Category: Latest Giants news

Giants designate Kareem Martin to return from IR

The New York Giants have designated linebacker Kareem Martin (knee) to return from injured reserve.

The New York Giants had a decision to make when it came to the second and final player to designate for return form injured reserve, and due to the release of Bennie Fowler and the concussion sustained by Golden Tate, many believed it would be wide receiver Russell Shepard.

It’s won’t be.

Shepard’s season is officially over as the Giants announced on Wednesday that linebacker Kareem Martin has been designated to return from injured reserve.

The Giants had placed Martin on injured reserve in September after suffering a knee injury in a season opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

A former third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, Martin signed with the Giants and reunited with defensive coordinator James Bettcher in 2018. And in his first season with Big Blue, Martin recorded 48 tackles, five stuffs and two passes defensed.

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Giants promote WR Da’Mari Scott from practice squad

The New York Giants promoted wide receiver Da’Mari Scott to their 53-man roster and signed WR Reggie White Jr. to their practice squad.

One day after waiving wide receiver Bennie Fowler, the New York Giants promoted wide receiver Da’Mari Scott from the practice squad.

From the Giants:

Scott, 6-0 and 205 pounds, is a first-year pro from Fresno State who played in the final three games of the 2018 season for the Buffalo Bills. He did not have a reception. Scott was released by the Bills on Aug. 21 and signed to the Giants’ practice squad on Oct. 1.

The Giants also re-signed wide receiver Reggie White to their practice squad. White was on the squad from Sept. 1 to Nov. 12, when he was waived.

Scott will likely be used to return kicks or punts with the team’s main returners — safety Jabrill Peppers (fractured transverse process) and Golden Tate (concussion) sidelined for the foreseeable future.

White, a local product from Monmouth, made a bit of an impression in training camp and preseason this summer before getting released at the roster cutdown, reeling in 8 passes for 115 yards.

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2020 NFL Draft: Giants land Chase Young in latest Draft Wire mock

The New York Giants landed Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young and two other quality pieces in the latest Draft Wire mock.

With the New York Giants in the middle of another dismal season and headed for the depths of NFL obscurity, fans are looking forward to what most fans of losing teams look forward to — the NFL Draft.

Luke Easterling of our sister site Draft Wire has published his latest 2020 mock draft in which the Giants hold the second overall pick. Here’s what he came up with in his four-round mock.

2. New York Giants | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

This team has needs on offense if they want Daniel Jones to develop quickly, but there’s no way the Giants should pass on the best overall prospect in this class. Landing a rare talent like Young would be a huge steal, even at No. 2 overall.

Two years ago, in a quarterback-heavy draft, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman took a running back (Saquon Barkley). Last year in a defensive stud draft, they took a quarterback (Daniel Jones). This year, in another quarterback draft, Gettleman will take a defensive stud. This time, though, it will be the right pick.

Young appears to be the genuine article. The Giants are in desperate need for a playmaker on defense and since they passed up on Josh Allen last year, they can’t mess this up. Or can they?

Next mocked selection?

36. New York Giants | Trey Adams | OT | Washington

Adams is 6-foot-8 and 327 pounds. He’s a fifth-year senior after missing time with ACL and back injuries. A younger Nate Solder. Not the most gifted athlete but you can’t teach size and Adams comes from a top program.

*The Giants do not have their third round pick (No. 67 overall) as Gettleman gave it away to the Jets as part of the Leonard Williams trade. They are slated to receive a third round compensatory pick for losing Landon Collins in free agency, but that is not guaranteed.

98. New York Giants | Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State

Another cornerback? Well, yeah. Have you seen the Giants’ coverage (or lack thereof) this season? They’ll likely dump Janoris Jenkins and are not sure what they have in DeAndre Baker, Sam Beal and Corey Ballentine. Arnette is another fifth-year senior from a big program, but so were Baker and Eli Apple.

Overall, Young makes this work. Teams could look to leapfrog the Giants to get him, but it’s unlikely that happens for a non-quarterback these days. Gettleman will probably get several enticing offers for the No. 2 overall pick and could trade out here. He’s been so unpredictable anything is possible.

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Giants’ Daniel Jones quietly setting records in rookie season

New York Giants QB Daniel Jones is quietly setting records and having a rookie season for the ages.

New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones is more known for his futility these days than anything else. That aside, the No. 6 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft is quietly putting together some impressive numbers in the midst of this lost Giants’ season.

