Giant Football Blog

No flak for Tom's 'Hitler' quote

Giants coach Tom Coughlin won't be disciplined and his job is not in jeopardy after he was quoted saying he is almost as hated as Adolf Hitler. The Giants had no official comment yesterday after the Daily News quoted Coughlin saying this, in response to a question about the battering he received in the New York and national media near the end of last season: "I hear some of it and I see it. You know [vice president of communications Pat] Hanlon tells me about it, what's going on. Hitler and then me, in that order. Unfortunate, but it is."

Coughlin made the comment to a handful of reporters in Phoenix at the NFL meetings. He and the rest of the Giants' front office, including team president John Mara, returned home Wednesday and there was no further discussion of the remark. Continue

Tom: My plight 2nd to Hitler's

Tom Coughlin barely hung onto his job after the Giants collapsed in the second half of last season. He tried to make it seem he was oblivious when there was so much speculation he was about to be fired. Clearly, it had an impact, because yesterday he compared the barrage of criticism to what Adolf Hitler received.

It was a regrettable and politically incorrect comparison, but just putting himself in the same sentence as Hitler shows the strain Coughlin was under and the degree he felt despised. When he was asked at the NFC coaches breakfast by a football Web site reporter whether he paid attention to what was being said about him last season, Coughlin replied: "I hear some of it and I see it. You know (VP of communications Pat) Hanlon tells me about it, what's going on." Then, he paused, and said, "Hitler and then me, in that order. Unfortunate, but it is." Continue

Eli, top targets still miles apart

Eli Manning has made previous pleas to Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress asking them to attend the Giants' offseason workout program, and they have always said "No." There's no reason for Manning to believe they have changed their minds. But it never hurts to ask, so he did. "Yeah, I've talked to both of them," Manning said yesterday. "I said, 'Hey, I probably won't start throwing until mid-April. That's when I'd like you here. Right now if you want to be training someplace else, that's fine with me.' I'll talk to them as that gets closer and see what everybody is planning."

At the moment, both Burress and Shockey are planning to spend most of the offseason training on their own in Miami, just as they have for several years. The offseason workout program is voluntary, but to their coaches and quarterback, the absence of Burress and Shockey has been a big deal. With those two out, and with Amani Toomer still recovering from a torn ACL, Manning won't be able to throw to any of his top three targets until the Giants' lone mandatory minicamp in mid-June. Continue

Jet, Giant fans may pay price

The digging on the $1.7billion stadium the Giants and Jets are building at the Meadowlands is scheduled to begin in May with a couple of the luxury boxes expected to be priced at an incredible $1 million per year. But the average fan may be asked to dig a lot deeper, too, if one or both of the teams require them to pay personal seat licenses to retain their season tickets.

The Giants and Jets easily cleared the final barrier to begin construction with a 31-1 vote when only Bengals owner Mike Brown voted against the waiver yesterday that allows each team to carry $715 million in debt and carry it for 25years. The limit, without a waiver, is $150 million over 15years. Continue

Mitchell's happy here

Kawika Mitchell admitted that his free-agency experience was not what he expected it to be. More than three weeks into signing period, there were few NFL teams interested in his services, but he sounds happy to have landed with the Giants. "It was an interesting process," Mitchell said yesterday at Giants Stadium. "I've never been through it before. You learn something new every year. I ended up in a good situation." Continue

Webster glad Lewis was sacked

The Giants are getting used to things being different. Old faces such as tackle Luke Petitgout are gone, and that's not a pleasant thought. But the absence of defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, fired after last season, brings hope to at least a couple of his former players.

"Hopefully, it'll be a fresh start for me," cornerback Corey Webster said yesterday. "It's a chance to really show what I can do ... Sometimes [the past two years], I got mixed signals. I didn't really know what the coaching staff was asking for. It's never a good thing when a player and the coach aren't on the same page. We're all here to win." Continue

Giants near deal with LB Mitchell

The Giants are close to signing free-agent linebacker Kawika Mitchell to a one-year, $1-million deal, a person familiar with the negotiations said today. Mitchell, 27, has spent his four-year NFL career with the Chiefs as a middle linebacker but would switch to either strong-side or weak-side with the Giants. He was at Giants Stadium today to meet with the coaching staff and take a physical.

