September 18, 2014 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing on Thursday were WR Odell Beckham (hamstring), LB Jon Beason (foot/ankle), and LB Devon Kennard (hamstring).
“It’s feeling better, surprisingly better, I would say,” said Beason. “In the game I stepped on someone’s foot and it felt like… I felt a pop. It scared me right away, we went and got some pictures, but it’s feeling a lot better right away, so it’s an indication that it’s probably just scar tissue moving. I head down to Charlotte tomorrow to see Dr. Anderson and get his opinion. There are some things that he can do that you can’t see in the imaging with the MRI in terms of active movement and then we’ll determine how severe it is. But it feels good, so that’s a good indication.”
Asked if he definitely was not playing on Sunday, Beason replied, “I’m not sure. I feel like I could go out there and take care of business. I’m active in the meetings, I know the game plan, I’m still studying and preparing as if I’m playing on Sunday.”
OT Charles Brown (shoulder), OT James Brewer (back), and P Steve Weatherford (ankle) practiced on a limited basis.
DT Markus Kuhn (ankle) fully practiced.
Eric Herman’s Suspension Cut to Two Games: OG Eric Herman, who was originally suspended for the first four games of the 2014 NFL season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, has had is suspension reduced to two games. He is now back with the team. The Giants have been granted a roster exemption for Herman until 4:00PM on Friday.
September 18, 2014 New York Giants Coach Media Sessions: Transcripts and video clips of Thursday’s media sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com:
September 18, 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:
September 11, 2014 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing on Thursday were WR Odell Beckham (hamstring), OT James Brewer (back), DT Markus Kuhn (ankle), LB Jon Beason (foot), LB Devon Kennard (hamstring), and P Steve Weatherford (ankle).
“We’re going to go out there and test it tomorrow and see if it’s going to be good enough for me to be able to help the team on Sunday,” said Weatherford. “If it’s not, I’m not going to try to be a hero, because most importantly, it’s having somebody out there that’s going to be able to change field position and help the New York Giants. I’m not here to prove a point on how tough I am. I want to help this team and if I’m not able to do that, well I think I’ll tell them that. I’m optimistic and hopeful that I’ll be out there.”
DT Cullen Jenkins (hip) and OT Charles Brown (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis.
Perry Fewell – Photo by Connor Hughes
September 11, 2014 New York Giants Coach Media Sessions: Transcripts and video clips of Thursday’s media sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com:
September 11, 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:
New York Giants Name 2014 Team Captains: On Thursday, New York Giants players elected five of their teammates to be team captains for the 2014 NFL season. The five players are QB Eli Manning, WR Victor Cruz, LB Jon Beason, S Antrel Rolle, and long snapper Zak DeOssie.
It is Manning’s eight consecutive year as a captain, DeOssie’s fourth, and Rolle’s second. Cruz and Beason are first-time captains. They take the place of 2013 captains OG Chris Snee and DE Justin Tuck.
“I’m hoping we have 53 that take full responsibility and accountability for our team, pride in our team,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “But I think the players have spoken in terms of who they have chosen to be in the leadership position as captains. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about leadership. The unselfish commitment to team, and ‘team first’ must come from your captains, and your captains must be young men who put the team above themselves. They must be young men who lead not only by what they say, but by their example – more significantly by their example. And they also, because of the nature of our business, they reflect what they do say by what they do on the field.
“The attempt to put all personalities in, to create ‘team,’ is a constant job that we all take on. We’ve been working at this since the first gathering point in the spring. But it certainly does help, because the number one thing is trust. The players do feel they can go to these five men and trust what they say and whatever they say and however they choose to lead will be in the best interest of the entire team.”
September 5, 2014 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing on Friday were WR Odell Beckham (hamstring), OT James Brewer (back), and DT Markus Kuhn (ankle).
Jon Beason (foot), OG Brandon Mosley (back), and OT Charles Brown (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis.
September 5, 2014 New York Giants Coach Media Sessions: Transcripts and video clips of Friday’s media sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com:
September 5, 2014 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript and video from Friday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin are available at Giants.com.
September 5, 2014 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Friday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:
August 7, 2014 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing on Thursday were RB Peyton Hillis (ankle/foot), WR Odell Beckham (hamstring), WR Trindon Holliday (hamstring), TE Daniel Fells (knee), DT Mike Patterson (shoulder), DT Kelcy Quarles (ankle), and LB Jon Beason (PUP – foot).
The Giants have already ruled out Beckham playing in Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“(Beckham) is getting better,” Head Coach Tom Coughlin said. “The (training staff) is doing a lot with him, and I think he is responding pretty well the next day. He is not that sore. I think he is close.”
“I can definitely plant, I can do all that,” Beckham said. “I don’t feel like I can reach top, top speed. Just kind of holding off, trying to get some more strength, then we will be ready to go. I feel a lot better. It is kind of one of those things where you could wake up sore, wake up feeling good. It’s a day-by-day thing, so I am just taking my time on it.”
Quarles, LT Will Beatty (coming off of a fractured leg), and CB Trumaine McBride (coming off of offseason hip surgery) will also not play against the Steelers.
August 7, 2014 New York Giants Coach Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s press conferences with the following coaches are available at Giants.com:
August 7, 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:
New York Giants Mini-Camp Ends: The third and final day of the New York Giants mandatory, 3-day mini-camp was held on Thursday. Practice was called after only a few minutes when rain started to fall. Head Coach Tom Coughlin chose not to continue practice within the team’s indoor facility.
The rookies will spend one more day at Quest Diagnostics Center. Players are off until scheduled to report to Quest Diagnostics Center on July 21 for the start of summer training camp.
New York Giants Sign OT DeMarcus Love and DT Everett Dawkins: The Giants have signed street free agents OT DeMarcus Love and DT Everett Dawkins. To make room for these two, the Giants waived OT Steven Baker and DT Eathyn Manumaleuna.
BBI scouting report on OT DeMarcus Love:
The Giants signed DeMarcus Love as a street free agent in June 2014. Love was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings waived him in October 2013 and he was then picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who waived him in June 2014. Love has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He needs to play with more nastiness and fire. He also needs to improve his overall technique in order to make it at the NFL level.
BBI scouting report on DT Everett Dawkins:
The Giants signed Everett Dawkins as a street free agent in June 2014. Dawkins was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The Dallas Cowboys signed Dawkins off of the Vikings Practice Squad in November 2013, but waived him three weeks later. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers then signed him to their Practice Squad. The Buccaneers waived Dawkins in June 2014. Dawkins is a 3-technique tackle who lacks ideal size, but he is quick and athletic and can be disruptive. He needs to add size and strength. Dawkins is not overly stout against the run. He needs to play with better leaverage.
June 19, 2014 New York Giants Coach Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s media Q&A sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com or BigBlueInteractive.com:
June 19, 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:
Well, that was quick. In the final installment of the New York Giants mandatory, three-day mini-camp, practice was over essentially before it began. The Giants took the field, practiced kick return, stretched, huddled and broke. It also began to rain.
Off went Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning and others for a 32-day break before the team comes together again for training camp on July 21. Without further ado, here is your practice report:
Odell Beckham – Photo by Connor Hughes
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Giants practiced a full-team kickoff. The returners? David Wilson, Michael Cox, Odell Beckham Jr., Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps. I guess, because this was the only portion of practice other than stretching, you could say Beckham and Wilson were full participants. So, there’s that.
Coughlin spoke to the media afterwards and said that the team did a walk-through before the media got out there.
THE INTERVIEWS While many players ran out with heel clicks knowing their summer vacation started a couple hours early, a few stuck around. As was the case this week, everyone headed on into the locker room to catch whomever was still around.
Coughlin talked at length and said he plans on taking a vacation with his family. He also made a really nice quote that stuck out: “The NY never comes off.” He said he told the players to make sure they didn’t get in trouble. Essentially, if Will Hill would do it, don’t you do it.
I had a great conversation with undrafted Notre Dame linebacker Dan Fox, who is loving every second of being a Giant. Fox said when the team called and he signed, he got a second call from Bennett Jackson, his teammate who the Giants drafted in the sixth round. Fox, who suffered a knee injury his senior year, said that playing hurt last year was one of the reasons he went undrafted. We’ll have much more on him later this evening.
