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!
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Posted by robdomaine
February 25, 2011
NEW YORK – The Giants defensive backs were solid in 2010. The acquisition of defensive coordinator Perry Fewell had a profound effect on the defense as a whole but the DB’s will ultimately benefit the most. Why do I say this? Because Perry Fewell is widely known as a DB guru and there is no mistaking the fact that he brought the Giants defense to elite status in 2010. The Big Blue D hovered in the top five of total defenses all season and made huge strides from the abominable 2009 season.
The cornerback group is extremely young, with Corey Webster holding the title of “most experienced” with 6 seasons. If you averaged it out, the average amount of game experience on the team is 4 years. When you look at it like this, it makes me think the team will try to bring in a young veteran to compliment Terrell Thomas. The one player that Giants fans are salivating over is the Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha. If the Giants can figure out how to get this star on the team, they will have the best defensive backfield in the NFL, period. The odds on this happening are highly unlikely but Fewell must be in GM Jerry Reese’s ear daily about bringing this guy on board. When you add those CB’s to the awesome Safeties on the team, it’s dynamite.
The NFL Combine has been in full swing this week and it’s a great opportunity to take a look at some of the young talent. I guarantee that Reese and Fewell are considering which cornerback the team will draft this year and have in training camp. The more you look at the CB position, the more you are concerned with depth. Not the starters but depth. I am confident that Thomas, Ross and Webster can handle the job but if if one or two of them go down, the game will change dramatically. I don’t expect all of the players listed below to be on the team in 2011 but I am rooting for all of them to do well. Once a Giant, always a Giant.
Let’s take a look at the current Giants cornerbacks as of 2-25-11.
1. Terrell Thomas, 6’0″ 199 pounds – It is absolutely incredible that Thomas has not made the pro bowl yet. I say that because of his production on the field for the team. He is a huge part of New York’s success and completely underrated in my opinion. In 2010, he led the team in both tackles (101) and INT’s (5) and I expect nothing less then another solid season from him. He is young and hungry and seems to make the big plays when the teams needs them most. He also played in all 16 games in 2010.
2. Aaron Ross, 6’0″ 197 pounds – Ross has become an anomaly to fans. He was an exciting player to watch and played with fire when he first got to town but nagging injuries and missing so much game time has got him down a bit. He only missed 2 games last season due to injury but he still didn’t look himself. He did return some punts (at his request) for the team and did a good job with that but the team needs him at CB. He was questioning his career after 2009 while enduring the grueling rehab process. Something that must be just as tough on a guy mentally as it is physically. Ross is a fan favorite and I am rooting for him to get back to form in 2011. Keep your head up Aaron, we need you man!
3. Corey Webster, 6’0″ 202 pounds – Webster is the eldest statesmen as I mentioned above and the guy with the most game time experience for the CB squad. He finished 2010 second on the team with 4 INT’s and missed only one game due to injury. Coaches and fans have become accustom to seeing Webster around and I expect him to have a good season this year. He is also a fan favorite and someone the team counts on come crunch time. Perhaps he could bring in his Super Bowl ring to motivate the youngsters with that ten table shine.
4. Michael Coe, 6’0″ 184 pounds – Coe played in 4 games for Big Blue last season and was a guy they brought in for depth. His lack of playing time leaves us wondering what will happen with him in 2011. This is another guy who will have to show DC Perry Fewell consistency early and often if he wants to be on the roster. We wish him luck.
5. Brian Jackson, 6’0″ 198 pounds – Jackson is a guy fighting for a roster spot and I have to tell you that I like this kid. He is a good guy with a great head on his shoulders. The NFL is a tough business based strictly on performance but it’s tough not to root for this guy chasing his dream. He is willing to do whatever the team asks of him and I hope he makes the final cut.
6. Brian Witherspoon, 5’10” 180 pounds – Witherspoon was a pick up last year for depth on the team, plain and simple. He went to Stillman college and made the roster by the end of the year. Perhaps, Fewell can see something he likes in this guy that the fans have not seen yet. Once again, he is a Giant and I want to see him do well.
7. Bruce Johnson, 5’11” 182 pounds – Johnson was around for 3 games in 2010 and ended the season on the injured reserve list. This is a guy who might have a roster spot. He seems like he has a little bit of a playmaker in his system but it needs time to flourish. I would not be surprised if the team gave him another shot in 2011. The Giants need help at the CB position and keeping Johnson for depth seems like a smart move since he knows the playbook.
8. Joe Burnett, 5’11” 185 pounds – Burnett is on the reserve future list and will have a tough fight to make the roster. I’m not sure what to expect from this guy and fans will have to wait and see what the team decides to do. He went to Central Florida college.
9. Cary Harris, 5’11” 187 pounds – Harris is another player who is on the reserve future list. I don’t know much about him other then he went to USC. He is a guy that we don’t know much about and will have to see what happens with him.
10. Woodny Turrene, 5’11” 185 pounds – Turrene rounds out the third and final player on the reserve future list. He went to Louisville but once again, I don’t know much about him and will have to wait and see what the team decides to do with him. I hope all of these guys do well and can contribute to Big Blue this season.
What are your feelings about the current state of the cornerback group for the New York Giants?
RD – nygreporter.com
Please support the Eric LeGrand charity walk this June 4, 2011! Check it out at http://www.awalktobelieve.org
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Posted by robdomaine