A Giants official said the team had nothing to announce today. General manager Jerry Reese is with the rest of the front office in Phoenix for the league meetings, which could be a reason the signing would be delayed until tomorrow. Continue

Giants start 07 vs Cowboys

Giants kickoff their season vs Dallas Cowboys Sunday September 9th at 8:15pm.

Giants want look at USC's Jarrett

The Giants still desperately need at least one outside linebacker now that their proposed trade for Denver linebacker Al Wilson is all but dead. But they're also searching for help at receiver, too. That's why they reportedly will be interviewing USC's Dwayne Jarrett, arguably one of the top four receivers in the NFL draft, sometime in the next few weeks. The 6-4, 219-pounder still could be available when the Giants pick 20th in the first round on April 28.

With Amani Toomer turning 33 next season and trying to come back from a torn ACL, the Giants need youth at the position. They traded receiver Tim Carter to Cleveland in February for running back Reuben Droughns. They also made a failed run at free-agent receiver Kevin Curtis. Continue

Bum deals for Big Blue

The Giants went 0-for-2 yesterday, losing out on Broncos linebacker Al Wilson and probably losing out on Texans fullback Vonta Leach as well. They lost Wilson when trade talks collapsed after the 29-year-old linebacker apparently failed his physical. He was in New York yesterday to be examined by Giants doctors. Hours later, a team source said a deal was unlikely.

The Giants, according to sources, had discussed acquiring the five-time Pro Bowler for a package of draft picks. No Giants players were included in the proposed deal. As for Leach, the Texans announced that they had re-signed the restricted free agent by matching the terms of the four-year, $7.2 million offer sheet he had signed with the Giants on Monday. Hours later, however, they retracted that announcement, saying they had not matched the offer sheet "yet." Continue

Giants yank Wilson deal after physical

Minutes after it seemed as if five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Al Wilson would be acquired from the Denver Broncos, the Giants pulled the deal off the table Friday. Wilson was at Giants Stadium for a physical, and just after he completed it, a person familiar with the talks said there would be no deal. Neither side would comment on the reason.

That person also said no Giants players were involved in the deal, only draft picks. A report out of Denver said the price for Wilson was believed to be a middle-round pick, possibly a third- or fourth-rounder. The eight-year NFL veteran had surgery on his right thumb in January, the second such surgery in as many years. Wilson also suffered a jammed neck Dec. 3 against the Seahawks -- he was down on the field for several minutes and had to be immobilized before being taken off the field -- but played the following week. Continue

Al Wislon fails physical

According to ESPN LB Al Wilson failed his physical in NY today voiding the trade between the Giants and Broncos.

Giants eye Bronco LB Wilson

Giants GM Jerry Reese still hasn't signed any free agents, but he might be on the verge of making his second trade. Reese is exploring the possibility of trading for Denver Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson, according to a team and a league source. The sources both stressed that the talks are in their "initial stages," though a report on the NFL Network indicated Wilson could be traded to the Giants over the weekend.

Wilson, 29, is a four-time Pro Bowler with 21-1/2 career sacks and is scheduled to make $5.2 million this season. He's being pursued by the Lions and Eagles as well. If Wilson lands in New York, it would create a logjam at middle linebacker, where the Giants already have Pro Bowler Antonio Pierce. One of them would have to move outside, where the Giants have two vacancies after cutting Carlos Emmons and LaVar Arrington. Continue

Stadium in NJ will cost more

With the price tag for a Jets-Giants stadium at the Meadowlands climbing by the day, both teams await a decision next week that could determine when the venture can proceed. Or even if it can. NFL owners are expected to vote next week on a financing proposal that will exceed the league's limits on debt that teams constructing stadiums are allowed to carry. If the measure is rejected, one person with intimate knowledge of the situation said the project could be scuttled.

