considered the best option for both parties. Kehl belongs in a 3-4 scheme and is likely to find a fair share of suitors very shortly.

(more…)

Tagged Andre Brown, Bryan Kehl, Derek Hagan, Domenik Hixon, jay alford, Kevin Boss, Ramses Barden, Travis Beckum |

It May Finally Happen.

It may finally be time to toss Moss. The Giants clearly aren’t comfortable letting a current roster member (especially the aforementioned player) take over the return duties. The arrival of Adam Jennings, a depth chart WR but actually a return specialist should end Sinorice Moss’s lackluster tenure in New York.

Several teams, such as the Carolina Panthers, opt to utilize the talent of starting caliber players on special teams. The Giants choose not to but have enjoyed a rare treat in Hixon over the past 3 seasons. Hixon is skilled enough to start as either a returner or a receiver but was stuck in depth chart limbo at 4th option.

In light of the Jennings’s arrival, I compiled a list of notable Giants specialists from the 2000 season and beyond.

Ron Dixon: Dixon carved out a place for himself in New York sports history when he ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown against the Eagles in the 2000 NFC Divisional game. From there on the Giants rolled through their two game playoff schedule, beating the Vikings a week later 41-0.

The Giants, of course, puttered out when they reached the Super Bowl. Losing 34-7, their only score came from a Dixon kick return. This may have been the spark needed to generate a comeback but the ensuring kickoff was also returned for a score by Baltimore. Giants fans would have to wait 7 more years for a heroic Super Bowl victory.

Brian Mitchell: Mitchell joined the Giants as a veteran. The depth cart running back had spent years starring as a premier return man in Washington and Philadelphia. Mitchell was set to be part of a Giants team poised for Super Bowl contention. However, injuries and several second half game implosions derailed New York’s season. The Giants lost the final 8 games of the year and finished 4-12.

Instead of being a key cog as a specialist on a championship squad, Mitchell’s final year in the NFL was spent as a glorified backup running back.

Mitchell makes this list for two reasons. First of all, he was brought in to be strictly a specialist and during his previous years in the NFL he was one of the best in the league. The second reason may have gone unnoticed to fans of 30 of the 32 NFL squads.

Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins seemingly unveiled the explosive wildcat offense for the NFL. The unorthodox style had been used almost exclusively at the college and perhaps high school levels before Miami made it popular in 2008.

Panther and Giants fans that had stayed tuned to a meaningless season finale in 2003 would have seen Mitchell display the offense 5 years earlier.

With Jim Fassel’s firing already made public, the Giants found themselves ending a hapless season at the hands of the eventual NFC champion Panthers. For one drive, Mitchell was inserted at running back (a sight odd enough in itself) and took direct snaps. It proved ineffective (even if it worked no one was watching) and the wildcat lay dormant until the Miami upset of New England in the fall of 2008.

Willie Ponder: Like Hixon, Ponder also wore number 87 during his time in New York. Also like Hixon, he had a knack for finding the end zone on kickoffs. Unlike Hixon, he never found success as a receiver.

In 2004, a surprisingly hopeful opening to the season had dissolved for the Giants. After jumping out to a 5-1 record, Kurt Warner and the offense began to falter. After a string of losses, it was time to hand the keys over to a wimpy looking, young QB known as Eli Manning.

On Saturday, December 18th Manning was set to face off with Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben was drafted 11 picks after Manning but was in the midst of leading his Steelers to the AFC Championship game as a rookie. Unlike Manning, he had a large, powerful presence and several victories gave him confidence that the former clearly lacked (at the time).

Back to Ponder. Ponder opened the contest with a kick return for a touchdown that sent the excitement starved fans filling the Meadowlands into a frenzy that lasted nearly the entire game. A Frank Walker interception of Roethlisberger followed the return and Manning was able to take the field with momentum and the lead. The result was the first valiant effort put forth by Manning since replacing Warner. Though the Giants lost, Manning was able to take several necessary steps forward that day.

Despite the arrival of the next player on the list, Ponder made the 2005 roster. The season opener that particular year took place at home on the 4th anniversary of 9/11. Refusing to disappoint the New York area on this particular day especially, the Giants put on a show and romped the Cardinals. Part of that show included a rare feat: a kick return and punt return for touchdowns achieved by the same team in the same game. Ponder provided the kick return.

