Apr 222014
 
Will Hill, New York Giants (October 27, 2013)

Will Hill – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Will Hill Fails Drug Test Again and Giants May Cut Ties: According to multiple press reports, New York Giants safety Will Hill has failed yet another drug test. Hill now faces a potential 6-game, 8-game, or even full-year suspension by the NFL. Hill will appeal the results of the drug test.

Worse for Hill, according to The New York Daily News, a team source says the Giants are “livid” with Hill and that Hill is likely “done with the team, whether he wins his appeal or not.”

Hill was first suspended in October 2012 for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. It is believed the substance was Adderall. Hill was suspended for four games of the 2012 season.

Hill was suspended as second time in July 2013, this time for violating the NFL’s policy on abusive substances (illegal drugs), which was believed to be marijuana. Again, Hill was suspended for four games.

According to press reports, if Hill tested positive again for performance-enhancing substances and loses his appeal, he now faces an 8-game suspension. There are conflicting reports on how long the suspension would be for illegal drugs. The Daily News is reporting it would be for six games while other media sources say it would be a full-season suspension if he loses his appeal.

The 24-year old Hill was one of the best defensive players on the team in 2013. In 12 games, he accrued 77 tackles, 2 pass defenses, 2 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and 2 forced fumbles.

Jan 012014
 
Jon Beason, New York Giants (December 22, 2013)

Jon Beason – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants Organizational Meetings Begin on Thursday: According to press reports, the New York Giants organizational meetings will begin on Thursday and could last at least a few days. These meetings are expected to determine the fate of members of the coaching staff.

Star-Ledger: Jon Beason Likely to Re-Sign with Giants: According to The Star-Ledger, there are strong indications from multiple sources that soon-to-be unrestricted free agent LB Jon Beason will re-sign with the New York Giants. “I would love to play here next year,” said Beason after the last game on Sunday.

S Antrel Rolle on WFAN: The audio of Tuesday’s WFAN interview with S Antrel Rolle is available at CBSNewYork.com

P Steve Weatherford on ESPN Radio: The audio of Sunday’s ESPN Radio interview with P Steve Weatherford is available at ESPN.com.

Article on the New York Giants 2014 Offseason: Giants offseason primer: Big decisions for Big Blue by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride: Assessing the Kevin Gilbride situation by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: Eli aims for bounce-back 2014 season by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Articles on the New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Sights and Sounds from New York Giants-Washington Redskins Game: A sights and sounds video from the Giants-Redskins game is available at Giants.com.

BigBlueInteractive.com Website Updates: We have updated the following sections of the website:

Dec 242013
 
Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants (December 22, 2013)

Mathias Kiwanuka – © USA TODAY Sports Images

PK Josh Brown Awarded “NFC Special Teams Players of the Week”: PK Josh Brown has been awarded the “NFC Special Teams Player of the Week” aware for his performance against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. In that game, Brown kicked field goals of 41, 52, and 45 yards, the the final kick being the game-winner in overtime. Brown is the first kicker in Giants’ history with three field goals in a regular-season game of 40 yards or longer. This season, Brown has made 21 of 23 field goal attempts – including 17 in a row.

New York Giants on WFAN: Audio clips of  Monday’s WFAN interviews with the following New York Giants are available at CBSNewYork.com:

Article on the New York Giants 2014 Offseason: Giants Free Agents: Ranking the 30 players set to hit the market by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Articles on Head Coach Tom Coughlin:

Article on QB Eli Manning: Not the same Mann: Timing and accuracy elude Eli by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on the New York Giants Offensive Line: Questions, decisions loom on Giants’ O-line by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Sights and Sounds from New York Giants-Detroit Lions Game: A sights and sounds video from the Giants-Lions game is available at Giants.com.

Dec 232013
 
Will Hill, New York Giants (December 22, 2013)

Will Hill Returns an Interception for a TD – © USA TODAY Sports Images

December 23, 2013 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The transcript of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday conference call is available at Giants.com.

December 23, 2013 Player Media Conference Calls: The transcripts of the Monday’s media conference calls with the following players are available at Giants.com:

OT Justin Pugh on ESPN Radio: The audio of Monday’s ESPN Radio interview with OT Justin Pugh is available at ESPN.com.

