2010 Fantasy Football, Big Blue Projections and Tips

September 22, 2010

NEW YORK – Do you play fantasy football? Are you a Giants fan? If you answered yes to both of these questions and feel like you are a mediocre fantasy player or novice, then you have come to the right place. I am going to offer some nygreporter fantasy football advice and include my projections for Giants players. Other NFL players will be included, simply because they are tops their respective value lists. We are now heading into week three of the NFL regular season and this is the week where you begin to panic about certain players, my advice is don’t panic. Plan for the future and check your bye weeks. Check the waiver lists but do not panic.

If you are an experienced fantasy football player and find some of this information remedial to you, please feel free to add any fantasy advice you may have for our readers in the comment section below. We are always open to hearing opinions or strategies because this is after all for the fantasy football team owners. Plus, even I love to learn anything new or fresh about the fantasy sports world. In fact, I will leave a TIP area open for your fantasy football tip and the best one will get edited in and you will get credit for it. Simply leave a comment below, you do not need to be a member to leave a comment.

If you feel like you still have some fantasy related questions, please feel free to leave a comment and we would be happy to give you our opinion. Fantasy football and fantasy sports in general can become addicting. You have been warned. Enjoy the season!

Let’s take a look at some nygreporter fantasy tips.

TIP: What do I love more then anything during week five of the NFL season? Picking up players who had their bye week in week four. This way, the bye week is over and you won’t be concerned with having to monitor this player or defense for the rest of the season. You can pretty much forget about that player unless he has an injury and getting a good defense when the bye week has passed, allows you to stick with one defense for the rest of the year, opening up an extra roster space for another skill position.

TIP: If you want to win, then get a routine. This is a simple step but mostly overlooked. There are some users who play fantasy sports who don’t rally care about the outcome. Other get into a routine where they do all the research to give themselves a better chance at winning. The routine is the key. You must make a checklist of things that need to be checked every weekend. That includes bye week status, injuries, opposing offense or defense rankings, home team, checking your lineup and so forth. You get the idea.

TIP: Checking fantasy players for dummies. This is like the cliff notes for doing a proper player search for the novice. Use the “percent owned” option, this will list the players based upon the amount of total fantasy users. That means if a player is owned by 90% of fantasy players, there is a solid chance that the fantasy community as a whole, know what they are talking about. There are millions of fantasy players using these games and 90% of them agreeing on a players value is priceless.

TIP: Every single Sunday at noon, you must watch the pre game shows and check your fantasy football rosters. You watch those pre game shows because that is when the injury report comes out, usually within an hour of the 1 o’clock kickoffs. Most fantasy football sites allow you to change your roster up to 5 minutes before kick off.

TIP: Your drafts are more then likely already completed. For those of you who are joining your leagues late, here is some draft advice. Be sure to check the settings for your league before you draft. Now that users can make custom leagues, players have to be sure they are getting into a league they will like. Head to Head is always the easiest and most fun IMO. Rotisserie is another option but much more stressful and annoying, not for the faint of heart either. Always que players prior to the actual draft and do a customized player ranking. This is a fail safe in case you cannot get out of work and miss a LIVE draft. I prefer to do the LIVE drafts over the automated ones. If you do an automated draft, be sure to immediately check the waiver wire for players using the “percentage owned” option.

TIP: I do not recommend anyone playing fantasy football for money until at least one season being tutored by an experienced player. There are many websites where you can legally play for money. CBS Sports was the first to do so but others have now emerged that are poised to change the fantasy sports world forever. Websites, like the brand new FantaZ fantasy sports site are the future of online gaming for real money and a ton of fun. You can play for free on the FantaZ site if you like to learn the game or play for money. Sign up early for the expected October launch date.

TIP: Talking trash in good clean fun is part of the game. There are some who get carried away though and allow themselves to become belligerent. Do not be this guy/girl. You may find yourself invited to private leagues and make some friends who sign up each and every year because of the atmosphere of the league. Yes, leagues have atmospheres. You may hear of a “dead” league. This is a place where no one trades or talks or uses the boards. These are the leagues that you check once per week and thats it. The “fun” league is self explanatory. Cursing and acting like an idiot has no place in fantasy where kids can be playing for fun.

TIP: BEST Fantasy Football TIP From Reader Comment GOES HERE!!!

