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!

1 Comment | 2011 Fantasy Football, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 NFL Lockout, 2011 NFL Minicamp, 2011 NFL Preseason, 2011 NFL Regular Season, 2011 NFL Training Camp, Big Blue, Chris Mara, East Rutherford, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Draft, Giants Front Office, Giants History, Giants Mini Camp, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Giants Training Camp, Giants Transactions, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Jonathan Tisch, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New Jersey, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Lockout, NFL New York Giants, Nilay Shah, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Blog, NYG Draft, NYG Fantasy Football, NYG Minicamp, NYG Preseason, NYG Regular Season, NYG Reporter, NYG Story, NYG Training Camp, NYG Website, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Steve Tisch, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by robdomaine

Giants Sign Ware, Hixon and Reynaud to Short Term Deals

March 3, 2011

NEW YORK – It looks like Big Blue is sending a clear message that they intend to address the special teams issue very early. The Giants signed 3 players to short term deals over the past two days. I am surprised by two of them actually. The three players signed are RB DJ Ware (2 year contract), WR Domenik Hixon (1 year contract) and RB Darius Reynaud (1 year contract). All three of these players will see most of their game time on special teams. They may be brought into the game under certain conditions or situations but they will primarily be used on special teams. The Giants also put out tenders on a handful of players including WR Steve Smith, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, TE Kevin Boss, DT Barry Colfield and DE Mathias Kiwanuka.

I was surprised that the team locked up RB DJ Ware for another two years because he hasn’t been the most productive player. But I was even more surprised when they retained RB Darius Reynaud. This only means that they will not be unprepared if the injury bug pays a visit once again. I hope that Ware and Reynaud can contribute more in 2011 and I’m sure they do too because the whole world will be watching this group. Expect some fiery competition in training camp this season.

The return game was atrocious last season and I think there will be a couple of guys on that squad looking for some payback. I expect the Giants special teams to be much more aggressive in 2011. If Tom Quinn emerges with his job intact after last season, it will be the biggest upset since Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson in Japan. Punter Matt Dodge should thank his lucky stars too and do his best to maintain consistency. Coach Coughlin has no patience for inconsistency and he will be very vocal about it.

The CBA talks are not going well but they did decide to extend the deadline a bit which is a good thing. The team will need to devote all of their energy to the 2011 NFL Draft very soon. Some on the staff have already been on the job for months. It’s who they are and what they do. Now that the NFL Combine has winded down, there is nothing left but free agency and the draft to look forward to as fans. And then the quiet season returns in May and June where there isn’t much football news. I expect things to continue to happen with the Giants camp from this moment through the entire weekend. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Here is another look at the three recent signings.

1. DJ Ware, RB #28 – 6’0″ 234 pounds – signed 2 year contract

2. Domenik Hixon,WR #87 – 6’2″ 185 pounds – signed 1 year contract

3. Darius Reynaud, RB #15 – 5’9″ 201 pounds – signed 1 year contract

What are your thoughts on these recent signings by Big Blue? Are any of them a surprise to you?

RD – nygreporter.com – 1 year anniversary 3-6-11

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

4 Comments | 2010 Fantasy Football, 2010 New York Giants, 2010 NFL Preseason, 2010 NFL Regular Season, 2011 Fantasy Football, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 NFL Preseason, 2011 NFL Regular Season, 2011 NFL Training Camp, Big Blue, Chris Mara, East Rutherford, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Draft, Giants Front Office, Giants History, Giants Injuries, Giants Mini Camp, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Giants Training Camp, Giants Transactions, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Jonathan Tisch, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New Jersey, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL Combine, NFL Draft, NFL New York Giants, Nilay Shah, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Blog, NYG Draft, NYG Exclusive, NYG Fantasy Football, NYG Preseason, NYG Regular Season, NYG Reporter, NYG Story, NYG Training Camp, NYG Website, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Steve Tisch, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by robdomaine

Hey Giants, What’s Wrong With WR David Tyree?

July 8, 2010

Hello Giants fans, let me ask you a question. What is wrong with WR David Tyree? Besides owning the greatest play in Super Bowl history, many might have forgotten that David Tyree was a pro bowl player at one time. Not only that but he went to the pro bowl based upon his special teams performance. The guy is not over the hill having just 7 NFL seasons under his belt and can be an electrifying game changer at the strangest moments (see SB XLII). He is 30 years old, 6’0″ 206 pounds and has won on the biggest stage in the world.

There must be something wrong with him physically for the team not to be grabbing him for a one or two year deal. There are no illusions here, he would serve as a backup WR and a special teams leader. I’m not sure if he can run as fast as he did in 2005, when he went to the pro bowl but he is certainly worth taking a look at. Invite him to training camp at the very least. The New Jersey native and former 6th round pick (2003) knows the local area and knows the G-Men very well.

I would like our readers to participate in this article and tell me what you think. Our previous article listed some possible free agent acquisitions. I find it difficult to believe that WR Chris Brown, offered Big Blue more then what David Tyree can offer. Give the man a chance to fail his own physical I say. He is a fan favorite and it shows that you gave him the respect of a physical and training camp invite. I would love to know once and for all what the main reason is for David Tyree not getting a shot at making the team. Could this be over something personal? Sure it can be but I doubt it. It has to be something regarding Tyree’s physical condition (most likely his knee).

We all know that he was hanging around the locker room earlier this year and it seemed like he had the itch to play. I know one thing for certain, if he were to come back to the Giants, the fans would welcome him with open arms.

Would you take a chance on signing former New York Giants WR David Tyree for the 2010 NFL season?

RD – nygreporter.com

7 Comments | 2010 New York Giants, Big Blue, Chris Mara, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Front Office, Giants History, Giants Injuries, Giants Mini Camp, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Giants Training Camp, Giants Transactions, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Jonathan Tisch, Kevin Gilbride, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Super Bowl, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Draft, NYG Exclusive, NYG Reporter, NYG Story, NYG Super Bowl, NYG Training Camp, NYG Update, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Steve Tisch, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn, University of Albany | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by robdomaine

Next Entries »