2007 NY Giants Articles and Video

[jerseygiantfan]

Giant fans come out in droves for victory parade

Associated Press

Updated: February 5, 2008, 8:02 PM EST 495 comments

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NEW YORK (AP) - On a day for jumping and whooping it up, Michael Strahan showed the throngs of jubilant fans just how it's done, New York Giants style.

 

 

The star defensive end fires up his team — a wildly improbable NFL champion — with a leap that he calls "stomping you out." And with that, Strahan jumped skyward on the podium at a Super Bowl rally Tuesday, lifting his knees to his shoulders.

 

"We would like to extend this to every other team in the NFL and particularly for the last team we defeated, the New England Patriots," he said, his teammates standing behind him. "Because you know what we did to you? We stomped you out!"

 

Two days after the Giants won the title with a 17-14 victory that ended the New England Patriots' perfect season, fans gathered at City Hall Park after a ticker-tape parade to watch their team get the keys to the city.

 

 

 

And those fans, umbrellas raised in a light rain, made a plea to Strahan, who is contemplating retirement. "One more year!" came the chant as soon as he got to the podium.

 

"One more year?" Strahan said. "We'll see."

 

Eli Manning, the MVP of the Super Bowl, said the team was proud to "bring the championship back to New York City."

 

"It's been an unbelievable journey," he said.

 

Manning and Strahan were joined by the entire Giants organization in a parade through the "Canyon of Heroes" before hundreds of thousands of fans, many decked out in Giants blue, to celebrate one of the city's great sports triumphs.

 

After the Manhattan lovefest, the team took buses back to New Jersey, where it was met by a crowd of more than 20,000 fans at Giants Stadium. The crowd saved its loudest cheers for coach Tom Coughlin, who emerged from a tunnel holding aloft the Super Bowl trophy.

 

"You believed in us and this group of young men believed in themselves," he said. "And that's why we're standing here today."

 

The crowd burst into cheers when wide receiver David Tyree was introduced and pressed a football to his head, simulating his astonishing catch in the final minutes of Sunday's game.

 

State Senate President Richard J. Codey took a jab at the Patriots when he referred to their videotaping scandal at Giants Stadium against the Jets in September.

 

"If the Patriots were here today, they could film all they want," Codey said.

 

Earlier, across the Hudson River, the Giants rode in floats and many players carried video cameras to record the moment. A huge cheer went up when Manning joined Strahan at the front of a float. The float also carried Mayor Michael Bloomberg as well as the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which was cradled like a baby in Strahan's massive arms.

 

"I've never ever played with a bigger group of goofballs than this group here," Strahan said. "And you know what? We won the Super Bowl!"

 

Bloomberg gave team officials and players keys to the city after the festivities. Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Sen. Charles Schumer were among the politicians joining Bloomberg at City Hall.

 

"The Giants may not be perfect but no one is, at least not this year in the NFL," Bloomberg said, taking a shot at the Patriots' 18-1 season.

 

Thousands watched as the Giants paraded through the "Canyon of Heroes" and up Broadway. (Jason DeCrow / Associated Press)

 

Schumer said: "Now the Giants aren't just New York's team, they're America's team."

 

Coughlin thanked the city for the outpouring of enthusiasm.

 

"That parade and that show of loyalty and the response to our championship season is just something we'll remember for the rest of our lives," he said.

 

While it clearly was a day for a parade, it was also a day for politics: New York and the 23 other Super Tuesday states were holding primaries.

 

Near City Hall, signs for Democratic candidate Barack Obama were surrounded by fans wearing Giants red, white and blue. Spitzer told the crowd he had written in Coughlin for his presidential pick, with Manning for vice president.

 

The parade, featuring 50 tons of confetti, began at the tip of lower Manhattan in Battery Park and proceeded north on Broadway, going past the financial district and the site of the World Trade Center before the City Hall Park finale. Ticker-tape parades in the "Canyon of Heroes" have celebrated everything from Charles Lindbergh's Atlantic flight to sports championships. The last parade was in 2000, when the Yankees won the World Series. This parade was the first for a football team, said Kenneth Cobb, assistant commissioner in the city Department of Records.

 

Crowds were 20 people deep at some places. Fans threw hats to the players, who signed them and threw them back. Mehdi Machkour, a 26-year-old restaurant worker from Brooklyn, wasn't quite sure which two players signed his hat. The native of Morocco is more of a soccer fan, but this day brought a big change.

 

"Now I love football," he said.

 

The presence of children showed that many considered the parade to be worth missing a day of school.

 

Arlene Remy, 32, of Brooklyn, was with her son and three of his friends.

 

"They haven't won a Super Bowl since 1991 and I want to be a part of history," she said.

 

For New Yorkers — or politicians — who still can't get enough: Spitzer announced the availability of a New York Giants Super Bowl XLII Champions custom license plate.

[jerseygiantfan]

Ailing Plaxico Burress misses parade

 

BY IAN BEGLEY

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Wednesday, February 6th 2008, 4:00 AM

Theodorakis/News

 

 

 

Plaxico Burress finally missed a start.

 

The Giants' star receiver played through ankle and knee injuries all season but the Super Bowl hero took himself out of the lineup for the victory parade in Manhattan Tuesday.

 

Burress, who caught the game-winning TD with 35 seconds left in the Giants' upset victory over the Patriots, managed to limp his way through the celebration later in the day at Giants Stadium.

