Loading ...In addition to hosting defensive tackle Marcus Thomas for a visit on Thursday, the New York Giants have also signed defensive back and kick returner Laron Scott.
"God is so good. So ya boy is now a New York Giant," Scott tweeted.
Scott, who went undrafted in April, signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints and spent the majority of the offseason and training camp with the team. He participated in the Hall of Fame game (see video above), but was ultimately released earlier this month to make room for wide receiver Kevin Hardy.
An All-American standout at Georgia Southern, Scott is commonly referred to as a "pocket sized ball of fire." The 5'9'', 179 lbs. return specialist is often likened to Darren Sproles, and will compete with Domenik Hixon, Jerrel Jernigan, David Wilson and others for kick and punt return duties.
By the end of his college career, Scott had returned 81 kickoffs for over 2,200 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 154 tackles, 48 passes defended and 12 interceptions.
Scott will likely take the place of Shaun Rogers on the Giants' 90-man roster.
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First off, let me just say I never heard of this guy before. That having been said, I’m a bit surprised to find that NO cut him after he busts a 50 yard (+/-) KO return in his only NFL experience ever.
I did a lot of research on him this morning, and apparently he’s someone we all should have been familiar with despite going undrafted. He’s a speedy little ****, and like you, I was quite surprised NO parted ways with him after that display.
Looks like he only returned 1 punt in his college career. What do you make of the decision to bring in a KR? Wilson looked great there vs Jacksonville. Indication that they think he’s ready to take more reps at RB?
Fun Facts: He ran a 4.42 at his Pro Day, btw. He also returned two KOs for TDs last year including a 99 yarder
Here’s his 99 yard TD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttLq2CzPZ2c&t=11s
Paul Dottino on Marcus Thomas:
@giantswfan
RT @JosinaAnderson: Sources: Former Broncos DT Marcus Thomas has a scheduled visit with Giants on Thursday. He’s already in town.
@giantswfan
Thomas very athletic..does back flips a la @JPP90 .. caught in salary crunch in denver ..would be plus for @giants
?@giantswfan
NYG need snaps at DT, period. thomas a good player RT @DGoodmantrublu @giantswfan Does the Thomas visit portend bad news on Austin?
@giantswfan
didn’t say “great”..only lowered contract demands recently…@Kev_Mani @giantswfan if thomas is so great, why been a FA for so long?
@giantswfan
athletic run-stop DT ex-bronco UFA 6th yr RT @Sum1UshouldNo @NYG_Brazil @giantswfan who’s this Thomas guy i keep hearing about?!?
Camp Report Aug 12-14
Part Four
Kick Returns
Dave Wilson got nearly all of the kick return touches, so that tells us what his immediate contribution will be. He’s good. VERY good. Teams that can, will try to boom it out of the end zone to avoid him. When Scott practiced on Tuesday, he played the up-back on the kickoffs. One of the issues with a speed guy taking the kick is that he can run right by the up-back before he gets a chance to block anybody. Having two fast guys back there would be devastating if Scott could block. They are obviously looking for ways to use him.
Punt Returns
Both Jernigan and Hosley mvffed one each. I think Hosley was hot-dogging his; he did an unnecessary jump catch and it bounced off his pads. Jernigan took his eye off the ball to look upfield, again. There has been a cast of thousands catching punts. Cruz, Hixon, Randle, Jernigan, Hosley, and DePalma. Tuesday, Jernigan was no longer back there, so they may have given up on him. DePalma got A LOT of catches on Tuesday, so obviously they are looking to his value on the final 53.
Weatherford is the only punter in camp, and he kicks every other day to save his leg. So about 80% of the “punts” are done by machine, and it’s definitely not the same rep as the real thing. Weatherford kicks ‘em high, point down, with a bit of “English” on the ball. The machine throws a perfect spiral to the same spot every time. Anybody with good hands can catch punts off the machine. You don’t even need to run under it. It’s not surprising our punt returners have ball security issues at game time. They aren’t getting enough realistic reps in practice. My suggestion to the coaching staff: cut a yellow hat or two and bring in some punters for the next two weeks and show these guys some variety.
Of those that actually returned against the coverage team, I think Hosley shows the best. He’s got that first move that makes guys miss.
