Apr 142014
 
Matt Flynn, Green Bay Packers (December 22, 2013)

Matt Flynn – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Matt Flynn and Josh Freeman to Visit Giants on Tuesday: According to multiple press reports, unrestricted free agent quarterbacks Matt Flynn (Green Bay Packers) and Josh Freeman (Minnesota Vikings) will visit the New York Giants on Tuesday.

As we previously reported, the Giants are most likely looking for a veteran quarterback to help carry the workload during the team’s ten Organized Team Activity (OTA) workouts from May 28 to June 13 as well the mandatory mini-camp on June 17-19. Quarterback Eli Manning may be out of action until the start of summer training camp in late July, recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle.

Articles on the 2014 New York Giants:

Article on the New York Giants and the 2014 NFL Draft: Giants draft 2014: Analyzing general manager Jerry Reese’s tendencies by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on the New York Giants and the 2009 NFL Draft: Giants’ last five drafts: 2009 by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on the New York Giants Offensive Line: How will Giants piece together O-Line? by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Article on WR Mario Manningham: Manningham returns feeling tested by Kevin Connelly of Vindy.com

Article on DE Robert Ayers: Giants roster 2014: What’s the difference between Justin Tuck and Robert Ayers? by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Article on New York Giants and Post-Football Career Planning: Josh Brown plans early for life after NFL by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

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 Monday is available at Giants.com. Eric joins the show at the midway point of the broadcast.

Apr 062014
 
Rusty Smith, Tennessee Titans (August 17, 2013)

Rusty Smith – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Quarterback Rusty Smith Visits Giants: According to the National Football Post and New York Daily News, unrestricted free agent quarterback Rusty Smith (Tennessee Titans) worked out for the New York Giants on Friday. The 27-year old Smith was drafted by the Titans in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic University.

In four seasons with the Titans, Smith has only been active three times with one start his rookie season. He has completed 23-of-45 passes for 234 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions (29.3 quarterback rating). Smith has very good size (6’5”, 226 pounds) and a strong arm.

Robert Ayers Admires Justin Tuck: Recently signed unrestricted free agent defensive end Robert Ayers (Denver Broncos) says he admires the man he is possibly replacing: defensive end Justin Tuck, who signed with the Oakland Raiders earlier this offseason.

“Justin Tuck was kind of a guy that I idolized for a lot of my career throughout college and even in the NFL,” Ayers said on a SiriusXM Radio on Saturday. “I felt like I could play the same way and be that type of guy.”

Like Tuck, the Broncos have moved Ayers around the defensive line, playing both end spots and sometimes moving inside at defensive tackle in certain situations. Unlike Tuck, the Broncos also played Ayers at linebacker for two seasons.

“(The Giants) didn’t have to sell me too much on (their) scheme,” said Ayers. “The opportunity was there and I felt I could take advantage of it.”

Ayers will wear Tuck’s old jersey number – 91 – the same number he wore in Denver.

Ayers said he received interest from the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys in free agency.

“I feel like (the Giants were) a perfect fit,” said Ayers.

Ayers is also glad he is joining ex-Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, receiver returner Trindon Holliday, and center J.D. Walton.

“That’s gonna be huge to have some familiar faces come to New York with me,” said Ayers, “and they were some of the top players on the team.”

Quotes: Antrel Rolle on all of the new free agents the Giants have signed: “(The offseason has) been very explosive. We added some key guys to our program that can definitely help us out and help us win and contribute right away to our plan that we have going on for the 2014 season.”

Apr 032014
 
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants (March 26, 2014)

Tom Coughlin – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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New York Giants Offseason Workout Program Schedule Set: The dates for the New York Giants offseason program schedule have been announced:

  • April 21: Start of the offseason program.
  • May 28-30: Organized Team Activity (OTA) workouts.
  • June 2-3: OTA workouts.
  • June 5: OTA workout.
  • June 9-10: OTA workouts.
  • June 12-13: OTA workouts.
  • June 17-19: Mandatory, full-team mini-camp.

The Giants will not hold a rookie mini-camp this year because the 2014 NFL Draft is three weeks later than usual.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), each club’s official, voluntary nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases:

  1. Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.
  2. Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual player instruction and drills as well as team practice conducted on a “separates” basis. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
  3. Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of OTA workouts. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

Giants.com Q&A With Head Coach Tom Coughlin: A lengthy Q&A session with Head Coach Tom Coughlin is available at Giants.com. Some key points of note:

