Archive for the ‘Kenny Phillips’ Category

Giants Impact Defensive Players 2010

September 8th, 2010 at 7:35 PM
By Rich O'Callaghan

The New York Giants open the 2010 season at home on Sunday against a young and scrappy Carolina Panthers’ team. After a promising 5-0 start last season the Giants fell apart and finished with an 8-8 record, much of which was due to injuries to several key defensive starters. Who are the impact players who will lead a Giants defensive turnaround this season, and get them back to their winning ways?

  • Justin Tuck - The Pro Bowl defensive end is clearly one of the most physically gifted players in the NFL, but a cheap-shot from former Cowboys offensive tackle Flozell Adams in week two last season injured Tuck’s shoulder, which killed his productivity. Tuck is back, healthy and has assumed the role of a team leader this season. All indications are that this will be #91’s best season, and a healthy Tuck will definitely boost the Giants’ pass rush.
  • Mathias Kiwanuka - The Giants other starting defensive end is a solid run defender, who struggled rushing the passer last season, managing just 3.0 sacks (his career high is 8.0 in 2008). Kiwi is in a contract year, and he will have to show his improvement in the pass rushing department if he expects the Giants to give him a new contract. The Giants still have pass rushing specialist Osi Umenyiora and the raw athletic freak Jason-Pierre Paul on the roster as well, so Kiwanuka needs to be productive this season if he wants to return in 2011, and he has the skills to make it happen.
  • Osi Umenyiora - No longer a starter, Osi has stopped complaining about his role, and is now embracing entering the season as the Giants pass rushing specialist. Despite a lingering injury to his hip, which the Giants training staff will keep an eye on all season, Umenyoria has looked like his productive and explosive old self this preseason. By managing his snaps and limiting Osi to mostly just pass rushing, I expect him to have his most productive season since 2007.
  • Chris Canty – The Giants big money free agent acquisition last summer, the massive (6′7 310lbs) Canty struggled with injuries last season, injuring his calf and then his hamstring, and playing hurt all season. He showed up at camp this summer in the best shape of his life, and was playing like the force he should be, until struggling with a minor groin injury. If the Giants can get Canty on the field at 100% in the opener on Sunday, it will greatly impact the interior defensive line, and free up their Pro Bowl ends to make plays.
  • Barry Cofield & Rocky Bernard – Two veteran tackles who played poor football last season, Cofield (knee) and Benard (shoulder) were both injured in 2009. While Bernard looked great this preseason, Cofield continued to struggle, and there is speculation that he is unhappy with his contract. If the Giants can get both of these players once again playing at a high level, a rotation of them, rookie Linval Joseph and Chris Canty should give the team their strongest interior defensive line play in years.
  • Jason Pierre-Paul & Linval Joseph - The Giants first two draft picks in April both play on the defensive line, and I think both are talented enough to have an impact on the defense this year. I expect we see Joseph as a member of the defensive tackle rotation early on, at first for a few snaps a game, and then more as the season progresses. His sheer size (6′5 335lbs) strength and quickness will be tough for offensive linemen to deal with right away. Jason Pierre-Paul has all of the athletic talent in the world, but is extremely raw, and I think he is a year away from showing us just how dangerous he really is. That being said, I think we still see him contribute this season in obvious passing situations, where he can make plays and bring pressure with his natural talent alone.
