The New York Giants continued to tweak their roster by signing five year NFL veteran WR Derek Hagan to a one year contract. Hagan (6’2″ 215 pounds) hasn’t done much for Big Blue since he came to the team from the Miami Dolphins in 2008. In 2009, Hagan had 101 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. I expect to see Hagan used primarily on special teams but he could get into a few games, if he can impress the coaches. Most Giants fans would prefer to see him do well (myself included), so that the team can be even more effective in the passing game. QB Eli Manning can use all of the help he can get and the re-signing of Hagan shows that Jerry Reese is very intent on keeping Easy Eli happy. A deep group of wide receivers ensures that the team will not be without a backup in that particular area.
There will be a lot of talented receivers on the team in 2010. Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks will more then likely take the one and two spot, while the battle for the third slot will be between Mario Manningham and the rest of the wide receiver group. Ramses Barden is still a very intriguing prospect because of his size and strength. One could say that this year’s first round pick, Jason Pierre-Paul could be viewed in the same light as Barden. Barden was brought in as a project because he came from a small school, exactly the same situation as Pierre-Paul finds himself in. QB Eli Manning had a career year in 2009, even though the team finished with a disappointing record. The WR corps was a big part of his progress and they should all flourish once again in 2010.
What do you think about the G-Men re-signing WR Derek Hagan? What do you think about the entire wide receiver group for the 2010 NFL season?
The New York Giants are a very young team. I was extremely surprised to see just how young, when I checked out the roster this morning (courtesy of Giants.com). I decided to look deeper into the college career of Linval “The Anvil” Joseph today and was going to write an article about him (I’ll get to you soon Linval), when I noticed the “years of NFL experience” next to each players name. Needless to say, I was very surprised at what I read. I started to wonder if I was just getting old and if things had always been this way or if this truly was a youth movement going on in New York. I understand that a player with five years of NFL experience is technically a veteran but I would hardly say that he was an old player. In fact, I would say a player at the five year experience mark is just hitting his prime. I used the five year mark as a starting point and worked my way up the ladder of experience. Players at the four year mark and below would certainly be considered “young” in football terms.
The one thing I learned by taking a closer look at the roster was, the oldest three players and spots on the list, all belong to the offensive line. The New York Giants offensive line is one of the best in football and I am not suggesting that they can’t play anymore, I want to make that clear. There is only one player on the team with ten years of NFL experience and only two players on the team, with nine years of experience. All three of them are starting offensive linemen. Giants GM Jerry Reese addressed the offensive line last year by drafting OT William Beatty and again this year by drafting OG Mitch Petrus. I would love to see the current offensive line play for another decade but it is just not going to happen. There are currently 37 players on the roster with four years or less NFL experience.
Personally, I do not look at this as a bad thing. I think the team is doing exactly what they need to do, in order to make another run at the Super Bowl. I have complete faith in Jerry Reese and the rest of the Giants staff. I also disagree with all of the media hype about Tom Coughlin’s job being in jeopardy this year. The man won the Super Bowl in 2007, coached the team to a 12-4 record in 2008 and was plagued by injuries in 2009. Last year was not coach Coughlin’s fault in my opinion. But enough about my opinions, let’s take a look at what the Giants roster tells us.
The Number of players with NFL experience, by years.
10 years of NFL experience – 1 player
9 years of NFL experience – 2 players
8 years of NFL experience – 1 player
7 years of NFL experience – 2 players
6 years of NFL experience – 4 players
5 years of NFL experience – 6 players
What do you think about the youth movement going on in New York? Is this something that will help or hurt the team during the 2010 NFL season?
I would like to talk about CB Aaron Ross for a bit today. This is one of the most intriguing issues the Giants will face in 2010. Ross was a budding star before his injury plagued 2009 season. Reports came out saying that he was unsure about his NFL career and if he even wanted to play anymore. Not exactly the type of talk you want to hear from your starting cornerback. Most of what came out of Ross’ mouth, was due to the depression he must have felt about not being able to play. He is an extremely competitive guy and I imagine that the frustration got the better of him that day and the media ran with his comments. Ross is a Super Bowl Champion and knows what it takes to get there again. He must know that he is an important part of the puzzle and that the team needs him. We know his heart is there, now we need to know that his body can do the work.
