nygreporter on National TV During Giants Game, See Photo

August 30, 2011

NEW YORK – This is going to be a fun article about something that doesn’t happen every day. Last night during the Giants vs. Jets game, I, @nygreporter (our twitter name) got on national TV during a LIVE football game. We were one of the lucky few who got aired because the Giants held a new program where if you added #GiantsGame to your tweet, you had a shot at making it on TV. If I cannot attend the Giants game, I will usually watch it at home and talk to fellow Giants fans on twitter about what is happening and give updates to those who cannot watch the game. The game was being broadcast locally on Channel 4 NBC New York but also on the NFL Network which expands across the entire United States. I will leave a screen shot below that was taken by a fellow Giants fan with the twitter handle @MrSoprano whom I cannot thank enough. I owe you big time for taking the time to do that for us buddy, you rock!

It was early in the 4th quarter when my tweet aired, just as the Jets were driving the ball deep into Giants territory. I was trying to rally the Giants fans to not give up hope and remember that it was still a close game (Jets were leading 7-3) with plenty of time on the clock (12:52 remaining in the game). The game had been a defensive battle up until this point and I could sense the tide changing and thought I would send put a positive message to spark the fans back to life. All of a sudden, I started getting tweets from fellow Giants fans and nygreporter readers saying they just saw me on TV. Needless to say I was very excited and very disappointed that I had missed it because I turned my back to reply to a Giants fan question. That is when @MrSoprano sent me the screen shot below and said Congrats, you were just on national TV. I even got an email directly from a little bird in the organization (thank you) telling me about it.

I’m sure most of you probably think this isn’t a very big deal and that is fine with me. You have to understand that we are just a small family friendly Giants website with no budget and we have been blessed to have a great deal of fortune bestowed upon us. We have been featured on the NFL Network (twice now), NBC New York, SNY Network, USA Today, Fox Sports, Giants.com (the old website), CBSSports.com, The Mike Francesa Show, Eisens Insight podcast (official Giants podcast) and dozens of other sports websites and shows across the country. We have also been fortunate enough to interview former Giants WR Steve Smith and RB Rodney Hampton. I cannot thank those in the Giants organization enough for the help they have given me and I still hold out hope to get a job with them someday soon. I will never waiver from our family friendly format and and I will continue to give you “on point” team analysis consistently. Thank you to our readers as well because without you, there is no nygreporter.

RD – nygreporter.com

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


Hurricane Irene Postpones Giants vs. Jets Game…Again!

August 27, 2011

NEW YORK – The storm of the century in the northeast has finally effected NFL football. After the Giants vs. Jets game was re-scheduled to start five hours earlier today at 2:00 PM from 7:00 PM, the game has now been postponed until Monday night at 7:00 PM EST. Hurricane Irene is a monster, there is no question about that. Anyone who saw the satellite images from NASA knows we are dealing with a very angry mother nature. The rain has already started to fall in the New York area and people all across the east coast have been advised to evacuate, some of the towns have even ordered mandatory evacuations. Head Coach Tom Coughlin expressed concern about the storm for the Giants staff, coaches and players yesterday at a ceremony in Bryant Park commemorating the renaming of Giants stadium to the MetLife stadium.

I think both teams have made a very wise decision to postpone the game. I’m not sure how many of our readers have ever experienced a hurricane and the after effects but I can assure you that it is very unpleasant situation to find yourself in. Try to imagine not having electricity, running water or gas for a week. I survived a hurricane down in South Florida in 2005 called Hurricane Wilma and although it wasn’t as devastating as Hurricane Katrina, it was bad enough that they retired the name. I have seen things you would not believe in the aftermath. Imagine there being no running water, no air conditioning, no microwave, no refrigeration, no gas stations, no stove, no house lights, no shower, no computer, no video games, no TV, no phones, no street lights and no toilet bowl. These are just some of the things I remember but there are more. How would you make a cup of coffee? How would you cook food? How would you stay clean? How would you see at night? These are all things you have to prepare for and think about. It is better to have supplies and not need them, then to need them and not have them.

We can only hope that Hurricane Irene calms down and slows down before arriving in the New York area. I also pray for any of the other towns along the coast that it has already effected. Fans must also consider the fact that the Giants vs. Jets game could be cancelled for good at some point. If the hurricane does hit full force, the probability of the game being played anytime soon goes to zero. The storm is expected to hit us sometime tomorrow afternoon. I urge all of my readers to prepare now with the last few hours you have before this storm hits. There is no shame in preparing for the worst and looking out for your family or friends. Keep the kids calm and prepare to entertain them in the stone age with books and crayons because all of the electricity could be gone. Also be sure to check your local town government website right now, for tips on what you should do if things get bad. Be prepared, be safe and God bless!

Do you think Hurricane Irene will force the NFL to cancel the Giants vs. Jets game entirely?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


Giants Roster Shakeup Continues as Regular Season Nears

August 25, 2011

NEW YORK – The Giants have come a long way since Monday night. The only problem is they have headed in the wrong direction. I’m one of the most positive Giants fans you will ever come across and even I’m concerned now. Giving a pep talk doesn’t really mean anything when we are discussing the talent on the roster. That speaks for itself and it always confuses me when people talk about staying positive when the team loses star players due to injury. Positivity has nothing to do with on field production. I’m a positive guy but the reality is that the team needs to get some talent on the field and quickly because we are about two weeks away from the start of the regular season.

The Giants have lost CB Terrell Thomas, CB Bruce Johnson, CB Brian Witherspoon and DT Marvin Austin for the entire 2011 season. Johnson and Witherspoon were cut because of their injuries. Rookie CB Prince Amukamara will also be out for 6-8 more weeks due to a fractured foot. Over the past week, the team has also cut CB Woodny Turenne, S Cary Harris, WR Sam Giguere and LB Kenny Ingram. Has anyone else noticed the large amount of defensive players that have either been cut or landed on the season ending IR list? Of course you have. That is why I am concerned and a pep talk just won’t cut it for me at this time. The one player currently on the roster that I would like to see get some playing time is CB Brian Jackson. I have been the only writer I’ve seen so far talking about Jackson (6’0″ 212 pounds) and calling for him to get a shot. He is a quality player and wonderful human being and someone you want on your team. I hope he gets a chance to win over the coaches and fans this year.

The Giants have addressed the massive loss of talent by signing three players over the past week. The new signings include CB Brian Williams, S Derrick Martin and DT Jimmy Kennedy. The Giants also re-signed S Deon Grant, which could end up being one of the most important signings this offseason. The backfield still has a lot of talented guys back there but depth is the real issue. I doubt if GM Jerry Reese is done bringing in players. He is using a pragmatic approach to dealing with these injuries and quite frankly, I don’t think there is a better way to handle it. I also agree that a few of the younger players will need to step up this year and contribute to the team. They may be thrown into the fire but how they react to that will decide their future with New York. It doesn’t seem fair to these players but hey, life isn’t always fair.

On a sad note, the Giants have officially sold the naming rights to Giants stadium. Fans will now have to tolerate it being called the MetLife stadium for the next 20 years. Of course, the true blue fans (like me) will forever call it Giants stadium.

How would you solve the recent issues facing the New York Giants?

RD – nygreporter

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


Giants Plan Begins to Take Shape, Roster Moves Continue

August 18, 2011

NEW YORK – Yesterday was a good day to be a Giants fan. The Mike Francesa Show did their annual broadcast from Giants training camp. This is one of the better shows for Giants fans because we get to hear from everyone including owner John Mara, GM Jerry Reese, Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning and a ton of other players. Although the practices are being held at the Timex Performance Center this year, Mr. Mara confirmed that the team will head to Albany next year to honor their agreement. This has been a hectic week for Big Blue and the team continues to make roster adjustments as the season nears. One of the biggest re-signings this week was S Deon Grant. Fans fell in love with Grant over his no nonsense approach to the game and veteran leadership. The Giants defensive backfield must look like a dangerous minefield to opposing offenses with all of the talent back there. I’m glad we don’t have to play against them.

I have a question for you. What do you do when your special teams have been atrocious for the past two seasons (2009, 2010) and look horrible in their first preseason game of 2011? You eliminate special teams from the game by signing a kickoff specialist that will boot the ball through the endzone and make opposing offenses start on their twenty yard line. Brilliant! Fans were scratching their heads when the G-Men signed a kicker this week, who doesn’t kick FG’s. Yes, you heard me right. K Rhys Lloyd was signed to help the Giants in the special teams department. Lloyd (5’11” 230 pounds) comes to Big Blue from the Carolina Panthers and is known for being a specialist that averages about 67 yards per kickoff. With the rule changes to kickoffs this year that state teams must kick from the 35 yard line, you can see what the team is trying to do. Replacing K Lawrence Tynes isn’t a bad idea but Lloyd has never kicked a regular season NFL FG, so it looks like he will be strictly a special teams weapon for kickoffs. It would be worth keeping Lloyd on the final 53 man roster simply because of how bad the special teams group has played. His roster spot is justified and I think he will be a welcome upgrade to the sloppy play as of late.

The Giants also cut S Cary Harris and WR Samuel Giguere this week, clearing up some roster space for other signings. The tight end position could be a real problem this season. The team might be better off just getting a blocking tight end until they are able to find one that can fit the traditional mold. The Giants did sign veteran TE Daniel Coats (6’3″ 264 pounds) last week and since he only has 30 catches in four NFL seasons, perhaps they intend to use him as that blocker I’m talking about. TE Jake Ballard and TE Travis Beckum should compete for the pass catching TE role. Another big move this week was the return of DE Osi Umenyiora to practice. The Giants need Osi on the team and I’m glad he was able to stick it out this year and honor his current contract. If Umenyiora has another season like he did last year, it will be impossible not to pay him what he is asking for. The guy deserves to be paid according to his on-field production. The Giants will play the Bears next on Monday night in the Meadowlands at 8 P.M.

Are you starting to feel more comfortable with the direction the Giants are headed in for 2011?

RD – nygreporter

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


2011 Preseason Game 1: Giants vs. Panthers, Game Notes

August 14, 2011

NEW YORK – The Giants lost to the Carolina Panthers last night 20-10 in their first preseason game. The Giants defense scored the lone touchdown within the first two minutes of the game on a interception by LB Michael Boley. That was the highlight of the game in North Carolina as far as I’m concerned. The Giants defense had four sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles in the game. Not a bad night at all except the also gave up 20 points and 342 total yards of offense. I saw some things I liked and things I didn’t like about this group but the G-men were certainly giving up a lot of big plays. DE Jason Pierre-Paul was the defensive MVP last night by getting 2 sacks during his limited playing time. LB Michael Boley could also be in that discussion for having a 56 yard INT for a TD. Panthers QB Cam Newton looked very good in his first game (8/19 – 134 yards) and I’m sure the kid will be a star at some point.

The offense did not look very good at all. There were a few big plays but the majority of the game was played sloppy and out of sync. During the first quarter, the Panthers were able to get a ton of penetration through the offensive line and knocked QB Eli Manning down more then once. It was clear to me that Eli was not relaxed at all and seemed to be playing nervous football. Manning is a guy who is known for keeping his cool and playing smart football, so it was a bit unnerving to see him rattled like that. He also cannot properly slide when he takes off running and I would advise against him ever doing that again. The offensive line only gave up 2 sacks but the pressure they allowed was evident the whole game. The offensive MVP was WR Domenik Hixon, who provided the team with a spark when they were down. The Giants could not buy a first down for most of the game (3-16 on 3rd down) and managed to get 298 yards of total offense.

The darkest news about the team comes from the special teams. I was truly convinced that this group of guys would be twice as good as they were last year. GM Jerry Reese carefully selected players and coaches that we all felt would improve the special teams play. We were all wrong. Granted, it is the first preseason game and there was a lot of rust to work off but man were they bad last night. K Lawrence Tynes missed two FG’s (55 and 37 yarders) and had one blocked going 1-4 on the night, P Matt Dodge was unsensational in his punting and the players were missing tackles and blocks all over the field. I have no idea what coach Tom Quinn is doing with this group but he needs to make changes and fast. We are less then a month away from the regular season and at this rate, the Giants might have the worst special teams in the NFL.

Let’s take a look at some of my game notes from last night.

QB Eli Manning – Easy Eli did not have a good game with his limited playing time going 4-9 for 36 yards, 0 TD’s and 0 INT’s.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul – JPP is the talk of the town after getting 2 sacks and looking extremely comfortable in a starting role.

LB Michael Boley – Boley had a nice game and of course, the only touchdown for Big Blue on a 56 yard INT in the 1st quarter.

WR Domenik Hixon – It was good to see Hixon back on the field after last seasons injury. He lead all WR’s with 86 yards and had a good game.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw had a few nice plays and finished the game with 21 yards on 5 carries.

WR Hakeem Nicks – Nicks had a nice 14 yard catch but saw limited playing time. He will be a force this year.

LB Mathias Kiwanuka – Kiwi did not look comfortable playing LB and I wish they would cease using him in that capacity. The man is a DE.

K Lawrence Tynes – Tynes had a very bad game. Fans can excuse the missed 55 yard FG attempt but missing the 37 yarder is inexcusable.

RB Brandon Jacobs – Brandon had a decent game on short time with 16 yards on 3 carries.

WR Jerrel Jernigan – The rookie did not have a very good night as a returner. However, I think he can and will improve. Seeing him wear No.12 was a bit weird.

LB Mark Herzlich – Undrafted rookie and fan favorite Herzlich had a good game and seemed to be anxious to make plays. He also had a forced fumble in the game.

P Matt Dodge – Dodge has not shown me anything different from what he was doing last season. Strong leg with no accuracy.

What did you think about the Giants performance in the game last night?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


Giants Offensive Line is the Elephant in the Room

August 2, 2011

NEW YORK – The New York Giants have been outstanding at the offensive line position for many years now. These guys have done such a good job protecting QB Eli Manning, that they have become almost an after thought. Fans could always rely on those guys to do their job and NFL fans acknowledged their superiority by voting the big guys into multiple Pro Bowls. We now find ourselves in an interesting predicament and completely unfamiliar territory with having to be concerned about the offensive line. Yes, the offensive line is the elephant in the room that nobody has talked about at length. If Eli Manning is going to continue his Iron Man streak for the most consecutive regular season starts, the offensive line is going to need a seamless transition into the new season.

One of the biggest player moves that really made me nervous was the acquisition of QB David Carr. I mentioned this is a previous article but I would like to explain to you why I am nervous. Eli Manning hasn’t really needed a true backup QB so far because he has proven to be extremely durable. A quiet tough guy if you will. With all due respect, Jim Sorgi and Sage Rosenfels aren’t exactly they guys you want running your team for any long period of time. Are the Giants concerned about Manning’s safety with this new offensive line? Do they lack confidence in the new group who will be taking over for Rich Seubert, Shawn Andrews and Shaun O’Hara? Are they concerned with the depth at that position if one or two guys fall to injury? Or did GM Jerry Reese just see an opportunity to sign a quality player familiar with the system?

The starters most likely will be William Beatty, David Diehl, David Baas, Chris Snee and Kareem McKenzie. The others include Mitch Petrus, Adam Koets, Kevin Boothe, rookie James Brewer and newly signed Chris White who appear to be the primary backups. There are a handful of other players on the team who will be competing for a role on the offensive line but the players I just mentioned appear to be the front runners. This is going to be the year that certain players will have to step up. I know that is an overused term but it is quite literally what will need to happen in 2011 for the Giants to stay competitive. Some have speculated that Seubert, Andrews or O’Hara could return and play for a smaller contract. With the Giants issues with the salary cap, it is a possibility but unlikely at this point.

In summary, I am very concerned about the offensive line this year. I have faith in the players talent but the lack of experience concerns me. I am also wondering how long it will take QB Eli Manning to become familiar with a new center in David Bass. If those two guys can’t get on the same page quickly, the team is going to be in trouble. If not for the salary cap issues, I would like to see the team bring in another veteran to help out this very young offensive line. Even if it were just to add depth, I would feel much better.

Are you concerned about the Giants offensive line for the 2011 NFL season?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


Update: Giants 12 Days Away From Preseason, Osi to Leave?

August 1, 2011

NEW YORK – When I flipped over the month of July on my calendar this morning, the realization that football games are really close hit me. The G-Men are only 12 days away from hitting the field to play their first preseason game of 2011. It is hard to believe that after all of the lockout madness we endured, the season is right around the corner. The Giants have a very small window of opportunity to prepare for the Carolina Panthers who they play on August 13, 2011 at 8:00 PM in Carolina. Everything goes into warp speed after that until the first regular season game, which is less then a month away from the first preseason game on September 11, 2011 against the Washington Redskins.

The Giants hope to have some of their crucial players signed very soon. RB Ahmad Bradshaw is still shopping his services around the league but seemed to get thrown for a loop when the Bengals decided to re-sign RB Cedric Benson and the Redskins brought in RB Tim Hightower. Bradshaw was expected to visit both teams before the news broke yesterday. The news that they went elsewhere for running back help must have been hard to swallow. I really hope Ahmad Bradshaw remembers who took a chance on drafting him, when all of the other NFL teams passed him by. I hope he remembers who stuck by him during all of his legal issues, which included jail time after he was already with the team. I hope he remembers who believed in him and who needs him now. Money cannot buy loyalty and the Giants organization has certainly shown loyalty toward Bradshaw over the years. Yes, he should be paid a fair salary but he shouldn’t try to play them for fools either. Come Home Ahmad, where you are wanted. WR Steve Smith is also a priority signing that has yet to happen.

QB David Carr could not contain his excitement when he tweeted that he would be returning to New York for “round two”. The news broke yesterday afternoon that he will be returning to the Giants. I am very happy that the team decided to get a serious backup QB for Eli Manning. At the same time, I am very concerned that the Giants felt the need to bring in a serious backup QB for Eli Manning. With the Giants offensive line in question after releasing two of the five starters and a solid backup, it does beg the question about the teams confidence in the replacements and if they can adequately protect their franchise QB. The offensive line is my biggest concern for the 2011 season.

DE Osi Umenyiora was given permission to seek a trade today. This puts an end to all of the speculation and gives Osi exactly what he asked for. The team is having issues staying under the salary cap and just didn’t have the money to appease Osi’s demands. The Giants will surely get something in return for him, either a player or draft picks. Rumors are saying he could be worth a 1st or 2nd round pick at minimum. I am going to miss Umenyiora if he goes and I want to wish him well where ever he ends up. Also, the Giants first round pick, CB Prince Amukamara remains the only rookie not signed yet by Big Blue.

What is your biggest concern for the Giants as of today August 1, 2011?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


Update: Giants Close Out Insane Week in the NFL

July 30, 2011

NEW YORK – The Giants closed out an insane week last night by making a few more moves and signing the bulk of their rookie class. CB Prince Amukamara is the sole rookie that has yet to sign but the team expects to remedy that sometime today. GM Jerry Reese said there will be no long holdout on Princes behalf. The six rookies who did sign with the team yesterday include DT Marvin Austin, OL James Brewer, S Tyler Sash, WR Jerrel Jernigan, RB Da’Rel Scott and LB Jacquian Williams. I’m very excited about the team signing these guys and the fact that Amukamara will be signed soon. There is one player out of this bunch that remains a mystery man in my opinion. Fans haven’t heard much about LB Jacquian Williams, which has really got me curious. We’ve been hearing about all of the other picks and have even become familiar with their names but Williams is almost an after thought for some reason. That should make your radar pop up and say “Who is this kid?”

The best news of the day came when fans learned about RB Brandon Jacobs stepping up and restructuring his contract to remain with the team and give them room to sign other crucial players. You can say what you want about Jacobs but it doesn’t mean I have to listen to you. I have been a fan of Brandon’s since he first arrived and never wavered in my opinion about him staying with the team. I have seen a bunch of fair weather fans calling for his head and asking the team to get rid of him, which made me sick. Jacobs has proven he wants to remain in New York and has officially become a Son of New York with this latest unselfish move. Thank you Brandon for being a man and putting the team first. I will be buying your authentic jersey to wear during the 2011 season and I encourage all of our readers to do the same.

Big Blue also went out an signed a Punter yesterday. The moment the team signed veteran punter Steve Weatherford yesterday, the Matt Dodge clock began ticking. I have nothing against Matt Dodge personally and if anyone wanted him to do well, it was me. But the inconsistency cannot be overlooked and regardless of having a strong leg, you have to be consistent in the NFL. At the very least, there will be competition at the punter position in this years training camp. Most fans welcome the change.

The Giants will hit the practice field today as training camp opens up to the public. The players spent most of yesterday taking physicals, checking equipement and attending meetings but the time has come to get on the field and do some work. The coaches must feel like it is the first day of school because Giants coaches truly love their jobs. The weather channel expects no rain today, so the fans should be fine if they plan on attending. Fans must remember that if it rains, the practices will be brought indoors and then closed to the public, so be sure to check the weather if you plan on attending or driving long distances to check it out. Coach Tom Coughlin also met with former Giants WR Plaxico Burress last night for about 90 minutes. GM Jerry Reese said that the meeting went well and fans will now have to wait and see what Plaxico decides to do. I would like to have him back but I do not think our entire season depends on what he does. The Giants have a lethal group of WR’s regardless if  Plaxico in the mix or not. Stay tuned Giants fans for more news to come later in the day.

What do you think about the recent roster moves made by the Giants?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


Twas the Night Before Training Camp, Big Blue in the House

July 28, 2011

NEW YORK – The New York Giants made a few moves on the night before training camp. Fans expected to see a bunch of transactions but it seems like there were more negotiations, then there were signings. It was also an emotional day for fans as Rich Seubert, Shawn Andrews and Shaun O’Hara said their goodbyes to the press and fans. They have all said they would not mind coming back to New York if the right situation were to arise. It really stinks when you have to say goodbye to old friends but it is a part of life and a part of the NFL. The Giants also released FB Madison Hedgecock who appears to still have health issues. I would like to wish all of you well and the best of luck. Oh yeah, the Giants also released Tiki Barber.

Fans will get to see the players for the first time in a very long time tomorrow when training camp officially opens. One fan favorite, DE Mathias Kiwanuka, will be on hand since signing a new contract today. Kiwanuka reportedly signed for two years and should really heat up the Osi Umenyiora situation. Kiwi made the biggest splash in the news today, as fellow teammate Justin Tuck (new to twitter) decided to tweet the good news to Giants fans around the world. This is good news for the team and the defense as a whole. Kiwi is a dangerous man on the field and will bring intensity to every play. The Giants also signed rookie RB Da’Rel Scott to a four year deal. The Giants drafted him this year in the seventh round. This kid has been very excited to play and fans heard his name more then once at Eli Manning’s “player only” practices over the summer.