Articles on the New York Giants-Detroit Lions Game:

Article on the New York Giants Offensive Line: Giants’ Justin Pugh: O-line wanted to prove people wrong by Dave Hutchinson of The Star-Ledger

Articles on New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Notes: The Giants are 19-14-2 in regular-season overtime games since they were first played in 1974. They are 11-5-2 on the road and 8-9 at home.

The Giants have won their last five games in Detroit in 1988, 1996, 1997, 2007, and 2013.

The Giants finished 3-1 vs. the NFC North, defeating Minnesota, Green Bay, and Detroit and losing to Chicago.

QB Eli Manning’s interception was his 26th of the season, a new franchise record. He had shared the mark of 25 with Frank Filchock (1946) and Charlie Conerly (1953).

This is the 25th time Manning has led the Giants on a game-winning drive, which the Elias Sports Bureau defines as a victory in which a quarterback rallies his team from a fourth-quarter deficit or tie. Manning ranks fifth among active quarterbacks, behind Peyton Manning (50), Tom Brady (35), Drew Brees (31), and Ben Roethlisberger (29).

Dec 222013
 
Steve Weatherford (5), Josh Brown (3), New York Giants (December 22, 2013)

Josh Brown Kicks the Game-Winner in Overtime – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants 23 – Detroit Lions 20 (Overtime): The New York Giants defeated the Detroit Lions 23-20 in overtime on Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. With the win, the Giants improved their overall record to 6-9. The Giants also knocked the Lions out of playoff contention.

Behind a patchwork offensive line and missing WR Victor Cruz, the Giants used some creative offensive play-calling and strong defense in the first half to take a 13-3 halftime lead. Detroit began the game with a 10-play, 39-yard drive that stalled at the Giants’ 45-yard line after DE Mathias Kiwanuka sacked QB Matthew Stafford for a 12-yard loss. The Giants then began a 15-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a 41-yard field goal by PK Josh Brown. The two opening possessions took more than 11 minutes off of the clock.

Detroit responded with another long possession, driving 63 yards in 12 plays to set up a 37-yard field goal. Early in the second quarter, the game was tied 3-3.

The Giants went three-and-out on their second possession. Detroit drove from their own 35 to the Giants’ 45-yard line. But on 2nd-and-10, Kiwanuka forced RB Reggie Bush to fumble. The loose ball was recovered by S Antrel Rolle and returned to the Detroit 49-yard line. The Giants then put together a 9-play, 49-yard drive that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown pass from QB Eli Manning to WR Jerrel Jernigan. Giants 10 – Lions 3.

The Lions moved to the Giants 43-yard line on their fourth offensive possession, but on 2nd-and-17, DE Justin Tuck intercepted a Stafford pass with 47 seconds to go before halftime. Despite a sack, the Giants were able to get into field goal range and Brown kicked a 52-yarder with nine seconds left on the clock. Giants 13 – Lions 3.

The game completely changed in the second half as the Lions scored 17 unanswered points to take a 20-13 lead. Detroit dominated the line of scrimmage and the Giants were unable to run the football and Manning was under constant pass pressure. The Giants did not gain a single first down on their first five possessions of the second half. Worse, Manning was sacked in the end zone for a safety. After a 50-yard punt return by the Lions, Detroit cut the score to 13-10 with an 8-play, 30-yard drive. Both teams exchanged punts and then the safety occurred as New York led by only a single point, 13-12.

Momentum completely swung in Detroit’s favor as the Lions drove 63 yards in nine plays after the safety to go up 20-13 with the touchdown and successful 2-point conversion with under 12 minutes to play. New York went three-and-out on their next two offensive possessions. With just over five minutes to play, the Lions faced a 3rd-and-7 from their own 22-yard line. Stafford’s pass was tipped by the intended receiver and intercepted by S Will Hill who returned it 38 yards for the tying touchdown, 20-20.

Detroit went three-and-out. The Giants picked up one first down (their first of the second half) and punted. The Lions then picked up a first down and were forced to punt after another sack by Kiwanuka. With 50 seconds left in regulation, the Giants had the ball at their own 37-yard line and a chance to win. After two plays, the Giants crossed midfield, but with 28 seconds left, Manning’s deep pass over the middle intended for Jernigan was badly overthrown and intercepted.