 

Burress revealed after the Super Bowl that he'd slipped in the hotel shower last Monday and sprained his MCL. The injury caused him to miss practices Super Bowl week but as he has done all season, Burress gutted it out on Sunday.

 

Burress, who tied a Giants playoff record with 11 catches in the NFC title game win over Green Bay, didn't attend the parade in Manhattan and was seen limping in the stadium tunnel after the rally at the Meadowlands. Burress did manage to get up and execute a few dance moves for Giants fans at the afternoon rally.

 

Burress was taken away in a cart in the tunnel after limping off the field. He didn't comment when he was asked if he'd need surgery on his ankle or knee. "It doesn't matter how it feels now, we just won the championship, baby," Burress told reporters before being escorted away. "I'll see you guys next year."

 

Amani Toomer, the Giants' other starting receiver, said he hurt his right hand in the fourth quarter on the Giants' final drive when he caught a nine-yard pass from Eli Manning and was drilled by Rodney Harrison.

 

"It's pretty bad," Toomer said after Big Blue's rally at the Meadowlands. "I should be OK, though. I've got the whole offseason (to heal)."

 

Toomer, who wore a heavy bandage on his right hand, said he wasn't sure if the hand was broken, and the Giants did not release any injury information. Toomer, who finished with a team-high six catches for 84 yards on Sunday, also didn't know whether he'd have to have surgery in the offseason. Toomer said he noticed he was hurt after shaking hands with everyone Sunday night, but he was able to shake Mayor Bloomberg's hand when he accepted a key to the city at yesterday's parade up the Canyon of Heroes. He held a camcorder in his right hand for most of the hour-long rally at the Meadowlands.

[jerseygiantfan]

JACOBS AND PLAX OUT AT THE CLUB

[jerseygiantfan]

Spagnuolo crossed off Redskins list

Associated Press

Updated: February 7, 2008, 6:30 PM EST 174 comments

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WASHINGTON (AP) - Steve Spagnuolo pulled out of the running for the Washington Redskins coaching job Thursday, citing his desire to remain with the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

 

"His heart is in New York City," Spagnuolo's agent, Bob Lamonte, told The Associated Press. "He loves the ownership. He loves the players. He feels he has to stay there."

 

Sources close to Spagnuolo told FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer that one of the major factors in his decision to pull out was that he wants to be able to hire his own staff rather than join a team with the coaching staff already in place.

 

"He'd be a great head coach," Giants' defensive end Michael Strahan told Glazer. "Selfishly, I couldn't be happier that he's not going. He could not be any more ready for a head job."

 

 

The Giants promptly rewarded Spagnuolo with a three-year, $6 million contract, making the defensive coordinator one of the highest-paid assistants in the league.

 

With Spagnuolo crossed off the list, Ron Meeks, Jim Fassel and Steve Mariucci were among those who remained in contention to replace Joe Gibbs, who resigned Jan. 8. However, given the secretive nature of the process, the new coach could be a yet-to-be revealed candidate who has interviewed with owner Dan Snyder during the four weeks of the coaching search.

 

Snyder spent Thursday huddling with his advisers to decide his next move, a person familiar with the selection process told The Associated Press. A decision could be imminent, or the owner might instead arrange follow-up interviews with one or more candidates, the person said. The owner has said he hopes to have a coach in place by the end of the week.

 

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the club has preferred to keep the details of its search private.

 

Spagnuolo left the Washington area Wednesday night after more than 16 hours of talks over two days at Snyder's house. Spagnuolo called Snyder on Thursday morning to withdraw.

 

"I was happy to have the opportunity to explore that situation," Spagnuolo said in a statement released by the Giants. "But I am equally happy to be staying in New York and look forward to continued success with the Giants."

 

Lamonte said he expects Spagnuolo to get a contract extension from the Giants.

 

"Steve is a hard worker who has quickly earned the respect of the players and coaches," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "And he has earned the consideration he is being given. Needless to say, I am happy that he will be remaining here."

 

Spagnuolo became a hot coaching commodity during the Giants' championship run, even though he had been a coordinator for only one season. His defense stifled the New England Patriots in the 17-14 Super Bowl victory.

[jerseygiantfan]

Micheal Strahan getting some left overs

[jerseygiantfan]

Feagles signs two-year deal, stays with Super Bowl champs

 

Associated Press

 

Updated: February 12, 2008, 5:58 PM ET

 

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Punter Jeff Feagles signed a two-year contract with the NFL champion New York Giants on Tuesday, a little more than a week after becoming the oldest player to play in a Super Bowl.

 

Feagles, who turns 42 next month, represented himself in negotiations with assistant general manager Kevin Abrams.

 

 

Feagles declined to say how much money he would earn, but he made $1 million last year in the final year of a five-year deal.

 

"I'm just very, very happy to have a chance to come back and play for the defending world champions," Feagles said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It feels great."

 

Feagles spent 20 years in the NFL before making it to the Super Bowl this season, and he acknowledged he considered retirement briefly after the Giants 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots.

 

"Going through the season I proved to myself that I could continue to do this at a high level," Feagles said. "Certainly I considered riding off into the sunset after winning the Super Bowl. But I still have a fire to play football. Making my decision to stay easier was having my family living here. The wild card in the whole decision was the Giants, and they wanted me to come back. I can't say enough about the organization."

