Ex-Giant Woodson Joins Palmer In Hartford
by Ed Valentine on Jun 21, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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PrintJust a few notes of interest to New York Giants' fans today.
- Former New York Giants' backup quarterback Andre Woodson, a 2008 sixth-round draft pick, has seen his once-promising career take a UFL detour. Woodson has signed with the Hartford Colonials, joining former Giants' offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, currently head coach of the Colonials.
"Coach Palmer told me that if nothing worked out he wanted me to come play for him," Woodson said. "He's running the same offense he ran in New York, and I know that offense very well."
This is not the career path Woodson envisioned while starring at the University of Kentucky.
"It's been a tough road for me," Woodson admitted. "I thought I'd be going in the top 15 of the first round at one point, and when the draft came, I was sure I'd go no later than the third round."
An ill-fated trip to the Senior Bowl that raised questions about Woodson's throwing motion and mechanics hurt his stock more than he even realized, and he ended up dropping all the way to the sixth round, where the Giants picked him up.
But the Giants situation was less than ideal. Eli Manning was firmly entrenched as the starter, and the team had invested money in former No. 1 pick David Carr. Another veteran, Anthony Wright, was also in camp, as was Woodson's former UK teammate Jared Lorenzen.
"Everybody was telling me that my mechanics weren't great and I was basically starting from scratch," Woodson said. "In the NFL, they don't really want to deal with players they have to start from scratch. The NFL is such a business. When teams have millions invested in one guy, he's allowed so many mistakes. But a player who gets drafted in the sixth round and is barely making anything, if he makes one mistake, the mindset is, we're not paying him that much so we can move on. It's not fair, but that's business. It took me awhile to understand that."
The NFC East rival Washington Redskins have beefed up their leaky offensive line by acquiring two-time tackle Jammal Brown from the New Orleans Saints. Brown missed the 2009 season due to injury. The Redskins' faithful at Hogs Haven are pretty happy about this development.
Tight end Kevin Boss told Mike Garafolo he was 'really glad' he had surgery on his ankle a few weeks ago.
"It’s one of those things where I was kind of second-guessing doing the surgery until now when I feel the way it does now and I’m like, ‘I’m really glad I went ahead and did it,’" said Boss, whose ankle issues dated back to a sprain he suffered in Week 4 last season. "As a competitor you don’t want to miss practice. I didn’t want to miss just the time working out. But you know, looking back at it, I’m extremely pleased that I went ahead with it."
Clark Judge of CBS Sports says just how much improvement can be expected of the Giants' defense this season depends on the health of Kenny Phillips' arthritic knee.
"Kenny's a playmaker," said cornerback Aaron Ross. "Anytime he's back there, and the ball is in the air you feel like he's going to be there to protect you. Having 'KP' back and healthy is a huge deal."
First things first. He's back. We won't know how healthy he is until August when he intends to return to the field for the first time since last September. Phillips insists there are no problems, saying, "I can run, cut and cover ... everything." Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell the other day said he expects him in the lineup when the Giants show up at their Albany training camp.
Nevertheless, he still must get out there and demonstrate he's the same guy we watched last season -- a task he said he is ready to embrace.
"Do I have something to prove?" he said, repeating a question. "I do: That you can come back from this injury. A lot of people counted me out and said my career was over. I'm only in the league two years, and they're trying to get rid of me. There are a lot of people who say I won't be the same, but I'm going to prove those people wrong.
"When I was back there last year I made a lot of plays, not only in games but in practice, and guys kind of fed off my energy. And it just made us that much better. I think I bring the whole package. I'll be a leader when I have to be, and I'Il speak when I have to speak. Mostly, though, I'll just let my playing do the talking for me."
This is hardly a new topic, but what is true is that if he is healthy KP is a better player than Antrel Rolle or Deon Grant. That would be a huge boost.
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)
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KP
While its always refreshing to hear KP’s attitude, I have to disagree with one comment on here:
“when healthy KP is a better player than Antrel Rolle”
Say what? You know, its amazing with KP – I am not sure what other people are watching but he was NOT a stellar safety when he was playing. Was he light years better than CC Brown, Rouse or Johnson, yes. He was learning the game, he was certainly not a bust, but he was NOT great by any stretch. He has had very few big hits (except the one good one in the Eagles game where they threw a BS flag on him), hasn’t made alot of picks and he misses a bunch of tackles, and important tackles – he overpursues, does not break down and flat out misses guys.
What has happened with him, is he had his BEST game as his last game, so that image is burned on everyones brain. But I will tell you this, I was at KP’s last game in Dallas, and I had a good view of him and our D getting absolutely torched. He caught a couple of lobs for picks, made some plays and missed a bunch of tackles…..
Whatever, I love the guys attitude, I hope he does play again for us – but there is no way anyone is going sit here and tell me that he is better than Antrel Rolle – a solid but not spectacular safety. KP is still learning the game, he might get to that point someday, but he has not been at that level yet. He’s a first round pick who has yet to live up to his potential, and is coming off a career threatenting – debilitating injury. I have a hard time believing the Giants are drinking the same Koolaid picking up to Rolle, Grant AND drafting Chad Jones, to me, that shows they know something is up, especially given our needs at LB.
Not quite
You’re going on his rookie season. That’s not any more of an indication of KP’s ability than those first two games of 2009. He wasn’t given a lot of freedom to play the way he likes to play when he was a rookie. It wasn’t until his second season that he was giving free reign.
Agreed
Plus in addition to those 2 games we are going on his ’09 training camp & preseason where he looked like the best defensive player on the field for the Giants. Even his rookie training camp he looked like a force & then they reigned him in, like you say.
I always wonder why teams mess with QB mechanics..
Rivers got knocked in the draft also…Tebow had to change some understandable issues, but overall I’ve always felt that they should let these got play with what got them there..As for KP we just have to continue to hope…I dread him playing on the new field until the sod is right / fixed…Thank God he is going to break it in up in Albany.
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
Wish Woodson luck
dude had a delivery that made Jason Campbell blush, but he did seem to have some talent.
I hope KP comes back. The Giants could rotate those 4 safeties and make heads roll…any “deficiencies” in the LB group will be masked by those 4 marauders.
I kinda agree with dub, don’t underestimate Antrel Rolle, dude’s a very good player. I’d take him over KP since he’s more proven, but KP’s potential is greater
KEEP LEE!!!
Ahh RV usually refrains from editorializing and provides info
So if you are unhappy with his reports, you are really unhappy with his sources
Not on the KP ijury
Most of his comments on the KP injury have been editorial pieces. They might as well go in the NY Times Op-Ed section.
Where's his source for this?
Maybe Phillips comes back and is everything the Giants always expected he’d be before the injury. But if that happens, consider it an unexpected bonus. A gift. The Giants have prepared themselves in case he’s not the same player, and I think that is telling.
Deon Grant said that when he was signed, he was told explicitly by the Giants that KP was expected to make a full recovery and that Grant would be his backup. Coughlin and Reese have been adamant that they expect KP to come back. Now KP’s return is just a bonus? A gift?
The fact that they’re covering their backside doesn’t mean that they don’t think he’ll be back. It means that they’re being prudent and responsible. Also, who says that Michael Johnson even makes the team? I’d take Rolle, Grant, KP, and Jones over him without any hesitation. Jones could easily be a strong safety option to replace Johnson.
The fact that RV is so hesitant.....
scares me….
as you know….I like RV…..
but I do agree with you…..his statements are a little “Gilbridesque”….meaning, very premature and totally not necessary.
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
But the full quote
Basically says that the Giants are preceding with preparations as if KP won’t be back. Which as you say is prudent. His conclusion is that it means they are concerned that he won’t be back OR not get back at full skill level.
Not sure I’d call that an editorial. He doesn’t even go so far as to say he won’t be back.
I think that his perspective is healthy. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst and be thrilled if the best turns out to be true.
ghost and I have a running gag on ESPN threads…..he always prefers MG (Garafolo), whereas I prefer RV (Vacchiano)….he looks for flaws in RV like I look for flaws in Gilbride (I don’t have to look to hard).
but at this point it’s mainly jokes….and of course his unbridled hatred of everything Ralph Vacchiano….LOL.
I can’t lie, some of the comments I’ve posted in Garafolo’s articles woulda got me banned from BBV. LOL
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
Thats funny
Especially since their material is so similar
But RV is often a skeptic. If you want your news sunny side up, he isn’t the guy.
that was the smart way to go about the offseaso wasn't it?
Coulda swore most agreed that given the nature of KP’s injury, you go about the offseason like he’s not coming back. They did that with all the S additions.
That he is coming back, is a gift.
Don’t see the problem.
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 21, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
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