Tag: Eli Penny

Ex-Giant Eli Penny named head coach at Glenn High School

Retired New York Giants FB Eli Penny has been named the head football coach at John Glenn High School in Norwalk.

Former New York Giants fullback Eli Penny announced his retirement last November but he’s not going to stay away from the game of football.

On Friday, four months after his retirement announcement, Penny was hired as the head football coach of Glenn High School.

“It’s a great occasion because I really get to coach the kids in this community that I’ve mentored or fostered (a relationship with during) my time being in college or even in the NFL with all the free camps I’ve done,” Penny said, via the Press-Telegram. “To see the same kids that were showing up to my camps and I’ll have a chance to coach them, that’s an awesome feeling.”

Penny will rely on his NFL experience to help turn around a program that hasn’t done much winning and has struggled to attract players.

“My expertise is everything that I’ve been through,” Penny said. “My journey, my knowledge, my wisdom. Things that I can share with these kids to make their path easier than what I went through coming from this city. . . I feel like the guys who do make it out and go far from here, it’s our service and it’s our job to come back and give to the kids.”

Penny originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted rookie out of Idaho in 2016. After two-plus seasons in the desert, Penny was signed to the Giants’ 53-man roster off of the Cards’ practice squad in September of 2018.

Penny remained with the Giants through the 2021 season.

In 77 career games (seven starts), Penny gained 302 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown. Impressively, the fullback never dropped a pass nor fumbled the ball.

In addition to his offensive production, Penny was also a stout special teams player who recorded 32 tackles (15 solo) and recovered two fumbles.

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Ex-Giant Elijhaa Penny announces retirement from NFL

Former New York Giants fullback Elijhaa Penny announced his retirement on Monday, closing out what was a very underrated career.

Former New York Giants fullback Elijhaa Penny announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, putting a bow on an underrated six-year career.

Penny signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted rookie out of Idaho in 2016. After two-plus seasons in the desert, Penny was signed to the Giants’ 53-man roster off of the Cards’ practice squad in September of 2018.

Penny remained with the Giants through the 2021 season.

In 77 career games (seven starts), Penny gained 302 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown. Impressively, the fullback never dropped a pass nor fumbled the ball.

In addition to his offensive production, Penny was also a stout special teams player who recorded 32 tackles (15 solo) and recovered two fumbles.

Former Giants running backs coach Burton Burns called Penny a “special talent.”

“I think Eli Penny has special talents as a dual player, as fullback/running back type,” Burns told reporters in 2020. “Eli has a great personality. He is infectious throughout the team. I think guys look up to him, he’s a go-getter. He’s got this attitude: I’ll do whatever it takes.

“He’s got a unique ability. He’s primarily a fullback, if you will. As you noticed last year, he was able to get in some one-back opportunities and do those things. I think the biggest thing with Eli, he’s got great leadership qualities. He’s got a great personality and the whole locker room loves Eli. Just because of his attitude and his desire to do the right thing for us to be successful.”

In February of this year, Penny had his jersey retired at Norwalk High School in Norwalk, California.

Once a Giant, Always a Giant.

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Giants roster turnover: 13 new Week 1 starters compared to 2021

When the New York Giants take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, 13 different players will start compared to Week 1 of last season.

The New York Giants saw significant change this offseason as yet another rebuild was ushered in under the leadership of first-time general manager Joe Schoen.

In addition to a front office and scouting overhaul, the Giants also saw significant roster turnover. Nearly 50 percent of the roster was altered in some way, shape or form and that will be represented in Week 1 of the 2022 regular season.

When the Giants take on the Tennessee Titans, 13 Week 1 starters from last year’s team will have been replaced — some outright and some due to injury.

Here’s a quick look at those 13 changes from 2021 to 2022.

Report: Giants expected to move on from Eli Penny, Cullen Gillaspia

The New York Giants are not expected to retain fullbacks Eli Penny or Cullen Gillaspia as they seek a more traditional H-back.