 

Feagles had a net average of 36 yards on 71 punts during the regular season. He landed 25 inside the opponents 20-yard line. In the Super Bowl, he averaged 39 yards on four punts, with only one being returned for 15 yards.

 

"Jeff is the best directional punter of all time," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. "This guy can eliminate the opponent's punt returner. He is a pro's pro."

 

Feagles has not missed a game in 20 years, playing in an NFL-record 320 consecutive regular season contests. Jim Marshall, a defensive end who played for Minnesota and Cleveland from 1960-79, is second on the list with 282.

 

Feagles is the league's career leader for punts (1,585), yards (65,793) and punts inside the 20 (508). He has a career gross average of 41.5 yards and a net average of 35.7 yards.

 

The past nine days have been a blur for Feagles, with celebrations, parades and a stream of telephone calls and messages from friends and relatives.

 

"Each day it is starting to sink in a little more, with the reception of the people we see, all the things on TV and every time you hear 'world champions," Feagles said. "Every time you hear that we are the best in football, that is an incredible feeling, one that I had never felt. Every year 32 teams start the year looking for that. It was this year for us."

 

Feagles will be inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame on Wednesday. He was a member of the Hurricanes' undefeated national champions in 1987.

 

The Giants also are close to reaching a five-year, $7 million contract with kicker Lawrence Tynes, who kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime in the NFC title game against the Green Bay Packers.

 

"It probably will be in another day or two," said Gil Scott, Tynes' agent, said.

 

Tynes converted 23 of 27 field goal attempts this season and 40 of 42 extra points. He was 5 of 7 in the postseason, with the misses coming on game-winning attempts from 43 and 36 yards in the fourth quarter against the Packers on a frigid day in Green Bay when the temperatures reached minus 24. He converted from 47 yards in overtime to send the Giants to the Super Bowl.

 

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

[jerseygiantfan]

Readers pick 'Catch 42' for Super Bowl's biggest play

 

By RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, February 12th 2008, 11:13 AM

Sabo/News

 

In a late surge, Catch 42 passes Hail Manning as the winning name for Super Bowl XLII's biggest play.

The Eli Manning-to-David Tyree play led to the Giants' stunning upset of the previously perfect Patriots. Franklin/AP

 

The Eli Manning-to-David Tyree play led to the Giants' stunning upset of the previously perfect Patriots.

 

The biggest play of Super Bowl XLII finally has a name. And just like the Super Bowl, it took a dramatic finish to find the winner.

 

With a final-hours surge in the fan voting on NYDailyNews.com, "Catch 42" emerged as the favored name for the famous Eli Manning-to-David Tyree play. It received 36% (2,556) of the 7,016 ballots cast.

 

That made it a slim winner over The Hail Manning (33%, 2,338 votes), which led most of the way. The Ty-Reach (15%, 1,069) came in third, The Hat Trick (9%, 626) finished fourth, and The Glendale Grab (6%, 427) brought up the rear.

 

"Catch 42" was suggested first by mattleo (Matthew Mesgleski of Lakewood, NJ). As promised, Matthew will receive a framed print of the Daily News back page from Monday – the one with Eli Manning holding the Lombardi Trophy over the headline "CHAMPS!"

 

It is a worthy winner chosen from more than 3,900 entries and approximately 5,000 suggested names.

 

Time will tell if it sticks.

 

Of course, with all due respect to the winner, my personal choice didn't make the final cut. I would've picked The Immaculate Connection (first suggested by trueblue2008). Then again, I favor simplicity in things like this, so I might simply refer to it as The Play (suggested by billhance, and many others over the past few days).

 

Actually, ours was a fittingly imperfect system and many terrific, creative names were left off the final list. That was inevitable when whittling down nearly 5,000 suggestions to just five, and then one. We thought it was only fair, then, that we note some of our other favorites.

 

Unfortunately, there are no more prizes. But here are what we thought were the best of the rest (the screen name of the first person I believe suggested the name is in parenthesis). Perhaps you believe some of these are better than our winner, or even our entire top five? History will judge.

 

Let the debate begin.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

 

The Miracle on Third and Five (YoYo)

The Dream Catcher (wfuetterer)

The Cerebral Reception (nativnyr)

The Leap of Faith (Wow catch)

The Hel-Mary (kwig6738)

The Immac-Helmet Reception (daveysmart)

Perfectus Interruptus (rnargi)

The Cranium Cradle (GRounders)

David and Eliath (rocamboli)

The Crown Jewel (gmgartr)

The Hail Helmet (vfastor)

The Head Mary (yeagerc)

The E.T. Connection (Rich07005)

The Escape Catch (bchowie)

The Desert Classic (sometimes)

The Fling for the Ring (marlon)

The Boston Strangler (JohnPCV)

Shake and Take (Zeamon)

The Super Ball Clutch (Brian from the Cape)

The Mannryree Miracle (G.D.W.#28)

The Holy Flail (Anthony S)

The Eli-Maculate Ascension (GFan2008)

The Flee to Tyree (mdd33)

The Catch In The Hat (FloridaGiantsFan)

The Cheater Beater (dja1979)

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants to give Lawrence Tynes five-year, $7 million contract

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, February 12th 2008, 12:37 AM

 

Kicking the Giants into Super Bowl XLII turned out to be very lucrative for Lawrence Tynes.

