Giants announce jersey numbers for new players

The New York Giants officially announced the jersey numbers of 10 of their newest players.

It’s been slow going as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but the New York Giants have officially announced the signings of 10 players over the past two weeks, including linebacker Blake Martinez and cornerback James Bradberry.

On Monday, the team also assigned those 10 players their new jersey numbers, which are subject to change, so remember that when ordering some new attire.

The new jersey numbers are broken down below:

  • James Bradberry, No. 24
  • Colt McCoy, No. 12
  • Levine Toilolo, No. 83
  • Austin Johnson, No. 93
  • Blake Martinez, No. 54
  • Kyler Fackrell, No. 51
  • Cameron Fleming, No. 75
  • Eric Tomlinson, No. 85
  • Nate Ebner, No. 43
  • Dion Lewis, No. 33

Bradberry recently discussed the importance of wearing No. 24, which had been Josh Norman’s number in Carolina.

“Had 21 been open, I would have chosen 21. But since I was in college, I always thought about wearing 24 so I just went with 24 not thinking about it,” Bradberry told The Athletic of taking Norman’s old number.

“When I actually started thinking about it, it was too late. I had already chosen the number and I didn’t want to go back. People would probably say I was scared to wear that number and I didn’t want that either, so I just took the challenge.”

Interestingly, the No. 44, which linebacker Markus Golden wore last season, has not be reassigned.

[lawrence-related id=644103,644093,644068]

Giants’ Colt McCoy eager to work with, mentor Daniel Jones

New York Giants QB Colt McCoy says he’s eager to work with and mentor Daniel Jones, who he believes has a very high ceiling.

When the possibilities of who could come in to back up New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, one of the least bandied about names was that of Colt McCoy.

But here he is, the 33-year-old seasoned NFL veteran whose pro career has been primarily as a backup ready to assume that role on Joe Judge’s revamped roster.

The former Texas star who was a two-time Heisman finalist, a two-time first team All-American and winner of such awards as the Walter Camp (twice), Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, Manning and Archie Griffin has a wealth of experience to offer in the Giants’ quarterback room.

McCoy is also a veteran of the NFC East wars and is currently the longest-tenured quarterback in the division.

“I don’t know if I looked at it from a standpoint of importance, but I do think it’s an advantage,’ McCoy said on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. “Spending my last six years in D.C., playing on and off there and then having the opportunity to join the Giants. I think playing those teams, their systems, their coaches, their coordinators may change but you do have a feel for players and their skillset. It’s a very competitive division and I do think there is value in staying in the east for sure.”

McCoy is unfamiliar with the Giants in general, however, as are most these days. He does know offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, the former Dallas Cowboys head coach who he faced the last six seasons as a member of the Washington Redskins.

“I’ve had great conversations with Coach Garrett,” McCoy said. “He played for a long time and he’s been a super successful head coach. I’m excited to learn from him. Not only his system and him coming back to calling plays this year, which he hadn’t done in a couple of years, but really, I mentioned it earlier on this call, there is value to playing for a coach that played quarterback, that played your position.

“There are little things that pop up, and he sees the field the same way we do and he understands. But he has an expectation of us to play at a high level and he knows how he wants his offense run. But there is a difference. Playing for Coach (Jay) Gruden, he played quarterback too. There is a familiarity there that he sort of understands what we see and how we play. I think there is benefit to that.”

But what the Giants want most out of McCoy, other than being able to play in pinch, is what wisdom he may be able to impart on Jones.

“I met Daniel just in pregame when we played them a couple times last year,” said McCoy. “I know him more as a quarterback because playing in the same division you get to watch their tape week in and week out because we are playing all the same opponents across the league. I thought he played very well as a rookie last year. His future is bright, his ceiling is high and he seems like a really great person.

“He’s obviously very lucky to have a guy like Eli in the quarterback room. A guy I really look up to and respect as a guy who did it right his whole career. I think Daniel knows the importance of a healthy quarterback room. I’ve talked to Daniel since I signed a couple times and just told him how excited I am coming up and learning this new system together.”

The Giants are likely to keep searching for quarterbacks on the down low but for the time being, they are content with having the seasoned McCoy under roof.