With the New York Giants going through a severe cost cutting period as the NFL new fiscal year comes to end next Wednesday, players who would probably be brought back under normal situations are likely to be released or be allowed to enter free agency this year.

The Giants are still close to $8 million over the $208.2 million salary cap and the goal is create $40 million in available cap space as per new general manager Joe Schoen.

Two players the Giants are almost sure to let hit free agency are fullbacks Eli Penny and Cullen Gillaspia, reports Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.

You can expect the Giants to replace Penny and Gillaspia with an H-back or a versatile tight end who can play multiple roles in the offense. The Giants will likely keep Kaden Smith as one of their tight ends and possibly Chris Myarick, who has the look of an H-back type.

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2022 free agency: Should Giants re-sign these players or let them go?

For the New York Giants, it’s time to look ahead and decisions will soon have to be made on several impending free agents.

The New York Giants and their fans want a clean slate heading into the 2022 season. That means shutting the door on some players that they once considered investing in long-term.

They don’t have many impending free agents to begin with but of the ones they do have, there’s not too many they should be in a hurry to bring back.

Here’s a quick rundown of the players in that group and what action the Giants should take with them.

Ben Bredeson, Andrew Thomas were highest-graded Giants in Week 17

New York Giants offensive linemen Ben Bredeson and Andrew Thomas earned the team’s highest grades in Week 17.

The New York Giants fell to the Chicago Bears, 29-3, in one of their worst performances of the year on Sunday. The game was over after the first play and that set the tone for all four quarters.

There was a lot of bad. A lot of ugly. And there’s no way around that, but there were some positives as well. At least in the mind of those over at Pro Football Focus.

Guard Ben Bredeson led the team with an overall grade of 94.7. He was followed by left tackle Andrew Thomas (79.5), tight end Chris Myarick (67.6) and right tackle Nate Solder (67.4).

Other notable offensive grades include running back Saquon Barkley (66.7), fullback Eli Penny (56.3) and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (53.1).

The lowest-graded Giant on offense was quarterback Mike Glennon (21.4).

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jaylon Smith led the way with an overall grade of 78.6. He was followed by linebacker Lorenzo Carter (72.0), defensive lineman Woodrow Hamilton (68.8) and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (68.0).

Other notable defensive grades include safety Logan Ryan (65.5), cornerback James Bradberry (64.9) and linebacker Azeez Ojulari (61.3).

The lowest-graded Giant on defense was linebacker Reggie Ragland (27.0).

Defensive back Steven Parker was the highest-graded Giant on special teams, checking out with an overall grade of 84.9.

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Giants fall to Eagles: Winners, losers and those in between

Here are the winners, losers and those in between from the New York Giants’ Week 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles met for the second time in five weeks on Sunday. The Giants won the first game, 13-7, in New Jersey and haven’t won since. The Eagles, conversely, haven’t lost since.

Before the season, the Giants were being considered by some experts as a breakout team while the Eagles were almost unilaterally picked to finish last in the NFC East.

A lot has changed since then. The Giants entered the game at 4-10 while the Eagles came in at 7-7 with a chance at the postseason. Neither looked like a playoff team early in this game, which like most COVID-ravaged contests this weekend, was far from entertaining. But Philadelphia set things straight and pulled away with a 34-10 whipping of New York.

Here are some winners and losers from the game.

Kyle Rudolph, Billy Price were highest-graded Giants in Week 14

Tight end Kyle Rudolph and center Billy Price earned the New York Giants’ highest PFF grades in Week 14.

The New York Giants had the brakes beat off them on Sunday, falling to the Los Angeles Chargers by a score of 37-21. And the game wasn’t even that close.

There were precious few positives to take away from the game as the Giants struggled in every form and facet. From the coaches to the players, it was a disaster from the opening whistle until the final second.

