Damontre Moore cut by Giants after locker room fight over free Beats By Dre headphones

Defensive end Damontre Moore is out of a job with the New York Giants after losing his cool when he didn't get a pair of free Beats by Dre headphones and got into a fight with a teammate over the handout.

The disappointing Moore, who had yet to live up to the promise of becoming the Giants’ next great pass rusher, was released by the team on Friday for “discipline-related reasons,” according to a team source.

Moore, who was paid $585,000 this season by the Giants, was released after fighting with defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins over the $300 blue Beats By Dre headphones, being handed out as gifts by teammate Odell Beckham Jr.

On Thursday, Beckham Jr. was distributing the headphones and several veterans — including Jenkins — tried to grab multiple pairs.

And, at the start of the media access period the same day, Jenkins was seen leaving the locker room with several pairs.

Giants GM Jerry Reese, in a release announcing the roster move, said only, “We made the move today in the interest of both parties,” without elaboration. Tom Coughlin made no mention of Moore during his media briefing in the Friday morning before practice — in which Moore was not a participant — and the head coach was not made available again after the announcement.

Moore had already warmed the bench and lightened his wallet after some other boneheaded moves he made this season.

The 23-year-old was sat by Coughlin for the Dallas game on Oct. 25, one week after the lineman committed an inexcusable penalty for roughing the passer for a late hit on quarterback Sam Bradford in a Monday night loss to the Eagles, drawing a $20,000 fine. He also was fined $10k for a hit on Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger last season.

The Giants’ third-round draft pick (81st overall) in the 2013 draft out of Texas A&M, totaled 8.5 sacks in 42 games over three seasons, including only three this year.

Merry Christmas.

Thanks @OBJ_3 😁 pic.twitter.com/38UeX276Iv

— lOUIS NIX III (@1irishchocolate) December 10, 2015

Osi Umenyiora to sign one-day contract, retire with Giants: Report

With no NFL teams seeking his services, Osi Umenyiora appears ready to call it an NFL career — but not before signing a one-day contract so he can retire a New York Giant.

The 33-year-old pass rusher, who spent nine seasons with the Giants before a brief stint in Atlanta, is in discussions with the team on a one-day contract that would allow him to bow out in blue, sources familiar with the situation told Around The NFL.

Report: Osi Umenyiora might sign 1-day contract with #NYGiants, ceremoniously retire. | http://t.co/loXcdZf06O #NYG

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) July 27, 2015

Umenyiora was a key member of both Giants' Super Bowl runs over the past decade. He was a speedy threat in the team's NASCAR rush package, which twice beat great Patriots offenses.

But during contentious contract talks in 2011, Umenyiora called Giants GM Jerry Reese a liar for reneging on a promise to give him a raise or trade him. He finally became a free-agent in 2013.

Umenyiora had said that "whenever it is that I retire", I think it would only make sense for me to do that as a Giant." In the nine seasons, after the Giants drafted him in the second round out of Troy University in Alabama, Umenyiora recorded 75 sacks — fourth on the team's all-time list.

A few months ago Umenyiora still was planning to continue his NFL career, and he was really hoping to re-sign with his former team. At least sometime this summer he'll get his wish.

Even if it's only for one last day.

Giants owner John Mara: 'I wanted to fire everybody': Report

When it comes down to loyalty, there is no organization more honorable than the New York Giants in the NFL but, at times, even that true blue devotion comes to a breaking point.

It happened when team president and CEO, John Mara, sat on the team bus after an embarrassing 25-24 loss to the Jaguars on Nov. 30 as he tried to repress what was an overwhelming urge to start from square one.

"When I'm sitting on that bus after the Jacksonville game, I wanted to fire everybody," he said Tuesday, "from the people in the equipment room to the people upstairs [in the front office]."

It was, he said, a "low point" and an "embarrassment." The Giants blew a 21-0 lead against one of the worst teams in the league, and maybe if the season had ended after that game, Mara would have followed through on his tortured instincts. 