NEW YORK GIANTS TOP 5 FANTASY PLAYER PROJECTIONS (UPDATED):

1. QB Eli Manning – I expect QB Eli Manning to improve on his career year in 2009. He should be good for 250 yards and 2 TD’s 1 INT per game average IMO. I am only adding the 1 INT because of all the tipped and dropped balls by the WR group so far this year. I have already been quoted as saying, I believe Eli Manning will make the 2010 pro bowl, I stand by what I said and know that I am looking at a calm, cool and collected veteran quarterback. My top 3 fantasy QB’s – Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady

2. WR Hakeem Nicks – Hakeem Nicks has become the favorite target for Easy Eli. He has 4 TD’s so far this year in two games and seems to be on the cusp of stardom. Nicks could end up averaging 2 TD’s per game the rest of the season if he stays healthy. His enormous hands like frying pans and strong build make him a perfect candidate to join the elite WR’s one day, if not this season. I also see Nicks as a record setter for Big Blue. He can easily end up with the single season TD record and yards and YAC records. My top 3 fantasy WR’s – Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Larry Fitzgerald

3. WR Steve Smith – Smith has been quiet so far this year and you know what, that is just the way he likes it. Smith could easily end up with the most receptions for Big Blue in 2010. 7-8 catches per game for 90-100 yards. I gave Steve Smith the nickname “The Silent Assassin” a long time ago for this very reason. He comes out of nowhere with clutch grabs and when the game is over, the defenses are scratching their heads. My top 3 fantasy WR’s – Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Larry Fitzgerald

4. RB Ahmad Bradshaw – Somewhere along the road, the Giants became a passing offense. Bradshaw has worked to become the starting RB and I expect him to average 100 yards and a TD every single game. He is a dynamic running back that can be very elusive on the field. If he can stay healthy, he may prove to be a huge asset. If RB Brandon Jacobs can be cool with the situation in New York, they will be the dynamic duo again, just inverted. Nothing wrong with tiring out the opposing defense from speed, running and making them chase you, before you wear them out from a physical pounding. My top 3 fantasy RB’s – Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice

5. Team DefenseSpeaking from a strictly fantasy point perspective, the Giants defense should give their owners a steady amount of positive weekly points. For the season average, I expect them to have 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF per game as an average in 2010. They may give up an average of 18-24 points per game but they will also lay the wood on opposing offenses. The points will come mostly from the extra stats but this defense is more then capable of shutting out a team or two this year as well. My top 3 fantasy defenses – Packers, Ravens, Steelers

How many fantasy football leagues are you in for the 2010 NFL season? You do not need to be a member to leave a comment below.

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT GEORGE MARTIN’S, A JOURNEY FOR 9/11 CHARITY, WALK IS 10/17/10


What if Giants WR Hakeem Nicks Can’t Play Sunday?

September 17, 2010

NEW YORK – Somebody needs to ask this question, so it might as well be me. What will the New York Giants wide receiver depth chart look like on Sunday night, if star WR Hakeem Nicks in unable to play due to his ankle injury?

I don’t want to jinx the situation by asking this but I would like to know who you think gets the top three spots? There are a few different scenarios and yes, some of them include preseason stud WR Victor Cruz.

Is it disrespectful to the guys who have been on the team for a longer amount of time, to throw Cruz in on a few plays? I don’t think so. I’m positive the coaches must be salivating to see what he can do when the game is real. Perhaps, this weekend the fans will have an opportunity to see just that. I will take it a step further and say that I think the team needs to do that.

There is no question that WR Steve Smith and WR Mario Manningham will be two of the three starters. The question really resides in the third WR slot. Who do you think will start or do you think they will use a rotation for this game? Those players who fans might see on Sunday include WR Ramses Barden, WR Victor Cruz, WR Duke Calhoun. There are some WR’s on the IR list already, like WR Domenik Hixon and WR Sinorice Moss. It seems a lot thinner now doesn’t it, without Nicks in the equation.

QB Eli Manning has been watching some of his favorite targets go down with injuries. Even Manning himself, cut his head open during a preseason game that required stitches. Manning has lost WR Hixon and WR Moss for the entire season and now he has TE Kevin Boss and WR Nicks banged up for an important game. TE Travis Beckum will get the start and TE Bear Pascoe was activated from the practice squad this week, to serve as a backup. I still think that Eli Manning will be in a shoot out with older brother Peyton on Sunday night. How sweet would it be, if WR Victor Cruz got his first NFL TD, as the game winner versus the Colts. So many possibilities floating out there and the single certainty, that the entire nation will be watching Manning Bowl II on Sunday night.

