New York Giants Make 15 Roster Moves, Including Marcus Harris and Cooper Taylor to IR

 Posted by
Aug 262014
 
Marcus Harris, New York Giants (July 22, 2014)

Marcus Harris – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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The New York Giants made 15 roster moves on Tuesday in order to each the NFL roster limit of 75 players.

The Giants placed safety Cooper Taylor (foot) and wide receiver Marcus Harris (hip) on season-ending Injured Reserve. Taylor is expected to undergo surgery to repair the sesamoid bone in his foot. Harris will undergo surgery to repair the labrum in his hip. (Oddly, Harris’ injury had previously been described as a shoulder injury).

The Giants waived/injured linebacker Justin Anderson (hamstring) and defensive end Emmanuel Dieke (knee).

Lastly, the Giants waived the following 11 players:

  • WR Travis Harvey
  • TE Xavier Grimble (injury settlement)
  • TE Jerome Cunningham
  • OG John Sullen
  • DT Everett Dawkins
  • LB Spencer Adkins
  • CB Charles James
  • CB Ross Weaver
  • S C.J. Barnett
  • S Kyle Sebetic
  • PK Brandon McManus

(UPDATE: In a late move, the Giants have reportedly traded Brandon McManus to the Denver Broncos for a conditional draft pick, reportedly conditional 7th round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft).

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

The final cuts to the 53-man roster must be made by 4:00PM on Saturday, August 30th, the day after the Giants-Patriots preseason finale.

August 9, 2014 New York Giants News and Articles

 Posted by
Aug 092014
 
Jacquian Williams, New York Giants (July 27, 2012)

Jacquian Williams – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Article on QB Eli Manning: Eli Manning embraces major change in Giants QB preparation by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Articles on WR Marcus Harris:

Article on WR Corey Washington: Giants receiver has plenty of motivation by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Articles on the New York Giants Offensive Line:

Articles on New York Giants Defensive Ends:

Article on LB Jacquian Williams: NY Giants LB Jacquian Williams ready to take next step toward being an every-down player by Ebenezer Samuel of The New York Daily News

Articles on New York Giants Cornerbacks:

New York Giants Training Camp Sights and Sounds Video: A sights and sounds video from training camp is available at Giants.com.

New York Giants Charles James Lending Helping Hand to Rookie Bennett Jackson

 Posted by
Jul 262014
 
Bennett Jackson and Charles James

Bennett Jackson and Charles James – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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It’s a relatively common – and expected – occurrence at Giants’ training camp. Bennett Jackson, New York’s sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame, has questions, and he’s looking for the answers.

Be it a coverage assignment, technique or read conundrum, different things pop up at different times. When they do, Jackson knows exactly who to go to.

“I usually ask something to Charles James,” Jackson said.

Wait, Charles James II? The Giants’ second-year corner who went undrafted last year and made the team as a long shot?

“He usually has a pretty good understanding of everything and he’s quick to answer,” Jackson said.

Charles James, New York Giants (August 24, 2013)

Can Charles James crack the Giants final 53-man roster? – © USA TODAY Sports Images

The budding friendship has blossomed since the Giants reported for training camp on Monday. Despite the fact both James II and Jackson are competing for potentially one available roster spot, the two have hit it off. James II knows he can text Jackson at any point in time. Jackson knows he can go to James II with any question that pops in his head.

While it’s not rare to have a rookie look to another player on the roster for help, the fact James II is supplying the answers may come a bit as a surprise. After going undrafted out of Charleston Southern last year, the 5-9, 179-pound James made the Giants’ roster last season.

The corner flashed on special teams in the preseason, made a few impact defensive plays and the Giants’ placed him on their practice squad as a reward. When injuries attacked New York’s secondary, it was James II who had his phone ring with the call up.

James II looks at Jackson and sees his own reflection from a year ago. There’s a wide-eyed rookie, brimming with potential, but needing someone to guide him to reach it.