Instead, after three straight playoff-less seasons, Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese are getting one more chance with the Giants — a make-it-or-break-it season.

“I don’t think that’s an unfair statement,” he said point blank.

Mara said he still has faith in his head coach and general manager and both will return for 2015. And, although he said he is "sick" about a seven-game losing streak and finishing 6-10 this past season, Mara added that there is "reason for optimism" based on how the team finished up the season.

"We need to have another [strong draft]," Mara said. "With that and with another year under this new offense, I think we have a chance to be a good team next year. Obviously, that's a tough sell right now when you go 7-9 and then 6-10, but I still have a very strong belief in this staff and this organization. I think we're going to be a good team next year."

Fair warning everyone.

Giants’ David Wilson to undergo neck surgery: Report

New York Giants running back David Wilson’s 2013 season came to an early end because of a neck injury that doctors told him carried an increased risk of further problems if he continued playing. Now his NFL future could be in jeopardy after Giants GM Jerry Reese revealed the former first-round pick will undergo neck surgery next week.

Wilson said during the season that he intends to keep playing, but he’ll need to rehab from surgery before he can do that.

Reese told WFAN Thursday, that Wilson will need to have an operation on his neck this offseason. Team owner John Mara, speaking on the same radio station earlier in the day, also touched on Wilson’s status.

“We’re hopeful that David will be able to play for us again next year. Time will tell on that one,” Mara said.

There was no timetable given for when the surgery will occur or when Wilson might be ready to resume his career. His status is murky at best, though, and that should make running back an area that the Giants address the offseason because an Andre Brown/Michael Cox combination isn’t a particularly appealing one for a team with lots of other holes to fill.

“Our medical staff thinks he will be ready to play this year,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said Thursday on WFAN while noting that dealing with the neck can be “tricky.’’

Here are the details on David Wilson's surgery: He'll have a fusion of the vertebrae to repair the herniated disc in his neck on Jan. 16.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) January 9, 2014

Wilson played in the first six games of the 2013 season. He started at running back Oct. 6 against the Eagles, rushed six times for 16 yards and scored his first and only touchdown before leaving the game in the second quarter of a 36-21 loss with a neck injury.

He was inactive the next three games and then put on season-ending injured reserve with what the Giants said was a herniated disk in his neck. Wilson, as it turns out, also has spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine, which is a chronic condition he played through at Virginia Tech and in his rookie season with the Giants.

The Giants and Wilson were hoping to avoid surgery, on the chance that rest and treatment alone would reduce the herniated disk. That was always considered a long-shot scenario, and now a surgical procedure has been deemed necessary.

Mara said it is likely the Giants will have to use one of their draft picks on a running back. Reese has said previously the Giants cannot go into the 2014 season projecting Wilson as their No. 1 running back.

Wilson was not very effective even when he was healthy in his second NFL season. Coach Tom Coughlin benched him after Wilson lost two fumbles in a season-opening loss in Dallas. Wilson ended up with 44 rushing attempts and 146 yards.

This doesn't bode well for the Giants at the running back position. Their other key back, Andre Brown, faded down the stretch of the season and is an unrestricted free agent. Brandon Jacobs retired, and veteran addition Peyton Hillis, a free agent, is not expected to return. The only other running back on the roster is Michael Cox, who just completed a lackluster rookie year.

Giants' Cruz gets no offers and midnight deadline passes

Don't throw out those salsa CD's and No. 80 jerseys just yet Giants fans. Victor Cruz is probably not going anywhere.

The clock struck midnight last night — meaning the deadline (11:59 on Friday) for him to sign an offer sheet during the restricted free agency period expired — and, as expected, Cruz got no offers because no team was willing to give the Giants a first-round draft pick or come up with a long-term, lucrative contract for Jay-Z's Roc Nation's new client.

