Dec 042023
 
Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (October 15, 2023)

Tyrod Taylor – © USA TODAY Sports

TYROD TAYLOR DESIGNATED FOR RETURN…
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been designated for return off of Injured Reserve. The Giants now have 21 days to either activate him to the 53-man roster or keep him on IR for the rest of the season. Taylor was placed on Injured Reserve in early November with a rib injury he suffered in Week 8 against the New York Jets.

On November 28, the Giants released tight end Tommy Sweeney from the team’s Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List. Sweeney was placed on the NFL in late August after he had suffered an undisclosed medical issue on the sidelines while not practicing during training camp. Sweeney did miss part of the 2020 NFL season with myocarditis. The Giants signed Sweeney as an unrestricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills in March 2023.

On November 30, the Giants signed WR Dylan Drummond to the Practice Squad. To make room for Drummond, the team terminated the Practice Squad contract of OLB Oshane Ximines.

The 23-year old, 6’0”, 186-pound Drummond was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent September-November on the team’s Practice Squad until he was cut on November 29. Drummond was elevated to the 53-man roster for one game in October.

The Giants drafted Ximines in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In five seasons with the Giants, Ximines played in 48 regular-season games with nine starts, accruing 71 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

JALIN HYATT EARNS “ROOKIE OF THE WEEK” HONORS…
On November 30, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was named “Rookie of the Week” for his performance against the New England Patriots in Week 12. In that game, Hyatt caught five passes for 109 yards, including receptions of 41, 29, and 22 yards.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The team returns to practice on Tuesday afternoon. Head Coach Brian Daboll and select players will also address the media.

Aug 292023
 
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants (November 20, 2022)

Wan’Dale Robinson – © USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK GIANTS MAKE 30 MORE ROSTER MOVES…
As with all other NFL teams, the New York Giants reduced their roster to 53 players on Tuesday. The Giants announced the following 30 roster moves on Monday and Tuesday:

Acquired by Trade:

  • DE/OLB Boogie Basham (from Buffalo Bills in exchange for swap of late-round 2025 draft picks)

Activated from the Active/Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List:

  • WR Wan’Dale Robinson (coming off of ACL tear)

Placed on Reserve/PUP List from Active/PUP List:

  • CB Aaron Robinson (coming off of ACL tear) (now out for at least four games)

Waived:

  • QB Tommy DeVito
  • RB Jashaun Corbin
  • WR Kalil Pimpleton
  • TE Ryan Jones
  • OL Tyre Phillips
  • DL Ryder Anderson
  • DL Kobe Smith
  • OLB Tomon Fox
  • OLB Habakkuk Baldonado
  • ILB Darrian Beavers
  • ILB Ray Wilborn
  • ILB Dyontae Johnson
  • CB Gemon Green
  • S Alex Cook
  • LS Cameron Lyons

Contract Terminated (Vested Veteran):

  • WR Cole Beasley
  • WR Jamison Crowder
  • WR David Sills
  • OL Sean Harlow
  • OLB Oshane Ximines
  • CB Amani Oruwariye

Waived/Injured:

  • OL Jack Anderson (calf)
  • OL Wyatt Davis (ankle)
  • CB Zyon Gilbert (hamstring)

Placed on Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List:

  • TE Tommy Sweeney (unknown)

Placed on Season-Ending Injured Reserve:

  • TE Chris Myarick (broken hand)

Contract Terminated from Injured Reserve (Injury Settlement):

  • DL Vernon Butler (unknown)

The 25-year old, 6’3”, 274-pound Basham was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bills. He has played in 23 regular-season games with no starts, accruing 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery. Basham is a powerful hybrid 3-4/4-3 end who has inside-outside versatility. He plays the run well and flashes on the pass rush.

“A young player that has good size,” said Head Coach Brian Daboll of Basham. “He’ll be in the outside linebacker room, and we’ll get him here and start working with him and put him in our system. Our system is a little bit different than Buffalo’s system so we’ll get him out here in the field and (Outside Linebackers Coach) Drew (Wilkins) will start working with him and try to get him up to speed.”