“I know how it is to be a rookie,” James II said.“He’s trying to catch up with the entire process of being in the NFL. He just left Notre Dame, basically he was the man there, now he’s coming into a process where it’s moving faster.

“This is the NFL where those receivers are going to come faster. Those breaks are going to come quicker and he has to catch up in the playbook right away. I told him some of the things that I did to help me progress last year.”

While James II is helping Jackson, at the same time he’s helping himself. When Jackson has a question, James II can’t look back with a deer-in-the-headlights look. He challenges himself to make sure he can answer whatever Jackson throws his way. As soon as James II sees Jackson jogging of the field and headed his way, he knows it’s test time.

“He’ll come up to me and be like, ‘Hey Charles, what do I do in this coverage,’” James II said. “I’ll respond like, you do this, this and that. He’ll be like, ‘Oh, Ok.’ So it like refreshes my mind and it refreshes his. I’m just trying to be that helping hand.”

James II views himself as a “big brother” figure for Jackson, something Jackson may need more than anything right now.

Bennett Jackson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (September 21, 2014)

Bennett Jackson – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Not only is he a rookie, but Jackson also has limited experience at the cornerback position. Throughout his entire playing career, Jackson was a receiver. It wasn’t until his sophomore season at Notre Dame that he was approached about a position change.

When Jackson was a freshman, he didn’t see much time at wide receiver, but he played in every special teams’ package. He loved to hit people. This was his chance to do so.

Coaches loved the physicality Jackson displayed and saw the lack of bodies at the cornerback position. Next thing Jackson knew, he was in a new film room.

“I ended up doing a lot better than I expected,” Jackson said. “I actually ended up having a lot more fun.”

His initial struggles came from the transition of constantly running forward, to moving fluidly backwards. Route recognition was easy, after all, it wasn’t long ago Jackson was the one running them.

The doubt that once clogged his memory worked its way out. Towards the end of his sophomore season, Jackson was fully comfortable at his new position. While he missed scoring touchdowns and catching passes, Jackson admitted hauling in an interception gets him much more “hyped.”

It may take some time before the coaches feel fully comfortable putting Jackson on the field in the secondary as there are still many parts of his game that need to be refined. But there’s no hesitation in putting him with the special teams and letting him do what once brought him so much joy:

Hit people.

When asked his goal and what he’d like to accomplish on special teams this year, an ear-to-ear smile stretched across Jackson’s face.

“Be a beast,” he said. “That’s all there is to it.”

Giants 2014 Positional Breakdown: Cornerbacks

 Posted by
Jul 152014
 
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants (June 12, 2014)

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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With New York Giants training camp beginning next week, BigBlueInteractive.com continues to break down each of the team’s positional groups until July 21. Today, let’s take a look at this year’s cornerbacks.

FIND A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL BREAKDOWNS HERE

POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: Cornerbacks

Prince Amukamara, New York Giants (June 12, 2014)

Prince Amukamara – © USA TODAY Sports Images

2013 YEAR IN REVIEW: The one steady constant at cornerback in 2013 was Prince Amukamara at right corner. In his third year with the Giants, and his second as a full-time starter, Amukamara developed into the team’s best corner. Amukamara started all 16 games and finished the year with 85 tackles, 14 pass defenses, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles. Things did not go as planned at left corner. Corey Webster had issues with his hip, groin, and ankle. He only started two games before the Giants finally gave up on him and placed him on Injured Reserve in December. His primary back-up, Aaron Ross, only started two games before being placed on Injured Reserve in October with a back injury. Jayron Hosley was next in line but he suffered a significant hamstring in jury in Week 4 that sidelined him for the next five games and nagged him much of the rest of the season. Hosley played in 11 games with one start, finishing the season with just 9 tackles and 2 pass defenses. The player who benefited the most from these injuries was Trumaine McBride. McBride was an under-the-radar street free agent signing who ended up playing in 15 games with 10 starts. He finished 2013 with 37 tackles, 15 pass defenses, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. Terrell Thomas, coming off back-to-back ACL tears in 2011 and 2012, was primarily used as the nickel slot corner. Though limited all year in practice, he played in all 16 games with seven starts and finished the season with 67 tackles, 1 sack, 7 pass defenses, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. Charles James was a rookie free agent who played in 12 games, almost exclusively on special teams.