This leaves Cruz holding the ball with only a couple of risky options. If Cruz is adamant about testing the open market after the 2013 season, he can sign the one-year tender of $2.879 million, which could allow him to play this season for the Giants and then become an unrestricted free agent — unless in 2014 the Giants opt to use their franchise tag on him. That scenario comes with a big what if.  Like in what if Cruz is injured leaving him with nothing to fall back on other than this year’s salary of less than $3 million.

He could also force the Giants' hand with a holdout which could force the Giants to trade their popular home-grown player or drive up his price.  Either way, those moves would damage his reputation and possibly alienate him from his large New York fan base.

Cruz was a no-show for the voluntary off season workouts but maybe now Giants and Cruz can get down to some serious negotiating.

He cannot be fined for missing workouts until the June 11-13 three-day veteran mini-camp, which is mandatory. General manager Jerry Reese admitted this week he cannot assume Cruz will be on the roster for the start of the season, although the likelihood remains high he will be.

"I don’t assume anything," Reese said. "We’ll see. I can tell you this — when we get ready to play — when the season starts, we will have some good players out there. I’m not sure if Victor will be there or not."

Eli Manning doesn't think Cruz will show up until his favorite target has a long-term contract — and rightfully so.

"He's got to do what is in the best interest of him," said the Giants quarterback. "And that’s usually staying away and putting pressure to try to get the deal done."

Giants GM will reach out to Strahan to help JPP

Jason Pierre-Paul went from being one of the best pass rushers in the NFL last season to being just another body on the New York Giants seemingly overwhelmed defensive line in 2012.

Even after being selected to his second straight Pro-Bowl, JPP said he wasn't happy to see his production fall to 6-1/2 sacks in 2012 from 16-1/2 in a breakout season in 2011.

General manager Jerry Reese has sensed the 24-year-old defensive end's frustration at his drop in his numbers and says he plans to contact a former Giants star pass rusher for help in building the young player's confidence.

"I plan to reach out to Michael Strahan this offseason," Reese told WFAN Thursday. "To see if he can have some conversations with JPP.

"If he hears it from somebody like Michael Strahan, it will really encourage him."

Strahan recorded 141-1/2 sacks over his 15-year career —including a Brett Favre-assisted record 22-1/2 in 2001.  And the gap-toothed DE did it without the benefit of a premium defensive line for the most part.

Reese sounds convinced a motivational speech from the future Hall-of-Famer will help JPP break out of his funk.

"After Michael became a superstar defensive end, he was getting double-teamed, he was getting chipped, but he was still getting sacks," Reese said.  "So the great ones still get through there and make plays."

It's wasn't hard to see that offenses focused on Pierre-Paul this past season and the added abuse from offensive linemen wore him down. No sacks in the final seven games of the season will attest to that.

"I'm not having that fun I'm used to," he admitted about the high expectations after last year's Super Bowl went down with the Giants pass rush.

Reese hopes Strahan — who altered his own type of pass rush to fight through the double-teams — can get JPP to follow suit.

"You have to have the heart to do it," said Reese. "He [JPP] can't give up, like 'Wow, they're double-teaming me, they're triple-teaming me, they're high-lowing me.'  That's frustrating to a young player.  But to be a superstar defensive end , a pass rusher in this league, you have to beat those double-team blocks."

Strahan never shied away from the spotlight and probably thought of triple-teams as an audience.  The former Giants team leader  is probably the busiest guy in show biz right now — outside of Ryan Seacrest —  co-hosting "Live with Kelly and Michael" during the week and the "NFL on FOX" Sundays.

I'm sensing a special episode of Live.

If anyone could cheer up the despondent JPP it's Strahan's perky co-host Kelly Ripa.

Justin Tuck: 'Failed season' won't keep me from coming back to Giants

Justin Tuck knows the New York Giants are a quality football team and, as he sat at his locker Monday, assessed the team's season by saying, "Any year we're not hoisting that Lombardi [Trophy] is a failed season."

