Good morning fellow Giants fans. It's an interesting day with regard to the Giants and who they appear to value most. While Mario Manningham met with the Rams Friday and Aaron Ross met with the Redskins, it would seem both of those players are coveted enough by other teams that we will be thanking them for their time in New Jersey very soon. Meanwhile, there are sources spouting off everywhere (including the one source that matters, the man himself) that punter Steve Weatherford, he of the franchise tag, will soon sign a 5-year deal with the Giants. You just don't kick the way Weatherford did last season and not have coach Coughlin, who must still have nightmares about Matt Dodge, camping out in your driveway until you agree to stay for a while. Okay, so that didn't actually happen, but it just as well could have (by the way, how do the Jets let that guy go?). No official word from the Giants on that yet, but there is enough evidence out there to support that it will happen any day. Here is some of that evidence along with some other bits of weekend news.......
Person familiar with deal says Giants, punter Steve Weatherford agree to 5-year deal - The Washington Post
Steve Weatherford earned Tom Coughlin’s trust with one clutch punt after another. The New York Giants rewarded him with a long-term deal for being a reliable force during their Super Bowl run. 0 Comments Weigh In Corrections? Personal Post A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday that the Giants and Weatherford agreed to terms on a five-year contract worth $12.75 million.
New York Giants re-sign Steve Weatherford for 5 years - ESPN New York
The New York Giants have reached an agreement to re-sign punter Steve Weatherford to a long-term contract. Weatherford will receive a five-year contract worth $12.75 million, ProFootballTalk.com reported. "I'm looking forward to representing the NEW YORK GIANTS for the next 5 years. @giants thank you to our fans for making it an easy decision!" Weatherford tweeted.
New TE Boss expects Chiefs to compete right away - NFL - SI.com
Even though the Chiefs appear to have fallen out of the running for Peyton Manning, it hasn't stopped them from upgrading a sorely lacking offense. One day after signing bruising running back Peyton Hillis, Kansas City added veteran tight end Kevin Boss, who spent last season with the AFC West rival Oakland Raiders.
In depth: New York Giants | Zoneblitz.com
In retrospect, maybe we should have seen the run coming. After all, the New York Giants were 6-2 after eight games. The Giants were left for dead after losing four games in a row, but three of those defeats were by a touchdown or less. But it was after a second loss to Washington dropped New York’s record to 7-7 that something clicked and this team went on one of the more dominant runs seen in awhile. So what happened? And what do the Giants have to do in order to stay on top? Ed Valentine, editor in chief of the Big Blue View, says more good seasons could be on the way. He shared the following thoughts with Zoneblitz
Peyton Manning derby takes interesting turn as Niners reportedly emerge - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Quarterback Peyton Manning worked out Tuesday for San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, according to ESPN, bringing another contender into the sweepstakes to sign the four-time MVP free agent. The news broke as John Elway and the Denver Broncos’ brass arrived in Durham, N.C. Friday, to watch Manning throw. The Tennessee Titans also expect a chance to work Manning out, although a time hasn’t been scheduled, according to the Tennessean. Suddenly the Manning Derby is taking shape, with three clear finalists. Already Manning had called Miami to tell the Dolphins they were out. The Arizona Cardinals, who Manning visited last weekend, remains a fourth possibility.
Wow.....the way the Giants and Niners played last season, Manning signing with them would make for a possible annual clash between Eli and Peyton.
The New York Week That Was (Hello, Goodbye & Welcome Back Edition) - SB Nation New York
After letting Jacobs go, the Giants were able to re-sign Terrell Thomas and filled their tight end needs with former Cowboy Martellus Bennett.
Despite postseason struggles, Falcons' Smith far from hot seat - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy
Coach Mike Smith on the proverbial hot seat? It started the day after the Falcons lost to the New York Giants in the wild-card round of the playoffs in January. The loss dropped Smith to 0-3 in the postseason, which led to the talk questioning his job status. Forget that he led the Falcons to four consecutive winning seasons and three playoff berths. This was a case study in how nothing but the postseason matters. Some might seem surprised that there's even any talk about Smith's job security, but it's there. Several Falcons sources indicated they've heard it a lot. I've heard it as well from some of my national media brethren.
New York Giants -- Music is preparing Marvin Austin for a career after football - ESPN New York
So, before he's been able to collect his first professional sack, Austin has begun tackling his other great passion -- music. With some of the free time he's had the past two years, Austin has begun the process of getting involved in the music business and preparing for life after football. Austin recently was one of 20 current and former players selected to participate in the first NFL Business of Music Boot Camp, a weeklong program directed by NFL Player Engagement and New York University's Clive Davis Institute in the Tisch School of the Arts.
So how are your brackets so far? I had 13 of 16 right the first day, and then only 9 of 16 yesterday. Two 15-seeds beating two 2-seeds? Yikes. Who picked that? You know some dorky 9-year old did somewhere.
Anyway, enjoy your weekend everyone, and we'll let you know if any Big Blue news breaks.