  • Jonathan Goff - When the Giants signed veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck late this off season, it was expected that Bulluck would win the starting middle linebacker job from the inexperienced Goff, and take over the position for the opener. Goff outplayed Bulluck in the middle during training camp and the preseason, and fought to hold onto the starting position, as Bulluck shifted to his more natural strong side position. I expect Goff to play well this season, especially as a run defender, and hope to see him commanding the Giants defense on first and second downs.
  • Michael Boley - New defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s defense is all about speed, and Boley is the Giants’ fastest linebacker, so I expect him to excel in this system. Boley finished second on the Giants in tackles last season (84 total) despite missing five full games due to injury and played hurt for much of the season when he was on the field. I think that if he stays healthy, Boley will finish the 2010 season as the Giants most productive and consistent linebacker.
  • Keith Bulluck - One of the greatest and most consistent linebackers in the NFL over the past decade, Bulluck is still working his way into form, after a knee injury ended his 2009 season and his lengthy career with the Tennessee Titans. The Giants signed Bulluck to be an inside linebacker, but with Jonathan Goff playing well in the middle and Clint Sintim struggling to shed blockers on the strong side, the team made the decision to slide out Bulluck to his more natural position. Bulluck is a experienced player and a natural leader who should be solid on the field, while mentoring the Giants young linebackers off it.
  • Corey Webster & Terrell Thomas - The Giants starting corner back tandem is extremely underrated by NFL experts, and I think they are poised for a fantastic season, as an improved pass rush will make their jobs easier. Keep your eyes focused on Thomas in the early going, he is a player that does not get the credit he deserves from the New York media. He led the Giants in tackles (85 total) and interceptions (five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown) last season, while notching 1.0 sack and forcing a fumble. These numbers should be even better in 2010, aided by the improved Giants pass rush.
  • Aaron Ross – The man who cannot stay healthy, Ross is one of the Giants mist gifted athletes, but just cannot get on the field. After dealing with three hamstring tears last season, Ross looked to help the Giants at nickel back and as a punt returner this season. In the second preseason game Ross suffered plantar fasciitis injury in his foot and missed the rest of the preseason. There is some optimism that Ross will be able to return for the opener this Sunday, and he returned to practice on a limited basis today, but he will likely be a game time decision. With the inexperienced Bruce Johnson as the nickel back behind Ross, the Giants could certainly use him.
  • Antrel Rolle - A free agent addition this off season, the ball-hawking safety proved his worth this preseason, intercepting passes from both Mark Sanchez (Jets) and Tom Brady (Patriots) and returning them long distances each time. Rolle’s athleticism and play-making ability should stand out instantly in 2010, because not having a decent safety killed the Giants starting in week three last season (the first game Kenny Phillips missed due to a season ending knee injury). Rolle will be a difference-maker for the Giants in 2010.
  • Kenny Phillips - The Giants top safety was nothing short of awesome during the first two weeks of the 2009 season, as he had 13 tackles and two interceptions in the first two contests, both Giants victories. Then Phillips was diagnosed with a career threatening knee condition, and underwent surgery, ending his season. Without Phillips, or any reserves capable of replacing his production, the Giants defense and season fell apart. Phillips returns this season, and says he is 100% recovered, but I am still a little skeptical on this. I think the Giants will be substituting veteran Deon Grant in for Phillips every few series and giving him a breather as he gets his legs back under him. Of course Phillips (or Grant) playing next to Antrel Rolle is a huge upgrade over the Giants safety tandem last season, and if Phillips is eventually playing every snap (with Rolle), the Giants should have the best pair of safeties in the NFL.