ADDITIONS/SUBTRACTIONS: Massive changes occurred at cornerback in the offseason. The only ones returning are Prince Amukamara, Trumaine McBride, Jayron Hosley, and Charles James. The Giants have also decided to invite 2013 Practice Squad players Ross Weaver and Travis Howard to training camp.

Gone are former stalwarts Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, and Terrell Thomas. 2013 Practice Squaders Junior Mertile and Chaz Powell were also waived after initially being re-signed in January.

The major new additions are Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (from Denver, 5-years, $35 million), Walter Thurmond III (from Seattle, 1-year, $3 million), and Zack Bowman (from Chicago, 1-year, $730,000). The Giants also drafted Bennett Jackson in the 6th round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

TRAINING CAMP STORY LINES: How good is Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DRC)? Some believe he is capable of being one of the NFL’s elite corners, others say he is overrated. The Giants are expecting (and paying) him to be core impact player. If DRC plays as well as hoped, teams that avoided Prince Amukamara in 2013 will now come after him in 2014. How will he respond? Is he capable of making more plays in the football (only 1 interception per year in three seasons). Is Walter Thurmond as good as advertised as a slot corner? If DRC, Amukamara, and Thurmond live up to the hype, along the expected strong play of the safeties, the major overall storyline is the shifting of the strength of the defense from the front-end to the back-end.

ON THE BUBBLE: The Giants will definitely carry five, and quite possibly six cornerbacks. Barring injury, Rodgers-Cromartie, Amukamara, and Thurmond are locks. Another under-the-radar signing, Zack Bowman, who looked very sharp in the OTAs. Trumaine McBride had hip surgery in January and missed all of the offseason work. He may be on shakier ground than many realize. Continued injury (injury plagued in both 2012 and 2013) and drug issues (upcoming 4-game suspension) have really hurt Jayron Hosley’s chances to make the team. Charles James and Bennett Jackson have talent but will have to fight tooth-and-nail to make the team. Both are helped by their special teams ability however.

FROM THE POSITIONAL COACH: Peter Giunta on the Giants depth at cornerback:  “We’ve got 10 quality corners right now in the program…Bringing in two guys that started in the Super Bowl obviously helps…We have great depth at that position, the deepest I’ve ever had in my years in the league.”

Giunta on DRC and Amukamara: “Yes (they can both cover another team’s top receiver). They both have the skill set and both have done it in their careers, gone out and played on the best guy. They’ll battle, they’ll compete and we’ll be able to have an advantage I think playing those guy.”

Giunta on Rodgers-Cromartie: “He’s got that other gear. He can run as fast as he needs to run to get up on top of a receiver, catch up to a receiver. He’s got that gear that’s incredible. He’s such a smooth athlete. His length is so good and his ball skills are fantastic. He’s got that great skill set where he’s got the speed to recover if he does beat, he’s got the quickness to recover. He’s got the length to reach out and knock balls away that other corners wouldn’t be able to get to and he’s got great hands to make plays on the ball in the air. He’s got what you’re looking for in a corner.”

Giunta on Amukamara: “He improved, he understands well, he communicates well, his instincts, his awareness are really developing. You can really see it in (OTAs) now, he’s on top of all of the stuff. Now he’s starting to gamble a bit and take some chances, which you like to see because you’re taking calculated guesses and risking, ‘Hey, I’m going to go make a play.’ That’s what you want. He’s developed that confidence in himself and the defense, he knows what’s coming.”