Just put someone out there that can catch the ball. I’m tired of losing heart function every time we field a punt. I don’t care if the guy fair catches every punt this year, as long as he catches the dam% ball.
Ha! Come to think of it, one of the highlights of Aaron Ross’ career was not fvcking up any punts in SB XLVI!
That was the value of McQuarters….until that muffed one up in Green Bay that gave every Giants fan a heart attack.
I’m totally with you on that. Ross wasn’t perfect, but he was relatively sure handed and made decent decisions when fielding punts. Not a dynamic returner, but less erratic than the other cast of characters that have been used.
Let me start by saying Marcus Thomas is better than either of Rocky Bernard and Shuan Rogers at this stage of their respective careers. I don’t understand how he is still a free agent, because he’s a pretty decent 4-3 defensive tackle who was just miscast with the Broncos a few years ago (I’m not sure if he was still with them last year but I think so, and I’m surprised they didn’t bring him back since they changed their defense and the 4-3 “suits” him). But by all means, sign him.
I’ve no idea who Laron Scott is, but I know I do NOT want David Wilson returning kickoffs. As far as I’m concerned we should have DePalma or Hixon returning punts and anyone but Wilson returning kickoffs.
I like the idea of Marcus Thomas as well. He’s a big guy, he’s got a big frame, and he’d be a terrific guy to line up to plug holes. Just think of 3rd and short situations with Joseph and Thomas plugged in the middle of the line. It would basically eliminate any run up the middle. He doesn’t get into the backfield much, but oh well. On this line he could occupy 2 blockers and let JPP or Tuck slip around the edge and get into the backfield. The only problem is how much $$ Thomas is going to want.
And Scott…eh, it just seems fishy to have him be cut this soon after what he just did. You’d have thought they’d try to showcase him a little more and at least get a late round pick for him, but oh well. David Wilson was great in kick returns last game, but it does scare the crap out of me because I don’t want him getting hurt (a la Jason Seahorn).
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Good scouting reports. I still don’t think there’s anyway that Hixon doesn’t end up sharing a large amount of the KR/PR duties since he’s a good returner and, most importantly, not a fumbler.
As for the flotsam and jetsam we’re bringing in at DT, meh.
Great insight by luv2salsa.
I think Jernigan might have lost his chance as a punt ruturner at least for this year given the reps he got at recent practices and the signing of scott. Scott was cut because NO has sproles and they were going to keep a backup return specialist. Maybe they cut him early as a favor.
I think luv2salsa brings up a good point about the punt machines. I think having another punter would help especially since we have so many young guys.
F55 – I disagree about Wilson. At this point of his career he should be returning KOs. He’s not going to get any more than 7-10 carries and 2-3 catches per game to start the season. I think he’s a playmaker who we need to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. If he does start carrying more of a workload at RB then remove him from KR duties.
I think this scott kid is here to push everyone. We have enough skill that he’s no necessary but if our PR continue to struggle there’s definitely and opening for him.
Thomas is the vet DT that F55 was speaking of in theory the other day. While I still wouldn’t count him as automatically our 3rd best DT, I certainly wont discount the fact that we could be. Thomas is the equal right now of rodgers in terms of talent. It’s a question how quickly he can learn the defense and what type of condition he’s in. It will be interesting who we cut because right now by signing Scott we are at 90 players.
I’m old school on the punt returns. It’s a high risk activity and should be delegated to someone that is reasonably expendable. I’m shaded by my memories of Jim Fassel’s experiment with Jason Sehorn returning kicks in the preseason. Sehorn was never the same player after that injury. I know injuries can happen on any play, but kickoffs and punt returns are the only plays where 11 guys are bearing down on you at full speed from the opposite direction. Leave Wilson to do his thing from behind the line of scrimmage.
Hmmm …
?@art_stapleton
One notable absence from #NYG roster: LB Clint Sintim is not listed anywhere – not active list or on PUP. Interesting to see what’s what
Probably an injury settlement and “disappeared”. Sorry for the kid but he needs to move on with his life.
@art_stapleton
Setting up in #NYG press room & updated rosters have Teaneck’s Oren Wilson wearing 68, Carlton Powell 79. Also, DT Bobby Skinner on roster
Alas, poor Sintim …
?@RVacchianoNYDN
New roster on my desk and LB Clint Sintim isn’t on it. Looks like the Giants may have waived their 2009 second-round pick. #NYG