Giants Getting Ready to Get Down to Business

July 28, 2011

NEW YORK – Giants owner John Mara said he expects to have a “naming rights” deal in place for the stadium before the season begins in September. I’m sure that we will hear news on this very soon, within a week or so. This might seem like a small piece of business considering all of the madness going on with the players but fans better familiarize themselves with it. They will be looking at it for a lot of years to come. As I’ve said many times, it will always be Giants stadium to me but the thought of calling it the MetLife stadium for a decade is vividly unappealing. However, I understand why the Giants and Jets need to do this, I just wish it could be named the JetBlue stadium or Green Giant stadium.

Then we have training camp opening tomorrow at the Timex Performance Center for the first time in team history. The training camp practices will be open on a “first come, first serve” basis because of the lack of space. There will be a capacity of about 2,000 fans allowed to enter, so be sure to get there early if you want to get in. Also, be sure to bring a few bucks for the parking (camp itself is free) and any merchandise you want to buy. You can bring photo cameras with you but no video cameras. It is always a good idea to bring some water and snacks with you too if you have kids. It really is a unique experience that I recommend to all Giants fans.

Fans can expect a ton of player news to drop during the day today. Be sure to come back and catch up on all of the news with us. I expect some of the players to be released today and maybe get a few of the current players on the roster re-signed. RB Ahmad Bradshaw, RB Brandon Jacobs and TE Kevin Boss top the list for today. WR Steve Smith, DE Osi Umenyiora and DE Mathias Kiwanuka have to be crucial re-singings as well. These six guys make up a ton of production for Big Blue. Stay tuned for the good and bad news that is sure to follow at some point today.

Are you excited about the 2011 NFL season kicking off soon?

RD – nygreporter.com

Please Support The Wounded Warrior Project by Clicking Here, You Are Not Forgotten!!


Bizarre Week in the NFL Ends Today With Possible Vote

July 22, 2011

NEW YORK – Things have really started to heat up with the lockout situation (currently 133 days). I haven’t seen this much hype since the presidential elections. We’ve got information coming in from all over the country, both from the owner negotiations and also from players hometowns and such. It is absolute madness and it might not be over today as some expect. The NFL owners approved a deal yesterday (meaning the owners agreed with each other on a deal to show players) and handed it over to the players. This means if the players accept the proposal, teams will go back to work as early as tomorrow when they open the team facilities. Sounds great right? The only problem is that players have come out saying the NFL owners sneaked in some new stuff before handing the deal to the players. Shame on the owners for playing dirty and being sneaky porkers.

After a night in which twitter exploded with theories and speculation from the sports community, we rise to a new day. So what happens now? It is hard to say but the owners have waited so long to introduce this proposal that it really puts everyone in a bad situation. The players will not accept something they think is unfair and there simply isn’t enough time to start this whole process over again without canceling games. Just like they did last night when they cancelled the Hall of Fame game which was to be played on August 7, 2011. Roger Goodell has said that if a deal isn’t reached by this Wednesday (7/27/11), more games will have to be cancelled in the preseason and it could seriously jeopardize the regular season beginning on time. My question to the NFL owners is simple, why the heck did you wait so long to hand over a proposal which has directly put everyone in this time crunch situation? Was there no sense of urgency to get this done? The only way a vote gets done today is if the NFL owners alter the current deal they gave to the players.

Meanwhile, we have Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw talking in the news about going to the Miami Dolphins. That is not encouraging news at all. Reports say the G-Men will be about $11 million dollars over the salary cap once the lockout ends and that they will need to make some tough decisions. The Giants are simply going to have to trim the roster and everyone knows it. What we don’t know is who is going to be let go or traded. Some of the more prominent names who could become salary cap casualties are DT Barry Cofield, DE Osi Umenyiora, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Steve Smith, RB Brandon Jacobs and DE Mathias Kiwanuka. There are more players at risk but these six scare me the most. I do not want to lose any of these guys but the reality is that at least one of these players will not be with the team in 2011, maybe even two or more. Following the madness of keeping star players on the team, the G-Men will then have to focus on signing the rookies, who they haven’t seen play on the field yet.

