New York Giants Summer Time Blues News

June 29, 2011

NEW YORK – We’ve had some interesting reports come out this week concerning Giants players. QB Eli Manning has been particularly visible and vocal this week. Manning continued to hold the player workouts in different locations around the East Coast and was very clear when asked who he would rather have as a teammate between Plaxico Burress and Tiki Barber. Not surprisingly, Manning chose Burress. He was also featured in a commercial with his brother Peyton that was hysterical. I wrote an article about it and suggest you check it out if you missed it Eli & Peyton Manning star in Football Cops because it is really funny. Safety Antrel Rolle was also in the news doing a ESPN podcast and DE Osi Umenyiora continues to discuss his contract situation to anyone who will listen. You can’t blame the guy for wanting to get his paper right.

The Giants have also been discussing selling the naming rights for Giants stadium. So far, it looks like they are getting fans ready to call New Meadowlands stadium the MetLife Stadium. I do not like the name personally because I feel it reflects the New York Mets, which I am not a fan of. Most fans agree that JetBlue Stadium or Green Giant Stadium would be a better fit but neither company seems to hear the battle cry. There is still no word about the 2011 training camp and where it will be held. The NFL lockout has now reached 110 days and if it continues any longer, the Giants will surely cancel their annual trip up to Albany. I expect an announcement to come either this Friday or sometime next week about this situation. The Giants simply can’t wait any longer to protect the preparation process for players and coaches. The Giants also announced that they will be hiring special teams assistant coach Larry Izzo once the lockout ends.

OL Shawn Andrews went on vacation in the Turks and Caicos islands. Andrews is one of the most vocal players on the team and can be found on twitter most days chatting it up with fans. I hope the Giants realize what a true social media machine he has become for the team. CB Terrell Thomas held a football camp for kids out in California this past weekend too. He was joined by a few teammates including CB Michael Coe and WR Ramses Barden. It is nice to see Giants players getting involved with communities and also seeing them support each other in their efforts. Great job guys! That is all I have to report for now. There isn’t much football news these days but I’m sure this will change by next week when some really important decisions will have to be made.

What would you do with your time if the NFL lockout actually cancels the 2011 NFL season?

RD – nygreporter.com

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New York Giants: JetBlue Stadium or Green Giant Stadium?

June 27, 2011

NEW YORK – Reports are coming out about the real possibility of New Meadowlands Stadium being renamed the MetLife Stadium. Boy, you really have to love corporate America and the ridiculous amount of money (reportedly between $17-$18 million dollars per year) they are willing to pay to put their name on a billboard. It’s bad enough the stadium will not retain the “Giants Stadium” name or kick out the little brother New York Jets, but now we will have to live with calling our beloved home MetLife Stadium? Really? I’m sure this doesn’t sit well with Yankee fans because of the word “Met” in the title. I  know this because I am both a Giants fan and a Yankees fan.

Personally, if we absolutely have to change the name of the stadium, why not use JetBlue Stadium or Green Giant Stadium? Someone on twitter was the first I credit with calling for the name Green Giant Stadium but I cannot remember who it was. If you read this please leave a comment and make yourself known for this great idea. I could live with either of these two names because of the obvious relevance. Selling the “naming rights” of professional sports stadiums is nothing new and often ends badly. Some of the stadium names across this country are down right awful. Could you imagine renaming Wrigley Field with a horrible corporate name like Pizza Hut Field or Burger King Stadium? Nothing personal against either of those two food chains but come on America, is nothing sacred anymore?

The news is picking up a lot of speed, so I’m sure the fans will hear something very soon about this issue. The paltry $17 or $18 million dollars a year doesn’t seem like enough to obstruct history by placing a railroad spike into the subconscious mind of the Giants fan. In my opinion, some things should just be left alone. The average American is already bombarded hundreds or maybe even thousands of times per day by advertisements. Leave my brain alone I say and let me just enjoy watching my team play football on Sundays. I will not buy more insurance because your name sits in the rafters of my favorite teams stadium.

How would you feel about renaming Giants Stadium (New Meadowlands Stadium) to MetLife Stadium?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


2011 New York Giants Training Camp News

June 25, 2011

NEW YORK – The New York Giants have not made an announcement concerning their 2011 NFL Training Camp plans. The training camp is scheduled to begin at the University of Albany from Saturday July 30, 2011 through Sunday August 21, 2011. The recent news about NFL teams (including the New York Jets) opting to cancel their usual training camps at area colleges has brought more strife to local business’ that support the NFL invasion of their town every year. Most reports state that if the lockout continues into July or beyond July 1, 2011 to be specific, the Giants will cancel Albany and hold camp at the Giants facility in East Rutherford.

Now that we are less then a week away from July 1, 2011, I thought it would be a good time to revisit this situation. I’m sure the fans will know a lot more within the next week or so for certain. We have to ask the question about this years training camp being open to the public. This has not been addressed yet by the team or coaches. It may be a situation where only certain days will be open to the public with the majority of them being closed off. I was at training camp last year in Albany and if you are a Giants fan, it has the feeling of coming home and being surrounded by family. There is a sea of blue jerseys and Giants fans are everywhere you look. I highly recommend this experience for any true blue fan who wants to have a nice day with the family (you can find photos from the 2010 training camp in our “Images” tab on top toolbar).