My picks for the three starters, if WR Hakeem Nicks is ruled out for the Colts game.

1. Steve Smith

2. Mario Manningham

3. Victor Cruz

Do you think that WR Hakeem Nicks (3 TD’s in week one) will play in the Colts game Sunday night?

RD – nygreporter.com

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Giants vs. Panthers, NFL Week 1: Game Notes

September 12, 2010

NEW YORK – FINAL SCORE: Giants 31 Panthers 18.

The New York Giants and Carolina Panthers met at New Meadowlands stadium to christen the new house and exact some revenge on the pesky boys from Carolina. Both teams did not disappoint because this was a very competitive game. The Panthers were leading 16-14 at halftime and both teams never stopped fighting. The second half belonged to the Giants as they dominated in most areas to run the score up to a 31-18 lead and the win. This is a great way to start the season.

This was a game the Giants absolutely had to win for themselves and the fans. Deep inside every Giants fan, they seek revenge for the games lost to the Panthers over the past five years. The defense certainly looked a whole lot different from the one we saw in 2009. Most notably, in the secondary. The Big Blue D gave up a few big plays but managed to oppress the Panthers offense enough to allow Easy Eli an opportunity to win the game. The special teams still need a lot of work after an atrocious performance. If they are going to be successful in 2010, they will need to sort this out and quickly.

The game was sloppy and I did not like all of the penalties against Big Blue. You cannot give away that many yards and not have it bite you at some point in the game. There were also way too many turnovers in this game, both teams combined for nine turnovers. Still, the Giants start the 2010 NFL season at 1-0.

Let’s take a look at some of my game notes and please feel free to leave a comment below.

– QB Eli Manning played a very good game despite getting almost no help from his WR’s. Manning threw for 3 TD’s 3 INT’s 263 yards.

– Too many dropped and tipped balls by the Giants WR’s, this was the theme for this game. All three of Eli Manning’s INT’s were from tipped balls.

– TE Kevin Boss left the game in the first quarter with a concussion and neck injury. He did not return to the game.

– LB Chase Blackburn was helped off the field in the second quarter with a sprained knee. He did not return to the game.

– DE Mathias Kiwanuka (2 sacks today) is playing like a man possessed this year. He is playing his best football right now, sit back and enjoy it.

– The Giants were penalized way too many times (9/95 yards), for way too many yards in this game.

– The Giants turned the ball over four times in this game. This is not acceptable and it’s amazing the Giants won the game.

– The Giants won the Time of Possession battle with a time of 34:39.

– WR Hakeem Nicks explodes for 3 TD’s and 75 yards, he easily gets my game ball. This was a breakout game for Nicks in week one.

– The Giants running game was non-existent against the Panthers until the fourth quarter. This has become an area of concern.

– The Giants defense played a very good game despite giving up some big plays. the G-Men finished with 4 sacks, 3 INT’s and 2 Forced fumbles.

– Rookie punter Matt Dodge had another shaky performance (including a blocked punt in the fourth quarter). He will need to be more consistent to remain on the team.

– Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is very involved with his players on the sidelines and gives off a lot of good energy to the players.

– DE Justin Tuck ran out of the tunnel with a Giants firmans helmet on, he ended the game the same way.

– CB Aaron Ross did not play in todays game.

– Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin looked like a rocket about to take off when the team headed inside for halftime, down 16-14.

– The special teams had a below average performance and Coach Tom Quinn will need to get his guys on the same page soon.

– New York Giants legend George Martin, announces he will hold 2nd annual Journey for 9/11 walk on October 17, 2010.

– Kicker Lawrence Tynes had a good game making all of his FG’s and extra point attempts.

– WR Mario Manningham had a very good game with 4 catches for 85 yards. He has been making some spectacular catches for Big Blue since last season.

– RB Ahmad Bradshaw had a poor game until the fourth quarter where he exploded for the majority of his 76 yards and a TD.

– RB Brandon Jacobs had a mediocre game (44 yards on 12 carries), even by his own standards I’m sure. Most notably, he couldn’t get in during the fourth quarter from the one yard line.

