Mar 142016
 
Rueben Randle, New York Giants (September 24, 2015)

Rueben Randle – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

MARCH 14, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS FREE AGENT NEWS AND RUMORS…
The official NFL free agency signing period began on March 9th. Here is the latest news and rumors regarding the New York Giants:

  • The NFL Network reports that unrestricted free agent wide receiver Rueben Randle (New York Giants) will be visiting the Los Angeles Rams, the first of several scheduled visits.
  • CBS Sports reports that unrestricted free agent left tackle Russell Okung (Seattle Seahawks) has contract offers on the table from the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Detroit Lions. The Seahawks and 49ers are also said to be interested in his services. Okung, who is representing himself in contract negotiations, met with the Giants last Friday. The 28-year old Okung was originally drafted in the 1st round (6th overall pick) of the 2010 NFL Draft. Okung needed left shoulder surgery to repair a dislocation suffered in the 2015 playoffs and reportedly is still recovering from that procedure.
  • The NFL Network had reported that the New York Giants were one of three teams “in the mix” for the services of unrestricted free agent safety Chris Conte (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). But Conte re-signed with the Buccaneers on Sunday.
  • ESPN reports that the New York Giants have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent linebacker O’Brien Schofield (Atlanta Falcons), but Schofield told the Giants “no thanks.” The Giants pursued Schofield in free agency two years ago, but Schofield failed the team’s physical at that time.

NEW YORK POST Q&A WITH OLIVIER VERNON…
Olivier Vernon on $85M, 6-game chicken wing ban and sacking Brady by Steve Serby of The New York Post

ARTICLES…

Jan 312015
 
Victor Cruz, New York Giants (August 9, 2014)

Victor Cruz – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz spoke to reporters on Saturday night at an NFL Honors event and answered questions about his injured right knee. Cruz tore the patella tendon in his right knee on October 12 during a Sunday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I’m about 15 weeks post-surgery. Feeling good,” said Cruz. “It’s about building the strength up in the knee, the quad, all the major muscles down there. That’s where I’m at right now.

“The trainers have a game plan but they’re not telling me. They tell me weeks as they approach so I don’t look too far ahead. I think that is smart. But I’ll do light running in about two weeks or so.”

It remains to be seen if Cruz can completely regain his pre-injury physical ability. Cruz finished the 2014 season with 23 catches for 337 yards and one touchdown in six starts.

Article on Seahawk DE/LB O’Brien Schofield: How a failed physical turned into a blessing for this Seattle DE by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Mar 122014
 
J.D. Walton, Denver Broncos (August 26, 2012)

J.D. Walton (50) – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

New York Giants Re-Sign Jon Beason and Curtis Painter: According to The NFL Network, the New York Giants have re-signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Jon Beason. In addition, the Giants have officially announced they they have re-signed unrestricted free agent quarterback Curtis Painter. Terms for both players are not yet known.

Because of these moves, we have updated the TransactionsNew York Giants Free Agent Signings (with scouting reports), and New York Giants 2014 Free Agency Scorecard sections of the website.

New York Giants Sign J.D. Walton: The New York Giants have officially signed unrestricted free agent center J.D. Walton (Washington Redskins). Details of the contract are not yet known.

Because of this move, we have updated the TransactionsNew York Giants Free Agent Signings (with scouting report), and New York Giants 2014 Free Agency Scorecard sections of the website.

Keith Rivers Signs with Bills: Unrestricted free agent linebacker Keith Rivers (New York Giants) has signed a 2-year, $5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.

Because of this move, we have updated the TransactionsNew York Giants Free Agent Losses (with scouting report), and New York Giants 2014 Free Agency Scorecard sections of the website.

Geoff Schwartz and Rashad Jennings Official – Contract Details: The Giants officially confirmed on Wednesday that they have signed unrestricted free agents offensive guard/tackle Geoff Schwartz (Kansas City Chiefs) and running back Rashad Jennings (Oakland Raiders).

