Giants Daily Blitz Blog » Osi Umenyiora

Pro days helped Victor Cruz, Osi Umenyiora

Dan Salomone — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:34:15 +0000

For NFL hopefuls that either performed poorly at the scouting combine or didn’t participate at all, there are always college pro-day workouts to showcase their talents. With the combine having wrapped up in Indianapolis this week, coaches and scouts now hit the road and visit colleges around the country for the next round of evaluations.

For lower-profile players, these workouts could boost their stock in the upcoming draft. Just take a look back at Osi Umenyiora and Victor Cruz, writes NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt, to see how their professional careers were boosted by their pro days coming out of Troy and UMass, respectively.

“Umenyiora, who did not go to the combine, had a knockout performance at Troy’s pro day, running in the 4.65-second range and showing good athleticism and speed,” said Brandt, the former vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys from 1960-89. “Consequently, the New York Giants made him their second-round choice in the 2003 NFL Draft.”

Since his pro day in 2003, Umenyiora has been named All-Pro twice in his career to go along with two Super Bowl rings. Meanwhile, Cruz wouldn’t be drafted coming out of college in 2010, but he showed enough to the Giants that he was signed as a rookie free agent. The rest is history.

“A UMass product who was not invited to the combine, Cruz worked out at two different pro days ahead of the 2010 NFL Draft — once at his own school and once at Boston College,” Brandt continued. “He didn’t have great speed (running the 40 in 4.52 and 4.47 seconds at Boston College), but teams got to see what he could do as a route runner; they got to see that he had quickness and the ability to catch the ball. He went undrafted, but eventually stuck with the Giants, becoming a key figure for the team that won Super Bowl XLVI.”

As of Friday, the 2013 pro days are officially underway. Here is a look at the upcoming schedule:

March 1: Purdue, Texas-El Paso
March 4: Alabama-Birmingham, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota State, Troy
March 5: Auburn, Buffalo, Harding, Jackson State, Missouri Southern State, Northwestern, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Tuskegee, Youngstown State
March 6: Alabama A&M, Duquesne, Eastern Washington, Kent State, Mississippi State, North Alabama, Northern Arizona, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Texas Tech, Wisconsin
March 7: Arizona, Arkansas-Monticello, Clemson, Furman, Idaho, Illinois, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Syracuse, Washington State
March 8: Arizona State, Cornell, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Missouri State, Montana, Mount Union, Northern Illinois, Ohio State, Southern Mississippi, TCU, Texas A&M, Wofford
March 11: California (Pa.), Central Michigan, Penn State
March 12: Delaware State, Florida, Jacksonville State, Kansas State, Lehigh, Monmouth, Oklahoma State, Portland State, Toledo, Towson, Tulane, UCLA
March 13: Alabama, Central Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Colorado, Colorado State, Louisiana-Monroe, Marshall, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Washington
March 14: Arkansas State, California, Delaware, Fort Valley State, Georgia Tech, Grambling State, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tulsa, UNLV, West Alabama, West Virginia, Wyoming
March 15: Arkansas, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kansas, Oregon State, San Jose State
March 18: Air Force, Albany State (Ga.), Houston, Howard, Idaho State, Indiana, Memphis, Montana State, Valdosta State, Villanova, Virginia Union, Wake Forest
March 19: Florida A&M, Florida State, Louisville, Richmond (with Liberty), Sam Houston State, San Diego State, Virginia
March 20: Ball State, Baylor, Central Florida, Connecticut, North Carolina State, Ohio, Sacramento State, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky
March 21: Boise State, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), New Mexico State, Old Dominion, Stanford, Stony Brook, Temple, William & Mary
March 22: Missouri Western, Tennessee State, Vanderbilt
March 25: Duke, Iowa, Middle Tennessee State, Stephen F. Austin
March 26: Iowa State, Louisiana Tech, McNeese State, North Carolina, North Carolina Central, Notre Dame, Southeastern Louisiana, Texas
March 27: LSU, South Carolina, SMU, USC
March 28: BYU, Central Arkansas, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Louisiana-Lafayette, Yale
March 29: Southeast Missouri State
April 2: Columbia

