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GIANTS NEWS & TRANSACTIONS ARCHIVE
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5 Giants Selected to Pro Bowl
Defensive ends Strahan and Umenyiora were among five Giants selected to play in the Pro Bowl in Honolulu on Feb. 12. Tight end Jeremy Shockey and running back Tiki Barber also were named to the NFC team along with David Tyree, selected on special teams. The Giants have not had this many Pro Bowl selections since 1990 when seven players earned the honor. In addition to the five first-teamers, eight Giants were named as alternates: middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, kicker Jay Feely and punt returner Chad Morton are first alternates; punter Jeff Feagles was named as a second alternate; quarterback Eli Manning, wide receiver Plaxico Burress and center Shaun O'Hara are third alternates and guard Chris Snee is a fourth alternate.
Giants Sign Plaxico Burress
The New York Giants and free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress agreed to terms on a six-year contract on Friday, March 18th. Burress, who has spent all five of his NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, was one of the most coveted free agent wide receivers in the league this offseason. In 2004, Burress led the 15-1 Steelers with five touchdown catches among his 35 receptions for 698 yards (a 19.9-yard average that was second in the NFL). His finest season was 2002 when he caught 78 passes for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns. Burress, 6-5 and 226 pounds, was originally selected by the Steelers with the eighth-overall pick in the 2000 draft. In 71 career games, he has posted 261 catches for 4,164 yards and 33 touchdowns. The 27-year-old Burress should be a tremendous help to the Giants and blossoming quarterback Eli Manning next season. Burress will also compliment veteran wideout Amani Toomer in the starting lineup. New York has been busy this offseason with the signings of linebacker Antonio Pierce, right tackle Kareem McKenzie and kicker Jay Feely.
Miller Signs With Giants
The New York Giants signed veteran quarterback Jim Miller on Wednesday, March 9th. Miller spent last season with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. He has also played for the Bucs, Bears, Falcons and Steelers during his career, which began in Pittsburgh in 1994. Miller, 34, last played in 2002 with Chicago where he stared eight games. That season he completed 57.3 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The 11-year veteran missed all of the 2003 season with a shoulder injury. Miller has completed 610-of-1,046 passes in his career for 6,387 yards with 36 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. His best season was in 2001 when he led the Bears to a 13-3 mark and the NFC Central Division title while starting 13 of his 14 games.
Giants Sign Feely
The New York Giants signed free agent placekicker Jay Feely to a two-year contract on Tuesday, March 8th. Feely has played his entire career (2001-) with the Atlanta Falcons. Feely converted on 18-of-23 field-goal attempts last season and made all 40 PAT tries. Feely, 28, will become the Giant's third Opening Day starter in as many years, replacing Steve Christie who made 22-of-28 field-goal attempts and all 33 PAT tries in 2004.
Giants Sign McKenzie
Offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie signed a seven-year deal with the New York Giants on March 4th, after spending the last four seasons with the Jets. McKenzie, who started the last three seasons at right tackle, should provide immediate help to an offensive line that for the last two seasons has been one of the worst in the NFL. McKenzie will remain at right tackle, allowing David Diehl, a guard who played there last season, to move back to his natural position. Luke Petitgout, who began his career on the right side, will remain at left tackle. McKenzie was the Jets' third-round pick out of Penn State in 2001 and was considered one of the best tackles available on the free-agent market.
Giants Sign Pierce
On March 3rd, the New York Giants signed free agent linebacker Antonio Pierce to a six-year deal. Pierce, 26, spent the first four years of his career with division rival Washington Redskins and became a starter in 2004 after spending much of his career in a reserve role and on special teams. Pierce led the Redskins with 160 tackles last season, including 109 solo. The four-year veteran also intercepted two passes, recovered two fumbles and forced one in helping Washington's defense improve from No. 25 to No. 3 in the NFL in 2004. Pierce was an undrafted free agent who started 10 of his 40 NFL games before the 2004 season and was named as an alternate for the 2004 Pro Bowl.
2005 Pro Bowl Selections
Giants running back Tiki Barber was selected to represent the National Football Conference (NFC) in the 2005 Pro Bowl--the NFL's annual all-star game. In 2004, Barber won the NFL yards from scrimmage title, set the Giants' all-time rushing record and set the Giants' single-season rushing record with 1,518 yard--two more yards than Joe Morris had in 1986. Barber increased his career-rushing total to 6,927 yards, which tops Rodney Hampton's career record of 6,897 yards. Barber also finished the season with an NFL-best 2,096 yards from scrimmage (1,518 rushing and 578 receiving) to beat out Edgerrin James who had 2,031 yards from scrimmage. Tight end Jeremy Shockey, linebacker Carlos Emmons and wide receiver/special teams ace David Tyree were all voted in as alternates.
