Mar 092017
 
Robbie Gould, New York Giants (November 6, 2016)

Robbie Gould – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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ROBBIE GOULD SIGNS WITH SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS…
The San Francisco 49ers have signed New York Giants unrestricted free agent place kicker Robbie Gould to a 2-year contract.

The Giants signed Gould in October 2016 after the team parted ways with Josh Brown. Gould played in 10 regular-season games and finished the year a perfect 10-for-10 on field goal attempts, with a long kick of 47 yards. Forty-four percent of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.

Gould was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New England Patriots after the 2005 NFL Draft. After brief stints with the Patriots and Ravens, Gould signed with the Chicago Bears in October 2005. He played 11 seasons with the Bears (2005-2015).

The only place kicker currently on the roster is Aldrick Rosas, who was signed by the Giants to a reserve/future contract in January 2017. Rosas was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Tennessee Titans after the 2016 NFL Draft. The Titans cut Rosas in early September before the season started. Rosas is a strong-legged kicker who made 25 of his 32 field goal attempts during his college career. Over half of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.

RUSSELL OKUNG SIGNS WITH THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS…
Unrestricted free agent offensive tackle Russell Okung (Denver Broncos) has signed a 4-year, $53 million contract with the San Diego Chargers. The New York Giants were reported to have some interest in Okung.

Mar 042017
 
Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks (October 22, 2015)

Russell Okung – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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REPORT – GIANTS INTERESTED IN RUSSELL OKUNG AGAIN…
The Washington Post is reporting that the New York Giants have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent Russell Okung (Denver Broncos), along with the New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers, and Minnesota Vikings. The Giants also pursued Okung last year in free agency.

The 29-year old Okung was originally drafted in the 1st round (6th overall pick) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and signed by the Broncos as a free agent last year to a 5-year contract. Denver chose not to pick up his option after an inconsistent season.

In seven NFL seasons, Okung has started all 88 regular-season games that he played in. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012. However, 2016 was the first year he played a full 16-game schedule, having missed 24 regular-season games due to injuries: high ankle sprains in both ankles in 2010, a torn right pectoral muscle in 2011, a toe injury that caused him to miss half of the 2013 season, a bruised lung in 2014, and ankle and calf injuries in 2015. Okung also needed left shoulder surgery to repair a dislocation suffered in the 2015 playoffs. Okung combines excellent size and overall athleticism. Although, he really has not played at an elite level since the 2012 season, Okung is still considered one of the more solid all-around tackles in the game as both a run and pass blocker.

ARTICLES…

Feb 242017
 
Zak DeOssie, New York Giants (August 12, 2016)

Zak DeOssie – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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NEW YORK GIANTS RE-SIGN ZAK DEOSSIE…
The New York Giants have re-signed long-snapper Zak DeOssie to a 2-year contract. DeOssie was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when free agency begins on March 7th. DeOssie is the team’s second longest-tenured player behind quarterback Eli Manning. He also has been voted Giants special teams captain for each of the last six seasons.

“In theory, you could be a free agent, but there’s nowhere else I’d rather play,” DeOssie said. “I knew that from day one when I stepped in here after I got drafted (in 2007). I’m very fortunate to still be here and contribute in any way possible.”

The 32-year old DeOssie is one of the NFL’s most consistent long snappers, being voted to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and 2010. DeOssie was drafted as a linebacker by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He is now strictly a special teams player. In his 10 NFL seasons, DeOssie has only missed four games (all in 2015 with a wrist injury). Aside from his long snapping duties, DeOssie also excels in punt coverage.

Manning and DeOssie are the only two Giants under contract remaining from each of the last two Super Bowl teams. “It’s certainly weird,” DeOssie said. “The last few years I’ve been going through that transformation. There’s no denying I’m one of the oldest on the team. It was weird at first, but now I absolutely love it. I enjoy being with these young men and watching them grow, and also learning from them and growing myself.

“(2016) was one of the most enjoyable years. Obviously, the Super Bowl years were fantastic. But having accumulated so many years, and coming back off that injury and enjoying a little bit of success, it allowed me to truly appreciate the opportunity I have to play for such an incredible organization, and also with such incredible teammates.

“It means the world to me to have played here this long. When you’re young you can hope and dream. Now I’ll take whatever I can get and enjoy the ride while it lasts. My dad played for 12 years for four different teams. So hopefully, I can get to 12 someday, and hopefully beat him.”

