Jul 272016
 
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants (January 3, 2016)

Hakeem Nicks – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

GIANTS REPORT TO CAMP ON THURSDAY…
New York Giants players report to summer training camp on Thursday. The first training camp practice will occur on Friday. (A complete schedule is available at Giants.com). Head Coach Ben McAdoo and a number of players will address the press on Thursday.

HAKEEM NICKS SIGNS WITH SAINTS…
New York Giants unrestricted free agent wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has signed a 1-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Desperate for veteran wide receiver help, the Giants signed then 27-year old Hakeem 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.

DANIEL FELLS RETIRES…
Although not officially announced, it appears New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells has retired. Fells was placed on Injured Reserve in October 2015 after multiple career-threatening surgeries were required to address a life-threatening staph infection that developed in an injured ankle. He only played in two games in 2015 and finished with six catches for 60 yards.

Fells said on his Instagram account, “Although playing the game is no longer in the cards for me I’m grateful for the 10 year career that I was blessed to experience.”

Fells was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Atlanta Falcons after the 2006 NFL Draft. He has spent time with the Falcons, Raiders, Buccaneers, Rams, Broncos, and Patriots. The Giants signed Fells to a reserve/future contract in January 2014. He played in all 16 games for the Giants in 2014 with nine starts, accruing 16 catches for 188 yards and four touchdowns.

TOM COUGHLIN ACCEPTS JOB WITH NFL…
According to press report, former New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin has accepted a full-time position with the NFL’s football operations department. His exact role has yet to be announced by the League. Coughlin was de facto fired in January by the Giants after serving with the team since 2004.

GIANTS.COM INTERVIEWS…
Video clips of exclusive interviews with the following coaches and players are available at Giants.com:

  • Offensive Coordinator Mike Sullivan (Video)
  • Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn (Video)
  • TE Will Tye (Video)
  • DE Olivier Vernon (Video)
  • DT Damon Harrison (Video)

GIANTS.COM PLAYER Q&As…
Transcripts of Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

ARTICLES…

This picture of me and my baby girl was taken a little over a year ago at Quest Diagnostic. I wish I was heading into battle with my brothers as Training Camp starts up this week but I also believe that everything happens for a reason. Although playing the game is no longer in the cards for me I'm grateful for the 10 year career that I was blessed to experience. Thank you all for the phone calls, text messages, emails and well wishes that I've gotten over the last few months. I'm working hard to accept my physical limitations and the mental struggles that go along with them. I know that I'm lucky to be alive so I'm determined to make the most of everyday that I have. Looking forward to cheering for my G-men and all of my former teammates on different teams around the nation this year #onceagiantalwaysagiant

A photo posted by Daniel Fells (@danielfells85) on

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

Markus Kuhn – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

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 042016
 
Victor Cruz, New York Giants (August 22, 2015)

Victor Cruz – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

VICTOR CRUZ TALKS ABOUT HIS HEALTH, CONTRACT, AND NEW COACH…
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz spoke to the media on Thursday. He addressed a number of topics including his injury and contract status, as well at the team’s head coaching change.

Cruz did not play in any preseason or regular-season games in 2015. Cruz was placed on Injured Reserve in November 2015 due to a left calf injury suffered in August that never healed and required surgery. It is the third leg injury that Cruz has suffered since signing his big 6-year contract in July 2013, including arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in 2013 and career-threatening patellar tendon surgery on his right knee in 2014.

Cruz said the calf injury was a rare torn fascia. “It just wasn’t healing right,” said Cruz. “It would half-heal. If you ran on it after like six weeks, it would kind of pop again. So we had to shut it down, have the surgery, cement the calf back down so it can heal properly, and then we’re back to 100 percent… Supposedly after you get it fixed it’ll be 100 percent. It’s a soft-tissue injury so it should heal pretty well on its own. Other guys have had it as well, but it’s something that I should definitely have a full recovery from.”

Cruz has not begun to run as part of his rehab process yet. The rehab work involves underwater exercises and walking on treadmills.

“Obviously still rehabbing, still getting strength back in the calf, but I feel good,” said Cruz. “There is no more pain, there are no more setbacks or anything like that. Now we’re just working on getting the strength back so I can be able to run and cut and all those good things.”

Cruz has three years left on his current contract and is currently scheduled to make $7.9 million in base salary in 2016 and count $9.9 million against the 2016 salary cap. Cruz said he is amenable to have his contract restructured.