– The Giants closed this game out as a true team. This is something that I haven’t seen since the 2007 team.

– The Giants defense (Osi) knocked Carolina Panthers QB Matt Moore out of the game in the fourth quarter.

– CB Terrell Thomas (1 INT) had a great game despite a missed play or two. He made a crucial INT at the end of the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Giants.

– S Antrel Rolle led all tacklers for the Giants defense and seemed to be around the ball on most plays.

Are you surprised by the outcome of todays game?

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT GEORGE MARTIN’S, A JOURNEY FOR 9/11 CHARITY!


New York Giants Training Camp Report 8/6/10

August 6, 2010

Hello Giants Fans, Today is Autograph Night (practice is from 3:35-4:35 PM EST) at the Giants training camp in Albany!! Fans will be able to meet the players and get their autographs. It’s a great day to bring the kids and support the Giants.

It is hard to believe but week one of the 2010 training camp is almost completed. There are now exactly fourteen days until the camp wraps up on August 20, 2010. What is even more crazy is the fact that the G-men play the Jets in their first preseason game in ten days at the new stadium. The Giants and Jets will meet on August 16, 2010 at 8PM EST in a Monday Night Football showdown. Football fans understand that this is the first preseason game of the year and that it will probably not be very competitive. The starters will not play longer then one quarter and it may even be for a single series.

Training camp has been going very well for Big Blue. Coach Coughlin mentioned the wide receiver group recently saying that they need to pull it together a little bit. I would not worry about this, I believe it is more player rust, then actual concern over ability. Rookie DE Jason Pierre-Paul continues to gain praise from the coaching staff and players. Center Shaun O’Hara is battling a nagging ankle injury and has missed most of training camp thus far. The Giants started using full pads this week and I’m sure the trainers want to be cautious with some of these players.

WR Hakeem Nicks scared the heck out of everyone after he hyperextended his right knee. Two MRI’s later in New York City and Nicks was cleared and back in Albany the next day. The Giants cannot afford to lose a player of Nicks’ caliber on offense and I’m sure the team let out a collective exhale at the good news. QB Eli Manning continues to be a rock for the team and is beginning to get in the zone as time goes on. There has been no mention of the achilles injury he suffered in 2009, so I’m assuming that he feels fine and will be good to go in 2010.

Tom Coughlin has a group of players who are on a special list that will only allow them to practice once per day. Those players include DT Jay Alford, WR Hakeem Nicks, TE Kevin Boss, LB Keith Bulluck and DE Osi Umenyiora. All of these players had recent injuries and they require special attention during training camp until they are fully healthy. WR Mario Manningham and S Deon Grant have also both missed the past couple of days at practice with groin injuries. S Kenny Phillips is still hoping to fully recover before the start of the 2010 season, while S Antrel Rolle is easing into his leadership role with the DB’s. They will not hold two a day practices today, only the one practice on the field from 2:25-4:35 PM EST.

Here is a link to the Giants Autograph Night info, which is today, straight from Giants.com: http://www.giants.com/trainingcamp/autographnight.asp

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


2010 New York Giants: NYG Notes 08/04/10

August 4, 2010

Hello Giants Fans,

There have been some extremely interesting items in the news this past week or so regarding the Giants. The most recent being the news of Plaxico Burress’ release date of 2-3 weeks from prison on a work release program. The possibility of bringing Burress back to the Giants is very unlikely, unless he wants to play for the league minimum with zero guarantees. Would you take Plaxico Burress back if he could get in shape by the game, following the bye week? At the league minimum for eight games? What would you do?

Giants fans everywhere have been waiting all day for the Hakeem Nicks news. Nicks was sent to a Manhattan hospital to be checked out for a possible hyperextended leg. The team is expected to discuss this more when they know more about it. Losing Hakeem Nicks for any length of time would be a huge loss for the team. He is a favorite sleeper among fantasy football owners for 2010 and had a very good rookie year last season. So far, it looks like the MRI says he is fine.

I must also add that Mike Francesa did an absolutely wonderful show yesterday LIVE from the New York Giants training camp. What a treat is was for Giants fans to see all of those interviews with the players and coaches and owners. Mike always does it right and that is one show that every Giants fan looks forward to. The nygreporter was on his Giants training camp show last year as a call in. Mike and I talked about the Giants time of possession game and how it could effect their overall record. If you recall, the Giants defense on paper in 2009 was off the charts before all of the injuries started happening. Some like him and some don’t but I think he is a good guy.

