Giants Gab

With training camp almost upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to name 5Giants who could break out this year. This list is in no particular order.

1. Kenny Phillips

We love him here at GiantsGab. Tall, rangy, big hitter, he’s reminiscent of the late Sean Taylor. Phillips was good in his rookie year, making a lot of big players. With James Butler off to St. Louis, Phillips will assume one of the starting safety spots. I think he’s up for it. If he plays that downfield, aggressive style, he’ll make big plays and cause turnovers. 

2. Mario Manningham

I had the opportunity to watch Manningham play in college in person. In the game that I saw, Manningham was all over the place, blowing by defenders. He made it look easy. His rookie year was filled with injuries, and he never got a chance to show what he’s made of. This year is different. Manningham has the chance to be the #3 receiver, lining up in the slot and going downfield. He has breakaway speed, and can be a huge deep threat. If can make plays of 20 yards or more often, it’ll be a great year.

3. Terrell Thomas

Yes, this list is being dominated by the 2008 draft class, but I think it’s a good class. Thomas, I thought, really came on towards the end of the season, and played especially well in the Eagles playoff game. The thing that stood out to me was his blitzing ability. He has great closing speed. He’ll be the nickel corner this year. With team trying to avoid Corey Webster, Thomas will have a lot of responsibility. He’s a big play corner. He’ll make a lot this year.

4. Kevin Boss

Boss has established himself as a good tight end in this league. This is the year he takes to the next level. And the reason is simple. Opposing defenses are going to stack eight, maybe nine in the box, thinking that the wideouts cannot beat them. Boss will be able to slide underneath the blitz and get easy catches. He’s also a great red zone target. Pick him up for your fantasy team. He might have a huge year.

5. Gerris Wilkinson

We’ve been waiting for him to develop. With Michael Boley injured, he has a chance. He has to make the most of it. It’s his last chance. He has to take advantage of it. He has the ability to. He’s fast, rangy.Maybe this is the year he puts in all together. I’m not sure. But he has a huge opportunity.

All these guys will have an opportunity to shine this year. For the Giants sake, they will produce. They have the talent. Let’s see what they can do with it.

Pete Prisco made his list of the top 50 NFL players, and there are two Giants on it. Guard Chris Snee comes in at number 41, while defensive end Justin Tuck is number 50. Here’s what Prisco has to say about Snee and Tuck:

He’s much more than the son-in-law of coach Tom Coughlin. He’s a mauler in the run game.

He’s a dominant pass rusher who emerged as a Pro Bowl player last season. Getting back Osi Umenyiora on the other side will help him be even better

Good for Snee and Tuck. They are two elite players and are rightfully being recognized for it. I’m surprised names like Eli Manning and Brandon Jacobs are not on this list, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Congrats, Snee and Tuck.

From Matt Mosley of ESPN.COM

Giants general manager Jerry Reese has a simple solution for replacing the hole that Plaxico Burress left in the offense. He thinks it’s time for quarterback Eli Manning to take on more responsibility and lead this organization to another Super Bowl.

In 2007, Manning caught lightning in a bottle for a little more than a month and helped lead the Giants to a world title. But with the loss of his combustible safety blanket, Burress, and a supporting cast comprised of talented but raw wide receivers, the Giants believe Manning can elevate his teammates to another level.

The only problem with that approach from a management standpoint is that you’re increasing your quarterback’s bargaining power. But I don’t think the Giants are concerned about that side of the equation. And that’s why Manning is poised to become the highest-paid player in league history in the next month or so.

Unless the Giants are thinking of putting the franchise tag on Manning after the ‘09 season — they’re not — it’s time for Reese to sit down with the agent to the star quarterbacks, Tom Condon, and get something done. So what’s the going rate for a 28-year-old franchise quarterback who already has a Lombardi trophy? We know that at least one man thought defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, also 28, was worth $41 million in guaranteed money.

Haynesworth is, without argument, the best defensive tackle in the game. As a quarterback, Manning probably ranks behind Tom Brady, his older brother Peyton, Drew Brees and perhaps Ben Roethlisberger, although I could argue otherwise. And don’t bring up Philip Rivers. He’s put up huge numbers (but no world titles) against inferior competition in the AFC West.

With that in mind, and realizing that quarterback is the most valuable position on the field, I think Manning has a case for becoming our first $50 million (guaranteed) quarterback. The rest of the contract numbers won’t matter that much. We’re talking about CIF (cash in fist), and I think the $50 million figure is what Team Manning will be looking for.

A respected member of the Giants organization not named Jerry Reese told me Thursday morning, “There’s no way this thing becomes contentious. Something will probably get done before the season, and everyone will move on.”

