Giants Training Camp Opens, Rookies Get Jersey Numbers

July 29, 2011

NEW YORK – The Giants are going to have a very busy day. The workers at the stadium are busy getting all of the equipment together and the players are working out the butterflies in their stomachs. It’s a rainy morning in the New York area and scattered thunderstorms are expected throughout the day. If the weather is bad, the practices will be moved indoors and closed to the public. Fans also have to remember to arrive early if they plan on attending training camp tomorrow because it is on a first come, first serve basis. Some Giants players were at the facility as early as 7:00 A.M. getting physicals and the twitter accounts of fans were buzzing with anticipation. It is sure to be a great day in East Rutherford.

Getting back to the physical and mental work of practice is a tremendous step in the right direction. The players have a short period of time to get into football shape and the rookies have almost no time to memorize an NFL playbook. The only thing that balances out these disturbing facts, is that it is a league wide issue due to the lockout and not just something the G-men will be dealing with. The front office will be working hard to make sure the team can re-sign the valuable players who are still without contracts. The coaches will concentrate on coaching.

There are big names floating around out there today. RB Ahmad Bradshaw still hasn’t agreed to the contract terms and RB Brandon Jacobs is said to be working with the team to restructure his contract, a classy move by Brandon. DE Osi Umenyiora is a hot topic and he wants to be paid a fair wage equal to his on-field production. WR Steve Smith is still on the mend but should be a priority signing for the Giants and TE Kevin Boss could make his way back to the team very soon. These players equal a ton of production for the Giants and will need to return in order to maintain the balance that already exists. The team and the fans are still a little woozy from the players who have already been released, if the players above don’t sign, we would essentially be looking at an entirely new team.

There are other players who need to sign contracts but the guys mentioned above are the big names. The team still needs to sign the majority of their 2011 draft picks and also get them acclimated to the Giants way of doing business. Be sure to check back with us later in the day for transaction updates and players moves.

Let’s take a look at the jersey numbers the rookies will wear.

1. CB Prince Amukamara – No.20

2. DT Marvin Austin – No.96

3. OL James Brewer – No.78

4. LB Greg Jones – No.53

5. RB Da’Rel Scott – No.34

6. WR Jerrel Jernigan – No.3

7. S Tyler Sash – No.39

8. FB Henry Hynoski – No.45

9. LB Mark Herzlich – No.58

Do you plan on attending a training camp session this year at the Timex Performance Center?

RD – nygreporter.com

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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!


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 7 New York Giants

April 30, 2011

NEW YORK – The Giants waited until their final pick to grab a running back with RB Da’Rel Scott (5’11” 211 pounds) from Maryland. There were a ton of fans who thought the G-Men should draft a RB with one of their early round picks (I was not one of these people). If there is a word to describe Scott it would be fast. This kid ran a 4.3 40 yard dash at the combine and could become a regular on special teams to start his career if he makes the team. I love these late round picks where the guys have a ton of heart and a desire to do work.

The Giants had a very good draft in my opinion. There seem to be mixed emotions from the Giants fans out there but rest assured, the Giants got some quality talent for the team. I really liked the first three rounds. I have a gut feeling about DT Marvin Austin and that feeling is telling me superstar. I was happy to see GM Jerry Reese really attack the special teams issues by drafting a running back and wide receiver who could be used in that very important area of the game. The G-Men also drafted a ton of speed. Some of these guys are quick as lightning and having that kind of speed on the football field can’t hurt. I also expect Prince Amukamara to become a pro bowl caliber player for the Giants in the near future. He has become a fan favorite overnight.

The 2011 NFL Draft is officially over for the Giants and we must all get back to reality now and the NFL lockout. I hope both sides can work something out quickly and get back to playing the game of football instead of the game of economics. The fans are fed up and expressed that very sentiment on multiple occasions the past three days. I’m exhausted from this draft and will probably sleep for 48 hours straight, so I say goodnight Giants fans and I will see you on Monday.

Let’s take a look at all of the Giants picks for the 2011 NFL Draft.

New York Giants 2011 NFL Draft Picks (Rounds 1-7)

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

What do you think about the Giants grabbing a RB with their final pick?

RD – nygreporter.com

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