Victor Cruz and Trumaine McBride to IR; Kevin Ogletree and Chandler Fenner Signed

 Posted by
Oct 142014
 
Kevin Ogletree, Dallas Cowboys (December 30, 2012)

Kevin Ogletree – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Victor Cruz and Trumaine McBride to IR; Kevin Ogletree and Chandler Fenner Signed: The Giants placed WR Victor Cruz (knee) and CB Trumaine McBride (thumb) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday.

To fill these two roster vacancies, the Giants signed veteran WR Kevin Ogletree off the street and signed CB Chandler Fenner from the team’s Practice Squad.

Ogletree was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2009 NFL Draft. He has spent time with the Cowboys (2009-12), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013), and Detroit Lions (2013-14). The Lions waived Olgetree in September. In six NFL season, Olgetree has played in 62 games with four starts. He has 78 career receptions for 999 yards and six touchdowns – two of which he scored against the Giants in the 2012 opener as a Cowboy. Ogletree has decent size, athletic ability, and hands.

Fenner was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2012 NFL Draft. He did not make the team but the Seattle Seahawks signed him to their Practice Squad in December 2012. He missed all of 2013 with a knee injury that landed him on Seattle’s Injured Reserve. The Giants signed Chandler Fenner in August 2014. Fenner has a nice combination of size and athleticism and he plays a physical game.

Because of these moves, we have updated the Transactions, Roster, and Depth Chart sections of the website.

Practice Squad Moves: Aside from signing CB Chandler Fenner to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad, the team released WR Travis Harvey from the Practice Squad and placed CB Bennett Jackson (knee) on the Practice Squad/Injured list.

To fill these three vacancies, the Giants signed WR Chris Harper, LB Carlos Fields, and CB Victor Hampton to the Practice Squad.

Harper was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Harper did not make the team and has since spent time with the 49ers (2013) and Packers (2013-14). Harper played in four games with the Packers in 2013 and was cut by the team in August. Harper has a nice combination of size (6’1”, 230lbs) and athletic ability. He is a tough, physical receiver with good speed and hands.

Fields was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Oakland Raiders after the 2014 NFL Draft. He was released from the Raiders’ Practice Squad in September. Fields is a raw player with decent size and athletic ability. He was a very instinctive player in college.

Hampton was originally signed signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals after the 2014 NFL Draft. The Bengals waived him in August. He is a short but well-built, physical, confident corner with good agility. He lacks ideal speed. Hampton has had some off-the-field issues.

Because of these moves, we have updated the Transactions and Roster sections of the website.

WR Victor Cruz and CB Trumaine McBride Undergo Surgery: The New York Giants announced that WR Victor Cruz underwent successful surgery on Monday to repair the torn patellar tendon in his right knee. The surgery was performed by team physician Dr. Russell Warren at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

CB Trumaine McBride also underwent surgery to repair a fractured thumb. The operation was performed by Dr. Robert Hotchkiss at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Giants on WFAN Radio: The audio of Tuesday’s WFAN interviews with the following players is available at CBS New York:

Article on S Antrel Rolle: Antrel Rolle: Can’t get Victor Cruz screams ‘out of my head’ by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Inside view from Victor Cruz’s trainer: ‘He’ll scrap his way back’ by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Article on QB Eli Manning: When Eli Manning speaks his mind, Giants listen by Tom Rock of Newsday

Eli Manning Energized by New Offense

 Posted by
Jun 112014
 
Eli Manning, New York Giants (October 21, 2012)

Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Eli Manning Energized by New Offense: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was interviewed on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday. Manning spoke about the impact the new offense under Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo is having on him.

“It is tough, it’s not easy, but it has definitely re-energized me and brought an urgency to this time of year,” Manning said. “It’s definitely challenging. Each night, I’m staying up and preparing, and I feel like I’m in season right now with the amount of preparation I’m trying to put in to get ready for each practice.”

“Each practice is draining on you mentally, you’re thinking so much about everything that has to go on and the different calls,” said Manning. “But it is also exciting. As a football player, as a competitor, you like to be challenged.”

Manning underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle in April. It was originally feared he would miss all of the offseason workouts until training camp. But Manning has been a full participant during the Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices that began in late May.

“This has been huge, just getting in the offense,” Manning said. “It’s one thing to listen to a play being called or watch plays being run — you may think you have a good grasp of it, until you’re out there and you gotta pull the trigger, you gotta make a call, you gotta change a play and you’re doing it live, and with the defense, and make all those little decisions. It was huge.”

Manning suffered the ankle injury during the regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins on December 29. Despite the fact that the injury required him to wear a protective boot for several weeks and did later require surgery, Manning said he might have played if there was another game following the 20-6 win over Washington.

“I was having the conversation with the trainers a little bit,” Manning said. “It would’ve been my instincts to say ‘Yeah, I can play.’ I could’ve muscled through it. It would’ve been a lot of shotgun, I think. The good thing it was my left ankle, it wasn’t my right ankle where you’re planting and pushing off and stuff. But it would’ve been a challenge. It would’ve been interesting to see how it would’ve worked out if we had a game the next week.”

