Orleans Darkwa Re-Signed; Giants Interested in Rhett Ellison

 Posted by
Mar 092017
 
Orleans Darkwa, New York Giants (November 8, 2015)

Orleans Darkwa – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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NEW YORK GIANTS RE-SIGN ORLEANS DARKWA…
Newsday is reporting that the New York Giants have re-signed free agent running back Orleans Darkwa to a one-year contract. Darkwa was eligible to be a restricted free agent but the Giants chose not to tender him at the $1.797 million original-round level. This in effect made him an unrestricted free agent and allowed the Giants to re-sign him for a cheaper amount.

Darkwa was placed on Injured Reserve in November 2016 with a lower leg injury. Darkwa played in 10 games with two starts for the Giants in 2016. He carries the ball 30 times for 111 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 12 yards.

Darkwa was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as a rookie free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in four games in September before being waived in October and signed to the team’s Practice Squad. The Giants signed him off of Miami’s Practice Squad in November 2014. In 2015 with the Giants, Darkwa carried the ball 36 times for 153 yards and one touchdown.

NEW YORK GIANTS INTERESTED IN RHETT ELLISON…
The NFL Network is reporting that the New York Giants are interested in unrestricted free agent fullback/tight end/H-Back Rhett Ellison (Minnesota Vikings).

The 28-year old Ellison was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Vikings. In five NFL seasons, Ellison has played in 73 regular-season games with 41 starts. He has 51 career receptions for 515 yards and three touchdowns. Ellison suffered a serious patellar tendon injury in Week 17 of 2015. He returned in 2016, but only caught nine passes for 57 yards. Ellison has good size (6’5”, 250 pounds) and is a good blocker. Lacking speed and quickness, he is not much of a threat as a receiver. Ellison is a good special teams player.

REPORT – GIANTS AND JASON-PIERRE-PAUL NOT CLOSE ON NEW DEAL…
ESPN is reporting that the New York Giants and franchise-player defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul are not close on a new, long-term deal. Pierre-Paul’s franchise tender is currently taking up $16.934 million of the 2017 salary cap.

TERRELL MCCLAIN SIGNS WITH WASHINGTON REDSKINS…
Unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Terrell McClain (Dallas Cowboys) has signed a 4-year, $21 million contract with the Washington Redskins. The New York Giants were reported to have some interest in McClain.

BRANDON MARSHALL ON ESPN RADIO…
The audio of Thursday’s ESPN Radio interview of New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall is available at ESPN.com.

ARTICLES…

Giants Interested in Brandon Williams and Terrell McClain

 Posted by
Mar 082017
 
Brandon Williams, Baltimore Ravens (September 25, 2016)

Brandon Williams – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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GIANTS INTERESTED IN BRANDON WILLIAMS AND TERRELL MCCLAIN…
According to media reports, the New York Giants have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent defensive tackles Brandon Williams (Baltimore Ravens) and Terrell McClain (Dallas Cowboys). The Baltimore Sun is reporting the team’s interest in Williams, while First Coast News is reporting the Giants interest in McClain.

If the reports are accurate, the Giants could be using this interest as leverage against unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. Or the Giants may know that they will not be able to re-sign Hankins.

The 28-year old Williams was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Ravens. He has started all but two regular-season games in the last three seasons. Last season, Williams accrued 51 tackles and one sack. Williams lacks ideal height (6’1”), but he mammoth (340 pounds) and considered one of the very best run-stuffing nose tackles in the NFL. Williams is not much of a pass rusher (4.5 career sacks).

The 28-year old McClain was originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. He has played for the Panthers (2011), New England Patriots (2012), Houston Texans (2012-2013), and Dallas Cowboys (2014-2016). In six NFL seasons, McClain has played in 62 regular-season games with 27 starts. In 2016, he started 15 regular-season games and finished the year with 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. McClain lacks ideal size (6’2”, 302 pounds) but he was a disruptive player against the run and the pass in 2016. McClain has been injury prone.

ARTICLES…