Jun 062014
 
Jayron Hosley (28), New York Giants (October 21, 2012)

Jayron Hosley – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Jayron Hosley Apologizes for Drug Suspension: New York Giants cornerback Jayron Hosley, who was suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2014 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, addressed the media on Thursday after practice.

“I want to apologize to the ownership of the New York Giants,” said Hosley. “Those guys, they’re the ones that believe in me. The GM, Jerry Reese, my coaches and most importantly my teammates and the fans. My teammates, we go on the field every day and battle together. We spend time off the field together. I really don’t want this to be all about me and taking the attention away from the team because it’s about the team first.”

While this is the first time Hosley has been suspended by the NFL for drug use, Hosley did reportedly fail a drug test at the NFL Combine before he was drafted by the Giants in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Hosley will be eligible to return to the Giants’ active roster on Friday, September 26 following the team’s September 25 game against the Washington Redskins. Unless he is waived, Hosley is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

Hosley is the second New York Giant this offseason to be suspended by the NFL for violating the NFL Policy for Substances of Abuse. Safety Will Hill was suspended by the NFL for six games on May 30. The Giants waived him on June 2.

Hosley was appealing the suspension but decided to drop that appeal.

“I’m not going to sit here and get into the specifics,” said Hosley. “I made a mistake, there’s a consequence to everything that you do. I’ve got to be man enough to accept them and move on…Right now I’m just focusing on football, myself, staying focused and surrounding myself with good people and family who’s always been there for me. That’s my focus right now.”

Hosley was asked if he was undergoing drug counseling.

“I do see counseling but at the same time right now it’s not about what I’m doing outside of football, it’s about football right now,” replied Hosley.

Hosley indicated that the the failed drug test actually occurred last year. “This was something that went on last season,” said Hosley. “I was trying to appeal it and the ball didn’t bounce my way.”

Commenting on both Hosley and Hill, safety Antrel Rolle said, “Every individual has to be accountable for his own actions. They’re both adults, they’re both men. They know right from wrong, they know the do’s and don’ts of this league. They know if you’re going to be tested, when you’re going to be tested. It’s too easy to do right than to keep doing wrong. … We don’t need to have that pub, guys hitting up on Twitter, saying, ‘What’s going on? What’s up with the secondary?’ I mean, it’s a bad reflection. It doesn’t look good.”

TE Tom Crabtree to Work Out for Giants: According to The Star-Ledger, unrestricted free agent TE Tom Crabtree, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May, will work out for the New York Giants next week.

The 28-year old Crabtree has spent time with the Chiefs (2009), Packers (2009-2012), and Buccaneers (2013-2014). He has 22 career regular-season receptions for 323 yards and five touchdowns.

Article on the New York Giants OTAs: Giants OTAs: 5 takeaways include offensive improvement and a surprise at TE by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: Change a positive for Eli Manning, says Phil Simms by Bob Glauber of Newsday

ESPN Interview with LB Mark Herzlich: A two-part video interview with LB Mark Herzlich is available at ESPN.com:

Jun 062014
 
Antrel Rolle and Trindon Holliday, New York Giants (June 5, 2014)

Antrel Rolle and Trindon Holliday – Photo by Connor Hughes

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Antrel Rolle didn’t have an answer.

Standing in front of cameras, microphones and reporters following the culmination of yesterday’s Organized Team Activity, the Giants’ Pro-Bowl safety seemed stunned.

Not at the fact Jayron Hosley was suspended for four games, or at the fact Will Hill had just been cut. Heck, Rolle admitted he saw it coming. But what had the 31-year-old shocked was a simple three-letter question.

Why?

“It’s too easy to do right, than to keep doing wrong,” Rolle said.

For the better part of eight minutes, Rolle fielded questions without backing down or shying away from one. Whatever was thrown on the table, he answered with the same veracity and sincerity that had often times got him in trouble.

But today was different. The safety wasn’t looking to make headlines or light a fire under his teammates. Rolle was speaking from his heart on a situation few knew the true light of.

There was disappointment in his voice, embarrassment. Shock that what he had done for a decade others were not able to replicate. There was a sense that he was holding back, while also fully letting go. Hill was troubled, yes, but the Giants had done everything possible to help the situation. Still, it wasn’t enough.

When you heard the Will Hill news, it was probably disappointing.

“Will knew what situation he had put the Giants in, he kind of forced their hand,” Rolle said. “At that point in time you can’t really depend on Will to help us out and to really do anything for us if you’re suspended repeatedly. Season after season after season.”

With Will and Jayron (Hosley) coming back-to-back, do you feel like something needs to be said?

