Feb 152017
 
Will Tye, New York Giants (August 12 2016)

Will Tye – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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NEW YORK GIANTS RE-SIGN TIGHT END WILL TYE…
The New York Giants have re-signed exclusive rights free agent tight end Will Tye to a 1-year, $615,000 contract.

In his second season, Tye was promoted to the starting tight end spot at midseason after the bye week. He played in all 16 regular-season games, with 10 starts, and finished the year with 48 catches for 395 yards (8.2 yards per catch) and just one touchdown. Tye was originally signed as a rookie free agent after the 2015 NFL Draft by the Giants. In 2015, he played in 13 games with seven starts, and finished the season with 42 catches for 464 yards and three touchdowns. Tye was voted to the Pro Football Writers NFL All-Rookie Team. Tye is a good athlete with fine speed. His lack of size does limit him as a blocker, and receiver when it comes to out-muscling defenders for the ball. Despite more playing time in 2016, his productivity over his rookie season did not increase.

As reported earlier, exclusive rights free agents defensive tackle Robert Thomas (1-year, $540,000) and tight end Matt LaCosse (1-year, $465,000) have also been re-signed. According to ESPN, the Giants will not tender/re-sign exclusive rights free agents fullback Nikita Whitlock and wide receiver Ben Edwards.

The Giants waived/injured Whitlock in late August 2016 and then placed him on Injured Reserve with a mid-foot sprain (Lisfranc) that required surgery. He was then suspended in September 2016 for 10 games by the NFL for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Whitlock was originally signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft, but was cut and signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their Practice Squad. The NFL suspended Whitlock in November 2014 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs and the Cowboys terminated his Practice Squad contract. The Giants signed him to the Practice Squad in December 2014. Whitlock surprisingly beat out fullback Henry Hynoski in training camp in 2015 and ended up playing in 14 games with five starts until he was placed on Injured Reserve in December 2015 with a knee injury. He had no touches as a rusher or receiver. A collegiate defensive tackle, Whitlock also received a limited number of snaps at defensive tackle in pass rush situations for the Giants in 2015. He finished the season with six tackles and a sack.

Edwards was waived/injured and then placed on Injured Reserve in May 2016 after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in one of his knees during the rookie mini-camp. Injuries have plagued Edwards who tore an ACL in college in 2013, an injury that caused him to miss all of 2014; pulled his hamstring in a June 2015 mini-camp, an injury that led him to being waived/injured; and sprained his knee in an April 2016 mini-camp. The Giants originally signed Edwards after the 2015 NFL Draft, waived/injured him in June, re-signed him to the Practice Squad in November, and signed him to the 53-man roster in December. He played in the final two games of 2015 and finished the season with one catch for nine yards.

A complete list of the New York Giants free agents is available in the 2017 Free Agency Scorecard section of the website.

Feb 072017
 
Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (November 14, 2016)

Rashad Jennings – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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The New York Giants running backs finished the 2015 season 18th in rushing with 100.6 yards per game and averaging 4.0 yards per rush. The Giants rushed for only five touchdowns. The leading rushers on the team that year were Rashad Jennings (863 yards, three touchdowns), Shane Vereen (260 yards, zero touchdowns), Andre Williams (257 yards, one touchdown), and Orleans Darkwa (153 yards one touchdown). In addition, Vereen proved a significant weapon in the passing game with 59 catches for 494 yards and four touchdowns. Jennings also contributed with 29 catches for 296 yards and one touchdown.

Despite the mediocre rushing numbers, there was optimism entering the 2016 season. Half of Jennings’ 2015 yardage (432 yards) came in the last four games of the season. The ground game – led by Jennings – seemed to peaking behind a young and improving offensive line that would remain intact coming into 2016. In addition, replacing the disappointing Andre Williams with 5th rounder Paul Perkins appeared to an upgrade. Vereen was coming off of his best pro season and expected to continue to serve a duo-purpose threat. And the Giants signed veteran hybrid fullback/tight end Will Johnson to mount a significant challenge to fullback Nikita Whitlock.