Giants Sign Kurt Warner
On Thursday, June 3rd, the New York Giants signed two-time NFL MVP quarterback Kurt Warner, giving the team a veteran quarterback in case top draft pick Eli Manning is not ready to start this season. The signing comes a little more than 24 hours after Warner was released in a salary-cap move by St. Louis, ending an improbable run that saw the former Arena League quarterback lead the Rams to two Super Bowls, including a thrilling victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Kurt Warner has led a Cinderella-like football career. Before making it to the NFL in 1998, Warner spent three seasons (1995-1997) with the Iowa Barnstormers (now the New York Dragons) of the Arena League and another with NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals before settling with the Rams for the 1998 season.
Warner is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, holding all-time records for the highest career passer rating (97.2) and completion percentage (66.41). He is the latest and possibly most significant free agent acquisition the Giants have made during this busy offseason, which has featured the signing of 21 veterans.
Giants Add to Defensive Line
The New York Giants signed unrestricted free agent defensive end Lorenzo Bromell on Monday, April 5th. Bromell played the last six games of the 2003 season with the Oakland Raiders, starting four games in which he totaled two sacks and 12 tackles. He signed with the Raiders in November of 2003 after being released by Minnesota because of a knee injury he suffered during training camp. Bromell, 28, came to the Vikings as an unrestricted free agent in 2002 and played in 16 games—recording 30 tackles and four sacks. Bromell is the third free agent defensive lineman to be acquired by the Giants, joining Fred Robbins (Minnesota) and Martin Chase (Washington).
The Giants continued to add to their defensive line on Wednesday, April 7th, with the signing of defensive tackle Norman Hand. The 6-3, 310-pound Hand played for the Seattle Seahawks last season but spent much of the year on the disabled list with a torn right bicep. He did, however, play in six games (starting five) and finished the season with ten tackles and a sack. The 32-year-old Queens native is entering his tenth NFL season with his fifth team. Hand has totaled 285 career tackles (199 solo), 21.5 career sacks and two interceptions.
Giants Sign Terry Cousin
On March 24th, the Giants took a step forward in strengthening their defense by signing cornerback Terry Cousin. Cousin, who is an eight-year veteran, helped lead the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl, as well as their first NFC Championship, last season by recording 57 tackles (40 solo), two sacks, and five passes defended. Along with Will Peterson and Will Allen, Cousin will add depth as well as experience to the Giants Secondary.
Giants Look to Improve 2004 Roster
In a disastrous 4-12 season, the New York Giants defense was ranked 22nd in the league and 18th against the run, while their offensive line lacked any veteran leadership. Over the course of four days, the team added a number of players they believe can begin to solve these issues.
On Friday, March 5th, the Giants took a major step toward solving their defensive woes by signing strongside linebacker Carlos Emmons and defensive tackle Fred Robbins. Emmons was the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive MVP last season, New York's NFC East rival. Robbins, also an unrestricted free agent, was an outstanding run stopper for the Minnesota Vikings.
Emmons had a career-high 123 tackles last season for the Eagles, with whom he spent four years—registering 608 tackles, 363 solos, 17 sacks, four interceptions, five fumbles recoveries and six forced fumbles.
At 6-4 and 325 ponds, Fred Robbins figures to help solve that problem. Robbins was selected by Minnesota in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Last season, he started 12 of 16 games and amassed 30 tackles (21 solo).
On Sunday, March 6th, the Giants signed free agent lineman Shaun O’Hara to bolster their offensive line. O'Hara, who was a New Jersey high school standout, spent the last four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, participating in 54 games, including 38 starts. Last year, O'Hara played in 14 games, starting at both left and right guard.
The team continued to shore up their defense by signing free agent linebacker Barrett Green on Monday, March 8th. Green started all 16 games for the Detroit Lions last season and registered 117 tackles (71 solo), three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Green, who started 40 of 54 games in Detroit, was one of the few solid players the Lions have had while struggling in recent years. In 2001, he finished second on the team with 115 tackles despite missing the last two games with a back injury. The next year, Green registered 116 tackles and forced three fumbles. Also worthy of note, Barrett’s father, Joe, played strong safety for the Giants from 1970-71.
Coughlin Hired as New Head Coach
Tom Coughlin, a highly successful NFL and college head coach as well as a member of the Giants staff when the team won Super Bowl XXV, was named as the new head coach of the Giants on Tuesday, January 6th. Coughlin previously coached the Jacksonville Jaguars for eight seasons, compiling a record of 72-64 and twice took the team to the AFC Championship Game. He was out of football in 2003 but has been in the coaching profession for more than 30 years. Coughlin, 57, succeeds Jim Fassel, who was fired following a 4-12 season in which the Giants lost their final eight games. He was offered the Giants job in 1993, but chose to remain at Boston College. The Giants then hired Dan Reeves. Coughlin earned a reputation as one of the NFL's finest offensive coaches. During his tenure, the Jaguars led the NFL in both passing yards (4,367 in 1996) and rushing yards (2,091 in 1999). In addition to having the most rushing yards in the NFL in 1999, Jacksonville boasted the league's leading receiver in Jimmy Smith (116 receptions). The only other team in history to accomplish that double was the 1954 San Francisco 49ers.