“No, I don’t feel anything needs to be said,” Rolle said. “Every individual has to be accountable for his own action. They’re both adults. They’re both men.”

The normally peppy and high-energy Rolle was anything but. There was something about the situation that seemed truly troubling. Throughout his entire career, Rolle had embodied the correct way for an athlete to carry himself.

During the offseason, Rolle lives in Miami. He goes out with friends to clubs in the area, has a good time and his personality often makes him the life of the party. Yet he knows when enough is enough. Not once has Rolle been suspended for any off-the-field antics.

“This is my 10th year and I’ve lived it,” Rolle said. “Not every guy is going to be like myself. I’m not going to be like every other guy.”

The same message with the same disappointed mannerisms was echoed when Tom Coughlin took his place in front of the media. There was nothing else the coach could have done. At the end of the day, both for Hosley and Hill, it comes down to the player maturing enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong.

“If this is your job and you’re willing to jeopardize your job for some other reason,” Coughlin said. “Then perhaps you don’t have your mind and priorities where they should be in the first place.”

Jun 052014
 
Odell Beckham, New York Giants (June 5, 2014)

Odell Beckham – Photo by Connor Hughes

New York Giants Complete Sixth OTA Practice: The New York Giants held their sixth of 10 Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices on Thursday. No live contact is allowed in OTA practices, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

BigBlueInteractive.com (BBI) was at Thursday’s OTA practice. See New York Giants OTA Practice #6: Quick Hits and Tidbits.

Additional brief summaries were provided by:

Photos from the practice are also available from Giants.com.

New York Giants OTA practices:

  • June 9-10
  • June 12-13

The offseason program will culminate on June 17-19 with a mandatory, full-team mini-camp.

June 5, 2014 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing at Thursday’s Organized Team Activity (OTA) workout were WR Odell Beckham (hamstring), WR Mario Manningham (knee), RG Chris Snee (hip/elbow), LT Will Beatty (leg), OG John Jerry (knee), and CB Trumaine McBride (unknown).

“(Beckham) has a little sore hamstring so they held him,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “He may be longer than (one day). I don’t know. You’re talking about a skilled athlete with a little twinge, so he may be longer than that.”

Coughlin said Snee was scheduled to be off today for precautionary reasons.

RB David Wilson (neck), as reported, continues to sit out of contact drills. Coughlin said that Wednesday’s follow-up exam on Wednesday was positive.

“No question about it,” Coughlin said. “Four-and-a-half months out, looking forward to August. Progress has been made, so it’s not a negative report at all in our opinion. It’s probably right where it should be. The fact that he’s, you’ve got to remember, this guy from day one, right after the surgery, I mean within two weeks, he didn’t act like there was anything wrong. He has, from time to time, wanted to do more and we can’t let him do more. I think he understands it.”

Jerrel Jernigan missed practice due to a death in the family.

CB Victor Hampton Will Workout for New York Giants: According to WIST.com, undrafted rookie free agent cornerback Victor Hampton (South Carolina) will try out for the New York Giants on Tuesday.

June 5, 2014 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s press conference on Thursday are available at Giants.com.

June 5, 2014 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Articles on the New York Giants Secondary:

Article on Former Giants Safety Will Hill: Will Hill: More trouble for ex-Giants safety with claims he trashed rental home by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Jun 042014
 
Jayron Hosley and Tom Coughlin, New York Giants (September 29, 2013)

Jayron Hosley and Tom Coughlin – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Jayron Hosley Fails Drug Test, Suspended for Four Games: The NFL announced on Wednesday that New York Giants cornerback Jayron Hosley has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2014 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Hosley will be eligible to return to the Giants’ active roster on Friday, September 26 following the team’s September 25 game against the Washington Redskins. Unless he is waived, Hosley is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

Hosley is the second New York Giant this offseason to be suspended by the NFL for violating the NFL Policy for Substances of Abuse. Safety Will Hill was suspended by the NFL for six games on May 30. The Giants waived him on June 2.

According to FOXSports, Hosley was appealling the suspension but dropped that appeal on Wednesday.

Hosley was drafted by the New York Giants in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He had reportedly failed a drug test at the NFL Combine before he was drafted.

As a rookie in 2012, Hosley had his ups and downs, playing in 12 games with six starts. But he also missed four games with hamstring, shoulder, and quadriceps injuries. Last season, after injuries sidelined Corey Webster and Aaron Ross in September, Hosley’s chance to possibly start was sabotaged by a Week 4 hamstring injury that sidelined him for the next five games and nagged him much of the rest of the season. Hosley finished 2013 with one start in 11 games, finishing the season with just 9 tackles and 2 pass defenses.