For a complete list of Giants free agents, see the New York Giants 2017 Free Agency Scorecard section of the website.

NO COMPENSATORY PICKS FOR NEW YORK GIANTS…
As expected, the New York Giants did not receive any compensatory draft picks for 2016 free agent losses. Under league rules, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.

NEW YORK GIANTS PICK 10 SPOTS LOWER IN 4TH ROUND…
As reported in December, the NFL penalized the New York Giants for “illegally” using walkie-talkies during the December 11th game against the Dallas Cowboys. Head Coach Ben McAdoo used a walkie-talkie to communicate with quarterback Eli Manning for five plays when the regular head-set communication system broke down.

At that time in December, as a penalty, the NFL decided to move the Giants 4th-round pick to the end of the round, following any compensatory picks (but no more than 12 spots below where their pick would have been). The Giants were also fined $150,000 and Ben McAdoo was personally fined $50,000.

With the announcement of the compensatory picks, the Giants will now pick 10 spots lower in the 4th round, moving from 130 overall to 140.

ARTICLES…

Mar 172016
 
Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks (October 22, 2015)

Russell Okung – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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RUSSELL OKUNG AND DONALD PENN SIGN ELSEWHERE…
The New York Giants are interested in improving their offensive line, but two players who they have expressed interest in have signed with other teams.

Unrestricted free agent offensive tackle Russell Okung (Seattle Seahawks) has signed a 5-year deal with the Denver Broncos. The contract reportedly averages $10.6 million per season. The 28-year old Okung, who is representing himself in contract negotiations, met with the Giants last Friday.

Unrestricted free agent offensive tackle Donald Penn (Oakland Raiders) has re-signed with the Raiders. The contract was reportedly a 2-year, $14 million deal. The 32-year old Penn was scheduled to visit the Giants this week, but it appears he was using the Giants as leverage in his contract negotiations with the Raiders.

ARTICLES…

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

Rueben Randle – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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

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

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

ARTICLES…

Mar 122016
 
Donald Penn, Oakland Raiders (December 6, 2015)

Donald Penn – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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MARCH 12, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS FREE AGENT NEWS AND RUMORS…
The official NFL free agency signing period began on Wednesday. Here is the latest news and rumors regarding the New York Giants:

  • The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the New York Giants have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent offensive tackle Donald Penn (Oakland Raiders). The Seahawks and Raiders are also said to be interested in his services. The 32-year old Penn was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Minnesota Vikings after the 2006 NFL Draft. He has played for the Vikings (2006), Buccaneers (2006-2013), and Raiders (2014-2015). For the past eight seasons, Penn has not missed a game and been a starter in every contest. He’s a very solid pass protector at left tackle.
  • ESPN reports that the New York Giants remain interested in unrestricted free agent left tackle Russell Okung (Seattle Seahawks). Okung visited the Giants on Friday and the Detroit Lions on Saturday, but left without a contract. NFL.com is now reporting that he will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers next. The Seahawks and 49ers are also said to be interested in his services. Okung is representing himself in contract negotiations. The 28-year old Okung was originally drafted in the 1st round (6th overall pick) of the 2010 NFL Draft. Okung needed left shoulder surgery to repair a dislocation suffered in the 2015 playoffs and reportedly is still recovering from that procedure.
  • FOXSports out of Indianapolis had reported that the New York Giants expressed interest in unrestricted free agent linebacker Jerrell Freeman (Indianapolis Colts), but Freeman signed with the Chicago Bears on Saturday.
  • NJ.com reports the New York Giants had some interest in unrestricted free agent guard Jeff Allen (Kansas City Chiefs), but Allen signed with the Houston Texans.
Mar 112016
 

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PRINCE AMUKAMARA SIGNS WITH JAGUARS…
New York Giants unrestricted free agent cornerback Prince Amukamara has signed a 1-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Financial terms of the deal are not yet known.

The 26-year old Amukamara was drafted in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. In his five seasons with the team, he has stayed healthy for a full 16-game schedule just once (2013). He missed most of his rookie season with a broken foot, battled high ankle sprain and hamstring injuries in 2012, and missed half of the 2014 season with a torn biceps muscle.

Amukamara was off to a strong start in 2015 until he tore his pectoral muscle in Week 5. He missed the next five games, and when he returned, Amukamara did not play as effectively. He played in 11 games with 10 starts, and finished the season with 63 tackles, 10 pass defenses, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble.

ROBERT AYERS SIGNS WITH BUCCANEERS…
New York Giants unrestricted free agent defensive end Robert Ayers has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The contract is reportedly a 3-year, $21 million deal that includes $10.5 million in guaranteed money.

The 30-year old Ayers was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL by the Broncos. He signed with the Giants as a free agent in April 2014. In his first year with the Giants in 2014, Ayers started 1-of-12 games before being placed on Injured Reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. Despite missing four games early in the season with a hamstring injury, Ayers had his best NFL season in 2015, starting 11-of-12 games and finishing with career highs in tackles (41), sacks (9.5), pass defenses (4), and forced fumbles (2).

MARCH 11, 2016 NEW YORK GIANTS FREE AGENT NEWS AND RUMORS…
The official NFL free agency signing period began on Wednesday. Here is the latest news and rumors regarding the New York Giants:

  • Multiple media sources report unrestricted free agent left tackle Russell Okung (Seattle Seahawks) visited the New York Giants on Friday, but left without a contract. He will next meet with the Detroit Lions on Saturday. The Seahawks and 49ers are also said to be interested in his services. Okung is representing himself in contract negotiations. The 28-year old Okung was originally drafted in the 1st round (6th overall pick) of the 2010 NFL Draft. Okung needed left shoulder surgery to repair a dislocation suffered in the 2015 playoffs and reportedly is still recovering from that procedure.
  • The NFL Network is reporting that the New York Giants are one of three teams “in the mix” for the services of unrestricted free agent safety Chris Conte (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The other two teams are the Buccaneers and Saints. The 27-year old Conte was originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He signed with the Buccaneers in March 2015. In his five NFL seasons, Conte has played in 71 regular-season games with 65 starts, including 13 starts in 2015 when he accrued 79 tackles, six pass defenses, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
  • The New York Daily News is reporting that the New York Giants have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent safety Reggie Nelson (Cincinnati Bengals). However, the paper also says the Giants do not consider safety a “high priority”. The 32-year old Nelson was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since 2010, he has played for the Bengals. In 2015, Nelson made the Pro Bowl after starting all 16 regular-season games and finishing with 77 tackles, 14 pass defenses, and eight interceptions.
  • FOXSports out of Indianapolis is reporting that the New York Giants have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent linebacker Jerrell Freeman (Indianapolis Colts). Freeman is meeting with the Chicago Bears on Friday and the Atlanta Falcons are also said to be interested. The 29-year old Freeman was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Tennessee Titans after the 2008 NFL Draft but he did not make the team. Freeman played for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2009-2011 before joining the Colts in 2012. In the last four seasons, Freeman has started all 57 regular-season games he has played in with Indianapolis, including 13 in 2015, when his finished the season with 112 tackles, three sacks, and one interception.

NO COMPENSATORY DRAFT PICKS FOR GIANTS…
As expected, the New York Giants were not awarded any compensatory draft picks for 2015 free agent losses. Compensatory picks are awarded to teams that have lost more qualifying free agents than they gained the previous year in free agency.

ARTICLES…

Mar 102016
 
Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks (October 22, 2015)

Russell Okung – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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The NFL Network is reporting that unrestricted free agent left tackle Russell Okung (Seattle Seahawks) will visit the New York Giants on Friday. If the Giants cannot sign him immediately, he will then reportedly visit the Detroit Lions. Any contract negotiations could be complicated by the fact that Okung is representing himself.

The 28-year old Okung was originally drafted in the 1st round (6th overall pick) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012. In six NFL seasons, Okung has started all 72 regular-season games that he played in. However, he also has never played a full 16-game schedule, having missed 24 regular-season games due to injuries: high ankle sprains on both ankles in 2010, a torn right pectoral muscle in 2011, a toe injury that caused him to miss half of the 2013 season, a bruised lung in 2014, and ankle and calf injuries in 2015. Okung also needed left shoulder surgery to repair a dislocation suffered in the 2015 playoffs and reportedly is still recovering from that procedure. Okung combines excellent size and overall athleticism. Although, he really has not played at an elite level since the 2012 season, Okung is still considered one of the more solid all-around tackles in the game as both a run and pass blocker.