The defensive end said not being in the playoffs is like "you got punched in the stomach" but claims his sub-par season won't keep him from coming back to the Giants next year — even if there is speculation that his eight-year career with the team could be coming to an end.

"Listen, I'll be very frank and honest in saying this," the 29-year-old Tuck said.  "I plan on being here for a long time. That's pretty much all I have to say about it."



Tuck defended the drop in production (9 total sacks) over the past two seasons — as he enters his final year of his $4.5 million contract —by saying injuries have slowed him up but he still has a lot to offer.

"I'm not going to be one of these guys that stick around in the league just to get a paycheck," Tuck said. "When I can't play this game at a high level you'll know it and I'll gracefully bow out."

Does Tuck think that time has come?

"Ask me that question in six, seven years," he said. "Thats' just to let you know how much I think I still have in the tank."

Tuck blamed a "boo-boo" in his left shoulder for his minimal impact over the final two games after an injury-plagued 2011.

"My confidence in myself will never be lacking," the former All-Pro said. " Believe me, when I can't do it anymore, I'll be the first one to go up to [general manager] Jerry Reese and them guys and tell them."

Osi Umenyiora not happy being backup to Tuck and Pierre-Paul

It's the middle of April and the tell-tale signs of spring are in the air— trees blooming, HBO courting the Jets for "Hard Knocks" and Osi Umenyiora making waves before the Giants off-season programs.

Last year, the New York Giants defensive end accused the team's GM Jerry Reese of not honoring a verbal agreement to renegotiate his contract— and filed an affidavit to try and prove it. Now he has another beef.

We always knew he was unhappy with his contract, now it turns out he's not too keen about being underutilized as well— even with a Super Bowl Championship to show for it.

Umenyiora— who has more sacks (27.5) than any other Giant over his last three injury-plagued seasons— spent 2011 playing behind Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul.  Yesterday, the 30 year-old defensive end didn't beat around the bush about his role with the Giants.

"I don't like being a backup, I can tell you that," he said.  "It worked for us last year, but I was coming off an injury or whatever.  But I see myself as a starter in the NFL.  I see myself as a Pro Bowl-type player.  That's the way I see myself."

Umenyiora also stressed that he "didn't complain" last season, and "I'm not complaining now.

"I don't like being on the bench," he didn't complain.  "I'm not OK with that."

Umenyiora— who came back from hip surgery last year and missed the entire 2008 season after surgery on his left knee—  hasn't revealed whether or not he'll be at the start of the Giants optional offseason program next week.

"You never know what's going to happen," Umenyiora said at the NFL's pop-up store near Times Square yesterday.  "We'll see what happens Monday."

Umenyiora, who is entering the final year ($3.975 million) of the deal he signed in 2005, has been long seeking a long-term extension.  Reese said at February's NFL scouting combine that an extension "could happen" — but Umenyiora said "nothing has been done" at this point.

"You can say things, you understand what I mean?" said Umenyiora.  "I've said a lot of things.  But until it happens, it's just talk, I guess, until it actually has been done."

The NFL veteran knows the final call will ultimately be a business decision— both theirs and his.

"It would be a wonderful thing to do to start your career with one team and finish it with one team.  I would love to do it," said Umenyiora who played nine years with the Giants.  "Is it realistic?  Is it reality? Who knows.  I don't like being a backup.  So, who knows how that is going to shake out.  Hopefully, I'll be able to stay here and finish out my career, but I just don't know.  I don't know if it is going to happen."

Amani Toomer calls Jeremy Shockey a 'Bad teammate, worse person'

Jeremy Shockey— the former New York Giants tight end who was chased out of town four years ago— is looking for  a job and has come sniffing around the Meadowlands once again.

Amani Toomer—the Giants all-time leading reciever— thinks the hot-tempered Shockey already burned his bridges and it would be a big mistake for the Giants to sign him.