Dec 132013
 
Cullen Jenkins (99), Terrell Thomas (24), Prince Amukamara (20), New York Giants (December 8, 2013)

Cullen Jenkins, Terrell Thomas, and Prince Amukamara – © USA TODAY Sports Images

December 13, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing on Friday were DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), CB Corey Webster, and S Cooper Taylor (hamstring). All three players have been ruled out of the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

ESPN is reporting that doctors have advised Pierre-Paul not to play again this season. Head Coach Tom Coughlin would not confirm that report. “Not that I know of,” said Coughlin. “I don’t know who would advise him. He won’t be cleared until the doctors feel there’s one particular part of the injury that is not going to occur.” Coughlin was also pressed on whether or not Pierre-Paul might need surgery. “I’m not a doctor and I only know at this point and time, if they can avoid (surgery), they will and if they can’t, there will be a surgery,” responded Coughlin. “I think they’ll make the decision on that and do the best they can in his best interest. If there is something required, it would be done right away. It would have to be done right away.”

DT Cullen Jenkins (shin/quad) and CB Terrell Thomas (knee) practiced on a limited basis. Both are “probable” for the game.

December 13, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Friday media session are available at Giants.com

Giants.com Q&A With Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Coughlin Corner: Mentality doesn’t change by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

December 13, 2013 New York Giants Player Media Sessions: Video clips of Friday’s media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride: Eli defends Gilbride, who’s confident he won’t be fired by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on RB Brandon Jacobs: Brandon Jacobs’ run could be over for good this time by Tom Rock of Newsday

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Cruz still stands as the tallest Giant by Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on OT Justin Pugh: Giants rookie a good fit on the offensive line by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Article on New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Dec 082013
 
Linval Joseph, New York Giants (December 8, 2013)

A Dejected New York Giants’ Bench – © USA TODAY Sports Images

San Diego Chargers Crush New York Giants 37-14; Giants Eliminated from Playoff Contention: The San Diego Chargers mauled the New York Giants 37-14 on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. With the loss, the Giants fell to 5-8 on the season. The Giants were also officially eliminated from playoff contention with three regular-season games left to play.

The game was basically over at halftime with the Chargers taking a 24-0 lead. The Giants had six possessions before intermission, three ending with punts, two with turnovers, and the final possession of the half ending at the Chargers’ 6-yard line as time expired. Meanwhile, the Chargers scored on four of their five first-half possessions with drives of 50, 76, 67, and 39 yards resulting in three touchdowns and a field goal. At the half, the Chargers had gained 15 first downs, were 7-of-9 on third down (78 percent), and had accrued 250 total net yards.

The Giants did score touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half. The first was set up when DE Justin Tuck sacked QB Phillip Rivers, forcing a fumble that DT Cullen Jenkins recovered at the San Diego 18-yard line. Seven plays later, RB Peyton Hillis scored from one yard out. On the Giants’ next possession, New York drove 86 yards in 11 plays with QB Eli Manning hitting TE Brandon Myers for a 5-yard touchdown. The Giants’ last two drives of the second half ended with a turnover on downs when Manning was sacked on 4th-and-5 at the Giants’ 42-yard line, and an interception by Manning with less than two minutes to play.

The Chargers kept pouring it on in the second half. After the turnover to start the third quarter, San Diego scored a touchdown and two field goals on their next three drives. They simply knelt on the ball to end the game on their final possession.

Offensively, Manning finished the game 20-of-32 for 259 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His leading receivers were WR Hakeem Nicks (5 catches for 135 yards), WR Victor Cruz (5 catches for 42 yards), and Myers (4 catches for 26 yards and a touchdown). RB Andre Brown gained 81 yards on 16 carries and Hillis gained 11 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Brown fumbled the ball away once.

Defensively, the Chargers scored on seven of nine possessions (not counting the final knee-down). The Chargers finished the game 10-of-15 on third down (67 percent) and held a 36:56 to 23:04 time of possession advantage. San Diego also gained 144 yards rushing.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Post-Game Press Conference: The transcript of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference is available at Giants.com.

Player Post-Game Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of post-game media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

New York Giants Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were QB Ryan Nassib, RB Brandon Jacobs (knee), TE Adrien Robinson, OL Stephen Goodin, DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), LB Allen Bradford, and CB Corey Webster (ankle).

Dec 072013
 
Victor Cruz (80), Louis Murphy, Jr. (18), New York Giants (November 24, 2013)

Victor Cruz and Louis Murphy – © USA TODAY Sports Images

RB Brandon Jacobs Makes Trip to San Diego: Although he did not practice on Thursday and Friday, and was officially listed as “doubtful” for the game against the Chargers on Sunday, RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) did travel with the team to San Diego.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) and CB Corey Webster (ankle) were ruled out of the game on Friday and did not make the trip. CB Trumaine McBride (groin) remains “questionable” while TE Brandon Myers (groin) and CB Terrell Thomas (knee) are “probable.”