– In other sports news today, New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, hit his 600th home run today off of Shawn Marcum in the 1st inning of a day game against the Blue Jays, at Yankee Stadium. He is only the seventh player in MLB history to reach the No.600 HR plateau and he is also the youngest to ever do it at 35 (his birthday was last week). Congrats Alex!

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!

Let’s take a look at some of the recent news about the New York Giants.

– WR Hakeem Nicks is sent to a Manhatten hospital from training camp. The MRI comes back fine.

– WR Plaxico Burress to be released from prison in 2-3 weeks on a work release program. He will seek to play in the NFL once again.

– QB Eli Manning looks as calm and cool as ever. He is having a good camp and I expect him to improve on his 2009 numbers.

– LB Phillip Dillard continues to impress his peers and coaches with his natural leadership abilities. Dillard is very animated and vocal when talking to the defense.

– DC Perry Fewell is an extremely good coach. He was very thorough when I saw him at camp on Monday. He confirms that he will be experimenting until the regular season begins.

– S Kenny Phillips begins the season of the PUP list. He dresses for practice but does not participate. He looks to return soon.

– LB Keith Bulluck is bringing some of the nasty back to Big Blue. If he remains healthy in 2010, the Giants got a steal. Plus, Bulluck really wants to play in New York.

– Rookie S Chad Jones was put on waivers, then cleared waivers and is now on the Giants non-football related injured reserve list.

– The Giants signed veteran S John Busing to bolster their safety corps.

– The Giants are awarded DE Alex Hall off waivers from the Eagles.

– OL Rich Seubert has not had a beer in five days.

– RB Andre Brown looked fast and fluid during the morning practice. He will be fighting for the third strong job for now.

– CB Aaron Ross has been back on the field and playing well so far. it was good to see him running around out there during practice.

– Rookie DE Jason Pierre-Paul continues to get rave reviews from the coaches and players.

– DE Osi Umenyiora has matured to a level where he can’t be touched. I expect a terrific year for the new and improved humble Osi.

– Rookie punter Matt Dodge continues to get some coaching from the legend Jeff Feagles. I hope the Giants hire him full time.

– Backup QB Jim Sorgi was a bit shaky when I saw him during the morning practice on Monday. The backup QB spot still concerns me.

– The YES network’s Mike Francesa Show, did a LIVE broadcast yesterday from the New York Giants training camp in Albany.

– Head Coach Tom Coughlin is impressed with how many players arrived at camp in shape. He also said the team has a lot of work to do in a very short period of time.

– The Giants did not practice on the field today. They remained indoors at meetings and the weight rooms.

– The Giants will have their first “full pad” practice tomorrow on 8/5/10 at the University of Albany.


The Duke and The Boss: New York Pillars Gone Forever

July 13, 2010

This warm July night brings baseball fans the Major League Baseball all-star game. In fact, that game will be played tonight in Anaheim, California with a handful of Yankee players on the roster, including SS Derek Jeter. It seems fitting that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner would pass away on a date, that had historical meaning to the game of baseball. The Boss passed away this morning from a heart attack, he was 80 years old and had lived one of the fullest lives of any man on earth. Can you imagine waking up every morning and saying “I own the New York Yankees”. Can you imagine doing that since the seventies?

If you had to sum up George Steinbrenner in one word, it would have to be “Winner” because it was all he ever talked about. The Boss loved Championship rings and trophies more then anything else, other then his family of course and some might even question that.

I can’t stand to hear the haters saying, “The Yankees buy their championships” to which I always reply, “Excuse me but you do know that every single team owner is a billionaire right? You do understand that an owner who has made their money through selling toothbrushes or making condiments has a primary job? Every MLB team could do what the Yankees do financially but they don’t because they choose not to. The Yankees are in the business of the Yankees and not in the business of real estate conglomerates or dot com companies. The profits that the Yankees make go back into the Yankee system. The money other teams make could possibly go towards their primary non-baseball business. Steinbrenner was passionate about baseball and that’s a big difference, so get it right. He was also stubborn. Which is why he eventually told Cablevision to go to hell and created his own TV channel called “The YES Network” when he didn’t approve of how the Yankees were being handled. Let’s be honest, Steinbrenner got things done and who can hate a guy for doing his job well? The competition.

