The Giants Shouldn’t Draft a QB First

This will most likely qualify as the unpopular vote, but I really would love to see the Giants draft a running back first this offseason.

All of the talk has been about getting a new, young quarterback in this upcoming draft. Yes, that’d be great considering the candidates in this draft pool and that Eli Manning isn’t getting any younger.

But what about Davis Webb?

The rookie has been inactive on the sidelines all season… A season that went downhill quick and never recovered.
Looking at the horrendous offense, there came a time where it was pointless for Manning to continue to play, let alone start games at all. He was just risking an injury at that point. There was nothing left to play for.

Yes, after the whole start streak debacle with former head coach Ben Mcadoo, Manning deserved to be back at starting QB.

But…

Davis Webb deserved to see some play time – any kind of play time. Whether there was a potential to win or they were down by 20+ points, Webb deserved to see some pro action.

He was gaining knowledge while watching from the sideline and from one-on-ones with Manning, sure, but the Giants failed their rookie QB who could have grown and gained some valuable experience.

 

https://breakawaybutterfly.weebly.com/blog/the-giants-should-draft-a-running-back-first-not-a-quarterback

Giants Will Start Eli Manning This Sunday

The New York Giants are finally making all the right moves this week.

After firing both head coach Ben Mcadoo and general manager Jerry Reese following the starting quarterback debacle and their 10th loss of the season, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that #Eli Manning will be back under center this Sunday (Dec. 10) vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Many debated what would be next [VIDEO] for the two-time Super Bowl MVP. Interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo was left to clean up the recent mess and choose who he wanted as his starting quarterback.

“Eli has always impressed me,” Spagnuolo said last week to NJ.com. “We’ve been together through a lot of good things and I respect him a great deal. I really do.”

It is no secret that this has been a season of turmoil for the Giants. Yes, injuries have plagued the team, but it is more about the drama surrounding the team off the field.

Last week, the Giants simply wanted to start evaluating their younger quarterbacks. According to co-owner John Mara, McAdoo wanted Manning to start the game and then test-run Geno Smith in the second half. Manning declined [VIDEO] to do this, not wanting to taint his historic start streak. Mara took the blame for not doing more to take control of the situation.

After an unimpressive outing by Smith and yet another loss, proving that Manning was the scapegoat, McAdoo and Reese were both fired Monday (Dec. 4). A day later, the interim coaching staff put their veteran QB back in the starting spot.

The Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at Metlife Stadium and let’s just be honest, it wouldn’t have been right to keep Manning on the sidelines. Through everything, Manning has been nothing short of classy and he deserves his job back.

Fox’s Jay Glazer reported Sunday (Dec. 3) that former Giants players were discussing a plan to attend the matchup against the Cowboys in Manning jerseys on the sidelines. After Manning’s benching, several former players spoke out in disgust. Former defensive end Justin Tuck was frustrated enough to not want to go to another game this season.

“Not sure if I’ll go to another game this season,” Tuck told the Daily News via text. “Haven’t decided.”

Manning has had the support of the former players, current players on opposing teams, and the fans. A Dick’s Sporting Good Jersey Report shows that his jersey sales have jumped 50 spots in the last week – up to number 29 in the league.

There was a Facebook group started in support of Manning since his benching happened. The group, called “Outside for Eli,” currently has 984 members and was made to reach out to “all season ticket holders, Cowboys-Giants ticket holders, and Eli Manning fans.” The group made plans to boycott their seats in the stadium and stay outside in the parking lot for the game.

After the firings of McAdoo and Reese, longtime fan Matt Meyer, who was leading the protest, told the New York Post that the fans in the group do understand that this is a lost season and that they do want to see what rookie Davis Webb has to offer. However, they still want to show support for Manning.

“It’s going to be more of an ‘inside for Eli’ [theme] if he returns,” Meyer said to the Post. “But after everything that just happened, the fact it’s the Cowboys, we all want to be there for Eli.”

There is no doubt that Giants fans will be cheering for their star quarterbackwhen he takes the field Sunday.

http://us.blastingnews.com/sports/2017/12/giants-will-start-eli-manning-this-sunday-002213493.html

Eli Manning Declines to Start, Geno Smith in at QB

The New York Giants continue to make headlines – and not for good reasons.

In a shocking move announced Tuesday, the team will start Geno Smith at quarterback and not Eli Manning.

Manning has started a total of 210 consecutive regular-season games since his first start on Nov. 21, 2004. He holds the second spot in NFL history behind only Brett Favre at 297.

With the Giants standing at 2-9 in a disastrous season, this is the first major change to happen, and it is no secret that head coach Ben McAdoo has been hinting at it. After calling out Manning multiple times in his press conferences, something is finally being addressed.

While Manning is not the one who deserves to be called out for the team’s struggles, this change may jump-start the organization to make moves that will actually benefit the team.

Manning was able to continue his streak. However, he declined because he felt that continuing to play in this unsuccessful season just taints it. The offense has been a mess and is 30th in the league in points with just 16 per game. Manning has completed 167-of-260 passes for 1,600 yards behind an underactive offensive line.

“My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them,” Manning said to Giants.com. “Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won’t finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak.”

General manager Jerry Reese told Giants.com that in the midst of this horrible season, it is time to evaluate every position. You can argue whether or not this is the right move, but at least something is finally being done.

“Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed,” Manning said. “I will help Geno and Davis [Webb] prepare to play as well as they possibly can.”

Smith is now getting the chance to show the Giants what he can do for them. He has not started a game since Week 7 of the 2016 season, while with the New York Jets. Smith made his NFL debut in 2013 with the Jets and was with them until signing with the Giants this past March. He has 28 career passing touchdowns, 36 interceptions and a 72.4 rating.

Rookie quarterback Davis Webb will also get a chance this season, according to McAdoo. Webb was taken in the third round by the Giants in this year’s draft. He threw 37 touchdowns in his last season at the University of California, Berkeley.

“Over the last five games, we will take a look at Geno, and we will also give Davis an opportunity,” McAdoo said in a statement.

Get ready for some hard change Giants fans. We haven’t seen someone start at QB besides Manning since 2004.

http://us.blastingnews.com/sports/2017/11/eli-manning-declines-to-start-geno-smith-is-in-at-qb-002141055.html

Deshaun Watson Out For The Season With a Torn ACL

Less than 24 hours after the city of Houston was celebrating their first World Series championship, they find out their star quarterback has a torn ACL.

Texans QB Deshaun Watson went down in practice on a non-contact drill, first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. The rookie had an MRI done to confirm the news no one wanted to be true.

Watson has had a stellar season so far and was coming off his best performance of his young career. In the Texans’ 41-38 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week, he passed for 402 yards and four touchdowns.

His performance helped him earn AFC Offensive Player of the Month – the first rookie quarterback to ever do so. He was also named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.

In his six career games, Watson has passed for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns – tied for the NFL lead. He was even favored for the Rookie of the Year.

Watson has become just the fourth quarterback in history to throw at least three touchdowns in four separate outings during their rookie season, joining Peyton Manning, Marcus Mariota and Dak Prescott. He also surpassed Kurt Warner for the most passing touchdowns in a quarterback’s first seven games at 19.

The former Clemson QB took over for the Texans in Week 2 and has since led the NFL in points per game with 34.7, was sixth in passing yards per game with a 266.2 average, first in passing TDs and fourth in passer rating (108.4), according to NFL.com.

Tom Savage will take over for Watson. The four-year veteran has played in two games this season for the Texans. He has a 53.8 completion percentage, 62 passing yards and a 66.8 passer rating. The Texans have already signed former Raider Matt McGloin as a backup for Savage, according to Rapoport. McGloin previously played for head coach Bill O’Brien at Penn State.

 

 

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Suspended Indefinitely

This week continues to get worse for the New York Giants.

After losing to the winless L.A. Chargers, going 0-5 and losing four wide receivers to injury in one day, the drama continues. The team announced Wednesday that veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was suspended for “leaving the team.”

“He came in today, decided to leave. For that we will suspend him,” McAdoo said in his Wednesday press conference.

It took the organization a day to declare the length of the suspension. After DRC returned to the facility and met with both head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese, he was informed that he is suspended indefinitely.

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted out Thursday morning that the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) maximum is four weeks.

What happened?

In his weekly press conference Wednesday, McAdoo told reporters that DRC was suspended for his actions during the week. He said that he and DRC had a conversation Tuesday that was “personal” but he did not go into detail.

When reporters asked the reason for the suspension and the length of it, McAdoo responded with “That’s all I have for you.”

However, Giants’ safety Landon Collins claimed Wednesday that Rodgers-Cromartie didn’t leave but was suspended by McAdoo following an argument. Collins said that the disagreement started Sunday before halftime of the Giants and Chargers matchup.

Sure enough, reports have come out that there was a “heated argument” between DRC and McAdoo on the sidelines during Sunday’s loss. Rapoport reported that the blowup was due to DRC being pulled from the game.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported that McAdoo and DRC’s “personal” conversation on Tuesday was McAdoo telling the cornerback that he’d be inactive for Sunday night’s primetime game in Denver due to the incident on the sideline during game five.

Leonard reported that DRC was not happy with his coach’s decision and that is why he left the facility – which resulted in the suspension.

DRC tells his side

After the news broke of the suspension, ESPN’s Josina Anderson tweeted quotes from her conversation with Rodgers-Cromartie. He told Anderson that he “handled things the wrong way.”

The texts between Anderson and DRC continued with her asking if he will return to the team. He responded, “Yes I am. Tomorrow.”

He did return, however, he most likely was not expecting the indefinite suspension.

What’s next?

DRC can appeal his suspension through the player’s union if he chooses to.

In the meantime, the Giants tweeted that they signed rookie cornerback Donte Deayon from the practice squad to take over DRC’s place on the 53-man roster.

Deayon impressed in the preseason  with six tackles – four solo – and an interception returned 36 yards for a touchdown against the Jets.

Whether or not DRC appeals, McAdoo needs to gain control of his team before things get worse, both on the field and in the locker room. They have to go up against a Broncos team coming off a bye on national TV no less.

Jets to Release WR Eric Decker

The New York Jets made headlines Tuesday as they announced the releases of two veterans.

Earlier in the day, the team let go of linebacker David Harris, who has spent his 10-year NFL career with Gang Green. A report by NFL Insider Adam Schefter was confirmed later in the day that the team will also part ways with wideout Eric Decker.

“We advised Eric that if a trade doesn’t happen, we’ll move forward without him,” Mike Maccagnan, Jets general manager, said.

In his three seasons with the Jets, Decker caught 163 passes for 2,183 yards and 19 touchdowns. However, he’s been hit with injuries over the years – being limited to three games last season due to hip and shoulder surgeries.

The moves come in the midst of a very busy offseason for New York. The team has been rebuilding their roster, saying goodbye to several veterans already – including Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and Calvin Pryor.

With the cuts of Harris and Decker, who both practiced on Tuesday before being released, the Jets save a combined $13.75 million. The team now has only four players over the age of 30.

 

 

Colts Star WR Misses Practice With Knee Injury

The Colts were without one key player in practice on Wednesday.

Coming off a huge performance in Week 3, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton missed practice due to a knee injury.

Hilton’s performance in the final minutes of Sunday’s game against the Chargers resulted in the Colts’ victory. He earned the top spot on the NFL’s clutch performers for Week 3.

He converted a fourth-and-7 pass from Andrew Luck and broke multiple ankles on his way to 63-yard game-winning touchdown. The Colts won 26-22 and Hilton finished with eight catches for 174 yards and the TD.

Don’t worry too much fantasy owners, Wednesday was most likely just a maintenance day for Hilton to get some rest before the team’s trip to London.

Last week, he missed Friday’s practice and was listed as questionable for Sunday, but then had his best performance of the season.

Let’s hope it is just a rest day. Colts fans and fantasy owners would love to see him on the field against the Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey this Sunday.

http://www.12up.com/posts/3862311-colts-star-wr-misses-practice-with-knee-injury

Bears Star WR Misses Practice With Knee Injury

The Chicago Bears’ injury list continues to grow.

Several players are sidelined, including Jay Cutler with a thumb sprain and Lamarr Houston with a torn ACL.

Now the Bears are down a star wide receiver as well, at least for practice.

Alshon Jeffery was limited in practice on Wednesday due to the knee injury and then missed Thursday’s practice completely. He was not available to the media after Wednesday’s practice.

“It’s just something that we will monitor,” coach John Fox said to ESPN.

Jeffery totaled 96 yards on five catches in Monday night’s loss. He leads the Bears in receptions with nine and receiving yards (201) through the first two weeks.

He is a player the Bears don’t want to be without. He’s ninth in the league in receiving yards since 2013 with 3,562 and is seventh all-time in receiving yards in Bears history.

It’s Jeffery’s first time on the injury list this season after missing all four preseason games and seven regular-season starts last year with a various injuries.

There is no word on the extent of Jeffery’s injury, which hopefully means he will be okay to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys.

http://www.12up.com/posts/3828938-breaking-bears-star-receiver-misses-practice-with-knee-injury

Giants Need a Backup Plan at Right Tackle

With the uncertainty of Marshall Newhouse’s availability, the Giants need to look at potential alternatives.

Newhouse left Sunday’s game with a right calf sprain and was seen after the game wearing a walking boot.

Head coach Ben McAdoo said that the team does not know the extent of the right tackle’s injury yet, or how long he will be out.

If Newhouse is not available for next week’s game, the Giants need to have a backup plan.

They will decide between Bobby Hart and Will Beatty to fill Newhouse’s role. Hart replaced Newhouse in Sunday’s game. Beatty hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2014 after he suffered a season-ending injury and was then released by the Giants.

Beatty was reportedly still getting into game shape before Week 2, but McAdoo said he will be in the mix to play.

“He’ll compete to be up this week,” McAdoo said. “I’ve seen a guy who’s getting his football legs underneath him, he’s working well with his pads.”

It would be great to see either Beatty or Hart get the starting spot if Newhouse cannot, but whoever gets the final call will have a tough matchup against the Redskins’ Ryan Kerrigan.

http://www.12up.com/posts/3817204-giants-need-a-backup-plan-at-right-tackle

Chiefs’ WR Has Potential For a Breakout Season

 

The Chiefs have been in need of another weapon at wide receiver and they may have just found what they were looking for.

Chris Conley impressed the coaching staff during the preseason and he passed Albert Wilson on the depth chart, making a strong case to clinch the second receiver position.

Conley really showed what he had to offer during the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Rams, delivering plays on both of their touchdown drives along with three catches for a team-high 66 yards.

Something that has helped him grow so far was working out with Wilson and Jeremy Maclin in the offseason. Conley missed much of training camp last season, but didn’t miss a day of practice this time around.

The Chiefs have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, specifically at the WR position. With the high expectations the Chiefs have this season, these players have the potential to deliver.

http://www.12up.com/posts/3740275-chiefs-wide-receiver-has-potential-for-a-breakout-season