Giants owner John Mara has said that he hopes to have the naming rights to New Meadowlands stadium sold before the season starts. Most reports think the new name will be the MetLife stadium, which I absolutely hate. I have not heard one Giants fan mention how they liked that name. In the age of corporations, it was nice that fans still had Giants stadium and Yankee stadium out there. It gave fans the feeling that their teams were above selling out to the corporate animals. I understand the situation is different with the leech Jets sharing the stadium but we can dream, right? It will always be Giants stadium to me.

What are your thoughts on how the 2011 NFL lockout is being handled?

RD – nygreporter.com

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


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


New York Giants 2010 Rookies, The Slate is Officially Clean

February 27, 2011

NEW YORK – I would like to announce that nygreporter has officially cleaned the slate. We have updated the Roster section of nygreporter and we have taken off all of the (rookie) title/monikers of the 2010 draft class. Congrats on making it through your first year in the NFL. We have moved people back into the Roster who were IR as well. This was a very good class of talent. Unfortunately, some of the guys had injuries (S Chad Jones, WR Victor Cruz, LB Adrian Tracy) that prevented them from playing very much last year. Hopefully, the Giants coaching staff stayed vigilant and taught these guys the playbook while they were on the mend. I believe they have and I think fans should get ready for a couple of surprises in 2011, when it comes to breakout stars.

The Giants are a very talented team and just coming into their own. We have got to see some production from the 2nd and 3rd year players or they will risk losing their jobs. It’s that simple. The Big Blue front office will not allow the team to miss the playoffs for a third year in a row and if I’m wrong, I’ll eat my hat. The Giants No.1 overall pick DE Jason Pierre-Paul, like the bionic man will be bigger, stronger and faster this season. The guy looks like a defensive tackle (285 pounds at last count) who can run like a linebacker but it actually a DE. I expect big things from JPP in 2011. Things with DE Mathias Kiwanuka seem cautious at best and JPP would be a solid fill-in for Kiwi and a legit starter candidate in his own right. The defensive end position is stacked for years, GM Jerry Reese is not playing around with the Giants pass rush. Old school theory makes your mind explode when it comes to taking away an opposing offenses passing ability. Shades of Ernie Accorsi here.

Safety Chad Jones is a question mark but he is said to be improving, fans are anxiously awaiting news on his playing status in 2011. LB Phillip Dillard looked great in training camp up close and I believe he will have a solid season. He looks like a natural leader in the MLB position and someone who is intent on winning the game. CB Brian Jackson is one of my favorites. Just a good kid looking to make some big plays and stay on the roster. Many have told me how impressed they were with his college career and I hope he can bring his game up to the next level. It looks like OL Mitch Petrus is a keeper too. DT Linval Joseph might be feeling the heat a little more then the rest of players this season because the tackle position could get thin. The coaches need Linval to perform at the highest level and contribute to the Giants defense. There is one player who didn’t have a very good rookie season and that would be P Matt Dodge. Without consistency, Coach Coughlin will explode on the sidelines all year and that means bad news for Dodge if he can’t right the ship in 2011. The fans want him to do well.

The 2011 NFL Draft is about two months away now but I am already excited about who the team will pick. You will see us talk about draft predictions and which players to watch out for, leading all the way up to draft day itself. I must mention one last ting to the rookie class of 10′. I heard it through the grapevine that you have to play one snap in year two for the rookie moniker to disappear forever, so don’t be surprised if you have to carry helmets and shoulder pads for a day or two more but after that, you’re rookies no more.

Coming Soon, be on the look out for the New York Giants rookie class of 2011 here on nygreporter.com.

RD – nygreporter.com

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


New York Giants Can’t Catch a Break

November 23, 2010

NEW YORK – The New York Giants have problems, big problems. The team has not been able to stay healthy since 2008. The 2009 NFL season may be one of the worst on record as far as injuries are concerned. The 2010 NFL season is slowly catching up to that infamous honor. There is absolutely nothing more frustrating then having a ton of talent on a team that cannot play due to injuries. I get physically ill when I think about the pro bowlers and supreme talent who have landed on the IR this year or who have missed significant playing time due to injuries.

