New York Giants Getting More Help on Special Teams

June 24, 2011

NEW YORK – The New York Giants will be getting more help for the special teams squad immediately following the NFL lockout (now 105 days old). News has broke about the G-Men planning to sign special teams assistant coach Larry Izzo to come in and help out a deplorable squad, which has been especially horrible over the past two years. Everyone around the NFL is familiar with Larry Izzo who spent 14 years in the NFL, primarily as a special teams guy. He has played for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets. Izzo was a Pro Bowl caliber player and is a three-time Super Bowl Champion. The 36 year old Izzo last played in the NFL in 2009 for the Jets. One more bit of interesting news on Izzo is the fact that his wife’s name is Mara.

The Giants have thoroughly addressed the special teams unit this offseason in both the coaching and player areas. Big Blue has been atrocious on special teams for the past few years and have been ranked at the very bottom of multiple categories for special teams production. This future signing is very good news for Giants fans and I like the move made by GM Jerry Reese to get some new blood into that group. Special Teams coach Tom Quinn has not been very productive since taking over the special teams duties. It pains me to say that because Quinn is a Giants coach but the game plays out on national television and even the most novice fan can see they stink.

Hearing this news makes me wonder about other players who could/should become coaches. Three players that I immediately think about for assistant coaching jobs are former LB Antonio Pierce for the linebackers, WR David Tyree for special teams and P Jeff Feagles for the punting/kicking squad. All of these guys are Pro Bowl players in their respective areas and Super Bowl Champions. Feagles would be the most attractive hire since he is widely considered to be the best punter to ever play the game of football.

What do you think about the Giants announcing their plans to hire Larry Izzo once the lockout is over?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!


Former Giant Plaxico Burress Just Cannot Keep His Mouth Shut

June 15, 2011

NEW YORK – Our readers know how much I have talked about giving Plaxico Burress another chance in the NFL. I have written a few articles on him before and after his release from prison last week. I was on his side and hoping that he learned from the error of his ways and came out of jail with a fresh outlook on life. I was wrong. I was dumbfounded when I read what Burress had to say about Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants. I just cannot believe he would burn a bridge before he was anywhere near making amends. Really Plaxico?

Giants fans have not forgotten the facts of the Burress era. The facts are that Burress is a prima donna who has a problem with authority. He mentioned how he hated the prison system because of the way guards spoke to the prisoners in there. How he hated being told what to do and when to eat and all of that. What the heck did he expect? As I watched the video clip with a hot soup face (face scrunched up in disbelief), I shook my head and instantly felt a wave of peace come over me. It was time to say goodbye and good riddens to Plaxico Burress.

It is no secret that Burress has a big mouth but this was such a public relations fumble that Tiki Barber would be shaking his head at it. The unrepentant Burress came across as bitter and having a bad attitude. But you go on and keep imagining that you’re “keeping it real” Plaxico. You want to keep it real? You just dissed New York, the Giants and Coach Coughlin in one sitting and then chose to gloat about the possibility of going to the New York Jets? Now I feel like a fool for sticking up for Burress and I’m glad that Coach Coughlin recognized the headache Plaxico would become down the road.

Let’s not forget how many times he was fined for being late to practice, all his off the field legal problems and how he threw a monkey wrench into the promising 2008 season for the Giants as a team. He is acting like a 34 year old child by saying he doesn’t like the Tom Coughlin system or the way that he coaches. Hey Plaxico, why don’t you try joining the rest of us in the real world where 90% of the public hate their jobs and bosses. Real men stick it out because they have no other choice but to provide for their families. You threw away $12 million dollars and two years of your life because of your ego. Now you decide to call out the team who showed you love and gave you that fat contract to begin with? Why not point that finger at yourself and realize that grown ups don’t act this way. Could you imagine Ray Lewis complaining about practice or the coaching? I can only hope that Burress decides to go to the Philadelphia Eagles, so the Giants DB’s can knock him out while he goes up for a pass. Now that is keeping it real.

What do the fans think about Plaxico Burress calling out head coach Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants on TV?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!


Should the Giants Think About a New Kicker in 2011?

June 12, 2011

NEW YORK – I couldn’t help noticing that a couple of kickers are free agents this year. There are more then two out there but two really caught my attention. They are David Akers and Ryan Longwell. I know that some Giants fans are big Lawrence Tynes fans but I am not one of them. It seems like we have this discussion every year about the kicker position. It tells me that other fans do not completely trust Tynes, just as I don’t. Yes, Tynes kicked that huge FG to get the G-Men into the Super Bowl but he also missed some huge FG’s in his career. Is it time to look for a long term kicker elsewhere or bring in a crafty veteran for the short term?

