Worried Giants players briefed on Ebola breakout before trip to Dallas: Report

The Ebola outbreak is big news in Dallas, and before the New York Giants head to that city this weekend for their key NFC East matchup with the Cowboys, the team was briefed about the deadly disease after some players expressed concern about making the trip.

Giants senior vice president of communications Pat Hanlon confirmed that players and staff received an electronic briefing Wednesday morning which gave them background on the virus that has killed one man in Dallas and has infected two healthcare workers in the city. The title of the document: "Ebola: Basic Facts to Answer Common Questions."

"Our athletic trainers and team physicians have been briefed on the scope of the Ebola virus disease," Hanlon said. "We have distributed a fact sheet to our employees and distributed similar information to our players electronically this morning."

Giants center J.D. Walton, a native of Allen, Texas, about 40 minutes north of Dallas, has a large contingent of family and friends expected to attend Sunday's game at A&T Stadium. His wife and 1-year-old child might not make the trip. They may stay back in New Jersey because of the Ebola scare.

"I'm not even sure if I'm going home next week during the bye," Walton said.

Walton is not alone in his thinking after Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital — where an Ebola patient died and two nurses became infected — has apologized for mistakes made when they admittedly mishandled the case of Thomas Eric Duncan, the Ebola patient who was originally sent home even after he had a fever and said he was from Liberia.

"I think guys might think twice if they were planning to bring their wives or their families with them on a trip like this, because why take a chance?" cornerback Prince Amukamara told ESPN.com. "But I think the team is doing a good job making sure we have all of the information we need."

The team is scheduled to leave on Saturday and return late Sunday night.

Quarterback Eli Manning made it sound like any other road trip.

"No, I don't worry about myself or the team," he said. "I think what we're doing, where we're staying, I think we'll be OK."

The Cowboys coach, Jason Garrett, isn't all that concerned with the Ebola outbreak in the Dallas area either.

"Really haven't [addressed it with the team], to be honest with you," Garrett told reporters during a conference call on Wednesday. "I don't think it's directly affected us, so it has not been something we addressed directly with our players."

Bradley Cooper takes swipe at Giants fans and NYC for Philadelphia Eagles (VIDEO)

Just a couple of days after a photo of Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie flashing big zeroes to show how many Super Bowl titles the Eagles have went viral, the actor from those Hangover movies teamed up with the Eagles organization to try and trash talk their division rivals — but ends up mostly dissing the fans and New York City.

Bradley Cooper, the actor from the way overrated "Silver Lining Playbook" joined forces with his hometown Eagles and narrates the one-minute-and-one-second Twitter video.

It starts out as a swipe at Giants fans but turns into an amateurish audition tape promoting his piss-poor New Yawk accent. The video hypes Sunday night’s showdown between the teams, but never really jabs the Giants, instead taking aim squarely at the fans and NYC.

Guess he doesn't know Big Blue plays in Jersey.

There's no #BrotherlyLove lost in this street fight. #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/svIzBSWNFf
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 9, 2014

Hey Coop. Can I call you that? Who cares. Why don't you do your upcoming Broadway show, "The Elephant Man," down on Broad Street?

There's no cheese steaks on 45th Street.

“You want to know the best way to shut a loudmouth up?” Cooper says in the video. “It’s to shut it for them.”

Here ya go:

Giants players troll Eagles fans for never winning a Super Bowl (PHOTO)

New York Giants cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie didn't wait until Sunday night to send a message to Eagles fans — and they did it via Twitter.

In the tweet below, which was reportedly taken on Tuesday night, Rodgers-Cromartie and Amukamara point out to Eagles fans the number of Super Bowl titles the team has — zero.