Article on the New York Giants Offense: Faulty Opening Drives Leave Giants Step Behind by Jonathan Clegg of The Wall Street Journal

Article on RB Andre Brown: Andre sees bright future as RB with Giants by Zach Braziller of The New York Post

Article on OT Justin Pugh: Giants RT Justin Pugh compares favorably so far to Chargers’ D.J. Fluker by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Articles on DE Damontre Moore:

Article on LB Jon Beason: Fiery Beason Is ‘Godsend’ for Giants’ Defense by Tom Pedulla of The New York Times

Article on New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Article on P Steve Weatherford: Giants P Steve Weatherford getting over slump by Tom Canavan of The Associated Press

Giants Online: The video of this week’s edition of Giants Online is available at Giants.com.

Dec 052013
 
Brandon Myers, New York Giants (December 1, 2013)

Brandon Myers – © USA TODAY Sports Images

December 5, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing on Thursday were TE Brandon Myers (groin), RB Brandon Jacobs (knee), and DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder).

Myers was new addition to the injury report, but Head Coach Tom Coughlin and Myers both said they expect Myers to practice on Friday.

“Yeah, I came back yesterday and I was just a little sore,” said Myers. “Just giving it a little bit of rest and I’ll be back at practice tomorrow.”

On the other hand, it sounds like Pierre-Paul will miss his second game in a row. “I think Brandon Jacobs hopefully can do some things tomorrow,” said Coughlin. “Don’t expect JPP to do anything tomorrow.”

CB Terrell Thomas (knee), CB Trumaine McBride (groin), and CB Corey Webster (ankle) practiced on a limited basis.

“(McBride) worked a little bit today,” said Coughlin. “He worked 50 percent today.”

“I need (to see Webster) to be healthy and can consistently run full speed,” said Coughlin.

December 5, 2013 New York Giants Coach Media Sessions: Transcripts and video clips of Thursday’s media sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com:

December 5, 2013 New York Giants Player Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Parcells believes Coughlin will return to sidelines in 2014 by Bob Glauber of Newsday

Article on the New York Giants Passing Game: Not a lot the Giants’ passing game can do by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Articles on QB Eli Manning:

Article on TE Brandon Myers: TE Brandon Myers showing signs of life by Matt Ehalt of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on OT Justin Pugh: Justin Pugh impressing on O-line by Matt Ehalt of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on LB Jon Beason: Beason could answer long-term LB questions for Giants by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on CB Jayron Hosley: Jayron Hosley gets chance to make impact by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Dec 022013
 
Justin Tuck, New York Giants (December 1, 2013)

Four Sacks for Justin Tuck – © USA TODAY Sports Images

December 2, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday conference call is available at Giants.com.

QB Eli Manning on WFAN: The audio of Monday’s WFAN interview with QB Eli Manning is available at CBSNewYork.com

December 2, 2013 Player Media Conference Calls: The transcripts of the Monday’s media conference calls with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on the 2013 New York Giants: Giants show they’ve got some pride by Neil Best of Newsday

Article on the Giants-Redskins Game: Giants vs. Redskins snap counts: Spencer Paysinger returns, Damontre Moore sees some time by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Articles on the New York Giants Offensive Line:

Article on DE Justin Tuck: Tuck rules right on time vs. Redskins by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on DE Damontre Moore and CB Jayron Hosley: Giants youngsters Damontre Moore and Jayron Hosley show something vs. Redskins by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Notes: Against the Washington Redskins, the Giants started their sixth offensive line combination of the season with Kevin Boothe playing center and James Brewer stepping in at left guard.

Dec 012013
 
Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants (December 3, 2012)

Mathias Kiwanuka – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Article on the 2012-2013 New York Giants: Giants’ Decline Stands at 12 Months, 16 Games and Counting by Bill Pennington of The New York Times

Article on the New York Giants and 2014: With NY Giants season all but over, we take a Big Blue look at ’14 by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News

Articles on the New York Giants Offense:

Article on RB Andre Brown: Serby’s Sunday Q&A with … Andre Brown by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Article on FB John Conner: Four Downs: FB John Conner talks about life as a lead blocker by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Article on WR Hakeem Nicks: Benching vs. Cowboys ‘in the past’ for Nicks by Bart Hubbuch of The New York Post

Article on OC/OG Kevin Boothe: Kevin Boothe takes center stage on Giants’ offensive line by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Articles on the New York Giants Cornerbacks: