NFL-Giants: NY Giants football news

Paul Schwartz writes that the Giants are expected to try to sign Jonas Jennings if the price is right. Interesting that he ignores the Orlando Pace rumors. He also argues that aside from a middle linebacker, most acquisitions will be on offense. Accorsi had this to say:

“We’re not going to be married to any formula; we’re going to do what’s best,” Accorsi said. “We don’t need 1,000 players for depth like we did last year. Obviously we want to improve all positions, it’s just you don’t have to stave off an exodus because we’re not going to have an exodus.”

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Next Level Scouting’s day 3 combine report has this to say:

Tennessee senior running back CEDRIC HOUSTON was 5102, 225 pounds, but decided not to workout here at the Combine because he has been ill the past few weeks. Carolina, Cleveland, Dallas and NY Giants were among the teams mentioned by him, as having shown the most interest to date.

I must be dreaming… It seems that the Giants are trying to work out a trade for Orlando Pace:

Giants officials played down the talks, but some reports in New York have gone so far as to mention offensive tackle Luke Petitgout and cornerback Will Allen as potential trade bait with the Rams.

The concern here is salary cap related. If we have to pay him something 8 million a season (the franchise tag means 8.4 million), that’s a huge chuck of cap space.

The Giants have cut or waived 5 guys and should be saving about 1 million in cap space for 2005. The cuts are Terry Cousin, Omar Stoutmire, Lorenzo Bromell, and Martin Chase. The Giants waived running back Antoine Womack.

What does it all mean? Well I can only speculate with the draft and free agency ahead, but I imagaine that the Giants fans shouting for Shaun Williams to be cut will have to wait a while. You wouldn’t want Alexander, Wilson, and Burns to be our only safeties, would you?

Terry Cousin is no loss. I honestly thought a veteran corener who was a starter not too long ago would be a fine nickle back but I was completely wrong.

Martin Chase wasn’t much of a backup as we really felt a difference when Hand went down. He won’t be missed.

I’m a little surprised Womack was cut – I guess I just don’t understand why reports said he looked impressive in training camp but still couldn’t beat out Dayne. The Giants actually had to go looking for a short yardage back (Cloud) last season.

Charles Robinson writes that there are some good running backs in the 2005 draft, and some will be available in the later rounds.

This may be a good year for the Giants to try to find a successor for Tiki Barber. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down, but how long do small running backs generally last in the NFL?

Of course, the counter argument is that the Giants have too many holes to fill to waste a pick on a running back, but if we’re trying to fill an immediate need with a late round pick, we are in serious trouble. I would say that if the Giants are on the clock and the best player available is a running back we should go for it. But maybe not if that back is Maurice Clarett.

Here’s an interesting look at how the combine isn’t as helpful for scouts as it used to be. Also interesting was this:

Polian said he has tracked draft choices for 26 years and free-agent signees for 10, and his math shows there is a small but significant margin for error.

Average teams are right 50 about percent of the time. Playoff and Super Bowl teams make the right call 56 or 57 percent of the time. And those teams that keep drafting in the top 10 make the right choice only 42 percent of the time.

“You’re dealing with humans, so it’s not an exact science,” Polian said of making the right calls. “But if you bat .560 in the personnel business, you’ll be in the playoffs every year.”

Recently I wrote my free agent wishlist and it included Donovan Darius. However, the Jags have franchised him, and he’s not worth two first round picks so I don’t see the Giants going after him.

Gary Myers from the Daily News writes that Scott Pioli, the Pats vice president of player personnel, wants to work for the Giants! The argument is convincing. Here’s part of it:

His contract with the Patriots is up after the 2006 draft, and one source says the Giants are his dream job. He grew up a Giants fan in Washingtonville, N.Y., about 60 miles north of the city. His father-in-law is Bill Parcells.

So the first player taken in the NFL Europe draft was Ahmad Childress, a Giant. Here’s the complete list:

DT Ahmad Childress, 1st Round Pick by the Hamburg Sea Devils
HB Clarence Farmer, 10th Round – Rhein Fire
CB Lamont Brightful, 10th Round – Frankfurt Galaxy
WR Ataveus Cash, 12th Round – Amsterdam Admirals
WR Tony Johnson, 15th Round – Amsterdam Admirals
OT Morgan Pears, 24th Round – Rhein Fire

Interestingly missing is Jared Lorenzen, a Giant who Accorsi said would be in NFL Europe for 2005.

The Giants want to know that Xanadu will be closed on game days before they invest in a new stadium.

Another problem is that the Jets may not get their stadium in Manhattan so what happens if they stay in NJ?