INJURY REPORT…
CB Aaron Robinson (ACL) was placed on the Reserve/Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List from the Active/PUP List. He cannot be activated off of the Reserve/PUP for the first four games of the regular season. TE Tommy Sweeney (unknown) was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List.

RB Gary Brightwell (knee), TE Lawrence Cager (ankle), LB Cam Brown (unknown), CB Cor’Dale Flott (hamstring), S/CB Nick McCloud (groin), S Bobby McCain (concussion), and S Gervarrius Owens (hamstring) did not practice.

DARNAY HOLMES ACCEPTS PAY CUT…
Media sources are reporting that cornerback Darnay Holmes has accepted a pay cut. Holmes was scheduled to earn $2,743,000 in salary in the final year of his contract in 2023.

TEAM CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED…
The following 10 players were voted team captains by the players on the roster:

  • QB Daniel Jones
  • RB Saquon Barkley
  • TE Darren Waller
  • LT Andrew Thomas
  • DL Dexter Lawrence
  • DL Leonard Williams
  • OLB Bobby Okereke
  • CB Adoree’ Jackson
  • S Xavier McKinney
  • PK Graham Gano

HEAD COACH BRIAN DABOLL…
The transcript of Brian Daboll’s press conference on Tuesday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available on YouTube.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The Giants practice on Wednesday afternoon (2:30-4:30PM). Head Coach Brian Daboll and select players will also address the media.

Aug 112023
 
New York Giants (August 11, 2023)

New York Giants – © USA TODAY Sports

DETROIT LIONS 21 – NEW YORK GIANTS 16…
The New York Giants fell to the the Detroit Lions 21-16 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan in the first preseason game for both teams. Both teams sat the bulk of their starters.

The starting offense for the Giants was:

  • QB Tyrod Taylor
  • RB Matt Breida
  • WR Isaiah Hodgins
  • WR Cole Beasley
  • WR Jalin Hyatt
  • TE Daniel Bellinger
  • LT Matt Peart
  • LG Joshua Ezeudu
  • OC John Michael Schmitz Jr.
  • RG Ben Bredeson
  • RT Korey Cunningham

The starting defense for the Giants was:

  • DL Jordon Riley
  • DL Brandin Bryant
  • OLB Tomon Fox
  • OLB Oshane Ximines
  • ILB Carter Coughlin
  • ILB Micah McFadden
  • CB Tre Hawkins
  • CB Deonte Banks
  • Slot CB Darnay Holmes
  • S Jason Pinnock
  • S Dane Belton

The Giants actually led the game 13-3 at halftime due two interceptions and a turnover on downs that gave the team outstanding field position. The second half got away from New York due to a 95-yard punt return and very poor play by their back-up offensive tackles, specifically Korey Cunningham and Wyatt Davis. Detroit did out-gain New York 327 to 216 in total yards, with most of the discrepancy coming in the passing game (230 to 135).

The Lions received the ball to start the game and immediately turned it over when outside linebacker Tomon Fox hit quarterback Nate Sudfeld, forcing a bad throw that was picked off by safety Jason Pinnock near midfield. Pinnock returned the interception 17 yards to the 32-yard line. The Giants could not pick up a first down and settled for a 48-yard field goal by place kicker Graham Gano.

New York’s defense got the ball back again on Detroit’s next possession. The Lions went for it on 4th-and-1 on their own 32-yard line, but Pinnock broke up the pass, causing a turnover on downs. Once again, the Giants’ offense stalled and Graham kicked a 42-yarder, making the score 6-0.

The Lions gained 63 yards on 14 plays on their third drive, setting up a 39-yard field goal to cut the score to 6-3. The Giants then drove 50 yards in 12 plays, but lost a yard on their own 4th-and-1 conversion attempt at the Detroit 18-yard line, turning the ball over on downs.

