NEWS, NOTES, RUMORS, AND GOSSIP: THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012 - 2:15 P.M.

[RoanokeFan]

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</font></u><font color="#0000FF"><u><font size="4">NEWS
ARTICLES ABOUT THE NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS ARE POSTED DAILY AND
UPDATES ARE ADDED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. GENERAL SPORTS NEWS LINKS ARE
ALSO INCLUDED.

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<font size="4"><font size="6"><font size="4"><font color="#FF0000"><u><font size="6">
</font></u></font></font></font></font><font size="4"><u>NEWARK STAR LEDGER</u></font>
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GIANTS AGREE TO DEAL WITH JAYRON HOSLEY

"8:50 p.m. UPDATED to include Mosely deal.


With rookie minicamp set to begin on Friday, the Giants have reached an
agreement on a contract with another one of their draft picks: cornerback Jayron
Hosley. </p>


The team's third-round pick will sign a four-year deal, according to someone
informed of the progress of negotiations. The person requested anonymity because
the Giants haven't announced the contract yet. </p>


Based on his slotting as the 94th overall pick, Hosley's deal will include a
signing bonus of $515,000. </p>


Hosley, who left Virginia Tech after his junior season, had three
interceptions last season after recording nine as a sophomore. He and the Giants
said a big reason for the dip was because teams didn't throw his way that often.
In fact, Hosley said he left school early because college football was getting
"too easy" for him. </p>


Hosley had concussion issues last season and failed a drug test at the
Scouting Combine but the Giants weren't concerned about either apparent red
flag. Hosley said he's learned his lesson from the failed test.</p>


* * * *</p>


Meanwhile, the Giants have also agreed to a four-year deal with OT Matt
Mosley, <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/BrianAyrault/statuses/200746465004490753">according
to his agent</a>, though <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/caplannfl/status/200742266762051585">our man Adam
Caplan reported it first</a>.</p>


Mosley, the second of the team's two fourth-round picks, will get a $300,584
signing bonus."</p>

##

GIANTS AGREE TO TERMS WITH SIX-ROUND PICK MATT MCCANTS

"The second of the Giants' seven draft picks has agreed to terms.


Offensive lineman Matt McCants and the team reached an agreement today on a
four-year contract, according to McCants' agent. The sixth-round pick is
expected to sign on Thursday, one day before the start of rookie camp. </p>


According to someone smart enough to do the math on this stuff (i.e. not me)
McCants will receive a signing bonus of $88,232 on his deal. Though some are
disagreeing with me on Twitter right now,<a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/04/nfl_draft_2012_giants_select_u.html">
I say that will buy him a lot of tubas</a>.</p>


McCants joins tight end <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_agree_to_terms_with_fou.html">Adrien
Robinson (fourth round) as draft picks who have agreed</a> to terms. Again, this
stuff doesn't take as long as it used to, as the formula is much simpler under
the new collective bargaining agreement. </p>


The signing was <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2012/05/simms-coughlin-remember-stacy-robinson">first
reported by The Daily News</a>."</p>CHAD JONES NOT CLEARED TO PARTICIPATE IN GIANTS' ROOKIE MINI-CAMP

"Chad Jones' goal of being on the field with his teammates in an organized
practice this spring will not be met this weekend. <div class="entry-content">


The former third-round pick, who suffered severe leg injuries in a <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/10/giants_draft_pick_chad_jones_s.html">car
accident two years ago</a>, has not been cleared to participate in Giants rookie
camp, a team spokesman said, confirming a <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/t-rock-s-take-on-the-giants-1.811990/chad-jones-not-cleared-for-rookie-minicamp-1.3709026">report
by Newsday</a>. Jones would have been eligible to participate in the camp, which
runs Friday through Sunday, because he has zero credited and accrued NFL
seasons.</p>


Jones has been <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/04/giants_chad_jones_participatin.html">participating
in offseason workouts</a> with his teammates and <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/04/giants_chad_jones_participatin.html">has
impressed a few with how well he's been moving. However, he realizes
conditioning is an issue at this point</a>. </p>


The Giants begin organized team activities later this month. They also have a
mandatory, full-team minicamp June 11-13, though Jones may not be cleared by
then either. The next possible action for him would come with the start of
training camp in July."
</p></div>http://www.nj.com/giants/

</div></div><u><font size="4">NY DAILY NEWS</font></u>

ROOKIES GETTING SET FOR THEIR GIANTS' DEBUT

"The Giants reloaded their offense during the NFL draft, and they’ll get their
first look at how much the new kids can really help when they take the field for
the start of rookie mini-camp on Friday.

Jerry Reese said it was just a
coincidence, but the GM used five of his seven selections on offensive players,
including two players expected to have an immediate impact – first-round running
back David Wilson and second-round receiver Reuben Randle. They were scheduled
to arrive at the Meadowlands on Thursday night, along with the rest of the draft
picks, 10 undrafted free agents and a large group of tryout
players.

They’ll be on the field for two practices during each of the
next two days.

“We drafted the best guys,” Reese said after the draft.
“That’s what our thinking was. It just so happened that some of the best guys
were offensive guys this time. We just try to go in there and get the best
players, and this time there were more offensive players than defensive players
- simple as that.”

Maybe so, but Wilson and Randle are expected to fill
two big holes in the Giants’ offense. Wilson is slated to replace Brandon Jacobs
as the No. 2 running back and Randle should step in for Mario Manningham as the
third receiver. Tight end Adrien Robinson, the Giants’ fourth-round pick that
Reese dubbed “the JPP of tight ends” in reference to the potential of Giants
defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, also could compete for a big role this
season.

The competition for those roles will begin on Friday morning. As
Randle said via Twitter “Today starts a new journey in my life.”

