Tom Coughlin Wins ESPY for Coach of the Year

July 12, 2012

NEW YORK – Hello Giants fans, did you miss me? I have been taking a nice long break away from writing after winning the Championship and the emotional 2011 season. But I couldn’t help writing something about Tom Coughlin winning the ESPY for Coach of the Year, something he really deserves both as a coach and a man. I’m starting to get the itch to write again and could not think of a better way to re-introduce myself to the New York Giants nation, then with a Tom Coughlin article. It feels good to be back.

Let me stop now and officially say, Congrats Coach!

If you ask me, it has taken the media, the football world and even a lot of the Giants fans, way too long to warm up and recognize how good Coughlin is. A lot of the drama is caused by the morons at the major sports shows. The two Super Bowl wins in five years cannot be denied, they will win a third and be named a dynasty and you will still show no love, so let it be known then. I am very excited for this year and to see what a healthy squad can do over 16 games. This is a dangerous team when fully healthy and they just won the Super Bowl with a depleted roster. How about Jason Pierre-Paul? B-E-A-S-T!  I’m going to predict he gets over 20 sacks in 2012. I think rookie RB David Wilson is a very intriguing subject and so is WR Rueben Randle. I’m looking at DT Marvin Austin, CB Prince Amukamara, WR Ramses Barden, TE Martellus Bennett, TE Travis Beckum and WR Domenik Hixon to see what they can do. A lot fans are watching, even though they may be quiet right now but we are all rooting for you guys to have huge seasons. And so is Tom Coughlin and the front office. These guys can make a huge difference in the 2012 season when healthy and clicking with their teammates. They need a shot to do that.

I have always been a big fan of Coach Coughlin, I was never one to criticize him for bad games. By the way, at 65, Coughlin becomes the oldest coach to ever win the award. I have been vocal in the past about OC Gilbride and not caring for some of his play calling. I think this offense is a dynamic but steady OC away from winning two more Super Bowls. The G-Men have the talent, that is for sure, they could be a top offense for the next four to six years if utilized properly. I’m sure of two things about Coach Coughlin, one he is a football guy and two, he is a New York guy. He also looks out for the military and works with the Jay Fund charity, founded in 1996. As most of you know, even his son-in-law is a football player. Giants Pro Bowl OL Chris Snee. Snee will be included in the Giants ‘Ring of Honor’ once he finishes his career with Big Blue and forever be considered one of the best Giants lineman of all time. Without coaches approval, I doubt this marriage would have ever happened, so it’s nice to know that Coughlin is a good judge of character too. I love that the Giants owners continue to reward Coughlin on production with contract extensions, something else he deserves in my opinion. I look forward to seeing Coach on the sidelines for many years to come in the future and enjoy continued success under his watch.

How do you feel about Coach Coughlin winning Coach of the Year?

RD – nygreporter.com

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The Blue Knight Rises, Gotham’s G-Men Building Dynasty

April 6, 2012

NEW YORK – Hello Giants fans, it’s been a while since the last article. I have been basking in the Super Bowl XLVI victory a bit more then usual. It’s fun talking to friends you’ve known your entire life when your team is one Super Bowl win away from being a dynasty. If the Giants win another Super Bowl within the next 3 years, they are a dynasty. To be even more specific, the Giants have until 2017 to win another one, which would give them 3 Super Bowl rings in a single decade. I honestly believe the Giants and QB Eli Manning are going to do it. Manning is elite, Manning is a Pro Bowl QB, 2x Super Bowl MVP, 2x Super Bowl Champion and has an Iron Man streak for most consecutive games without missing a start going. The guy is simply a winner and a family man. It’s hard not to like him and root for him.

The team is going to have a lot of players returning from injury this year. Some of the more important names to keep an eye on are CB Terrell Thomas, OL William Beatty, WR Domenik Hixon, TE Travis Beckum, TE Jake Ballard, TE Martellus Bennett, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, LB Clint Sintim, DT Marvin Austin, RB Da’Rel Scott and S Chad Jones. All of these players had injuries last year or have had a major career move. The G-Men need to avoid the rash of injuries that has plagued them since the 2009 season. If they can avoid loading up the injured reserve list and play at full strength one season, they have a nice chance of making it back to the big game and winning it again. Big Blue has proven how deep the team really is.