The Giants won the coin toss and received the ball to start overtime. RB Michael Cox returned the kickoff deep out of the end zone for 56 yards to the Giants’ 49-yard line. After a 15-yard pass from Manning to TE Brandon Myers, RB Andre Brown fumbled the ball away. The Lions recovered at their own 28-yard line. The Giants’ defense held as Detroit went three-and-out.

The Giants then put together their final game-winning field-goal drive, marching 45 yards in 11 plays. The huge play on the drive was a 15-yard pass from Manning to Jernigan on 4th-and-7 from the Lions’ 42-yard line. Four plays later, Brown nailed the 45-yard field goal for the win.

Offensively, the Giants were held to 238 net yards passing and 41 net yards rushing. Manning finished the game 23-of-42 for 256 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. His leading receiver was Jernigan who caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Andre Brown was held to 40 yards on 16 carries (2.5 yards per rush).

Defensively, the Giants allowed 207 net yards passing and 148 net yards rushing. The leading tacklers were LB Jon Beason (11), S Ryan Mundy (10), and Hill (9). Hill intercepted a pass that he returned for a touchdown. Kiwanuka had 6 tackles, 2 sacks, and forced a fumble that Rolle recovered.

On special teams, the Giants gave up a 50-yard punt return but Cox also had a 56-yard kickoff return. Brown made all three of his field goal attempts from 41, 52, and 45 yards.

Post-Game Injury Report: TE Adrien Robinson sprained a knee on the opening kickoff and did not return. Brandon Mosley, who started at right guard, broke a hand on the opening drive and did not return. RB Andre Brown suffered a concussion in overtime and did not return.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Post-Game Press Conference: The transcript of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference is available at Giants.com.

Player Post-Game Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of post-game media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

New York Giants Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were QB Ryan Nassib, RB Peyton Hillis (concussion), WR Victor Cruz (knee), OG David Diehl (knee), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), LB Allen Bradford, and S Cooper Taylor (hamstring).

Articles on the New York Giants-Detroit Lions Game:

Dec 222013
 
Jerrel Jernigan, New York Giant (November 24, 2013)

Jerrel Jernigan – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Will Hill Arrested for Not Paying Child Support: Safety Will Hill was arrested on Friday in New Jersey on a warrant for outstanding child support payments. Hill did make the trip with the team to Detroit and is expected to play on Sunday. The Giants would not comment other than saying it was a private personal matter for Hill.

Articles on the 2013 New York Giants:

Article on Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn: Giants’ special teams coordinator Tom Quinn could be on the hot seat by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Articles on QB Eli Manning:

Articles on New York Giants Wide Receivers:

Article on DT Johnathan Hankins: Giants rookie is at home in Detroit by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Article on New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Dec 072013
 
Victor Cruz (80), Louis Murphy, Jr. (18), New York Giants (November 24, 2013)

Victor Cruz and Louis Murphy – © USA TODAY Sports Images

RB Brandon Jacobs Makes Trip to San Diego: Although he did not practice on Thursday and Friday, and was officially listed as “doubtful” for the game against the Chargers on Sunday, RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) did travel with the team to San Diego.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) and CB Corey Webster (ankle) were ruled out of the game on Friday and did not make the trip. CB Trumaine McBride (groin) remains “questionable” while TE Brandon Myers (groin) and CB Terrell Thomas (knee) are “probable.”

Article on the New York Giants Offense: Faulty Opening Drives Leave Giants Step Behind by Jonathan Clegg of The Wall Street Journal

Article on RB Andre Brown: Andre sees bright future as RB with Giants by Zach Braziller of The New York Post

Article on OT Justin Pugh: Giants RT Justin Pugh compares favorably so far to Chargers’ D.J. Fluker by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Articles on DE Damontre Moore:

Article on LB Jon Beason: Fiery Beason Is ‘Godsend’ for Giants’ Defense by Tom Pedulla of The New York Times

Article on New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Article on P Steve Weatherford: Giants P Steve Weatherford getting over slump by Tom Canavan of The Associated Press

Giants Online: The video of this week’s edition of Giants Online is available at Giants.com.