CB Terrell Thomas has emerged as the number one cornerback on the Giants defense and I’m curious to see who will be starting opposite him. If Ross is healthy, he will certainly get his starting role back but if he can’t go, things will get extremely interesting. There are only seven cornerbacks on the current roster and three of them are rookies. CB Corey Webster (the senior CB with five years of NFL experience) would seem to be the obvious choice to replace Ross if he can’t play.
Let me be clear, I am a fan of Aaron Ross. Like many Giants fans, I would love nothing more then to see him running around and making plays for Big Blue. When I spoke with Michael Eisen and John Schmeelk of Giants.com last week, I brought up the subject of Ross’ health and didn’t receive a definitive answer from them. I didn’t get the feeling that the guys were hiding anything but rather, they truly don’t know what will happen. Eisen said that Ross continues to work hard on his rehab and we will have to wait and see how that translates to the field. A bad hamstring can be a lingering problem and something that could resurface from time to time.
What do you think about the current cornerback situation in New York? Do you think the team needs to grab another free agent CB or are you confident with the players currently on the roster? How important is it that CB Aaron Ross return to the field?
The New York Giants signed two players today who were attending the rookie mini camp. This is quite an achievement for these two young men because it truly is a long shot to get signed when players take this route. The G-Men also released a player today as well. The roster is slowly beginning to take shape and with each new roster move, the Giants are showing the areas the feel need to be addressed.
The first player signed today is a linebacker from Kentucky named Micah Johnson (not to be confused with the WR prospect Micah Rucker). Johnson is 6’1″ 262 pounds and played most of last year with a strained MCL, something that might have kept teams from taking a closer look at him. The Giants must have seen something they liked or they would not have signed him. The linebacker position will be under a microscope this year and most fans are extremely curious to see who will be the starting MLB when the season starts.
The Giants also signed a quarterback from Wake Forest named Riley Skinner. The 24 year old QB is 6’0″ 210 pounds and is the winningest quarterback in the school’s history. The biggest knock on Skinner (as told by the player experts) will be his height. I have said it before and I will say it again, I’m not sure how well Jim Sorgi can perform on the field during crunch time. I am not calling the man out but when you are Iron Man Peyton Manning’s backup QB, you pretty much watch the game from the bench. Everyone knows he will be an incredible asset as Eli’s study partner but I am very curious to see what he can do when given an opportunity to play, something that all Giants fans hope will never be necessary. Who will eventually end up the true backup QB to Eli Manning is anyone’s guess at this point. QB Rhett Bomar seems to have the inside track for getting in the games.
QB Dominic Randolph was waived by the Giants today.
Two Big Blue linebackers Bryan Kehl and Phillip Dillard, have decided to switch jersey numbers. Kehl will wear No. 55 from now on, while Dillard will rock No. 53. There was no mention of any side payments or favors that were required in order to switch, which has become a custom in the NFL when vets deal with rookies.
George Martin is one of my favorite all-time New York Giants. He was a terrific athlete on the field and when his football career ended, he continued to be a leader in the community. George Martin has done extensive charity work in the tri-state area and has recently been named CEO of the NFL Alumni Inc. Martin will be in charge of looking out for all former NFL players and making sure that they are being taken care of. I can’t think of a better man for the job. George Martin is also the former president of the NFL Players Association. The 57-year old former defensive end has not slowed down one bit. He has been one of the most dedicated leaders in getting the 9/11 first responders to the front of Americans minds. Martin walked across the entire United States (New York to San Diego) raising millions of dollars for medical care, for the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others during the 9/11 tragedy. I have tremendous respect for Mr. Martin and the NYG Reporter gives him our full support.
There seems to be a renaissance of awesome 1980’s Giants players in the news this past week. Leonard Marshall was also in the papers for taking a job as the head coach of Hudson Catholic high school in Jersey City. Marshall was a part of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew of the 1980’s, just like Martin. Mr. Marshall is going to improve that team and instill some valuable football knowledge in those kids. We wish him the best of luck in his new venture.