Both Akers and Longwell are 36 years old and can still play the game. Tynes is 33 years old. The Eagles drafted a kicker in the 4th round (really? lol) of this years NFL Draft, which most likely means Akers could end up elsewhere. Bringing in Akers would mean improving our kicking team and taking away a weapon from the Eagles in my opinion. The Giants special teams was an area of focus this offseason and they will need to do more work in that area before fans can exhale. The Giants special teams has been absolutely atrocious in recent years. Special Teams Coach Tom Quinn must have a lucky horse shoe hidden on him at all times because most coaches would have been fired by now for a lack of production.

I would prefer to have David Akers over Ryan Longwell, who seems to have aged much quicker then Akers. I still think either one would be an improvement over Tynes. I’m sure there will be fans who disagree with me but there will also be fans who agree with this sentiment. I have no qualms about suggesting the team address the kicker position. It would be nice to see the Giants bring in two rookie free agent kickers for training camp competition and possibly catch lightning in a bottle with one of those young men. The NFL lockout has now reached 93 days and fans can only hope there will even be a 2011 training camp. I’m not sure where Tom Coughlin’s comfort level is with Tynes but I can tell you that mine isn’t very high. The time has come to address the kicker position.

Who would you want as the Giants kicker in 2011 between Lawrence Tynes, David Akers and Ryan Longwell? Also, if you were the GM of an NFL team, would you use a valuable draft pick on a kicker?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!


Former Giants WR Plaxico Burress is Going Home Tomorrow

June 5, 2011

NEW YORK – After spending a little under 2 years in prison for shooting himself in the leg at a New York night club, Plaxico Burress will finally be released tomorrow. In what played out like a Broadway show or New York soap opera, the ending to this story has finally arrived. Or has it? If you ask me, I would say this story is just starting to heat up with the uncertainty of where he will play. First, we must allow Burress to spend some time with his family and friends. That is something he must be really looking forward to and I think he should take at least a week to recover from the trauma of being a prisoner for so long. Soak up that TLC and then get down to business. There really isn’t any rush since this NFL lockout (86 days long now) is ruining the 2011 season anyway.

I would suggest the New York Giants take a long hard look at this situation (I’m sure they already are) and realize the value of bringing back a proven WR for the league minimum. Yes, he hasn’t played football in 2 years but neither did QB Michael Vick and he ran QB Donovan McNabb out of his own house in Philadelphia. Speaking of Michael Vick, the rumors say he has been trying to get the Eagles to sign Plaxico. I would not like to see this happen at all. The Giants simply cannot afford to let something like that happen. The man has served his time (he received an unfair prison sentence if you ask me) and he appears to have a new appreciation for life. What could it hurt to give him another shot?

Burress has most of his friends on the Giants rooting for his return. The front office and Tom Coughlin will have no choice but to address this situation during this upcoming week. The biggest question is where would Burress fit into the current scheme? Clearly and unfortunately, WR Mario Manningham would see the largest decrease in playing time and I have to say that Manningham has won me over. He is developing into a big time player. On the flip side of that coin, could you imagine having Plaxico Burress, Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith on the field at the same time? Now that is scary. This only works if Steve Smith is fully healed from his injury, which is said to be coming along nicely and if Burress is still the same player he was before his prison sentence. New York owes Burress for that Super Bowl winning catch and I truly believe the man will be a changed man forever after this experience. Give Burress another shot and let the chips fall where they may. Either way, on behalf of the nygreporter I would like to say, “Welcome Home Plaxico”.

Would you like to see WR Plaxico Burress return to the Giants for the 2011 NFL season?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!


Can Fantasy Football Survive a Cancelled 2011 Season?

May 12, 2011

NEW YORK – I have been a fantasy football player since 1999. I have seen that industry grow into a $15 billion dollar a year beast. There are only a handful of websites that can claim to be big time in that industry. Among them are CBSSports.com, ESPN.com and NFL.com to name the big three in my opinion. If the 2011 NFL season is cancelled, I am sure that those three sports sites will be fine. But what about the smaller websites that offer fantasy games or the emerging fantasy sites people don’t know about yet? I’m sure this is the furthest thing on the NFL’s mind but it is just another issue that will arise from the 2011 lockout that has now reached 62 days.