Dec 052013
 
Brandon Myers, New York Giants (December 1, 2013)

Brandon Myers – © USA TODAY Sports Images

December 5, 2013 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing on Thursday were TE Brandon Myers (groin), RB Brandon Jacobs (knee), and DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder).

Myers was new addition to the injury report, but Head Coach Tom Coughlin and Myers both said they expect Myers to practice on Friday.

“Yeah, I came back yesterday and I was just a little sore,” said Myers. “Just giving it a little bit of rest and I’ll be back at practice tomorrow.”

On the other hand, it sounds like Pierre-Paul will miss his second game in a row. “I think Brandon Jacobs hopefully can do some things tomorrow,” said Coughlin. “Don’t expect JPP to do anything tomorrow.”

CB Terrell Thomas (knee), CB Trumaine McBride (groin), and CB Corey Webster (ankle) practiced on a limited basis.

“(McBride) worked a little bit today,” said Coughlin. “He worked 50 percent today.”

“I need (to see Webster) to be healthy and can consistently run full speed,” said Coughlin.

December 5, 2013 New York Giants Coach Media Sessions: Transcripts and video clips of Thursday’s media sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com:

December 5, 2013 New York Giants Player Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Parcells believes Coughlin will return to sidelines in 2014 by Bob Glauber of Newsday

Article on the New York Giants Passing Game: Not a lot the Giants’ passing game can do by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Articles on QB Eli Manning:

Article on TE Brandon Myers: TE Brandon Myers showing signs of life by Matt Ehalt of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on OT Justin Pugh: Justin Pugh impressing on O-line by Matt Ehalt of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on LB Jon Beason: Beason could answer long-term LB questions for Giants by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on CB Jayron Hosley: Jayron Hosley gets chance to make impact by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Dec 032013
 
Damontre Moore, New York Giants (December 1, 2013)

Damontre Moore – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants on WFAN: Audio clips of  Tuesday’s WFAN interviews with the following New York Giants are available at CBSNewYork.com:

DE Mathias Kiwanuka on ESPN Radio: The audio of Tuesday’s ESPN Radio interview with DE Mathias Kiwanuka is available at ESPN.com.

Sights and Sounds from New York Giants-Washington Redskins Game: A sights and sounds video from the Giants-Redskins game is available at Giants.com.

Article on QB Eli Manning: Giants’ Eli, Chargers’ Rivers linked by trade by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Articles on the New York Giants Offensive Line:

Articles on DE Justin Tuck:

Article on S Will Hill: Giants Spotlight: Safety Will Hill’s impact on the defense by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Notes: With four games remaining, QB Eli Manning has been sacked a career-high 31 times this season. His previous high was 30 sacks in 2009. Last year, Manning was sacked just 19 times.

The Redskins game was the 24th time in Manning’s career that he rallied his team from a 4th quarter deficit. That places him fifth among active quarterbacks, behind Peyton Manning (50), Tom Brady (34), Drew Brees (31), and Ben Roethlisberger (28).

The Giants have committed an NFL-high 31 turnovers (19 interceptions, 12 lost fumbles). Their opponents have scored 102 points off of those giveaways.

The Giants have had at least one giveaway in each of their 12 games. The last season in which they committed a turnover in every game was 2007.

Dec 022013
 
Will Hill, New York Giants (December 1, 2013)

Will Hill Strips the Ball Away to End the Game – © USA TODAY Sports Images

New York Giants 24 – Washington Redskins 17: The New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins 24-17 on Sunday night at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. With the victory, the Giants improved their overall record to 5-7 (2-3 in the NFC East) with four games left to play in the NFL regular season. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East at 7-5. With the loss to the Giants, the Redskins were eliminated from playoff contention.

The Redskins out-gained the Giants in first downs (18 to 16), total net yards (323 to 286), total offensive plays (68 to 54), net yards rushing (139 to 80), and time of possession (31:35 to 28:25). The turnover battle was equal (one apiece). The Giants only committed one penalty, while the Redskins were flagged eight times.

It was ugly early for the G-Men as Washington took a 14-0 lead. The Redskins received the football to start the game and drove 72 yards in 14 plays to go up 7-0 on their opening possession. QB Eli Manning was sacked on the Giants’ very first play as the Giants quickly went three-and-out. The Redskins reached the Giants’ 38-yard line but punted, pinning New York at their own 1-yard line. The Giants went three-and-out again. The Redskins then went 59 yards in eight plays with QB Robert Griffin III finding TE Logan Paulsen for a 19-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-9. Redskins 14 – Giants 0 early in the second quarter.