In reality, the 2016 results were a kick to the nuts. The Giants ground game not only worsened, but it fell to 29th with a paltry 88.2 yards per game and averaging 3.5 yards per rush. The Giants rushed for only six touchdowns. And pass receptions by running backs fell from 92 catches for 828 yards and five touchdowns in 2015 to 83 catches for 622 yards and one touchdown in 2016.

Why the drop? Inconsistent blocking by the offensive line and tight ends was a factor. The improvement by the line – under new offensive like coach Mike Solari – never occurred. There was not a strong blocking tight end on the team. In addition, both fullbacks were lost to injury for the season before it began and the team carried no fullbacks on the roster. As such, the Giants “bread-and-butter” running play was out of the shotgun formation.

But truth be told, it also became painfully clear that while a good guy and a strong locker room presence, Jennings was no more than an aging, backup-at-best halfback who rarely created yardage on his own either by elusiveness or breaking tackles. Starting 12-of-16 regular-season games, Jennings only averaged 3.3 yards per carry. Vereen missed the bulk of the season with a triceps injury that he also re-injured, and his absence in the passing game was very noticeable. Bobby Rainey replaced him but only had 20 receptions. Orleans Darkwa started two games but only received 30 carries and got hurt again. The only real bright spot was Perkins, but he was not a significant factor until December, gaining 271 of his 456 rushing yards in his last four regular-season games.

Yeah, the blocking was a factor, but this was also a very mediocre-at-best group of running backs.

THE STARTER

Rashad Jennings saw his production drop dramatically in 2016 after having his most productive year in the NFL in 2015. Jennings’ rushing yards (from 863 to 593) and yards per carry (from 4.4 to 3.3) fell precipitously with only three rushing touchdowns in each season. Jennings did catch six more passes (from 29 to 35) but his yards per catch dropped nearly in half (from 10.2 to 5.7). Jennings was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2013 and the Giants in 2014. Jennings missed five games with the Giants in 2014 due to knee and ankle problems. He started all 16 games in 2015, but missed three games in 2016 with a thumb injury. Jennings has good size, but he does not run with much vision, quickness, or power. Jennings does not create much yardage on his own either through elusiveness or tackle-breaking ability. He is a solid pass blocker and has good hands as a receiver. Jennings is a hard worker and a good presence in the locker room. He has had issues staying healthy throughout his career.

THE RESERVES

Paul Perkins was drafted by the Giants in the 5th round of the 2016 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Perkins played in 14 regular-season games with one start (regular-season finale). He also started the playoff game. Perkins finished the regular season with 112 carries for 456 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and 15 catches for 162 yards (10.8 yards per catch). Perkins lacks ideal size and speed but he has good vision, quick feet, and cutting ability. Perkins is a tough runner who plays bigger than his size, but he is not a powerful runner. He catches the ball well.

The Giants signed Bobby Rainey as an unrestricted free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April 2016.  He played in 15 games with no starts and finished the season with 17 carries for 63 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and 20 catches for 153 yards (7.6 yards per catch). Rainey also returned six punts (6.5 yards per return) and eight kickoffs (25.5 yards per return). Rainey was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Baltimore Ravens after the 2012 NFL Draft. He has spent time with the Ravens (2012), Cleveland Browns (2013), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013-2015). Rainey lacks size, but he is a well-built runner with good quickness. He lacks power and has had issues with ball security with 13 career fumbles. Rainey catches the ball well and has experience as a punt and kickoff returner.

Orleans Darkwa was placed on Injured Reserve in November 2016 with a lower leg injury. Darkwa played in 10 games with two starts for the Giants in 2016. He carries the ball 30 times for 111 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 12 yards. Darkwa was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as a rookie free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in four games in September before being waived in October and signed to the team’s Practice Squad. The Giants signed him off of Miami’s Practice Squad in November 2014. Darkwa has average size and overall athletic ability, but he is a very physical, instinctive between-the-tackles runner. He lacks elusiveness and the ability to create on his own. Darkwa has good hands despite having only 10 career receptions.