Giunta on Thurmond: “He does a great job of studying, he has a great awareness of what people are trying to do to him. He plays with great leverage, understands his drops as an underneath defender. He’s able to get there, get breaks off the quarterback. He’s got great vision and to play inside like that you have to have great vision of everything that’s going on around you, it happens so much quicker. Corner you’re using the sideline to help you but in (the slot) you have so much space, especially covering guys. He’s done a great job. He’s got great quickness and he’s a great (technician). You’ll see that when we’re able to put our hands on people in training camp.”

PREDICTIONS:

Zack Bowman, Chicago Bears (October 10, 2013)

Zack Bowman – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Eric Kennedy – On paper, this is the deepest unit on the team strongest group of corners the Giants have had in my lifetime. Of course, the proof is in the pudding. Moreover, each year, we have seen mental breakdowns in Perry Fewell’s secondary, often followed by a mid-season “dumbing down” in order to reduce blown coverages. Will that same issue rear its ugly head again in 2014 or will the Giants’ secondary carry this defense from the get-go?

Predictions? DRC and Thurmond become fan favorites with their play. Bowman becomes a more important addition than fans currently realize. I think Charles James is underrated but stuck behind the quality guys in front of him.

Connor Hughes – I am incredibly optimistic about the Giants’ cornerbacks heading into this season. More so this year than any year I can remember in recent memory. In the past, veterans on the last leg of their careers, bargain-bought free agents and low-end draft picks occupied the Giants’ secondary as the vaunted defensive line pressured the quarterback. As teams countered with quick-passes to reveal holes in the secondary, the Giants have countered by putting more money into the cornerback position.

I believe Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara can form one of the top three cornerback tandems in the NFL. I love the return of Trumaine McBride and the potential of Charles James. More than anything else, I can’t wait to see what Walter Thurmond III has to offer.

The first time Thurmond talked to the media, he told them he was the best slot corner in the league. He comes from a secondary the Giants’ believe they can collectively be as good and has an attitude to be the best. Of every acquisition the Giants made, the biggest I truly believe will be Thurmond.

FINAL DEPTH CHART:

Eric Kennedy – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Prince Amukamara, Walter Thurmond, Zack Bowman, Charles James, Bennett Jackson.

Jayron Hosley misses the first four games due to the drug suspension and could still be brought back depending on injuries. My longshot prediction is Bennett Jackson making it over Trumaine McBride, who was re-signed to a 2-year, $2.875 million contract this offseason. I think Jackson’s special teams play and overall potential keeps him on the roster.

Connor Hughes – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (RCB), Prince Amukamara (LCB), Walter Thurmond III (nickel), Trumaine McBride (dime), Zack Bowman (reserve), Charles James (reserve).

New York Giants Mini-Camp Ends; Assistant Coaches Speak

 Posted by
Jun 192014
 
Odell Beckham (13) and Zack Bowman (31), New York Giants (June 18, 2014)

Odell Beckham and Zack Bowman – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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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.

For more on today’s practice, see:

For more on Wednesday’s practice, see:

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:

Articles on Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo:

Article on Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell: Fewell optimistic about Giants’ D, naturally by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: NY Giants QB Eli Manning insists he has a lot of good years left by Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News

Article on the New York Giants Running Backs: Giants’ Backfield Runs Into the Great Wide Open by Alex Raskin of The Wall Street Journal

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Giants: Victor Cruz out to show more by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Article on WR Corey Washington: Low on Giants’ depth chart, Corey Washington stands tall by Tom Rock of Newsday

Article on TE Adrien Robinson: Adrien Robinson the favorite to start for Giants at tight end? Think again by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on DE Robert Ayers and CB Walter Thurmond: Newcomers Ayers, Thurmond getting used to Giants by Jim Hague of The Sacramento Bee

Article on CB Charles James: New and Improved Charles James Flashing with Giants by Connor Hughes of BigBlueInteractive.com

New and Improved Charles James Flashing with Giants

 Posted by
Jun 192014
 
Charles James, New York Giants (August 24, 2013)

Charles James – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Charles James sat at his locker, fielding question, after question, after question.