NOTE:

  • Running Back Brandon Jacobs is unhappy with the media after he was reported to be unhappy with a reduced role earlier this week,  answering all questions on the subject with a “Next Question” today, before firing off “You think I’m stupid, aren’t you? You guys are funny man.” Storming away and shouting a profanity.
  • Kenny Phillips will officially be starting on Sunday against the Panthers, replacing Deon Grant, although I will not be surprised if Grant rotates into the game, giving Phillips breathers as he regains confidence in his knee.
  • Rookie linebacker Phillip Dillard (hamstring) and safety Michael Johnson (personal reasons) were the only Giants who did not practice today, while center Shaun O’Hara (Ankle), cornerback Aaron Ross (foot) and linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (groin) were limited.

New York Giants Drop New England Patriots in Preseason Finale

September 3rd, 2010 at 9:02 AM
By Dan Benton

Thanks in large part to WordPress not having a recovery process, Simon’s game review was lost amongst the millions of accidentally deleted website posts across the world. So rather than reading his recap, which took approximately two hours, you will be stuck with my positives and negatives, which took about two minutes.

Positives:

Ahmad Bradshaw – Most fans would agree that Bradshaw is extremely talented, but I think many fail to realize that he’s elite. His unique combination of foot work, speed and power makes him one of the most complete backs in the NFL. I’ve been saying it for two years, but in my mind he’s the next Barry Sanders.

Eli Manning – He got very little playing time, but took Big Blue right down the field for what appeared to be an easy touchdown on the Giants opening drive. After looking shaky in week three of the preseason against the Ravens, he looked much more like the Super Bowl XLII MVP last night.

Duke Callhoun – I don’t think this kid makes the Giants, but I feel comfortable saying he earned himself a spot on another team with his 76 yard, one touchdown performance.

D.J. Ware/Gartrell Johnson – Both running backs made the most of their opportunities last night and showcased their value for Big Blue. And although D.J. Ware is a favorite here at Giants 101 (thanks in large part to his interaction with the writers), I’d have to say Johnson looks to be the more valuable of the two.

Bryan Kehl – Holy moly, where did that effort suddenly come from? We’ve been waiting for this guy to step up and he certainly did last night. Not only did he lead the team in tackles, he really buckled down and made some amazing plays along the goal-line that prevented New England from scoring.

Jonathan Goff - It might have been against some second, third and never-stringers, but Goff looked quite impressive at times and undoubtedly eased a little stress amongst Giants fans.

Other Notables – Hakeem Nicks, Shawn Andrews, Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips (kid was hitting hard), Mathias Kiwanuka, Michael Boley and Seth Williams.

Negatives:

Tim Brown – The kid looked amazing in camp, but he just didn’t blow anyone away in the preseason. After an extremely poor performance last night, and with Sinorice Moss on IR, it’s safe to assume Victor Cruz is assured of a job.

Courtney Brown – C.C., is that you? Awww you almost got us! Be gone!

Derek Hagan – Dropsies! See you on Special Teams.

Will Beatty – I am extremely disappointed in his regression this season. I truly expected so much more, but it just doesn’t seem to be translating.

Kickoff Coverage – Yuck. That’s all I have to say about that.

Mixed:

Rhett Bomar – This kid is a bit of an enigma. One second he can look amazingly talented, the next second he’s holding onto the ball too long, overthrowing it, dropping down sidearmed, getting it batted down…it’s baffling really. He’s clearly a project, but one worth taking on. Unfortunately, he’s not yet valuable en0ugh to be the Giants’ number two man.

Matt Dodge – The guy has progressed each and every week, but he’s still a tad inconsistent. His punting was great on Thursday night, but botching a snap on an extra point is no good.

G101 Tailgate Reminder & Roll-Call!

August 26th, 2010 at 9:52 PM
By Sean Carroll

The New York Giants are halfway through their preseason, currently riddled with injuries and a notable amount of uncertainty, and despite all that, there’s only one thing on the mind of the writers at G101…G101 TAILGATE! When life hands you injuries, setup a tailgate!

As such, we wanted to remind everyone that we are gearing up for the first ever Giants 101 Tailgate. This is taking place before the Giants take on the New England Patriots, on September 2, 2010. The game starts at 7PM, but we are looking to get there nice and early to stake out a nice spot and get some quality time in with you all to talk some Big Blue.

Early next week, we will be providing the details on which lot we’ll be stationed in. But before that, we would like to get another roll-call going so we can have an updated number of G101ers who plan to attend. We want to make this a semi-regular (and hopefully, at some point, regular) thing, so we encourage everyone to come out and help us hoist the G101 banner.