Today, Toomer didn't mince characters when he tweeted about his former teammate's aspirations.

"Bad teammate," former Giants wide out Toomer said via Twitter.  "Worse person."

Toomer's harsh tweet fueled a Twitter war between him and the 32-year-old Shockey.

Shockey, who was never one to keep quiet, immediately shot back a response and accused the retired Toomer of causing the injury which sidelined him during the 2007 season and dredging up allegations made about Toomer during his 2007 divorce.

"Amani Toomer on Jeremy Shockey: Bad teammate, Haha," tweeted Shockey.  "Well he was the lazy one who broke my leg!!  ... remember when his ex divorced him and he urinated on her cloths I guess he's the good person"

Shockey didn't stop there with his Twitter assault.  "Go get a bucket of rocks and start throwing them at your glass house."

Toomer didn't like being on the receiving end of that exchange and tweeted back.  "Shockey thanks 4 proving my statement about u being a bad person, enough said.  Have a nice day buddy."

Now boys.

Toomer and Shockey played together on the Giants from 2002-07 and Toomer— one of Giants fans favorite players— was only saying what a lot of former Giants said about Shockey's antics when he was with the team.

The former first-round pick of the Giants was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2008 after he complained about his role on the team.  He was also bitter about missing the Giants 2007 run to their Super Bowl XLII Championship because of the broken leg he mentioned in his tweet to Toomer.  Then griped when the team wouldn't fly him to the game because he was on the injured reserve list.

Shockey was blamed for stunting quarterback Eli Manning's growth and confidence because of his constant fits when one of Manning's passes sailed over his head.

Manning's career took off after Shockey was injured and unable to bully his own quarterback on the field.  Manning has two Super Bowl MVP's and the Giants have gone on to win two titles since Shockey went down and out of town.

Right before Shockey got traded, he staged a mini-camp hold-out and got into a loud argument with GM Jerry Reese that could be heard from behind closed doors.

Toomer reminded Shockey of that "meeting" in his tweet.

"' I will never play4 you again!' he yelled at Jerry Reese in 08,' Toomer tweeted.  "Let him keep his word."

Chances are slim that the Giants would ever want the troublesome Shockey back again.

And Shockey— who told The New York Daily News two days ago he wanted to return— is denying he ever wanted to return to the Giants in the first place.

"It's funny how the Ny media still try's to make money off me!"  Shockey tweeted.  "Can anyone find a quote from me on me wanting to play for the GAINTS? (sic)"

Domenik Hixon wants to "repay" Giants for re-signing him

Domenik Hixon is one happy man tonight and vowed to "repay" the New York Giants for signing him to a new contract even after only playing four games— due to two ACL tears on his right knee— for the team over the past two seasons.

The speedy wide-out was in New York this morning to have his knee examined before meeting with Giants GM Jerry Reese at the team's facility in New Jersey.

He signed an undisclosed contract to return for a sixth season with the Giants.

Hixon couldn't contain his enthusiasm and tweeted,"I Just got done officially signing back with the Superbowl champs!!! #blessed #readytoplay."

How doubly refreshing for a pro athlete to know when he's been given an opportunity to play on a great team and for a pro franchise to show confidence in a player with a good work ethic and bad luck by giving him another shot.

"They gave me an opportunity when I got released from Denver (in 2007)," Hixon said in a press release after the signing.  "And then these past two years with knee injuries.  They stuck with me.  They could have cut me and let me be on my way and be done with me.  But they didn't do that.  They treated me the same and I really appreciate that."

Hixon is confident he'll be ready for the start of training camp and was told by the team physician Russ Warren he'll even be able to get some work in during the off-season workouts, OTAs and minicamp.

The 27-year old will follow the doctor's orders and believes he can come back strong after tearing his knee during a spectacular catch in only the second game of the 2011 season.

"We're just fine-tuning things now," said Hixon.  "My goal when I get back is to be at full speed and show the training staff and everyone else I'm physically ready to play and play it for years to come."