The Giants signed George Winn to the 53-man roster in late December 2016. Winn was originally signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2013 NFL Draft. He has spent time with the Texans (2013), New England Patriots (2013), Oakland Raiders (2013), Pittsburgh Steelers (2013), Dallas Cowboys (2013), and Detroit Lions (2014–2016). The Giants signed him to their Practice Squad in November 2016 and cut him in mid-December. Winn has played in 19 regular-season games with no starts, accruing just 74 yards on 23 carries (3.2 yards per carry). Winn is a hard-nosed, between-the-tackles runner. Good special teams player.

PRACTICE SQUAD

Jacob Huesman was signed to the Practice Squad in late December 2016. Huesman is a former quarterback who the Giants are converting to running back. He was not drafted in 2016, and not signed after the draft despite working out for the Steelers and Titans. Huesman had a brief stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. He has good size for a running back and was productive in college running with the football as a quarterback.

INJURED RESERVE

Shane Vereen was placed on Injured Reserve (IR) in September 2016 with a triceps injury that required surgery, activated back off of IR in December, and then placed on IR again that same month after re-injuring his triceps and needing surgery again. Vereen was originally selected in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. The Giants signed him as a free agent in March 2015. In 2015, serving as the team’s third-down back and playing in all 16 games with no starts, Vereen had his most productive year in the NFL as a pass receiver. He caught a career-high 59 passes for 495 yards and four touchdowns. It was the most receptions by a Giants running back in a single season since Tiki Barber. Vereen also carried the ball 61 times for 260 yards (4.3 yards per carry). However, Vereen played in just five games in 2016 and finished the season with 33 rushes for 158 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and 11 catches for 94 yards. Vereen lacks ideal size and power, but he is an elusive back with good vision and quickness. Vereen is one of the better pass-catching backs in the NFL as he runs good routes and has good hands. He is also solid in pass protection. Vereen has proven to be somewhat injury prone.

The Giants placed Will Johnson on Injured Reserve in early September 2016 with a burner that he suffered in the first preseason game. The Giants signed Johnson as an unrestricted free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers in April 2016. Johnson was not drafted and signed with the Steelers in 2012. In four seasons with the Steelers, Johnson only missed one regular-season game, and started 20 contests. He has 31 career receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson is versatile with the ability to play H-Back, tight end, and fullback. He is a good lead blocker who can also catch the football. Johnson is a solid special teams player.

The Giants waived/injured Nikita Whitlock in late August 2016 and then placed him on Injured Reserve with a mid-foot sprain (Lisfranc) that required surgery. He was then suspended in September 2016 for 10 games by the NFL for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Whitlock was originally signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft, but was cut and signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their Practice Squad. The NFL suspended Whitlock in November 2014 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs and the Cowboys terminated his Practice Squad contract. The Giants signed him to the Practice Squad in December 2014. Whitlock surprisingly beat out fullback Henry Hynoski in training camp in 2015 and ended up playing in 14 games with five starts until he was placed on Injured Reserve in December 2015 with a knee injury. He had no touches as a rusher or receiver. Whitlock has good size for a fullback and is a physical player, but he needs to become a more consistent lead blocker. A collegiate defensive tackle, Whitlock also received a limited number of snaps at defensive tackle in pass rush situations for the Giants in 2015. He finished the season with six tackles and a sack. Although Whitlock is extremely small for a defensive tackle, he gave opposing interior linemen fits at times with his quick pass rush moves. Whitlock is a good special teams player.

Sep 152016
 
Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants (June 15, 2016)

Jason Pierre-Paul – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) and defensive tackle Robert Thomas (illness) did not practice on Thursday.

“(My shoulder) allowed me to play last Sunday,” said Pierre-Paul. “I’m not even worried about my shoulder. We’re good. I’ll be out there Sunday…maybe.” (The “maybe” was said with a grin).