So please, take a moment to consider whether you’ll be joining us on Sept. 2 at Giants Stadium (we’re not calling it anything else) for the tailgate. If you’re planning on joining us, drop us a line in the comments section. We hope to see a great showing and thank you all for your ongoing support and readership.

Giants Notes:

  • Unfortunately, the New York Giants continue to deal with a rather pesky injury bug. It was reported today by several sources that Center, Shaun O’Hara, will be out for the remainder of the preseason with a cast on his bum leg. There’s no need to elaborate on how big of a role O’Hara plays on this Giants team, so Giants fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery.
  • Additionally, Aaron Ross and Terrell Thomas will not play in the next preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
  • On a plus side, Ralph Vacchiano of the NY Daily News reports that Kenny Phillips continues to show improvement as he re-acclimates to football shape.

New York Giants Thoughts 8/17

August 17th, 2010 at 12:02 PM
By Rich O'Callaghan

The New York Giants took it to their cross-town rivals the Jets last night in their first game at the new Meadowlands stadium last night 31-16. Giants101’s Hazem Kiswani posted a in depth game analysis last night which can be found below, but I wanted to offer a few other thoughts on the GMen following their first on field action of 2010. 

  • First let me set the scene for you. I had my first fantasy football draft last night so I was at a bar (The Hill in Murray Hill) watching the action. Lots of Giants and Jets fans showed up for Monday night football. To tell you the truth I do not like or hate the Jets, they are just another team from New York to me, like the Buffalo Bills. I find Jets coach Rex Ryan very entertaining and I dislike all of the attention a team that snuck into the playoffs last season by beating two teams resting their starters, but I hate divisional rivals like the Redskins, Cowboys and Eagles much more than the Jets. However, when Giants quarterback Eli Manning ran into Brandon Jacobs and then was hit by a combination of Calvin Pace and Jim Leonhard causing his forehead to bust open like Ric Flair, the Jets fans started taunting me. They questioned Manning’s toughness and insulted him for leaving the game. Eli Manning has never missed an NFL start and has played through multiple injuries over his career. The only reason he left the game was because it was a meaningless preseason game, and the Giants decided to hold the face of their franchise out for precautionary reasons. After these comments, I wanted the win badly, to shut Jets fans up. I look forward to HBO’s Hard Knocks this week an watching Victor Cruz rip the Jets apart in a Giants win. Your 15 minutes of fame are not up yet, Cruz, welcome to the G101 Hall of Fame.
  • Speaking of Victor Cruz, what a spectacular game for the undrafted rookie free agent from UMass. The Patterson, New Jersey native absolutely destroyed the Jets in the second half, catching 6 passes for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has raved about Cruz all training camp long, and I thought he was a likely practice squad candidate going into Monday night, but now fans and the media will have their eyes on Cruz for the rest of the preseason. It is clear that Cruz has to prove last night was not a fluke and he needs to establish himself on special teams and continue to work hard, but he now has a shot to make the active roster. Could he supplant Sinorice Moss on the Giants roster? Stay tuned.
  • Eli Manning is luckily okay after receiving that gash on his forehead, which took 12 stitches to close. He feels fine today and is not experiencing any concussion symptoms, and the team does not expect him to miss any practice time.
  • How nice is it to have capable safeties on the Giants roster? After watching the horrendous play of C.C. Brown and Aaron Rouse last season, upgrading the secondary was the Giants top off-season priority, and it looked to be a success last night. Antrel Rolle showed how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands, intercepting a Mark Sanchez pass and returning it 59 yards to the 1-yard line. Deon Grant, playing with the first unit in the absence of Kenny Phillips, looked great too and was in on many plays on the Jets first few drives. The upgraded safety position for Big Blue impressed me last night, and proved that last years nightmare is in the past.
  • The other player who turned my head last night was middle linebacker Jonathan Goff. He looked like a totally different player than he did in 2009, and he is clearly much more confident and comfortable in the defense. If he continues to look this good, new acquisition Keith Bulluck will have a harder time supplanting Goff in the starting lineup than we once thought.
  • The Giants offensive line play was troubling last night. The team was without Pro Bowl guard Chris Snee (leg) and Rich Seubert (hand) which likely caused some of their issues, but they were unable to get a push against the Jets defense. This is something to keep an eye on going forward.
  • It seems like Ahmad Bradshaw is going to be the Giants top running back this season, and he showed his explosiveness on a dump off pass from Eli Manning that he took 51-yards. Brandon Jacobs looked sluggish again, but will likely be the Giants short yardage back. The Giants offensive line was not getting much of a push or opening holes for Jacobs, but he did not look good last night. I was also impressed by Andre Brown, it seems his Achilles tendon has healed well, and he could be valuable on passing downs.   
  • I was really looking for strong side linebacker Clint Sintim to make an impact last night, but he looked lost. Sintim got caught inside and swallowed up by blockers, he needs to do a better job of getting off of blocks.
  • I was also disappointed in Ramses Barden, who had a bad drop of a Manning pass on the first series and failed to make much of an impact in the game, with just two receptions for 12 yards.
  • Also impressive were rookie defensive lineman Linval Joseph, who made four tackles and looked as good as advertised and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul who made three tackles and sacked Sanchez. 
  • I am extremely worried about special teams. Punter Matt Dodge had a punt blocked and averaged just 37.2 yards per attempt. It is pretty clear D.J. Ware is not the next Dante Hall as return man. I still do not like risking the injury prone Aaron Ross on punt returns and think this is a spot where Victor Cruz could make an impact.
  • Gerris Wilkinson looked solid last night, leading the Giants in tackles, and making a nice play in the backfield for a loss. Expect him to be a top special teams performer again this season if he can stay healthy, which of course is a big if. 
  • You have to feel bad for reserve linebacker Chase Blackburn, who has been with the organization for six seasons. He injured his knee last night, and it is being called a sprain, but it looked pretty bad. Blackburn has an MRI today, and hopefully he will be alright. 