It sounds like Hixon will be battling it out with Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan for the third spot in the receiving corps behind Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks if free-agent Mario Manningham leaves.

Manningham— one of 20 free-agents on the Giants— is trying to cash in on his impressive postseason and big fourth quarter Super Bowl catch.  He has already stated that he thinks the odds of him returning to the Meadowlands are slim.

On the other hand, the Giants will be keeping a player hungry to play and who downplays missing the bulk of two seasons as "interruptions."

"I know a lot of times in the NFL loyalty isn't that big," said Hixon.  "But in this situation, I really felt like I wanted to be here.  They helped me  but time and time again.  I wanted to stay here and repay that."

Classy guy and classy organization.

Osi Umenyiora Calls LeSean McCoy a 'Chihuahua or Poodle'

New York Giants defensive end, Osi Umenyiora, is still making a lot of noise one day after leaking bits of an affidavit claiming that New York Giants GM Jerry Reese reneged on a verbal agreement to renegotiate his contract.  Now, when Umenyiora should be in some sort of spin control, he has stirred up more controversy by comparing Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy to a yapping, little lap dog.

After Umenyiora's story broke on Thursday afternoon, McCoy Tweeted that Umenyiora was "overrated n soft."  McCoy also called Umenyiora the "3rd best d-line on his team honestly."

In a phone interview with The New York Times, Umenyiora responded to McCoy's tweet.

"That little chihuahua or poodle in the backfield," steamed Umenyiora.  "He doesn't have to block me.  If you have something to say, say it man to man; you can't be a Twitter gangster.  That's easy to do, trying to be a tough guy.  Say it to my face, and we'll see what happens."

Or you can say it in an affidavit to be filed in Minneapolis next month.

Umenyiora goes on to say that the G-Men's defense has a pet name for McCoy: "Lady Gaga."  The Giants defensive end doesn't elaborate on how the nickname came about.

McCoy hasn't replied to Umenyiora's diss, but he might start by reminding him that the Eagles are 4-0 against the Giants with the speedster in the backfield and then go all Twitter gangster by throwing in a video of his game-winning run through Umenyiora's fingertips and the Giants defense last season. 

The G-Men's defense had so many holes against the Eagles in that epic New York fail last season, McCoy might think of calling them the Kardashians.

While Umenyiora goes off on McCoy, it looks like his stance against the Giants has softened.

According to the Times interview, Osi did an about face and revealed his deep love for the team from the Meadowlands.

Umenyiora said he'd be happy to return to New York, even after, in that sworn affidavit, called Reese a liar for going back on a two-year old verbal commitment to renegotiate his contract after the 2010 season.

"I love my teammates.  The owners of the team, Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch, I'm really cool with both of them," said Umenyiora.  "They came to the hospital when I was injured...I don't have a beef with them per se.  At the end of the day, they're going to have to make the best decision for them."

Umenyiora's case is notable mostly because he is one of the plaintiffs named in the ongoing anti-trust case against the NFL.

Finally, some spinning and less stirring from the disgruntled Giant.  Stay tuned.

Osi Umenyiora Has Packed His Bags & Wants Out Of New York

If it's spring, it must mean another demand to be traded by New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.  In what has become an annual grind in the Giants rumor mill,  Umenyiora is making allegations and mandates once again.  Only this time it seems like Osi really means it.

In a sworn affidavit to be filed in Minneapolis next month, Umenyiora makes it clear why he wants to leave New York by stating Giants general manager, Jerry Reese,  has failed to honor a verbal agreement to renegotiate Umenyiora's current contract.

According to ESPN,  Umenyiora met with Reese during the off-season after the 2008 season and the GM promised that, in two years, the Giants would reevaluate the two-time Pro-Bowler's contract.

New York Giants Version of " The Decision": Jacobs or Bradshaw?