Be sure to check back for updates on this situation. I expect news to come out very soon, now that other NFL teams have started canceling their usual training camp plans and opting to stay closer to home in 2011. This lockout has effected so many people in such a negative way, that I firmly believe that the NFL has lost a small portion of their fan base. When a man cannot eat or provide for his family, the last thing he is thinking about is football.

Did you have plans to visit the 2011 New York Giants training camp this year?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


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!


New York Giants QB Eli Manning Stars in “Football Cops”

June 22, 2011

NEW YORK – The video started making the rounds earlier today. The new trailer for an imaginary television show called “Football Cops” started popping up all over the internet and twitter. In reality, it is an advertisement brilliantly produced by Direct TV. The commercial stars QB Eli Manning and his brother QB Peyton Manning. The top dog in the Manning house, father Archie Manning, also makes a cameo appearance as a lawyer. The commercial is a 3 minute throw back to the 1970’s tough guy cop show. It has already started to go viral and I expect this to be one of those commercials people talk about for years to come.

Eli Manning (wait until you see the mustache) portrays the orphan CJ Hunter who leaves his football career to become a cop. Peyton Manning stars as Mike Tahoe, another ex-football player who has decided to join the police force. This is the funniest commercial I have seen since the Michael Strahan Dr. Pepper commercial where he tackles Donovan McNabb through a doorway and into a hallway table. Now I would not normally write an article about a commercial but this is one that Giants fans have to see. It is really just that good and well produced. You would think it was a real TV show if you weren’t told who was starring in it or what the topic was about.

I have to include one more thing, I was really surprised by how good Eli Manning’s acting ability was. I’m not just saying this because we are all Giants fans on this site but also because anyone else who watches the commercial can clearly see that Eli stole every scene he was in. I will leave the link below and you can judge for yourselves, Enjoy!

Check out this link to the Direct TV website and the funny imaginary TV show video. Eli & Peyton Manning star in Football Cops

RD – nygreporter.com

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


Happy Father’s Day to our Readers and Giants Fans

June 19, 2011

NEW YORK – On behalf of the nygreporter, I would like to wish all of the Dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! I know that today might be a difficult day for some of you and I want you to know that you are not forgotten. This includes those who may have had a father pass away or those with Dads in the military who are overseas. Keep them in your prayers today. I would also like to include the Giants players, staff and coaches in my well wishes. I hope all of you kids reading this remember to give Dad a big hug and a kiss today. He might seem like a tough guy but trust me, Dads still like to be shown some love from time to time (even if he won’t admit it). I would also like to say Happy Father’s Day to my own Dad, I love you man!

We have now reached 100 days (I do not subtract those few days the judge lifted from the lockout because the lockout continues) since the 2011 NFL lockout started. There are plenty of Dads out there that are concerned about their jobs during these harsh times we live in today. The NFL employs a lot of people and individual teams are no exception. This lockout is effecting families all over the country and I really hope it ends soon. Reports have been stating that real progress has been made and that the lockout could end sometime within the next 2-3 weeks. Seeing is believing. We will have to wait and see how accurate these reports have been.

To all of the sons and daughters out there, I hope you take moment to appreciate everything your Dad has done for you. If you’ve had a Dad that was less then what he should have been, that doesn’t mean that you cannot be a good Dad. I hope some of the lost souls out there can find peace and for the good Dads out there, thank goodness you were man enough to do the job. God Bless and Happy Father’s Day!

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!


Giants Fans Endure Another Week Without Football

June 10, 2011

NEW YORK – There hasn’t been much news recently for fans to digest about the Giants. The players have taken it upon themselves to practice at New Jersey high schools, risking injury and their careers. There was an increase in the number of team members who attended but that was the extent of new Giants news. The NFL owners and players union met again this week but still no end to the 2011 NFL lockout (91 days long now). I’m starting to sound like a broken record now, even to myself. I am not immune to the frustration or the bad moods that accompany watching these silly negotiations that have turned up no solutions. It is truly exhausting trying to endure this lockout.

The major sports sites began rolling out their fantasy football programs, just in case there is a football season in 2011. CBS Sports and ESPN specifically rolled out their fantasy programs to fans. The mock drafts are beginning to pick up in what seems to be the only football ravenous fans have had in a while. The chats in these mock drafts all revolve around the question about whether or not there will be a season. The same old story we’ve been hearing for the past three months. Still, doing these mock drafts and setting up a real fantasy league gives one a sense of normalcy for this time of year.

The only other piece of news that could be considered “Giants related” was the release of former WR Plaxico Burress from prison on June 6, 2011. This has become a much larger topic of discussion due to the lack of NFL news in general. Should the Giants re-sign him or not. That seems to be the biggest question surrounding the Giants this week. All I can say is, Thank God it’s Friday. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and maybe we will hear some good news early next week.

How are you spending your time without NFL football this summer?

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!