Hanging with The Prince of NY and @drc_two1 tonight. You already know what they think of the jersey! #GIANTS #0 #4 pic.twitter.com/zQZZewpg9b
— LPG - Joe (@LicensePlateGuy) October 7, 2014

It's kind of weird for Rodgers-Cromartie, who played for the Eagles two seasons ago, to brag about it— he doesn't have any championship bling himself — but it seems totally out of character for Amukamara — who does have a Super Bowl ring with the Giants — to be trash-talking before a game.

So far, the Eagles fans haven't fired back. But you can bet Amukamara's new sex life will probably come into play.

[NJ.com]

Tom Coughlin not amused by Prince Amukamara sex theory: Report

Tom Coughlin may be softening his position with Giants players this season but, when it comes to addressing questions about the Prince Amukamara virginity theory, the red-faced coach wasn't amused and kept a hard stance.

“Stop it. I’m not answering that question,” Coughlin said, when asked about the sex theory. “Anybody have a legitimate question for me?”

Amukamara’s improvement on the field through the first four games this year has been attributed to the religious cornerback getting married in the offseason and losing his virginity.

Tom Coughlin on Rolle's theory about why Prince is improving: "Stop it. I’m not answering that. Anybody have a legitimate question for me?"
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) October 3, 2014

The third-year Giant's sex life became a hot topic this week after teammate Antrel Rolle suggested that Amukamara's on-the-field swagger came from his new off-the-field work-out routine.

Hopefully, getting a rise out of Coughlin will finally put this story to bed.

Antrel Rolle attributes Prince Amukamara's success to losing virginity: Report

When Antrel Rolle was asked about teammate Prince Amukamara having his best start in three seasons, the Giants safety wasn't shy saying that he thinks Amukamara’s offseason marriage — and the bedroom activities that came with it — is the reason for the cornerback's improved play.

Amukamara, a devout Christian who said he had abstained from premarital sex, was married earlier this year. Rolle, via NJ.com, said that he doesn't think Amukamara's breakout season is a coincidence.

"There are a lot of things different about Prince. For one, he's married, so he's (enjoying some things that he wasn't experiencing before he's married). For a man, that could definitely help him out. For a man ... I'm just being honest ... it's helping him out. He walks around with a little more swagger, which is something that we need, which is something that we love," Rolle said.

"I think it all ties into one another, as far as him getting married, being able to [have sex]," Rolle said. "He's just developing more as a man and accepting challenges and being the dominant player that we need him to be that we know he's capable of."

Rolle also attributed Amukamara's new success to his on the field confidence as well.

"Prince is a guy that keeps everyone upbeat. He's a funny guy, but when he goes out there playing, you definitely see him being more aggressive, capitalizing on his opportunities and he's accepting challenges. He's winning those challenges."

In four games, Amukamara already has set a career high with two interceptions. He's on pace for 100 tackles. 

And maybe break some sort of sack record on the side?

Prince Amukamara posts video of himself crashing Bar Mitzvah party (VIDEO)

While Johnny Manziel and Rob Gronkowski may be tearing up the hot spots of Las Vegas this Memorial Day weekend, New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara hit a swinging bar of his own — that's bar as in Bar Mitzvah.

And shows he knows how to mazel tov with the best of them.

The 24-year-old Prince apparently spent Sunday night crashing some lucky guy's music-thumping celebration, and the exuberant Amukamara captured it all on Instagram:

Amukamara seems to be enjoying himself so much — he posted a couple more videos of the action:



Top that Johnny Football.

Osi Umenyiora defends locker-room 'culture' in NFL

Osi Umenyiora said he knew the reaction to the Prince Amukamara cold-tub video would be "bad" but the New York Giants defensive end is standing up for the incident which he claims is part of NFL locker-room "culture."

In a tweet he sent to Steve Weatherford— which has apparently been deleted— Umenyiora says if Weatherford is apologizing for his video then HBO should apologize for "Hard Knocks."

Umenyiora's take on Jason Pierre-Paul's dunking of Amukamara may make head coach Tom Coughlin cringe but he is a locker room insider and has a good perspective into the way players co-exist.