  • Coughlin on assimilating so many new faces: “Absolutely, it is (a challenge). You’ve got a big part of our football team that has not been through our routine, the way we do things, the presentation of our values and our principles, what we believe in, how we work, how we practice, how they are  to come to work. So we have a lot of basic, fundamental teaching to do. It is definitely a year of transition, no doubt.”
  • Coughlin on the impact all these new faces will have on the team’s culture: “The culture’s going to change, too. The culture will change. Now, the principles and the values will not change, but how we go about our business has to change, because we have so many new people that have to be integrated into the system.”
  • Coughlin on what WR Trindon Holliday brings to the return game: “If we can get somebody who gives us a little bit of the spectacular – I mean, when you sit down and talk about this guy’s track speeds, are you serious? He runs 100 meters in 9.98 (seconds) or whatever the heck he ran. It’s fun to think about. Go ahead, outkick the coverage, please do. Not only for kickoff returns, but for punt returns. What it would mean to us to have some field position, a short field all of a sudden, and take care of the football, play good defense, get turnovers for us on that side of the ball, not beat ourselves, how about that one for a theme? That would be a very nice thing.”
  • Coughlin on RB Rashad Jennings: “I think he’s an all-around back. Whatever question I asked when I was looking at the tape got answered. In other words, he went 80 (yards for a touchdown last season for Oakland in a game at Houston). Is he fast enough? He goes 80. Does he catch it out of the backfield? Yes. Does he run the screens well? Yes. How is he from scrimmage as a runner? Good. First and second down, can he play on third down? Yes, he can. What does he need? Well, he’s 230 pounds with a great attitude. He needs a little work on his pass protection, but I think we can get that done. I think he’s an all-purpose guy that fits us very, very well.”
  • Coughlin on RB David Wilson: “All in due time with David. Just pray, you’re praying that he has a return to excellent health and that the doctors are totally convinced that he is recovered and ready to go. When that time comes, you’ll have another contributor who, if he gets a step, he’s gone…I’m counting on him, but I am not going to put him in any circumstance until it’s an absolute that he’s 100 percent. I’m not going to mess with that one.”
  • Coughlin on WR Mario Manningham: “It was exciting and fun to talk to him, because he’s so pleased to be back. He is more mature, physically and otherwise. He wants to be here, he wants to help us win. He’s more appreciative of his first tenure here and he certainly wants to make it even more productive this next time back – even for a guy who will go down in history as having made one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history.”
  • Coughlin on DE Robert Ayers: “Sure, he can (play strongside). He’s played right, he’s played left, he’s played inside on third down, he’s played in a lot of spots. He’s a powerful player. He’ll be very, very good against the run. I really, quite frankly  don’t think there are any tight ends that will block him. He’s really got exceptional hand position, does a nice job with that, and he can be used in a versatile manner and he has consistent effort. He’s got the hunger and the desire and he’ll make up for a lot with hustle.”
  • Coughlin on the impact of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo: “I’ve been in the same system since 1988. We have incorporated whatever we can from our system that we’ve always had here, but there’s a lot of new terminology. There will be lots of new teaching just in terms of the way in which it’s presented, which will force people to study and to learn and to be anxious. When the huddle breaks you’ve got to go do it. They’re going to have to learn it to be able to do it. The plays will become familiar to them once they recognize what the responsibility is. You have to be able to talk it, discuss it and communicate. That’s different.”

Giants.com Interview with DE Robert Ayers: The video of Wednesday’s Giants.com interview with defensive end Robert Ayers is available at Giants.com.

Articles on the New York Giants and 2014 NFL Free Agency:

Apr 022014
 
Robert Ayers, Denver Broncos (October 20, 2013)

Robert Ayers – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants Sign Defensive End Robert Ayers: The New York Giants announced on Wednesday that they have officially signed unrestricted free agent defensive end Robert Ayers (Denver Broncos). The deal is reportedly a 2-year, $4 million contract with $1.75 million guaranteed.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me, coming to a great organization like this,” Ayers said. “They hate losing and they’re always about getting better and preparing and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the general manager and the owners, the coaches. Everyone speaks highly of them across the league. They’re a blue-collar organization, and I’m looking forward to being part of that. I left the Denver Broncos, who were a good organization, and I feel like I’m going to just as good or better of an organization. It’s going to be good to come here and be with leaders like Jon Beason and Antrel Rolle and Eli (Manning). It’s going to be a good experience for me, and hopefully I can help this team win.”

The Giants have also signed CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, OC J.D. Walton, and WR/Returner Trindon Holliday from the Broncos this offseason.

“It definitely helps to be here with familiar faces,” said Ayers. “You kind of blend in together and find your niche and link up with guys of your liking and similarities. From what I hear, it’s a great group of defensive linemen, so I’m looking forward to meeting those guys. It’s going to be good for all of us. There’s a lot of leadership on the defense. Hopefully we can establish ourselves as leaders, too.”