At
least two of the Giants’ seven draft picks are expected to sign contracts on
Thursday or Friday. According to sources, Robinson and McCants have both agreed
to four-year deals. It’s possible that a couple more will have deals before they
actually take the field on Friday morning, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the
Giants won’t announce the official list of UDFAs and tryout players until either
late Thursday night or Friday morning. That’s because the list is often fluid.
Some players fail their physicals, so the Giants don’t want to announce their
names and then have to explain why they’re not there. Some players change their
minds and choose to tryout in other camps or sign contracts
elsewhere.

The list also could change during the camp. It’s not unusual
for a player to leave or for another player to arrive on Day 2 or 3, as
needed.

That said, the Giants have confirmed two UDFAs: Rutgers FB Joe
Martinek and McNeese State S Janzen Jackson. Through a variety of reports and
Tweets from sources, agents, and sometimes even from the players themselves, we
think we unofficially know of seven other UDFAs: Louisiana Tech DE Matt Broha,
Arizona WR David Douglas, UMass WR Julian Talley, Miami DE Adewale Ojomo, Miami
S Jojo Nicolas, Mary Hardin-Baylor WR Damian Davis, and Nebraska-Kearney OL
Stephen Goodin.

If those are correct, that’s a total of nine, so it
leaves room for one more UDFA on the Giants’ 90-man roster.

Through
similar reports, Tweets, sources, etc., we also know (unofficially … we think)
the identities of seven players scheduled to attend the camp on a tryout basis:
Merrimack QB James Suozzo, Georgia St. LB Jake Muasau, Coastal Carolina S Marcus
Lott, Central Missouri WR Jamar Howard, Elon CB Jonathan Conner, North Carolina
RB Ryan Houston, and Memphis G D'Angelo McCray.

There will be many more
at the camp, including some eligible veterans. If a tryout player signs with the
Giants and earns an invite to the full-team minicamp in June, the Giants will
have to cut another player to make room."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giant</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<div><div><div><div><div>
</div></div></div><u><font size="4">NY POST</font></u>
<div><div><div><div>
FORMER GIANTS' QB PHIL SIMMS SAYS ROBINSON WAS ALWAYS HAPPY

"His coach and quarterback recalled Stacy Robinson as a team-first player with
a perpetually upbeat disposition who could flash a quick wit as part of Giants
teams that won the first two Super Bowls in franchise history. Robinson, 50, passed away Tuesday after a battle with cancer.<div>


“We always hear that ‘so and so’ is a nice guy, but it really was true about
Stacy,” said Phil Simms, the Giants’ quarterback during Robinson’s six years
with the team, in comments posted on Giants.com. “He might be one of the few
people that I’ve ever met or known that everybody truly liked. I think that’s
just personality. He could get along with everybody, no matter what the
situation.</p>


“Stacy had a tremendous sense of humor and if you were going to say something
about him, you better get ready, because man it was coming back fast. He was so
quick it was hilarious. He was definitely a match for a guy like Bill Parcells
or anybody that has that really quick wit.”</p>


Robinson played for the Giants from 1985-90. He caught 48 passes in 43
regular-season games for 749 yards and seven touchdowns. He made a mark after
his playing days, working for the NFL Players Association. He oversaw steroids
and drug policy issues; most recently he was the union’s director of player
development.</p>


Tom Coughlin, Robinson’s position coach from 1988-90, said “He was a class
act who was always a real, real pleasure to be around. Stacy was just a great
guy to coach. Great guy to be with, be around. He was always positive, always
thinking in terms of how he could help benefit the rest of us, the team.”</p>


Robinson in 2009 was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, cancer of the plasma
calls in the bone marrow, according to a family statement posted on
CaringBridge.org, a hospice website. </p>


In the Super Bowl XXI victory over the Broncos, Robinson led the Giants with
62 receiving yards, making three catches.</p>


“He had a couple of big catches in the Super Bowl – and he could’ve had many
more,” Simms said. “Stacy and I must’ve talked 10 times during the Super Bowl.
We looked at each other and I’d go, ‘I know it’s there, Stacy. I’m trying to get
it to you.’ I couldn’t get to him. Finally, in the fourth quarter I threw that
seam pass down the left sideline and hit him after he and I had been talking
about it for three quarters. So we hit it – I think it’s even on TV – you see us
walk by and give each other a really vigorous hand slap because, ‘Alright.
There, we finally got that one done.’ We had talked about it on the bench,
during timeouts and in the huddle. We knew there were certain plays that I could
throw to him where he knew he was going to be wide open, but we just couldn’t
get to him.”</p>


Robinson retired after the Giants beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXV.</p>


“Stacy was very smart, logical, he understood the big picture and he
reinforced what you believed in as a coach – the hard work and the effort,”
Coughlin said. “He was always a great team guy who was very supportive of his
teammates. He was a pro. He worked his butt off. You could always talk to him.
Whether he was a starter or a backup or however it worked out, once he
understood, he was very supportive.”</p>


Simms said “My gosh, I don’t remember him being in a down mood - I swear,
never. I don’t know if I can say that about anybody. We all have mood swings.
I’m sure he had them, but it never showed. He always had that little smile on
his face. It’s funny, he did get a little heavy after his playing career. So
that was the butt of many jokes and it didn’t faze him. Like I said, he had the
ammo ready. Man, he would tear up anybody that started picking on him. I think
that’s how most people remember him and that’s why so many people thought so
highly of him.”</p>


Robinson is survived by his wife, Nadine, his sons Stacy, Myles, and Marquis,
his sisters Candace and Kim, his brothers Leighton and Ramonn."</p>
</div><div>http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants
</div></div></div></div></div><div><div>
</div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><u><font size="4">THE BERGEN RECORD</font></u>

NYET

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/football/

<u><font size="4">WALL STREET JOURNAL</font></u>

ZILCH

http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-sports-nfl.html

<u><font size="4">THE NEW YORK TIMES</font></u>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<div>

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/football/index.html">http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/football/index.html
</a>
<u><font size="4">GIANTS 101</font></u>
</div>

RUEBEN RANDLE, DAVID WILSON, AND ADRIEN ROBINSON TO BEGIN THEIR TRANSITION TO NLF, GIANTS

"There has already been a decent amount of talk surrounding <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Rueben Randle" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/rueben-randle/" rel="tag nofollow">Rueben
Randle</a>’s potential role in the 2012 New York Giants offense. Will he
be able to step in immediately as one of the top three “starters?” Will he need
to wait his turn behind Domenik Hixon or Ramses Barden?


The answers are far from here. But tomorrow, Randle will take the first step
towards uncovering them when he takes place in the inaugural day of rookie
mini-camp. If Randle is unable to earn what is technically the second spot on
the depth chart, as New York plans to use Cruz in the slot as often as
possible, he isn’t expected to fall farther than fourth.</p>


When asked about his new toy, General Manager Jerry Reese remarked, “He looks
like a big, pro wide receiver out there, the way he moves around. “I think he's
going to be a quick fit into the offense because of how he plays. He's big and
can post guys up.”</p>


Randle isn’t the only rookie with the potential for a prominent spot in the
offense this season.</p>


Running back <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with David Wilson" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/david-wilson/" rel="tag nofollow">David
Wilson</a> will be looking to turn heads this weekend. Wilson, is projected as a
future feature back for the Giants and could even make his debut as a starter in
2012 should Ahmad Bradshaw once again succumb to injury.</p>


Taken in the fourth round, tight end <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Adrien Robinson" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/adrien-robinson/" rel="tag nofollow">Adrien
Robinson</a> will have a spot on this team as well. How large a role he will be
given is yet to be seen.</p>


Like Jake Ballard, Robinson will not be entering the NFL boasting a
stellar receiving stat sheet from his time in college. In his most productive
season, Robinson notched a paltry 12 receptions for 183 yards and a respectable
three TDs.</p>


Nick Provo, a TE out of Syracuse that went undrafted, hauled in 51 receptions
in his best season and accrued 537 yards. He found the end zone seven times.
Provo was signed by the Ravens as a free agent.</p>


So why would Reese pounce on a player like Robinson as early as the fourth
round when Provo and others of his caliber were still on the board? The answer
lies in the nature of the current Giants predicament at the TE position.</p>


On the morning of February 5th, the Giants were not in position to make major
changes at the position. By February 6th, they were down to one veteran TE that
was projected to be healthy in late 2012.</p>


The addition of Martellus Bennett allowed the Giants to fill the role of top
receiving TE. What they needed now was a blocker to compliment Bear Pascoe. At
6’4 264 lbs, Robinson is one of the shorter TEs on the roster. However, despite
his height he is listed as only one pound lighter than Bennett who is among the
tallest.</p>


His physical style of play and bulky frame is what attracted the Giants to a
player that many feel was a reach pick.</p>


While he is the likely candidate to beat out Christian Hopkins for the final
TE spot on the final roster thanks to his blocking potential, don’t rule out a
possible evolution for Robinson. It is worth noting that in Ballard’s most
productive collegiate season, he hauled in only two more receptions than
Robinson and accounted for 33 less receiving yards. He did not score a TD in
either his junior or senior season.</p>


Ballard’s lack of receiving success in college translated to 38 receptions
for 604 yards and four TDs in his first year as a starter.</p>


Will Robinson be able to find a new gear in the NFL? Will Randle
and Wilson continue to match or exceed early expectations? Things will become
clearer tomorrow."
</p>
##

MARKUS KUHN ANXIOUS TO COMPETE FOR A SPOT ON CROWDED GIANTS' DEPTH CHART

"<a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with New York Giants" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york-giants/" rel="tag nofollow">New York
Giants</a> rookie defensive tackle <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Markus Kuhn" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/markus-kuhn/" rel="tag nofollow">Markus
Kuhn</a> has quite the challenge ahead of him. Selected late in the seventh
round, the NC State alum will compete for a spot on arguably the best defensive
line in football.
He will do so without the security afforded to early and mid-round picks that
are all but guaranteed a roster spot in their first year.


To complicate things for Kuhn, there may be no room at the metaphorical inn.
In the hours leading up to the draft, the Giants acquired a replacement for
Rocky Bernard when they signed veteran DT <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Shaun Rogers" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/shaun-rogers/" rel="tag nofollow">Shaun
Rogers</a>. Though both Kuhn and Rogers are listed at 6’4, the latter weighs in
at 350 lbs; a full 51 lbs heavier than the incoming rookie.</p>


With Chris Canty and Linval Joseph retaining their starting roles and Rogers
penciled in as the first reserve, <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Marvin Austin" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/marvin-austin/" rel="tag nofollow">Marvin
Austin</a> claims the fourth slot on the depth chart before Kuhn even enters the
picture.</p>


The Giants thought that they were stealing another first round pick in 2011
when they drafted Austin in the second round. Once one of the most dominant DTs
in college football,
the former UNC star missed his final collegiate season due to suspension. After
his draft stock plummeted out of the opening round, his NFL stock took a
hit when he needed to be placed on IR after only his second preseason game.</p>


Still, the Giants are hopeful that Austin can develop into a formidable DT
despite being away from the game for the better part of two full seasons.</p>
<blockquote>


Though he understands the reality of the crowded depth chart, Kuhn isn’t
phased. On Monday, he told <a href="http://ncstate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1362215" target="_blank">The
Wolfpacker</a>, "I don't really set myself too many long-term goals, I
always say if you work hard, good things are going to happen. As of right now,
the next goal is to get there, be good in rookie minicamp and work hard during
the strength and conditioning. Hopefully, I'll get a chance and make the 53-man
roster."</p></blockquote>


Kuhn also admitted that though he is officially listed as a DT on the depth
chart, his role with the Giants is still unclear. While this week’s rookie
mini-camp will likely shed some light on the team’s plans, Kuhn’s experience at
DE will help him survive past final cuts.</p>


His best numbers came during his senior season. In 2011 he notched 50
tackles, including 4.5 sacks as a DT. His career began, however, as both a DE
and an OLB.</p>


The Giants tend to only carry four true DTs on the final roster, due to the
high rate at which they rotate their outside pass rushers to the interior. With
the loss of reliable reserve Dave Tollefson, New York will be looking for capable pass rusher that can
bring pressure from both the inside and out.</p>


That person could very well be Kuhn. If he can impress as an end rusher, his
competition shifts from the bulkier <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Dwayne Hendricks" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/dwayne-hendricks/" rel="tag nofollow">Dwayne
Hendricks</a> to the undersized <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Justin Trattou" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/justin-trattou/" rel="tag nofollow">Justin
Trattou</a>.</p>


Both Trattou and Hendricks spent time on the active roster in 2011 but
Trattou currently enjoys a better chance of making 2012’s. Far too small to be
an interior rusher, Trattou is now the fourth DE on the depth chart. Hendricks
is far too large to play DE and even if he beats out Kuhn, it is unlikely there
will be a spot for a fifthDT without one of the top four suffering a
significant injury.</p>


Kuhn’s best bet to avoid the practice squad or unemployment is to prove
himself as a utility D-Lineman that can immediately serve as a reliable reserve
wherever he is needed. If he can do that, he’ll find himself in a fairly even
battle with an incumbent Trattou."</p>GIANTS REVEAL JERSEY NUMBERS FOR DRAFTEES ATTENDING MINI-CAMP

"With rookie mini-camp only a few short days away, the New York
Giants revealed on Wednesday the jersey numbers their draftees will be wearing
come Friday morning. However, all fans should be advised not to immediately have
custom jerseys made with the numbers recently issued as all are subject to
change.


The distribution of numbers went as follows:</p>
<ul>[*]RB David Wilson will wear #34[*]WR Rueben Randle will wear #82[*]CB Jayron Hosley will wear #36[*]TE Adrien Robinson will wear #81[*]OL Brandon Mosley will wear #67[*]OL Matt McCants will wear #71[*]DT Markus Kuhn will wear #78[/list]

Perhaps not relevant, it is nonetheless interesting to see Deon Grant's #34,
Kareem McKenzie's #67 and Mario Manningham's #82 on other players. Stranger yet
is seeing Amani Toomer's #81 on a young, inexperienced, but potentially talented
tight end.</p>


Albany QB Dan Di Lella not invited to Giants' rookie
mini-camp</p>


On an unrelated note, the agent of Albany QB Dan Di Lella has informed Giants
101 that his client was not extended an invite/tryout to rookie mini-camp. The
Giants hosted Di Lella for a workout and had thoroughly scouted him prior to the
2012 NFL Draft.</p>


As it stands, Ryan Perrilloux will act as the quarterback at rookie
mini-camp.
</p><a href="http://www.giants101.com/">http://www.giants101.com/
</a>

<u><font size="4">BIG BLUE VIEW</font></u><span id="entry_flag_counts_2011/12/23/2655531/friday-five-with-pat-traina-jets-giants-edition" class="flag-counts"><span class="light"></span> </span><span id="entry_flag_links_2011/12/23/2655531/friday-five-with-pat-traina-jets-giants-edition"></span>

GIANTS' ROOKIE MINI-CAMP: THE BEST UDFA IS...?

"New York Giants
2012 rookie mini-camp starts on Friday. Which of the undrafted free agents who
will be working out on Friday and Saturday has the best chance of actually
making the roster or having an NFL career?<div class="entry-body">


Well, judging by the '<a href="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Allundrafted-players-team.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitte r">All-Undrafted
Players Team</a>' put together by the National Football Post you would think the
player who is at the top of the list heading into Friday would be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/155782/janzen-jackson">Janzen
Jackson</a>, the under-sized safety from McNeese State.</p>
<p class="extend-divide"><a name="storyjump"></a></p>


Here is what NFP said about Jackson:</p>


"The Giants rolled the dice on this gifted problem child. Jackson can play
center field or cover in zone effectively, and he has ball skills. If there were
no concerns about his behavior, he easily would have been picked before the
third day."</p>


Wes Bunting of the NFP had ranked Jackson, 6-foot, 190 pounds, as the sixth
best free safety in the 2012 NFL Draft class. Here is part of Bunting's
pre-draft scouting report:</p>


"A talented kid who can run, track the football and can be a violent
striker on contact. However, isn't the most sound of wrap-up guys, is raw with
his footwork and has character concerns. Nevertheless, has the talent to play in
the NFL and should get a shot because of his ability to run and strike."</p>


Jackson was available as an undrafted free agent because he comes with the
dreaded "character concerns" label. He was involved in a variety of incidents at
the University of Tennessee during his three seasons there, and was dropped from
the team prior to the 2011 season.</p>


There is really little risk here for the Giants. As a UDFA the Giants don't
have a heavy investment in Jackson. If they don't like what they see -- on the
field or off -- cutting ties is no big deal. If, however, he can stay on the
right path and be the kind of player some think he can be the Giants might have
something here.</p>


We begin to find out on Friday morning."</p></div>NY GIANTS' NEWS AND NOTES: MATT MCCANTS SIGNED; CHAD JONES NOT CLEARED TO PRACTICE

Except: "Good morning, New York Giants
fans! Here are your Thursday morning notes, one day before the start of rookie
mini-camp.