New York Giants Pre Preseason Roster Prediction

August 9th, 2010 at 5:49 PM
By SimonGC

Here we go again, folks. It’s that time of year. A few things have changed since the last roster prediction. Injuries, recoveries and performances have shifted the balance of certain units, and therefore the roster overall. My Prediction:

QB- Eli Manning, Jim Sorgi

The Giants have carried two QB’s the last couple of years, and Rhett Bomar will really have to impress in the preseason to avoid the waiver gauntlet, and ultimately the practice squad.

FB- Madison Hedgecock

Hedgecock didn’t seem to be in much trouble coming into camp, but a recent bit about Jerome Johnson’s good camp and Maddy’s handful of drops could be noteworthy. Hedgecock is a trusted veteran, but is coming off a down season due to an injured shoulder that required surgery. Would the Giants be tempted make a mini-youth movement here, saving about $600,000 this year? I’m not ready to go that far yet.

RB- Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, Andre Brown, DJ Ware

For most of this offseason I’ve been suggesting the Giants carry 5 RB’s, but with Bradshaw, Jacobs and Brown looking healthy that extra insurance policy might not be necessary. Gartrell Johnson’s sluggish start to camp hasn’t helped his cause. Look for Brown to get some situational work out of the backfield if he can prove a reliable pass blocker, and DJ Ware to return kickoffs and perhaps spell the top two guys occasionally.

TE- Kevin Boss, Travis Beckum, Bear Pascoe

This unit seems a little thin, with Boss coming off the ankle surgery (now nursing a hammy) and Beckum’s noted lack of blocking skills (and a hammy, too)! Pascoe has had an up and down camp, and it’s possible Scott Chandler could steal that roster spot or even come in as the 4th guy. Hey, you can’t be stacked everywhere.