 

The hero of the NFC Championship Game, who booted the game-winning 47-yarder in overtime after missing two previous attempts to win it, Tynes was close to agreeing to terms Monday on a five-year, $7 million contract, an NFL source confirmed. Tynes was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Feb.29.

 

The 29-year-old, Scotland-born kicker, whom the Giants acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs last May, got off to a rough start this season, missing three kicks under 35 yards in the first eight games. But he finished with respectable numbers, nailing 85.2% of his kicks (23 for 27) including 11 of his last 12.

 

In the playoffs, his only two misses were nearly deadly to the Giants' championship run. In the frigid, minus-24 wind-chill conditions in Green Bay, Tynes missed a 43-yarder with 6:49 remaining and a 36-yarder as time expired in the fourth quarter.

 

But he redeemed himself just 2-1/2 minutes into overtime when, on fourth-and-5 from the Packers' 29, he convinced Tom Coughlin to let him try again by running straight out onto the field without a word from his coach. He then nailed the 47-yarder - one yard short of what Coughlin thought was his limit - and turned and ran into the tunnel with his fist in the air.

 

Had Tynes missed a third time, it's a safe bet he wouldn't have been re-signed.

 

It's not clear how much, if any, of Tynes' contract is guaranteed. Neither Tynes' agent, Gil Scott, nor Giants GM Jerry Reese could be reached for comment.

 

The Giants, who are believed to be $20 million under the projected salary cap, still have several other unrestricted free agents, including punter Jeff Feagles, linebacker Kawika Mitchell, linebacker Reggie Torbor, running back Derrick Ward and safety Gibril Wilson.

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants LB Pierce charged with neglecting pit bull

Associated Press

Updated: February 14, 2008, 7:47 PM EST 22 comments

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MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce was accused of neglecting one of his dogs in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.

 

 

The Middlesex County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals issued a summons Wednesday.

 

The group said Pierce's two pit bulls escaped from a fenced enclosure in his yard on Jan. 30 - just days before the game. Pierce was issued the summons because one of the dogs was found to be underweight and suffering from a respiratory illness, officials said.

 

SPCA chief Walt Mychal stressed that Pierce was not charged with anything related to dogfighting and could face only a fine, not jail time, if convicted. In New Jersey, the SPCA has authority to bring charges in animal cruelty cases.

 

Pierce and the team would not comment, Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said Thursday.

[jerseygiantfan]

McNabb gives Eagles hope in deep NFC East

by Alex Marvez

 

Updated: February 15, 2008, 11:44 AM EST 137 comments

 

This is the fifth in an eight-part series analyzing each division as the Feb. 29 start of the free-agent signing period approaches. Featured today: The NFC East.

 

Note: Salary cap figures will be adjusted in late February once restricted free-agent tenders and calculations on contract clauses from 2007 like incentives are finalized. The league-wide 2008 cap is set at $116 million.

 

 

Dallas Cowboys (13-4)

 

Looking back: The Cowboys have plenty to brag about, most notably the NFC's best regular-season record (13-3) and a Pro Bowl-record 13 player selections. The only problem: Dallas seemed to think the season ended with last November's win over Green Bay. The Cowboys were mediocre the rest of the season and were upended at home in the playoffs by the New York Giants, a team Dallas had defeated twice during the regular season.

 

Biggest need area — Free safety: It appears Ken Hamlin was a one-year stopgap and will be leaving via free agency. Hamlin's tackling prowess makes him a better fit at strong safety, which is manned in Dallas by Roy Williams. The Cowboys have two first-round picks and could seek to land a free safety with big-play potential. The University of Miami's Kenny Phillips would fit the bill if still available at picks No. 22 or No. 28.

 

Player/coach to watch — Wide receiver Terrell Owens: The Cowboys are set to pay Owens $7 million in 2008, which marks the final year of his contract. Owens did a much better job fitting into the team fabric in 2007, but it's fair to wonder whether his Cowboys future beyond this season will become an issue if a new deal isn't reached by September.

 

Projected cap space — $13 million: Precluding a long-term contract extension, the Cowboys will have to earmark $2.6 million for the high tender offer that will be given to running back Marion Barber. The Cowboys could use a $7.5 million franchise tag on Pro Bowl left tackle Flozell Adams. But tying up that $10.1 million could keep Dallas from spending much in free agency.

 

2008 outlook — Very good: The Cowboys must find a way to recapture the good mojo the team enjoyed through the first 13 weeks of last season. Otherwise, head coach Wade Phillips could be making way for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett in 2009.

 

New York Giants (14-6)

 

 

Looking back: Give the Giants their due. New York defeated the NFC's top two playoff seeds on the road before upsetting New England in Super Bowl XLII. The key to New York's late-season run was a dominating front four and a lack of offensive turnovers. Eli Manning (one interception in 119 pass attempts) was amazingly efficient, while role players like running back Ahmad Bradshaw, tight end Kevin Boss, and wide receivers Steve Smith and David Tyree made big plays at critical times.

 

Biggest need area — Cornerback: The Giants managed to effectively mix-and-match an injured secondary throughout the postseason. But this unit could use another veteran cornerback with press-coverage skills to pair opposite 2007 first-round draft choice Aaron Ross.