<a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/giants_agree_to_terms_with_six.html">Giants
agree to terms with sixth-round pick Matt McCants | NJ.com</a>
The second of
the Giants' seven draft picks has agreed to terms. Offensive lineman Matt McCants
and the team reached an agreement today on a four-year contract, according to
McCants' agent. The sixth-round pick is expected to sign on Thursday, one day
before the start of rookie camp.</p>



<a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/05/chad_jones_not_cleared_to_part.html">Chad
Jones not cleared to participate in Giants rookie camp | NJ.com</a>
Chad Jones'
goal of being on the field with his teammates in an organized practice this
spring will not be met this weekend.

The former third-round pick, who
suffered severe leg injuries in a car accident two years ago, has not been
cleared to participate in Giants rookie camp, a team spokesman said, confirming
a report by Newsday. Jones would have been eligible to participate in the camp,
which runs Friday through Sunday, because he has zero credited and accrued NFL
seasons." Read more...
</p>GIANTS' 2012 FREE AGENCY: IS DT STILL A NEED?

"Earlier this week we talked about the New York Giants
possibly still targeting the safety position for potential upgrades via free
agency. Another position I believe might be worthy of attention is defensive
tackle, so let's take a look at who might still be available on the free-agent
market.<div class="entry-body">


Before we get into who is available, though, let's take a quick look at why
the position might need attention.</p>
<p class="extend-divide"><a name="storyjump"></a></p>


The Giants return both starters from last season, Chris Canty and
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108661/linval-joseph">Linval
Joseph</a>. Both are quality players, but Canty is recuperating from offseason
knee surgery, so insurance would be nice. Last season the Giants had veterans Rocky Bernard
and Jimmy Kennedy,
and even rotated <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1984/dave-tollefson">Dave
Tollefson</a> in at tackle on some occasions. Tollefson is gone, and it seems
unlikely Bernard or Kennedy will be brought back.</p>


The Giants did sign Shaun Rogers,
the 340-pound three-time Pro Bowler. Rogers, though, has not been more than a
bit player for the past couple of seasons and his best football is well behind
him. The also drafted Markus Kuhn
from North Carolina State in the seventh round.</p>


The only other recognizable defensive tackle on the Giants' roster is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/130945/marvin-austin">Marvin
Austin</a>, the 2011 second-round pick. The Giants have admitted concern about
Austin, though, since he missed all of last season with a torn pectoral muscle
and has not played football in two years. Remember, Austin did not play his
final season at North Carolina after being dismissed from the team for receiving
improper benefits.</p>


So, are there any defensive tackles worth considering still available on the
free-agent market? </p>


The full list of available players <a href="http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2012DT.php" target="_blank">can be found
at Walter Football</a>. There are only a couple of players I found on the list I
thought were worth consideration. Here they are:</p>


Marcus Thomas, Denver Broncos -- A
26-year-old four-year veteran. A 6-foot-3, 314-pound player who has only one
sack in four seasons, but comes with a reputation as being a solid run defender.
In 2011, Pro Football Focus graded Thomas +9.7 against the run, 10th-best in the
NFL among defensive tackles. </p>


Fred Robbins,
St. Louis Rams -- The
35-year-old former Giant is still around, and still playing much better football
than the Giants thought he could when they let him go before the 2010 season. He
was +9.0 overall last season, according to PFF, including +11.1 against the run.
He doesn't get to the quarterback like he once could, but is still a useful
player.</p>


Oh, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2855/albert-haynesworth">Albert
Haynesworth</a> is available, too. But, I think we know that isn't
happening.</p>


Thoughts? Am I right that the Giants could use more depth and competition at
the tackle spot?"</p></div>http://www.bigblueview.com/section/news



<u><font size="4">INSIDE FOOTBALL</font></u>


http://www.insidefootball.com/



<font size="4"><u>THE RED ZONE
</u>
<font size="3">http://www.theredzone.org/</font>

</font><font size="4"><u>GIANTS GAB</u></font>




<font size="3">http://www.giantsgab.com/</font>



<u><font size="4">GMEN HQ</font></u>



http://gmenhq.com/



<font size="4"><u>YARDBARKER</u></font>


GIANTS SEE BIG POTENTIAL IN UDERSIZED CB HOSLEY

"Although he stands only 5-10 and weighs 170 pounds, cornerback Jayron Hosley,
the team's third-round draft pick, is a good example of a player that the team
believes can play larger than his physical size.<span id="cphContent_ctrlArticle_lblBody">


"He's not the biggest guy in the world," said general manager Jerry Reese.
"However, we do think he is a competitive, feisty guy and he's one of those
people that has not backed down from anybody." </p>


Speaking of not backing down, Hosley's first challenge before he even goes
against live competition will be to carve out a spot for himself on the 53-man
roster. To do that, he is expected to compete against Prince Amukamara, last
year's first-round pick, for the nickel corner spot, a position that had
previously been held by Terrell Thomas. </p>


"You definitely have to go out there with confidence," Hosley said of his
upcoming competition for a job. "I'm not a bigger guy, so guys might see me as a
little vulnerable or as 'the little guy.' I definitely have to go out there with
a little aggression, the little man's syndrome in that sense." </p>


When Hosley gets a chance to meet his veteran teammates later in the month,
one mentor he will find squarely in his corner is Thomas, who when he was
drafted four years ago, tried to carve a niche for himself in what was a
competitive, talent-filled defensive backfield. </p>


"When I came in, there were two or three starters here that were in that
spot," Thomas recalled. "We're looking for someone to come in and be young and
energetic, help out, and learn to win from the best."</p>


Thomas added that he wasn't concerned with the possibility of Hosley taking
snaps away from him in certain defensive packages. In fact, Thomas believes that
the competition will make everyone better. </p>


"I've never been shy to help someone, to give them advice or help them in the
film room," Thomas said. "If he takes my spot, good luck. I love competition. I
was raised on it."</p>