"Yes, there is a chance that the whole deal is in peril if the owners don't vote to give an acceptable waiver on the debt ceiling," the person told Newsday yesterday. The vote will take place when owners gather in Phoenix for their annual spring meetings Sunday through Wednesday. Continue

Shockey, Burress no-shows at Giants camp

Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress were again among the no-shows as the Giants opened their offseason workout program yesterday. Both players have annually skipped the technically voluntary program to work out with personal trainers in Miami. New Giants GM Jerry Reese had said he hoped to talk the tight end and wide receiver into attending at least part of the program this year. And quarterback Eli Manning said in January that he thought Burress "might be here a little bit more this offseason."

It's possible they both still will attend part of the program, which runs through June. Among the players who did attend yesterday were Michael Strahan, who is recovering from a badly sprained foot, and William Joseph, who has skipped the program in the past. Continue

Finn sees writing on Coughlin's wall

As usual when these situations arise with players, Tom Coughlin made a call Monday night to Jim Finn, informing him that the Giants had signed Texans fullback Vonta Leach to an offer sheet. Considering that Finn has been the Giants' starting fullback the past four years, it was information he was extremely interested in learning. Basically, if Leach comes, Finn goes.

Leach, 25, is a restricted free agent and the Texans have the right of first refusal, meaning they have until Monday to match the offer. They will receive no compensation for Leach if they do not match and he leaves for the Giants. The offer sheet is a four-year deal worth about $7.2 million that could rise to more than $8 million with incentives. What might make the pact too rich for Houston's liking is that $1.6 million comes in the form of guaranteed money. Continue

Leach inks Giant offer

Unless the Texans think highly of Vonta Leach, the Giants will soon have a new fullback. Leach, a restricted free agent, yesterday signed an offer sheet from the Giants, and the Texans have seven days to match the offer or else lose him. The offer sheet is a four-year, $8 million deal, which is not break-the-bank money but is significant cash for a 25-year-old lead blocker.

This does not bode well for veteran Jim Finn, who has served as the Giants fullback the past four years. If Leach comes aboard, Finn is expendable. Clearly, the Giants have a desire to add a younger, more powerful player to their offensive backfield. The 6-foot, 250-pound Leach has been in the NFL for three years, the first two with the Packers and last season in Houston. He has 10 career starts and no rushing attempts. He does have 11 receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown. Continue

Eli gets 5-year extension

Giants fans have complained about the team's unwillingness to spend in the free-agent market, but the Giants have invested heavily in their own players this offseason. They not only re-signed center Shaun O'Hara to a five-year, $19-million deal hours before the free-agency signing period began March 2, but they also spent big money to make sure Eli Manning remains their quarterback for many years to come. Forget about Manning's inconsistency in his first three seasons; he's here to stay.

The Giants exercised a "buy-back" of Manning's contract earlier this month, a move that keeps the fourth-year quarterback under contract through the 2012 season, Newsday has learned. Had the Giants not made the move, Manning would have become a free agent after the 2007 season. The move wasn't cheap. According to league sources familiar with Manning's contract, the Giants gave him a $5-million buy-back bonus as well as a $3-million roster bonus. His base salary for the 2007 season will be $6.45 million. It increases to $8.45 million in 2008 and $8.95 million in 2009. Continue

Giants star saw 'bullets flying everywhere'

New York Giants linebacker Brandon Short was counting his blessings yesterday after getting stuck in the crossfire of Wednesday night's deadly Greenwich Village shootout. The football player was in a Bleecker St. jewelry shop, next door to the leather goods store where police killed the gunman who had just executed two auxiliary cops and a bartender.

