New York Giants

Three Giants vying for one starting job

The New York Giants starting middle linebacker position looks to be up for grabs this offseason, with head coach Tom Coughlin calling it a “wide open competition.”

When OTAs began on Wednesday, Mark Herzlich started at the position over former Cowboy Dan Connor, and reclamation project Aaron Curry.

“It’s a big opportunity for me to step up, to play like I know I can play, and really lead the defense,” Herzlich said, via The New York Post. “I knew my opportunity would come at some point and hopefully this year’s that time.” Herzlich and Connor, as it turns out, were high school rivals back in Pennsylvania, who played for schools only about 15 minutes apart. Herzlich claims that Connor introduced him to varsity football by running him over. “I went to make a tackle and he put me right on my back,” he joked.

The odd man out at the position may be Aaron Curry, the former Seattle Seahawks draft bust who’s looking to reclaim a career filled with disappointment sicne be…

Ramses Barden staying in New York

After taking into account all of his options during the 2013 free agency, Ramses Barden is back in the fold with the New York Giants this offseason. The Giants re-signed Barden to a one-year contract on Thursday; in the process adding some insurance and depth at their receiving corps.

The fifth-year wide receiver underwent a physical on Thursday and joined caught up with his teammates for the later part of the OTAs session today.

“I’m happy to be back. This is where I wanted to be and now I’m here. I was out there listening to the calls,” said Barden, “getting back into the rhythm of the cadence, enjoying the camaraderie and absorbing everything. I remember everything; I’ve had four years to soak it all up. I’m happy to be back on the field.”

The former Cal Poly product was selected in the third-round of the 2009 draft by the Giants but never lived up to expectations as injuries curtailed his progress early on. Barden played sparingly during his first three seasons in t…

Ramses Barden Reluctantly Re-Signs With The Giants

The New York Giants have re-signed wide receiver Ramses Barden. Barden attempted to hit it big in free agency but he doesn’t really have the track record to command big-time interest. He has raised his major statistics in each of the last four seasons, all with the G-Men, but that isn’t saying much. He finished 2012 with 14 receptions for 220 yards and one quality game in which he crossed the century mark. But he still doesn’t have an NFL touchdown and still hasn’t played a full season without missing games. His best bet was to comeback to a team and quarterback that know him and try to make 2013 a standout year.
What Barden does have is great size at 6-6, 224 lbs. If he can put it together this season and play with some consistency, there is a chance he can be a regular contributor for the Giants and actually strike it rich next offseason. But don’t look for him to be a sleeper in fantasy drafts. He’ll be parked behind Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Rueben Randle.

The post Ramse…

All mixed up: Hakeem Nicks agent says no-show was Giants issue

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks came under fire for not attending the first day of offseason training activities.

According to Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports, Nicks agent Peter Schaffer disputes coach Tom Coughlin’s point of view, saying there shouldn’t be any ‘hard feelings.’

Cole writes:

‘Nick’s agent Peter Schaffer has declined to discuss with Y! Sports why Nicks missed Wednesday’s session.

However, Giants coach Tom Coughlin had hard feelings about Nicks’ absence Wednesday because, apparently, he had not been informed about why Nicks not in attendance.

Coughlin said he had expected Nicks to be there.’

Giants’ Hynoski to have knee surgery

The New York Giants may have to start looking for a fullback.

Starter Henry Hynoski will have surgery Friday to repair his medial collateral ligament and a chip fracture in his left knee. The three-year veteran was hurt Wednesday on the second play from scrimmage during an 11-on-11 drill in an organized team activity.

”I am going to set my mind to being ready for the first game of the regular season,” Hynoski said Thursday. ”They said that is not an unrealistic goal, and I will do everything in my power to be ready for the start of the season.”

The Giants also announced Thursday that veteran wide receiver Ramses Barden had re-signed. The third-round draft pick in 2009 became a free agent after last season.

Hynoski was the only fullback on the roster at the workout Wednesday. Veteran tight end Bear Pascoe has played some fullback for New York in recent seasons. Hynoski, who was used mostly as a blocking back for Ahmad Bradshaw in his first two seasons, had five carries f

Eli Manning plays catch with Manchester City soccer team (Video)

The Manchester City soccer team of the English Premier league were at the New York Giants practice facility on Wednesday and quarterback Eli Manning played catch with some of their players.

H/T Next Impulse Sports
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Giants FB Henry Hynoski needs knee surgery

The New York Giants may have to start looking for a fullback.

Hynoski was the only fullback on the roster at the workout on Wednesday. Veteran tight end Bear Pascoe has played some fullback for New York in recent seasons.

Hynosski, who is using mostly as a blocking back for Ahmad Bradshaw in his first two seasons, had five carries for 20 yards last season. He also caught 11 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown in his second season as a starter.

The Giants signed Hynoski as an undrafted free

Report: Henry Hynoski will undergo surgery on his MCL

According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Giants fullback Henry Hynoski will undergo surgery to repaired his injured MCL.
Giants FB Henry Hynoski will have surgery Friday to repair an injured left MCL and a chip fracture to the lateral plateau. #NYG
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) May 23, 2013

It sounds like Hynoski could still be ready for the regular season.
Hynoski, through the Giants, says it’s “not an unrealistic goal” to be recovered and ready for Opening Day in September. #NYG
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) May 23, 2013

It seems like Hynoski tore his MCL. We don’t have any idea if it’s a partial of full tear.

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Aaron Curry: Money changed me

Remember when everyone was gushing over Aaron Curry as a future NFL star and arguably the top defensive player and safest pick heading into the 2009 NFL Draft? Whatever happened to him and how did all of the “experts” get it so wrong? Like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, it turns out the former 2009 first round pick (No. 4 overall) out of Wake Forest let things go to his head, admitting that the money changed him and caused him to lose his motivation. “Early in my career, I was just selfish and self-centered,” Curry said via the Newark Star-Ledger. “I was more about me than I was the Seahawks at the time. I was more focused on my own desires versus the franchise and the team. It was immaturity, and I’m glad I got past that stage.” Photo Credit: Giants.com Curry signed a six-year, $60 million deal with $34 million guaranteed in 2009. He appeared in 35 contests (30 starts) and registered a total of 156 tackles with just 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in almost two and a …

Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz absent from Giants’ workout

The New York Giants two best wide receivers, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, were not in attendance for Wednesday’s practice at the Timex Performance Center. Cruz’s absence was not a surprise, because he hasn’t signed a contract for the 2013 season. But Nicks was expected to be on the field with his teammates.

Henry Hynoski will under an MRI on his knee

We reported that Giants fullback Henry Hynoski was carted off the field during Wednesday’s organized team activity.
According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Hynoski will undergo an MRI on his left knee.
“He kind of got (his leg rolled up on) and so we are taking a look at that,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. “I said a few prayers and I’ll continue until I hear what it is.”
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Giants reportedly may bring back Ramses Barden

According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, free agent wide receiver Ramses Barden might re-sign with the Giants after testing the open market.

Barden, the Giants’ third-round pick in 2009, is heading back to the New York area and will take a physical with team doctors on Thursday, the Daily News has learned. And if all goes well for the unrestricted free agent, according to an NFL source, he could sign a one-year deal to return before the end of the day.

It is not believed that Barden’s possible return has anything to do with worries about the absence of Cruz or Nicks. The Giants seem to expect Cruz will be re-signed in the coming weeks. And while Nicks’ absence from the start of organized team activities (OTAs) on Wednesday was unexplained – and seemed to irk Tom Coughlin – the team seems to expect him back this week and he has been participating in the offseason program.

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Report: Hakeem Nicks skipped OTA’s because he wants a new contract

We reported earlier today that New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks didn’t show for the start of OTA’s.
According to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, Nicks decided not to show up because he’s unhappy about his contract and wanted to send the Giants a message.
As if the New York Giants and Victor Cruz weren’t involved in enough of a stare down, fellow wide receiver Hakeem Nicks sent the team a little message by not showing up for practice Wednesday.

Pay day is coming soon for Nicks, too.

That was the unstated goal of Nicks’ not attending the Giants’ organized team activity practice, a source indicated Wednesday. Strictly speaking, Nicks didn’t violate any rules. OTAs are, after all, voluntary. However, in the lexicon of NFL, voluntary is a synonym for mandatory.
Unlike Cruz, Nicks is currently under contract. If he holds out, he can be fined by the Giants. Since OTA’s a voluntary he cannot and will not be fined. I can’t imagine Nicks holding out through mini-camp and train

Hakeem Nicks no-show for offseason training activities leaves Tom Coughlin, Giants fans confused

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks threw a curveball at his coach Tom Coughlin and fans who thought he would be at offseason training activities. After being interviewed the night before and saying he was looking forward to a ‘leadership role’ among the receivers, Nicks was a no-show at Giants OTAs. His absence left Coughlin speechless and very unhappy. The Giants two starting receivers both were noticeably absent and while Victor Cruz wasn’t expected to be there, Nicks threw a curveball no one saw coming. When asked about Nicks, Coughlin replied sharply: “I don’t know,” Coughlin said. “He should be here.” According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Nicks provided the biggest surprise of the day. Vacchiano writes: ‘Coughlin added that Nicks would have likely worked with some “limitations” to protect the knee he injured last season. None of that happened, however, because Nicks was not in attendance.’

Mark Herzlich lined up as the Giants starting middle linebacker during OTA’s

According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com, Mark Herzlich was the Giants starting middle linebacker during today’s organized team activities.
First team linebackers: Herzlich at MLB and Paysinger and Rivers at OLBs
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 22, 2013

With Chase Blackburn gone, it makes sense that Herzlich will get the first crack at being the Giants starting middle linebacker.
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