Hosley also welcomes the challenge of not only earning a roster spot, but
just as importantly, the respect of his new teammates and future opponents. </p>


"I feel like in the NFL you have to earn respect," he said. "When you get in
the NFL they're not going to shy away from you. They're going to come at you so
you have to be ready for it and I'm up for the challenge."</p></span>


<font size="4"><font size="3">http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/teams/new_york_giants/56</font>

<u>SPORTING NEWS

</u><font size="3">http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/stories</font><u>
</u>
<u>NYG REPORTER
</u></font>


<a href="http:///">http://nygreporter.com/
</a>


<font size="4"><u>NFL.COM</u></font>


http://www.nfl.com/teams/newyorkgiants/profile?team=NYG




<font size="3"><font size="4"><u>YAHOOSPORTS</u></font></font>

<font size="3">http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl</font>


<font size="4"><u>FOX SPORTS</u></font>



<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/new-york-giants/67056">http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/new-york-giants/67056
</a>

<u><font size="4">NBCSPORTS</font></u>



http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/3032875/ns/sports-nfl



<font size="4"><u>CBSSPORTS</u></font>



http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/p...ew-york-giants



<u><font size="4">SI.COM</font></u>





http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo...ts/?eref=sinav





<u><font size="4">ESPN.COM</font></u>

GIANTS AN ODD SORT OF DEFENDING CHAMPION

"The defending Super Bowl champions get back to work this weekend, as the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants" target="_new">New
York Giants</a> hold their rookie minicamp in East Rutherford, N.J. Repeating is
hard work, though, and there are good reasons why only one team this century has
been able to do it.

You lose players. You lose coaches. You become the
No. 1 target for teams that have identified you as the biggest obstacle standing
in their way of getting what they want. The people who run the Giants, and many
of the people who play for the Giants, were in this position four years ago, and
they know all about the challenges that face the defending Super Bowl champs.


But this year's Giants are not your ordinary defending champ. They were,
speaking strictly in terms of winning percentage, the weakest Super Bowl
champion in history. They didn't even secure their playoff spot until the final
game of the regular season. With two weeks to go, they were 7-7 and in real
danger of finishing under .500.

All of these things are facts, just as
much as the title they won. So as they get back to work this spring and summer,
the Giants face the seemingly incongruous dual task of maintaining the magic
that brought them their title while also improving a 9-7 team.

They have
some things going for them, and I'm not just talking about <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/5526/eli-manning" target="_new">Eli
Manning</a>, Hakeem Nicks, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13553/victor-cruz" target="_new">Victor
Cruz</a>, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul. The Giants run their franchise as one that's
perpetually in transition.

Rather than wait for problems to present
themselves, or roster holes to open, the Giants constantly churn the middle and
the back end of their roster, developing players in their system so they're
ready to step in when need arises. There are running backs and wide receivers on
the roster who have been waiting for the opportunity created by the free-agent
defections of Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham, and those players will get the chance to do
what Cruz and Pierre-Paul did last year when presented with similar chances. The
Giants never allow themselves to get so thin at any one position that they don't
at least have options for replacing those who leave or get hurt or decide to sit
out training camp.

That said, this Giants team does have holes to fill
and problems to solve. They finished 32nd in the league in rushing offense -- a
fact that, while mitigated by the improvements the run game showed in December
and January -- didn't sit well with their running backs and their offensive
linemen. They will need to get better there, and to do so they'll need <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10693/ahmad-bradshaw" target="_new">Ahmad
Bradshaw</a>'s feet to stay healthy for the first time in years. Plus, they must
find someone to replace the 167 touches and eight touchdowns Jacobs contributed
to last season's cause.


They'll
need to shuffle the offensive line again. While Kareem McKenzie was not what he used to be, he was the starting
right tackle on a team that won the Super Bowl, and they did not replace him.
They hope that Will Beatty (a) comes back healthy from his eye injury and (b)
plays better than he did at left tackle in the first 10 games of last season.


David Diehl isn't around to slide over and bail him out this
time. Diehl's got to play right tackle in place of McKenzie. The Giants have
some offensive linemen they like for the long-term, but this looks like another
transition year on the line. While they have enough good veterans in place to
pull it off, that's a tough tightrope act to try too many years in a row.


They have bodies at linebacker, with <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11243/keith-rivers" target="_new">Keith
Rivers</a> brought in as a good veteran reinforcement and some of last year's
promising rookies hopefully ready to take a next step, but they have no clear
man for the middle. They have bodies at cornerback, but they have question marks
there, too.

<a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8457/corey-webster" target="_new">Corey
Webster</a> was awesome in 2011. Can he repeat that performance? Is Terrell Thomas fully recovered from the preseason knee injury
that cost him the whole season? Will Prince Amukamara make more of a contribution?

Don't
think for a second that GM Jerry Reese isn't concerned. He used each of his
first three draft picks on positions at which he lost a player in free agency --
running back (David Wilson for Jacobs), wide receiver (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14911/rueben-randle" target="_new">Rueben
Randle</a> for Mario Manningham) and cornerback (<a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14983/jayron-hosley" target="_new">Jayron
Hosley</a> for Aaron Ross). And he's smart to be concerned, because while these
Giants rightfully consider themselves a championship team, they're also a team
that won one less regular-season game in 2011 than it won in 2010. Had someone
in the NFC East won 10 and the Giants missed the playoffs, their offseason
narrative would have been that of a team moving in the wrong direction.


Instead, the Giants have a two-front problem to solve. They have a
division and a conference and a league full of teams that saw what they did and
now consider Super Bowl glory more attainable than ever. And they have an
internal mandate to be better this year than 9-7, because they know first-hand
that it's not usually good enough to get you the chance to make a Super Bowl
run.

