Tag: nick mccloud

Report: Joe Schoen ‘not that popular’ in Giants locker room

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is reportedly not very popular in the locker room and among players “at all.”

If New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are to keep their job after this season, they will need to do two things: Win some games and keep the locker room intact.

Both of those feel like a tall order at this point, especially in the aftermath of benching quarterback Daniel Jones, which upset defensive captain Dexter Lawrence.

The recent release of cornerback Nick McCloud also weakened the team on defense and special teams. Similarly, it was not received well in the locker room.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, while speaking with our friends at Talkin’ Giants, revealed that cracks are beginning to form between the current regime and the players.

“I’ve talked to plenty of guys in the locker room and those kind of things bother them,” Raanan said of the McCloud release. “The GM is not that popular in the locker room at all. So, these things do matter.”

The McCloud release, and specifically how Schoen approached it, did not go over well with several of the players. Raanan also pointed out that players liking Saquon Barkley’s posts, Darius Slayton’s “free man” comment that he later tried to explain away, and other examples are no accident.

But the issues didn’t begin this season. Raanan notes that tensions began to bubble in 2023 after Tyrod Taylor lost the job to DeVito following an injury.

During HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants,” Schoen appeared to indicate that Taylor would return as the backup. Raanan says that was never going to happen, which proves how out of touch he is with the actual players.

“The funny thing is their misevaluation of (the situation). If Hard Knocks was true, they really thought Tyrod might come back,” Raanan said. “He wasn’t going to come back. He didn’t like that he lost his job by injury again and to Tommy DeVito.

“If the front office really thought that, they’re completely out of touch.”

Ultimately, Raanan believes, both Schoen and Daboll will return in 2025 unless there is a full mutiny in the locker room or a string of humiliating losses to end the season.

The latter is to be determined, but the former has a foothold. And now Schoen and Daboll are relying on Tommy Cutlets to play well, spark the locker room, and keep their jobs safe.

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Giants’ Darius Slayton clarifies viral ‘free man’ comment

New York Giants WR Darius Slayton caused a stir after commenting “a free man” on Nick McCloud’s Instagram page but it wasn’t as it appears.

Does anyone want to play for the New York Giants these days?

I’m sure there are a few, but based on just about every player who leaves — either by their own volition or the team’s — seems to believe they’re better off.

The Giants recently released cornerback Nick McCloud in a curious move that turned out to be cap-related. He was scooped up by the San Francisco 49ers this week and placed on their practice squad.

McCloud was a key contributor on defense and special teams but injuries have forced the Giants to shuffle their roster and McCloud, who was brought back this past offseason on a one-year, $2.985 million restricted free agent tender, became expendable as Big Blue was bumping up against the salary cap.

Like most players who have left the Giants, they feel as if they’ve been liberated. Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton commented on McCloud’s social media page, appearing to call him a “free man.”

There has been quite a bit of chatter this year regarding how general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have handled personnel moves.

That has not gone unnoticed in the locker room. The losing hasn’t helped. The trade deadline came and went without the team making any moves, but it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

Still, Slayton’s comment wasn’t what it appears. While McCloud and others are, indeed, finding more success away from East Rutherford, it turns out the veteran receiver wasn’t offering a commentary on the state of the Giants.

And this is why onlookers shouldn’t be so quick to read into every comment.

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49ers waive veteran S to make room for CB on practice squad

Renardo Green’s injury may have catalyzed a change on the 49ers’ practice squad.

The San Francisco 49ers on Monday announced a couple of roster moves that impacted their practice squad.

Cornerback Nick McCloud was signed to the 16-man practice squad, and veteran safety Adrian Amos was released in a corresponding move.

The addition of McCloud is likely related to an injury suffered by rookie cornerback Renardo Green during the 49ers’ Week 10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Green injured his toe and didn’t return according to head coach Kyle Shanahan immediately after the game. Shanahan should have additional information about Green’s injury when he speaks with reporters Monday. McCloud provides some internal depth if Green misses time.

The Buffalo Bills signed McCloud as an undrafted rookie after the 2021 draft. He’s spent four seasons in the NFL and played in 40 games for the Bengals and Giants. McCloud has 10 pass breakups, one interception, three forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks in his career.

Amos became expendable for the 49ers when they added veteran safety Tashaun Gipson. Gipson was up over Amos for Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay because rookie Malik Mustapha was working through a calf injury. Mustapha wound up playing the entire game, and having two veteran safeties on the practice squad didn’t make a ton of sense.

The 49ers will begin Week 11 practices Wednesday.

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Giants release CB Nick McCloud

The New York Giants have released cornerback Nick McCloud.

The New York Giants have released cornerback Nick McCloud.

McCloud was claimed off waivers from the Buffalo Bills in August of 2022 and had played in 38 games (starting 16) for Big Blue.

This season, McCloud has started five games due to the Giants going through a spate of injuries in the secondary.

As intimated above, McCloud refused a pay cut and the Giants are operating with approximately $3.7 million in available cap space and may seeking some roster additions.

The move will reportedly free up $900K in cap space.

The move leaves the Giants with five corners: Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Adoree’ Jackson, and Tre Hawkins III.

They also have Greg Stroman and Art Green on the practice squad.

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Giants injury report: Dru Phillips, Adoree’ Jackson continue to sit out

New York Giants CB Dru Phillips (calf) and CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf) are unlikely to play on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Tuesday ahead of a Week 4 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Similar to the day prior, they were limited to a walkthrough.

Before practice, head coach Brian Daboll met with reporters and revealed that cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson would again sit out with calf injuries. However, Daboll said, neither is expected to land on injured reserve (IR).

Daboll also expressed optimism that fellow cornerback Nick McCloud, who has missed the previous two games with a knee injury, would return on Thursday night.

Little else on the injury report changed.

The Giants’ full (projected) Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB Dru Phillips (calf), CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf)

Limited participant: DL Dexter Lawrence (foot), DB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Micah McFadden (back), WR Darius Slayton (thumb)

Full participant: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (thumb), OL John Michael Schmitz (neck)

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Giants’ Nick McCloud out, Brian Burns questionable vs. Browns

New York Giants CB Nick McCloud is out and LB Brian Burns is questionable for a Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns.

The New York Giants will continue their 2024 regular season on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

Entering the game, Cleveland is viewed as a heavy favorite after picking up their first win of the season in Week 2. The Giants, meanwhile, are reeling after an 0-2 start and things are beginning to get dicey in the locker room.

Despite being a limited participant this week, linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) will start in his usual role on Sunday. He is not expected to be on a snap count.

Thibodeaux will be joined by veteran defensive back Isaiah Simmons, who missed time this week as the result of a personal matter.

Meanwhile, linebacker Brian Burns was a surprise addition to the injury report on Friday. He is listed as questionable.

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Browns can be found below:

Luke Hales/Getty Images

New York Giants

Out: CB Nick McCloud (knee)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: LB Brian Burns (groin), LB  Darius Muasau (knee)

Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns

Out: TE David Njoku (ankle), RB Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring)

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: OL Jack Conklin (knee), OL Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee)

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Giants injury report: Kayvon Thibodeaux expected to play vs. Browns

New York Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux is dealing with a shoulder injury but is expected to play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Sunday matchup with the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field.

All eyes were on linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who popped up on Wednesday’s injury report with a shoulder issue.

https://twitter.com/PLeonardNYDN/status/1836808768866140314

Meanwhile, defensive back Isaiah Simmons was absent for the second consecutive day due to a personal matter but Daboll said he will suit up against the Browns.

Cornerback Nick McCloud continued to sit out.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Isaiah Simmons (not injury related)

Limited participant: LB Darius Muasau (knee), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder)

Full participant: N/A

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Giants injury report: Nick McCloud sits out, Kayvon Thibodeaux limited

New York Giants CB Nick McCloud (knee) missed practice on Wednesday and LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) was limited.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday morning in preparation for a Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Giants are coming off another embarrassing loss, this time at the hands of the Washington Commanders, which was largely due to poor personnel management. They became the first team in NFL history to score three-plus touchdowns, hold their opponents out of the endzone, and lose in regulation.

Cleveland, meanwhile, picked up their first victory of the season, taking down the Jacksonville Jaguars, 18-13, amid more Deshaun Watson drama.

Before practice, head coach Brian Daboll revealed that rookie linebacker Darius Muasau (knee) would return to the field. However, the same could not be said for cornerback Nick McCloud (knee).

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB Nick McCloud (knee)

Limited participant: LB Darius Muasau (knee), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder), LB Isaiah Simmons (not injury related)

Full participant: N/A

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Giants’ Malik Nabers will play vs. Commanders, 3 ruled out

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers will play against the Washington Commanders but three others have been ruled out, including CB Nick McCloud.

The New York Giants will continue their 2024 regular season on Sunday against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Both teams are coming off ugly Week 1 losses and will aim to rebound within the division. The Giants have dominated the Commanders over the past several years, but there’s an entirely new regime in Washington now and their on-field personnel is led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

As the Giants took the field on Friday, all eyes were on rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who popped up on Thursday’s injury report with a knee injury.

“He’s good,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters before practice. “He’s going to practice. We’ll see how he feels when he gets out here, but no concern. He’ll be ready to play.”

Despite Daboll’s optimism, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports that Nabers was limping in practice.

Meanwhile, fellow wide receiver Darius Slayton remained in concussion protocol but took another step toward returning.

“He’s going to be able to practice (with) contact, then he’s got to pass one more thing, but trending in the right direction,” Daboll said. “We’ll see where we’re at with (cornerback) Nick (McCloud) and (inside linebacker) Darius (Muasau). Revisit it after practice and see where we’re at there.”

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Commanders can be found below:

Luke Hales/Getty Images

New York Giants

Out: CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Darius Muasau (knee), WR Gunner Olszewski (groin)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: None

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Commanders

Out: CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (thumb)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring), DT Jer’Zhan Newton (foot)

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Giants injury report: Malik Nabers limited in practice with knee injury

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers was added to the injury report and limited in practice due to a knee injury.

The New York Giants returned to the field on Thursday afternoon for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.

Wide receiver Darius Slayton, who remains in a concussion protocol, took a step toward returning. He participated in a red non-contact jersey and barring any setbacks, is on pace to play in Sunday’s game.

The same could not be said for the other three players who missed practice on Wednesday. Wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (groin), as expected, and both cornerback Nick McCloud (knee) and linebacker Darius Muasau (knee) continued to sit out.

Olszewski is not likely to return to the field for several more weeks.

Finally, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was added to the injury report with a knee issue. He was limited.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: WR Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Darius Muasau (knee)

Limited participant: WR Darius Slayton (concussion protocol), WR Malik Nabers (knee)

Full participant: LB Micah McFadden (groin)

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