Daily Blitz: Week 17 Milestone Tracker

Dan Salomone — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:00:34 +0000

QB Eli Manning: 260 yards shy of 4,000 passing yards in the 2012 regular season.
WR Victor Cruz: Two touchdown receptions away from 20 career receiving touchdowns.
WR Hakeem Nicks: 274 yards shy of 4,000 career receiving yards; three touchdown receptions away from 30 career receiving touchdowns.
TE Martellus Bennett: 11 receptions shy of 150 career receptions; 43 receiving yards shy of 1,500 career receiving yards.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw: Three rushing touchdowns away from surpassing Ron Johnson (33) on the Giants all-time rushing touchdowns list and tying Frank Gifford for seventh on the Giants’ all-time list.
DE Osi Umenyiora: 5.0 sacks away from 80.0 career sacks.
DE Justin Tuck: 1.5 sacks away from 50.0 career sacks; Two forced fumbles away from 20 career forced fumbles.
DE Jason Pierre-Paul: 2.5 sacks away from 30.0 career sacks.
DT Rocky Bernard: Two tackles away from 400 career tackles.

QUICK HITS

» Special Teams have been a bright spot in recent weeks for the Giants

» Giants Coordinators seek answers

» Giants Online: Bob Papa and Pat Hanlon debate the hottest topics surrounding the Giants with local writers

» Giants Injury Report – 12/27

» WATCH: Player and coach interviews from 12/27

1ST QTR: Giants fall behind early

Dan Salomone — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:40:10 +0000

The Giants and Atlanta Falcons meet for the 21st time in the regular season, with the series split, 10-10. In their last meeting, the Giants defeated the Falcons in their only postseason meeting, 24-2, in a 2011 NFC Wild card Game in MetLife Stadium. In their last regular season meeting, the Giants defeated the Falcons, 34-31 (OT), in Week 11 of the 2009 season.

Kickoff: 1 PM ET
Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.
TV: FOX
Radio: WFAN 660AM/101.9FM

NYG Inactives
20 CB Prince Amukamara
21 S Kenny Phillips
39 S Tyler Sash
44 RB Ahmad Bradshaw
71 DE Adewale Ojomo
81 TE Adrien Robinson
96 DT Marvin Austin
NYG Lineup Changes: 28 Jayron Hosley will start for 20 Prince Amukamara at RCB; 22 David Wilson will start for 44 Ahmad Bradshaw at RB

ATL Inactives
4 QB Dominique Davis
17 WR Tim Toone
25 S William Moore
68 G Phillipkeith Manley
69 G Harland Gunn
86 TE Chase Coffman
90 DE Lawrence Sidbury
ATL Lineup changes: 24 Hope will start for 25 Moore at S

FIRST QUARTER

15:00 — Game Day Captains: C David Baas and DE Osi Umenyiora along with season captains Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, and Zak DeOssie. Giants win the toss and elect to receive.

*Rueben Randle back with David Wilson on kick return.

14:56 — Making his first NFL start, Wilson takes a handoff on the first play of the game for three yards.

14:16 — Asante Samuel intercepts Manning’s first pass of the game. Atlanta takes over on the Giants’ 16.

12:12 — TOUCHDOWN FALCONS. Atlanta capitalizes on the turnover and short field with a one-yard touchdown run by Michael Turner. XP is GOOD. ATLANTA 7, NEW YORK 0 (Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards in 1:51)

10:59 — Wilson converts a third-and-2 with a 25-yard run.

7:29 — Lawrence Tynes misses a 30-yard field goal attempt. Wide left.

1:43 — TOUCHDOWN FALCONS. Tony Gonzalez 12-yard catch from Matt Ryan. XP is GOOD. ATLANTA 14, NEW YORK 0 (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards in 5:42)

0:54 — Manning is sacked on third-and-7 and Giants are forced to punt. Atlanta takes over on its own 25 after a 58-yard punt from Steve Weatherford.

0:00 — FALCONS 14, GIANTS 0

Daily Blitz: Giants approaching milestones

Dan Salomone — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:00:55 +0000

As the Giants head to Atlanta this weekend and play in the final stretch of the season, here are some milestones to keep an eye on in the upcoming weeks:

QB Eli Manning
*Five completions away from breaking Phil Simms’ team record of 2,576.
*128 pass attempts away from surpassing the Giants single-season record (589 – Eli Manning, 2011).
*79 completions away from surpassing the Giants single-season record (359 – Eli Manning, 2011).
*1,505 passing yards away from surpassing the Giants single-season record (4,933 – Eli Manning, 2011).
*17 touchdown passes from breaking the Giants single-season record (36 – Y.A. Tittle, 1963).

WR Victor Cruz
*Two touchdown receptions away from 20 career receiving touchdowns.

WR Hakeem Nicks
*314 yards shy of 4,000 career receiving yards.
*Three touchdown receptions away from 30 career receiving touchdowns.

TE Martellus Bennett
*16 receptions shy of 150 career receptions.
*85 receiving yards shy of 1,500 career receiving yards.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw
*Three rushing touchdowns away from surpassing Ron Johnson (33) on the Giants all-time rushing touchdowns list and tying Frank Gifford for seventh on the Giants’ all-time list.

DE Osi Umenyiora
*5.0 sacks away from 80.0 career sacks.

DE Justin Tuck
*1.5 sacks away from 50.0 career sacks.
*One tackle away from 400 career tackles.
*Two forced fumbles away from 20 career forced fumbles.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul
*2.5 sacks away from 30.0 career sacks.

GIANTS TO WEAR SPECIAL HOF PATCHES

Commemorating 50 years of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Giants and all NFL teams wore patches last week and will do so again for this slate of games. Last week, the Giants wore them on their home blues against New Orleans. Here’s a look at the road whites they’ll wear in the Georgia Dome, courtesy of Equipment Director Joseph Skiba:

#nyg @giants @TeamVic and @DreamEights game jerseys all set for Sunday's game with #nfl #hof patch. @giantspathanlon http://t.co/5YMPIQWH—
Joseph Skiba (@blancoshadow) December 13, 2012

QUICK HITS

» The Giants will focus on stopping TE Tony Gonzalez, who is one of Matt Ryan’s favorite targets

» Giants vs. Falcons Scouting Report

» CB Jayron Hosley and the Giants defense face a talented offense on Sunday

» Giants Pass Rush looks beyond stats

» Kevin Boothe joins us for Big Blue Hits to preview the matchup with the Falcons

» Giants Online: Bob Papa and Pat Hanlon debate the hottest topics surrounding the Giants with local writers

Giants pick pregame playlist

Dan Salomone — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:15:01 +0000

A few Giants have lent their musical tastes for the pregame music inside MetLife Stadium before taking on the New Orleans Saints at 4:25 PM ET. Here’s what they chose to warm up to:

» DE Osi Umenyiora: “400 Degreez” by Juvenile

» WR Victor Cruz: “Go Crazy” by Young Jeezy feat. Jay-Z

» TE Martellus Bennett: ”Bling Bling” by B.G., Lil Wayne, Juvenile

» DT Chris Canty: “Standing Ovation” by Young Jeezy

DOWNLOAD THE GIANTS “ALL IN” PEPSI ANTHEM BY TRAVIE MCCOY

Week 14 Milestone Tracker

Dan Salomone — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 13:00:14 +0000

QB Eli Manning
* 27 completions away from breaking Phil Simms’ team record of 2,576.
* 163 pass attempts away from surpassing the Giants single-season record (589 - Eli Manning, 2011).
* 101 completions away from surpassing the Giants single-season record (359 – Eli Manning, 2011).
* 1,764 passing yards away from surpassing the Giants single-season record (4,933 – Eli Manning, 2011).
* 21 touchdown passes from breaking the Giants single-season record (36 – Y.A. Tittle, 1963).

WR Hakeem Nicks
* Two receptions away from 250 career receptions.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw
* Three rushing touchdowns away from surpassing Ron Johnson (33) on the Giants all-time rushing touchdowns list and tying Frank Gifford for seventh on the Giants’ all-time list.

DE Osi Umenyiora
* One sack away from 75.0 career sacks.

DE Justin Tuck
* 1.5 sacks away from 50.0 career sacks.
* One tackle away from 400 career tackles.
* Two forced fumbles away from 20 career forced fumbles.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul
* 2.5 sacks away from 30.0 career sacks.

Daily Blitz: Week 13 Milestone Tracker

Dan Salomone — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:00:47 +0000

The New York Giants (7-4, 3-2 away) hit the road to take on the Washington Redskins (5-6, 2-3 home) in primetime this week. Here is a look at a few milestones that Giants players could hit on Monday Night Football or in the coming weeks:

QB Eli Manning: 47 completions away from breaking Phil Simms’ team record of 2,576.

WR Hakeem Nicks: Seven receptions away from 250 career receptions.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw: 50 rushing yards away from 4,000 career rushing yards; Three rushing touchdowns away from surpassing Ron Johnson (33) on the Giants all-time rushing touchdowns list and tying Frank Gifford for seventh on the Giants’ all-time list.

DE Osi Umenyiora: One sack away from 75.0 career sacks.

DE Justin Tuck: 1.5 sacks away from 50.0 career sacks; Three tackles away from 400 career tackles.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul: 2.5 sacks away from 30.0 career sacks.

MONDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN

Help us defeat the Redskins in a Twitter "TUG OF WAR" before Monday's game! Use #GiantsChat in a tweet or vote here: bit.ly/Si3XMe—
New York Giants (@Giants) November 29, 2012

QUICK HITS

» RB’s Torain and Lumpkin play catch-up

» WR Jerrel Jernigan preps for dual role

» Giants prep for Shanahan’s offense

» Big Blue Hits: Antrel Rolle takes your calls

» Giants News Flash – 11/28

2ND QTR: Balanced Giants extend lead

Dan Salomone — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 02:18:06 +0000

SECOND QUARTER

15:00 — Packers begin the quarter with the ball on their own 13.

14:25 — Giants force a three-and-out and take over on their own 39 after the Packers punt.

12:48 — On third-and-9, Eli Manning finds Hakeem Nicks for a 22-yard gain.

9:43 — TOUCHDOWN GIANTS. Manning to Victor Cruz for 9 yards. XP is GOOD. NEW YORK 24, GREEN BAY 7 (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards in 3:58)

*With the score, Eli Manning ties Phil Simms for most in franchise history with 199.

3:51 — FIELD GOAL PACKERS. Crosby makes 28-yard attempt. NEW YORK 24, GREEN BAY 10 (Drive: 10 plays, 62 in 6:00)

1:12 — Osi Umenyiora strip-sacks Rodgers and Jason Pierre-Paul recovers, taking it down to the Packers’ 23.

0:50 — TOUCHDOWN GIANTS. Bradshaw carries it in for a 13-yard score. XP is GOOD. NEW YORK 31, GREEN BAY 10 (Drive: 2 plays, 23 yards in 0:19)

0:00 — GIANTS 31, PACKERS 10

Daily Blitz: Giants approaching milestones

Dan Salomone — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 14:00:33 +0000

The New York Giants (6-4, 3-2 home) take on the Green Bay Packers (7-3, 3-2 away) this Sunday at 8:20 PM ET. Here is a look at milestones Giants players may hit in the upcoming weeks:

QB Eli Manning

» 63 completions away from breaking Phil Simms’ team record of 2,576.

» Three touchdown passes away from breaking Phil Simms’ team record of 199.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw

» 108 rushing yards away from 4,000 career rushing yards.

» Four rushing touchdowns away from surpassing Ron Johnson (33) on the Giants all-time rushing touchdowns list and tying Frank Gifford for seventh on the Giants’ all-time list.

WR Hakeem Nicks

» 12 receptions away from 250 career receptions.

» One receiving yard away from 3,500 yards.

DE Osi Umenyiora

» Two sacks away from 75.0 career sacks

DE Justin Tuck

» 1.5 sacks away from 50.0 career sacks.

» Four tackles away from 400 career tackles.

» Two forced fumbles away from 20 career forced fumbles.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul

» 2.5 sacks away from 30.0 career sacks.

QUICK HITS

» Giants vs. Packers Scouting Report

» Check out what’s happening at MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the Giants vs. Packers game

» Watch Giants Chronicles on Sunday at 9:30 AM ET for a look at the Giants-Packers rivalry

» Sneak Peak: Strategy – Packers’ offense

» Sneak Peak: Strategy – Packers’ defense

Giants give thanks on Twitter

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Cherish this day with your friends and family which is who I'm most thankful for. #BigBlue4ever—
Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Enjoy the holiday and be safe—
Chris Canty (@ChrisCanty99) November 22, 2012

Happy Turkey Day, I hope you enjoy this day and be thankful for what you have! What I'm thankful for is for my family and friends.—
Jason Pierre-Paul (@WHOISJPP) November 22, 2012

I'm so thankful to have these amazing teammates… So blessed. #GoBIGBLUE
#NYGiants http://t.co/gJXxMKsl—
Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) November 22, 2012

Happy THANKS GIVING—
Justin Tuck (@JustinTuckNYG91) November 22, 2012

Celebrating our thanksgiving at @MarkHerzlich house with @Blackburn5793 @SpittyP @TSash twitpic.com/bfhzuy—
Henry Hynoski (@HenryHynoski) November 22, 2012

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU. Hope it was as good as mine. #Thankful—
Chase Blackburn (@Blackburn5793) November 23, 2012

Daily Blitz: Milestones to look for in Week 10

Dan Salomone — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:00:58 +0000

The New York Giants (6-3, 3-1 away), take on the Cincinnati Bengals (3-5, 1-3 home) this Sunday at 1 PM ET. Here is a look at milestones Giants players may hit in the upcoming weeks:

QB Eli Manning

» 92 completions away from breaking Phil Simms’ team record of 2,576.
» Three touchdown passes away from breaking Phil Simms’ team record of 199.
» 25 touchdown passes from breaking the Giants’ single-season record (36 – Y.A. Tittle, 1963).

RB Ahmad Bradshaw

» One rushing yard away from moving past Ron Johnson (3,836) into sixth place on the Giants all-time rushing list.
» 165 rushing yards away from 4,000 career rushing yards.
» Four rushing touchdowns away from surpassing Ron Johnson (33) on the Giants all-time rushing touchdowns list and tying Frank Gifford for seventh.

WR Hakeem Nicks

» 21 receptions away from 250 career receptions.
» 76 receiving yards away from 3,500 yards.

DE Osi Umenyiora

» 2.0 sacks away from 75.0 career sacks.
» Four tackles away from 400 career tackles.

DE Justin Tuck

» 1.5 sacks away from 50.0 career sacks.
» Six tackles away from 400 career tackles.

QUICK HITS

» What to look for around the NFL in Week 10

» Take a look at the best sound from New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin during one of the Giants’ practices [NFL.com]

» OC Kevin Gilbride looks for improvement

» Giants react to Bengals WR A.J. Green

» WATCH: Big Blue Hits with Stevie Brown