There will no doubt be a tribute to “The Boss” tonight at the all-star game and could there ultimately be a tribute song to “The Boss” by “The Boss”? Creative minds keep working through grief and sadness.

A spike was driven into the earth in 1925, creating a wide hole in order to place a pillar. The Mara family planted that pillar when they purchased the New York Giants for $500 dollars. Talk about pure “big blue” blood. For 85 years, the Mara family has been a light to the Tri-State area and the Giants have a reputation as one of the classiest organizations in sports. There are too many charities to list here and too many acts of kindness to mention. Some things go beyond sports and Wellington Mara was a larger then life man. “The Duke” passed away five years ago in October 2005, he was 89 years old God bless him and his legacy continues and has remained strong. The world needs more old school men like Mr. Mara is this era of being PC. With each passing year we can pick out one or two game changers or stand outs. In the football world, the Mara family is held in extremely high regard. Wellington “The Duke” Mara was born in New York and went to school in New York all the way through college. He was also enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

There is something to be said for family and fans will still be able to hold on to the familiar names of those who own the teams they cheer for. Both the Mara family and Steinbrenner family have blood running things. You have Hank and Hal in the Bronx and you have John and Tim in East Rutherford. Those are the more public names that people know of but trust me there are many more and why shouldn’t there be? Any one of us would be doing the same thing for family and friends if we were in that position. Nepotism sucks only for those outside of the circle right? The words nepotism and loyalty can become confused when applied to the same subject, such as who should be running these teams. Personally, I give both the Mara boys and Steinbrenner boys my full support. They own and operate the teams I have loved all of my life. Disagreements will happen but fans need to stand behind these men and give them a chance to show what they can do.

The passing of legendary announcer Bob Sheppard yesterday, who was the stadium announcer for both the Giants and Yankees for over 50 years, seems to add insult to injury. He takes with him the “voice of God” moniker that was bestowed upon him and a generations worth of loyalty and love from the fans. Even I cannot deny the chills I felt standing in a silent stadium, filled with tens of thousands of people listening to Sheppard speak. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

The reader must understand that none of the men mentioned in this article can ever be replaced within the New York community. They have become that which all else is compared to and will forever hold a special meaning in the lives of fans around the globe. They are the benchmark, to which everyone must refer, in order to learn how to do things the right way.

RD – nygreporter.com

R.I.P. Wellington “The Duke” Mara

R.I.P. George “The Boss” Steinbrenner

R.I.P. Bob “The Voice of God” Sheppard


2010 New York Giants: NYG Notes 07-10-10

July 10, 2010

Hello Giants Fans, I thought we could take a look back on a busy week and make some notes. We are now only 3 weeks away from the beginning of training camp in Albany and still questions remain. Big questions. Like the annoying fly buzzing around a room, the middle linebacker position continues to evoke concern in Giants fans. The team has talked about LB’s Goff and Blackburn taking over for AP and have also mentioned rookie LB Phillip Dillard. Speaking of Antonio Pierce (AP), our former defensive general has officially retired from the NFL to work a gig at ESPN. Good Luck from the NYG Reporter AP!

We are now on the cusp of beginning training camp and the football news world is dead. This cruel summer dead zone happens every year. The floodgates will open for writers in three weeks, when the 2010 training camp starts. Until then, we will have the Pierre-Paul and Joseph contracts to discuss. We may have some roster moves to work with too. I expect the team to bring in another WR or CB before camp begins.

Another question people aren’t really discussing is, how will all of those 2009 injured players come back from their ailments? The G-men had a ton of players who were banged up and almost a dozen who landed on season ending IR. Two players that I’m very interested in seeing are DT Jay Alford and RB Andre Brown. Hopefully, they have both completely healed from their injuries and can contribute in 2010.

Let’s take a look at some of the recent summer news about the New York Giants.

– The 2010 New York Giants training camp begins in 3 weeks.

– Antonio Pierce officially retires from the NFL to join the ESPN TV crew.

– Rookie safety Chad Jones continues to recover from his season ending car accident. Get well soon Chad.

– Giants LT David Diehl rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday 7-9-10.

– The New York Giants have signed five of seven 2010 draft picks so far.