 

Player/coach to watch — Defensive end Michael Strahan: He strongly considered retiring before a season that ended with a Super Bowl ring. Will that make Strahan content enough to walk away or even hungrier to try and help New York try to defend its crown? The 36-year-old Strahan said he will need some time to figure that out.

 

Projected cap space — $21 million: Giants general manager Jerry Reese has signed three players — defensive end Justin Tuck, punter Jeff Feagles and kicker Lawrence Tynes — to new contracts since the end of the regular season. Reese may turn his attention next to his linebackers, where Super Bowl starters Kavika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor are pending unrestricted free agents.

 

2008 outlook — Excellent: Not only are most key players under contract, the Giants will retain all their key coaches after defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo pulled out of contention for Washington's head job. Manning isn't perfect, but you have to love his commitment. On the same morning he was receiving a new Escalade (hybrid, of course) for being the Super Bowl MVP, Manning already was talking about ways he wanted to improve in the off-season. If his teammates feel the same way, New York could be a Super Bowl contender once again.

 

Washington (9-8)

 

Looking back: He didn't reach a Super Bowl, but Joe Gibbs had a memorable final season as Washington's head coach. When the team seemed ready to collapse after safety Sean Taylor was killed, the Redskins rallied for four consecutive wins and a playoff berth.

 

Biggest need area — A healthy offensive line: The Redskins were forced to juggle personnel with two starters (right tackle Jon Jansen and right guard Randy Thomas) going down with injuries. Jansen, Thomas and left tackle Chris Samuels have a combined cap number of $24 million. Those players must stay on the field for Washington to reap dividends on that lofty investment.

 

Player/coach to watch — Jim Zorn: He wasn't on the radar as a head coaching candidate entering the postseason but the former Seattle assistant (quarterbacks) emerged as Gibbs' replacement after eight other candidates were interviewed. Zorn is expected to implement a West Coast-style offense that should heavily feature Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley.

 

Projected cap space: The Redskins are currently $7 million over but will continue whittling away at the overage through contract restructurings and terminations. The Redskins chopped $7.8 million on Thursday by revamping Cooley's deal and should be clearing more space soon with the imminent release of quarterback Mark Brunell.

 

2008 outlook — Fair: Having never gotten completely comfortable in Al Saunders' offensive system, there are no guarantees quarterback Jason Campbell will thrive in Zorn's scheme. Greg Blache also has big shoes to fill in replacing innovative defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was bypassed for the head coaching job. Now running Jacksonville's defense, Williams was once considered a shoo-in following Gibbs' retirement.

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia (8-8)

 

Looking back: The Eagles finally started playing well late in the season, winning their final three games and almost pulling a late November upset in New England. But by that point, it was too late for a franchise that seems stuck in neutral three seasons after a Super Bowl appearance.

 

Biggest need area — The secondary: The sun is setting on the brilliant 13-year career of strong safety Brian Dawkins, while cornerback Lito Sheppard has missed 14 starts in the past three seasons. Sheppard can make impact plays when healthy, but the Eagles would be wise to find a top-notch backup.

 

Player/coach to watch — Donovan McNabb: The Eagles have said McNabb is part of the team's plans in 2008. But should he be? McNabb may never have more trade value than right now. Last season, McNabb struggled early in his first games back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and then sat out two contests with a sprained ankle. McNabb has now missed almost an entire season (15 games) because of injuries suffered in the past three years. But when on the field during that span, McNabb remained one of the NFL's most efficient quarterbacks (53 touchdowns and 22 interceptions).

 

Projected cap space — $12 million: Without any marquee players that need re-signing, Philadelphia should have the ability to make some noise in free agency. But some of Philadelphia's big-name talent acquisitions in recent years — Owens and defensive ends Jevon Kearse and Darren Howard — didn't fulfill expectations. The Eagles already have used a $4.5 million franchise tag on tight end L.J. Smith.

 

2008 outlook — Good: If McNabb's strong finish in 2007 is a sign of things to come, the Eagles should be back in the playoff mix. Having a more stable year behind the scenes after coach Andy Reid's family problems in 2007 also should help.

[jerseygiantfan]

Coughlin, Giants negotiating four-year deal

by MARK CANNIZZARO, New York Post

Updated: February 20, 2008, 3:02 PM EST 9 comments

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NEW YORK - There appears to be little suspense regarding Tom Coughlin's coaching status with the New York Giants, thanks to the Super Bowl championship he helped deliver.

 

Coughlin will be given a new long-term contract with a substantial raise, and it could happen before the end of this week.

 

Coughlin, who entered this season having signed a one-year extension following an unsatisfying 8-8 season in 2007, will better that transaction when he's given what is believed to be a four-year extension through the 2011 season with an average salary of around $5 million.

 

A Giants official said yesterday that he didn't know exactly when the deal will be completed or announced, but he indicated that it wouldn't be long before it was done.

 

Giants GM Jerry Reese yesterday acknowledged that the process with a new contract for Coughlin is ongoing. Reese is scheduled to leave today for Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, and Coughlin will fly out tomorrow.

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants: We're open to new Strahan deal

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Friday, February 22nd 2008, 4:00 AM

Hagen for News

 

Will Michael Strahan be back for a chance to repeat?

 

INDIANAPOLIS - One year after refusing to renegotiate Michael Strahan's contract, the Giants might have a change of heart.