The 2012 NFL Draft is coming up in a few weeks and there seems to be a mix of areas that fans think are important. I don’t think the Giants will take a RB in the first round but you never know. A linebacker, offensive lineman or tight end could be on the top of the list. I would not be surprised to see them take another defensive back in round one since DC Perry Fewell is a DB guru. I like the extra pick the Giants will get in the fourth round as a compensation pick. Of course, if the best available player on the board is too good to ignore, they will draft him, no matter what the position. Even if it is another defensive end you say? Yes, I do. Nothing surprises me anymore with the Giants drafts. I really want to see the Giants invest in protecting QB Eli Manning this year. I want to see a few new big guys on the roster to contribute to the rotation. I’m convinced this is the year to invest heavily on offensive linemen in the draft and free agency. Surely it’s on both GM Jerry Reese and HC Tom Coughlin’s mind.

What do you think about the Giants roster moves thus far?

RD – nygreporter.com – Happy Easter Weekend!

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New York Giants Roster Moves, Free Agency Signings

March 15, 2012

NEW YORK – To say that the Giants have been busy the past 48 hours is an understatement. The Giants could hit the 15-17 player signings benchmark by tonight if they continue at this pace. I see what Giants GM Jerry Reese is doing and it is fun to take this journey of evolution with him and guess what happens because he is not showing his hand. You must know the team well enough to come up with scenarios and quite frankly, if you’re one of those writers who has given up, don’t steal my formulas or ideas and print them as your own. I read everything related to the Giants daily. It’s like a kick in the gut when you put two and two together and check the timelines for story releases. If you want my work, pay me, don’t be a hack.

Now back to business, the Giants have made about a dozen deals over the last 48 hours and show no signs of stopping today. They know the cream of the crop is almost completely devoured by now and will make a couple more moves in my opinion by Friday night. It’s safe to say the Giants have addressed the tight end and cornerback areas considerably thus far. They also have S Chad Jones, CB Prince Amukamara, CB Corey Webster to work with too and TE Jake Ballard and TE Travis Beckum. How about signing both of the Andrews brothers (Shawn and Stacy)? Get those guys up to speed and on the field together and see what happens. I also think that signing DE Osi Umenyiora, S Deon Grant, LB Chase Blackburn are crucial for the defense and special teams group.

Let’s take a look at what has happened thus far. Giants GM Jerry Reese has solidified the cornerback position on defense. He knows the defensive line is fine but if a good deal presents itself, who knows? He knows the safety group is fine, maybe add one more. This tells me he will be attacking the linebacker group via the upcoming NFL draft. If he catches lightning in a bottle with a future LT, I think he will use the majority of the other picks on offense. I think it will be a LB or OL taken in round one this year. I hope it is another athletic linebacker to help out but at the same time think a ten year offensive lineman is needed right now. The recent roster moves also tell me the offensive line will be addressed via the draft and certainly the running back position.

Here are some of the recent signings by Big Blue this week. Some of the deals did not publicly state the terms.

These roster moves are valid as of 3/15/12 at 8:00 AM:

1. CB Terrell Thomas, 6’0″ 200 pounds – 4 year deal, fair and smart move.

2. WR Domenik Hixon, 6’2″ 185 pounds – 1 year deal, worth the shot.

3. CB Michael Coe, 6’0″ 190 pounds – Smart signing to bolster DB’s.

4. CB Bruce Johnson, 5’11” 185 pounds – Smart signing to bolster DB’s.

5. TE Jake Ballard, 6’6″ 256 pounds – I like this signing a lot. Well done.

6. CB Justin Tryon, 5’9″ 190 pounds – Smart signing to bolster DB’s.

7. QB David Carr, 6’3″ 215 pounds – I have always liked Carr.

8. TE Martellus Bennett, 6’6″ 270 pounds – 1 year deal, smart.

9. P Steve Weatherford, 6’2″ 211 pounds – Franchise tag, brilliant.

10. TE Larry Donnell, 6’6″ 269 pounds – No NFL experience.

11. OL Joel Reinders, 6’8″ 317 pounds – No NFL experience.

Keep an eye on players who were released, free agent markets:

1. RB Brandon Jacobs – Released by team. Surprising move and I hope he can return for a new restructured contract.

2. WR Mario Manningham – I hope we can re-sign Super Mario somehow but right now he is checking out the 49ers free agent market.