“I don’t care about that stuff,” said Cruz. “I realize the way I came into this game was on a humble opportunity, and wherever this goes, I just want to play. It’s been two years of not playing. I just want to go out there and play, and whatever happens after that happens.

“I just want to play. Whatever it takes, whether it’s with the Giants or anyone else. Obviously, the Giants are home, they’re family. But I just want to play football, man.”

Cruz was also asked about the head coach transition from Tom Coughlin to Ben McAdoo.

“(Coughlin is) my guy,” Cruz said. “He’s the one who pretty much took a chance on me coming into this league and gave me an opportunity. So it’s sad to see him go, but certain things are just out of your hands as an individual and as an athlete. It was tough to see him go, but he’ll definitely be in my thoughts all the time, and the things that he has taught me will never fade.

“I think (McAdoo) has a great temperament. I think he brings a good energy to the head-coaching position. I think guys are going to love to play for him because he understands us. He understands how to talk to us, he understands what gets us excited. And he understands that we need to work hard to get to where we need to go. He’s a guy who can facilitate that.”

ARTICLES…

Jan 032016
 


[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

TOM COUGHLIN RESIGNING OR RETIRING? BEN MCADOO NEXT COACH?…
According to FOXSports and one ESPN report, Head Coach Tom Coughlin is expected to to resign or retire. Coughlin’s extended family was on hand at today’s game. ESPN is reporting that Coughlin asked his family members to attend, although he did not reveal his plans to them as of Saturday night. All 11 of Coughlin’s grandchildren were on hand wearing “Coughlin Crew” sweatshirts.

“The frustration continues,” said Coughlin after the team’s 35-30 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. “You’ve got your questions prepared for what direction I’m going in. I’m not going to answer anything about that. The season just ended, there will be time for that. We will get into that discussion… I’m going to give myself a little bit of time. I’m sure we’ll talk with ownership and then we’ll go from there… No one has decided anything.”

When asked why his family was on the sidelines, Coughlin responded, “What happens is fortunately we play at home and the family gets together not on Christmas because people have to visit relatives and in-laws and things like that, and so this is the weekend that our group collects. But it was really neat to see it. The kids were all dressed up in a sweatshirt with their name on the back, and I don’t know, it was neat.”

Another ESPN report said General Manager Jerry Reese met with Coughlin before the game and told Coughlin “he loved him and always would but that he didn’t know what would happen.” The same ESPN source said Coughlin “has mulled the possibility of walking away on his own, but he’s concerned about the fate of his assistant coaches and wants to know what will become of them before he does that.”

Team ownership will reportedly meet on Monday to discuss Coughlin’s future.

Jay Glazer of FOXSports says that the Giants like Ben McAdoo, the team’s current offensive coordinator, to replace Coughlin.

KEVIN ABRAMS TO INTERVIEW WITH LIONS…
New York Giants Assistant General Manager Kevin Abrams will reportedly interview with the Detroit Lions for their general manager vacancy. Former New York Giants General Manager Ernie Accorsi (1998-2007) is serving as a consultant for the Lions and he has ties to Abrams.

GIANTS PICK 10th IN 2016 NFL DRAFT…
The New York Giants will pick 10th in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

2016 OPPONENTS SET…
The New York Giants 2016 opponents have been set. The Giants will play:

Home:

  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Washington Redskins
  • Chicago Bears
  • Detroit Lions
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Cincinnati Bengals

Away:

  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Washington Redskins
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • St. Louis Rams (in London)
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Pittsburgh Steelers

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 35 – NEW YORK GIANTS 30…
The New York Giants were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles 35-30 in the regular-season finale on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. With the loss, the Giants finished the second 6-10 for the second year in a row. The team also finished in third place in the NFC East for the third year in a row. The Giants have lost 13 of the last 16 against the Eagles, including four in a row. The Giants lost six of their last seven games after starting the year 5-4.

A quick synopsis of the game was that the Eagles got off to a quick 14-3 lead in the 1st quarter until the Giants closed the gap in the 2nd quarter with 17 points as the Eagles scored another touchdown. At halftime, New York trailed 20-21. The Giants scored another touchdown in the 3rd quarter to take a 27-21 advantage and were poised to take a two-score lead until a deflected pass was intercepted and returned 83 yards for a touchdown. The Eagles tacked on another touchdown in the 4th quarter while the Giants added a 48-yard field goal. Down by five points, the Giants got the ball back with 1:43 to play but New York failed to cross midfield and turned the ball over on downs.