Still, those at Pro Football Focus managed to find some silver linings. Not everyone earned a poor grade. In fact, some players shined through a bit.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph topped that list following his best game in a Giants uniform. He logged a team-high grade of 89.9. He was followed by center Billy Price (85.3), fullback Eli Penny (84.9) and running back Devontae Booker (77.4).

Other notable offensive grades include guard Will Hernandez (75.5), running back Saquon Barkley (75.5) and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (55.4).

The lowest-graded Giants on offense were wide receiver Darius Slayton (39.8) and tight end Chris Myarick (30.8).

Defensively, lineman Dexter Lawrence led the way (80.3). Just behind him were linebacker Tae Crowder (74.2), defensive end Leonard Williams (73.9) and nose tackle Danny Shelton (70.5).

Other notable defensive grades include cornerback James Bradberry (64.3), edge rusher Azeez Ojulari (59.4) and linebacker Lorenzo Carter (48.6).

The lowest-graded Giants defenders were linebacker Benardrick McKinney (43.6) and defensive lineman Austin Johnson III (42.5).

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Giants lose to Chargers, 37-21: Instant analysis

Analyzing the New York Giants’ 37-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 14.

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It was another tough test for the undermanned New York Giants on Sunday as they faced off against the Chargers in Los Angeles. A really tough test.

The Giants were without starting quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) again but were saved the indignity of starting the very green Jake Fromm when Mike Glennon cleared the concussion protocol on Friday.

It didn’t really matter. The Giants did not put up much of a fight. They can’t score on offense and now they can’t seem to stop the opposition from scoring.

That’s a bad combination in any sport.

The Chargers dominated the first half, holding the football for over 18 minutes and gaining 18 first downs to the Giants’ six. Los Angeles put up 289 yards of offense buoyed by the passing of second-year phenom Justin Herbert, who threw for 204 yards and two scores, the second one coming on a 59-yard strike to Jalen Guyton with 23 seconds remaining.

The Giants have now been outscored 59-0 in the final two minutes of halves this season.

The second half was unwatchable. Nothing the Giants did seemed to work from fake punts to gadget plays. Meanwhile the Chargers, who are in the playoff hunt, appeared as if they didn’t want to get anyone injured since the game was over early, just like this season has been for the Giants.

The final was 37-21, but the Chargers had taken their foot off the gas at 37-7, as stated, allowing the Giants two late touchdown drives.

At 4-9, they sealed another losing season — their fifth straight and eighth in the last nine years. One more loss and they will have their fifth consecutive double-digit loss season making this era of Giants football the worst stretch in franchise history.

Both owners, John Mara and Steve Tisch, watched from the press level. Neither could be pleased with this garbage performance by their team. One has to wonder what they’ll be doing to rectify the situation come the end of the season.

Notes

  • Eli Penny’s three-yard touchdowns reception was the first one scored by a Giants’ running back or receiver in the first quarter of a game since Week 7 against Carolina.
  • The Giants got stiffed in the second quarter when they stuffed Herbert on a QB sneak on fourth and one at the five. The Chargers were called for a false start on the play, so they got an opportunity to kick a 27-yard field goal to extend their lead to 17-7.
  • Defensive lineman Leonard Williams left the game in the second quarter with an elbow injury.
  • Tight end Kyle Rudolph had a 60-yard catch and run in the first quarter. It was the longest reception of his 11-year NFL career.

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Giants fall to Chargers: Winners, losers and those in between

Here are the winners, losers and those in between from the New York Giants’ Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The New York Giants convened in Arizona this week in hopes of resetting and then coming out strong against the Los Angeles Chargers.

That did not happen.

One week removed from what many considered their worst performance of the year, the Giants did everything they could to top it. They were blown out of the water from the opening whistle and any success they did have came as the result of desperation and cleanup.

If there were any questions remaining about jobs being on the line, they were answered in Week 14. Brace yourselves for yet another rebuild, Giants fans.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers (and those in between) from Sunday’s latest embarrassment.