If the Giants truly wanted to play hardball, they could point to the possibility of an uncapped season in 2010. If a collective bargaining agreement is not reached before the start of free agency next February, Manning wouldn’t become an unrestricted free agent. But at this point, both sides appear to be operating as if a new CBA will be in place. The last thing the Giants want is to have Manning playing with the contract cloud hanging over his head. And that’s why I think they’ll make him the richest quarterback in the history of the game sometime next month.

The Cowboys let Tony Romo enter the last year of his contract in 2007, but that was a completely different situation. Romo hadn’t played a full season in ‘06 — and he didn’t have any skins on the wall like Manning.

In 2004, Manning’s big brother signed a seven-year, $98 million contract extension with the Colts that seemed off the charts at the time. But according to personnel types around the league, Eli’s contract could end up somewhere in the seven-year, $120 million range, which would make him a league-high $17 million per year player. Manning likes to “aw shucks” his way through life, but his reps at Creative Artists Agency aren’t into hometown discounts.

In talking to Giants officials, Manning’s struggles last December and January did nothing to diminish his value with the franchise. With Brandon Jacobs banged up and Burress sidelined, the organization knows Manning was in a tough situation.

It’s obviously not the ideal time to do a mega-contract, what with the economy in the tank and trying to finance a $1.6 billion (and rising) new stadium. There were reports last January the Giants might not have $40 million in guaranteed money available for Manning. But something tells me the Mara and Tisch families socked away a little cash for their franchise quarterback.

Becoming a $100 million quarterback doesn’t mean much anymore. Even Michael Vick once broke that barrier. What matters, obviously, is the guaranteed portion of the contract. And I think Manning could sneak up on that $50 million barrier we discussed earlier.

“[Eli's] not a veteran anymore, he’s a Pro Bowler — we’ll put some of this on his back,” said Reese earlier this offseason. “We’re going to put more of the onus on him.”

And that’s why Manning’s about to become the wealthiest quarterback in the game.

Eli Manning is about to become an even wealthier man and in my opinion he has earned it.  He has delivered a championship to New York and continues to deal with the pressures of playing in one of the craziest cities in the world.

From Mike Garafolo’s Twitter Account:

TE Travis Beckum’s contract (announced on Mon) is a 4-yr deal worth $2.363m with a playing time escalator in 4th yr from $565k to $1.308m.

Beckum played linebacker and defensive end in his first season with the Badgers before switching to tight end.

In three years on offense, Beckum played in 30 games with 20 starts and caught 159 passes for 2,149 yards (13.5-yard avg.) and 11 touchdowns. His 159 catches rank third in school history behind Lee Evans (175, 1999-2003) and Brandon Williams (202, 2002-05) and broke the previous Wisconsin tight end record of 121 catches by Pat Richter (1960-62). Beckum’s 75 receptions in 2007 tied Evans (2001) for the school season-record.

Last year, Beckum was a preseason first-team All-America but was limited to six games and four starts because of a fractured left fibula suffered in the Illinois game, an injury that required surgery. He still caught 23 passes for 264 yards.

Beckum is expected to handle a receiving role at tight end for the Giants and because of a lack of size at the receiver position, he could see time in the slot and out wide.

These days, fans can’t afford to get taken for their sports bucks. So the minds at ESPN The Magazine ranked every franchise from the four major sports leagues to suss out which teams are most deserving of your hard-earned dollar. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finished on top with the Los Angeles Clippers bringing up the rear.

GIANTS #45

Last Year’s Rank: 48
Title Track: 9
Ownership: 21
Coaching: 22
Players: 34
Fan Relations: 90
Affordability: 108
Stadium Experience: 97
Bang for the Buck: 26

From ESPN.COM

Here’s a Rorschach test for Big Blue fans: What would you see in the amorphous shape presented on a test card, another Lombardi Trophy or a new Giants Stadium? (Trick question: It could be both.) With the core of New York’s 2007 championship squad intact, the G-Men’s title hopes remain strong headed into 2009. But the faithful yearn for a new stadium (due in 2010) almost as much as another championship. If you saw the bathrooms, you’d know why, not to mention overcrowded concrete concourses and an abundance of nosebleed seats. But creature comforts and championships don’t come cheap, obviously. Diehards are being asked to cough up as much as $20,000 for personal seat licenses for the right to purchase season tickets in the new crib. (So much for that legendary 140,000-person wait list.) No wonder New York is the second-most-expensive NFL franchise in our Standings, especially since the Giants sell tickets, beer, soft drinks and programs at prices well above league average. Despite being happy with the product on the field — okay, maybe not with former wideout Plaxico Burress’ marksmanship or common sense — and with a head coach, Tom Coughlin, who continues to put New York into the postseason, the money needed to put a Super Bowl contender together may drive fans to therapy.

Adam Schein had this to say about Eli Manning today on FoxSports.com

video?vid=0d78db8d-1eff-4e99-81b4-2de613d186fe&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_NFL&fg=gtlv2

With it being a quiet time around Giants land I figured I would assemble my all-time Giants roster/depth chart.  I will try to unveil a different position every day or two.  I hope you have fun with this and feel free to chime in with any thoughts, for or against, my selections.

My All Time Giant Roster Quarterback Addition Depth Chart:

Phil Simms #1 (Starting Quarterback) by a large margin.  Simms is by far and wide my favorite Giant of all-time.  When Phil Simms was drafted in the first round with the 7^th overall pick Giant fans booed the pick.  But when Simms retired after the 1993 season, there wasn’t a Giant fan who did not love Phil.  He led the Giants to there first Super Bowl title during the 1986 season when they beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI.  It was the Giants first league championship since 1956. Phil Simms was named MVP of Super Bowl XXI by completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Simms finished his career with 199 touchdowns and 33,462 yards both first on the Giants all-time list.  Phil Simms passed for over 3,000 yards 6 times in his career. Phil’s number 11 was retired by the New York Giants.

Eli Manning, #2 (Back Up).   Manning was drafted number one overall by the San Diego Chargers and was traded to the Giants for Phillip Rivers and the Giants’ 2004 3rd-round pick and 2005 1st and 5th-round picks.  Manning sat for part of his first year but eventually replaced Kurt Warner as starting quarterback and has not given up the reins since.  Eli Manning led the Giants to their third Super Bowl title defeating the then unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.  Manning, like Simms, was named MVP of Super Bowl XLII by completing 19 of 34 passes (one of those receptions considered the greatest of all-time) for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception (that Steve Smith should have caught).  As of today Manning has thrown for 14,623 yards with 98 touchdowns and again like Simms will one day have his jersey retired by the Giants.

Y.A. Tittle, #3 (Emergency Quarterback).  In Title’s brief career in New York he lead the Giants to three straight championship games (1961-1963) but the Giants lost all three.  In his four years with the Giants Tittle passed for 96 touchdowns and 10,439 yards. His best season was 1963 when Tittle passed for 36 touchdowns which at the time was an NFL record. The Giants retired Tittle’s # 14 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

Here are some random thoughts and musings on this Wednesday morning:

-I’m starting to believe that Brandon Jacobs is a freak of nature. How could someone with his size be that fast? You would be hard pressed to find anyone like him. I’m still shocked all 32 teams passed on him at least 3 times in the draft. Crazy.

-The best outcome for everyone involved is to get Eli Manning’s contract extended sooner rather than later. While I have no doubt that a deal will get done, no one wants this hanging over the head of a the team during the year. If there is no deal done by the start of the season I would be shocked. Remember, the Giants extended Plaxico Burress’s contract right before the season.

-I think that the Giants receiving corp gets a bad rap. Yes, they are unproven. But many in the media seem to think that there is no talent in this group. That is flat-out wrong. Steve Smith is one of the best young receivers in the game, even if he’s not the 6-3 superstar. Domenik Hixon is really talented. This seems to get lost. They are not the best group in the league. But they certainly are not the worst.

-I’m really concerned about Michael Boley’s injury. He was going to stop the revolving door at weakside linebacker. No longer would there be guys off the street suiting up for the G-Men. They say 8-10 weeks. That puts him right in the middle of preseason. He still needs to get in playing shape, and get comfortable for the offense. I can’t see him making an impact until at least midseason. I think the Giants would be wise to sign a free agent linebacker, if only for depth purposes.

-I agree with Jesse Bartolis in his assertion that Corey Webster will have a big year. Webster came into his own during the Super Bowl run, and that confidence has carried over. Webster is now the leader of the young secondary. I think he’s up to the to the task.

-Where would the Giants be without Jeff Feagles? He’s been a model of consistency. Many teams go through multiple punters a seasons. The Giants have to start preparing for his eventual departure. 

-Finally, watch out for Ramses Barden. The rookie still has a long way to go after coming from Cal Poly. But at 6-6, he’s almost impossible to cover in the red zone. I’m calling it now–8 touchdowns. All within the 20 yard line.

From the Star Ledger:

$2.18 million total value

$430,000 signing bonus, which is slightly less than the previously reported figure of $433,000

2012 escalators from $565,000 to either $1.158 million or $2.696 million, depending on level of incentives hit

Up to $175,000 in not-likely-to-be-earned (NLTBE) bonuses in 2009 (Too numerous to bother listing here)

Up to $130,000 in NLTBEs each in 2010-12 (Again, lots and lots of em)

And finally, if any level of escalators are earned, Brown’s 2012 salary increases by $25,000 for each year he participates in 90% of the off-season workouts and another $75,000 if he completes all of the first three years.

So lots of ways for Brown to earn extra money in his first four seasons.

The Giants announced the signing today of 4th round pick Andre Brown to a 4 year contract. Rookie free agent center Alex Derenthal was released to make room.