The second-year corner gave his opinion on new teammate Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the changes from a year ago and his expectations for 2014. Then, a voice chirped in from a few feet away.

“You’ve gotten a lot better at this from last year,” running back David Wilson said, laughing.

James flashed his signature smile and let out a chuckle before continuing his prognosis of the Giants. The truth is the 23-year-old’s media relations aren’t the only part of his game that has taken a step to the next level.

On the field, James has flashed throughout the Giants’ offseason program. Last year’s undrafted long shot from Charleston Southern has recorded two interceptions and impressed with blanket coverage. When his play isn’t getting him noticed, his voice is. James is one of the more vocal players on the Giants’ roster, often times seen jumping, running and yelling his way across the practice fields.

“You’ve gotta have fun with the game, man,” James said. “It’s a serious game, but if you don’t have fun with it, I don’t think you’re living. This is a dream come true for me and I enjoy being around these guys.”

This year’s boisterous, bubbly James is a bit different than the one that showed up in East Rutherford last year as little known undersized corner from Florida.

Standing at 5-9 and weighing in at 179-pounds, James hardly fit the ideal build of an NFL corner. At his pro day, he ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash and was given a 6th-7th round grade by scouts. He went undrafted.

After weighing his options, he signed with the Giants. He flashed in the preseason, but was cut on the final cut-down day. He went unclaimed before the Giants signed him to their practice squad. Despite not being active, James credits the time spent practicing against the likes of Rueben Randle, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks as the cause for monumental strides in his progression.

Sure, he wasn’t suiting up on game days, but he was matching up against some of the better wideouts in the league on a day-in, day-out basis.

Charles James, Tom Coughlin, New York Giants (December 8, 2013)

Charles James and Tom Coughlin – © USA TODAY Sports Images

“To be able to go up against guys like that last year, it helped slow the game down for me,” James said. “It got to the point where I could play fast.”

Prior to the Giants’ game versus the Eagles in early October, James was promoted to the active roster following a slew of injuries to the team’s secondary. He finished out the season on the active 53, seeing action in 12 games, primarily on special teams. James finished with four combined tackles.

During the offseason, the Giants wasted no time bringing in bodies to occupy the same meeting room as James. Rodgers-Cromartie is a corner, Walter Thurmond III, too. Zack Bowman has value both as a defender and on special teams. Trumaine McBride was re-signed.

And you know what? That’s perfectly fine with James.

“It’s a business, I expect them to do things like that,” James said. “The cornerback position doesn’t just stop with me. I mean, I just see it as motivation for everybody. We’re all working here to get a spot.

“I see it as nobody is safe. If you think you’re safe, you’re wrong.”

James spent the offseason working to improve better himself from a year ago. The corner called himself a “student of the game,” has dedicated himself to the film room and soaked up every bit of knowledge from the veterans on the team.

This year, he’s playing more with his instincts than thoughts. The game is no longer fast, he is. James is flashing, ball-hawking.

“You either get better, or you get worse. You never stay the same,” James said. “For me as a player, I want to continue to get better and put myself in a position to make this team and help the team win.”

So far, he’s off to a pretty good start.

New York Giants 2014 Preseason Schedule Announced

 Posted by
Apr 092014
 
New York Giants-New York Jets Preseason (August 24, 2013)

New York Giants vs. New York Jets – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants 2014 Preseason Schedule Announced: The NFL has announced the 2014 preseason schedule for the New York Giants and the other 31 NFL teams. The Giants will play:

  • Week 1: Buffalo Bills (Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio), Sunday, August 3, 8:00 PM
  • Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers (August 7-10, exact date and time to be determined)
  • Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts (August 14-18, exact date and time to be determined)
  • Week 4: at New York Jets (August 21-24, exact date and time to be determined)
  • Week 5: New England Patriots, Thursday, August 28 (time to be determined)

The 2014 regular-season schedule has not been announced yet. But a list of 2014 regular-season opponents is available in the Schedule section of the website.