They're capable of doing it, and they'll deservedly enter the
season among the favorites to win it all again. They have superstars at
quarterback, wide receiver and defensive end, and in this day and age that can
carry you a long way. But as far as defending Super Bowl champions go, these
Giants have more issues than most -- and more work to do."


http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants



<u><font size="4">FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS</font></u>




http://www.footballoutsiders.com/

<font size="4"><u>
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY</u></font>
<div class="story_body line "><a href="http://stats.profootballweekly.com/team/giants/">http://stats.profootballweekly.com/team/giants/
</a></div>
<font size="4"><u>
PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS
</u></font>

<font size="4"><font size="3">http://www.profootballfocus.com/</font>

<u>MISCELLANEOUS
</u><font size="3">
</font></font>NFL IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT OFFICIALS

"The NFL has asked its officiating-scouting department to begin identifying
potential replacement officials for the 2012 season, according to a letter
obtained by FOXSports.com.<div class="m10l m10r"><div class="story_body line ">


The move is the result of an apparent impasse in labor negotiations between
the league and the NFL Referees Association over a new contract for NFL
officials. The previous deal, which was negotiated in 2006, expired at the end
of the 2011 season.</p>


“This is a contingency plan to make sure the NFL season will continue on
schedule as planned,” Ron Bayne, the NFL’s director of recruiting officials,
wrote to FOXSports.com.</p>


According to the directive, the search will target recently retired college
officials, as well as current “lower-division college, professional league and
semi-professional league officials whose window of opportunity for advancement
has pretty much closed but who have the ability to work higher levels but just
got overlooked.”</p>


NFL Referees Association executive director Tim Millis told The Associated
Press that he was “surprised by the timing” of the league’s directive to begin
identifying potential replacement officials.</p>


The NFL used replacement officials in 2001 during the preseason and Week One
but then reached a new five-year agreement after the first week of the regular
season.</p>


NFL officials are believed to have earned between $70,000 and $140,000
annually under the previous agreement, according to FOXSports.com, working
approximately 20 games per season and also spending time reviewing the rules and
studying game videotapes. Most NFL officials hold full-time jobs in addition to
their NFL duties."</p></div></div>

##

SEAU TRIBUTE EXPECTED TO DRAW HUGE CROWD FRIDAY



"Junior Seau is being honored as if he were royalty, which he essentially was
in Southern California, particularly in the San Diego area.
<div id="entry-104015" class="post-104015 post type-post status-publish hentry category-uncategorized tag-chargers tag-junior-seau entry "><div class="entry-content">


<a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/09/stadium-gearing-seau-crowd-60000/">Brent
Schrotenboer, U-T San Diego:</a></p>
<blockquote>


Qualcomm Stadium officials are expecting a crowd of 30,000 to 60,000 for
Friday’s public tribute to Junior Seau – an event that is expected to attract
national media coverage and last around 90 minutes or more.</p></blockquote>


<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/43926/star-studded-tribute-to-seau">Bill
Williamson, ESPN:
</a></p>
<blockquote>


Former Chargers legends Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson and Rodney Harrison,
former San Diego coach Bobby Ross, former NFL star and San Diego native John
Lynch and San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders will all be part of the speaking
program.</p></blockquote>


The former N.F.L. middle linebacker Riki Ellison wrote about the position he
shared with Seau. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0511-riki-ellison-junior-seau-20120511,0,3444680.story">The
Los Angeles Times:</a></p>
<blockquote>


The middle linebacker, apart from every other position in football, endures
the most violent and most repeated contact using the head and helmet and, as a
result, sustains the most concussions.</p></blockquote>


Ellison said of Bill Walsh: “Those of us on the San Francisco 49ers were
fortunate to have a visionary like Bill Walsh, who simply didn’t allow contact
in practice during the football season and permitted only limited contact in
training camp.”</p>


Should Emmitt Smith be worried about all the collisions he absorbed in his
record-breaking career as a running back?</p>


<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-mct-cowboys-legend-emmitt-smith-worries-about-his-20120510,0,1646197.story">Clarence
E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram:</a></p>
<blockquote>


“Why wouldn’t I worry?” Smith said. “The evidence is starting to pile up. You
are talking to a guy who carried the ball more than anybody in NFL history. I
pray about it.”</p></blockquote>


<span id="more-104015"></span>
Alabama Coach Nick Saban on Seau, <a href="http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-05-08/sports/sfl-nick-saban-talks-about-the-death-of-former-miami-dolphins-lb-junior-seau-20120508_1_nick-saban-talks-alabama-head-coaching-job-miami-dolphins-linebacker">via
The Sun Sentinel</a>. (Saban coached Seau on the Dolphins.)</p>
<blockquote>


“He was the most popular guy on the team, the most positive, the most upbeat,
the most enthusiastic, energetic, great practice player, great football player.
(He) loved football probably as much as anybody I’ve ever been
around.”</p></blockquote>


Bengals guard Jacob Bell retired and said Seau’s death <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2012/05/bengals-jacob-bell-suddenly-retires-saying-junior-seaus-suicide-was-cherry-on-top/1?csp=hf#.T6uLnhx7I9Q">played
a part in his decision. </a>
<a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/bell-decides-football-isn-t-worth-the-risk/article_c7b22ce8-2311-56b8-b7a1-da23213620e4.html">The
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:</a></p>
<blockquote>


“I’ve been thinking about some different things, thinking about health,
thinking about the future of my family having to deal with some kind of crazy
disease that nobody even knows about, where people want their brains studied
after they’re dead.”</p></blockquote>


<a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/08/sports-psychiatrist-says-seaus-suicide-shouldnt/">Nick
Canepa, U-T San Diego:</a></p>
<blockquote>