"It happens.  I hate it got out there like that but when you look at it on the video, it looks a whole lot worse than it was actually was," Umenyiora told The Star Ledger.  "If you had seen the whole thing, they'd know it was just playing around and it's stuff that just happens.  But it was nothing worse then what you see on that show."

Asked if he thinks people would be shocked by a lot of the things that go on in the locker room that players consider mundane Umenyiora answered, "Absolutely.  I think so. But that's the way it is.  If you grow up in this culture or whatever, there are certain things ... I mean, you probably play around with your cousins and brothers and stuff like that in a way you wouldn't normally in a public place.  It's the same thing here."

He also knew there would be hell to pay for the hazing stunt after Umenyiora admitted he knew it looked bad to the media.

"Honestly, I was just sticking up for my teammate because when I saw it, knowing what I know about the way it actually was, I was like, 'Oh, that's bad.'  I promise you I said that," Umenyiora said when asked about the tweet to Weatherford.  "But as a team, we always have to stick together.  It was the truth, but I still have to stick up for my teammate."

Umenyiora knows the video can be decieving.

"Because of the way it looked.  Some of the language and, even though JPP and Prince were good friends, from the outside looking in, you'd think, 'Man, JPP's a bully.'  It's not like that," said Umenyiora.  "Everybody loves Prince.  I just know it didn't look the way it ever was."

Umenyiora also hinted that he might have been more than just a spectator while Weatherford was aiming his camera.

"I was right there," he joked.  "They didn't catch me on camera, but I was there egging the whole thing on."

Coughlin not happy with 'inappropriate' Prince video

Tom Coughlin made it through most of the New York Giants training camp without any tabloid landmines— unlike like his counterpart Rex Ryan and the Jets— but now a simple hazing has the head coach ready to explode.

Coughlin did not sound pleased after a video posted on Twitter went viral and showed Jason Pierre-Paul tossing Prince Amukamara into a cold tub accompanied by a slew of obscenities. He promised to "address that strongly."

"I'm learning about that today.  I really didn't have any information about that until maybe an hour before this conference call," Coughlin told The New York Post Sunday afternoon.  "I'm gonna look into it, I'm gonna talk to the parties involved, as I'm understanding it there were some parts of it that were inappropriate."



In the video— which was posted on punter Steve Weatherford's Twitter account— Pierre-Paul is recorded at training camp at the University of Albany carrying the 207-pound Amukamara over his shoulders through a hallway and dumping the second-year defensive back into a cold tub.  In the background Giants players cheer Pierre-Paul on and one shouts "stand up for yourself!"

After the dunking, Amukamara pulls himself out of the tub, wiping his eyes and doesn't look amused at the hazing ritual usually reserved for rookies.  The 2011 first-round draft pick has been pranked before— as it is the unofficial ritual in NFL locker rooms— but doesn't consider himself a newbie anymore even though he missed last season with an injury

Chris Canty, Michael Boley, Bruce Johnson and Terrell Thomas are seen in the video where Pierre-Paul spews a string of profanities and yells,"He ain't gonna do that s*** to me."

Weatherford is presumed to be recording the incident after Canty says," Steve, let me see the footage."

Fresh off a satisfying win over the rival Jets, Coughlin promised to get to the bottom of the embarrasing— but basically harmless— public Videogate. He sounded annoyed at the whole episode and the immaturity of his players.

"No way anything that occurs within this family or within this group should that be part of any kind of social media aspect," said Coughlin.  "I'm gonna address that strongly because I've spent a little time on that this preseason and I'll look into it further,"

Giants Will Face Dolphins At Full Strength

Tom Coughlin says he has a problem and a good problem it is.  When the New York Giants head coach surveyed his practice field yesterday, Coughlin saw something he hasn't seen all season—a full roster of football players.

"I hope we have enough uniforms for these guys," he joked.