Could the 2011 NFL lockout actually benefit the larger sports sites, by creating a monopoly on fantasy football by eliminating competition through attrition? I know there are a lot of people out there who could care less about fantasy football but the fact remains that thousands of people have jobs working on the game. The economy is bad enough right now without adding a few thousand more people to the unemployment line. Sure there will be fantasy basketball and hockey that will emerge in the fall but everyone knows the bread and butter of fantasy sports is football. If the NFL cancels the 2011 season, fantasy staffs all over the country will be cut in half or laid off. The reality of “no football” until September 2012 would set in immediately and effect the economy instantly.

Personally, I do not think they will cancel this season. The amount of money is so great that the players or owners will eventually give in. The players I feel bad for are guys like New York Giants DT Barry Cofield who get stuck in the middle. Here is a guy who has played his heart out since being drafted by New York and he could wind up getting the shaft over politics. Free agents are the walking dead right now with zero options. I am a big Cofield fan and hope the team does the right thing with him. We all understand it is a business but giving Chris Canty almost 3 times the money Cofield makes is a joke. I have nothing against Mr. Canty but even he knows Cofield had a better season then he did last year. There is no denying that fact. Barry Cofield is a Giant through and through and deserves some respect for his contributions to the team. Cofield expressed his frustration in an article this week that I found to be honest and truthful. What do you think about his situation?

Top New York Giants for 2011 Fantasy Football

1. WR Hakeem Nicks

2. QB Eli Manning

3. WR Steve Smith

4. NYG Defense

5. RB Ahmad Bradshaw

6. RB Brandon Jacobs

7. WR Mario Manningham

8. TE Kevin Boss

Would you add or subtract anyone from the list above? Do you think there will be a 2011 NFL season?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please support the Eric LeGrand charity walk this June 4, 2011! Check it out at http://www.awalktobelieve.org


Giants Coaches and Staff Keep Busy Prepping for 2011

May 5, 2011

NEW YORK – The New York Giants staff and coaches are staying busy during the 2011 NFL lockout (55 days now). Head Coach Tom Coughlin was sure to point that out during his press conference earlier this week where he discussed their draft picks. Both GM Jerry Reese and Coach Coughlin expressed their desire to get the ball rolling and start digging into free agency. They cannot have contact with any of the rookies either until this mess is cleaned up. So they plan, they work on the schedule, OTA’s and opponents. They work on the playbook, and make plans for minicamp, and training camp. They watch video and try to decide who stays and who goes once the lockout is over. They are staying very busy working on what they can.

Coughlin was sure to add his opinion on players remaining in shape during this lockout. He said the players should be prepared to hit the field as soon as this squabble over money subsides. The Giants staff has their work cut out for them with re-stacking the boards, as GM Jerry Reese would say, with all of the college rookie free agents available out there, nevermind all of the pro players who will be ripe for the picking as they look for a new home. I am one of the people who thinks the team will get a veteran offensive lineman via free agency and possibly more additions for special teams. The possibilities could also include a tight end and a linebacker.

Fans who have been starving for any morsel of NFL news will have to wait a little longer. Of course, no one knows when the lockout will end, but I can pretty much guarantee it will end the moment the owners lose some significant amount money. That will be the beginning of the end. After almost 2 months of this lockout crap, I am beginning to sound robotic even to myself. I’m tired of talking about the same subject when there are so many other interesting things we could be discussing if the lockout were to end. Either get a deal done, or cancel the entire 2011 season, but stop holding the fans hostage. I’m sorry to put it so bluntly, but I’m on my last nerve with the lockout and ready for it to end one way or another. What do you think?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please support the Eric LeGrand charity walk this June 4, 2011! Check it out at http://www.awalktobelieve.org


2011 NFL Draft Recap: New York Giants

May 2, 2011

NEW YORK – What a weekend it has been. The 2011 NFL Draft is over and the Giants have acquired some very talented players. I’m starting to understand the true meaning of the phrase “you can’t please everybody” because there have been some Giants fans who flat out think this draft was a failure. I’m not sure what they were watching, because I think GM Jerry Reese and his staff nailed the draft once again.

After taking some time to digest all of the picks, I have to give Jerry Reese a solid “A” grade. Some of the picks seemed a bit confusing to me initially, but not anymore. You can clearly see what the team was doing, and I find it brilliant. The Giants literally stole CB Prince Amukamara and DT Marvin Austin from the rest of the NFL. I expect both to be pro bowl players within three years if they can get playing time and perform well enough to stay on the field full time. Without question, these two guys were the best picks of the bunch for Big Blue. Only time will tell how good these two rookies can become, but their potential is off the charts.