They say that things usually happen in 3’s. The third installment of the 80’s flashback occurring recently is not a good tale at all. All world defensive star Lawrence Taylor was arrested yesterday for allegedly raping a minor in a New York hotel room. I want to be clear that this is an ongoing case and nothing has been confirmed and he has not been convicted yet. It is an ongoing investigation and will take months to gain some closure. Taylor was released on $75,000 bail today and is due back in court on June 10, 2010. Taylor is no stranger to having issues with the law. I think I can speak for most Giants fans when I say that he is making it very difficult to stick up for him, due to all of the problems surrounding his life. If the allegations are true, then it will be a very sad day for myself and many Giants fans because we can no longer praise a man who has raped a women. I truly hope that Taylor will be proved innocent and allow the fans to continue to enjoy his memory, as the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL.
If there are any kids reading this story, I would encourage you to look at role models such as George Martin and Leonard Marshall, athletes who give back to the community and keep God very close to their hearts. There comes a time when you have to look at man’s life in it’s totality and not just what they do on the field, ice, ring or court. Their career’s will certainly end one day but the men and women will continue their lives in the world. Hopefully, the kids will realize that you will always be held accountable for your actions, no matter how talented you are or how high your star rises.
Not too much in the news this week Giants Fans. Rookie mini camp was this past weekend, but surprisingly not much news came out from it. Matt Mosley reported on the progress of Linval Joseph. The second round defensive tackle out of East Carolina apparently had a very impressive weekend. Supposedly, he was great at encouraging teamates throughout the camp, so maybe on a defense that is really looking for a voice of leadership this kid can provide a spark.
Speaking of defensive leadership, I think it may be the one issue no one is talking about. Who is going to step up and replace Pierce’s voice? Osi certainly won’t and Tuck has never been out spoken. I personally am hoping Rolle can step in, or maybe Boley, whoever starts at MLB or maybe even Joseph.
Back to this past weekends camp, reports indicate that Jason Pierre-Paul is athletically impressive but that Linval should have a more immediate impact. I think the best case scenario is for JPP to really learn this year and then next year, when either Osi or Kiwi leave, (and one of the certainly will) he can step into the rotation and play a big role.
Final note, Herm Edwards appeared on ESPN after a “Sports Nation” poll revealed Giants’ Fans believe the team will go 12-4 this season. Herm disagreed believing the NFC East will be too strong and the middle of the schedule will be too brutal. He seems to believe the team will be a 10-6 wild card team. Sounds reasonable. In the next edition I’ll try and give a very early schedule break down and maybe do a few more as the offseason progresses.
I’d like to officially start this column by paying dues to one of my personal heroes, Mr. Jeffrey Allan Feagles, the best punter in the history of the NFL.
Feagles started his NFL career back 1988, when he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks. He came to Big Blue in 2003, and had 7 successful seasons for us. He and former Giant John Carney were the last remaining NFL players from the 1980s.
A real highlander, Feagles never missed a game in his 22-year career, and holds the record for most consecutive games played in history, with 352, which is incredibly impressive. His strong play lead us Giants fans to simply stop worrying about the punter position, as Feagles would consistently place the ball inside the 10-yard line, keeping opposing offenses with their backs against the wall.
Among the reasons Jeff decided to retire at age 44, he stated that his body was telling him it couldn’t do it anymore. Additionally, he is now going to be able to spend more time with his wife Michele, and be able to attend his sons’ games, the eldest of which is C.J. Feagles, who is a punter at the University of North Carolina at Chappel Hill. Let’s hope he is as good as daddy.
Master Feagles retires holding the following NFL records:
• Most consecutive games played;
• Most punts;
• Most punts inside the 20;
• Most punting yards.
Thanks for everything Jeff, be happy wherever you go, and please come back as the punters coach one day!!!!
Throwing into Coverage:
The Giants draft this season followed the trend set by Jerry Reese of adding value over need. Overall I like the players Reese got us, however, I really question the Pierre Paul pick. Not that JPP is not going to be a good player in this league, but just that I don’t think he was the best guy around for our team.