2004 Pro Bowl Selections
Mike Strahan, the veteran defensive end, and Jeremy Shockey, the second-year tight end, will, for the second year in a row, represent the New York Giants at the 2004 Pro Bowl to be played on February 8th in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is Strahan's sixth Pro Bowl selection in seven years. Shockey made it for the second time in as many NFL seasons.
Fassel Fired
On December 17th, the New York Giants fired Coach Jim Fassel, after a disappointing season that began with hopes of reaching the Super Bowl. Fassel leaves as the third winningest coach (60-54-1) in the Giants' 79-year history -- behind only Steve Owen (153 wins) and Bill Parcells (77). His regular season record is 58-51-1. Only Owen (23 years), Parcells (eight) and Allie Sherman (eight) coached the team longer. Like Fassel, Jim Lee Howell also coached the Giants for seven seasons.
During Fassel's tenure, the Giants won the 2000 NFC Championship and two division titles. They also made the playoffs a third time as a Wild Card team. With a 2-3 record in the playoffs, Fassel joins Owen, Parcells and Howell as the only Giants coaches to win more than one postseason game.
Speculation about Fassel's future had intensified in recent weeks. The Giants lost six consecutive games to fall to 4-10, a huge disappointment for a group of players and coaches who believed they would be Super Bowl contenders this season. The Giants have scored just one touchdown in each of those six defeats. Fassel will coach the Giants in their final two games, Sunday at Dallas and on Dec. 28 against Carolina.
Shockey Goes To Camp
Jeremy Shockey, the Giant’s first-round draft pick, and 14th pick overall, agreed to a five-year deal on Monday night, July 29th. Playing with the University of Miami Hurricanes in 2001, Shockey had 61 receptions resulting in 816 yards and 10 touchdowns at the tight end position during their undefeated championship season. This deal, coupled with last week’s extension of quarterback Kerry Collins’ contract by two years, helps solidify the Giants’ offensive attack. His addition to the team should make the Giants’ season even more exhilarating.
Giants Re-Sign Shaun Williams
The New York Giants re-signed safety Shaun Williams on Friday, March 29th. Williams, who started every game of the 2001 season, tallied 96 tackles, 77 of which were unassisted. The re-signing of Williams has been considered to be the "first priority this offseason" according to General Manager Ernie Accorsi. Williams is expected to move to strong safety due to the departure of Sam Garnes to the New York Jets. Williams was the Giants first-round pick in 1997(24th pick overall), after playing at UCLA, and since has started 56 games and recorded 221 tackles. He continues to progress each season, as he achieved career highs in both tackles and sacks in 2001.
Giants Sign First Round Pick
On Wednesday, July 25th, the New York Giants agreed to a five-year, $6.5 million contract with first round selection, cornerback Will Allen. Allen, regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in this year's draft, spent four years at Syracuse University. During that time, he played in 43 games tallying 142 tackles, four interceptions and 39 deflected passes. He also returned 37 kickoffs for the Orangemen totaling 840 yards during his career. Allen is projected to add depth to the cornerback position-one that is presently occupied by Jason Sehorn and Dave Thomas.
NFC Champion Giants Keep Busy during Offseason
Despite reaching the Super Bowl this year, the New York Giants have been busy trying to ensure their chances of returning to the big game. On March 2nd, the Giants re-signed one of their most valuable players in Jason Sehorn. The cornerback agreed to a 6-year $36 million deal with the club. Sehorn, a seven-year veteran, re-emerged as one of the NFL's top cornerbacks this past season after injury plagued seasons in 1998 and '99. Sehorn finished fourth on the Giants with 77 tackles, including 61 solos. He also had two interceptions and a team-high 17 passes deflected. Shortly after the Sehorn signing, the Giants continued to shore up their nucleus by re-signing one of their offensive weapons, Tiki Barber. The deal is worth $25.5 million over six years. Barber set a franchise record with 2,089 all-purpose yards (1,006 rushing yards), breaking the record set in 1989 by David Meggett. He did not miss a game despite suffering an assortment of injuries. After re-signing their own free agents this offseason, the Giants decided to bolster their defense by adding free agent defensive end Kenny Holmes. The former Tennessee Titan will receive a $21.25 million deal over five years. Holmes had eight sacks last season, his best in four seasons with the Titans.
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Last Updated On:
Thursday, December 22, 2005 | |
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