The Giants stormed back in the second quarter. On New York’s third possession, the Giants quickly drove 74 yards in six plays to cut the lead to 14-7. On 3rd-and-1, RB Peyton Hills gained eight yards. On the very next snap, out of a shotgun formation, Hills ran for 27 yards down to the Redskins’ 30-yard line. Two plays later, RB Andre Brown broke off a 23-yard touchdown run.

The Redskins then went three-and-out and the Giants went three-and-out for the third time in four possessions.

With 3:34 left before halftime, the Giants put together an 9-play, 81-yard drive that resulted in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Manning to TE Brandon Myers with 35 seconds left on the clock. A key play on this drive was a 15-yard pass from Manning to WR Hakeem Nicks on 3rd-and-4.

At the half, the game was tied 14-14.

Like the start of the game, the Giants looked out of sorts at the beginning of the second half. The Giants gained a couple of first downs and crossed midfield on their opening drive of the third quarter, but punted. The Redskins picked up three first downs and punted. On the Giants’ second possession of the half, Manning was intercepted by S Brandon Meriweather at the Giants’ 44-yard line. Meriweather returned the interception 32 yards to the Giant’ 12-yard line. New York’s defense held and forced Washington to settle for a short field goal. It would be Washington’s last points of the game. Redskins 17 – Giants 14.

Both teams went three-and-out. A special teams snafu by the Redskins gave the Giants the ball at the Washington 46-yard line after an 18-yard punt. Manning and the Giants took advantage with an 8-yard pass to WR Victor Cruz, an 18-yard pass to Myers, a 19-yard pass to Cruz, and then a 1-yard touchdown run by Brown. New York took their first lead of the game, 21-17 early in the fourth quarter.

DE Justin Tuck, who finished the game with four sacks, sacked Griffin twice on the Redskins’ ensuing possession, forcing a three-and-out. The Giants picked up one first down and then punted, as did the Redskins. With just under six and a half minutes to play, the Giants began an 8-play, 40-yard drive that resulted in a 39-yard field goal by PK Josh Brown and took almost four minutes off of the clock. With 2:32 left to go, the Giants were up 24-17.

The Redskins began their last, desperate attempt to tie the game from their own 20-yard line. On 4th-and-3, Washington converted with a 9-yard pass to the their own 36-yard line. Then the craziness began. At the two-minute warning, the Redskins thought the officials had signaled first down on a 2nd-and-5 yard pass play that picked up four yards. The Redskins, thinking it was 1st-and-10, ran a deeper pass play on the next snap, but the pass intended for TE Fred Davis was dislodged by a strong hit from S Antrel Rolle. At this point, the Redskins were informed it was 4th-and-1. (After the game, the officials said the stakes had been moved incorrectly). Regardless, Griffin completed a 6-yard pass to WR Pierre Garcon on 4th-and-1, but S Will Hill ripped and stole the ball away from Garcon to end the game with a fumble recovery.

Offensively, Manning finished the game 22-of-28 for 235 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. His leading receivers were Cruz (6 catches for 80 yards) and Myers (5 catches for 61 yards and a touchdown). Hillis carried the ball six times for 45 yards and Brown carried the ball 14 times for 35 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, LB Jon Beason lead the team with 17 tackles. Tuck had 5 tackles and 4 quarterback sacks. DT Cullen Jenkins also had a sack and Hill’s forced fumble and fumble recovery sealed the game. The defense held RB Alfred Morris to 26 yards on 11 carries, but Griffin rushed for 88 yards on 12 carries. He also started the game 12-of-12 and finished the first half 16-of-17.

P Steve Weatherford averaged 47.8 yards on six punts.

Video highlights are available at NFL.com.

Player Post-Game Media Sessions: Video clips of post-game media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

New York Giants Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were QB Ryan Nassib, RB Brandon Jacobs (knee), TE Adrien Robinson, OL Stephen Goodin, DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), CB Trumaine McBride (groin), and CB Corey Webster (ankle).