New York Giants Defensive End Osi Umenyiora To Have Knee Surgery

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Antrel Rolle Tells Mike Francesa Nevin Shapiro Is 'Irrelevant'

WFAN radio host Mike Francesa did his daily show from the Timex Performance Center today, where the New York Giants are holding their 2011 training camp. Francesa talked to a plethora of Giants. Much of what Francesa got his guests to talk about was mundane, but he did get Rolle to talk about Nevin Shapiro and the allegations against him as part of the investigation into wrongdoing in the University of Miami football program.

“He’s (Shapiro) really nothing to talk about,” Rolle said. “He’s really irrelevant at this point. I’m focused on the New York Giants right now. I could really care less what this guy has to say.”

Yahoo! Sports Tuesday broke the story of a nearly year-long investigation into the Miami football program. Rolle is alleged to have sought and accepted thousands of dollars in gifts and cash, as well as other perks.

— Full Rolle interview

Other Francesa Interviews

- David Diehl
- Coach Tom Coughlin
- Mathias Kiwanuka
- Terrell Thomas
- Jerry Reese
- John Mara
- Eli Manning
- Justin Tuck

Tom Coughlin On ESPN New York Radio: Calls Turnovers 'An Atrocity'

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin spent some time with Michael Kay of ESPN Radio New York on Tuesday, when Kay broadcasted his show from Giants training camp at the Timex Performance Center. Sports Radio Interviews has the full transcript, and we have some excerpts below.

Why do you think Eli Manning struggled so much last season throwing the football? Did he force the issue last year?

“I don’t know that I would agree forcing the issue. I think if you looked at the beginning of our season there was the tipped balls that plagued us for quite awhile. We had one out here today and this afternoon. I think it is important for everyone to realize when you are putting a team together that sometimes to punt the ball is not a bad thing. Now it’s an atrocity to turn it over. … Last year was a terrible year from that standpoint and if you would have told me we would lead the league in takeaways and lead the league in giveaways I probably would have told you that you were crazy, but we did.”

Do you worry that Osi Umenyiora won’t go as hard for this football team this year because they didn’t care of him financially?

“I don’t think that is that young man. I think he has made the decision. I think he is coming on the field and I think he is a great competitor and really an outstanding player. He knows that he fits our team very, very well and we need him and that we want him. I’ve seen it these last two days just the way he has worked on the field against Will Beatty and I remember when Beatty first got here how he sort of allowed Will to grow up by having to try to pass protect against Osi, so I think we are going to get a guy that’s committed to his teammates and his team and is going to give us a heck of a year.”

What do you think of your team? The Philadelphia Eagles made a ton of big signings this off-season. Are you guys on that level?

“I think we are a good football team. I think we have every opportunity to be a better football team."

The party line with the Giants is that they feel good about their football team despite the public perception that the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles have done more to improve. We’ll see.

Mike Francesa Of WFAN Broadcasting From Giants Camp Today

Giants Sign Kickoff Specialist Rhys Lloyd

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NFL Free Agency 2011: Deon Grant Returns To Giants

Deon Grant is back with the New York Giants. It is a move that is hardly the magnitude of some of the free-agent signings by the Philadelphia Eagles or even the New York Jets. It is, however, a signficant one for the Giants.

Grant, 32, was a key member of the team’s defense in 2010. He played a hybrid linebacker/safety position in a three-safety package often used by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. He finished with three interceptions, 10 passes defensed and 72 tackles.

Without Grant, the Giants had been using cornerback Terrell Thomas in that role with Aaron Ross taking over on the outside in nickel and dime defenses. Grant, an 11-year veteran, also provides the Giants with experienced depth at safety behind starters Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips. The Giants had been using rookie sixth-round draft pick Tyler Sash as their third safety.

Safety Cary Harris was released to make room for Grant.

New York Giants React To Steve Smith's Departure

Stung New York Giants fans are still digesting the news that former Giants wide receiver Steve Smith has bolted for the Philadelphia Eagles. More than that, though, what is really important is how the Giants are taking the news.

Coach Tom Coughlin is angry, saying that the Giants did not get a chance to match the offer Smith accepted from Philadelphia — one year, $4.2 million, with $2 million guaranteed.

“We thought he’d be a Giant all the way,” Coughlin said. “Our people had pursued an offer and tried to get this done a long time ago, to be honest with you, but nothing ever came forth from their people. We were constantly told that if and when the market did develop that we would be included in what was going on. … We were never brought into the discussion and we were told we were going to.”

Running back Brandon Jacobs understood Smith’s decision.

“Players go where the most money is,” Jacobs said. “Guys don’t just play this game just because of the love of the game of football, they also play it to be well compensated and that’s what the Eagles did with Steve. They compensated him better than anyone else in the league can.”

