Books and Videos
Giants Tickets - Buy or Sell
2007 Roster

2007 Giants season schedule
2008 NFL Game schedule
2007 Giants Depth Chart
2007 Draft Picks
NFL Playoffs

Team Giants Sports Store
       Unique Items!!!
     

Tickets NBA - Olympics
Tickets NHL - Baseball

Giants News
Newspapers
NJO Sports
Newsday Giants
NY Daily News
USA Today
Hartford Courant
The Record Page
NY Post

Online News
E-GIANTS
The Blue Screen
True Blue
ESPN Giants
CNN/SI Giants
CBS Sportsline
MSG Giants
FoxSports Giants
Giants.com Transcripts
Sporting News
Giant Insider

Free Fun Stuff
Yes free
Recent News Photos
Newsday's Giants back pages

Listen to the Games
 Verizon Giants Audio Page
The Giants on TV and Radio

Links
Giants Opponents
for 2006 - 2009
Stat Attack
NFL Giants
Giants.com
Press Releases - Transcripts
Giants Team Song
Current Players
Amani Toomer's Site
Tiki Barber's Site
Former Players
Lawrence Taylor links
Harry Carson's Site
Mark Bavaro links
Doug Kotar links
Ron Dayne's Site

Giants History
2006
2006 Games
2006 Roster
2006 NFL Draft Order

2005
2005 Games
2005 Roster
Player Stats
2004 Draft
2005 Season Info

2004
2004 Games
2004 Roster
Player Stats
2004 Draft
2004 Coaches
2004 Tickets

2003
2003 Games
2003 Roster
Player Stats
2003 Schedule
2003 Depth Chart
2003 Draft
2003 Division Preview

2002
Games
Roster
Player Stats
Realignment
Schedule

2001
Games
Roster
Player Stats
Season Info
Giants Draft
Free Agents
2000
Games
Roster
Player Stats
Draft
New Uniforms
1999
Games
Roster
Player Stats
1998 - 1997
Games
Roster
Through the years
Coaches
Retired Jerseys
Best Years
Hall of Fame
Scores 1925 - 2007
Team Leaders
#1 Draft Picks
All Time Stats
All Time Roster
Giants Super Bowls
SB XXI
SB XXV
SB XXXV
SB XXXVLII
Super Bowl MVPs
Giants History by the
Pro Football HF
NY Sports Commission

NFL Info
Pro Bowls
Team Rosters
Team Songs
SB XXXVLII
SB XXXVLI
SB XXXIX
SB XXXVIII
SB XXXVII
SB XXXVI
SB XXXV
SB XXXIV
SB XXXIII
SB XXXII
2002 Realignment
2001 Opponents
2000 Free Agents
Standings
2004 Standings
2003 Standings
2002 Standings
2001 Standings
2000 Standings
1999 Standings
1998 Standings
1997 Standings

Fans Messages
E-mail to Mikefan
E-mail to Gamegirl
Contact the NY Giants

The Stadium
Tickets - Directions
Tickets - Other Teams
Giants - General Info

Click on the logo to be informed of all Giants game previews, reviews and off season news.

Transcripts:	April, 2008  -  GM Jerry Reese, Dir. of College Scouting Marc Ross, Safety Kenny Phillips                      Tom Coughlin, Mario Manningham, President Bush
	WFAN April 28 - Mike and Mad Dog with Jerry Reese.
	WFAN April 26 - Chris Carlin with Kenny Phillips.
	GIANTS ONLINE - Videos      Giants Audio      Game Broadcast

Poster - $4.99	Poster - $6.99	$25.00	Wii Fit - Price Guarantee	$16.99	$19.99

May 9 MAN, a not-for-profit organization co-founded by former Giants Ron Johnson and George Martin in 1989, is dedicated to positively influencing the lives of disadvantaged youth in the tri-state area. The MAN scholarship/mentorship program has awarded more than $800,000 to more than 200 students. GM Jerry Reese and Antonio Pierce received the 2008 Man of the Year awards from MAN.

Complete network broadcast - of Super Bowl XLII with playoff victories.

The Road to Super Bowl XLII
Release Date: 2008-06-03 - List Price: $39.98 Price: $29.99 - Check on Free Shipping

May 8 After helping pull off a Super Bowl upset for the ages, Eli Manning promised, "I'm going to Disneyland!" Wednesday, he finally did. Better late than never, Manning and his new wife, Abby, finally kept their date with Mickey Mouse and friends, as they took their ride down Main Street, USA, in Anaheim, Calif., in the traditional Super Bowl MVP parade. They were originally scheduled to take that ride in a 1958 baby blue Cadillac the day after Super Bowl XLII in February, but bad weather in the Phoenix area delayed their flight and caused a change in plans.

Amani Toomer thinks Michael Strahan will play in 2008. Antonio Pierce thinks he'll retire. Osi Umenyiora first thought he was coming back, but now thinks he might retire. And Strahan is leaning one way, but won't say which. Just in case that didn't clear up the Strahan Saga, another county was heard from last night when David Diehl weighed in on Sirius NFL Radio's Late Hits. And yes, Diehl does think Strahan is coming back.

Special Report - Then there was unofficial, unconfirmed and uncorroborated news that defensive end Michael Strahan, after 15 years of service to the Giants, has decided to retire. Remember, nobody with any knowledge of the situation has spoken to anybody in authority, and so this is all rumor. (That is what must be said. The bottom line is that Strahan, who almost decided to retire last year when he held out for the entire run of training camp, is extremely unlikely to play this coming season.)
He came back for one more shot at a Super Bowl ring, and defying almost incalculable odds the team managed to provide that final fillip to his Pro Bowl career. He has, as they say, "gone Hollywood" now, and would probably like to enjoy his fame and the fruits of his sacks and accomplishments without the tedium and torture of meetings, two-a-day workouts under the broiling sun, practices, preseason games and, finally, another long and physically draining season.
Want more? - Send a request to davesklein@aol.com for a free week's worth of news!"

May 7 The Giants recently gave their left tackle a new six-year contract despite the fact he had four years remaining on his existing deal. Diehl's agent, Peter Schaffer, confirmed the new deal yesterday but did not provide financial terms, though someone familiar with the terms of the contract said it's worth $31 million and runs through the 2013 season.
Diehl's salary will be about $1 million per year more if he plays left tackle than if he's moved back to guard. The latter might be a team option if right guard Chris Snee, entering his contract year, leaves via free agency at the end of the season. That could force Diehl back to guard and perhaps young Guy Whimper into the critical left tackle position.

Today, for the seventh or eighth time since the Super Bowl ended - I'm sorry, I've lost count - Michael Strahan said that he hasn't made up his mind whether he wants to retire or play again in 2008. The latest non-declaration-of-intent came this morning on Fox & Friends (which used to be Tiki Barber's show, but now he's on another network).

Dan Reeves is a former NFL head coach, part-time broadcaster and full-time gentleman, so it was perfectly in character for him to write Tom Coughlin a note after the Giants won Super Bowl XLII. What surprised Reeves a bit was the reply he received.

May 6 Most people, including his own players, rarely see Tom Coughlin in anything less than full intensity. But those close to him have long said that the public image was only a partial reflection. To see the true Coughlin, watch him among friends and family, away from football. The makeover of Coughlin's image has been stunning. A year ago, he had a tenuous hold on his job and was trying to unwind his reputation as a soulless disciplinarian. Now that the Giants have won the Super Bowl, there is less need for Coughlin, holder of a fresh four-year contract, to be explained.

May 4 Amani Toomer feels good, wonders if Mario Manningham can make it in New York, thinks Sinorice Moss needs to be on guard, and expects to see Michael Strahan in the Giants' locker room next season (and not just as a visitor).

Michael Strahan had something more important to do than go with the Giants to the White House on Wednesday - a trip to the Kentucky Derby. After attending the Playboy party Friday night, Strahan was interviewed on NBC's pre-Derby show Saturday. The defensive end reiterated what he recently told the Daily News' Gary Myers: He's undecided on retirement. This time, though, Strahan sounded a bit more pessimistic about the chances of his returning to Big Blue.

The Giants would have traded Jeremy Shockey for a first-rounder or two second-rounders or a second- and third rounder. But it never came close to happening. The Saints were counting on the Giants being desperate when they're not even sold that trading Shockey is the right thing to do.
The reported trade of TE Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints never came off on draft day, but sources from both sides insist "it isn't dead yet." Apparently, the Giants wanted S Roman Harper and the Saints' second-round pick (40th overall) and wouldn't budge, while the Saints felt the pick alone would suffice.

NFC East News
Redskins - He has started just seven NFL games, but Reed Doughty is now firmly ensconced as the Redskins' strong safety after the team didn't sign a free agent at the position and didn't take one until the sixth round of last weekend's draft. Doughty, who made the team because of his relentless work ethic, became even more dedicated in the wake of the stunning loss of Sean Taylor which made him a starter.
Cowboys - There was a lot of talk about the Cowboys getting a receiver in the 2008 draft. That didn't happen. The Cowboys resolved early on that a rookie was not going to help because the position lacked great quality in this year's draft crop. Terrell Owens will be 35 next season though he has shown no sign of slowing down. Terry Glenn missed 15 games last season and will be 34 in 2008. There is no guarantee he will be back, though the Cowboys remain hopeful..
Eagles - It remains uncertain how much longer cornerback Lito Sheppard will be an Eagle. The two-time Pro Bowler was expected to be traded by the draft. But as the team prepares for this weekend’s post-draft minicamp, he still is on their roster. "We're not going to give him away," coach Andy Reid said when a trade involving Sheppard failed to materialize during the draft.

May 3 Two-hundred and fifty-two players were selected in the draft here this weekend. One stands apart in volume of pre- and post-draft character speculation, in enormous fall from first-round consideration to a late third-round landing and in incessant analysis at to whether he will become boom or bust. Mario Manningham, A deep search is required to find a player in recent draft history who has taken the shots that Manningham took. Some of it was well earned. Much of it certainly was not.

May 2 The Super Bowl champion Giants visited the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Wednesday, with two dozen players and coaches talking with wounded soldiers and listening to their stories. The Giants split into three groups, with the third going to a training center, a 31,000 square-foot facility that offers rehabilitating soldiers cutting edge equipment to help with their recovery.

The Giants added six rookie free agents yesterday: defensive tackles Joshua Muse of Louisiana Tech and Ogemdi Nwagbuo of Michigan State, guards Andrew Bain of Miami and Camell Stewart of LSU, center Digger Bujnoch of Cincinnati and offensive tackle Dylan Thiry of Northwestern.

May 1 Giants visit the White House, meet real patriots. The Super Bowl winners visited the White House, the traditional last stop on the championship circuit, where the President honored them with a ceremony on the South Lawn. Prior to their stop at 1600, however, many players and coaches spent the early part of their day visiting with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"People called us the 'Road Warriors,' " Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, referring to the team's 11 straight victories away from Giants Stadium. "But we pale in comparison to the real warriors we visited today at Walter Reed."
The team made a stop at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit injured solders and were escorted by Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, the injured Iraq war vet who gave a moving speech to the Giants the night before they won Super Bowl XLII. "That's a moment I'll always remember because they feel like my teammates," Gadson said of the big game. He also said his fellow soldiers and service members "were just ecstatic that the Giants came to visit."
At about 3:15 p.m. yesterday, the Giants players emerged from the White House with running back Brandon Jacobs and offensive lineman Grey Ruegamer leading the way. The players walked down the twin curved staircases and filled the platform while the rest of them filled in the steps on both sides. "This is a great team that worked together," President Bush said. "You won the Vince Lombardi Trophy and you won the deep gratitude of the 1972 Miami Dolphins."
President Bush, wearing a blue suit with a red tie, greeted the players and the crowd by saying, "Welcome to the White House. It's an honor to recognize the Super Bowl champs - the New York Football Giants." A loud ovation followed, after which the president singled out John Mara, his mother Ann, Steve Tisch and his mother Joan and Tom Coughlin and his wife Judy.
Transcript - "I appreciate the fact, Coach, that you and your players support our troops, but more importantly our troops appreciate the fact that you support them. (Applause.) You've come to know the story, like I have, of Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson. He lost both of his legs while in Iraq."
Transcript - "Thank you, Mr. President, for those words of inspiration. You did a great job of summarizing our season, and it's a true privilege for all of us to be here. Thank you for inviting the New York Giants to the White House."

Special Report - "The Giants will go to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with President George Bush on Wednesday. It is the latest (and perhaps) next to last perk associated with their Super Bowl XLII triumph, the final and most glamorous being the awarding of their emblematic rings...
Through the sources of colleges, on-line sports centers and the like, it is possible to build a list of about a dozen undrafted free agents who have been signed by the Giants since the end of the Great Body Snatch last Sunday night...
This season the Giants will play only three games (with a 10-day rest period between the opener and the next one) before getting their bye...
Want more? - Send a request to davesklein@aol.com for a free week's worth of news!"

Apr 30 When the Giants selected quarterback Andre' Woodson in the sixth round of the draft this past weekend, Jared Lorenzen thought, "Uh-oh." That's brutal honesty from a veteran backup who knows he just became a long shot to keep his job. Earlier in the day, when the team picked wide receiver Mario Manningham in the third round, Sinorice Moss had a much different reaction. He said he was excited. Believe it or not, that's also genuine honesty from a former second-round pick who sees Manningham as an added weapon to the offense, not competition for a roster spot.

Three players most affected by the way the Giants went about their draft business yesterday pushed aside the threats to their own jobs and were unanimous in their vocal support of the newly-imported talent. The selection of safety Kenny Phillips in the first round has a direct bearing on incumbent starter James Butler. The pickup in the third round of receiver Mario Manningham can be seen as a knock on third-year Sinorice Moss. The sixth-round addition of quarterback Andre' Woodson is likely the death-knell for the Giants career of Jared Lorenzen. Yet seldom was heard a discouraging word.
"You look at it and it's a numbers game, that's what the NFL is," said backup quarterback Jared Lorenzen, who could be displaced before training camp by incoming rookie Andre Woodson, a fellow Kentucky product. "At the same time, it's Andre. It's someone I know pretty well. I'm happy to have him here."
"I'm not looking at [Phillips' selection] as how it affected me," Butler said Tuesday in the Giants' locker room. "I'm looking at it as the Giants needed another safety. We only had three or four guys on the roster." As an undrafted free agent in 2005, Butler does not even watch the draft. "Brings back bad memories," he said. But he learned quickly his team's first pick was a safety. He said some coaches sought him out afterward to assure him the selection wasn't made with him in mind.
Sinorice Moss figured to be the odd man out when the Giants drafted another receiver on Sunday. But the disappointing third-year pro warned everyone Tuesday not to count him out. "I need to wake some people up," Moss said. "That's what I really need to do. I've been on the shelf. So I'm ready to come out here and shock the world. That's what I plan to do."
The arrival of third-round selection Mario Manningham ratchets up the level of competition for Moss at wide receiver. It's the third year in a row the Giants took a wideout in the first three rounds: Moss in 2006, Steve Smith last year and now Manningham. With Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress returning as the starters, the battle for playing time could be fierce."

The Super Bowl champions will be honored by President Bush in a ceremony on the South Lawn this afternoon. While many of the players spent yesterday gearing up for their first encounter with the commander in chief and a behind-the-scenes look at the building in which he lives and works, Manning spoke about sitting down with him in the Oval Office two months ago for a chat. Besides being MVP of the Super Bowl, Manning is also a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. "We just kind of talked and chatted about different things going on," Manning said of the meeting that lasted about 25 minutes. "Nothing too serious. He's easy to talk to and fun to be around."

Apr 29 Tom Brady was drafted eight years ago at pick No. 199. Andre Woodson went to the Giants on Sunday afternoon at pick No. 198. Similarities exist in these sixth-round picks. Both are quarterbacks with big arms. Both possess superior football intelligence. Both found their college production relatively ignored. And the major common element: Too many teams passed on these two snappy passers. I am not saying that Woodson is Brady. I am saying that Woodson was certainly not deserving of being the 12th quarterback taken in this draft. He deserved much more. And I believe he will become the best quarterback in this draft.

Giants' top 3 postdraft questions:
Will Michael Strahan return for another season? A. The smart money is leaning toward another season from the veteran, although certain matters still have to be resolved.
Has the Jeremy Shockey watch officially ended? A. Not necessarily.
Can No. 1 draft pick Kenny Phillips earn the starting free safety job? A. If the Giants are correct about his attributes, Phillips certainly could become a starter in a hurry.

Some of the free agents expected to sign with the Giants or be invited to next month's rookie mini-camp include: S Nehemiah Warrick (Michigan State), DE Wallace Gillberry (Alabama), DE Antonio Reynolds (Tennessee), OL Glenn Bujnoch (Cincinnati), G-C Andrew Bain (Miami), OT Dylan Thiry (Northwestern), WR D.J. Hill (Alabama) and OT Carnell Stewart (LSU).
Army punter to sign with Giants. Owen Tolson will sign a two-year, non-guaranteed contract within the next few days. Soon, he will head to East Rutherford, N.J., for the May 8-11 rookie camp. "This is just a foot in the door," said Tolson, who will kick, punt and hold for placements. "Now I got to make the program."

Mario Manninghame is a "good person" who has made some bad mistakes, but his former college coach believes the newest Giants receiver is determined to turn around his life and his career. Lloyd Carr, the former Michigan coach who spent three seasons with the Giants' third-round draft pick, told the Daily News Monday he's confident Manningham won't be any trouble in New York.
The Giants' drafting of wide receiver Mario Manningham in the third round Sunday does not necessarily spell big problems for third-year man Sinorice Moss, who has been a disappointment since his selection in the second round of 2006.

The 2008 Giants draft list contains seven names and no one can be sure if it's a class to remember or forget. Still, it is not too soon to already stamp the Giants New York Giants as big winners after this weekend's talent grab-bag simply because they did not trade away Jeremy Shockey Jeremy Shockey . Smartly, general manager Jerry Reese resisted the temptation to gain a prime draft pick (the Saints' second-rounder, the 40th overall selection) and kept Shockey where he belongs.

Apr 28 Paul Needell's NFL Draft Grades:
The rule of thumb is that it takes at least three years to properly evaluate any team's NFL Draft. My bosses say that's utter nonsense, so I supply you with grades right after this year's "Mr. Irrelevant" is crowned. It's a gift, ladies and gentlemen.
Giants -- B, Eagles -- B, Cowboys -- B-minus, Redskins -- C.
Professor Serby grades the NFL Draft:
Giants -- Safety first, corner next. Talented-but-troubled WR Mario Manningham is a roll of the dice. You dont give Jeremy Shockey Jeremy Shockey away. Grade: B.
Redskins -- Two big receivers and possession TE. Didnt address DE though. Grade: B.
Eagles -- Traded out of first round for Panthers 2009 No. 1 pick. WR DeSean Jackson is atomic toy for Donovan McNabb. Grade: B.
Cowboys -- RB Felix Jones complements Marion Barber. CB Mike Jenkins is insurance for Pacman Jones. Grade: B.
Line of Scrimmage: NFL Draft Grades:
Giants -- The champs addressed their major needs in the secondary, and otherwise acquitted themselves well by selecting value. Grade: A-minus.
Cowboys -- Two backup running backs? A reserve tight end? A cornerback with questionable heart? It all adds up to the most head-scratching Draft of the bunch. Grade: D.
Eagles -- Not a lot to get excited about for Eagles fans, who must also be concerned over the maturity of Jackson and Ikegwonu. Grade: C-minus.
Redeskins -- The organization is serious about making the west coast offense work, and that's a good first sign for Jim Zorn. Grade: B-plus.
USA Today Draft grades:
Giants -- B-plus, Redskins -- B, Cowboys -- B-minus, Eagles -- C-plus.
FOX Draft grades:
Giants -- B, Cowboys -- A-minus, Redskins -- B, Eagles -- C-minus.

Last year the Giants took a chance in the seventh round when they selected Ahmad Bradshaw, a talented running back with midround talent who slid to the bottom of the draft because of character concerns. Bradshaw was given a short leash but became one of the keys to the team's Super Bowl run. The Giants took an even greater risk yesterday, using their third-round choice to select Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham -- a first-round talent whose off-field issues dropped him to the 95th overall pick.
Based on football ability alone, Mario Manningham probably is a first-round talent. Good speed on the outside. Terrific athleticism. Exceptional production in a big-time college program. If only it were that easy to judge the kid. In Manningham's case, his problems were never on the field, where he produced 27 touchdowns and had a 1,174-yard season for Michigan last year.
In three years at Michigan, Manningham totaled 2,310 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns, ranking him fifth and fourth in school history, respectively. The Giants see him as a big-strike receiver on the outside. Coughlin said he gives the Giants what they need against defenses in the division: a legitimate deep-ball threat.

This past February at the NFL Combine workouts, Mario Manningham denied ever testing positive for marijuana while at Michigan, but subsequently he sent a letter to all NFL teams admitting he "wasn't straightforward" and that he indeed had tested positive twice. He apologized for being "nervous and scared." Reports circulated following the Combine that multiple teams took Manningham off their draft boards. The Giants were not one of those teams.
He's a big-play receiver with first-round talent, but his failure to admit past drug problems and a reported score of 6 on the Wonderlic intelligence exam raised serious questions about his head. "We did our homework on him," Reese insisted. "Our coaches spent a lot of time with him. He convinced me, he convinced our coaches, that he made a couple of mistakes. Hopefully he learned from his mistakes."

The Giants are hopeful an Eli Manning-to-Manningham connection will strike deeply into opposing defenses this season, opening up things for Plaxico Burress on the other side and Jeremy Shockey (he's still here) in the middle. The other offensive addition, quarterback Andre Woodson, probably will replace another former Wildcat, Jared Lorenzen, as the third QB this fall. "For years we've wanted to bring in a young quarterback we can develop," said Reese of the somewhat surprising choice with the first of two selections in the sixth round. "He was very productive at Kentucky, can make all the throws and is a pretty good athlete."
After four years with the Giants, Eli Manning has finally solidified himself as a franchise quarterback who has already taken the team to a Super Bowl title. So why would the Giants draft a quarterback a few months later? As an investment, of course. In the sixth round yesterday, the Giants selected Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson, a player both general manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin said they hope to "develop." Part of the hope is they can "develop" Woodson and, in a few years, trade him for a high draft pick.
Let the quarterback battle begin Say goodbye to either Jared Lorenzen or Anthony Wright. This was probably pretty obvious, but given the sudden glut at quarterback on the Giants' roster, one of those two will almost certainly soon be gone. At the moment there are five quarterbacks on the roster. By the start of camp in July there will be only four.

Apr 27 - UPDATE The Giants selected five players and made one trade on today's final day of the draft. The Giants relinquished the first of their three sixth-round selections to move up seven spots in the fourth round to take Bryan Kehl. After the significant contributions last year's draftees made during the Giants' championship season, the new group has a high standard to match. Five of the Giants' draft choices were defensive players.

Apr 27 - UPDATE With the 199th pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Giants selected Robert Henderson DE
Apr 27 - UPDATE With the 198th pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Giants selected Andre' Woodson QB
Apr 27 - UPDATE With the 165th pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Giants selected Jonathan Goff LB
Apr 27 - UPDATE With the 123rd pick (from the Steelers), the Giants selected Bryan Kehl OLB
Apr 27 - UPDATE With the 95th pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Giants selected Mario Manningham WR
Mario Manningham insists the Giants didn't take any risk at all when they made him their third-round pick. Despite a drug-related arrest in his past, a reported score of 6 on the Wonderlic, and a questionable reputation, the 21-year-old Michigan receiver said a few minutes ago that "I don't think I'm a risky pick." He insisted his past problems aren't an issue and said he came clean with the Giants' coaches when he visited here two weeks ago, and that neither he nor they are concerned.

Apr 27 In the first round yesterday, the Giants drafted a safety that began his college career as a cornerback. In the second round, they picked a corner that started as a safety. Guess they're not kidding when they say they like versatility. After selecting Miami's Kenny Phillips with the 31st overall pick, the Giants added USC corner Terrell Thomas -- a 6-1, 202-pound injury-plagued defensive back who had four interceptions in his senior season with the Trojans.
Phillips could play either safety position, or corner, and the Giants will have to decide which safety spot best suits him, and Thomas could play safety, too, although Ross said definitively that he was drafted to be a corner. Thomas is probably more NFL-ready, too, having played through his senior year on a national powerhouse at Southern Cal, while Phillips spent three seasons on a down Miami program, and is a younger player, having skipped his senior year to enter the draft.
The Giants started to huddle about their decision around the time the 23rd overall selection was being made. By the time they started getting serious, Coughlin said they had four names with three picks remaining. Kenny Phillips was at the top of that list, as he had been since the team closed its board. "I didn't think he would make it that far," Reese said.
Depending how quickly he comes in, learns the system and adapts to the NFL, Phillips has a shot to be an immediate starter. He'll compete with second-year Michael Johnson Michael Johnson , with newly signed veteran Sammy Knight more of a strong safety with skills to play in the box.
"I definitely was surprised," Phillips said of his selection by the reigning Super Bowl champions. "To me it's a blessing. A lot of guys want to go as high as possible and they don't fall into situations like this one." And barring a post-draft trade, he'll get a chance to play with Shockey, whose intensity he considers amazing. "I'm looking forward to playing with him," Phillips said. "And if not I wish him the best. But right now I'm just happy to have him as a teammate."

Minutes after the Giants selected Hurricanes safety Kenny Phillips with the 31st overall pick yesterday, the team fielded offers from several teams for tight end Jeremy Shockey. Though a trade was speculated to be likely early in the day, the Giants' asking price simply didn't come down enough to finalize a deal. It remains to be seen where this situation goes from here. Shockey has threatened to hold out this upcoming season, though a few members of the organization have simply chalked that threat up to Shockey's ever-volatile emotions.
The latest offer from the Saints was believed to be that second-rounder and either a fifth in 2009 or a sixth this year. That apparently was not enough for the Giants to relinquish one of their most popular and problematic players.
But the Giants were holding out for either a first-round pick or the Saints' second-round pick and safety Roman Harper. With the Saints unwilling to meet those demands, there was little chance for a last-minute deal to occur. And when the Saints finally used that second-round pick on Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter, the potential deal was officially dead.
Shockey still might be traded if someone comes along with the right offer, although with the first two rounds over, it's now a longshot. And if he's still on the roster after the draft is over, it's silly to think the Giants are worse off.

Apr 26 - UPDATE With the 31st pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Giants selected Kenny Phillips FS.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves his potential and sees him as a Brian Dawkins type - a pretty significant player from his days as an assistant in Philly. They needed to replace Gibril Wilson, too, because veteran free agent Sammy Knight isn't a long-term addition.
The Giants' second-round selection (63rd overall) was a bit of a surprise: Terrell Thomas CB.

Both of the Giants' first-day draft choices were defensive backs, but the team's decision-makers said that had more to do with the quality of the players than a perceived need to shore up the secondary.

Apr 26 There is "a good chance" that Jeremy Shockey will be part of a trade that ends his tenure with the Giants on Saturday, according to a league source familiar with the team's situation. The Saints remain the most likely suitor for the tight end in a draft-day deal, with growing interest from the Falcons among others.
According to one NFL source, the Saints were willing to increase their initial offer of a second-round pick to include another pick late in the draft - possibly their fifth-rounder. However, the Giants had asked for a second-round pick and safety Roman Harper and didn't seem to be backing off their high demands.
What not long ago was unthinkable - parting ways with the emotional, energetic Shockey - could become a reality. The Giants made their Super Bowl run while he was out with a broken leg and saw development from Kevin Boss Kevin Boss as Shockey's replacement. Dealing Shockey would weaken the position from a talent standpoint, but send the clear signal that coach Tom Coughlin does not buy into Shockey's ability to blend in with the team.

Barring any trades, the Giants will have eight selections this weekend, starting with No. 31 in the first round, moved up a notch because of the forfeiture of the Patriots' selection in the Spygate scandal. "We will have an idea who we think will be down there," Reese said. "Just like last year, Aaron Ross [selected at No. 20] was one of the guys we thought could be in our window. He was one of the guys we thought could have a chance to be there when we picked. We will have an idea." The Giants have used their 30 visits on college players in whom they obviously have some interest. But remember, last year only two (Zak DeOssie, Boss) of their eight picks paid visits to Giants Stadium. Ever since the days of the late GM George Young, this team has majored in smoke screens.

MSG.comPhotos - Looking Back: Like Peyton, Eli was drafted into the NFL at the No. 1 overall pick.
In a controversial Draft-Day blockbuster trade, he became a Giant.
Then-GM Ernie Accorsi said of the move, "I've never wavered on Manning."

Now in his second tour of duty with the Giants, Chris Mara will soon begin his sixth year as the team's Vice President of Player Evaluation, a position that keeps him active in both pro and college scouting and the NFL Draft, which will be held this weekend. Mara can recall the draft room discussions about dozens of players, but one that still stands out concerned 5-foot-7 running back David Meggett in 1989. I could tell Parcells doesn't want to take him and he is staring at me.
Parcells looked at me and said, 'What am I going to do with this guy?' three times. I looked at him and said, 'Just pitch it to him.' And he got up out of his chair and he said, 'Just pitch it to him? Just (expletive) pitch it to him? You guys think we are playing the Senior Bowl or the East-West game around here.' We took Dave Meggett (in the fifth round) and within three or four hours Bill had gotten a call from two or three teams looking to trade for him, so I think he felt like maybe the scouts were right this time. He certainly turned out to be a pretty good player."

Vinny Ditrani makes his NFL Draft picks: 31. Giants FS Kenny Phillips, Miami - He took the fall for the Hurricanes' demise, but is a potential impact safety to replace Gibril Wilson.
Ralph Vacchiano's mock draft: 31. New York Giants - S Kenny Phillips, Giants And there was much rejoicing, in both the war room and the press room. At least by me.
AP mock draft: 31. Giants. Same situation as the Packers and Chargers: they'll trade down quickly if they can. They seem to like Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State, even though Kenny Phillips of Miami is considered the highest-rated safety. Maybe it's the difference in schools. Johnson can probably be had a little later.

Apr 25 Prediction: With the 31st pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Super Bowl champion New York Giants select... Kenny Phillips, safety, University of Miami. Here's what you need to know about the 6-2, 212-pounder: First of all, Steve Spagnuolo loves him, according to a team source. He's got terrific instincts and cover skills, knows how to read offenses, is strong enough to handle tight ends and is fast enough (4.49 in the 40) to handle most receivers. Remember, Spagnuolo came from a defense in Philly where the safety - Brian Dawkins - was an integral part. He really didn't have that type of safety in New York last year. The only one who was close, of course, was Gibril Wilson, who is now an Oakland Raider
Since 2005, the Giants have had three different starters at strong safety: Brent Alexander, Will Demps and James Butler. There has been one starter at free safety: Gibril Wilson. That era ended this offseason when Wilson signed a lucrative free agent deal with the Oakland Raiders. It won't be easy replacing his 11 interceptions and 296 tackles over the past four seasons, and the Giants will be counting on some young players to fill the void.
If Kenny Phillips is gone (perhaps to the Cowboys at No. 22), it could become a grab for the best defensive player available. Arkansas State safety Tyrell Johnson has intrigued the Giants, but taking him at No. 31 could be an unnecessary reach. Perhaps the Giants are eyeing Johnson as a potential target if they trade down into the second round or even trade up in the second from their pick at No. 63 overall. As for the player they'd take at No. 31, Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo is a possibility. He can play inside and outside and has been compared with former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson -- a player the Giants were going to acquire before a physical showed his neck issues would be a problem.

How high the Giants go for a linebacker will be a clear indication how much faith they have in Gerris Wilkinson. There will be a few interesting linebacker prospects for the Giants to discuss. They brought Quentin Groves of Auburn in for a visit and Marc Ross, the Giants director of college scouting, attended Auburn's Pro Day. Jerod Mayo was not brought in for a visit, but Reese saw him at Tennessee's Pro Day. Mayo's stock is on the rise.

This weekend, hundreds of players will be anxiously awaiting to see which NFL uniform they'll be wearing next year. Most of them are college players. One of them is Jeremy Shockey. And if recent rumblings are accurate, there's no guarantee he'll be wearing Giants blue come September. Then again, there's no guarantee he won't. The Giants continue to field offers for their injured four-time Pro Bowl tight end, according to someone who speaks to members of the front office on a regular basis.
Trade Shockey or keep him? I say keep him, unless you get a deal that's worth giving up one of the top five tight ends in football. So what that he's apparently unhappy with his current role in the offense and apparently having a few pity parties because he wasn't a part of the Giants' playoff run. You don't just trade away a valuable player because he's not entirely satisfied with his role and wants an opportunity to play elsewhere. Even Lawrence Taylor occasionally whined about playing in New York and once tried to get Bill Parcells to trade him to the Oilers.

A possible Osi Umenyiora holdout has been looming over the Giants since last summer, when rumors first surfaced that he was unhappy with his deal. He declined to address the issue then, which only fueled the speculation. He even refused to deny a holdout was possible as recently as late February at the premiere of the Giants' championship DVD.
Umenyiora indicated multiple times that he believed the Giants would take care of him financially at the appropriate time, insisting he was comfortable with that. He called the Giants "a first-class organization" and said he didn't want to be anywhere else. Still, Umenyiora admitted holding out crossed his mind earlier. "For sure I was thinking about it," he said. "Come on. You see what's going on out there. But I don't think it's the right thing to do."

Apr 24 When the Giants lined up on defense in the Super Bowl, Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell were the outside linebackers. When the Giants line up to begin the defense of their title in September, the two will be on other teams. With no clearly defined starters on either side of middle linebacker Antonio Pierce the Giants could be looking to fill vacancies at what some consider to be the impact positions in their scheme during the NFL draft.
In the spring of 1991, after the Giants won Super Bowl XXV, they drafted fullback Jarrod Bunch. Now an actor in Los Angeles after injuries forced the Giants to cut him after three years, Bunch said his experience of joining the champions was strenuous and made all the more difficult by Bill Parcells' departure three weeks after the draft.

How the Giants evaluate the astounding playoff run by Corey Webster will be a heavy determining factor in the way the front office handles this weekend's NFL Draft. If general manager Jerry Reese and the coaching staff see Webster as the top-flight young cornerback they envisioned when they drafted him in the second round in 2005, the need to add another corner is greatly diminished. But if serious questions remain about Webster, then there's a glaring need to add someone who can come in and make an impact the way Aaron Ross did a year ago.

Jeremy Shockey - Trade him or keep him?
3 Reasons to trade Shockey - He is a disruptive influence. He's injury prone. He's replaceable.
3 Reasons to trade Shockey - He's young and talented. He's a ball of energy. They won't get equal value.
And the Giants are considering trading him away? That thought would have seemed ridiculous when the Giants traded up one spot to get him in the 2002 draft, and then-GM Ernie Accorsi called him more of a "playmaker" and a "weapon" than a tight end. He was the prototype for the tight end of the 21st century, and instantly became a Mark Bavaro-like fan favorite for his power, determination and speed.

Like a wedding or a graduation, the NFL Draft is an unforgettable event for those players selected. With this year's draft scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, several Giants this week looked back on the day they entered the NFL. Today, we hear from Plaxico Burress, Reuben Droughns, Kareem McKenzie and R.W. McQuarters.
Plaxico Burress, Michigan State. First round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000 (eighth overall pick). Joined the Giants as a free agent on March 17, 2005. "I was home in Virginia with my family. I had a lot of guys over, my whole family was there. They called me probably about two or three minutes before I got picked, but I didn't say anything to anybody."

Stadium Information
The new stadium will be located north and slightly east of the existing stadium in parking lots 3, 4, 6, 7, 8. It has a footprint of 700,000 square feet and will open for the 2010 season. A brand new rail facility will drop fans right at the front door of the stadium giving thousands of patrons a quick, convenient, and cost effective travel alternative to driving. Click on the picture for Photos, a Video and FAQs.

Click on the Team Giants logo to be informed of all Giants game previews, reviews and off season happenings.