Talked to Prince Amukamara as well for a few minutes who said he is enjoying the married life. As far as his proposal, see below, not many on the team got on him too much aside from Jason Pierre-Paul and Eli Manning. Amukamara also said the secondary is striving to be the best in the NFL.
Michael Cox said he was “hoping” to get a chance to play as a rookie last season, but didn’t really know. This year, Cox said the biggest difference is he understands the game and “knows everything a lot better.” He also is around the same weight as last season. Didn’t gain much more, or lose anything.
THE COACHES For the first time this offseason, the Giants made their assistant coaches available to the media. From new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, to linebacker’s coach Jim Herrmann, all spent time with reporters. Below you will find some interesting tidbits pulled from those interviews.
TOM QUINN (Special Teams Coordinator)
Quinn seemed extremely happy about not only his new returners, but gunners as well. The coach spent time praising free-agent acquisition Zack Bowman, along with Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps.
Holliday, who has struggled holding onto the ball throughout his career, is being taught “high and tight” according to Quinn.
It seems as if all returners are going to be dual returners, working both on kicks and punts.
Personally, when I saw Temple rookie Brandon McManus’ name on the Giants’ roster, I assumed it was nothing more than a leg to give Josh Brown a break. According to Quinn, that isn’t really the case. It looks like McManus will be given every chance to win the kicking job. Quinn raved about the 22-year-old’s accuracy and ability to kick in cold weather.
McAdoo seemed to echo what Tom Coughlin said a few weeks ago, the offense is a work in progress. Has there been progress? Yes. Is it “mastered?” No. It’s going to take time, but the first-year play caller seemed excited about where things are headed.
As of right now, McAdoo isn’t exactly sure where he will be calling plays, just that he will be. McAdoo said he expects to be on the field, but that’s not certain.
Trindon Holliday, who has impressed in camp, hasn’t just taken reporters by surprise, but the coaching staff, too. McAdoo said he’s making plays and looked good as a slot receiver. “He’s been a pleasant surprise.”
In offenses across the NFL, the fullback position has slowly but surely been disappearing. That apparently won’t be the case in New York. While the exact role is in the air, a fullback will be used: “The way I was raised, the full back was a big part of the things you do.”
KEVIN GILBRIDE JR. (Tight Ends Coach)
Gilbride, the son of former Giants’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride Sr., said his dad is doing well and enjoying life away from football. Jr. said his dad has been taking time to speak at football clinics and high schools, something he always wanted to do but wasn’t able to when coaching.
As far as Adrien Robinson, Gilbride said he’s been extremely active in the meeting rooms. The biggest issue with Robinson is that when the coaching staff tries to teach him too much, he forgets some of the basics.
DANNY LANGSDORF (Quarterbacks Coach)
Langsdorf said that he has been excited and pleased with Eli Manning. The coaching staff has worked with Manning on improving some of his footwork, accuracy, ball fakes and other mechanics.
Ryan Nassib has impressed Langsdorf with his intelligence and praised the quarterback for getting people lined up correctly. Another attribute that Langsdorf credited was Nassib’s mobility, saying he has the ability to extend plays and take off.
PAT FLAHERTY (Offensive Line Coach)
The Giants’ offensive line has been one of the more revamped positions in the offseason and Flaherty said it’s been a little different not seeing the same faces. As of today, the coach still doesn’t know who will start versus Detroit. It seems like an open competition.
John Jerry, who has been sidelined with an injury, was brought in with an opportunity to potentially start according to Flaherty. If Snee isn’t able to go, looks like position is his. Side note, Flaherty did say he doesn’t know what he has with the line simply because the team isn’t in pads. He doesn’t seem to like the “no contact” rules.
Perry Fewell – Photo by Connor Hughes
PERRY FEWELL (Defensive Coordinator)
Perry Fewell seems very excited about the secondary and what he’ll be able to do with it. The coach mentioned multiple times about the potential the group has with all the new acquisitions.
Another area Fewell seems excited for is the linebacking unit, and in particular, the rookies. Fewell is very intrigued by rookies Devon Kennard and Dan Fox, saying both are extremely intelligent.
Two players that have stuck out to Fewell: Johnathan Hankins & Marcus Kuhn.