Justin Tuck also referred to the “business aspect” of the NFL.

Steve has been a big part of our success here but again the business aspect of this game comes back to bite you sometimes," Tuck said. “I’m excited for the guys that we do have here. Disappointed, he did what he had to do and what was best for him and I congratulate him for having that opportunity.”

NFL Free Agency 2011: Steve Smith Leaves Giants For Eagles

Wide receiver Steve Smith stunned the New York Giants today, signing a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith, who set the Giants' all-time single season receptions record with 107 in 2009, had been expected to return to the Giants when he healed from microfracture knee surgery.

Instead, he landed with the NFC East rival Eagles on a one-year deal reported to be worth $4.2 million, with a $2 million guarantee.

Smith, an avid social media user, took quickly to his Facebook page, saying "This was obviously not an easy decision for me or something i ever expected but unfortunately the business aspect proved that the eagles wanted me to be part of their organization MUCH more than the Giants did."

Smith had 220 receptions in his four years with the Giants. He joins an Eagles team that has already added Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Ronnie Brown, Vince Young and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie since the NFL Lockout ended.

Smith apparently told reporters he did not believe the Giants could match the $2 million guarantee. After Smith was checked out by Giants team doctors earlier this week there also appears to be some disagreement over how soon Smith, who is not expected to be ready when the season begins, will actually be able to play.

Asked about Smith Wednesday morning, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, "It's going to be a long haul for him," and, "He's got a ways to go."In Smith's mind, he continues to feel that it "Could be Week 1."

The Eagles are, of course, thrilled to have stolen Smith from the Giants.

"Like I've said many times before, Howie Roseman and I are always keeping our eyes open for good football players and players that we think can help our football team win," said head coach Andy Reid. "And Steve Smith certainly fits that category. He's a Pro Bowl quality receiver that we will work into our offense as soon as he is ready to go. We feel very good about our current group of receivers and Steve adds another dimension to that position. He's played very well against us in the past few years and we're happy to have him on board."

Corey Webster, Antrel Rolle Re-Structure Contracts

The New York Giants had salary cap issues once the NFL Lockout ended and the season began. The Giants slashed some salary with a couple of roster moves and by res-structuring Brandon Jacobs’ contract.

They have now also re-structured the contracts of Antrel Rolle and Corey Webster.

Per ESPN:

Webster was slated to make $8 million but that number has been reduced to $5 million this season in base salary. Rolle also has a base number of $1.25 million compared to the $5.25 million he was scheduled to make originally.

Both players reportedly will make up the difference in a signing bonus to help the Giants’ cap situation according to the New York Daily News.

This sounds like a win-win. The players get the same amount of money, just $7 million less counts against the salary cap.

Maybe they will use some of that money to try and come to an agreement with unhappy defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

ESPN Preseason NFL Power Rankings: Jets No. 7, Giants No. 11

Giants Training Camp Update: Big Blue Could Use Some Good News

After a week filled with bad news — injuries, defections and contract squabbles — the New York Giants could use some good news. And they just might get some.

Free-agent wide receiver Smith, recovering from micro-fracture knee surgery, posted on Facebook over the weekend that he will be visiting with the Giants this week. Smith is not expected to be ready for the beginning of the season, which is one reason he still has not signed a contract anywhere. All along, however, it has been believed that he and the Giants want to stay together.

Bringing back their all-time single-season reception leader — whenever he is ready to play — would be a good thing for an offense that lost tight end Kevin Boss to the Oakland Raiders last week.

The Giants lost a pair of cornerbacks last week. First-round pick Prince Amukamara broke a bone in his foot and will miss several weeks, while reserve Bruce Johnson suffered a season-ending Achilles Tendon injury.

The Giants also still have to resolve the Osi Umenyiora situation. Umenyiora continues to sit on the sidelines claiming a knee injury as he tries to get a new contract from the team or force a trade.

The Giants have their first preseason game Saturday at Carolina.

Henry Hynoski: 'I'm Here To Be A Battering Ram'

Henry Hynoski, the undrafted free agent fullback from Pittsburgh who is trying to win a job with the team during training camp this month, knows exactly why the team brought him to New Jersey.

"They brought me in here to be a battering ram and that's going to be the first thing I do." said the 6-foot-2, 260-pound 22-year-old. "I know what my main role is. I have to line up and block people and blow people up, so that's what I'm prepared to do. Anything else is a bonus."

http://www.bigblueview.com/2011/8/7/2348473/henry-hynoski-im-here-to-be-a-battering-ram

New York Giants Training Camp, Week 2: Prince Amukamara Breaks Foot

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