6
Mar
2010
Giants Sign Antrel Rolle to 5-year, $37 million deal
Antrel Rolle is a Giant
The New York Football Giants made an aggressive entry into free agency on Friday with the signing of Cardinals S Antrel Rolle, making him the highest-paid safety in the game.
The 27-year-old Rolle fills a HUGE position of need for the Giants, who lost Kenny Phillips to injury last season and were abused in the defensive secondary down the stretch. Rolle – who had 4 interceptions last year – was widely regarded as the best available safety in FA, and GM Jerry Reese wasn’t going to let him leave the Meadowlands with out a deal. Even if it meant overpaying a bit. The Giants are hopeful that Rolle will team with Phillips (his fellow U of Miami alum) to make one of the best safety tandems in the league.
“The best in the league, hands down,” Rolle said on a conference call with reporters this morning. “Without a doubt. … I mean, The sky’s the limit for us. We’re definitely going to go out and make things happen.”
“I was extremely excited when this opportunity presented itself,” Rolle said. “Being back there with a fellow University of Miami guy, and a guy I know that his potential going to be maximized. My potential is going to be maximized with him. We’re going to be a dynamic duo.”
Of course, that largely depends on how well Phillips recovers from his knee injury. Even though the Giants say KP is ahead of schedule, his status for 2010 is still unclear, making the Rolle signing even more crucial for the Giants.
Rolle, who started his career at CB, is a bona fide play maker with 4 career TDs and a knack for gaining big yardage once he gets his hands on the ball … something the Giants secondary is desperately in need of.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF ANTREL ROLLE AFTER THE JUMP
3
Sep
2009
NY Giants private jet lands in Colorado = interest in Brandon Marshall?
The NY Giants private jet is definitely on a runway. Somewhere. Could be Jersey for all we know. (Photo: fm1043thefan.com)
UPDATE: Mike Garofolo of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the appearance of jet with a NY Giants logo on it on Wednesday had nothing to do with Brandon Marshall, and that the Giants have never used a team plane in personnel matters:
In talking with folks in the know Thursday, I’m told the plane was not there as part of a meeting between any team officials and Marshall. Plus, a team spokesman said the Giants do not own a private plane.
So, there you go.
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OK, take this for what it’s worth, but Sportsradio 104.3 The Fan in Denver posted this cell phone photo of what they’re claiming to be the NY Giants private jet on the runway of Jefferson County Airport in Colorado on Wednesday.
The presumption here is that this means the Giants are talking with the Broncos about WR Brandon Marshall, and that a possible trade deal is imminent. While Denver head coach Josh McDaniels remains adamant that they aren’t talking to anyone about trading Marshall, it’s clear that Marshall wants out, and the Broncos would do well to at least get something in return for their troublesome star.
Most recently, the rumors were that Denver was in talks with the Jets, and that they wanted LB David Harris as part of the deal. Which begs the question, since the Jets and Giants share a stadium, do you think the Jets might also be borrowing the Giants plane for this trip?
Look, this is nothing more than an unsubstantiated rumor, and until there’s official news of a contract, there’s not really much to say here. But if the Giants do have interest in Marshall, I would be very surprised. It would go against everything Jerry Reese and the Maras believe in terms of the type of person they want for their ball club. They didn’t just cut one headache (Burress) to replace him with another.
3
Apr
2009
PLAX BUYS THE FARM
1. Get drunk in a bar
2. Shoot yourself with your own gun
3. Get fired by your employer
4. Rinse and repeat
The Giants have released oft-annoying, sign-of-the-times wideout Plaxico Burress.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4040009
Fear not. Giants fans still have Eli Manning and his overcoat:
COMMENTARY by Artie Fufkin
Well, there it is. The Plaxico saga has come to an end in NY. I can’t say I’m surprised by this move, but it came a bit quicker than perhaps anyone had expected. But with this week’s court proceedings, it became clear that Burress is going to do some jail time, making it next-to-impossible for him to come back and play next season.
However, reports out of NY are suggesting that Plax’s release had very little to do with his legal situation. The Giants have said all along that they would be willing to take Plaxico back if he would show that he truly understood the gravity of his situation, and was willing to make some serious changes in his behavior & attitude. Apparently, in whatever communications the Giants have had with Burress of late, they’ve seen the same ‘ol Plax, spoiled and self-centered.
The Giants have long prided themselves on being one of the class organizations in the NFL, and its clear that Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese were tired of the Plax soap opera, and decided to move on. They don’t want players who put themselves ahead of the team, and by cutting ties with Burress, you send a very clear message to anyone who wants to play in NY. You also remove any delusions of Plax returning, and can take necessary steps toward filling his shoes before or through the draft (ahem – TRADE FOR BRAYLON EDWARDS!!!).
GM Jerry Reese has shown himself to be one of the brightest young minds in the league, and at this point, he’s earned the trust of Giants fans that he knows what he’s doing here. Plaxico Burress proved himself to be too selfish and immature to not completely screw up a good thing in NY. But his presence on the field will be missed, and it’s clear the Giants can’t go into training camp with Domenick Hixon, Steve Smith & Sinorice Moss as their top receivers. Whether it’s through trade or draft the Giants are going to make a move, and make one soon.
Fare thee well, Plax. Fare thee well.