Video highlights/lowlights are available at Giants.com.

INJURY REPORT…
Linebacker Uani ‘Unga (concussion), safety Brandon Meriweather (knee), cornerback/safety Trumaine McBride (concussion), and tight end Jerome Cunningham (shoulder) left the game with injuries.

POST-GAME REACTIONS…
Transcripts and video clips of post-game media sessions with Head Coach Tom Coughlin and the following players are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

POST-GAME NOTES…
Inactive for the Giants were WR Dwayne Harris (back/shoulder), RT Marshall Newhouse (concussion), S Craig Dahl (concussion), S Cooper Taylor (concussion), WR Geremy Davis, OT Emmett Cleary, and DE Kerry Wynn.

The Giants finished in third place in the NFC East for the third consecutive season.

The Giants finished 2-4 in NFC East games.

The Giants finished 3-5 at home and on the road for the second straight season.

The Giants are 25-23 in regular-season games at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants scored 420 points this season, the fifth-highest total in franchise history, and the sixth time they topped 400 points – five them under Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

The Giants allowed 442 points, the second-highest total in franchise history (501 in 1966).

The Eagles converted 10-of-13 third down opportunities, a 77 percent success rate that was the highest by a Giants opponent since 1970.

Quarterback Eli Manning started his 183rd consecutive game under Coughlin, the longest such streak by a quarterback/coach combination in NFL history.

Manning’s 24 completions increased his career total to 3,695. That moved him past Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Giant Fran Tarkenton (3,686) and into 10th place on the NFL’s career list.

Manning threw 618 passes this season, breaking the franchise record of 601 he set in 2014.

Manning’s 387 completions are also a franchise record. He set the former mark of 379 last season.

Manning finished with 4,436 yards, the second-highest total in franchise history. Manning passed for 4,410 yards a year ago; he owns the franchise record with 4,933 in 2011.

Manning’s two touchdown passes increased his career single season-high total to 35 – one less than Y.A. Tittle’s team record, set in 1963.

Manning’s 93.6 passer rating is a career-high.

Wide receiver  Odell Beckham Jr. caught five passes for 54 yards and set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a player in the first two seasons of a career.

Beckham finished the season with 96 receptions for 1,450 yards, both the second-highest totals in Giants history. Steve Smith holds the receptions record with 107 in 2009, and Victor Cruz owns the yardage mark with 1,536 in 2011. Beckham did not score against the Eagles and his 13 touchdowns leaves him tied with Homer Jones (1967) for the single-season record.

Shane Vereen caught six passes to increase his season total to 59, the most receptions in a single season by a Giants running back not named Tiki Barber – who had seasons with 72, 70, 69, 69 and 66 catches.

Running back Rashad Jennings finished the season with a career-high 863 yards, the highest total by a Giants back since Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 1,015 yards in 2012. Jennings’ previous career best was 733 yards with Oakland in 2013.

Place kicker Josh Brown kicked three field goals and three extra points to raise his scoring total to a career single season-high 134 points. His previous best was 127 points with Seattle in 2007. Brown increased his three-year total with the Giants to 350 points. That moved him past Raul Allegre (340) and Amani Toomer (348) and into ninth place on the franchise’s career list.

Brown made 30-of-32 field goal attempts this season, a franchise-record 93.8 percent success rate. Brown topped his own record of 92.3 percent (24-of-26), set last season.

Defensive end Robert Ayers had the Giants’ only sack of Sam Bradford, increasing his team-leading and career-high total to 9.5. No other Giants player had more than 3.0 sacks.

The Giants defense had 23 sacks this season, its lowest total in a 16-game season. The previous low was 25 in 1992.

Punter Brad Wing dropped three punts inside the 20, giving him 33 such kicks for the season, which tied the team record set by Brad Maynard in 1997 and 1998.

ARTICLES…

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The season is over for the New York Giants. The players will meet with the press on Monday around 11:30 AM.

Dec 312015
 
John Mara, New York Giants (December 20, 2015)

John Mara – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

GIANTS OWNERSHIP DIVIDED ABOUT FATE OF TOM COUGHLIN?…
The New York Daily News is reporting that there have been “several high-level discussions” within the New York Giants’ organization this week about the fate of Head Coach Tom Coughlin. The Daily News says it is not known yet if a final decision has been made, but “there are several people in the Giants’ front office who believe a change is necessary,” including team chairman/executive vice president Steve Tisch. The Daily News reports that pressure is mounting on team president/CEO John Mara to make a change and “most people inside the organization believe Mara will eventually agree.”