It is a fact the Reese needed to upgrade his defense, but it is also a fact that we did not need another defensive end. We have a gaping hole at MLB, so why not get Sean Wheatherspoon, who was picked by the Falcons at 19, and then still go and get Phillip Dillard in the 4th round? Reese made a decision not to resolve the MLB situation via free agency, and to do it through the draft instead, so why in Jeff Feagles’ name didn’t he try harder to get more playmakers at that spot? Maybe even trading up to get Rolando McClain wasn’t a reach. For these reasons I think Jerry Reese threw into coverage with the first pick.
Now, with that being said, I really like Phillip Dillard. There is something about the way he speaks that really calms me down, and the fact that he is a compulsive film studier almost gives me tears of joy. Add that to the fact that all our other guys are mediocre at best (I hope they prove me wrong, though) and we have an heir to Antonio Pierce’s kingdom.
Automatic First Down
The Matt Dodge pick was a smart move. Knowing about Feagles’ retirement, and having only an Australian who doesn’t even understand the rules of the NFL as the punter, I was pretty nervous about this position, so Jerry Reese got an automatic first down on this.
Finally, another great move by Big Blue was the signing of undrafted free agent LT Dennis Landolt. Dennis was a 3-year starter at Penn State, playing 39 consecutive games, and never missing a practice. Moreover, Landolt is extremely smart, having achieved two degrees in five years of college (Supply Chains & Information Systems and Economics).
This is the kind of player the Giants need in their squad: smart, hard-working guys who will provide depth for our veterans, pick their brains, and maybe in a few years even become full time starters.
NYGReporter was representing on Tuesday, as we called into the Giants.com radio podcast “Eisen’s Insight LIVE” and talked to the guys over at the stadium. The show is hosted by Michael Eisen and John Schmeelk. I called in as “Robert from New York” and can be found at the halfway mark of the show. I asked the guys about safety Kenny Phillips’ injury status and how he is progressing. Michael Eisen said that he was coming along well but he will need to give it the final test on the field to really know for sure. He also said the team is being “cautious” about announcing anything definitive concerning Phillips. I’m sure that I am not the only Giants fan concerned about Phillips’ situation because he is one of the most promising athletes the Giants have. We all wish him a full and speedy recovery.
I also asked about RB Andre Brown (ruptured achilles) and CB Aaron Ross (hamstring) and how they were doing, after both had suffered injuries in 2009. Again, Michael Eisen said that both of them were coming along fine and that it was a good thing (as good as it can be) that Brown got injured last August, so he had time to fully heal. Eisen also mentioned that Ross will need to get on the field and see how the hamstring feels before he will know anything for certain. Aaron Ross plays a huge role in the Big Blue secondary and Brown was touted as a possible break out star when he was drafted in 2009. The fans certainly hope that both of these men will be good to go in 2010.
It was a brief talk during the podcast but I found both Eisen and Schmeelk to be good guys. I have followed their work for quite some time and had a lot of fun being on their show. I was going to ask if I could say a plug for NYGReporter.com but wasn’t sure if that would be a conflict of interest, maybe next time. Enjoy!
I will leave a link to the Giants Radio podcast below, so that our readers can listen to it for themselves. Remember to have the volume turned up on your computer when you click the link.
For some football players, even retirement can’t get the game out of their blood. Such is the case with former New York Giants legend, Leonard Marshall. Reports have confirmed that Marshall has accepted the head coaching position at a New Jersey high school. Mr. Marshall, who has no previous coaching experience, will take over as head coach for Hudson Catholic high school in Jersey City. Can you imagine coming home from school as a 16-year old kid and telling your Dad that Leonard Marshall will be your football coach? I would love to see the expression on some of these parents faces when they find out.
Hudson Catholic has had their football program go downhill in recent years. The addition of Marshall should make a significant difference in getting kids interested in playing and boost ticket sales to the games. It’s nice to see this humble man with nothing left to prove give back to the kids and bless them with his valuable football knowledge.
