Giant Football Blog

Jints snap into action

A few weeks ago, kicker Lawrence Tynes lamented the fact that the Giants last season were the only team in the NFL that did not employ a long-snapping specialist. Instead, they split the job between two rookies, linebacker Zak DeOssie for punts and defensive tackle Jay Alford for field goals and extra points.

Not wanting to recreate that scenario next season, the Giants signed seven players who were invited to last week's rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, including Nick Leeson, of Virginia Tech, who is exclusively a long snapper. Continue

Giants ink former Rutgers product

Nate Robinson, a defensive tackle who once was one of the most heralded recruits in Rutgers history, signed Monday with the Giants. The 6-5, 315-pounder was one of seven players to be offered a contract after a weekend tryout. He was joined by OT Jacob Hobbs (Albany), DT Brian Soi (Utah), DE Alex Morrow (USC), CB Miguel Scott (N.C. State), S Terrance Stringer (Tuskegee) and long-snapper Nick Leeson (Virginia Tech). Continue

Andre' Woodson miffed by Giant drop

One year ago, Andre' Woodson was discussed as a Heisman Trophy contender. He was considered to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Then he went out and had a good senior year. So how was he still sitting there for the Giants near in the sixth round of the NFL draft? Don't bother asking him.

"I really don't know," Woodson said over the weekend at the Giants' rookie mini-camp. "I think a lot of people still to this day don't really know why I dropped as much as I did." Continue

Kevin Gilbride says Jeremy Shockey's future up for grabs

Kevin Gilbride recently told Jeremy Shockey he wants him back as a featured part of his offense. But the Giants' offensive coordinator admitted he doesn't know if that will happen.

"It's so nebulous right now, you just have no idea," Gilbride said. "Right now he's on our team. We're planning on him being there. He'll be one of the guys that we'll look to feature and one of the guys that we'll look to depend on. Hopefully he'll be here in good spirits and ready to do the things that we know he's capable of doing. But who knows? It's certainly beyond my hands." Continue

One Giant playmaker

Kenny Phillips is sure he can handle what is required of him as a first-round draft pick of the Giants. He knows he must purchase doughnuts for the veterans during the season. "I can do doughnuts," Phillips said. He knows he will be asked (more like told) to sing the Miami fight song or some other ditty on the first day of training camp. "I think if I sound pretty good, they might not ask me to do it anymore," Phillips reasoned.

He grimaced when informed he will be expected to take the defensive backs out to an expensive dinner. Then he brightened a bit when reminded that dinner will come only after he signs his first NFL contract. Continue

Woodson and Manningham hurt

QB Andre Woodson (sixth round) and WR Mario Manningham (third round) were both injured today during the morning practice at rookie minicamp. Woodson pulled up lame on a rollout to the left. He was taken to the cart on the side and did not return to practice. Looked like a left quad issue. Manningham hurt himself while running a deep hook route. He suffered a hip flexor injury. Both players are likely out for this afternoon. Continue

Mario Manningham is a test case

For the first time in more than four months, Mario Manningham didn't have to worry about Wonderlic tests, drug tests or any of the controversies that have been swirling around him. He was out on the football field, doing what he does best. And he sounded very relieved.

"When it's all said and done, what are we out here doing?" Manningham said Friday after the first practice of the Giants' two-day rookie mini-camp. "We're not out here talking about that stuff. We're out here to play football. So I'm not really worried about that." Continue

Talk to strangers

Before this spring is through, coach Tom Coughlin said he'll make sure to sit down for private conversations with all seven Giants draft picks. Prior to yesterday's start of the two-day rookie mini-camp, Coughlin showed some urgency by making sure he visited with Mario Manningham for what the young receiver called "a long talk." That won't be it as far as these chats.

"I'm sure we will continue," Coughlin said. The Giants New York Giants are serious about cultivating Manningham's talents and turning him into a productive player and are leaving nothing to chance. Manningham dropped like a stone in a pond during the NFL draft before the Giants selected him in the third round, too late to befit one of the most prolific receivers in Michigan history. Continue

Jints get feeling of safety with rookie

There's a strong belief among those in the Giants front office and coaching staff that first-round draft pick Kenny Phillips will challenge for playing time sooner rather than later. His first chance to make an impression comes today during the start of the two-day Giants rookie mini-camp at Giants Stadium.

This will be the first look at Phillips wearing Giants colors after he started and excelled for three years in Miami orange, green and white. Phillips will be one of the seven draft picks in attendance, along with 12 undrafted free agents signed by the team, and others in for tryouts. Of all the newcomers, Phillips is thought to be the closest to being NFL-ready and the Giants will not be surprised at all if he works his way into the lineup at free safety before very long. Continue

David Diehl's contract gets Giant boost

David Diehl proved last season he could make a capable left tackle. Now he's going to be paid like one, too. The Giants tore up Diehl's old contract a few weeks ago and doubled it by signing him to a six-year deal that could be worth as much as $31million. The 27-year-old is signed through the 2013 season and, if he plays left tackle that entire time, would average more than $5million per year.

Diehl had just completed only the second year of the six-year, $15.5 million extension he had signed in 2005. But he signed that when he was still playing left guard. It appears that Diehl will head into the 2008 season as the starting left tackle. The deal calls for him to earn an additional $750,000 to $1.1million for each season he starts at that position. Continue