"I was fearful for my life," said Short, 29. "There were bullets flying everywhere." Short said he had just had dinner with a friend and was walking through the Village. He said the two slain auxiliary cops, Nick Pekearo and Eugene Marshalik, hurried past him just before he went into the jewelry store. Continue

Jacobs' rush job

Reuben Droughns, the newest Giant, is looking forward to a running back competition this summer that he said "the best man is going to win." According to Brandon Jacobs, the best man already has. "I think I've earned the opportunity to be the main guy," Jacobs told the Daily News yesterday. "I can be just as good as anybody else in the league. I can be just as good as your top Pro Bowl guy. That's not even a concern to me. I think I'm most definitely going to get my opportunity to carry 20-25 times per game. I can't wait." Continue

Big Blue welcome Droughns

Newly-acquired running back Reuben Droughns has been assured that the Giants backfield will be a two-headed monster. "They said it's definitely going to be a 1-2 punch," he said. The question is, who is the one and who is the two? The Giants bid adieu to retired franchise rushing leader Tiki Barber and anointed Brandon Jacobs as next in line to inherit Barber's throne. All along, new general manager Jerry Reese maintained that the running game would be a shared role, with Jacobs getting the bulk of the carries and another back in the mix.

Last Friday, the identity of that other back was revealed when Reese shipped receiver Tim Carter to the Browns in exchange for Droughns. The trade became official yesterday after both players passed physicals. Based on numbers alone, a case can be made that Droughns should be the starter and Jacobs the complementary back. Droughns, 28, has 50 NFL starts and 3,327 rushing yards, an average of 3.9 yards per carry. Jacobs, 24, has not started a game in his two-year career (he's played in 31) and has 522 rushing yards for a 3.9-yard average. Continue

Cato on Giants' radar

Despite reports that the Giants are expecting to meet this week with linebacker Cato June, no visit has been scheduled and thus far, there's been little interest by the Giants in the unrestricted free agent from the Colts.

The Giants have make contact with June's agent, but no talks of any substance have taken place. Clearly, if the Giants have any desire to sign June to bolster their depleted linebacker corps, they are willing to wait to see how whatever market there is for June develops. Although June has not made any visits thus far in free agency, there is interest in him around the league and a source said he should be signed in the next seven days. (NY Post)

Blue Winter

One of the Giants' most chaotic seasons in their 82-year history ended two months ago with another first-round playoff loss. Now, they are making up for all the tumult with a virtually invisible offseason. The free-agent market opened March 2 and so far the Giants are sitting it out. Clearly, their current team is not as good as the one that ended the season: Tiki Barber retired; Jay Feely signed with the Dolphins; Luke Petitgout, who missed the final seven games after breaking his leg, was cut along with LaVar Arrington, Chad Morton and Carlos Emmons. How wild is this market? Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who was Jeremy Shockey's backup, signed a five-year, $18.2 million deal with the Vikings, $7 million of that guaranteed.

In a market that has exploded because of the abundance of salary cap room and despite a lack of elite talent, the Giants have elected not to get involved for now. Fortunately for them, the Cowboys, Redskins and Eagles have not done much to help themselves either. Giants GM Jerry Reese finally made his first move Friday - the eighth day of the market - by trading unproductive wide receiver Tim Carter to Cleveland for journeyman running back Reuben Droughns, who'll be playing for his fourth team in eight seasons. Continue

Giants trade receiver Carter for running back Droughns

The Giants have traded veteran wide receiver Tim Carter to Cleveland for running back Reuben Droughns. The trade, confirmed by the Giants, became official at 4 p.m., pending physicals by both players. In getting the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Droughns, a back the Giants will probably use as a complement to the bulky Brandon Jacobs, they gave up a fast but rather unreliable receiver in Carter, as well as one whose injury problems wrecked three of his first five seasons.

Droughns also comes with his own baggage, however. After becoming the first Cleveland Browns rusher to gain 1,000 yards in 20 years in 2005, Droughns' performance fell to 758 yards and four touchdowns after he received a contract extension last year. A straight-ahead power runner, he comes with a fumbling problem and has been known to wear down late in the season. However, the Giants are only expecting him to take 10 carries per game while the 6-foot-4, 264-pound Jacobs handles the main duties. Continue

Colts' Super Bowl hero Rhodes chooses Raiders

Running back Dominic Rhodes, one of the heroes of the Indianapolis Colts' Super Bowl XLI championship less than two months ago, is headed to the team that finished the 2006 season with the league's worst record.