Article on the New York Giants and the 2014 NFL Draft: A look at the Giants’ draft needs by Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News

Articles on the 2014 New York Giants:

Article on CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Rodgers-Cromartie vs. top NFC East WR’s by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

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

  • Defensive Tackle Cullen Jenkins (Video)
  • Cornerback Charles James (Video)

BBI on Giants.com Big Blue Kickoff Live: The audio of Eric Kennedy being interviewed on Giants.com’s Big Blue Kickoff Live podcast on Wednesday is available at Giants.com. Eric joins the show at the midway point of the broadcast.

New York Giants – Seattle Seahawks Game Day Reading Material

 Posted by
Dec 152013
 
Charles James, Tom Coughlin, New York Giants (December 8, 2013)

Charles James and Tom Coughlin – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Article on the 2013 New York Giants: For the Giants, Playing Out the String Can Be Perilous by Jonathan Clegg of The Wall Street Journal

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Remembering Li’l Jack Pinto: One year later, Victor Cruz talks of his visit to Newtown by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News

Article on OT Will Beatty: Beatty, Giants playing for jobs, not playoffs by George Willis of The New York Post

Article on DT Johnathan Hankins: Giants Four Downs with DT Johnathan Hankins: Rookie talks about first NFL season by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Articles on New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Article on Former Giants Linebacker Lawrence Taylor: LT: Tom Coughlin must go by Kevin Kernan of The New York Post

Giants Add Will Hill and Charles James to Roster, Aaron Ross is Placed on IR

 Posted by
Oct 052013
 
Charles James, New York Giants (August 24, 2013)

CB Charles James – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants Add S Will Hill and CB Charles James to Roster, CB Aaron Ross is Placed on IR: The Giants made four roster moves on Saturday:

  • As expected, S Will Hill was added to the 53-man roster from the Reserve/Suspended List. Hill had been serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s illegal drug policy.
  • Undrafted rookie free agent CB Charles James was signed to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad.
  • CB Aaron Ross was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve with a back injury that he suffered in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • OC Dallas Reynolds, who the Giants signed on Tuesday, was waived.

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

Articles on the New York Giants and the Second Half of Football Games:

Article on the New York Giants Offense: Giants Have Moved Ball With No-Huddle, So Why Not Do It More Often? by Tom Rock of Newsday

Jon Beason Traded to Giants; Chris Snee’s Season is Over

 Posted by
Oct 042013
 
LB Jon Beason Traded to Giants – © USA TODAY Sports Image

LB Jon Beason Traded to Giants – © USA TODAY Sports Image

LB Jon Beason Traded to New York Giants: The New York Giants have acquired LB Jon Beason from the Carolina Panthers by trade in exchange for a “late-round” draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Beason, who was drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Panthers and who has played in three Pro Bowls (2008-10), has had his career sidetracked with serious season-ending injuries in 2011 (ruptured left Achilles tendon) and 2012 (right ACL tear that required microfracture knee surgery). The Panthers benched him two weeks ago for ex-Giant Chase Blackburn.

This is the Giants’ first in-season trade since they traded for RB Ottis Anderson from the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986.

“It’s amazing,” said Beason after passing the Giants’ physical. “It doesn’t happen (often) with mid-season trades. But the one place I said if I wasn’t in Carolina where I wanted to be was with a great organization like the Giants with a winning tradition, leadership, a 4-3 scheme where I can come in right now. I think I can really come out and impact the season.