Says Dr. Michael Lardon, the eminent local sports psychiatrist who has worked
with countless athletes (including Chargers and Olympians) and is the lead
psychiatrist for the PGA Tour: “You can’t blame the Chargers; you can’t blame
the NFL. It’s a great sport. What we need to have is more
awareness.”</p></blockquote>


Peter King,<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/05/08/eric.legrand/index.html?eref=writers">
who writes movingly</a> about Greg Schiano and Eric LeGrand in his latest entry
at SI.com, <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/05/08/eric.legrand/index.html?eref=writers">added
this note: </a></p>
<blockquote>


I write in SI this week about how I feel some guilt for the way I helped (in
a small way, but helped nonetheless) make Junior Seau a Superman over the years,
by writing about him as if he were Superman. Not to give it away, but that’s
been on my mind a lot over the past week. I am thinking about the game, and
about all the head trauma, and I need to do some more thinking about whether
it’s in anyone’s long-term interests to play this game."</p></blockquote></div></div>
JACOB BELL RETIRES; CALLS JUNIOR SEAU'S DEATH THE "CHERRY ON TOP" THAT CONVINCED HIM

"A couple of days ago, I wondered if Junior Seau's suicide would force NFL
players to confront an uncomfortable question that would leave them
asking how much their current occupation could adversely shape their
futures.

Since Seau's death, it seems to me, players are beginning to
openly ask what life will be like after they retire. Like, for instance, when
Giants defensive end <a href="/nfl/players/playerpage/396106/osi-umenyiora">Osi
Umenyiora</a> wonders whether he'll be wheelchair-bound by the time he's 45 -- though this idea
was contrasted by LaVar Arrington, who decried the so-called sissification of the game.

Either way, it's clear that
Seau's death has affected current players, probably moreso than any other recent
retiree's death. In one case, Seau's actions have led a current player to step
away from the game for good.

That's Jacob Bell, who started 100
of 109 games from 2004-11 for the Titans and Rams and who tells the St. Louis Post Dispatch that he's retiring in part
because he's worried about his future self.

Simply put, he's concerned
about head trauma and its future implications. And Seau's suicide was the
“cherry on top” that convinced Bell to end his career.

“The reality is
that for me it came down to risk and reward,” he told the paper. “I think you've
always got to weigh that out. At some point, you've got to kind of figure out
what you're in the game for.

"One of my biggest concerns when it comes to
the game in general is my personal health. One thing that's obviously on the
minds of a lot of people lately is brain research and all the stuff that's going
on with that. One of the big things that I thought about when I was considering
this is how much do I love the game? How much can they pay me to take away my
health and my future and being able to be with my family and just have a healthy
lifestyle?”

Bell signed with the Bengals a month ago, and on
Wednesday afternoon, Cincinnati placed him on the reserve/retired list. Bell
doesn't know how many concussions he has suffered. If the definition of the
brain injury is “seeing stars,” he figures he was suffering a minimum of 30 per
season.

Which is long way off the estimate of former NFL linebacker Gary
Plummer, who believes Seau suffered a minimum of five concussions per game. But
it's a scary figure nonetheless.

Even taking away the death of Seau,
Bell couldn't help but ponder the effects of football on his family and about
unknown diseases that could occur because of repeated head trauma. The fact
deceased players have donated their brains for research gave him pause. And he
decided it was better to turn off the game rather than risk giving himself an
uncertain future.

"It's just crazy to see how someone like Junior Seau
took his own life over -- God knows what he was really struggling and dealing
with,” Bell said. “But you have to believe it came from the game of football. I
want to get out before the game makes me get out, where I can get out on my own
terms, and I can limit the amount of stress and negative impact that the game
would leave on me."

BAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL? BREAKING DOWN A DEBATE

[nygsb42champs]

Good to see those rookies getting out there. It means September 5th is getting closer.

[RoanokeFan]

[quote user="nygsb42champs"]Good to see those rookies getting out there. It means September 5th is getting closer.[/quote]

Another day closer to football [B]

[BigBlue1971]

thanks Roanoke! [B]</P>


hope Chad Jones can be cleared soon. i think this guy might be a fit for the G-Men! [:P]</P>


</P>

[RoanokeFan]

[quote user="BigBlue1971"]

thanks Roanoke! [B]</p>


hope Chad Jones can be cleared soon. i think this guy might be a fit for the G-Men! [:P]</p>


</p>[/quote]

He may not play in 2012, but he has such determination I think he will play one day.

[fourth&forever]

Everyone gives Hosley 'short' shrift for being 5' 10".
Well Mark Collins was also 5' 10". Things didn't work out too badly for him.

[RoanokeFan]

[quote user="fourth&amp;forever"]Everyone gives Hosley 'short' shrift for being 5' 10".
Well Mark Collins was also 5' 10". Things didn't work out too badly for him.[/quote]

+1

[Rat_bastich]

[quote user="RoanokeFan"][quote user="fourth&forever"]Everyone gives Hosley 'short' shrift for being 5' 10".
Well Mark Collins was also 5' 10". Things didn't work out too badly for him.[/quote]

+1
[/quote]

Take a 5'10" guy and stand him next to a 6' tall guy and there is not much difference in height. It is almost like people arguing a 4.3 40 and a 4.4 40....1/10th of a second is not a whole lot. I agree completely.

[RoanokeFan]

[quote user="Rat_bastich"][quote user="RoanokeFan"][quote user="fourth&amp;forever"]Everyone gives Hosley 'short' shrift for being 5' 10".
Well Mark Collins was also 5' 10". Things didn't work out too badly for him.[/quote]

+1
[/quote]

Take a 5'10" guy and stand him next to a 6' tall guy and there is not much difference in height. It is almost like people arguing a 4.3 40 and a 4.4 40....1/10th of a second is not a whole lot. I agree completely.[/quote]

Athleticism is what counts most of the time.