Rhodes on Friday morning agreed with the Oakland Raiders on a two-year contract that can be worth as much as $7.5 million, league sources confirmed for ESPN.com. Rhodes had generated considerable interest as an unrestricted free agent and made several visits, but met with Oakland officials earlier this week and was sold on the opportunity there.

The six-year veteran will serve as an insurance policy for the Raiders, in the event incumbent starter LaMont Jordan does not bounce back from the medial collateral ligament injury that limited him to nine games in 2006. More likely, however, the two will split the ball-carrying duties in the Oakland backfield. Continue

McGahee dealt as Giants dally

One week into the signing period, the Giants have yet to take a dip into the free-agent pool. Meanwhile, the running backs they were chasing are starting to get away. Willis McGahee, whom Giants GM Jerry Reese expressed an interest in trading for while at the scouting combine two weeks ago, was dealt by Buffalo to Baltimore yesterday. The price was two third-round draft picks and a seventh-rounder. Reese had said he would not part with a draft pick in Rounds 1-3 - a stance that likely took the Giants out of the bidding.

Also, running back Dominic Rhodes, who visited the Giants on the first day of the signing period, was in Tennessee yesterday and is now on his way to Oakland. He also has visited Buffalo. And while his agent has discussed a contract with the Giants, they have never been close to a deal. Continue

Feely, Dolphins reach 3-year deal

Jay Feely wanted to stay with the Giants, but the Giants decided kicker wasn't a position on which they needed to spend extra money. So they chose not to make a competitive offer and Feely agreed to a three-year, $6-million deal with the Dolphins last night, with roughly $2.5 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the contract details.

Feely, 30, declined comment when reached at his home in Michigan last night. He wrapped a visit with the Dolphins on Tuesday and said the Giants had called his agent to say they would be making a new offer above the one they made two weeks ago, which was not strong enough to keep Feely from testing the free-agent market. Continue

Giants kick up effort for Feely

The Giants are making a last-ditch effort to re-sign kicker Jay Feely. With Feely on the verge of signing with the Dolphins, the Giants stepped up their efforts to keep him, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. They had not shown much interest in bringing him back before Feely drew interest from his old team, the Falcons, and visited Miami on Monday. Feely, who has made 84% of his field goals (58-for-69) in two seasons with the Giants, is expected to make up his mind in the next few days. Continue

Giants find Curtis not a simple catch

Such is the pace of free agency for the Giants that even inviting a player in for a visit can't be easy. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis, a four-year veteran with the Rams, still is scheduled to come to Giants Stadium, possibly today. But that might be delayed because Curtis fired his agent, Tom Condon, after Curtis left Detroit without a contract.Under NFL Players Association rules, Curtis must wait five days before hiring a new agent, so he can visit teams but cannot negotiate until Saturday at the earliest.

That is the only real news in the Giants' world. Running back Dominic Rhodes visited Friday and Saturday but left without a deal, and none seems to be in the works. The Giants hoped to talk to former Titans running back Travis Henry, but the Broncos did not let him get away yesterday, signing him to a deal that includes $12 million in guaranteed money. Continue

Big Blue still in RB market

The Giants yesterday went another day without a signing in free agency. At least they are making inquiries into finding a running back. They played host to Dominic Rhodes of the Colts and may try to arrange for a visit by Travis Henry, who was recently cut by the Titans for financial reasons.

Henry will first make a trip to see the Broncos, and he might not get out of Denver without a signed contract. If he remains free, the Giants could be next in line. "They have interest," Henry's agent, Hadley Engelhard, said in an e-mail. "We will follow up with the Giants after his visit to Denver." Henry was not going to remain in Tennessee, as he was due a roster bonus of $8.4 million and was cut two days before that bonus was to be paid out. Continue

Giants in no rush to secure Rhodes

Dominic Rhodes was still in New Jersey yesterday, but the eyes of the Giants were elsewhere. Rhodes wrapped up his two-day visit with the Giants without a deal, even though the Giants were "favorably impressed" with the free-agent running back, according to a team source. Still, they were busy exploring other available options, including Travis Henry and Tatum Bell.

