Treehugger

Austrian RB Sandro Platzgummer allocated to Giants Austrian running back Sandro Platzgummer has been allocated to the New York Giants as part of the NFL International Player Pathway Program. The program, instituted in 2017, aims to provide international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. After the NFL conducted an International Combine in Germany last October, Platzgummer received additional training and development alongside NFL players and draft hopefuls in Florida at IMG Academy this winter. The NFC East was chosen to receive these players in a random draw, making the Giants one of four teams able to carry an additional overseas player on their practice squads in 2020. Isaac Alarcon, a former Mexican college football national champion, will join the Dallas Cowboys; David Bada, a former defensive end for the Schwabisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League, will join the Washington Redskins; and Australian Matt Leo, who played football for the Iowa State Cyclones, will join the Philadelphia Eagles. "The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our ongoing efforts to grow the game globally and provide pathways for international players to make it to the NFL," said Damani Leech, NFL Chief Operating Officer of International. "We were excited to have players from around the world competing for a spot in the 2020 program, including eight players who were selected after participating in the International Combine in Germany this past October." Platzgummer played for the Swarco Raiders Tirol, an American football team based in Innsbruck, Austria. It has won the Austrian Football League championship seven times, including a victory in Austrian Bowl XXXV this past year to cap a perfect season. Three players that participated in the program in 2019 – Jakob Johnson (New England Patriots), Durval Queiroz Neto (Miami Dolphins) and Christian Wade (Buffalo Bills) – will return to their AFC East teams for the upcoming season.

Imagine how good Bradshaw could have been if he wasn't stoned all the time.

I remember some idiots on the old GMB thinking all three Wills were going to the Pro Bowl.

They're just praying they blindly strike gold. That's their entire plan for fixing the worse Giants pass rush unit in decades.

Exactly. If anyone thinks we've "addressed the issue" at LB with 6th and 7th round picks they're dreaming. Most of these guys won't even make the roster.

They should. Even if they start the year with empty stadiums there's a pretty good chance they'll be able to bring crowds back later. They'll also be the only game in town and that's too good to give up. It's likely up to the NFLPA though.

Zac "Fuck you guys" DeOssie. Much love for The Hammer though.

Worst OLineman name since Flowers.

Martin I understand, but why Ogletree? He's been a very solid player for us.

I wish we had a healthy Nicks + Cruz combo for a few more seasons. Would love to see a list of all the guys who've caught a TD from Eli.

4-12

NEWSWIRE Eli Manning gets his own beer Eli Manning, the longtime New York Giants quarterback and noted beer fan, will announce his retirement tomorrow. (Question: if it’s already known that he will be announcing his retirement, is it really an announcement?) Naturally, he will be showered with praise and reminiscences of highlights of his glorious NFL career. (Please don’t ask me what any of those are. I work very hard to avoid football and anyway, I live in Chicago.) But Source Brewing of Colts Neck, New Jersey, has actually thought to get him a goodbye gift: his very own beer. Well, a beer that’s named after him. The beer is called ELIte Tribute. It is unclear whether that’s pronounced like “Eli” or “elite” or somewhere in between. It’s a New England IPA; yes, football people have already pointed out the irony that New England is home to the Manning’s nemeses the Patriots. The Asbury Park Press reports that “ELIte Tribute boasts notes of tangerine, blueberry, red Starburst candies, ripe peaches and roses, with a mellow mouthfeel and only subtle bitterness and 8 percent ABV.” (Is Manning a fan of Starbursts? Inquiring minds want to know.) Manning’s statistics are printed on each can, so drinkers can pretend they are true fans with encyclopedic knowledge of his achievements. It sells for $18 per four-pack, but alas, the cans are all sold out. However, Source will also be serving it on tap this weekend at its tasting room, at the Asbury Park Beerfest, and at a few other taverns around town.

I'd be okay with that too.

From what I've read Simmons would be a dream fit for Graham's scheme.