The New York Giants have made it clear that there are two things the team won't be losing.  Eli Manning will continue to guide the offense and Tom Coughlin--as announced by co-owner John Mara--will continue to call the shots as head coach from the sidelines.  Now if the team could find a way to get back some of the 45 turnovers they had last season.

The Giants will be spending the second off-season in a row, on their couches, watching the Seattle Seahawks--a team they beat 41-7--take their lowly 7-9 record into the playoffs, then watch the Chicago Bears--a team they crushed--in a playoff game next weekend.  The Giants can only wonder how they turned a 10-6 season into a bad dream.

They could start with the running game.  Brandon Jacobs and  Ahmad Bradshaw combined for over 2,000 yards but the Biggie-Small attack seemed to be ineffective in more games than not.

The remaining two-thirds of the vaunted and successful "Earth, Wind and Fire" Giants backfield of 2008 should be called "Dirt and Air" for the way Jacobs falls to the ground on too many short yardage situations and Bradshaw, because it seems like that is what he's carrying, after dropping the ball at the slightest touch from an opposing linebacker.

For all the gaudy numbers (Bradshaw, 1235 yards and Jacobs, 835 yards) this two-back system seemed like it stalled too many times.  Now Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese must consider their options.  Bradshaw is one of 21 Giant players not under contract for 2011--that is if there is a 2011 season--and Jacobs is in the middle of a four-year contract extension worth $25 million.

The last time Jacobs, 28, was seen he was storming out of the Giants locker room, carrying a torn garbage bag containing his gear like a 270 pound Grinch, cursing at photographers.  The surly and disruptive running back snapped back, "Click, click, click. You're all taking pictures of Brandon Jacobs leaving, wondering if he's going to return.  That will be your caption for tomorrow.  Well, f--- you all."  Maybe Earth knows something we don't.  Players who talk in the first person seem to get traded a lot.

Meanwhile, Bradshaw, 24,--the more versatile back--looked back at a season that fizzled out at the end.  He had two 90 yard performances in the final nine games and four of them were losses.  Never mind the six costly fumbles.  Turnovers--something the Giants (NFL leaders with 41)  can do without.  Eli had 25 but he's still has a job.

Coughlin sat both running backs at some point  during the season and, while Bradshaw took it in stride after he lost the title of No. 1 back, Jacobs turned it into a WikiLeaks conspiracy and pouted on the sideline.  It wasn't until Bradshaw's game-killing fumbles became more frustrating than the one-dimensional Jacobs 3-yard gains that Coughlin started the big man again with some success.

Reese now has to make a choice.  The two-back system seems to be in vogue around the NFL, but it doesn't always work.  It's been two years since the Giants made the playoffs and their tag-team running game doesn't seem as dominant as in the past.  This Yin and Yang was unreliable and seemed more like Stumble and Fumble in 2010.

The limited role Jacobs had played may have tweaked his ego and he became a disruptive force in the locker room last season.  He still occasionally goes head first into the turf like a larger version of Ron Dayne and has not lived up to his billing since his contract extension (despite injury concerns) in 2009.  He is due for some big money soon.

Bradshaw had the worst case of fumblitis since Dave Krieg and wore down as the season played out.  Although he is more of a receiving threat than Jacobs and has the ability to break open a game on every play, he was a M*A*S*H Unit of injuries--wrists, ankles--and it showed during that final stretch.  If Coughlin can rid Bradshaw of his poor ball handling--ala Tiki Barber--Bradshaw could be the complete back the Giants need, and one of the best in the league.

Jacobs and Bradshaw, as a duo, and their and down seasons are something the Giants need to address. It's like Superman stuck with Robin.  The big guy needs no sidekick.  Has a team or backfield looked so invincible one week only to fall faster than the Metrodome roof the next?

If the NFL and the player's union do negotiate a collective bargaining agreement, and there is a 2011 season, the Giants should hand the ball to Bradshaw.  Just make sure there is a little Stickum on it.