JIM HERRMANN (Linebackers Coach)
After three years, it looks like Jacquian Williams is finally starting to put everything together. Herrmann offered high praise to the linebacker saying he has taken the next step during the offseason. After playing strictly in the nickel package, Williams is now the starter in the base 4-3 as well. “He made a big jump this spring.”
Herrmann, similar to Fewell, credited Dan Fox’s intelligence as a strong part of his game.
DAVID MERRITT (Safeties Coach)
Merritt offered two big pieces of information: 1- Antrel Rolle has just begun to reach his true potential 2- Quintin Demps wants to play more in the box. Apparently when Demps signed, he went to Merritt with the goal and the coach told him he’d help him get there. After watching players like Eric Berry have success, Demps wants to try it out too.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED With practice essentially cancelled, questions regarding how certain players performed aren’t really able to be answered.
FROM MILTON – Which of the rookies have impressed them the most?
Not too many players were made available, but from a coaching stand point it looks like it’s Devon Kennard. The fifth-round pick is presently running with the 1’s and few offer anything other than praise.
FROM GEORGE FROM PA – What position in your opinion still needs to be improved?
It’s tough to say with these drills being zero contact. From a pure “paper” perspective, I still say offensive line. I like Geoff Schwartz and J.D. Walton a lot, but without Chris Snee or William Beatty… I still see a lot of holes.
FROM BOB IN TX – Does the staff see Ryan Nassib ready to be the No. 2 QB?
Right now, yes. Nassib is getting all of the No. 2 reps and it’s really not close. Curtis Painter, the only other QB on the roster, get’s anywhere from 3-4 per drill.
FROM BC4LIFE – Once healthy where does Pat Flaherty see John Jerry?
Asked him this question myself, his answer surprised me. Flaherty said that Jerry signed with the Giants because of his chance to start. From talking to him, looks like they view him as a starter. Where? That’s yet to be seen.
FROM AFNAVY – Will Ben McAdoo be calling plays from the field or from the booth?
That’s yet to be decided. McAdoo did said they’re leaning towards having him on the field.
Hakeem Nicks Not Expected to Re-Sign with New York Giants: According to NFL.com, soon-to-be unrestricted free agent wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is not expected to re-sign with the New York Giants when free agency begins in March.
NFL.com is reporting that two of the reasons why Nicks will not be re-signed are his disappointing play in 2012 and 2013, and a string of team-imposed fines. Apparently, Nicks has been fined repeatedly for being late to team meetings and missing medical treatments. NFL.com says the fines were “in the thousands for each transgression.” Nicks also supposedly was battling through “several” injuries.
John Mara and Jerry Reese on WFAN: The audio of Thursday’s WFAN interviews with New York Giants President/CEO John Mara and Senior Vice President/General Manager Jerry Reese are available at CBS New York:
An overview of Mara’s interview is available at Giants.com.
Jerry Reese on ESPN Radio: The audio of Thursday’s ESPN Radio interview with New York Giants Senior Vice President/General Manager Jerry Reese is available at ESPN.com.
Neck Surgery for RB David Wilson: New York Giants Senior Vice President and General Manager Jerry Reese said on Thursday that RB David Wilson will have neck surgery. Wilson will have a procedure to fuse his vertebrae on January 16 to repair a herniated disc. The Giants were hoping to avoid surgery on the chance that rest and treatment would improve his condition. That obviously is not the case.
“You have to look at him differently, because he’s got the whole neck issue hovering over him right now,” said Reese. “So he’s got to come back and be healthy, number one. He’s planning to have surgery, and we’ll see how that comes out. Our medical staff feels like he’ll be ready to play this fall, but the neck and back – that’s pretty tricky. So you never know.”
“We’re hopeful that David will be able to play for us again next year,” said Giants President/CEO John Mara on Thursday on WFAN. “Time will tell on that one.”
Wilson injured his neck on October 6 in a Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not play again and was placed on Injured Reserve on November 7.
Giants Will Interview Karl Dorrell for Offensive Coordinator Position: According to press reports, the Giants will interview Karl Dorrell for the team’s vacant offensive coordinator position. The 50-year old Dorrell has spent the last two season as the Houston Texan’s quarterbacks coach. Before that he was the wide receivers (2008-10) and quarterbacks coach (2011) for the Miami Dolphins. He has collegiate experience as head coach (UCLA) and offensive coordinator (Washington and Colorado).
