Tag Archives: Mathias Kiwanuka

It’s bye week so things are pretty quiet. Here’s some links to keep the Giants’ discussion going:

The New York Times continues the discussion about the future of Mathias Kiwanuka: When the Giants placed Mathias Kiwanuka on injured reserve Thursday with a herniated disk in his neck, General Manager Jerry Reese and Coach Tom Coughlin each expressed hope that Kiwanuka would be healthy in 2011. Although Kiwanuka is the team’s most versatile defensive player, his contract expires at the end of the season, and the team is already stocked with defensive ends. And while the Giants will weigh their options, it seems questionable that they would let Kiwanuka walk. Read more …

(more…)

Tagged Carl Banks, Facebook, Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants, New York Giants Blogs, 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 |

Add Mathias Kiwanuka‘s name to the list of injured Giants who won’t play in Sunday night’s game against the Bears. Kiwanuka is out with a bulging cervical disc in his neck.

Ralph Vacchiano has more:

Kiwanuka complained of a stiff neck on Thursday, but practiced Friday – avoiding contact with his head and neck – after having an MRI performed Thursday night. He reported more stiffness after Friday’s practice and was sent to the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan where a CAT scan revealed the injury.

“It’s disappointing,” Kiwanuka said. “It just feels like a stiff neck. The pain is not intolerable but I want to make sure that I will be okay down the line. I have full trust in the medical staff and the trainers at the Giants. I’m going to do everything that is asked of me so when I’m cleared I’ll be back and ready to go.”

In a press release, the Giants said it’s unclear when and how Kiwanuka suffered the injury.

Team doctors will monitor the injury and there is no immediate timetable for his recovery. 

Tagged Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants |

I have never been a fan of NASCAR.  All those left turns.  But when it comes to football and the New York Giants, NASCAR means opposing quarterback’s are about to get hit.

Sunday night, big brother takes on little brother, but if the NY Giants are going to stand a chance of taking down the very pissed off Peyton Manning, they better bust out the NASCAR scheme on a regular basis.

NASCAR is when Osi, Tuck, Kiwi, and JPP take the field at one time.  In Fewell’s hybrid system, Kiwi can lineup as a defensive end or a linebacker.  I’m not sure why it took so long for Fewell to let the dogs lose against Carolina, but now that we’ve seen it, we want it and we want it often.

Peyton Manning will not take kindly to going 0-2 and if anyone thinks No. 18 is going to just lay down, they must not be following Peyton’s career.  The comeback kid can match up with the best of them, and I’m sure he has no plans to let little brother beat him, especially at home in Indianapolis.

Rolle, Phillips, Grant, Webster, and Thomas are a HUGE improvement over CC Brown, Aaron Rouse, and Kevin Dockery. So if the race cars upfront can turn up the heat on Peyton, who doesn’t get hit very often, there might be a chance to continue the turn over game in the Giants favor.

Tagged Antrel Rolle, Corey Webster, Eli Manning, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Kenny Phillips, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, Perry Fewell, Peyton Manning, Terrell Thomas |

Can you believe it? 

Sports Illustrated’s  Peter King has predicted the New York Giants to win the NFC East with a 11 & 4 record. 

His reasoning for the prediction…a combination between the “NASCAR” defensive scheme where all four defensive down lineman are pash rushing ends(Tuck, Kiwi, Osi, JPP), Perry Fewell’s ability to call a defense similar to the great Steve Spagnuolo and a healthy Chris Canty.

Yes, Chris Canty.   He believes that if the New York Giants could get production from Chris Canty for 16 games the NY Giants would make a major impact in the NFC and win the division.   He still has the Green Bay Packers going to the Super Bowl; however, Peter is predicting a bounce back year for big blue.

Peter also sited the 2007 New York Giants that were coming off a terible 2006 year at 8 & 8, which was good for 3rd in the division.  Currently, this team is flying belowe the radar.  If they can get healthy there maybe some magic left.

Tagged Chris Canty, Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, NFC East, Osi Umenyiora, Perry Fewell, Peter King, Sports Illustrated, Steve Spagnuolo |

Nice sack by Mathias Kiwanuka in deep red zone play but if you look closely, the sack was set up by a blown play. Barry Cofield had a wide open shot at a square hit on Ben Rothlisberger but bit on a pump fake and turned up field. Kiwanuka didn’t bite.