Ponder was the 2004 NFL leader in average kick return yards, but was cut before the 2006 season. He played for two NFC West teams in ’06 (Seahawks, Rams) but exited the NFL at season’s end.

Chad Morton: Like Mitchell, Morton had also made a name for himself returning kicks in Washington. Listed as a running back, Morton specialized in fielding punts during the 2005 season in New York. After a few weeks, he replaced Ponder as the kick return specialist and handled both duties. Unlike Mitchell, Morton was a member of the Giants during a relatively positive year. After two losing seasons, the Giants returned to prominence and won the NFC East. Morton provided the punt return to complete the dual return game against Arizona. He did not stay with the Giants in 2006.

Domenik Hixon: Hixon began his pro career in 2007 as a Bronco. He got off to a truly unfortunate start, nearly paralyzing a Buffalo defender upon being hit during a return. Later that season, Hixon became a Giant and made his first big impact in the regular season finale. He ran a kick back for a score against the Patriots in what would become a preview of Super Bowl 42.

Hixon continued to contribute through the successful postseason run. The Giants gave the receiver a shot on offense and in the second preseason game of 2008, the former Akron star didn’t disappoint. In the first quarter he racked up 3 touchdowns (two receiving, one return). This fantastic showing gave the organization confidence and when Burress was suspended for a matchup with the Seahawks the following October, Hixon got the start. Hixon notched a touchdown in that game as well.

He continued to contribute as both a receiver and dangerous return man through the 2009 campaign. Unlike the other players on this list, he saw significant playing time as a non specialist. A costly drop of a sure touchdown against the Eagles in 2008 derailed his campaign to become a permanent fixture in the starting lineup. Despite beginning training camp in 2009 as a starting receiver, Hixon soon found himself behind Smith, Nicks, and Manningham.

The versatile player was set to continue the return duties for New York in 2010, but his recent ACL injury has ended his season. Recently waived, it is expected that he will clear waivers and be placed on IR.

One has to wonder, if returning to the Giants will be a positive for the young player. Hixon could very well have been a starting wide receiver on several other NFL teams.

David Tyree: Tyree joined the Giants in 2003 and like most young players; he earned a roster spot by contributing on special teams. The players listed so far were each return specialists. Tyree however, excelled at gunner. Teaming with the best punter in NFL history, Jeff Feagles, he downed countless punts deep in enemy territory; often inside the 5 yard line.

Tyree, who earned a trip to the Pro Bowl as the NFC special teams selection, desired to be more than a gunner. In interviews he insisted that one day he would make a name for himself as a receiver. Despite being a fan favorite, this didn’t seem likely. Tyree saw his first significant action as a receiver during the 2004 season finale when he filled in for an injured Amani Toomer. He managed to score a touchdown but failed to carry the success over to 2005.

It didn’t seem very likely that Tyree would one day record perhaps the most famous NFL reception of all time. Rounding out the receiver corps with Hixon for Super Bowl 42 Tyree wasn’t guaranteed a large amount of playing time on a Giants team that favored extra tight ends and running backs than surplus receiver packages.

During the final team practice before the game he struggled to haul in a single ball despite being thrown to often.

As many of you know, I’m a Syracuse man. Super Bowl 42 occurred during my freshman year and I had the“privilege” of watching Giants history unfold in a dorm lounge filled with Patriot faithful. The gasps for air that filled the room when fellow Orangeman, Tyree, fell to the turf clutching the ball to his head still ring in my ears. Patriots fans resorted to obscenities while the Giants supporters enjoyed a two-tiered level of pride for both their team as well as their school.

The miraculous catch coupled with his touchdown reception defied the odds and allowed Tyree to reach heights that no specialist has before. Almost fittingly, Catch 42 was the final catch Tyree would make for the Giants.

A Sports Illustrated cover later, Tyree was finally in position to compete for significant time at receiver in 2008. A hamstring injury cost him the entire season. In 2009, he entered camp buried under at least 4 if not 5 other players on the depth chart. He failed to make the team after a horrendous showing.

Despite his declined receiving skills, the Giants made a serious error cutting the Super Bowl hero. Two or three well downed or blocked punts (the plays Tyree excelled at) would have been much more valuable than the single reception recorded by guess who….Moss.