The Giants have been making so many mid-season transactions, that it has become difficult to keep track of them all. It seems like the team is brining in a new player every single week. The news broke yesterday about star WR Hakeem Nicks having to miss at least 3 weeks with a leg injury and it was just another punch to the gut. The Giants already have players, who are playing games with injuries and legging them out. I will leave a current list of players who are missing significant time in 2010 below, so you can see for yourself what the team is dealing with.

Last year, the defense was the main problem and that has been fixed with the arrival of DC Perry Fewell and a bunch of new players. In 2010, the special teams has effected more games then I care to discuss and the offense has been turning the ball over at an astonishing rate. So far, turnovers and the special teams play are number one and two on my list of issues. Not too far behind and perhaps tied with one of the previous two items are the injuries. The Giants can’t seem to catch a break this year, after once again having a promising first half of the season. The Giants have had the No.1 defense and a top three offense for much of the first half of the 2010 NFL season and now it seems to be slipping away week by week. They are currently the No.2 defense and No.3 offense in the NFL with a 6-4 record.

This season is far from over and the G-Men are capable of running the table when healthy but when your three starting WR’s are Mario Manningham, Duke Calhoun and Derek Hagan, you may run into some problems because those are your No.3, No.4 and No.5 WR’s on the depth chart. Not to mention that TE Kevin Boss has been banged up all year and has missed time, further taking away weapons from Eli manning who is having a solid season despite his meltdown against the Eagles this past weekend.

The 6-4 Giants will reportedly sign the 6’4″ former Tampa Bay WR Michael Clayton to a one year deal today, to help the depleted WR corps. Clayton is a young 28 year old player with six years of NFL experience under his belt. He will be brought in from his current Omaha team with the UFL. This might be just the thing this young man needs to live up to his potential. The Giants will need to clear the air and get focused for their next game this weekend against the Jaguars at 1PM EST in New Meadowlands stadium.

Let’s take a look at some of the injured players for Big Blue.

– QB Jim Sorgi – Injured Reserve List

– WR Ramses Barden – Injured Reserve List

– WR Domenik Hixon – Injured Reserve List

– WR Victor Cruz – Injured Reserve List

– DE Mathias Kiwanuka – Injured Reserve List

– LB Adrian Tracy – Injured Reserve List

– S Michael Johnson – Injured Reserve List

– CB Bruce Johnson – Injured Reserve List

– OL Adam Koets – Injured Reserve List

– S Chad Jones – Non Football Injury -Injured Reserve List

– WR Steve Smith – Week to Week

– WR Hakeem Nicks – Week to Week

– OL Shaun O’Hara – Week to Week

– OL David Diehl – Week to Week

– FB Madison Hedgecock – Week to Week

RD – nygreporter.com

THE NEW YORK GIANTS ARE HAVING A CONTEST TO WIN TWO TICKETS TO THE SUPER BOWL!! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.ALWAYS READ THE OFFICIAL RULES OF ANY CONTEST, GOOD LUCK!

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


Manning Bowl II Game Day Chatter, The Long Wait

September 19, 2010

NEW YORK – Good morning Giants fans! I suggest you enjoy your breakfast, go for a jog or maybe get some shopping out of the way. Why do I suggest staying busy? Because it is going to be a very long day waiting for the 8:20 PM EST kickoff. I am writing this article to give you a few minutes of entertainment about Big Blue, as you watch the clock slowly grind the minutes away until kickoff.

This is going to be a good game. I give this game a ninety percent chance of living up to the hype. If you read our previous article, then you know I am taking brother Eli to win this game. I see the Giants winning by three points and I would not be surprised at all if this turned into an instant classic. These two love each other but when Peyton and Eli get on the field, trust me, they want to beat each other. Fans continue to read about how their parents are going to have a hard time watching this game. I’m sure they will be on hand to console whichever brother losses and one thing for certain is that there will be a winner and a loser, no ties here my friends.