WR- Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Derek HaganSinorice MossRamses Barden

Not much to say here, although many Giants fans will be lamenting Moss’ continued presence on the roster. Tim Brown’s opened some eyes recently in camp, but the Sinorice Moss carbon copy will probably need to wrestle the kickoff return job from DJ Ware to either be carried as the 7th guy or bump someone (Moss?) off the roster.

OL- David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, William Beatty, Guy Whimper, Mitch Petrus, Adam Koets

We can argue all day about who lines up where, but that’s pretty much what the roster is going to look like. Kevin Boothe’s placement on the PUP due to a pectoral injury cleared the depth situation up a little bit, but you have to wonder if there is room for him when he’s ready to come back. Assuming everyone is healthy, it probably comes down to who the Giants like better: Boothe or Whimper.

CB- Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas, Aaron Ross, Bruce Johnson, D.J. Johnson

Again, not a lot of surprises here. If Ross is going to be the nickel back, he’s certainly got my vote to return punts. D.J. Johnson’s only up there because he was on the roster last year, and it’s possible that Seth Williams or Courtney Brown could take hold of that spot. With a WR group that underwhelms (outside of Hagan) on special teams, contributions in that department are going to go a long way in winning that CB last spot.

S- Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips, Deon Grant, Michael Johnson

This is another unit I thought might carry five guys, but with Chad Jones going down early that doesn’t look likely. This unit might shake out a few different ways with Phillips’ health, and Grant and Johnson presumably battling for depth chart dominance over one another, but these should be the four guys. Sha’Reff Rashad has been hanging around since last year, but he’s probably ticketed for the practice squad again. If Michael Johnson does get buried on the depth chart, he’s a good candidate to win a job as a punt gunner opposite Hagan.

LB- Michael Boley, Keith Bulluck, Clint Sintim, Jonathon Goff, Chase Blackburn, Bryan Kehl, Phillip Dillard

This is a crowded group, but for starters I’d think Coughlin would be fed up with Gerris Wilkinson by now, and its doubtful he even gets the chance to win over Perry Fewell. Adrian Tracy, the sixth-round DE convert probably could use a year on the practice squad to get used to a new position. If Goff straight up wins the MLB job from Bulluck, do the Giants even keep Bulluck around? Will Chase Blackburn successfully force the coaching staff to keep him around (again)? Are the Giants ready give up on Kehl? If Mathias Kiwanuka is going to get reps at linebacker, it’s quite likely that the answer to one of these questions will be bad news for somebody on the above list, with the roster spot going perhaps to a defensive back, a tight end or Rhett Bomar.

DE- Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul, Dave Tollefson

DT- Chris Canty, Barry Cofield, Linval Joseph, Jay Alford

Ok, let’s do these two units together, since the decision really comes down to keeping Tollefson or Rocky Bernard. Tollefson sticks because the Giants have more DE’s that can swing inside than vice-versa, and he’s also been the other guy (behind Kiwanuka) taking reps at LB. The fact that he’s on both punt and kick coverage teams and costs a heck of a lot less doesn’t hurt either. Cutting Bernard and allowing Kiwanuka to stand up bodes well for the Giants defensive line, as it indicates the coaches are comfortable with the early progress made by Joseph and Pierre-Paul. Can’t stress enough that a return to form for the D-line is the Giants most pressing issue.

K- Lawrence Tynes

Ugh.

P- Matt Dodge

After a rocky start to training camp, Dodge has reportedly found a groove and shown off the monstrous leg power he was reputed to have. His strong leg should allow him to do a decent job early, but there hasn’t been much of an effort to kick directionally. Plus, the kid’s apparently “built like a linebacker,” so we should all be excited to see the first time he lays someone out.

LS- Zak DeOssie

Not listed with the linebackers, as Tynes mentioned he wouldn’t really be working with them this season. A bad moment in your career, but at least you still have a job! I suppose his presence down here might incline the Giants slightly to carry one less linebacker. Slightly.