I can’t think of a better time to take the opportunity to reminisce on Mr. Marshall and what he means to the history of the New York Giants. Leonard Marshall was an outstanding defensive end for the G-men who won two Super Bowl rings in 1986 and 1990. He also went to the Pro Bowl on three occasions when he was a part of the famous Big Blue Wrecking Crew. Marshall spent ten years with Big Blue after they drafted him in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. When he retired at the age of 33, he was playing for the Washington Redskins. In 1996, he signed a contract with the Giants so that he could officially retire a New York Giant. He will forever be a true blue New York Giant. He has also done extensive charity work since leaving the game.
Do you remember the days when Marshall would harass opposing QB’s? If you are too young to remember that and your a Giants fan, I strongly suggest doing a search for some video of this man, he was one of the greats in Giants history. Good Luck at Hudson Catholic Mr. Marshall!
Hello Giants Fans, I don’t know about you but my head is still spinning from last weeks 2010 NFL Draft. There were some significant roster moves made by the New York Giants this past week. I will give a brief breakdown of the actions taken by Big Blue and give you my thoughts on them. I like what the Giants are doing this off season. I believe the front office has made the team better with a very good draft and by bringing in some valuable free agents. The team also lost some very good players including Antonio PIerce and Fred Robbins, we have yet to see how the team reacts to those losses. I firmly believe the New York Giants will return to the playoffs in 2010 but I am unsure how far they can go beyond that.
Please feel free to leave your own opinions in the comment area and let us know how you think the player moves will effect the team.
– Jeff Feagles has officially retired from the NFL after 22 years. Feagles is a guaranteed Hall of Famer and he will be impossible to replace. Hopefully, either Jy Bond or Matt Dodge can step up and give the team some peace of mind.
– The New York Giants signed 13 players this past week. These are players that will be on the team during training camp and possibly the practice squad. It would be wonderful to see one of these young players step up and make a name for themselves. I’m rooting for them to do well in an unlikely situation. The players include CB Seth Williams, LB Lee Campbell, DT Nate Collins, QB Dominic Randolph, TE Jake Ballard, WR Tim Brown, WR Duke Calhoun, WR Victor Cruz, OT Dennis Landolt, C Jim Cordle, CB Leon Wright, DE Ayanga Okpokowuruk and S Michael Greco.
– Gerris Wilkinson was re-signed by the Giants to a one year contract. This is a good signing for the Giants but Wilkinson will need to play well this season if he wants to be on the team in 2011.
– The New York Giants began their rookie minicamp this past week with 56 players trying to prove that they belong on the team.
– The New York Giants training camp dates have not been announced yet but should be soon. I will include the dates in our “Events” section here on the top toolbar when they are available.
What do you think about all of the Giants actions from this past week? How do you feel about Jeff Feagles retiring?
This site was born on 03/06/10 in the state of New York. nygreporter is a home for New York Giants fans and writers. We are a family friendly website and keep the comments clean. Remember that kids read this stuff too. This is a place where football fans can come and go as they please, without any headaches. We are a destination for NFL fans who want real analysis and original opinion articles about the New York Giants. The idea is to continue publishing solid work and to build on the existing good reputation we have within the Giants community. Ultimately, leading to a full time paid job writing or partnership of this website with someone who can see the light and see the social media value of working with values.
THE 2011 NFL LOCKOUT IS OVER AS OF 7/25/11. The lockout lasted (136 days). **A judge ordered the end of the NFL lockout for 4 days on 4/25/11 but I do not subtract those 4 days from the total.
The New York Giants continued to tweak their roster by signing five year NFL veteran WR Derek Hagan to a one year contract. Hagan (6’2″ 215 pounds) hasn’t done much for Big Blue since he came to the team from the Miami Dolphins in 2008. In 2009, Hagan had 101 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. I expect to see Hagan used primarily on special teams but he could get into a few games, if he can impress the coaches. Most Giants fans would prefer to see him do well (myself included), so that the team can be even more effective in the passing game. QB Eli Manning can use all of the help he can get and the re-signing of Hagan shows that Jerry Reese is very intent on keeping Easy Eli happy. A deep group of wide receivers ensures that the team will not be without a backup in that particular area.
Posted by robdomaine 
nygreporter.com 