According to the player’s agent, Schwartz’s deal is a 4-year, $16.8 million contract with $6.2 million guaranteed. CSN Bay Area is reporting that Jenning’s contract is a 4-year, $14 million deal with $3 million guaranteed.

“When I was a rookie, I almost didn’t get drafted and I was so excited to maybe become a Giant,” said Schwartz. “Now, it finally happened. It’s one of those franchises where, when they come calling, you can’t really say no. I’m overjoyed. I think when I look back after I kind of get over the initial signing of the contract it’ll be such a pleasure.”

“I’m so excited to be here for so many reasons,” Jennings said. “One, the Giants organization and the history of it. The magnitude of it, the culture, to be a part of that red, white and blue again. It’s funny because I went to Liberty University, those are the same colors I wore. I’m back on the east coast and now I can talk on the phone with people and not feel awkward because of the three-hour time difference, it will kick you in the butt sometimes. I’m closer to home, closer to family, I’m with the team that wanted me.”

Schwartz has the ability to play at tackle and guard.

“I’m best at guard,” Schwartz said. “I’ve played right guard lots in my career and I know that (Chris) Snee is still here, so I will be starting at left guard. I just feel more comfortable there. But I’ve played tackle, I started 11 games at tackle and played lots of other games at tackle, so I can do a lot of it. It’s just nice to be able to come into a place where they want you in a position and you can kind of go from there.”

“I think part of the fun of coming into work every day is that kind of interaction between offensive linemen,” said Schwartz. “Wherever you go you want to have that bond and building that bond is through kind of joking and mocking, but also hard work and some of the other thing that O-linemen are known for. I’m excited to meet everybody and kind of get going when April comes around. I think I do a good job of integrating well in the locker room. I do a good job of trying to learn the system. It’s tough every year to do that. Now hopefully I’ve found a home and I’ll be here for many years and kind of integrate into the system.”

“I have the same attitude every year since college,” Jennings said. “Go in, earn the respect of my teammates and my coaches, lock down the playbook and go show my worth and earn a starting position. That’s my mentality every year and I look forward to being used however they see my talents fitting here. I did an interview a couple weeks ago and they said, ‘What’s your idea of going through free agency?’ I said, ‘It’s my job to show one team that they’re right.’ I’m glad to show the Giants that they’re right.”

“I always tell people there are not too many ways you can run power, there are no too many ways you can run inside/outside zone,” Jennings said. “It’s just the terminology you’ve got to pick up, understand the flow, the chemistry of the system. That does take some time and that’s why we have OTAs. I am looking forward to it. But as far as going from playbook to playbook, it doesn’t phase you. You become a student of the game.”

Interviews with both players are available at Giants.com:

  • OG Geoff Schwartz (Video)
  • RB Rashad Jennings (Video)

Peyton Hillis and Trumaine McBride Official: The New York Giants officially confirmed on Wednesday that they have re-signed unrestricted free agents running back Peyton Hillis and cornerback Trumaine McBride.

O’Brien Schofield Deal Not Finalized: The Giants have not officially sign unrestricted free agent linebacker O’Brien Schofield because Schofield did not pass the team’s physical on Wednesday. The Giants are concerned about one of his knees and thus there is no deal. The New York Daily News and ESPN are reporting that the deal may not be ultimately dead, but the previous terms (2-year, $8 million contract) may have to be renegotiated. NJ.com is reporting that a source says the deal is dead.

March 12, 2014 New York Giants Free Agent News and Rumors: Here is the latest on the free agent front:

  • DT Linval Joseph on what the New York Giants offered before he signed a 5-year, $31.5 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings: “I know it was nowhere near the Vikings number, I can say that.”
  • ESPN is reporting that unrestricted free agents (UFAs) defensive end Just Tuck (New York Giants) and cornerback Terrell Thomas (New York Giants) are visiting the Oakland Raiders today. SFGate.com is reporting that RB Andre Brown (New York Giants) is also visiting the Oakland Raiders today.
  • According to the Lions, UFA Henry Hynoski (New York Giants) will visit the Detroit Lions on Thursday.
  • The NFL Network is reporting that UFA Tracy Porter (Oakland Raiders) arrived in New York on Tuesday to visit the Giants. He left today without a contract.
  • ESPN is reporting that UFA offensive guard Shelley Smith (St. Louis Rams) is visited the Giants on Wednesday. He is now on his way to visit with the New England Patriots.
  • The NFL Network is reporting that the Giants called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inquiring about cornerback Darrelle Revis before he was cut by Tampa Bay Wednesday afternoon.
  • UFA wide receiver/returner Jacoby Jones, who visited the Giants on Wednesday, has re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens (4-year contract).
  • UFA cornerback Corey Graham (Baltimore Ravens), who the Giants had expressed some interest in, has signed a 4-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Giants.com Inside the Film Room: Video breakdowns of the following Giants players are available at Giants.com:

  • Fullback John Conner (Video)
  • Offensive Lineman Brandon Mosley (Video)
Mar 112014
 
Rashad Jennings, Oakland Raiders (November 10, 2013)

Rashad Jennings – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants Sign Geoff Schwartz, Rashad Jennings, and O’Brien Schofield: According to multiple press reports, the New York Giants have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent guard/tackle Geoff Schwartz (Kansas City Chiefs). Details of the contract are not yet known.

According to the player himself, unrestricted free agent running back Rashad Jennings (Oakland Raiders) was to sign his contract with the Giants on Tuesday night. Details of the deal are not yet known.

According to multiple press reports, the New York Giants have signed unrestricted free agent linebacker O’Brien Schofield (Seattle Seahawks). The contract is reportedly a 2-year, $8 million deal.

Because of these moves, we have updated the TransactionsNew York Giants Free Agent Signings (with scouting reports), and New York Giants 2014 Free Agency Scorecard sections of the website.

New York Giants Re-Sign Stevie Brown and Josh Brown: Unrestricted free agent safety Stevie Brown (New York Giants) tweeted on Tuesday that he has re-signed with the Giants. The contract is reportedly a 1-year, $4 million deal.

Unrestricted free agent place kicker Josh Brown (New York Giants) also tweeted that he has re-signed with the Giants. Terms of that deal are not yet known.

Because of these moves, we have updated the TransactionsNew York Giants Free Agent Signings (with scouting reports), and New York Giants 2014 Free Agency Scorecard sections of the website.

Linval Joseph Signs with Viking, Ryan Mundy with Bears, Brandon Myers with Buccaneers: Unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Linval Joseph (New York Giants) has signed with the Minnesota Vikings. The contract is reportedly a 5-year, $31.5 million deal.

Unrestricted free agent safety Ryan Mundy (New York Giants) has signed with the Chicago Bears. It is a 2-year deal but the financial terms are not yet known.

Unrestricted free agent tight end Brandon Myers (New York Giants) has signed a 2-year, $4 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Because of these moves, we have updated the TransactionsNew York Giants Free Agent Losses (with scouting reports), and New York Giants 2014 Free Agency Scorecard sections of the website.

More March 11, 2014 New York Giants Free Agent News and Rumors: Here is the second update today:

  • ESPN is reporting that unrestricted free agent wide receiver/returner Jacoby Jones (Baltimore Ravens) will visit the Giants on Wednesday.
  • FOXSports is reporting that unrestricted free agent quarterback Curtis Painter (New York Giants) will re-sign with the Giants.
  • DraftInsider.net is reporting that the Giants are in the mix for the services of unrestricted free agent wide receiver James Jones (Green Bay Packers).
  • Unrestricted free agent defensive end/tackle Arthur Jones (Baltimore Ravens), who the Giants had expressed interest in, signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
  • Unrestricted free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner (Tennessee Titans), who the Giants had expressed interest in, has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.