 

Co-owner John Mara said Thursday the Giants might be open to redoing Strahan's deal if the defensive end decides not to retire. He is currently signed only through next season and is due a salary of $4 million.

 

"We'll have to talk about that and see," Mara said. "I'm not ruling it out."

 

The 36-year-old Strahan hasn't informed the Giants of his plans yet, although he's expected to do so sometime in March.

 

"Well, we'd like to know," Mara said. "But you know what? He's earned the right to take his time. We certainly want him back."

 

SUPER REWARD: Mara said all of the Giants' assistant coaches have been offered new two- or three-year contracts with raises. "Some would say they deserve it," Mara said. ...Rookie S Craig Dahl (torn ACL) was cut after failing a physical.

[jerseygiantfan]

In wake of Giants' success, watch teams stockpile speed rushers

 

 

By Pat Yasinskas

ESPN.com

 

Updated: February 14, 2008

 

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Two weeks ago at University of Phoenix Stadium, the New York Giants made the perfect quarterback look imperfect.

 

As New England Patriots passer Tom Brady took hit after hit and got sacked five times, 30 other teams were taking notes and thinking about the future. The Super Bowl rings the Giants will get in a few months will be their reminder of victory, but a prolific pass rush might end up being this team's legacy.

 

The NFL long has been a copycat league, with the 3-4 defense and the zone blitz taking turns as popular trends in recent years. But New York might have shown that the purest and most productive way to fluster a quarterback is the old-fashioned way. Take a speedy defensive end -- or, in the case of the Giants, two or three -- and just turn him or them loose.

 

 

It sounds easy enough in theory, but there's a reason the Giants made it work to perfection. They've done a masterful job of stockpiling speedy and athletic defensive ends and getting them on the field, even if they're not all lining up at defensive end. The value of that became obvious in the playoff run and unquestionable in the Super Bowl.

 

Although a lot of other teams have been content for years to go with one strong pass-rushing defensive end, an ordinary starter on the other side and a couple of mediocre backups, New York has made it a priority to load up on true pass-rushers and not worry much about their ability to stop the run.

 

In the past five drafts, the Giants have selected six guys who have played defensive end in college. All six of them were prolific pass-rushers in college. Not all have worked out, and not all have stayed at defensive end, but that philosophy still has given New York an uncommon pass rush.

 

The Giants got 32 sacks in the 2007 regular season from starters Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and backup Justin Tuck, who also plays inside at times. Give plenty of credit to coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese for making the most of this talent, but don't give them all the credit for acquiring it.

 

Coughlin took over in 2004, and Reese came on board before last season. Former GM Ernie Accorsi and former coach Jim Fassel started collecting defensive ends back in 2003 when they drafted Umenyiora to go with Strahan.

 

At the time, a lot of teams would have viewed having bookend pass-rushers as a luxury. But the Giants didn't stop there. In Coughlin's first two drafts with New York, the Giants took four more players who were prolific pass rushers in college. They took Isaac Hilton and Reggie Torbor in 2004 and Tuck and Eric Moore in 2005.

 

Hilton and Moore are no longer with the team, but Tuck's versatility has made him a fixture in the defensive line rotation and Torbor made a smooth transition to linebacker. New York really seemed to go overboard on defensive ends in 2006 when it used its first-round pick on Mathias Kiwanuka.

 

The Giants played Kiwanuka as a backup defensive end as a rookie before moving him to outside linebacker before the 2007 season. Kiwanuka went down with a season-ending leg injury in November. But New York still had a strong pass rush from Torbor and the defensive ends. It also helped tremendously in the Super Bowl when the interior linemen were collapsing the pocket and making Brady run into Strahan, Tuck and Umenyiora.

 

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was in his first season in that role, and he helped the pass rush get stronger late in the season. It should only continue to get better. Strahan is nearing the end of his career, but the Giants have enough defensive ends and converted defensive ends on their roster to survive that and stay strong up front for years to come. But don't be at all surprised if Coughlin uses another draft pick (or two) on a defensive end this year.

 

And don't be surprised if a lot of other teams start trying to follow the lead of the Giants. Virginia's Chris Long, Clemson's Phillip Merling, Florida's Derrick Harvey, Ohio State's Vernon Gholston and Southern California's Lawrence Jackson all fit the mold of pass-rushing defensive ends. Long, Gholston and Merling are viewed as likely first-round picks, Jackson and Harvey as guys who could go late in the first round or early in the second round.

 

But those are early predictions. Starting Wednesday and continuing through Feb. 26 in Indianapolis, the league must go through the scouting combine and individual workouts. That could push five or six defensive ends into the first round as the rest of the league gives more thought to how the Giants won the Super Bowl.

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants pursuing Falcons' CB Hall

Friday, February 22, 2008

BY MIKE GARAFOLO

Star-Ledger Staff

 

INDIANAPOLIS -- With their top two free-agent targets wearing pricey franchise tags, the Giants are trying another route toward getting a top cornerback: A trade with the Atlanta Falcons for two-time Pro Bowler DeAngelo Hall.

 

According to two people with knowledge of preliminary discussions between the teams, the Giants are willing to give Atlanta their first-round pick (31st overall) in April's draft in exchange for Hall. The people requested anonymity because of the private nature of the trade talks.

 

 

Giants general manager Jerry Reese declined to comment yesterday morning at the NFL Scouting Combine when asked whether the Giants have inquired about Hall, the eighth overall pick in the 2004 draft.

 

Hall's agent, Joel Segal, could not be reached for comment.

 

The Giants had hoped to make a run at the Seahawks' Marcus Trufant and the Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha, according to one of the people familiar with the team's offseason plans, but each was made the franchise player by their respective teams. As compensation, the Giants would owe two first-round picks if they signed either player. Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, who will become a free agent next Friday, is viewed by the Giants more as a player whose success is the product of New England's defensive system than his own ability.

 

Hall, 24, is a fast, tough and talented player who has 17 interceptions in his four NFL seasons. However, he had a tumultuous 2007 season with the Falcons. In a loss to the Panthers in September, he drew three penalties on Carolina's game-tying drive and then got into a shouting match with coach Bobby Petrino on the sideline. Hall was fined $100,000 and benched for the first quarter of the next week's game for the incident.

 

Hall further criticized Petrino when the first-year coach resigned in mid-December -- with three games left in the season.

 

"If I saw him in the street, I wouldn't have anything to say to him," Hall said at the time. "I don't have any respect for him. He turned his back on the organization."

 

Petrino is now at the University of Arkansas, but Hall's relationship with the Falcons is still unsettled. Newly hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week he would listen to trade offers for Hall, even though new coach Mike Smith and the rest of his staff would like to keep him. Dimitroff is believed to be shopping for a better deal at the Scouting Combine, which began yesterday and runs through Tuesday.

 

The Falcons already have dumped several veterans, including four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler, and seem to be interested in shedding other salaries. Atlanta spokesman Reggie Roberts declined to comment.

 

Since he was hired 13 months ago, Reese has made two trades -- for placekicker Lawrence Tynes and running back Reuben Droughns. Tynes recently agreed to a five-year, $7 million deal to remain with the Giants, but Droughns, who was overtaken on the depth chart by Derrick Ward and then Ahmad Bradshaw, likely will be released soon. Reese nearly pulled off a third trade last spring, but that fell through when former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson failed a physical.

 

Reese's successes as GM have mostly come via the draft. All eight of his picks from a year ago became contributors for the Super Bowl XLII champions, including Bradshaw and first-rounder Aaron Ross.

 

 

The Giants are confident they have a long-term starting cornerback in Ross, who had three interceptions and six more passes defensed in his rookie season. Ross also had 1 1/2 sacks and many quarterback pressures while blitzing from his spot as the nickel cornerback on passing downs.

 

The Giants also like what they've seen recently from Corey Webster -- the three-year veteran and former second-round pick who looked to be a bust during his first two seasons with the Giants. Webster quickly turned things around with an interception returned for a touchdown against the Bills in December, an interception against the Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs and another interception to set up the game-winning field goal against the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

 

But cornerback is one area where Reese likes to have as much depth as possible. (Defensive end is clearly another.) By adding Hall, the Giants would increase depth and give themselves one of the league's best corners. They might also be able to shed the $1.47 million in salary 11-year veteran Sam Madison is owed this upcoming season by cutting him. Backup cornerback R.W. McQuarters, who is scheduled to earn $2.525 million in salary, is expected to be released -- perhaps as soon as this week.

 

Hall's 2008 salary is $4.22 million. The following season he's owed $957,500, though that year is voidable. Chances are the Giants will want to work out a new long-term deal if they complete the trade with Atlanta.

[jerseygiantfan]

Plaxico Burress may want new deal

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Sunday, February 24th 2008, 4:00 AM

Theodorakis/News

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS - Plaxico Burress just finished a remarkable season in which he battled a painful injury and finished with a Super Bowl-winning catch. Now he may be looking to cash in.

 

Burress' agent declined to shoot down speculation on Saturday that the Giants' top receiver is looking to renegotiate his deal. Burress has three years and $10.5 million left on the six-year, $25 million deal he signed in 2005, but there have been rumors that he's looking for more.

 

"That is going to be between myself and the Giants," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "I can't comment on that publicly."

 

Burress, of course, would appear to have some leverage after catching 70 passes for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season and another 18 passes for 221 yards and a score in the playoffs. The whole time he battled a sprained ankle he suffered on Aug. 2. He even played in the Giants' Super Bowl win just five days after slipping in the shower and hurting his knee.

 

If Burress does ask for more money, he's not likely to be the only one. The Giants already have expressed a willingness to sweeten the pot for Michael Strahan, who is due $4 million if he chooses to play next season. Some NFL sources expect Osi Umenyiora to ask for more money, too, even though he's signed through 2012.

 

Giants GM Jerry Reese did indicate the Giants are willing to spend some money this offseason. They are currently trying to re-sign linebacker Kawika Mitchell and safety Gibril Wilson, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on Friday. He also said the Giants might pursue other teams' franchise players - a pursuit that could carry an enormous cost.

 

"Just because players are tagged doesn't mean it's the end of the line for them," Reese said. "There still can be some situations you can work out some trade possibilities with teams who have tagged their players."

 

Paying for new players, though, and paying for players who are already signed are two different things. It's not clear how far the Giants are willing to go to keep Burress, especially since he's already due $3.25 million this season, $3.5 million next season, and $3.75 million in 2010.