After both teams exchanged punts, safety Dane Belton intercepted a deep pass from Sudfield at the New York 44-yard line and returned the ball 42 yards to the Detroit 14-yard line. Then on the first play after the turnover, third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito connected on a perfect strike to tight end Tommy Sweeney for the touchdown.

The Lions had the ball one more time before halftime and gained 71 yards down to the New York 4-yard line. However, on 4th-and-4, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott broke up a pass to cause another turnover on downs.

At the break, the Giants led 13-3.

A group of mostly third-teamers could not move the ball for the Giants in the second half. Four straight possessions resulted in a total of two first downs and four punts. Worse, one of those punts resulted in a 95-yard punt return that cut the score to 13-11 after a successful 2-point conversion. Detroit took the lead late in the third quarter after a 14-play, 46-yard drive set up a 28-yard field goal.

The Giants regained the lead 16-14 with just over eight minutes to play after a 6-play, 39-yard drive. But the third- and fourth-teamers on defense could not hold, allowing an 11-play, 69-yard touchdown drive that gave the Lions a 21-16 advantage with just under two minutes to play. The game ended when on 4th-and-14, DeVito’s desperation deep pass was picked off at the Detroit 29-yard line.

DeVito finished the game 15-of-24 for 155 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was also sacked five times.

Video highlights are available on YouTube.

INJURY REPORT…
WR Wan’Dale Robinson (ACL), DL D.J. Davidson (ACL), and CB Aaron Robinson (ACL) remain on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List.

RB Gary Brightwell (leg?), RT Evan Neal (concussion protocol), OT/OG Tyre Phillips (unknown), OT Devery Hamilton (ankle?), DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (groin), and DL Ryder Anderson (triceps) did not play. Neither did OL Marcus McKethan (knee) and DL A’Shawn Robinson (knee), who were both activated off of the PUP on Monday.

WR Collin Johnson (knee) and CB Cor’Dale Flott (abdominal) left the game and did not return.

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

JAYLON SMITH SIGNS WITH SAINTS…
Unrestricted free agent inside linebacker Jaylon Smith has signed with the New Orleans Saints. The Giants made no effort to re-sign Smith. In 2022, for the second season in a row, the Giants added Jaylon Smith to the roster during the year. The Giants originally signed Smith to the Practice Squad and then 53-man roster in December 2021. He ended up playing in the last four games of the season with two starts, finishing with 18 tackles, one sack, and one pass defense. The new regime chose not to re-sign him during the offseason, but oddly did so in September. Smith soon entrenched himself as a starter, playing in 13 regular-season games with 11 starts. He finished the season with 87 tackles, three tackles for losses, one sack, two quarterback hits, and one fumble recovery. Smith was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
Head Coach Brian Daboll will address the media by Zoom on Saturday.

Jun 272023
 
Darren Waller, New York Giants (June 14, 2023)

Darren Waller – © USA TODAY Sports

With New York Giants training camp beginning in late July, BigBlueInteractive.com (BBI) breaks down each of the team’s positional groups until the players report at Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

FIND A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL BREAKDOWNS HERE

POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: Tight Ends

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW: Heading into 2022, it appeared the New York Giants had arguably the weakest group of tight ends in the NFL. The team had parted ways with their top three tight ends: Evan Engram (who signed with the Jaguars in free agency), Kyle Rudolph (who was cut in March), and Kaden Smith (who was also cut in March after failing his physical). Chris Myarick was the only returning player. The Giants signed Ricky Seals-Jones, Jordan Akins, and Tanner Hudson, but the first two didn’t even make it to the end of August. The Giants drafted Daniel Bellinger in the 4th round and signed undrafted rookie free agents Austin Allen and Dre Miller after the draft. When the season started, the team’s three tight ends were Bellinger, Myarick (listed as a fullback), and Hudson. Not exactly a murder’s row.

Bellinger proved to be pleasant surprise and one of Daniel Jones’ few reliable targets. Coming out of the draft, he was considered more of a blocking tight end, but continued to flash in the passing game, demonstrating better-than-anticipated on-field athleticism and adjusting to pro passing concepts sooner than expected. However, he suffered a very scary and possibly career-threatening eye-injury in Week 7 when his orbital bone was fractured. Somewhat miraculously, Bellinger only missed four games. He finished the year starting 11 games, catching 30 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on his only rushing attempt.

Lawrence Cager was signed to the Practice Squad in October after the Jets cut him and then the 53-man roster in November. He ended up playing in six regular-season games with three starts, catching 13 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown. Nick Vannett was signed to the Practice Squad in November after he was cut by the Saints and the 53-man roster in December. (Hudson was also cut at this time after playing in 11 games and catching 10 passes). Vannett ended up playing in six regular-season games with three starts for the Giants, catching four passes for 42 yards. Myarick played in 16 games with eight starts, catching just seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

In summary, the position was a bit of revolving door most of the year, aside from Bellinger who had his rookie season interrupted by the eye injury.

ADDITIONS/SUBTRACTIONS: The Giants re-signed Lawrence Cager and Chris Myarick. They also signed unrestricted free agent Tommy Sweeney from the Bills and signed Ryan Jones as a rookie free agent after the draft. However, perhaps the most significant offseason addition to the entire team was the trade for former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller in March.

The team made no attempt to re-sign Nick Vannett and waived Dre Miller after he failed a physical in mid-June (Miller had spent part of 2022 on the Practice Squad).

TRAINING CAMP STORY LINES:  The significance of the Darren Waller acquisition still seems underappreciated. Waller’s two best seasons in the NFL were 2019 and 2020, when he caught an incredible 197 passes for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. He missed five games in 2021 with ankle and knee sprain injuries and eight games in 2022 with a nagging hamstring injury. None of these injuries required surgery and Waller appears completely healthy now and was a daily standout in spring practices.

Barring injury, Waller seems destined to be the team’s #1 pass receiving threat. He’s more of a TE/WR hybrid who can threaten defenses with size, speed, hands, and ability to adjust to the football. He’s a legit 6’6” target, with a big wing span, who can also run. Waller is “open” even when covered and can threaten defenses vertically down the field. Combine that skillset with Brian Daboll’s history of coaching tight ends with the Patriots (2013-2016) and Mike Kafka’s exposure to the Chiefs’ passing concepts, and it’s easy to see where this is heading. Waller will be deployed in multiple ways to create match-up problems for defenses. It’s quite telling that observers, coaches, and players were raving about him this spring.

Daniel Bellinger was getting lost in the Waller hoopla until a photographer snapped a picture of his huge arms this spring. Bellinger not only has worked his butt off this offseason to reshape his body, but he has drawn praise from Travis Kelce and George Kittle, two of the headliners at the position in the NFL. Indeed, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Waller and Bellinger could be viewed as one of the best tight end combos in 2023, quite an accomplishment given how weak the depth chart looked a year ago at this time.

The third and possibly fourth tight end spots also are now more intriguing. Lawrence Cager flashed in his limited chances as a pass receiver and could have the inside track on Waller’s primary back-up as a receiving target. Tommy Sweeney was signed from the Bills as a blocker. Chris Myarick offers tight end/fullback flexibility and special teams value. Also note that of the nine rookie free agents the team signed, Ryan Jones was given the third-most guaranteed money ($125,000).

ON THE BUBBLE: Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger are locks. Lawrence Cager, Tommy Sweeney, Chris Myarick, and Ryan Jones will be vying for one or two roster spots.

FROM TEAM COACHES/PLAYERS: Head Coach Brian Daboll on Darren Waller: “He’s a good pro. He’s smart. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s a good communicator. He’s played a lot of football and been productive. Again, we’re still utilizing him in different ways. We’re seeing what he likes, what he feels comfortable with, what the quarterback feels comfortable with, but he’s been a pleasure to be around both in the classroom and out on the field.” (Note: Coach Daboll rarely throws praise around like this, particularly in the spring).

Mike Kafka on Darren Waller: “He’s a really talented player. He’s a great person. He’s a really good teammate. That’s one thing I’ve learned about him. He cares about his guys. He’s competitive, which we really like. We value that here. He’s doing everything we’re asking him. He’s working hard, putting in the time and effort to learn the offense and get in sync with D.J. (Daniel Jones) and the quarterbacks. He’s done a great job.”

Tight Ends Coach Andy Bischoff on the impact of Darren Waller on the other tight ends: “These guys are like a sponge. So a guy like Bellinger, he’s improved immensely in the air of Darren Waller. Lawrence Cager is improving daily just being around this guy. It’s good for the whole group in so many ways.”

Tight Ends Coach Andy Bischoff on Daniel Bellinger: “Bellinger is a guy who can help us win plays and lead to winning games, every down. Bellinger is a better version of himself today by leaps and bounds from this time a year ago. And it’s because of his own commitment, his own awareness, his own learning… He’s a guy who can play the position, he’ll do whatever’s asked. A great teammate.”

Safety Xavier McKinney on how Darren Waller changes the offense: “Really different… added piece that’s explosive, that’s able to make plays. Obviously when he’s out there, you’ve got to be aware of where he’s at, at all times… because he can make a lot of plays.”

Wide receiver Darius Slayton on Darren Waller: “He’s impressive… Somebody asks what’s an NFL tight end, you just point to Darren Waller; big, fast, can catch it. He’s been a great addition to our team.”

PREDICTIONS/CLOSING THOUGHTS: I suspect pundits will soon be asking how the heck the Giants acquired Waller for a late 3rd-round pick.

It is difficult to believe that Daboll and Kafka will have many offensive formations that have Waller or Bellinger standing on the sidelines, suggesting a heavy emphasis on 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends). But flexibility may still come from the fact that Waller is more of a WR/TE hybrid and may be employed as more of a wide receiver on many plays.

The Giants had 15 passing touchdowns in 2022. Waller had nine touchdown receptions in 2020 alone. Believe it or not, the Giants had one of the NFL’s best red-zone offenses in the NFL in 2022. Their problem was getting to the red zone. That should be less of a an issue now. I’ll go out on a limb and predict that Waller-Bellinger-Cager alone will tie the Giants’ total touchdown mark from last season. I don’t think it is crazy to think Waller could have eight touchdowns, Bellinger six touchdowns, and Cager one touchdown with Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka calling the plays.

The presence of Waller changes the entire complexion of this offense. He will draw double-team attention, opening up opportunities for Saquon Barkley (both as runner and receiver), Daniel Bellinger, Parris Campbell, Isaiah Hodgins, and the other receivers. This coaching staff knows how to use tight ends. Waller can become New York’s version of Kelce or Kittle. And if the latter two are correct about the emergence of Bellinger? Look out!

FINAL DEPTH CHART: Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager, Tommy Sweeney (Chris Myarick to the Practice Squad)

Mar 232023
 
Amani Oruwariye

Amani Oruwariye – © USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have signed unrestricted free agents cornerback Amani Oruwariye (Detroit Lions) and tight end Tommy Sweeney (Buffalo Bills). Oruwariye reportedly signed a 1-year contract.

The 27-year old, 6’2”, 202-pound Oruwariye was drafted in the 5th round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Lions. In four seasons in Detroit, Oruwariye played in 53 regular-season games with 36 starts, accruing 173 tackles, 24 pass defenses, nine interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. His best seasons were in 2020 and 2021, when he started 29 games. Oruwariye struggled in 2022 and was benched in late October after he had started five games.

The 27-year old, 6’5”, 251-pound Sweeney was drafted in the 7th round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Bills. In four seasons in Buffalo, Sweeney played in 24 regular-season games with four starts, catching just 18 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown. He missed all of 2020 with foot, COVID, and myocarditis issues. Sweeney is a good blocker.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.