BBI scouting report on Ayers:

The Giants signed Robert Ayers as an unrestricted free agent from the Denver Broncos in April 2014. Ayers was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL by the Broncos. In five seasons with the Broncos, Ayers has played in 72 regular-season games with 27 starts. In 2013, he played in 15 games with three starts and finished the season with 29 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Ayers never lived up to his lofty draft status in Denver. For two seasons (2009-10), he was miscast as a linebacker. Ayers has good size for a defensive end and is a decent run defender. He has flashed at times as a pass rusher, but he only has 12 career sacks. Versatile, Ayers can move inside in pass rush situations and he has experience playing in a 2-point stance given his experience at linebacker.

Ayers talked about his ability to play multiple positions. “That’s something I was able to do in Denver, something I brought to the team,” Ayers said. “I’m able to play most of the positions, whether it was right defensive end, left defensive end, inside guy. I’ve done a lot of move-around, floating type stuff. I think that’s one of the things that the Giants saw that I could do, play a lot of different things. I’ve played a lot of different positions in my five-year career. I don’t know if they’re keeping me doing that or if they want me to lock in and solidify one role. I don’t know, but whatever it is, I’m looking forward to doing it.”

Ayers is a Jersey City native.

“It’s going to be good to be able to play closer to family,” Ayers said. “The last five years were in Denver, they didn’t really get to see me play much other than on T.V. The next few years it’ll be good for them to be able to see me play and a good experience for me to have to share this time of my career with them.

“My grandma, most of my aunts, my uncles, most of my cousins are here, and then the ones that aren’t in Jersey City, they’re kind of scattered around the state. Some are in Pennsylvania, some in New York from my dad and my mom’s side. They’re all pretty much on the east coast and then there are some in Virginia. Pretty much everyone’s on this side of the tri-state area.”

“Whenever you’re with a good organization, there’s always a sense of wanting to be there,” said Ayers. “I was (in Denver) for five years and gained a lot of friends in the community, knew a lot of people, became close with guys on the team, my wife got close with the wives of players, so it was a tough situation to leave. I understand the business and also I was looking for an opportunity to come in and maximize my ability. I feel like the Giants gave me a better opportunity to do that than in Denver. I’m very happy to be here. I’m ready to put Denver in the past and move forward with the Giants. I’m looking forward to it and I’m very excited.”

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

Ayers is the thirteenth veteran unrestricted free agent the Giants have signed this offseason. Ayers will wear #91 – Justin Tuck’s old number.

Apr 012014
 
Robert Ayers, Denver Broncos (September 15, 2013)

Robert Ayers Pressures Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

DE Robert Ayers Visits the New York Giants: According to the National Football Post, unrestricted free agent defensive end Robert Ayers (Denver Broncos) visited the New York Giants today.

The 28-year old Ayers, a New Jersey native, was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL by the Broncos. While Ayers has never lived up to his lofty draft status, in five seasons he has played in 72 regular-season games with 27 starts. He played in 15 regular-season games with three starts in 2013, finishing the season with 29 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. At 6-3, 274 pounds, Ayers is a steady run defender but he only has 12 career sacks.

Ayers has also drawn interest from the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mar 142014
 
Jon Beason, New York Giants (October 10, 2013)

Jon Beason – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Jon Beason and Henry Hynoski Officially Re-Signed: The New York Giants officially confirmed that unrestricted free agents linebacker Jon Beason and fullback Henry Hynoski have re-signed. Beason reportedly signed a 3-year, $19 million deal with $7 million guaranteed. Hynoski reportedly signed a 1-year, $1 million contract.

“You know how when you pick up a good book and it’s good because they develop a character and there’s always some type of turmoil, something bad happens,” Beason said. “And then the character has to come out and overcome it and then it’s like, ‘Man, that was a really good read.’ For me, I think it just made my career story better, having to overcome some things. You come out, you get drafted high, you start making Pro Bowls and become the highest-paid player, all-pro and all that stuff. That’s a boring book. For me, I feel like it’s prepared me for what’s still to come. If you’re going to lead men, especially at this level, you have to be battle-tested.

“You go through some stuff, you feel like you’re getting dragged through the mud and all of a sudden you just keep fighting, fighting and then you come out clean on the other side. For me, a fresh start was great. But obviously I know who I am and what I’ve already accomplished, so why can’t I continue to do that? I feel like I’m just scratching the surface. I really feel like that. To get a chance to have a great offseason, train and get in good shape to where you can play consistently at a high level is what I’m looking forward to.

“I think what we were able to build last year in a short period of time was scary. I’m a big fan of building camaraderie and sweating with the guys in the offseason, that’s where you build those championships and we missed that – well, I missed that because I came in early in the season. But for me, at this point, I know we have that coming up in April, get out there and earn the right to be a champ. It’s going to be big this year.