 

BACK ON HIS FEET: TE Jeremy Shockey (broken leg) is walking without crutches. He has been medically cleared to resume workouts and will be ready for the start of the offseason program (March 31), Rosenhaus said. ... Rosenhaus said he expects the Giants to cut DT William Joseph, but does not expect them to cut RB Reuben Droughns. Reese would not rule out cutting veterans in the coming days. According to a source, one name to watch is CB R.W. McQuarters, who is due $2.525 million in '08. ... Tom Coughlin's contract extension "is not quite finished," Reese said, but should be done "anytime now."

[jerseygiantfan]

Michael Strahan taking Super break before deciding on Giant return

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, February 26th 2008, 4:00 AM

 

Michael Strahan does not plan to make a decision on his future until April at the earliest. In fact, he might not even make up his mind until May.

 

The 36-year-old defensive end said Monday he will wait until after a spring vacation before deciding whether he wants to play one more season. A few months ago, he planned to let the Giants know by March, but that was before their Super Bowl run. "The season kind of extended a lot further than I thought," Strahan said last night before the premiere of the Giants' championship DVD at the AMC Theater in Times Square. "March is next week. There's no way by next week. You know, I want to take a vacation. I want to get away. I want to get away. I haven't been able to do that, and I don't have anything planned until the middle of next month and I won't be back until the beginning of the following month. So it won't be in March. That's too early."

 

Strahan added he "hopefully" will have a decision by draft weekend, April 26-27. Strahan didn't announce his intentions last year until training camp was over. Free agency opens on Friday and the Giants don't know if they need to replace the seven-time Pro Bowler, or if they should consider moving linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end.

 

At the scouting combine last week, GM Jerry Reese said Strahan had "earned the right" to take his time, but he said he preferred to have a decision "sooner rather than later." Reese is expected to meet with Strahan and his agent, Tony Agnone, sometime in March. At that meeting, the Giants are likely to inform Strahan what co-owner John Mara said last week: that the Giants are open to redoing Strahan's contract, which has only one year and $4 million remaining. Strahan said money won't be the biggest factor. "You know what? If that were the reason to come back then I wouldn't have come back last year because they didn't do anything (with his contract)," Strahan said. "That stuff is secondary. The biggest thing is, 'Do I want to play?'"

 

 

 

Also has video of alot of Giants players at the screening for the DVD...on the right

[jerseygiantfan]

Report: Giants' Coughlin to get 4-year, $21M extension

 

 

Updated: February 28, 2008, 8:53 AM ET

 

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Tom Coughlin's expected new contract extension reportedly will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid coaches.

 

The New York Daily News reported Thursday that Coughlin will receive a four-year extension worth approximately $21 million from the Giants after leading New York to a Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. There are only minor details to be worked out and the newspaper reported that an official agreement could be announced as early as next week.

 

The $5.25 million per year average will put Coughlin only below Seattle's Mike Holmgren, who will make about $8 million in 2008 and New England's Bill Belichick, who signed an extension last season and was believed to make over $4 million per year in his earlier contract.

 

The newspaper reported that Coughlin was slated to make $3.5 million in 2008 but that contract will be discarded for this new extension, which will take the Giants coach through the 2011 season.

 

 

 

[TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt]

Heil Cheerleader!!! He had the kind of makeover this year that you only see on those bogus ugly duckling to model shows.

[jerseygiantfan]

 

Giants lose three from defense

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Saturday, March 1st 2008, 4:00 AM

Cataffo/News

 

 

 

The defending Super Bowl champions hadn't suffered a loss since December. Friday, on the first day of free agency, they lost three times.

 

The Giants lost three defensive starters just hours after the free-agent signing period opened, as safety Gibril Wilson and linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor all left for greener pastures.

 

The Giants were trying to keep both Wilson and Mitchell, according to team sources, but their prices went way too high. Wilson got a six-year deal worth a reported $39 million with $16 million in guaranteed money from the Raiders. Mitchell got a five-year, $17.5 million deal with a $3.5 million signing bonus from the Bills. Torbor agreed to terms with the Dolphins.

 

The Giants aren't worried about their linebacker corps, with Mathias Kiwanuka due to return from a broken leg and reclaim his starting spot on the strong side next season, and Gerris Wilkinson ready to step in on the weak side.

 

Replacing Wilson, though, could be more difficult. That's why the Giants inquired yesterday about free-agent safeties Sammy Knight (Jaguars) and Eugene Wilson (Patriots).

 

They also made a run at several veteran quarterbacks they hoped would backup Eli Manning - a job that eventually may fall to former Chiefs and Dolphins signal-caller Trent Green. The 37-year-old Green spent most of last season on injured reserve after suffering his second severe concussion in a 13-month span.

 

Green's agent, Jim Steiner, said he talked to the Giants yesterday and he told the Daily News via e-mail that "there is interest." However, they had yet to schedule a visit with the Giants, or set up a physical with team physicians.

 

Before calling about Green, the Giants tried to sign quarterback Todd Collins, calling his agent almost as soon as the market opened. But Collins, 37, eventually re-signed with the Washington Redskins. The Giants also tried to lure former Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon before he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

The Giants reportedly also have expressed some interest in CB Jason Webster (Bills) and DE N.D. Kalu (Texans).

 

NO SHOCK THERE: The Giants have no intention of trading TE Jeremy Shockey, according to a team source. The New Orleans Saints were one of several teams to inquire about his availability in recent days, but all of them were rebuffed.

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[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan and Jared