Tyree played one last season as a gunner for Baltimore and will likely be hanging it up for good in the coming weeks.

Quick NFL Notes:

-I don’t buy “Favre Watch” for a second and neither should you.  On what alien planet would a team that is supposedly set for Super Bowl contention wait until nearly August before finding out if it had a starting QB?

Let’s assume that there really is doubt surrounding Favre’s return (which there isn’t).  Wouldn’t the Vikings have brought in some insurance at QB?  Would Minnesota hand the keys of their solid roster over to Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels?

As a PR guy I can’t knock them for trying to generate buzz, but this song and dance was interesting the first time and intriguing the second.  It’s ridiculous now.

-Terrell Owens wants a home.  He’ll get one.  It should take about a week or two of training camp for someone to lose a valuable receiver.  To be fair to the guy, he kept his mouth shut in Buffalo.  For those who argue that he usually waits until the second year to stir up trouble: No one is going to sign him to a multi year deal.  He’ll likely surface on a mid level club about a month from now.

Tagged David Tyree, Domenik Hixon |

Strahan: Tuck Should Takes Reins As Giants’ Leader

Former Giants’ DE Michael Strahan believes DE Justin Tuck can step up to fill the void as the Giants’ leader.  According to Paul Schwartz of the NY Post……

“At some point somebody has to stand up and be vocal and not worry about hurting feelings, only worry about getting results and maintaining respect from the guys,” Strahan yesterday told The Post. “That’s what a leader does. They have to find somebody.”

Strahan suspects he already knows the perfect candidate.

“We talked about it last week,” Strahan said. “Tuck’s a smart guy, he’s a logical guy to be the leader, one of the ‘faces of the team’ now. Whenever you’re the face of the team that’s one of the responsibilities. I have no doubt he can do it, I have no doubt he will do it.”

In my experience, leaders usually emerge rather than get appointed.  Either Tuck or Osi Umenyiora should have already assumed this role.   The problem is both have had issues.  Tuck was injured last year and struggled to get through the season. Osi was injured two seasons ago and is fighting for a starting spot these days.

Hixon Will Likely Go Unclaimed and Be Placed On IR

We’ve been hearing a lot of grumbling over the waiving of injured WR Domenik Hixon.  Not to worry, it’s just part of the process. No one is going to claim him.

Ralph Vacchiano: “In waiving Hixon, the Giants made the fifth-year player available for any team to claim his rights. He is still expected to wind up on injured reserve with the Giants..”

Ed Valentine: “This, I am pretty sure, is not something the Giants wanted to do. Rather, it is something they had to do in order to head into training camp with a full complement of 80 players on their roster. If I understand the NFL rules correctly, the Giants could not simply place Hixon, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during mini-camp, on Injured Reserve. They have to try to waive him first, meaning his Giants career could be over.”

Michael J. Fensom: “Today, the team announced Hixon was waived/injured, which is a prerequisite to his being placed on injured reserve if he clears waivers.”

Mario Manningham Interview on ESPN First Take

Giants’ WR Mario Manningham was interviewed by ESPN’s Dana Jacobson yesterday…..

Tagged Domenik Hixon, Justin Tuck, Mario Manningham, New York Giants News |

From GFB columnist Dan Benton at Giants 101…

“After suffering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the joint earlier in the offseason, the New York Giants have placed wide receiver Domenik Hixon on the waived/injured list. This does not necessarily mean the team is getting rid of Hixon, it simply means he must now clear waivers in order to be placed on Injured Reserve. However, if another team were to claim Hixon off of waivers, the Giants would lose all rights to him.

That said, since Hixon isn’t signed through 2011, any team that were to claim him would have to pay him through the end of the season ($1.684 million) and risk losing him to free agency unless a long-term deal is agreed upon.

Replacing Hixon on the Giants 80-man roster is former Detroit Lions wide receiver Adam Jennings, who is said to be a talented special-teamer. And at only 5′9” and with a vast wealth of wide receivers on the depth chart, the only chance Jennings stands at making the team is excelling in that very area.

Basically, it sounds like it comes down to Sinorice Moss versus Adam Jennings.”

Thanks to Dan for his vigilance as always…..

Tagged Domenik Hixon, New York Giants | ← Older postsNewer posts →