The reason few are pounding the drum for Jones is because he is the face of a floundering franchise that has lost seven straight games. He also leads the NFL in fumbles with 14.

Here’s what most people are missing about Jones. He leads all rookie quarterbacks in touchdown passes with 17 versus just eight INTs. Keep in mind, he’s only started nine ballgames.

From the Giants:

Jones has thrown for at least one score in each of his first nine career starts.

That makes him a) one of eight quarterbacks since the 1970 merger with at least one touchdown pass in each of his first nine starts, and b) part of a five-way tie for fourth place among the quarterbacks who have accomplished the feat in those 50 seasons.

It’s an eclectic list. The top three includes two Super Bowl winners, one a Hall of Famer, and a former No. 1 overall draft choice who is in his second season. But the four quarterbacks tied with Jones are perhaps best described as journeymen.

Kurt Warner tops the list with 23 followed by Baker Mayfield (17) and Brad Johnson (15). Jones is tied with Jay Fiedler, Tim Rattay, Jay Cutler and Seneca Wallace. Jones can move into fourth place with a TD pass against the Packers this Sunday.

Another reason why Jones isn’t getting enough street cred is because of the way he’s eased into the job. Many see his arrival as an extension of the Eli Manning era. Giant fans have become so use to having a calming presence under center — and Jones conveys that at age 22 — that the bar is set a little higher for him.

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Giants worked out several kickers on Tuesday

The New York Giants worked out several kickers on Tuesday, but reportedly informed them they intended to give Aldrick Rosas one more week.

New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas has missed at least one field goal or point after attempt in five consecutive games, became the first Giants kicker to miss two or more field goals in a game since 2005 and is statistically among the worst in football entering Week 13.

Despite that, head coach Pat Shurmur has appeared somewhat committed to his struggling kicker — a player who he is openly fond of — telling reporters on Monday they are focused on helping Rosas improve.

“I’m sure if we do bring any kickers in, it’ll be made public. Certainly, it’s unacceptable to miss the kicks like we did. But I think it’s important that the guys that are here continue to improve. In all areas, become more consistent with what they do. I think that’s the focus with Aldrick at this point,” Shurmur said on a conference call.

Although Rosas seems to have a lengthy leash, the Giants did let him know on Tuesday that he’s gotta step it up by working out a handful of kickers, including Giorgio Tavecchio, Blair Walsh, Austin MacGinnis and Cole Hedlund.

After the workouts, the Giants reportedly told the kickers they would not be signed but to stay by their phones because a call could come in sometime next week.

The pressure is clearly on Rosas at this point, so he, Zak DeOssie and Riley Dixon need to get things figured out. If he has another bad miss against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, that could end up being all she wrote.

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Carl Banks named semifinalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Retired New York Giants LB Carl Banks has been named one of the 25 modern-era semifinalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For the first time since he’s been eligible, retired New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks has been named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Banks made the cut alongside 24 other modern-era players for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020, joining defensive tackle Bryant Young and running backs Fred Taylor and Ricky Watters as the four first-time semifinalists who had previously been eligible.

A first-round pick of the Giants in the 1984 NFL Draft, Banks would spend nine years in New York, winning two Super Bowls while being named to the Pro Bowl once and earning an All-Pro nod in 1987. He was also named to the NFL’s 1980’s All-Decade Team and late enshrined in the Giants’ Ring of Honor.

After his time with the Giants, Banks spent a year with the Cleveland Browns before rounding out his career with two years under Bill Belichick as a member of the Cleveland Browns.

The modern-era players list will be reduced to 15 finalists on January 2, 2020. The finalists will then be presented to the 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee during its annual meeting on February 1, 2020 — the day before Super Bowl LIV. The selection committee will elect five modern-era players for the Class of 2020.

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Giants waive WR Bennie Fowler

For the second time in 2019, the New York Giants have waived wide receiver Bennie Fowler.

For the second time this season, the New York Giants have waived wide receiver Bennie Fowler.

The team announced the somewhat curious move on Tuesday afternoon and there was no corresponding transaction. That could mean good news for veteran wide receiver Golden Tate, who suffered a concussion in Sunday’s 19-14 loss to the Chicago Bears.

Fowler was first waived on October 1 when the Giants promoted linebacker Josiah Tauaefa from the practice squad and later re-signed on October 14. He was inactive for the team in Week 12.