NIKITA WHITLOCK SUSPENDED 10 GAMES…
New York Giants fullback Nikita Whitlock has been suspended without pay for the team’s next 10 games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Whitlock, who is currently on Injured Reserve with a foot injury, will begin serving his suspension immediately.

This is Whitlock’s second such infraction. The NFL suspended Whitlock in November 2014 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs when he was with the Dallas Cowboys, who then terminated his Practice Squad contract.

THE COACHES SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following coaches are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES…

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
Head Coach Ben McAdoo and select position coaches and players will address the media on Friday.

Aug 292016
 
Myles White, New York Giants (October 25, 2015)

Myles White – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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NEW YORK GIANTS CUT FOUR PLAYERS…
The New York Giants have waived/injured fullback Nikita Whitlock (foot) and tight end Matt LaCosse (knee). The team also waived wide receiver Myles White and long snapper Tyler Ott.

If Whitlock and LaCosse make it through waivers, both will likely be added to the Giants Injured Reserve. Whitlock suffered a mid-foot sprain during Saturday’s preseason against the Jets that may require surgery. LaCosse injured his knee in practice several weeks ago and is expected to undergo surgery.

Whitlock was originally signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft, but was cut and signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their Practice Squad. The NFL suspended Whitlock in November 2014 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and the Cowboys terminated his Practice Squad contract. The Giants signed him to the Practice Squad in December 2014. Whitlock surprisingly beat out fullback Henry Hynoski in training camp in 2015. Whitlock ended up playing in 14 games with five starts until he was placed on Injured Reserve in December 2015 with a knee injury. He had no touches as a rusher or receiver. A collegiate defensive tackle, Whitlock also received a limited number of snaps at defensive tackle in pass rush situations for the Giants in 2015. He finished the season with six tackles and a sack.

LaCosse was originally signed by the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2015 NFL Draft. The Giants waived/injured him in early August with a hamstring injury. LaCosse then spent some time with the Jets in the preseason. The Giants re-signed him to the Practice Squad in November and the 53-man roster in December 2015. He played in two games and finished with three catches for 22 yards.

The Giants signed White to the Practice Squad after he was waived by the Green Bay Packers in September 2015 and to the 53-man roster in October 2015. White played in 12 games with no starts and finished the season with only seven catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. White was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Packers after the 2013 NFL Draft. White played in seven games as a rookie, catching nine passes for 66 yards. He spent the 2014 season on Green Bay’s Practice Squad.

The Giants signed Ott in late December 2015 after team placed Zak DeOssie and Danny Aiken on Injured Reserve. He played in the regular-season finale. Ott was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New England Patriots after the 2014 NFL Draft. He did not make the team, but spent time with the Patriots again and the St. Louis Rams before the 2015 season.

The Giants must remove 11 more players from their roster to reach the NFL limit of 75 by 4:00PM on Tuesday.

AUGUST 29, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
Fullback/tight end Will Johnson (burner), right guard John Jerry (ankle), linebacker Jonathan Casillas (ribs), linebacker Jasper Brinkley (knee), linebacker Keenan Robinson (back), linebacker B.J. Goodson (concussion), cornerback Leon Hall (concussion), and safety Darian Thompson (shoulder) did not practice on Monday.

“Ribs are sore,” Head Coach Ben McAdoo said of Casillas. “Doesn’t look like anything is broken.”

“Jasper got nicked up (knee) early in the game, finished the game,” said McAdoo. “But we held him out today.”

“(Johnson is) coming along, but nothing new from the medical perspective there, he’s just making progress,” said McAdoo.

Left guard Justin Pugh (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis. Safety Mykkele Thompson (concussion) returned to practice.

CULLEN JENKINS SIGNS WITH REDSKINS…
New York Giants unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins has signed a 1-year contract with the Washington Redskins. The Giants had no interest in re-signing Jenkins.

The aging Jenkins had a solid 2015 campaign, starting 13 of the 16 games he played in, and finishing with 26 tackles, three sacks, and 2 pass defenses. Jenkins was originally signed by Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent after the 2003 NFL Draft. He did not make the team but spent time in NFL Europe and then re-signed with the Packers in 2004. Jenkins spent time with the Packers (2004-2010) and Philadelphia Eagles (2011-12) before signing with the Giants in March 2013 after he was cut by the Eagles.

HEAD COACH BEN MCADOO…
The transcript of Ben McAdoo’s press conference on Monday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available at Giants.com.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES…

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The New York Giants practice at 11:15AM on Tuesday. There will be no media availability on Wednesday. The Giants play the New England Patriots at home on Thursday.

Aug 082016
 
Jasper Brinkley and Weston , New York Giants (July 30, 2016)Richburg

Jasper Brinkley and Weston Richburg – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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AUGUST 8, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS TRAINING CAMP REPORT…
The New York Giants held their ninth summer training camp practice on Monday at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

INJURY REPORT…
New York Giants defensive tackle Jay Bromley (ankle) and linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) remain on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List.

PRACTICE NOTES…
Some snippets from various media sources:

  • Quarterback Eli Manning had a virtually flawless practice, completing most of his pass attempts. He went 6-for-6 in a two minute drill that culminated with a touchdown pass.
  • The first-team offense started off with Odell Beckham (wide left) and Victor Cruz (wide right) outside at wide receiver and Sterling Shepard in the slot.
  • Wide receiver Odell Beckham also lined up in the backfield in one formation.
  • Punter Brad Wing had a strong day with a number of booming punts and punts being downed inside the 10-yard line.
  • Quarterback Ryan Nassib hit wide receiver Tavarres King deep for a touchdown, beating cornerback Leon McFadden and safety Mykkele Thompson.
  • Quarterback Eli Manning hit wide receiver Odell Beckham for a touchdown against cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who had tight coverage on the play. Manning later found Beckham again for another red zone touchdown between cornerback Janoris Jenkins and safety Landon Collins.
  • Linebackers Keenan Robinson and Kelvin Sheppard did a good job of stringing out a running play for no gain. Robinson made a few plays during practice.
  • Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie continues to see reps both outside and at slot corner. He had a few pass break ups in 7-on-7 drills. Cornerback Leon Hall also continues to work at the slot corner position.
  • Quarterback Ryan Nassib hit wide receiver Roger Lewis with a bomb (against McFadden and Thompson again); Nassib then found running back Bobby Rainey in the flat who ran in for the score.
  • Defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa stuffed a pitch play to running back Shane Vereen.

HEAD COACH BEN MCADOO…
The transcript of Ben McAdoo’s press conference on Monday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available at Giants.com.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES…

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The tenth training camp practice will be held on Tuesday from 10:40AM – 12:55PM. Only three remaining training camp practices at Quest Diagnostics Training Center will be open to the public (weather permitting) this year:

  • Tuesday, August 9: 10:40 AM – 12:55 PM
  • Wednesday, August 10: 10:40 AM – 12:20 PM
  • Sunday, August 14: 11:10 AM – 12:50 PM
Jun 262016
 
Olivier Vernon, New York Giants (June 15, 2016)

Olivier Vernon – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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NEW YORK GIANTS ARTICLES…

ARTICLES ON THE NEW YORK GIANTS OFFENSE…

ARTICLES ON THE NEW YORK GIANTS DEFENSE…

Jun 112016
 
B.J. Daniels, New York Giants (June 6, 2016)

B.J. Daniels – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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JUNE 7 AND 9-10, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS OTA PRACTICES…
The Giants held their final three voluntary organized team activity (OTA) practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The media was not granted access to these practices. No live contact is permitted during OTAs, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.

Giants.com identified “5 things we learned” and “standout players” from the three practices:

The Giants will hold a mandatory, full-team mini-camp on June 14-16 before breaking until training camp in late July.