[lawrence-related id=643868,643860,643826]

Set at quarterback, Giants have many NFL Draft options

The New York Giants are set at quarterback, which will open up a plethora of options in the 2020 NFL Draft.

One thing the New York Giants will not be doing in the 2020 NFL Draft later this month is selecting a backup quarterback.

They have a clear starter in Daniel Jones, who they used the No 6 overall pick in last year’s draft to secure and have two backups they appear to be comfortable with. This is a strong draft for quarterbacks and they will likely find a prospect on Day 3 or in the UDFA market afterward, but it appears they are content with their quarterback room for the moment.

“As of now, there are three quarterbacks on the roster, and as long as the name Daniel Jones sits atop the list, there is not much reason for discussion when it comes to the Giants and this most critical position,” writes The Post’s Paul Schwartz. “Behind him, veteran backup Colt McCoy was brought in via free agency and Alex Tanney remains on the scene, at least for now.

“Jones turns 23 on May 27 and his rookie year was filled with evidence he can be the worthy successor to Eli Manning, in terms of comportment, demeanor and an ability to throw the heck out of the football. Jones is more athletic, though, and was far more advanced in his first year than Manning was as a rookie in 2004.”

The one burning question in going forward with Jones is his propensity to turn the football over (12 interceptions, 11 lost fumbles), but many see that as a correctable issue rather than an indelible trait.

Jones lost the football most times trying to extend plays or force things that weren’t there. Under new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, we can expect a more conservative approach from Jones with less daring and fewer instances of chance-taking.

Jones’ status and the comfort in the other two quarterbacks means the Giants will be in a prime position at No. 4 in the draft this year to swing a deal with a team seeking to move up to grab a quarterback. They can amass some additional draft capital and still get the player — or players — they want in this draft.

[lawrence-related id=643792,643785,643778]

Colt McCoy expects Giants’ virtual offseason program to begin on Monday

QB Colt McCoy expects the New York Giants to begin their offseason workout program on Monday via video and technology.

New York Giants backup quarterback Colt McCoy expects the team’s offseason workout program to get underway on Monday as scheduled, but with a bit of a hitch.

Of course, the Giants can not descend on East Rutherford as a team due to the coronavirus pandemic, but advancements in technology may provide them a way to skirt around that a bit.

No, there won’t be any work in the weight room, no in-house team meetings and no person-to-person interaction with coaches, but there will be virtual meetings and playbooks if all goes according to plan.

McCoy also acknowledged something that general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge have not — Daniel Jones entering the season as the unquestioned starting quarterback.

However, McCoy noted that he intends on taking a coach-like approach to serving as the No. 2 so that he can both help Jones as needed and prepare himself in the event he has to step in and play.

Additionally, McCoy, who acknowledged that he may get into coaching once his playing career winds down, believes his experience as a young player during the NFL lockout can help smooth out the adjustment to other players this season.

[lawrence-related id=643809,643803,643792]

What if 2005 Texas played 2009 Texas?

In this experiment, we put the 2005 team against the 2009 team in a 10 game series. Here is how the games played out and who won the series.

The last half of the 2000s ended one of the best stretch runs Texas has ever seen in their football history. Led by two elite quarterbacks throughout the years in Vince Young and Colt McCoy, the 2005 and 2009 teams made it all the way to Pasadena to play in a national championship.

While the two seasons ended in opposite fashions, they are no doubt the best teams the Longhorns have produced throughout the program’s history.

That got us thinking, what if they could play against each other in a 10 game series? Who would win? Who would be the stars of the games? Could ’05 Mack Brown out coach ’09 Mack Brown or visa versa? Would this decide who is the better all-time Texas quarterback?

Thanks to the website WhatIfSports, you can put any two teams from any sport (not just college football) up against each other and see how they would play out.

For this experiment, we put the 2005 National Champions against the 2009 Big 12 Champions to see which team is ultimately better between the two. Giving each team five home games, both had equal opportunity to take advantage of Darryl K. Memorial Stadium, even though the crowd would be cheering for both to win.