LB Jamal Merrell Works Out for Giants: According to The Star-Ledger, undrafted rookie free agent Jamal Merrell (Rutgers) was scheduled to work out for the New York Giants on Wednesday. The Giants had also worked out Merrell before the 2014 NFL Draft. Merrell was signed by the Tennessee Titans on May 12 after the Draft, but the Titans waived him a week later.

According to The Star-Ledger and NJ.com, the Giants worked out at least 10 free agents on Wednesday, including TE Tom Crabtree (ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and rookie free agent WR Denzell Jones (Central Connecticut State). None of these players have been signed.

CB Victor Hampton Signs with Bengals: As previously reported, rookie free agent CB Victor Hampton (South Carolina) had been scheduled to work out with the Giants this week. However, Hampton signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. NJ.com is reporting that Hampton was schedule to meet with the Giants on Wednesday.

Giants.com Q&A With Safety Nat Berhe: The video of a Giants.com Q&A session with safety Nat Berhe is available at Giants.com.

Articles on QB Eli Manning:

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Victor Cruz prepared for role as one of Giants’ leaders by Tom Rock of Newsday

Article on LB Mark Herzlich: Giants LB Mark Herzlich continues to use his magic touch by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Giants.com Videos from New York Giants OTA Practices:

Quotes: WR Victor Cruz on former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells addressing the team last Tuesday: “It was dope, man. It was cool to see him. I’ve met him on the field briefly but never in that kind of setting to hear what he has to say and talk to him…Just his presence alone, what he brings to the table, it was pretty inspirational to see him and have him there. He still brings the fire. He still has it. It’s pretty cool to see.”

Bill Parcells Addresses New York Giants at Eighth OTA Practice

 Posted by
Jun 102014
 
Bill Parcells, New York Giants (September 15, 2013)

Bill Parcells – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Bill Parcells Addresses New York Giants at Eighth OTA Practice: The New York Giants held their eighth of 10 Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices on Tuesday. Former Giants Head Coach Bill Parcells (1983-1990) attended practice and addressed the team.

The media was not allowed to view Tuesday’s practice, but the Giants released the following details through their website, Giants.com, from Dan Salomone:

  • In a pass-heavy practice, QB Eli Manning looked sharp, completing consecutive throws to WR Jerrel Jernigan, TE Kellen Davis, and two more to Jernigan on the opening series. Later in 7-on-7 drills, the ball was spread around with TE Adrien Robinson, RB Rashad Jennings, and WR Preston Parker all making catches. Quarterbacks Ryan Nassib and Curtis Painter also made quality throws throughout the practice.
  • TE Kellen Davis caught a ball down the seam early in team drills, and TE Daniel Fells grabbed a touchdown later on from inside the 5-yard line. However, the tight ends also dropped a few passes.
  • LB Spencer Paysinger made a nice jump on a pass from QB Ryan Nassib but couldn’t quite hold onto the ball.
  • CB Prince Amukamara was very active, including breaking up a pass intended for WR Jerrel Jernigan late in practice. But his best play was disrupting a fade pass to WR Victor Cruz in the back left-hand corner of the end zone.
  • WR Jerrel Jernigan found a rhythm early with Manning, catching three of his four straight completions to begin the team portion of practice. He made a nice grab of another Manning throw later on down the left sideline, where he managed to get a hand on the ball in traffic and tip it to himself for a catch.

Photos from today’s OTA are also available from Giants.com.

The remaining New York Giants OTA practices are this week on Thursday and Friday. Thursday’s practice will be open to the media. The offseason program will culminate on June 17-19 with a mandatory, full-team mini-camp.

Eli Manning Talks About Adjusting to New Offense: Quarterback Eli Manning talked to the press on Monday at a charity event. He was asked about the adjustment to new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s offense.

“It’s different,” said Manning. “When you’ve been in the same offense for 10 years you’re not always grinding over the installation of what play or had to think about, ‘Hey, what’s the back doing on this route or what route can I maybe change it to to get a better route?’ You’ve gone through all those thinking processes.’’

“I think it’s good. With the new offense, everyone is learning. Every day is a challenge. You’re not going in there to have practice and go through the motions. It’s a lot of preparation and study just go through the practice and have an idea of what might happen and how its going to work out. It’s been a lot of work for the quarterbacks, the wide receivers and everybody. I think it’s good to get that urgency now and get things going. It should set the tempo, the way its going to go, for this upcoming season.

“Only seven practices, so no, we haven’t gotten everything down. I’m not 100 percent on everything going on,” Manning said. “There are still some learning curves and things I gotta digest and think through. But the more reps you get at, the more looks you get, the better you’re getting.

“Our defense is giving us a number of different looks, so each day I’m coming up with some new questions I have for Ben (McAdoo) and our offense. We see things the same way, and we’re making strides. I’m feeling more comfortable throughout the practice. But there’s always a few things where we have some questions after it happens maybe I hadn’t thought of beforehand…I feel good about what our offense can do and the potential of it. It’s just getting to the point where we have a great mastery of it from the mental capacity.”

Three Working Out for Giants This Week: As previously reported, TE Tom Crabtree (ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and rookie free agent CB Victor Hampton (South Carolina) will work out with the Giants this week. NJ.com is also reporting that rookie free agent WR Denzell Jones (Central Connecticut State) will also work out for the Giants on Wednesday.

Article on the New York Giants Offensive Line: For Giants, it’s still all about the O-line by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com