GIANTS.COM INTERVIEW WITH DEVON KENNARD…
The video of an exclusive “Giants Insider” interview with linebacker Devon Kennard is available at Giants.com.

ARTICLES…

Apr 072016
 
Markus Kuhn, New York Giants (December 28, 2014)

Markus Kuhn – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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PRESEASON SCHEDULE RELEASED…
The 2016 preseason schedule for the New York Giants has been released. Specific times have not yet been released.

  • Friday, August 12: Miami Dolphins
  • August 18-21: at Buffalo Bills
  • Saturday, August 27: at New York Jets
  • Thursday, September: New England Patriots

The team’s 2016 regular-season opponents are listed in the Schedule section of the website.

MARKUS KUHN SIGNS WITH PATRIOTS…
New York Giants unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Markus Kuhn has signed with the New England Patriots.

“I couldn’t be more happy about my time here and I’ll definitely miss that place with all the great people in this building,” wrote Kuhn. “Good byes are never fun, even if they’re just a see you later. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. It’s time to move on and I couldn’t be more excited where life is taking me next. ”

The Giants placed Markus Kuhn on Injured Reserve with a knee injury in December 2015. In his four season with the Giants, Kuhn has steadily seen his playing time increase. In 2015, he played in 10 games with nine starts, finishing the year with 20 tackles and 0.5 sacks. Kuhn was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Giants. Kuhn was born in Germany and was only a one-year starter in college.

HAKEEM NICKS VISITS BENGALS…
ESPN is reporting that New York Giants unrestricted free agent wide receiver Hakeem Nicks tried out with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday.

Desperate for veteran wide receiver help, the Giants signed Nicks off of the street in November 2015. Unfortunately, the results were not good. Nicks played in six games with two starts, but finished with only seven catches for 54 yards. It’s been a precipitous decline for Nicks ever since his stellar 2010 and 2011 seasons when he compiled 155 catches for 2,244 yards and 18 touchdowns in 28 regular-season games.

Nicks was originally drafted by the Giants in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft. After two disappointing seasons in 2012 and 2013 when Nicks’ production fell to 109 passes for 1,588 yards and three touchdowns in 28 regular-season games, Nicks departed in free agency for the Indianapolis Colts. Nicks’ production in Indianapolis was disappointing too as he caught 38 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns. He tried to catch on with the Tennessee Titans in training camp in 2015 but did not make the team. Nicks’ demise has largely been attributed to injuries, including compartment syndrome in his lower right leg in 2010 as well as a broken right foot and a poster cruciate ligament (PCL) tear in 2012.

ARTICLES…

Timing is everything. ⏱ @donellansports

A video posted by Victor Cruz (@teamvic) on

Feb 102016
 
Will Beatty, New York Giants (October 19, 2014)

Will Beatty – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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GIANTS CUT GEOFF SCHWARTZ, WILL BEATTY, AND JON BEASON…
According to multiple press reports, the New York Giants have released offensive guard Geoff Schwartz, offensive tackle Will Beatty, and linebacker Jon Beason. All three were expensive, injury-prone players. ESPN.com is reporting that Schwartz and Beatty were not asked to accept pay cuts. Beason may actually retire. (Late Note: Beason officially announced his retirement). Assuming these moves are designated pre-June 1st moves, the combined moves are believed to create an additional $12.27 million in cap space. It is believed that the Giants are currently about $55-60 million under the 2016 NFL salary cap.

After starting 11 games at guard, Schwartz was placed on Injured Reserve in December 2015 after he fractured his lower left leg in Week 12. Schwartz also missed 14 games in 2014 in his first season season with the Giants due to toe and left ankle injuries that both required surgery. He signed with the Giants as a free agent in March 2014. Schwartz had two years left on his current contract. He was scheduled to make $3.925 million in salary in 2016 and count $4.908 million against the 2016 salary cap. Cutting Schwartz saves the Giants $2.992 million against the cap with $1.917 million in dead money.

Beatty was placed on the Reserve/Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List in September 2015 as he was still recovering from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle he suffered in May lifting weights. He remained on the PUP the entire season as a rotator cuff injury that required surgery also became an issue. Since Beatty was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Giants, he has had issues staying healthy, including a broken foot in 2010, a detached retina in 2011, a back injury that caused him to miss offseason work in 2012, the broken leg in 2013, and the pectoral tear and rotator cuff injuries in 2015. Beatty had two years left on his current contract. He was scheduled to make $6.625 million in salary in 2016 and count $9.175 million against the 2016 salary cap. Cutting Beatty saves the Giants $4.175 million against the cap with $5 million in dead money.

Beason missed the first two games of the 2015 season with knee issues, played in five games, and then missed another before being placed on Injured Reserve with knee and ankle injuries. He finished 2015 with just 18 tackles. Beason has been an injury-prone player since 2010, not playing in more than five games in four of the last five seasons due to various injuries. The Giants acquired Beason in a trade with the Panthers in October 2013. He played in 12 games with the Giants in 2013, starting his last 11 at middle linebacker, and accruing 93 tackles and one interception. Beason’s 2014 NFL season was basically wiped out due to a ligament tear and fracture to the sesamoid bone in his right foot during an OTA practice on June 12. He ended up playing in only four games and finished the season with just 11 tackles. Beason had one year left on his current contract. He was scheduled to make $2.8 million in salary in 2016 and count $6.567 million against the 2016 salary cap. Cutting Beason saves the Giants $5.1 million against the cap with $1.467 million in dead money.

ARTICLES…

Dec 222015
 


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ODELL BECKHAM APPEAL ON WEDNESDAY…
According to ESPN, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham will have his appeal for his 1-game suspension heard on Wednesday. Beckham’s appeal will be heard by ex-Redskin and ex-Eagle wideout James Thrash.

On Monday, the NFL released a statement that said Beckham was “suspended without pay for next Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings for multiple violations of safety-related playing rules in (Sunday’s) game against the Carolina Panthers. Beckham was penalized three times for unnecessary roughness, including a late helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless player in which Beckham left his feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into his opponent, lowered his helmet and initiated forcible contact with his helmet, and forcibly struck the defenseless player’s head.  This ‘blindside block’ was particularly flagrant because Beckham, with a 10-yard running start, had an unobstructed path to his opponent, the position of the opponent was not impacted by any other player, and the contact with the head/neck was avoidable.”

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks, an ex-49er, sent a letter to Beckham that noted, “At numerous times during yesterday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, your actions placed a fellow player at unnecessary risk…and clearly did not represent the high standards of sportsmanship expected.”

During his suspension, Beckham “will not be permitted…to attend team meetings and functions; attend or watch practices; appear at the club’s facilities for any reason; attend press conferences; appear at the team’s December 27 game; or have contact with any club personnel except to arrange off-site medical treatment or rehabilitation. Beckham will be reinstated on Monday, December 28.”

NIKITA WHITLOCK TO INJURED RESERVE…
According to NJ.com, New York Giants fullback/defensive tackle Nikita Whitlock will be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve with a knee injury that he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. NJ.com says it not believed that Whitlock suffered any major tears in the knee.

ELI MANNING ON WFAN
The audio of Monday’s WFAN Radio interview with quarterback Eli Manning is available on CBS New York’s website.

NOTES…
The New York Giants have lost six games this year after they were leading or tied with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that is the most such games they have had in one season since the 1970 merger.

The Giants lost those six games by a total of 15 points. Two of those losses were to the AFC and NFC frontrunners: New England by one point with one second remaining, and Carolina by three points as time expired.

The Giants have scored 373 points this season – 186 in the first half, and 187 in the second.

GIANTS-PANTHERS: SIGHTS AND SOUNDS…
A sights and sounds video from the Giants’ 38-35 loss to the Carolina Panthers is now available at Giants.com.

ARTICLES…

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The players return to practice on Wednesday to start preparing for Sunday night’s away game against the Minnesota Vikings.