After simulating 10 games, here are the results:

Report: Matt Moore turned down Giants’ contract offer

The New York Giants reportedly made a contract offer to veteran QB Matt Moore, who turned it down.

Just prior to agreeing to terms with veteran quarterback Colt McCoy, the New York Giants were in heavy pursuit of another veteran gun slinger — Matt Moore.

So, what made the Giants turn to McCoy instead of pressing forward with Moore? Well, apparently Moore didn’t want to play for New York. At least not at the numbers they were offering.

Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports that Moore turned down the Giants’ contract offer and remains a free agent.

The Giants had previously been linked to former Kansas City and Miami backup Matt Moore, but it’s McCoy who will be joining Big Blue’s QB room. A source tells Vacchiano that the Giants did make an offer to Moore, but he turned it down.

It’s unclear what the Giants offered Moore, but he wasn’t having it. As a result, the Giants will go with the slightly younger McCoy to team with Alex Tanney as the backups to Daniel Jones.

Additionally, the Giants continue to poke around some quarterback prospects ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, so do not be surprised if they add one more before heading into the offseason workout program (whenever it is that may begin).

[lawrence-related id=643299,643290,643284]

Texas legend Colt McCoy: Only active QB from the 2010 NFL Draft class

Out of the 14 quarterbacks selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, only one remains active in the league.

Only one remains.

Continue reading “Texas legend Colt McCoy: Only active QB from the 2010 NFL Draft class”

Giants to add Colt McCoy: 3 things to know

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with Colt McCoy, so here are three things to know about the backup quarterback.

The New York Giants had been eyeing Matt Moore to backup Daniel Jones in 2020, but they made a shift on Thursday, agreeing to terms with former third-round pick Colt McCoy.

Here are three quick things to know about McCoy:

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Unbelievable college career

Before entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2010, McCoy had a remarkable career at Texas, winning an absurd number of awards and honors before having his No. 12 officially retired.

Here are just some of McCoy’s noteworthy awards:

  • Maxwell Award (2009)
  • Davey O’Brien Award (2009)
  • Manning Award (2009)
  • Chic Harley Award (2009)
  • Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2009)
  • Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2009)
  • 2× Walter Camp Award (2008, 2009)
  • Archie Griffin Award (2008)
  • Sporting News College Athlete of the Year (2009)
  • 2× First-team All-American (2008, 2009)
  • 2× Heisman Trophy finalist (2008, 2009)
  • Heisman Trophy runner-up (2008)
  • Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2006)

McCoy also ranks within the top 15 of most all-time NCAA and Big 12 passing categories.

Former Texas QB Colt McCoy agrees to new contract, remains in NFC East

Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has agreed to a new contract that will keep him in the NFC East.

One former Longhorn legend has found a new home.

According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the New York Giants have agreed to terms with quarterback Colt McCoy on Thursday.

McCoy was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After three seasons in Cleveland, the former Longhorn had a brief stint in San Francisco before landing with the Washington Redskins.

After five seasons with the Redskins, McCoy is now expected to play behind quarterback Daniel Jones in New York. Although he’s had an injury prone career, he’s the type of high-character leader and veteran that you’d want on your roster.

McCoy is established and comfortable in the backup quarterback role and is widely respected both on and off the field.

The Giants couldn’t have landed a better mentor to groom their franchise quarterback.

Report: Giants agree to terms with backup QB Colt McCoy

The Giants have reportedly agreed to terms with Colt McCoy.

The New York Giants have reportedly agreed to terms with backup quarterback, Colt McCoy.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Giants will add to their backup quarterback options behind Daniel Jones by bringing in McCoy.

McCoy spent the past five seasons with the Washington Redskins. In 2019 he made one start and completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 122 yards and one pick.

In recent days, there was a report that the Giants were interested in bringing in another quarterback — namely Matt Moore — to compete with Alex Tanney, who had his option picked up earlier this offseason.

It appears the Giants have found that guy in McCoy, and that is not good news Tanney’s prospects of being the backup in 2020.

By default, McCoy is easily the better option, as Tanney has played in just two games and has never made a start. Meanwhile, McCoy has played in 39 career games, with 28 starts.