“Do I want to come back? I don’t know if that’s a great question right now,” said Coughlin on Thursday. “What I want to do is win a game on Sunday, that’s the bottom line for this group right now. I always have the competitive spirit. Sometimes it takes me a day or two to figure it all out when it’s over. Right now, let’s stick with the game and let’s go win a football game.”

ROSTER MOVES…
The New York Giants have placed linebacker J.T. Thomas (ankle) and long-snapper Danny Aiken (thumb) on season-ending Injured Reserve. Thomas injured his ankle in last Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, while Aiken injured his thumb in practice on Wednesday.

The Giants now have 20 players on Injured Reserve, one player who spent the season on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List (left tackle Will Beatty) and one player on Injured Reserve/Designated-to-Return (defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa).

To fill the roster 53-man roster vacancies, the Giants signed linebacker Nico Johnson from the team’s Practice Squad, and signed long-snapper Tyler Ott.

Johnson was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs waived him in August 2014 and signed him to their Practice Squad. The Bengals signed Johnson to their 53-man roster in October 2014, but waived him in August 2015. The Redskins signed Johnson to their Practice Squad in September, but terminated his contract a month later. The Giants signed Johnson to the Practice Squad in November. Johnson has played in 17 regular-season games with three starts, accruing 22 tackles. Johnson is a big linebacker (6’2”, 249lbs) who plays the run well, but isn’t as adept in pass coverage. He is a hard worker.

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.

NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
RT Marshall Newhouse (concussion), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (ankle), LB J.T. Thomas (ankle), S Craig Dahl (concussion), and S Cooper Taylor (concussion) did not practice on Thursday. Thomas was later placed on Injured Reserve.

WR Dwayne Harris (back/shoulder) and LS Danny Aiken (thumb) practiced on a limited basis. Aiken was later placed on Injured Reserve.

HEAD COACH TOM COUGHLIN…
The transcript of Tom Coughlin’s press conference on Thursday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available at Giants.com.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
The following transcripts and video of player media sessions on Thursday are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
There is no media access to the Giants on New Year’s Day. The team will hold a 45-minute, up-tempo “walk-thru” practice on Saturday that is not open to the media. The Giants play the Philadelphia Eagles at home on Sunday.

Dec 242015
 
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants (December 20, 2015)

Tom Coughlin – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

GIANTS SIGN BEN EDWARDS TO 53-MAN ROSTER…
The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Ben Edwards to the 53-man roster from the team’s Practice Squad. Edwards fills the roster spot created by wide receiver Odell Beckham’s suspension.

Edwards was eligible to play in the NFL in 2014, but sat out the year recovering from an ACL knee injury. The Giants originally signed Edwards after the 2015 NFL Draft, but waived/injured him in July after he pulled his hamstring during the June mini-camp. The Giants signed him to the Practice Squad in November 2015. Edwards lacks ideal size and timed speed, but he is a quick receiver who plays faster than he times. Edwards runs very good routes, adjusts well to the football, and has good hands. He has experience playing in the slot and returning punts.

The Giants also re-signed wide receiver Julian Talley to the Practice Squad. This is Talley’s third stint on the team’s Practice Squad this season. Talley was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Giants after the 2012 NFL Draft. Talley spent most of the 2013 and 2014 seasons on the team’s Practice Squad, although he did play in two games each season. He does not yet have an NFL catch. Talley is a tall, thin receiver with good overall athletic ability. He lacks ideal speed, but is smooth and fluid with good hands. Talley has gotten better each year.

NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
LT Ereck Flowers (illness), DT Markus Kuhn (knee), LB Devon Kennard (foot), LB James Morris (quad), and S Cooper Taylor (concussion) did not practice on Thursday.

WR Dwayne Harris (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis. “It felt pretty good,” said Harris after practice. “I think it’s probably going to be a game time decision how much I play on special teams and offense. Right now we’re just planning about how I feel.”

RB Orleans Darkwa (illness) and DE George Selvie (concussion) fully practiced.