-The Giants still haven’t signed their first round pick DE Jason Pierre-Paul.

-The Giants second round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft Linval Joseph remains unsigned as well.

– The Giants Special Teams have lost two players for the season already.

– The Manning family held their annual passing camp in Louisiana.

– Giants WR Steve Smith has asked for a new contract. He is scheduled to make $550,000 in 2010.

– The 18 game expansion for regular season games is still a hot topic in New York.

– Questions still remain about safety Kenny Phillips’ status and condition. Get well soon Kenny.

– Giants WR Hakeem Nicks has been putting in some extra work during the offseason.

– New defensive coordinator Perry Fewell continues to win the respect of his players and earn praise from the front office.

When do you think rookie DE Jason Pierre-Paul will sign his contract? Do you think he could be a possible hold out?

RD – nygreporter.com

SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


Easy Eli Manning is Going to Make the 2010 Pro Bowl

June 3, 2010

What do you think about the title of this article? Do you think QB Eli Manning will make the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl roster for the NFC? If you agree, tell us why. If you disagree, tell us why. New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning (6-4 225 pounds) is a Super Bowl MVP & Super Bowl Champion. Eli Manning has already been to a Pro Bowl in 2008 and has made the playoffs for four of his five years as the leader. We have seen him make incredible comebacks and we’ve seen him win 11 straight on the road. Why people still doubt Manning is beyond me. He improved again in 2009, cracking the 4,000 yard passing yard mark with 4,021 yards. He also threw a very good TD to INT ratio of 27 to 14. It must also be noted that Manning was sacked 30 times in 2009, the most of any year in his career.

He had a solid year in 2009 but the team still finished with a disappointing 8-8 record to close out the season. Injuries can be written in history as the reason why they had a poor season in 2009. 2010 will be a whole other story. Eli Manning has some dangerous receivers and tight ends in his arsenal. It’s clear that the team has the offensive lines future in mind with youngsters William Beatty, Adam Koets and Mitch Petrus in the mix. Protecting Eli will become the theme for next years 2011 NFL draft. I would bet they choose at least two offensive linemen within the first four rounds of the draft.

How would you grade the 29 year old Manning at this point in his career? Personally, I give him an “A” and could not see anyone giving him less then a “B” from everything he has accomplished since being drafted in 2004 in the first round. The crazy trade with San Diego during the 2004 NFL Draft to get him. Ernie Accorsi doing his thing and making things happen. Eli Manning is ready to take things to the next level and I expect him to do so with the arsenal of talented wide receivers he is throwing to. Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden, Kevin Boss, Travis Beckum, Derek Hagan and Sinorice Moss are a lot to deal with. Eli Manning is going to go on a three or four year tear beginning this season. He will become the Derek Jeter of New York football by the end of his career. This includes at least one more Super Bowl ring either this year or next year. Next year makes the most sense logically given the team needs some time to mesh with each other. They had some things to work out but I’m confident Eli will lead this team to the next level.

My official prediction for QB Eli Manning during the 2010 NFL regular season is: 4,347 passing yards and 36 TD’s 18 INT’s.

Eli Manning’s official career numbers are: 18,644 passing yards, 125 TD’s 88 INT’s.

RD – NYGReporter.com

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NY Giants Top Ten: Single Season Record, Receiving Yards

May 23, 2010

Here is a new segment that we will be doing here on the NYG Reporter, we will call them the unoriginal name of the “top ten” lists. Yes, we understand the cliche but it is still an effective means for communicating pertinent information about the team. The previous article we wrote before this, where we took a look at the fantasy football possibilities got me thinking. I mentioned that I thought WR Hakeem Nicks would break the single season Giants record for receiving yards in 2010. The current all-time record is 1,343 receiving yards, in a single season, set by WR Amani Toomer in 2002. During Hakeem Nicks’ rookie season in 2009, he had 790 receiving yards and six touchdowns, even though he only started in six games.

It will be interesting to see how the Smith/Nicks WR duo compliment each other. We could be on the verge of something big here in 2010. Let’s not forget about WR Mario Manningham, WR Ramses Barden, WR Derek Hagan, WR Domenik Hixon, WR Sinorice Moss and the rookie WR Tim Brown that Coughlin has mentioned during interviews. They will be competing with each other during the current OTA’s going on and even more so, come training camp in Albany this summer.