In eight games (two starts) this season, Fowler recorded 23 receptions on 36 targets for 193 yards and 12 first downs. He also gained 20 yards on one carry.

Fowler is well-liked and respected in the locker room, but with safety Jabrill Peppers (back) ailing, the Giants could look to sign a wide receiver who can also serve as a return man.

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Brandon Jacobs says Saquon Barkley is still the best back in the NFL

Despite his obvious struggles, Brandon Jacobs still believes New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley is the best at his position in the NFL.

Former New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs still feels that Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the NFL, regardless of his injury status and drop-off in production.

Not sure if Jacobs has been watching the games this season or not. I’m assuming he is and is just being supportive. It’s clear Barkley is still dealing with the after effects of the high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 3 and has not been the same player since his return in Week 7.

Barkley, who gained a league-high 2,028 total yards from scrimmage in 2018 (1,307 rushing, 721 receiving) appears to be a shell of what he was last season, averring just 57.6 yards per game as opposed to the 81.7 last season.

Even if Barkley were healthy, he would be hard-pressed to match either Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey, Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette of Jacksonville or Cleveland’s Nick Chubb this season.

Barkley does not have the same elusiveness or explosiveness this season he had as a rookie. That could be injury-related but the NFL is unforgiving. Defenses don’t care why you’re not doing it any longer. They just know that you’re not doing any longer.

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Lawrence Tynes is right: There’s nothing exciting about these Giants

Lawrence Tynes has called the New York Giants out in a scathing way and you know what? He’s absolutely spot on.

Former New York Giants placekicker and social media star, Lawrence Tynes, was dead-on with his tweet after watching his former club get bested again on Sunday.

Tynes, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Giants and the franchise’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer behind Pete Gogolak, is saying out loud what every ex-Giant and Giant fan is thinking these days.

Tynes isn’t kidding. The Giants went 3-13 when Dave Gettleman took over in December of 2017. Since then, they’ve won just seven of their next 27 games. This is New York. The fans pay a premium to watch this team. They deserve more.

The Giants are headed for their sixth losing season in seven years with another 3-4 win season at best. They will get a top five draft pick but who knows what they’ll do with it.

General manager Dave Gettleman has been so unconventional in his personnel moves and the fans are getting restless. CEO John Mara might be getting restless, too.

Gettleman already made a misstep last month by trading his 2020 third-round pick to the Jets for defensive lineman Leonard Williams, a player who will make minimal impact. Williams will be a free agent who will demand a large payday. Gettleman would be foolish to take the bait. He’ll be out the third-round pick and a 2021 fifth-rounder as a result. What a folly.

This offseason, the Giants may look to make a coaching change, but if it’s to hire Jason Garrett, Mara may as well just sell the team. That would be just more of the same. Let the Washington Redskins hire Garrett.

Tynes is like the rest of us, wondering when this nightmare will end. I’m guessing no time soon with these turkeys calling the shots.

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Rex Ryan: Daniel Jones is much better than Sam Darnold

Rex Ryan believes that New York Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones is much better than New York Jets QB Sam Darnold.

As the New York Giants continue to disappoint their fans, the same old debate rages: did general manager Dave Gettleman make a mistake by selecting Saquon Barkley in the 2018 NFL Draft as opposed to Sam Darnold, only to be stuck with Daniel Jones in 2019?

Some certainly believe that to be the case (even some select authors at Giants Wire), but former Jets head coach Rex Ryan is not among them.

During a segment on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Monday, Ryan was asked which of the two quarterbacks was better and he didn’t even hesitate.

“He is better. Daniel Jones is better,” Ryan said. “I think (Darnold) is a heck of a player, he’s got to get better. And Daniel Jones, the same way.”

This isn’t the first time Ryan has made the argument that Jones has more of an upside than Darnold, saying just a few short weeks ago that DJ is more fundamentally sound that his Gang Green counterpart.

“The reason I’m saying it is because his fundamentals are much better,” Ryan said, via SNY. “I love Sam Darnold, don’t get me wrong. I still think he’s going to be a tremendous player. But I think this guy right here, this guy’s got competitive greatness in him and I think he’s going to be a superstar.”

Darnold has been either hot or cold during his young career thus far, which is something that could be said for Jones as well.

The bottom line is that both New York teams have landed on some very talented young quarterbacks, but the eye test concludes (at least in this writer’s opinion) that Jones has a leg up on Darnold.

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