Giants at the White House - Photo by Eric from BBI

Giants Announce Two More Rookie Free Agent Signings:  The Giants have announced the signing of two more rookie free agents:

Because of all of these roster moves, we have updated the Roster, Depth Chart, and Transactions sections of the website.  Scouting reports on these two players are available the 2008 NFL Draft Review and Rookie Free Agent Signings section of the website.

With the addition of these two signings, the Giants have now signed 12 undrafted rookie free agents.  It had been reported that the Giants had signed DT Nate Robinson (Akron), but Robinson is attending the Giants’ mini-camp on a tryout basis according to The Star-Ledger.

Rookie Mini-Camp Begins Friday:  The Giants will hold a two-day rookie mini-camp on Friday and Saturday.  There will be two practices on each day.  Friday’s practices will be at 10:10-11:50AM and 3:20-5:00PM.  Saturday’s practices will be at 9:40-11:20AM and 2:30-4:10PM.  Mini-camp practices are not open to the general public.

Participating in the mini-camp will be all seven players selected by the Giants in the 2008 NFL Draft.  Also participating will be the 12 undrafted rookie free agents who the Giants officially announced as being signed recently. In addition, many undrafted rookies will participate on a tryout basis such as QB Willie Copeland (Valdosta State), OL Derrick Morse (Miami), TE/OL Jacob Hobbs (Albany), DT Nate Robinson (Akron), LB James Terry (Youngstown State), DB J.J. Justice (Maryland), and many others.  36 players in all have been invited to participate on a tryout basis. 

First-year Giants will also be on hand. 

Head Coach Tom Coughlin will speak to the media between practices on both days as will the players.  Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride, and Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn will address the press on Saturday as well.

Get Ready for Daily Strahan Non-News:  It is becoming increasingly evident that DE Michael Strahan’s public announcement on his decision to retire or play again in 2008 will drag out for much of the summer with teammates and unidentified sources offering one opinion or the other.  Just within the past few days, WR Amani Toomer has said he thinks Strahan will return while LB Antonio Pierce has said he thinks Strahan will retire.  Now LT David Diehl has weighed in.

"Personally, for me, I think that he is going to come back," said Diehl recently.  "The thing that we saw from Michael last year, he just enjoyed the game.  He just had so much fun just like all of us.  Obviously winning helps greatly in having fun and doing things but it just seemed like he really enjoyed himself.  He had a great time.  He came to work.  He worked hard and did everything but, throughout everything, it seemed like he was having a real good time.   You hope that he does (come back)…If he walks away from it how can you blame the guy?  He’s done everything you can do."

Our opinion on this has not changed.  We think Strahan has already decided to play in 2008 but wants to avoid training camp in Albany.  We expect him to publicly announce his decision to return as soon as the Giants return from upstate New York in August.

Shockey and Jacobs Rumors:  According to The Bergen Record’s Giants’ Blog:

Left Tackle David Diehl - Photo by William Hauser

Giants Restructure LT David Diehl’s Contract:  According to ESPN.com, the Giants have signed LT David Diehl to a new 6-year, $31 million contract.  ESPN.com reports that the deal includes annual escalator clauses that increase Diehl’s salaries between $750,000 and $1.1 million per season as long as he plays offensive tackle.

Diehl had just completed the second year of a 6-year, $15.5 million extension that he signed in 2005.  But with the shift to left tackle from left guard in last season, the Giants felt like Diehl deserved a raise.

ESPN.com is also reporting that the new contract was actually completed before the recently-completed NFL Draft.

"(The new contract is) a recognition by the Giants of David’s commitment to the team, his attitude and his personality," said Diehl’s agent.  "He’s the ultimate team player."

More on Strahan:  While WR Amani Toomer believes DE Michael Strahan will return to play again this upcoming season (see "News and Notes" from May 4th), LB Antonio Pierce does not.

"There’s a hunger and a desire a lot of athletes have and that’s to be a champion and to be a great player," said Pierce yesterday.  "Well, the guy’s a great player, he’s made tons of money and he’s now a champion…Money talks…But you know what, inside of me tells me Strahan played his last game with the New York Giants as a champion and I don’t think that’s a bad way to go out."

During a guest appearance on Fox News Channel’s "Fox & Friends" yesterday morning, Strahan said, "Right now I know where I’m leaning, but I don’t want to say it until I’m sure, because once you either say you’re going to play or you’re not going to play, you can’t go back, at least in my opinion.  So I want to make sure I’m completely sure."

Giants Officially Announce Four More Rookie Free Agent Signings:  Though we had reported these signings last week, the Giants officially announced yesterday that they have signed the following four undrafted rookie free agents:

• WR D.J. Hall, Alabama
• DE Wallace Gilberry, Alabama
• DE Antonio Reynolds, Tennessee
• S Nehemiah Warrick, Michigan State

Because of all of these roster moves, we have updated the Roster, Depth Chart, and Transactions sections of the website.  Scouting reports on these four players are available the 2008 NFL Draft Review and Rookie Free Agent Signings section of the website.

Last Thursday, the Giants had announced that they had signed six undrafted players (see "News and Notes" from May 2nd).  Thus, in total, the Giants have officially announced the signing of 10 undrafted rookies.  General Manager Jerry Reese had said the team had signed 12 rookie free agents so expect at least one more official announcement.

The Giants hold their rookie mini-camp on May 9-10.  Many unsigned and undrafted rookie players will participate on a tryout basis at that camp.

LB Antonio Pierce on WFAN:  The audio of yesterday’s interview of LB Antonio Pierce on WFAN is available at WFAN.com.

Newspaper and internet reports had reported earlier that Shockey would be traded before or during the 2008 NFL Draft.  However, supposedly the Saints never offered what the Giants considered a fair deal for Shockey. 

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin:  Coughlin’s Playful Side Has Deep Roots in Florida by John Branch of The New York Times

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WR Amani Toomer, who has played with Strahan longer than any other Giant, thinks Strahan will return. "Oh, no question," said  Toomer.  "I think he’ll be a member.  I think he loves that fact that he’s Michael Strahan.  He loves that fact that he’s playing and doing the stuff that he loves to do.  He loves hanging around with the guys.  I think it is going to be a hard transition.  But I think it is one of those thing that when you know you’re done it becomes a pretty easy decision and for him to be toiling over it I think that that says something right there."

Why do we get the feeling that Strahan will remain undecided until most of training camp is over?

Head Coach Tom Coughlin Interview on Sirius Radio:  The audio of Friday’s interview with Head Coach Tom Coughlin on Sirius Radio is available at Giants.com.

Notes and Quotes:  One unidentified NFL executive told The Daily News that his team had Giants’ first-round draft pick safety Kenny Phillips graded as a top-15 pick in the NFL Draft, even ahead of the Jets’ first-rounder DE/LB Vernon Gholston.  The Daily News is also reporting that if Phillips was not available, the Giants would have selected Clemson DE Phillip Merling, who was drafted by the Dolphins with the very next pick.

WR Amani Toomer on how his body feels:  "Actually, it feels a lot better than it did last year at this time.  Last year at this time I was about 2-3 months out of surgery and just starting to run and it was a struggle to get the pain out, to have my knee stop swelling up.  But now I feel good.  Now I can finally have an offseason to exercise and get back into shape like I want to and go through the minicamps, go through training camp just to try and get a little bit more of the timing back.  I think my game picked up toward the end of last season and hopefully I’ll pick up where I left off last season in the playoffs and in the last couple of games."

• OC Glenn "Digger" Bujnoch, Cincinnati
• OG Andrew Bain, Miami
• OG Carnell Stewart, LSU
• OT Dylan Thiry, Northwestern
• DT Josh Muse, Louisiana Tech
• DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Michigan State

Scouting reports on these six players are available the 2008 NFL Draft Review and Rookie Free Agent Signings section of the website.

The Giants have also announced that they have waived the following two players:

• TE Marcus Freeman
• S Andrew Shanle

Because of all of these roster moves, we have updated the Roster, Depth Chart, and Transactions sections of the website.

Very Moving Article on the Giants Visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center:  Inspirational Visit by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

For quality reviews of the White House event, see Giants Honored at the White House by Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger (Giants’ blog) and Giants Visit White House by Michael Eisen of Giants.com.

Click here or visit Giants.com to see videos of the White House event.  The transcripts of the remarks made by President Bush and Head Coach Tom Coughlin are available at Giants.com.

Some of the players not in attendance yesterday were TE Jeremy Shockey, DE Michael Strahan, DE Osi Umenyiora, LB Antonio Pierce, CB Aaron Ross, and WR Steve Smith.

Giants to Make Cuts Today or Tomorrow?:  The Star-Ledger is reporting that the Giants will trim their roster by several players today or tomorrow.  One of the players who will be cut supposedly is quarterback Jared Lorenzen or quarterback Anthony Wright.

Possible Correction on One Rookie Free Agent:  One football site had reported that the Giants had signed DT Eric Butler (Washburn).  However, this report may be in error and the Giants may have signed TE Eric Butler (Mississippi State) instead.  We will have to await official confirmation. 

Article on WR Mario Manningham:  Mario Lands in New York After Giant Slide, And That’s Fine by Him by Thomas George of NFL.com

Sinorice Moss Vows to "Shock the World":  With the Giants drafting WR Mario Manningham in the third round of the draft on Sunday, WR Sinorice Moss says he realizes that he has to step it up.  Moss was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Giants.  In two seasons, he has accrued only 26 catches.

"I need to wake some people up," said Moss.  "That’s what I really need to do.  I’ve been on the shelf.  So I’m ready to come out here and shock the world.  That’s what I plan to do."

"I know what I can do and I know what I bring to this team, so there’s no pressure on me at all," said Moss.  "I’m just looking forward to coming out here, getting the opportunity to make some plays and come out here and shock the world.  That’s my thing."

"It is going to be a lot of fun going out there and just making plays," said Moss.  "Giving the fans what they want to see is what it is going to be about and just helping this team reach back to what we reached last year.  It is a whole new season, so we can’t worry about what happened last year.  We have to look forward to this year and take care of business.  Take it one day at a time and take it one day at a time."

Publicly, the Giants say they have not given up on Moss.  "We are not giving up on Sinorice Moss," said General Manager Jerry Reese on Sunday after the Giants drafted Manningham.  "I think he is going to come in and have a big year for us because, again, last year to me with Sinorice Moss was like a rookie season for him because he missed most of the time his rookie season with injuries.  So Sinorice has got something to prove.  And I love players coming in that have something to prove.  So he definitely has something to prove and I think he will do.  We are definitely not giving up on Sinorice Moss."

"(The Giants) know what I am capable of doing," said Moss.  "They see me do it every day in practice, so it is just about getting into the games and having the opportunity to do the same thing that I do in practice in the games so everybody else can see it."

"I’m not rushing anything.  I’m just being patient," said Moss.  "Some people come into this league expecting to be this big star when you first come into the league.  It takes time.  It takes patience.  So for me being a patient guy and continuing to work hard, and never put myself down, it’s going to happen.  It’s going to come."

"I’m going into my third year and I’m trying to come out here and help this team the best I can - whether it’s returning punts or catching footballs and catching touchdowns for this team," said Moss.

Moss said he was glad the Giants drafted Manningham.  "It’s good for us to have a guy like that - a great talent, good hands," said Moss.  "I didn’t expect him to be there that late, but it was a big plus for us to have another young guy coming in.  You talk about looking toward the future with this organization, I think that’s a big plus for us."

"They didn’t even mention anything to me about this guy since they drafted him," said Moss.  "That’s not a concern to me.  I know what I bring to this team and I know what I can do for this organization.  I’m not worried about them drafted another guy.  I’m happy they drafted another guy because it’s good toward our future.  You never know what can happen, so drafting this guy is good for us."

"I mean, I’m thinking so far ahead, but I just think it’s a big plus for this organization to draft that guy there, have Steve last year and myself the year before that," said Moss.  "It’s just big for this organization.  I’m not taking anything away from Plax and Amani because these guys are great athletes and they showed us the ropes.  I just think it’s big."

Giants Sign Three More Rookie Free Agents:  In addition to the nine players we mentioned yesterday, the Giants have reportedly signed three more undrafted rookie free agents:

• DT Eric Butler, Washburn
• DT Josh Muse, Louisiana Tech
• P/K Owen Tolson, Army

As we said yesterday, none of these signings have been officially confirmed.  We will provide scouting reports on these three players later this morning in the 2008 NFL Draft Review and Rookie Free Agent Signings section of the website.

Butler Intends to Sign His Tender Soon:  The deadline for restricted free agent S James Butler to sign a tender offer with another team passed on April 18.  Butler said he plans to sign his 1-year, $1.47 million tender from the Giants soon.

Giants Visit White House and Walter Reed Today:  The Giants will be honored by President Bush in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House today at 3:20PM.  Former Giants S Gibril Wilson and LB Kawika Mitchell are expected to attend.  TE Jeremy Shockey is not expected to do so.

The team will first travel to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit with veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CB Terrell Thomas Interview on Sirius Radio:  The audio of yesterday’s interview of CB Terrell Thomas on Sirius Radio is available at Giants.com. 

Player Media Q&A’s:  The video of yesterday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players is available at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning
• QB Jared Lorenzen
• CB Sam Madison
• S James Butler

Notes and Quotes:  QB Eli Manning on TE Jeremy Shockey remaining with the Giants:  "I was happy.  He’s a tremendous player and we can improve our game together and we need to do that and we are going to work at that and make sure that we’re playing our best level of football."

The Giants have a new slogan for 2008.  Each player has been issued a t-shirt with the slogan "It’s a whole new season" printed on it.

• WR D.J. Hall, Alabama
• OG Glenn Bujnoch, Cincinnati
• OG/OC Andrew Bain, Miami
• OT Dylan Thiry, Northwestern
• OT Carnell Stewart, LSU
• DE Wallace Gilberry, Alabama
• DE Antonio Reynolds, Tennessee
• DT Nate Robinson, Akron
• SS Nehemiah Warrick, Michigan State

Scouting reports on each of these players is available in the 2008 NFL Draft Review and Rookie Free Agent Signings section of the website.

General Manager Jerry Reese on WFAN:  The audio of yesterday’s interview of General Manager Jerry Reese on WFAN is available at WFAN.com. 

Article on WR Mario Manningham:  Former Coach Lloyd Carr Says Mario Manningham is Giant Bargain by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News

Article on LB Bryan Kehl:  SuperBowl Champs Draft Kehl by Jeff Reynolds of BYU Athletic Communications

Article on QB Andre’ Woodson:  Something to Prove by Thomas George of NFL.com

Editorial on TE Jeremy Shockey:  No Giant Shock-er by Paul Schwartz  of The New York Post

• 3rd Round - WR Mario Manningham, University of Michigan
• 4th Round - LB Bryan Kehl, Brigham Young University
• 5th Round - LB Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt University
• 6th Round - QB Andre’ Woodson, University of Kentucky
• 6th Round - DE Robert Henderson, University of Southern Mississippi

The Giants traded up seven spots in the fourth round with the Steelers to select Kehl.  The Giants gave Pittsburgh their fourth- and one of their three sixth-round picks in this draft to do so.

For a scouting report on all of these players as well as media Q&A transcripts with General Manager Jerry Reese, Director of College Scouting Marc Ross, Head Coach Tom Coughlin, and the players, see the 2008 NFL Draft Review section of the website.

Here are the videos of today’s media Q&A sessions from Giants.com:

• General Manager Jerry Reese (After selection of Manningham)
• General Manager Jerry Reese (NFL Network)
• General Manager Jerry Reese (Post-Draft) (Transcript)
• Head Coach Tom Coughlin (Post-Draft) (Transcript)

Video highlights of the players selected are also available at Giants.com:

• Wide Receiver Mario Manningham
• Linebacker Bryan Kehl
• Linebacker Jonathan Goff
• Quarterback Andre’ Woodson

Coughlin Comments on Strahan and Kiwanuka:  After the draft, Head Coach Tom Coughlin was asked about the status of DE Michael Strahan and LB/DE Mathias Kiwanuka.

"No, (we don’t know if Strahan has decided to retire)," said Coughlin.  "Well (we would like to know) as soon as possible, but I would like to think that I will be able to speak with Michael here.  Whether or not he has come to a decision completely yet we will try to start that dialogue now."

"As of right now (Kiwanuka) would remain at linebacker," said Coughlin.

Giants Not Likely to Take Five Quarterbacks Into Camp:  With the drafting of QB Andre’ Woodson, the Giants currently have five quarterbacks on the roster.  Eli Manning, David Carr, Anthony Wright, and Jared Lorenzen are the others.

"I doubt that we bring five quarterbacks to training camp," said General Manager Jerry Reese.  "So the competition will start quickly."

General Manager Jerry Reese on WFAN:  The audio of General Manager Jerry Reese’s interview on WFAN from Saturday evening is available at WFAN.com.

Safety Kenny Phillips on WFAN:  The audio of safety Kenny Phillips’ interview on WFAN from Saturday evening is available at WFAN.com.

Article on Giants’ President/CEO John Mara and the 2007 Giants:  Deja Blue All Over Again by Gary Myers of The Daily News

For a scouting report on both players as well as media Q&A transcripts with General Manager Jerry Reese, Director of College Scouting Marc Ross, Head Coach Tom Coughlin, and Phillips, see the 2008 NFL Draft Review section of the website.

Here are the videos of today’s media Q&A sessions from Giants.com:

• General Manager Jerry Reese
• Head Coach Tom Coughlin
• Director of College Scouting Marc Ross

Video highlights of both players are available at Giants.com:

• Safety Kenny Phillips
• Cornerback Terrell Thomas

TE Jeremy Shockey Remains a New York Giant:  Despite media reports and internet rumors to the contrary, TE Jeremy Shockey was not traded to another team today.  Interestingly, General Manager Jerry Reese and Head Coach Tom Coughlin  did not address the media until after the New Orleans Saints had made their second-round selection.  That pick was rumored to be a part of any trade package that would be necessary to obtain Shockey.

The Daily News‘ Giants’ Blog is reporting that the trade to New Orleans did not occur because the Saints never came close to meeting the Giants’ trade demands.  An NFL source told The Daily News that the Giants would not lower their demands.  The Blog now says the Giants were serious about not wanting to trade Shockey, but were willing to listen to offers.  The Daily News says the Saints offered their second-round pick in the 2008 Draft and either a sixth-round pick in the 2008 Draft or a fifth-round pick in the 2009 Draft.

"Jeremy Shockey is our starting tight end," said Reese.  "And I’m going to leave it at that.  Let’s talk about the draft pick.  There is really nothing to talk about.  Jeremy Shockey is our starting tight end, and really that is the end of the story.  Anybody want to talk about the draft pick?"

"Jeremy Shockey is our starting tight end and that is the way it is," said Coughlin.  "Despite all that has been said and what have you, as I stand here right now, he is our starting tight end."

When Coughlin was asked if Shockey was close to being traded, Coughlin responded, "I don’t know that.  There has been a lot of talk, very little activity."

Coughlin was then asked if a trade possibility was dead.  "There is so much that goes on with regard to the draft in terms of picks and players that you learn over the years that the discussions come and go," said Coughlin.  "Whether there is any seriousness to them that is probably for someone else to say.  These conversations are made all the time.  The phone does ring.  This has been reported in the paper.  There have been comments about it and I don’t really have anything else to say other than the fact that Jeremy Shockey, while a New York Giant, while playing in our program, has worked very hard.  He has done a good job in mentoring, if you will, a lot of these young guys that had to come through and play for us this year, and he has outstanding ability, as you all know, and there is no change in that status as of right now."