HEAD COACH TOM COUGHLIN…
The transcript of Tom Coughlin’s press conference on Thursday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available at Giants.com.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
The following transcripts and video of player media sessions on Thursday are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
There is no media access to the Giants on Christmas. The team will have a 45-minute, up-tempo “walk-thru” practice on Saturday that is not open to the media. The Giants play the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday.

Dec 232015
 


[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

ODELL BECKHAM LOSES APPEAL…
On Wednesday, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham lost his appeal for his 1-game suspension by the NFL. Beckham was suspended without pay on Monday until December 28 due to “multiple violations of safety-related playing rules” in last weekend’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Beckham is not allowed to interact with the team during the suspension and will miss Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Beckham issued the following statement:

“I owe some people an apology. I wasn’t raised to act like I did the other day. I am not here to make excuses for my conduct. This isn’t about anything that was said or done to me. This is about my behavior, and I am responsible for my behavior. People expect better from me, and I expect better from myself.

“First of all, I apologize to the organization I represent, the Giants, and our ownership, John Mara and his family and Steve Tisch and his family. And Jerry Reese, who drafted me and gave me the opportunity to be a part of this organization.

“I want to apologize to Giants fans. They want to be proud of us, and proud of players like me who represent their team. What happened the other day was embarrassing to them and embarrassing to me.

“A lot of kids look up to me as a role model. That is a responsibility I accept and take seriously. Many of the parents of those kids have asked since Sunday what they should say to their children about my conduct. I don’t have the perfect answer, but I think one thing they can say is how I handled myself the other day is an example of how not to conduct yourself. I displayed poor sportsmanship.  And those parents can also say that when you act like that, there are consequences. And I hope to be an example of somebody who did something wrong and learned from it.

“I owe Coach Coughlin, our coaches and my teammates an apology. They have had to answer for my actions, and that’s not fair to them. How I conduct myself is my responsibility. I let my coaches and teammates down.

“I am blessed and privileged to play the game I love, and I will do all I can to carry myself in a way that honors the game, the NFL, my team, my coaches, all my fans and my family moving forward.”

GIANTS RE-SIGN BRANDON MERIWEATHER…
As reported yesterday, the New York Giants have placed fullback/defensive tackle Nikita Whitlock on season-ending Injured Reserve with a knee injury that he suffered against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. To fill the roster vacancy, the Giants have re-signed safety Brandon Meriweather, who was released by the Giants last week when the team signed defensive tackle Barry Cofield.

The Giants signed Meriweather in August 2015 after injuries hit the safety position hard. Meriweather was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He has played with the Patriots (2007-10), Chicago Bears (2011), and Washington Redskins (2012-14). Meriweather started the first 11 games of this season for the Giants until a knee injury kept him out of two games in December. He accrued 53 tackles, 7 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions.

ODELL BECKHAM VOTED TO PRO BOWL…
Wide receiver Odell Beckham has been voted to the Pro Bowl by coaches, players, and fans for his performance during the 2015 NFL season. Through 14 games this year, Beckham has caught 91 passes for 1,396 yards and 13 touchdowns. Beckham also made the Pro Bowl his rookie season.

Beckham is the only New York Giant selected to the Pro Bowl. Place kick Josh Brown and return specialist Dwayne Harris were both named as first alternates and will get the opportunity to play if a player at their position cannot participate in the game.

NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
WR Dwayne Harris (shoulder), DT Markus Kuhn (knee), LB Devon Kennard (foot), and S Cooper Taylor (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday.

RB Orleans Darkwa (illness), DE George Selvie (concussion), and LB James Morris (quad) practiced on a limited basis.

TOM COUGHLIN AND THE COORDINATORS 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…
The following transcripts and video of player media sessions on Wednesday are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The Giants practice on Thursday and hold physical recovery cycles on Friday in advance of Sunday’s away game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Nov 272015
 


[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
TE Larry Donnell (neck), LG Justin Pugh (concussion), and LB Mark Herzlich (quad) have officially been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins. OC Weston Richburg (ankle) is listed as “doubtful” for the game.

NJ.com is reporting that an MRI taken on Donnell’s neck on Wednesday did not reveal any serious long-term damage, but Donnell is still likely to miss at least four games and possibly the remainder of the regular-season.

“It’s in pretty rough shape,” Donnell said. “It’s going to be a while before I’m able to play again…There’s a chance I could play again this season, but this is not an arm, not a foot. This is my neck. I’ve broken arms, broken legs and I knew they were broken. This is a neck, so we just have to be really careful.”