Their father Archie (aka the luckiest father in the world) Manning should get one of those split jerseys with half Giants and half Colts sewn together (they might have already thought of this) to show support for both of the brothers.

Some of the recent news about the Giants include the fact that they have some players ruled out for today’s game. Those players include TE Kevin Boss, LB Chase Blackburn, OL William Beatty and LB Phillip Dillard. There are also some players who are questionable, they include WR Hakeem Nicks and DE Osi Umenyiora. CB Aaron Ross will play today and could this be the game where we see WR Victor Cruz gets his first game time logged? The G-Men also signed OL Dennis Landolt to the practice squad after releasing LB Bryan Kehl (a move I do not agree with). They also activated TE Bear Pascoe from the practice squad, due to TE Kevin Boss’ injury.

There are a few players that I expect will have a very good game, this is for all of you fantasy football players out there. Those players include DE Mathias Kiwanuka (Kiwi is going to explode today, 2 sacks minimum), WR Steve Smith, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, QB Eli Manning. I expect WR Mario Manningham to have an above average game and I believe RB Brandon Jacobs will get a goal line TD today as well. There is a reason why this game is being aired on prime time. Enjoy the game! Go Giants!

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION (AGAIN)

New York Giants – 41

Indianapolis Colts – 38

RD – nygreporter.com

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


New York Giants: Seven Rounds in Seven Days, Rd.1

April 20, 2010

They say that all good things must come to an end. With that being said, we have reached the final day and round of our “Seven Rounds in Seven Days” segment. It has been a pleasure to do these comparisons for our readers and we hope you learned as much as we did. We are now only 2 days away from the 2010 NFL Draft. Although, I do not like the NFL experimenting with this new 3-day NFL Draft event, I am excited to have finally reached draft week. I believe that Roger Goodell will find it to be an unsuccessful venture and return to the traditional 2-day draft weekend that all football fans have grown to love. They are trying to generate an air of excitement for something that doesn’t need any promotion and it is coming off as an over dramatic soap opera. They are doing the same thing with releasing the 2010 NFL schedule TONIGHT at 7:00 PM EST. A 3-hour television event for releasing the 2010 schedule? Really Roger?

Be sure to check back with us tomorrow, as we do our final New York Giants draft analysis, breakdown and needs assessment. Then come back on Thursday when we begin our LIVE coverage of the 2010 NFL Draft for three days (rolls eyes) through Saturday.

Let’s take a look at the New York Giants first round picks for the past six years.

ROUND 1

Ernie Accorsi

2004 Draft – Round 1 – QB Eli Manning

2005 Draft – Round 1 – No picks available

2006 Draft – Round 1 – DE Mathias Kiwanuka

Jerry Reese

2007 Draft – Round 1 – CB Aaron Ross

2008 Draft – Round 1 – S Kenny Phillips

2009 Draft – Round 1 – WR Hakeem Nicks

NYGReporter

2010 Draft – Round 1 – Position Prediction – Linebacker

There are some very good players listed here for round one. This is going to be just as difficult to choose a winner, as it was in round two. With QB Eli Manning staring us in the face, I don’t know how we can choose Jerry Reese outright. Once again, Accorsi is missing a pick this round and Jerry Reese has held on to all of his. We have some Pro Bowl players listed here and some that have had extremely short NFL Careers thus far. WR Hakeem Nicks should have an outstanding season in 2010 and if Kenny Phillips can return healthy, he will be a force at the safety position. DE Mathias Kiwanuka continues to push his case for a starting role and if Osi talks his way out of New York, he will get his shot.

Taking everything into consideration from the history we have shown here, I have to give round one to Ernie Accorsi. Eli Manning is just too much to pass over because he is the cream of this crop and a Super Bowl MVP. CB Aaron Ross and S Kenny Phillips have had injuries that have limited their careers thus far but that isn’t Jerry Reese’s fault. Both of these players could have outstanding careers if they can remain healthy.

What do you think about the New York Giants first round picks from the past six years?

RD – NYGReporter.com