The Giants 3rd round selection of WR Jerrel Jernigan was a big shock at first, until I did some research on the guy and realized how good he is going to be on special teams. The Giants are sick of all of the issues on special teams and addressed that area thoroughly in the draft. Most rookies usually start their NFL career on special teams anyway, so I don’t want to sound like Jernigan cannot become an outstanding NFL wide receiver. He was clearly taken for his lightning speed, playmaking abilities, and what he can bring to the table in 2011. The Giants 4th round pick, OT James Brewer, is a project player who will need to learn the NFL system and work on his technique. If he can get that part of the game down, this massive man could become quite an asset for Big Blue in an area of need. The Giants did not have a 5th round pick this year because they traded it away when they acquired RB Darius Reynaud last season.

All of the players from the 6th round (The Giants had three 6th round picks this year) and beyond are the biggest question marks of all. We know that you can draft some future stars in the latter rounds, but it remains to be seen who that star might be. Some experts are in love with LB Greg Jones and think he can be a very productive NFL player one day. Personally, I am rooting for all of these rookies to do well and make the team. Their success only makes the G-Men a better team in the end. The Giants minicamp will be the next event on most fans radar, followed by training camp. The NFL lockout reached it’s 52nd day today and will need to be resolved before any football activities can resume. You can find the full list of 2011 NFL Draft picks below. Enjoy!

New York Giants 2011 NFL Draft Picks 

Round 1 – CB Prince Amukamara – 6’0″ 206 pounds

Round 2 – DT Marvin Austin – 6’2″ 309 pounds

Round 3 – WR Jerrel Jernigan – 5’9″ 185 pounds

Round 4 – OT James Brewer – 6’6″ 323 pounds

Round 5 – No Draft Pick (Traded away for RB Darius Reynaud)

Round 6/A – LB Greg Jones – 6’0″ 242 pounds 

Round 6/B – S Tyler Sash – 6’0″ 211 pounds

Round 6/C – LB Jacquian Williams – 6’3″ 235 pounds

Round 7 – RB Da’Rel Scott – 5’11″ 211 pounds

How would you grade the Giants selections in the 2011 NFL Draft?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!


2011 NFL Draft: Day Three, Round 6 New York Giants

April 30, 2011

NEW YORK – The final day of the draft is the longest of the bunch but the picks are also coming at you faster. The Giants did not have a 5th round pick this year, so they had to wait to take LB Greg Jones (6’0″ 242 pounds) with the first of three picks they have in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Giants have a total of three picks in the 6th round due to the extra two compensatory picks they received. So far, the G-Men have yet to make any trades or attempts to move up to grab a player. It seems the Giants are content to make their picks where they sit and I have to agree with them considering the lockout is still in effect and the NFL rule book is still up in the air.

Jones is said to be a heavy hitter, have a solid work ethic and can be extremely aggressive on the field. The experts say the only rub on him is a lack of size. The Giants trainers and nutritionists will take care of that. Jones played college ball at Michigan State and I’m excited to see what he can do with this opportunity. The second player the Giants took in the 6th round was S Tyler Sash (6’0″ 211 pounds) from Iowa. Sash will no doubt be another work in progress because he sits behind some very talented safeties on the team. Still, I’m hoping he can become a pleasant surprise for the team. The third and final player the Giants took in the 3rd round is LB Jacquian Williams (6’3″ 235 pounds) out of South Florida. There isn’t very much information out there on this kid. I’m guessing this a pick the scouts had rated high enough to reach for. I wish him luck and hope he can make the squad.

I have said it before and I will say it again, the NFL needs to go back to the old system of having the draft over a 2 day weekend. They are trying to squeeze too much juice out of this thing and they have made it less enjoyable for the fans in the process. I guarantee the current draft schedule was a major factor in why the TV ratings dropped in 2011. Not to mention, the NFL completely ignoring the entire west coast of the United States by starting rounds two and three at 6:00 PM EST, which is 3:00 PM on the west coast where people are still at work or school. Really Roger?

Let’s take a look at the moves Big Blue has made thus far.