The Giants also signed 10 undrafted rookies today. Those players are LB Mark Herzlich, OL Jerriel King, FB Henry Hynoski, S David Sims, DT Martin Parker, LB Spencer Paysinger, DE Justin Trattou, DE Craig Marshall, S Jerrard Tarrant, DT Ibrahim Abdulai. The Giants have also reached out to former Giant punter Brad Maynard, which tells me that they may have had enough of the Matt Dodge inconsistency from last season. I feel bad for the kid but this is a “hit the ground running” league and if players don’t perform they are gone.

Here is a little poem to honor the occasion of training camp opening tomorrow.

Twas the night before training camp,

In the house of Big Blue,

Not a rookie could slumber,

Knowing the work they must do.

The Veterans were nestled,

All snug in their beds,

With visions of hazing,

And taping rookies to sleds.

Coach Coughlin won’t have it,

Because the drills must get done,

So say goodbye to Albany,

And the dorms filled with gum.

Jerry Reese will be smiling,

As he admires the young guns,

With a pacing Perry Fewell,

Reminding players to have fun.

All the boys will be there,

Eli Manning and Justin Tuck,

Pat Hanlon on his blackberry,

And fans to bring good luck!

Are you excited for the 2011 NFL season to start Giants fans?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


New York Giants Continue Adding and Subtracting Players

July 27, 2011

NEW YORK – It has been absolutely insane the past two days. Today we saw some interesting moves made by Big Blue. The first thing I would like to mention is the classy move to extend head coach Tom Coughlin’s contract through the 2012 season. Tom Coughlin deserves to remain with the team despite what the “experts” say about him being on some invisible hot seat. Coughlin is an elite head coach and a proven winner. As a fan, I am very happy to see John Mara reward Coughlin for his hard work and show how valuable he is to the organization. Congrats on your new contract coach and I hope you can stay another ten years.

Another coach that was hired today is assistant special teams coach Larry Izzo. Fans have known about this move for weeks. The Giants have been horrible on special teams the past couple of years. There is just no other way to say it. The Giants actually lost games due to the poor play of special teams and Jerry Reese took notice because he addressed that area during the draft and yesterday when he worked on the undrafted rookies. Izzo was an outstanding special teams player when he played in the NFL and spent the bulk of his career with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. He is a three time Pro Bowl player and a three time Super Bowl Champion.

The Giants were unable to work out a deal with DT Rocky Bernard, so he is expected to be released soon. This does not surprise me at all but does make me wonder if the team could have kept DT Barry Cofield if the news was announced prior to him making a six year deal with the Washington Redskins this morning. The team is going to miss Barry Cofield and I was pleased to hear they fought to try and keep him. The Giants have become very deep at the DT position with young talent but losing two veterans could hurt them a bit. The Giants are also looking to sign RB Ahmad Bradshaw, RB Brandon Jacobs and TE Kevin Boss. These three guys were in the news the most today as the front office clearly turns it’s attention to the offense. WR Plaxico Burress is back in the mix as a possibility to return and he is expected to meet with the Giants on Friday.

Let’s take a look at some of the moves/deals over the past 48 hours.

1. C Shaun O’Hara – expected to be released.

2. OL Rich Seubert – expected to be released.

3. OL Shawn Andrews – expected to be released.

4. DT Barry Cofield – six year deal with Washington Redskins.

5. DT Rocky Bernard – expected to be released.

6. Coach Tom Coughlin – signs contract extension through 2012.

7. Coach Larry Izzo – hired as assistant special teams coach.

8. OL David Baas – agreed to a deal with Giants via 49ers.

9. OL Kevin Boothe – signs two year deal with Giants.

10. WR Plaxico Burress – meeting with Giants on Friday.

How have you been keeping up with all of the transactions going on with Big Blue and the NFL?

RD – nygreporter.com

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