We will be doing the running backs and quarterbacks records during this week as well, so be sure to come back and check them out.

Let’s take a look at the top ten all-time receiving yards records for the New York Giants.

New York Giants all-time receiving yards, per single season, record standings.

1. WR Amani Toomer, 1,343 receiving yards in 2002.

2. WR Steve Smith, 1,220 receiving yards in 2009.

3. WR Plaxico Burress, 1,214 receiving yards in 2005.

4. WR Homer Jones, 1,209 receiving yards in 1967.

5. WR Amani Toomer, 1,183 receiving yards in 1999.

6. WR Del Shofner, 1,181 receiving yards in 1963.

7. WR Earnest Gray, 1,139 receiving yards in 1983.

8. WR Del Shofner, 1,133 receiving yards in 1962.

9. WR Del Shofner, 1,125 receiving yards in 1961.

10. WR Amani Toomer, 1,094 receiving yards in 2000.

Are you surprised by the amount of wide receivers on this list that have played  in the 1960’s? Do you think that WR Hakeem Nicks can re-write the record books in 2010?

RD – NYGReporter.com


2010 Fantasy Football: New York Giants Breakdown

May 23, 2010

Hello Giants Fans, I’ve noticed that the 2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft rooms have been heating up. I know it is difficult to believe but ESPN already has their mock draft rooms up and running. It’s the same story with CBS Sports and their fantasy mock drafts. We are almost into June now and things are sure to heat up over the summer. The real 2010 NFL Draft has been over a couple of months now and the next significant time period will be training camp. There hasn’t been a release of those dates and locations as of yet but we know that the G-Men will be attending Albany this season for certain.

I am going to give you a list of the New York Giants players that will be worth having on your fantasy roster for the 2010 NFL season. I believe that the Giants wide receivers offer the best shot at making a difference on your team. I expect Easy Eli to have an improved year in 2010 and make the Pro Bowl. Clearly, the wide receiver group will benefit the most from Manning’s production on the field. I think drafters can get the New York Giants defense as a steal in the mid-to-late rounds. I expect the Giants defense to finish in the top ten for 2010. These are simply my thoughts on the 2010 possibilities for Big Blue. I’m sure this will help someone who reads this and decides they want to take a shot on some of these guys. Remember, this is designed to be a fun game, so don’t take it too seriously and enjoy yourself.

2010 Fantasy Football players on the New York Giants.

1. WR Steve Smith Smith is coming off a career season with Big Blue and he also made the pro Bowl in 2009. He is going to lose some passes to Hakeem Nicks but will still get enough to build on his numbers from last year. Look for 1,200 plus receiving yards and 10 TD’s from Smith in 2010.

2. QB Eli Manning – Manning is also coming off of a career year and I expect him to outperform 2009’s numbers and also make it to the Pro Bowl in 2010. I expect 4,000 plus yards and at least 30 TD’s from Manning in 2010.

3. WR Hakeem Nicks – I expect Hakeem Nicks to have a breakout season, by setting a new Giants record for receiving yards in a single season (currently 1,343 yards by Amani Toomer in 2002). This is another guy who could prove to be a steal around the 5th or 6th round of your draft.

4. RB Brandon Jacobs – Look for Brandon the Bull to return to form in 2010 with 1,000 yards rushing and 10 TD’s. You can easily get Jacobs in the 5th round in most drafts, I suggest you grab him or pay later.

5. RB Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw will prove to have the skills to be a number one running back on any team. I predict he will have a 200 plus yard game during the 2010 NFL Season. I’m predicting 1,000 plus rushing yards and 5 TD’s in 2010.

6. TE Kevin Boss – Boss is about to have surgery on his ankle but should be ready for training camp. He is working his way up a short ladder of NFL tight ends. I’m guessing 600 receiving yards and 5 TD’s in 2010 for Boss.

7. New York Giants Defense/Special Teams – I am predicting the New York Giants defense will finish the 2010 NFL season in the top 10.

8. Wild Card Players – WR Mario Manningham, WR Ramses Barden, RB Andre Brown WR Victor Cruz and TE Travis Beckum.

Which New York Giants players do you deem worthy of a fantasy football roster spot? Do you play fantasy football? Check out the link in the comment area for a brand new fantasy sports site.

RD – NYGReporter.com