New York Giants 2011 NFL Draft Picks (Rounds 1-6)

Round 1 – CB Prince Amukamara – 6’0″ 206 pounds

Round 2 – DT Marvin Austin – 6’2″ 309 pounds

Round 3 – WR Jerrel Jernigan – 5’9″ 185 pounds

Round 4 – OT James Brewer – 6’6″ 323 pounds

Round 5 – No Draft Pick (Traded away for RB Darius Reynaud)

Round 6/A – LB Greg Jones – 6’0″ 242 pounds 

Round 6/B – S Tyler Sash – 6’0″ 211 pounds

Round 6/C – LB Jacquian Williams – 6’3″ 235 pounds

What do you think about the Giants 6th round selections?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!


2011 NFL Draft: Day Three, Round 4 New York Giants

April 30, 2011

NEW YORK – After all of the hype and fanfare, we have finally arrived at the final day of the 2011 NFL Draft. The first two days provided some exciting picks and the Giants have once again had an above average first three rounds. The Giants selected OT James Brewer with their 4th round pick. Brewer is a huge guy standing 6’6″ and weighing 323 pounds. He has also been described by experts as a work in progress. He clearly has the size to be an offensive lineman but will need to work on his skills to make it at the next level. He played his college ball at Indiana.

The Giants needed help on the offensive line and have now addressed that area. Most fans thought the team would take a rookie that was ready for the next step and not take on a project. It seems like that is what the team did here. Again, we will need to wait and see what this kid can do on the field and keep our faith in the Giants scouting team. We need to trust that Jerry Reese and his guys know what they are doing. There were a lot of Giants fans calling for the team to draft LB Quan Sturdivant who was still on the boards when the team made this pick. That will be another player the fans will keep a close eye on during his career. The Giants do not have a 5th round pick (traded away for RB Darius Reynaud). Fans will have a long wait to the 6th round unless Big Blue decides to get rid of some of their compensatory picks from round six.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was mercilessly booed every time he went up to the microphone and he was clearly uncomfortable with that fact. It didn’t help that they announced the 2011 NFL lockout was back on yesterday. As the fans chanted “We want football”, the powers that be chanted “We want more money”. It’s getting ridiculous now and maybe the poor television ratings for the draft are a sign of the times. Enough about that, let’s take a look at how the Giants did during the first 4 rounds.

New York Giants 2011 NFL Draft Picks (Rounds 1-4).

Round 1 – CB Prince Amukamara – 6’0″ 206 pounds

Round 2 – DT Marvin Austin – 6’2″ 309 pounds

Round 3 – WR Jerrel Jernigan – 5’9″ 185 pounds

Round 4 – OT James Brewer – 6’6″ 323 pounds

Are you surprised the Giants took OT James Brewer instead of LB Quan Sturdivant in round 4?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!


2011 NFL Draft: Day Two, Round 3 New York Giants

April 29, 2011

NEW YORK – The Giants are quietly having a very nice draft (as usual). After making two very good picks, the Giants continued to stack talent in the 3rd round by drafting WR Jerrel Jernigan (5’9″ 185 pounds). I have to admit that I was just as shocked as the other Giants fans when this pick was announced because we all thought the G-Men would address the offensive line here or the linebacker position.

The breakdown on this kid is he will be an extraordinary return man in the NFL and he will give the Giants some depth at the wide receiver position. He is known as a playmaker by experts and has explosive speed which he demonstrated many times at Troy. Tom Coughlin and the front office are clearly sick of all of the issues on special teams and have thoroughly addressed that area with a very high draft pick. I’m not suggesting that he won’t see any game time as a WR but that is a very deep group already. Jernigan’s initial value would clearly be as a returner with his breakout 4.4 speed.

Some fans are already calling him Sinorice Moss number two. I don’t think that is fair because we haven’t even seen this rookie on the field yet. I want to give this kid a chance to make his own name on the field and show us what he can do before I come to any conclusions. The fact that GM Jerry Reese made this pick has me excited because he wouldn’t have pulled the trigger if he didn’t see exceptional talent in this young man. The Giants still need help at the offensive line position and the linebacker position but apparently the Giants have a plan in mind that would not require using their high draft picks to acquire either of them.

After two days of the NFL Draft, the Giants picks are starting to come to light. Here is what it looks like so far. Be sure to come back tomorrow and read articles on the final rounds (4-7). Draft coverage begins at noon on Saturday.

New York Giants 2011 NFL Draft Picks (Rounds 1-3).

Round 1 – CB Prince Amukamara – 6’0″ 206 pounds

Round 2 – DT Marvin Austin – 6’2″ 309 pounds

Round 3 – WR Jerrel Jernigan – 5’9″ 185 pounds

Were you surprised that the Giants took a wide receiver in the 3rd round?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please visit www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to Rodney Hampton’s charity for the kids!