“I think when you talk about leadership, obviously your peers pick the captain or the person they choose to lead. There are guys that have done a great job, but the hardest part is being consistent at it. If you’re going to stand up there and say something or you’re going to represent something, or you’re going to be an example of something, I think you have to do it every day. Because as soon as you’re not, as soon as you don’t do it, there’s a chink in your armor and now guys aren’t following you anymore because you’re a façade, you’re not for real.

“Everyone’s going to have to pick up the slack because (Justin) Tuck was such an amazing leader, a guy who demanded respect right when he walked into the room. That’s the way I felt about him from the outside looking in and then obviously getting the chance to get to play with him, that was evident. For me, I just want to continue to try and be consistent. I think when you’re consistent, people follow that.

“I think anytime you get derailed with an injury, it’s not your fault. That wasn’t part of the story, but it happens. Anytime you have a setback, it’s a chance to come back and do something great. For me, you stay who you are and you know when you’re healthy you can be as good as anybody. You go out there, you play well, but that was just scratching the surface. I feel like I can be scary good this year and as a team, especially as a defense, we could be really good.”

Hynoski had an injury-plagued 2013. In May at the team’s first Organized Team Activity (OTA) workout, Hynoski suffered an injury to his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and a chip fracture to the lateral plateau in his left knee that required surgery. He returned in time for the regular-season opener, but suffered a shoulder injury in Week 3 that required surgery and ended his season as he was placed on Injured Reserve.

“I’m finally 100 percent healthy now,” Hynoski said. “I’m ready to go. I’m just extremely anxious to get back on the field. It was a humbling year.”

“The first game (last season) I was really rusty, the second I started getting back and that third game was when I started feeling good again, back to my old self,” Hynoski said. “And then the shoulder happened, unfortunately. But that’s part of the game. It’s the stuff you have to live with. These things happen, it’s just a matter of how you respond to it. I use it as motivation, use it in my workouts, everything, all of that anger and frustration – I used it in rehab and training to get back. I think it’s going to make me a better player because of it.

“It was tough to sit back and watch your team, especially when you know you could help in certain areas. I’m just looking forward. That whole time I was going through all of this, it was just motivation, it just fueled the fire and made me more hungry. I think it’s all going to transfer over to this season and we’ll have a great year ahead of us.”

Hynoski will have to compete for a roster spot with fullback John Conner, who was signed when the Giants lost Hynoski to injury.

“There’s competition all over the NFL,” Hynoski said. “That brings the best out of all of the players. It brings the best out of you when you’re competing against somebody else. I’m just looking forward to working with him and working together and getting better at the same time.”

“This is where I want to be,” Hynoski said. “Don’t get me wrong, Detroit was a great place. I really enjoyed the people I met and the visit out there, but this is home for me. This is where I was comfortable and luckily everything worked out. The Giants had a mutual feeling, the same feeling I had about them. They wanted me back, I wanted to be back here and I’m glad it worked out.

“This is a very special place for me, just the way the fans embraced me. I’m very grateful the coaches, the front office all the way from the ownership down have been 100 percent class, one of the best organizations in the NFL, the best organization in the NFL. I’m just very honored and proud to be part of it again.”

For more from Beason and Hynoski, see these Giants.com interviews:

March 14, 2014 New York Giants Free Agent News and Rumors: Here is the latest on the free agent front:

  • RavensInsider is reporting that unrestricted free agent (UFA) offensive guard/tackle Bruce Campbell, who was waived/injured by the Carolina Panthers in August 2013, visited the Giants on Thursday. Campbell had signed a contract with the Washington Redskins on Wednesday, but failed their physical.
  • The New York Daily News is reporting that the Giants may be interested in unrestricted free agent defensive end Robert Ayers (Denver Broncos).
  • The Star-Ledger is reporting that unrestricted free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Denver Broncos) will visit the Giants after visiting the Jets.
  • UFA tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who the Giants were rumored to be interested in, re-signed with the Detroit Lions.
  • UFA center Evan Dietrich-Smith (Green Bay Packers), who the Giants were rumored to be interested in, has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Details on J.D. Walton’s Contract: According to FOXSports.com, the contact signed between the Giants and unrestricted free agent center J.D. Walton (Washington Redskins) was a 2-year, $5 million deal with $3 million in guaranteed money. Contract details for most of the free agents signed are available in the 2014 Free Agency Scorecard section of the website.

For more information on what the Giants have spent, see A look at some of the Giants’ new deals by Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News.

ESPN Radio Interview with OG Geoff Schwartz: The audio of Friday’s ESPN Radio interview with offensive guard Geoff Schwartz is available at ESPN.com

ESPN Radio Interview with DE Justin Tuck: The audio of Friday’s ESPN Radio interview with defensive end Justin Tuck is available at ESPN.com

Articles on Former Giants Defensive End Justin Tuck: