Well Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants haven’t taken the opening of the free agency period lightly—in fact they might have created the most noise thus far Tuesday morning—despite the fact that the only signings teams can officially make are with undrafted prospects and players they picked up back in April.
Mark Herzlich
He was invited to the 2011 NFL Draft but went undrafted.
He was the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year but sat out all of 2009 battling bone cancer.
He fought and defeated both daunting challenges, returning for all 13 starts last season and has just signed with the New York Giants.
The most inspirational player in college football last year announced his decision today on Twitter.
ProFootballTalk’s Michael David Smith points out that “Giants coach Tom Coughlin is the former head coach at Boston College and likely followed Herzlich’s career there closely, so it’s not a surprise that Coughlin would want to give Herzlich a chance.”
Now he’ll compete in training camp and not only have an opportunity to shine on the field, but also inspire millions in the NFL.
Osi Umenyiora
Say adios to Osi, New York. Either via trade or release, it doesn’t look like the Gaints defensive end will be suiting up in the same uniform in 2011. That probably means no fist-fight with LeSean McCoy in a heated division clash this upcoming season.
Per ProFootballTalk:
WFAN in New York reports Umenyiora is “expected to hold out” of training camp, citing sources from both sides. Camp doesn’t officially start for a few days. ESPN’s Adam Schefter wondered aloud earlier this week whether Umenyiora could be a release candidate. (That would be a surprise.)
There’s a chance he will be traded—though not to a division opponent. Whether it’s Seattle, Minnesota, Detroit, Cleveland, Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville or someone else—there should be a market for Osi Umenyiora if he doesn’t return to the Giants.
Shaun O’Hara
Shaun O’Hara, an 11-year veteran, who spent his first four years with the Cleveland Browns before playing with the New York Giants for the last seven seasons, was the team’s NFLPA representative and was “extremely pleased” when the lockout ended.
But his emotions may be shifting shortly.
One of the league’s most elite centers is due $3.45 million in 2011. The G-Men are reportedly more than $6 million over the salary cap. On Monday, O’Hara scoffed at the idea that he would be forced to take a pay cut.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that O’Hara says he’s not aware of being released. (We initially assumed that the Giants have told O’Hara the news. The text message from the source does not indicate that the team has informed O’Hara of the move.)
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