Dorrell is the fourth candidate the Giants have or will interview for their vacant offensive coordinator position, including Mike Sullivan (ex-Buccaneers offensive coordinator), Dowell Loggains (ex-Titans offensive coordinator), and Ben McAdoo (Packers quarterbacks coach). Giants President and CEO John Mara said on WFAN on Thursday that the Giants could also interview additional candidates.
With Redskins Hiring Jay Gruden, Perry Fewell Appears Safe: The Washington Redskins hired Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden as their new head coach on Thursday. The Redskins had interviewed New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell for the position on Monday.
Tom Quinn to Remain New York Giants Special Teams Coordinator:The Star-Ledger is reporting that multiple team sources have indicated that New York Giants Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn will not be fired. Quinn has been heavily criticized by fans and the media for the Giants’ poor special teams performance in 2013, including allowing four special teams touchdowns (three by punt return, one by a bad long snap). The Giants’ kickoff and punt return games also struggled last season. Quinn became the Giants’ special teams coordinator in 2007.
Giants.com Q&A with P Steve Weatherford: The video of a recent Giants.com Q&A with punter Steve Weatherford is available at Giants.com.
Dowell Loggains to Interview for Giants Offensive Coordinator Position on Wednesday: According to press reports, Dowell Loggains will interview for the New York Giants vacant offensive coordinator position on Wednesday. The 33-year old Loggains was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans the past two seasons.
Mike Sullivan, the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-13), interviewed with the Giants on Tuesday, and meetings with him will reportedly continue on Wednesday. Sullivan was on Tom Coughlin’s New York Giants staff from 2004-11, first as wide receivers coach then quarterbacks coach.
Giants Sign Four More Street Free Agents: The New York Giants announced on Tuesday that they have signed the following four street free agents:
WR Preston Parker
TE Daniel Fells
OT/OG Troy Kropog
LB Spencer Adkins
The team also confirmed that it signed PK Brandon McManus, which we reported on Saturday.
Mike Sullivan to Interview for Giants Offensive Coordinator Position This Week: According to The Star-Ledger, Mike Sullivan will interview for the New York Giants’ vacant offensive coordinator position on Tuesday or Wednesday. The position opened up last week when Kevin Gilbride retired from the NFL. Sullivan was the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012-13 before he was fired last week. Sullivan served on Tom Coughlin’s staff with the Giants as wide receivers coach (2004-09) and quarterbacks coach (2010-11).
Redskins Confirm Monday’s Interview with Perry Fewell: The Washington Redskins have publicly confirmed that they interviewed New York Giants’ Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell on Monday for their head coaching vacancy. Fewell is one of many potential candidates for the Redskins’ head coaching job.
Surgery for Left Tackle Will Beatty: According to The Star-Ledger, left tackle Will Beatty underwent surgery on December 31 to repair the leg he fractured in the regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins. Newsday is reporting that the injury was a fractured tibia to his right leg. Both papers say Beatty did not suffer any ligament damage. Beatty is expected to be ready for the start of the 2014 season, but it is not clear if he will be ready for offseason Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices or even the start of training camp.
Safety Stevie Brown Thinks He Will Re-Sign With Giants:The Star-Ledger is reporting that soon-to-be unrestricted free agent safety Stevie Brown believes he will re-sign with the Giants. Free agency begins on March 11. An unidentified source told The Ledger that contract talks between the Giants and Brown should pick up soon as the Giants finish their personnel evaluations.
“It’s a great team,” Brown told Giants.com. “It’s a great organization, great people around here all the time, great fan base – everything like that. So it’s definitely a place I want to be. It’s just now we’ve got to talk to everybody upstairs (in the front office) and see where it goes from there.”
Brown tore the ACL in his left knee in the 2013 preseason.
“I’m about to start doing side-to-side stuff here soon,” Brown told Giants.com. “It feels strong. It feels stable. I couldn’t ask for it to be better at the stage that it’s in.”
Giants.com Q&A with S Stevie Brown: The video of a recent Giants.com Q&A with S Stevie Brown is available at Giants.com.