Tagged Barry Cofield, Mathias Kiwanuka |

Giants’ DE At Career Crossroads

All is not quiet on the defensive front.

We’ve been telling you about the battle at defensive end, where Osi Umenyiora is determined to get his starting job back after he missed the 2008 season and struggled last year.

Umenyiora said the right things when asked about his role on Tuesday, but when asked what would happen if he didn’t start, he said this:

“Would I be cool? If I truly was not the best player, then I would be cool with it. If I feel like I am the best player and everybody in this league knows the type of player that I am, if I am able to play the way that I am capable of playing — and I haven’t played that way in my whole career in my mind — the minute in my mind that I am playing the way that I am capable of playing when I am out on the field, then of course, it is going to be a problem. But I don’t think that is going to happen.”

It could happen if Mathias Kiwanuka wins the battle for the defensive end spot opposite Justin Tuck. Like Umenyiora, Kiwanuka believes he’s the best man for the job.

“That’s my goal and that’s where my focus is, Kiwanuka said about starting. “There’s no other thought in my mind. There’s no doubt that’s where I belong. I’m ready to fill that role.”

And so is Umenyiora, setting up what should become a great competition when the Giants report to training camp in Albany on August 1st.

And there’s more.

Kiwanuka is entering the final year of his contract, and yesterday he told The Star-Ledger that he’s not happy with his current contract situation.

“I have not heard from them about my contract. Obviously, that’s what I want,” Kiwanuka said. “But I’ll sit down with my agent, discuss the right strategy and pick a right time and approach to bring it up.

“I haven’t made a final decision on [holding out of training camp]. I haven’t ruled it out, but I haven’t decided to go that way yet.”

Tagged Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants, New York Giants News, New York Giants Video |

“I won’t be riding a motorcycle anytime soon, I’ll tell you that much….”

Tagged Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants, New York Giants News |

Osi Back In Action; Kiwi Speaks About Accident

The Giants were out practicing on this lovely day in the New York metro area.  It was a good day for doing just about anything.

DE Osi Umenyiora was back in action after sitting out a few OTAs with bothersome hip.  DE Mathias Kiwanuka was back on the field for the first time since he and his brother were in a motorcycle accident last week in Indianapolis.

The beat reporters were on the scene…here are some tweets and observations…

Alex Raskin – CBS Sports.com.…..”Punters Matt Dodge and Jy Bond each took a few shots at dropping a punt inside the 20-yard line. Bond’s efforts had solid hangtime.”

From what we are gathering, Dodge is the favorite to win the job.  If Bond is showing something here, this summer should be an interesting one…

Paul Dottino -WFAN – via Twitter……”LB Coach Herrmann: all 3 MLBs (Goff, Wilkinson, Dillard) have enough range to play the position in this scheme”

Three..? We heard there were six.  What happened to Kehl, Campbell and Micah Johnson…?

Ralph Vacchiano – NY Daily News.….”Kiwanuka added he was not wearing a helmet, but remarkably there was no helmet law in Indianapolis.”

Whoa, I thought this kid was supposed be smart….good thing his brother is out of intensive care now and will recover…this was bad, but could have been worse….

Mike Garafolo – The Star Ledger.….”today was (WR Hakeem) Nicks’ first time running routes since his surgery. Just did individual drills, no team. Again that’s sked for next week (mini-camp)”

Nicks had toe surgery in the off-season.  He is expected to have a breakout year.  The Giants need him to…

According to Justin Tuck, his charity billiards tournament the other night raised approximately $240k.  The event was to benefit RUSH, which focuses on literacy.

Tagged Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants, New York Giants News, Osi Umenyiora |

News, Notes and Tidbits From the Week That Was

The Giants are in the worst place they can be right now – no games to play and lots of media opportunities for players and coaches to do some talking.

As we are all aware, Tom Coughlin is not a fan of this, especially coming off last season’s dissappointing showing.  His motto has always been, “Just Play the Game.”