For the first time since last season, the Giants had every starter participating in practice in some way or another.

Big Blue is no longer black and blue.

The equipment manager may be the only person on the IR by Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.  He'll be exhausted gathering up all 53 uniforms after every practice.

The Giants bye last week couldn't have come at a better time.  It gave key players extra time to heal and now they face the winless Dolphins healthier than they have been in a long time.

Six players: DE Osi Umenyiora, DE Justin Tuck, RB Brandon Jacobs, LB Michael Boley, FB Chris Hynoski and CB Prince Amukamara were on the injury report and all were listed as practicing on a limited basis.

G Chris Snee practiced fully after missing a game due to a concussion, while S Kenny Phillips and LS Zak DeOzzie weren't on the injury report.

The only player not expected to play is Hynoski, who will miss a second game because of a neck burner and everyone else is expected to suit up this Sunday.

The defense will be welcoming a couple of key additions. All-Pro Tuck (neck/groin) will be back on the field for the first time in over a month and Amukamara will be making his NFL debut after breaking his foot during the second day of training camp.  The top draft pick is looking forward to playing as a pro.

"I haven't lined up across someone in a couple of months," Amukamara said.  "[I] have to get re-acclimated to that speed."

After playing hapless Miami, the G-Men face a brutal line-up of teams with a combined record of 31-14.  They will need all the healthy bodies they can field.

On paper, the visiting Dolphins look like tuna salad on a menu for the Giants (4-2).  New York may have a full roster of players, but Coughlin is still wary of the winless Miami team.

"Respect all, fear none is the approach we've taken," he said.

Looks like the uniform shortage isn't such a problem anymore.

Peyton Manning Gets Over Little Bro Eli Once Again

The New York Giants must have gotten caught up in all of the Royal Wedding mania when they used the 19th pick for a Prince instead of a big body to protect their quarterback, Eli Manning, in last night's NFL draft.  Anthony Castonzo, a big offensive-tackle from Boston College, was still available but was taken by the Indianapolis Colts three slots later.

Colts GM, Bill Polian, did Peyton Manning a big solid and added a few years to his quarterbacking life by adding Castonzo to their depleted O-line.  The Giants gave Peyton's little brother Eli another season of being knocked on his butt.

With their first pick, the G-Men opted for the best athlete still on the board, cornerback Prince Amukamara from Nebraska, and literally left a gaping hole in their offensive line after claiming all week leading up to the draft that patching up their aging and hobbled line would be the Giants main concern.

The Giants wanted Center/Guard Mike Pouncey from Florida.  The twin brother of Maurkice, a Pro-Bowl center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was taken by the Miami Dolphins with the 15th pick.  Castonzo was the Giants consensus second choice because the team needs help at the tackle position too.

Amukamara is a fine athlete and experts were surprised to see the 6-foot, 206-pounder slip to No. 19, but the Giants already have two solid cornerbacks in Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster with former-first-round pick Aaron Ross as the backup. The most glaring problem last season, outside of the linebackers, was the thin and aging offensive line.

So the Giants scrapped their plans to bolster Eli's protection and grabbed the CB--mostly because of quality and not necessity.  Head coach Tom Coughlin didn't hesitate about the pick-up and said Amukamara "was clearly the highest rated player on the board."

Meanwhile, all three Giants centers--Shaun O'Hara, Rich Seubert and Adam Koets,  are recovering from surgery.  Two starting tackles, David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie, are in their 30's and have a lot of miles on their bodies. 

So while Peyton gets a huge tackle, who will help him on his quest to own every all-time quarterback record in the books for the next few years, little brother Eli looks forward to another season of being chased around the backfield fumbling balls and tossing interceptions.

The Giants GM Jerry Reese said, "You always need corners" citing the NFC East competition's collection of speedy wide-outs.  Eli might be wondering, 'What about protection?'

Eli may now be joined by a Prince, but Peyton is still the King.