3. CB Aaron Ross – Visiting teams as we speak, Washington was the most recent. Really Aaron?

4. OL Kareem McKenzie – Restructure the contract for less money and get that 3rd ring and maybe Ring of Honor one day.

5. S Deon Grant – Both sides need to get this done. I love the way this man plays football.

6. LB Chase Blackburn – This guy is a big deal and he proved it again last season. Give him 3 years.

7. DE Dave Tollefson – He plays with the best defensive line in football and holds his own. Worth re-signing.

8. TE Kevin Boss – Rumors of him returning are doubtful after Martellus Bennett signing. Maybe not?

9. WR Plaxico Burress – Rumors of his return are most likely just that, rumors.

10. WR Steve Smith – This is an interesting possibility if they lose Mario Manningham. It’s doubtful to ever happen.

11. DE Osi Umenyiora – Pay this man the money he has earned and work it out like Manning’s contract or something.

What are your thoughts on the recent transactions made by the New York Giants? Feel free to leave a comment below.

RD – nygreporter.com

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Giants Bag Five After Free Agent Hunting Licenses Are Stamped

March 13, 2012

NEW YORK – It didn’t take long for a new wave of emotion to rush over Giants fans since the Super Bowl win over the Patriots, for a second time, in Super Bowl XLVI. The prospects and free agents are everywhere and there are players for every position. I discussed the fact that the Giants would strike quickly in my article yesterday and the Boys in Blue did not disappoint. News broke before 10:00 AM about the team re-signing CB Terrell Thomas to a 4-year deal worth over $25 million, to the pleasure of Giants fans all over the internet. They followed up by re-signing two more cornerbacks Michael Coe and Justin Tryon. They also signed OL Joel Reinders (6’8″ 317 pounds) and TE Larry Donnell (6’6″ 269 pounds), neither have NFL experience. The entire NFL was set ablaze today with excitement and anticipation of what moves their respective teams might make. I am one of those fans on the most basic level, as we all are, and couldn’t wait to see who the G-Men picked up. Giants GM Jerry Reese does a wonderful job handling these things, even if you cannot see the impact right away, it becomes evident by the end. Jerry Reese, once again, deserves to be NFL GM of the Year!

The Free Agency madness will continue for quite a while but I expect the most damage to be done within the first 48-72 hours. After that, you are picking bones for talent. GM Jerry Reese knows this and knows it makes no difference if you pick up a guy in the first hour or last hour of free agency. The only thing that changes is the level of talent you are getting at a lower price, the further down the rabbit hole you go. I fully expected the Giants to make at least one considerable signing today in an area of need and they did. It just made too much sense not to pull the trigger. If not done by today, then I would have expected them to make two signings tomorrow. Also, prepare to have your hearts broken because there a few fan favorite players that might not be with the team next year. It’s the mathematical part of the game that hurts the most. It’s pure business but a very cold dish to serve.

The Giants have so many free agents this year and very little wiggle room with the cap space. Jerry Reese and the front office will need to make miracles happen. It would be nice to tighten up the defense a little with signing a free agent linebacker with an Antrel Rolle athletic level. But they also need to keep current Giants players under contract for long stretches. There is a lot of work to do but today was a good start. They are not done at all Giants fans, so hold onto your seat. Rumors are still swirling about TE Kevin Boss, WR Steve Smith, WR Plaxico Burress all possibly returning to Big Blue and now news of Dallas TE Martellus Bennett coming to East Rutherford for a visit. Keep an eye on the running backs and linebackers. I think Jerry Reese has made the Giants draft plan a bit clearer with these moves. In my opinion, he still needs to sign DE Osi Umenyiora, S Deon Grant, DE Dave Tollefson, WR Mario Manningham and WR Victor Cruz. Could you imagine the Giants defense if they signed Mario Williams!

Who will be the top three most important free agent signings for Big Blue?

RD – nygreporter.com

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