The Giants will have a few OTAs this week, which will be a run-up to mini-camp, which is June 15-17 this year.  The afternoon session on the 15th will be held in the new stadium and is open to the public.  Giants.com is suggesting you make your reservations, though. Yes, it is free….

Giants Beat Reporter Update

Alex Raskin – CBSSports.com Rapid Reports…

According to a report filed by the NFLPA with the Labor Department, QB Eli Manning earned the most of any player from licensing and marketing (jerseys, video games, trading cards, etc.) with a total of more than $1.4 million in the last fiscal year.

After anticipating a trade when the Giants drafted DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DE Osi Umenyiora did an about-face in a radio interview Thursday, saying, “Yeah, I am going to be a New York Giant.” GM Jerry Reese has maintained the team isn’t looking to trade him.

Paul Schwartz – NY Post

Upon hearing that former Giants linebacker and captain Antonio Pierce believes head coach Tom Coughlin and almost every other Giants player is “on the hot seat” after last year’s 8-8 season, Tuck isn’t hiding from the heat. Instead, he’s embracing it.

“I understand where he’s coming from,” Tuck said of Pierce’s comments. “We didn’t have by our standards a successful year last year. A lot of people said our fans got spoiled, because I’ve been here five years and we made the playoffs four years in a row and we won the Super Bowl, but I don’t agree with that.  I think we got spoiled,’’ Tuck said. “We started 5-0 and we started looking at ourselves as ‘Here we go again, we’re going to make the playoffs.’ And then we got hit in our face and we couldn’t respond to that.  It was a good thing. I’m actually happy all that happened last year.”

Ralph Vacchiano – NY Daily News

Gerris Wilkinson’s old No. 59 never brought him much luck in the NFL, so when teammate Michael Boley offered to buy it, the decision to sell was easy. Wilkinson quickly grabbed No. 58, last worn by Antonio Pierce.

Now he’s hoping to replace Pierce at middle linebacker, too.

That may seem like a long shot, given the unimpressive and injury-plagued first four years of Wilkinson’s NFL career. But the 27-year-old has been revived by switching from outside to inside linebacker. And despite playing just 17 games in the last two seasons, he’s overflowing with confidence, too.

“Once I get on the field,” Wilkinson said, “I think I’m going to surprise a lot of people this year.”

Mike Garafalo – The Star Ledger

Mathias Kiwanuka and his brother, Benedict, were involved in a motorcycle accident in Indianapolis in which Mathias was uninjured but Benedict was severely hurt and in critical condition after being thrown about 100 feet off his bike.

Kiwanuka is expected to return to organized team activities this week. And from the sound of things, he’s very lucky to be doing so, especially since police believe neither brother was wearing a helmet. (There’s no word as to whether either Kiwanuka has been cited for speeding or any other violations.)

There’s nothing in a standard NFL contract that explicitly states players are not allowed to be riding motorcycles. Reese can only hope common sense will govern the players.

“Obviously, we’d like for guys to be careful,” Reese said. “But I’m going to walk out here on the golf course and somebody could hit me between the eyes with a golf ball.”

“We ask them to be careful and be responsible if you’re riding a bike,” he continued. “I’m not sure what was happening. I don’t know if they were drag racing or just riding a leisure ride. I’m not sure what the details on that were. We like for guys to be careful, but it’s a dangerous world.”

Coach Tom Coughlin hoped for the best for Benedict but reserved any other comment until he has the chance to speak to Kiwanuka.

Gratuitous Media Clip of Week

Osi Umenyiora on ESPN.com….

Quotes of Interest

“When you end the season the way we ended it last year, if you’re a football player on the New York Giants and you don’t come back upset, then I don’t know where your heart is.”

- Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty.

“(DT Barry Cofield) who came to me and said, ‘I feel good about my role in this defense.’ I think guys are going to feel good about what they’re doing. He’s going to be solid, he’s going to be aggressive. You see him at practice, he’s got a lot of energy. I think the players like that. … (The defense is) attacking. It’s fundamentals. He stresses fundamentals and details. The players like to be held accountable in that way. It should be fun for them.”

-Tom Coughlin on how the players are responding to new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell

Tagged Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants, New York Giants News, Osi Umenyiora, Tom Coughlin | ← Older postsNewer posts →