Henry was cut by Tennessee yesterday, two days before he was due an $8.3 million roster bonus. The 5-9, 215-pounder was on his way to Denver last night but his agent, Hadley Englehard, said the Giants had quickly called to express their interest after he was released. Continue

Hit the Rhodes

The player most deserving of the MVP award in Super Bowl XLI was running back Dominic Rhodes, who rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown as the Colts beat the Bears 29-17. He would have gotten it, if not for the overwhelming emotional tug of Peyton Manning.

Manning came away with the honor but Rhodes, along with Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy, got to shout, "I'm going to Disney World!" in the traditional post-game commercial. Soon enough, Rhodes might be able to say, "I'm the newest member of the Giants." Continue

Giants free agents 2007

Restricted Free Agents:

HB Derrick Ward
LB Reggie Torbor
SS Gibril Wilson

Unrestricted Free Agents:

WR Darius Watts
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
OC Shaun O'Hara (re-signed)
OC Grey Ruegamer
OG Steve Edwards
OG Lewis Kelly
LB Brandon Short
CB Frank Walker
PK Jay Feely
LS Ryan Kuehl (re-Signed)

Blue-light special

Three players the Giants are expected to target in free agency:
# RB Dominic Rhodes: From Super Bowl hero to Brandon Jacobs' backfield mate? A recent DUI arrest hasn't ruled him out.
# LB Cato June: They won't get Adalius Thomas and they're desperate for linebackers, so they should make a big run at this former Pro Bowler.
# S Michael Lewis: Big-hitter who was benched in Philly, but is only 26. Could spell the end for Will Demps. (Daily News)

O'Hara gets Giant deal

Giants GM Jerry Reese landed his first free agent late last night. Today he will move quickly to try to land a few more. Just two hours before the free-agent market opened at midnight, Reese finalized a five-year, $19 million contract with center Shaun O'Hara, plugging what would have been a huge hole in the Giants' offensive line. The Giants got it done by increasing the "final" offer they had presented him a week ago by about $200,000 per season.

O'Hara will also get a $7.5 million signing bonus and will be paid $12 million in the first three years of the deal. With O'Hara signed, the Giants were free to turn their attention in other directions as the market opened, and while they weren't expected to be major players for some of the bigger names - such as cornerback Nate Clements and linebacker Adalius Thomas - they were planning to be aggressive in pursuit of some second-tier free agents. Continue

O'Hara may hit market

The Giants last year often spoke about the importance of continuity on the offensive line, but their actions this offseason might not match that rhetoric. Left tackle Luke Petitgout already has been let go, with the team concerned about the short-term health of his back. If unrestricted-free-agent center Shaun O'Hara leaves, a void will be created not only in the middle of the line but also in the locker room, where O'Hara is one of the true team leaders.

O'Hara, 29, lives in New Jersey, went to Rutgers, came to the Giants in 2004, and wants to stay put. It might not make financial sense for him. According to a source, the O'Hara camp said it felt negotiations with assistant general manager Kevin Abrams were moving along just fine. The talks ground to a halt after first-year general manager Jerry Reese, the source said, entered the fray and "pounded on his chest a little bit." Continue

Buying isn't solution

The remodeling of the Giants begins in earnest tonight. Yes, new general manager Jerry Reese took a step in that direction by cutting tackle Luke Petitgout on Feb. 12, but the 12:01 start of free agency signals a chance for Reese to add players and chart a new course for the franchise. That's not an overstatement. The Giants have holes at linebacker, cornerback, offensive line and likely kicker, plus a huge void with Tiki Barber retired. Michael Strahan, 35, and Amani Toomer, 32, are nearing the end of their careers, too, leaving the team searching for new cornerstones.

"It will definitely be an adjustment not having Tiki on the field or in the locker room. I don't think you replace someone like that," team president John Mara said. "But you don't fill all your holes in free agency. It still comes down to drafting well and developing well. You can't rely on free agency to fix all your problems." Continue