“I know I’ll come in tomorrow early and meet the coaches and I’ll get my linebacker coach (Jim Herrmann) and we’re going to cram. If they ask me to, I’ll dress (Sunday) and I’ll give everything I have…It’s just going to be terminology. I’m a smart player. I learn fast. Being a mike linebacker, a lot is on your plate. I think I actually thrive in that position. I’m going to get with coach as long as it takes and as fast as I can get it as soon as I want to play.”

The Giants play the Eagles on Sunday but also have a short week after that, playing the Bears on Thursday night.

“The turnaround is the tough part,” said Beason. “Those Thursday night games are always hard. We’ll see what Coach (Tom) Coughlin has and whatever he says that’s what I’ll do.”

Beason thought the Giants might have drafted him in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, but the Giants selected CB Aaron Ross instead.

“(The Giants) were one of the teams that brought me in and I knew they were high on me and I thought they were going to take me, but you know the draft,” Beason said.

“It’s hard (missing so many games the last two seasons), but you understand that it’s a process and you have to go through it and then once you come to grasps with it that you know you can’t do anything about it. You might as well say, ‘Let’s get the surgery done’ and now every day is building toward getting back out there and playing football. The injuries have been a problem, but I wouldn’t change one thing because I know they’re not going to define me.”

OG Chris Snee’s Season is Over: OG Chris Snee was placed on Injured Reserve on Friday. He will likely undergo surgery on his right hip to repair a torn labrum only months after undergoing offseason surgery on his left hip to repair a torn labrum and bone spurs.

“I’ve always been able to play through things, but clearly I couldn’t,” said Snee. “The best thing is for me to watch my team play and try to get my hip right…I’ve prided myself in playing through things and…I just can’t.”

Snee was asked if the injury might be career-ending. “That’s not something I’m thinking about right now,” replied Snee. “I’m honestly just trying to get over the frustration of this and deal with surgery and deal with rehab. I’ll think about that later.”

“I’ve always been a guy that by Friday could suit up and play,” said Snee. “I was kind of secretly hoping I’d wake up and things would feel differently, I would respond to the treatment and the medicine. It just didn’t happen. It’s frustrating. It’s just a new situation for me. I’ve always been able to play through things. Sometimes things nobody knew about, things that I kept to myself, but I had to be honest with everyone because it really got to the point where I was doing no good, to be honest.”

Injury Update – Giants Down Three Corners: Not practicing on Friday were DT Linval Joseph (ankle/knee), CB Corey Webster (hip), CB Aaron Ross (back), CB Jayron Hosley (hamstring), OC David Baas (neck), and TE Adrien Robinson (foot). Of this group, Webster is “doubtful” for the game on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles and the rest will not play.

DT Cullen Jenkins (knee/achilles), DT Shaun Rogers (back), LB Mark Herzlich (toe), CB Terrell Thomas (knee), and WR Louis Murphy (ankle) practiced on a limited basis. Jenkins and Murphy are “questionable” for the game while Rogers, Herzlich, and Thomas are “probable.”

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (knee), LB Jacquian Williams (knee), S Cooper Taylor (shoulder), and OT David Diehl (thumb) fully practiced. All four players are “probable” for the game.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Friday press conference are available at Giants.com.

Giants.com Q&A With Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Coughlin Corner: Focused on Eagles by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Player Media Q&As: Video clips of Friday’s media Q&As with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on the New York Giants and Linebackers: Giants GM Just Can’t Find a Fix at Linebacker by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Trust in Tom Coughlin to Save Season by Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride: Kevin Gilbride Staying Course with NY Giants’ Struggling Offense by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News

Article on RB David Wilson: David Wilson Ready to Flip the Script and Score for First Time This Season by Tom Rock of Newsday

Article on WR Hakeem Nicks: Struggling Hakeem Nicks Could Learn a Lot from Victor Cruz by Bob Glauber of Newsday

Article on CB Charles James: Charles James Ready If Called Upon by Tom Rock of Newsday

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