“The fact is (Donnell is) not where they want him to be when they would give him the green light, so he’s not ready to go,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “(Putting him on season-ending Injured Reserve is) something that would be determined as we go along.”

Regarding Richburg, who practiced on Wednesday but not on Thursday, Coughlin said, “There was no re-injury, obviously he had a few snaps the day before and it didn’t work out.”

LB J.T. Thomas (ankle) is “questionable” for the game.

OG Geoff Schwartz (ankle), DE Damontre Moore (hamstring), LB Uani ‘Unga (neck),  CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral), and CB Leon McFadden (groin) are “probable” for the game.

TOM COUGHLIN AND THE COORDINATORS 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…
The Giants will have a 45-minute, up-tempo “walk-thru” practice on Saturday that is not open to the media. The Giants play the Washington Redskins in Maryland on Sunday.

Nov 252015
 
Larry Donnell, New York Giants (October 11, 2015)

Larry Donnell – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

QUINCY MONK PASSES AWAY…
Former New York Giants linebacker Quincy Monk (2002-03), who was drafted by the team in the 7th round of the 2002 NFL Draft, has passed away at the age of 36 due to cancer (adenocarcinoma). He leaves behind a wife and two children.

NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
TE Larry Donnell (neck), LG Justin Pugh (concussion), and LB Mark Herzlich (quad) did not practice on Wednesday.

Pugh is still experiencing concussion-like symptoms 17 days after he was injured against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 8th. Head Coach Tom Coughlin said that Pugh has improved “very little.”

The situation with Donnell is also sounding more serious. Donnell said on Monday that he was cleared to return to practice. “(Donnell) continues to have the issues,” said Coughlin.

“It’s not looking good,” said Donnell. “Monday, I was fine. I was out there running, jumping around. I felt good, but I had more tests to get cleared yesterday and they found something else. So I’ve got to go talk to them about it and see what’s going on…I feel fine now, but I mean obviously something is wrong, so we’ve just got to figure it out and see what the process is…We’ve got to make sure everything’s OK in there. That’s more than football you’re talking about, when it’s your neck.”

OC Weston Richburg (ankle) and LB J.T. Thomas (ankle) practiced on a limited basis.

“(Richburg) going to be limited and we’ll see,” said Coughlin before practice. “We expect to hope to have him take a limited number of snaps but take some snaps, and we’ll see.”

OG Geoff Schwartz (ankle), DE Damontre Moore (hamstring), LB Uani ‘Unga (neck),  CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral), and CB Leon McFadden (groin) fully practiced.

HEAD COACH TOM COUGHLIN…
The transcript of Tom Coughlin’s press conference on Wednesday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available at Giants.com.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
The following transcripts and video of player media sessions on Wednesday are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The Giants practice on Thursday and hold physical recovery cycles on Friday in advance of Sunday’s away game against the Washington Redskins.

Nov 232015
 


[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT…
OC Weston Richburg (high ankle sprain), LG Justin Pugh (concussion protocol), and DE Damontre Moore (hamstring) did not practice on Monday.

“I’m trying to get back as soon as I can,” said Richburg. “It all depends on how the ankle takes the rehab. I just have to stay after it this week, and try and be back as soon as I can. I’d like to be back as soon as possible. The sooner I get this thing moving, the better.”

“(Pugh) won’t be able to do anything until he meets all the conditions (of the concussion protocol),” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

TE Larry Donnell (neck), LB J.T. Thomas (ankle), LB Uani ‘Unga (neck), and CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral) returned to practice.

“I feel like I’m ready to play four quarters of a football game,” said Amukamara. “I feel 100 percent. I feel ready to go.”

TRAMAIN JACOBS SIGNED TO PRACTICE SQUAD…
The New York Giants have re-signed cornerback Tramain Jacobs to the Practice Squad. The Giants signed Jacobs to the Practice Squad in September, promoted him to the 53-man roster on November 7, and waived him on November 16. He played against the Buccaneers and Patriots. Jacobs was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Baltimore Ravens after the 2014 NFL Draft. The Ravens waived Jacobs in August 2015.

HEAD COACH TOM COUGHLIN…
The transcript of Tom Coughlin’s press conference on Monday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available at Giants.com.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
The following transcripts and video of player media sessions on Monday are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:

ARTICLES…

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The players are off Tuesday and return to practice on Wednesday to start preparing for Sunday’s away game against the Washington Redskins.