Tag: daniel bellinger

Do New York Giants need to add more talent at the tight end position?

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been busy this offseason filling his team’s most glaring needs in preparation for the 2024 season.

But not all of the team’s needs have been addressed. There’s always work to be done.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz recently listed each team’s biggest remaining roster holes now that the draft and the bulk of free agency are over. For the Giants, he sees their biggest hole at the tight end position.

This is another team with questions at running back even after adding free agent Devin Singletary, but we’ll go with tight end as the team’s largest hole. That assumes that Darren Waller will retire, which is up in the air. If Waller leaves, the Giants will go back to starting Daniel Bellinger, who caught just 30 passes as a rookie in 2022 and then 25 more last season. The G-Men spent a fourth-round pick on Theo Johnson out of Penn State to back up Bellinger and/or Waller. They also have veteran blocking tight end Chris Manhertz and former Eagles backup Jack Stoll. For a team coming off a 6-11 season, New York has a surprisingly hole-free starting lineup — as long as you don’t want to have a complicated debate about the quarterback position.

Schatz is not buying into the narrative that Johnson is going to contribute more than expected as a rookie. He also makes no mention of Lawrence Cager, a player who continues to find his way on the field for the Giants.

Darren Waller is almost certain to retire as he is still mulling his future as the team goes through their offseason training program. Daniel Bellinger has never been given a primary role as a receiver and it’s anyone’s guess how he’ll handle an expanded role in his third season.

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Giants’ Evan Neal out, Dexter Lawrence questionable vs. Packers

The New York Giants closed out their practice slate on Saturday afternoon, wrapping up their third session in four days.

Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, who is nursing a hamstring injury, was a practice participant for the second straight day (and third as a projected participant). Head coach Brian Daboll said he will be listed as questionable and stands a chance to play in Week 14.

Daboll was equally hopeful for fellow defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, who has also been hobbled by a hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, tight end Daniel Bellinger missed his second consecutive day of practice due to an illness. He is questionable but should play assuming his health improves over the next 48 hours.

As anticipated, right tackle Evan Neal remains out and it’s unclear when (or if) he’ll return to the field this season.

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Packers can be found below:

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Out: OL Evan Neal (ankle)

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), TE Daniel Bellinger (illness), DL A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring), WR Parris Campbell (knee), LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle)

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Out: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: N/A

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Dexter Lawrence limited in practice

The New York Giants returned to the field on Friday for their second of three full practices ahead of a Week 14 game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football.

Once again, all eyes were on nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and right tackle Evan Neal.

As expected, Neal did not participate in practice and is unlikely to play on Monday night. However, as head coach Brian Daboll previously alluded, Lawrence saw his workload increase and could, potentially, be available against Green Bay.

Lawrence was officially limited, which was the same as his Thursday projection.

The Giants’ full Friday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Evan Neal (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (illness)

Limited participant: NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DL A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring), LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle)

Full participant: QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs), LB Carter Coughlin (hip)

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Studs and duds from New York Giants’ Week 12 win vs. Patriots

The New York Giants took on the New England Patriots at a rainy MetLife Stadium on Sunday and the play on the field was about as ugly as the second-half weather.

Both the Giants and Patriots resembled the 2- and 3-win teams they are and showed why they are near the bottom of the league in most metrics. It was an ugly slog of a game that seemed to draw on and on.

Tackling was abhorrent, drops were abundant, missed assignments were frequent and there were precious few highlights over 60 game minutes. It was just a poor display of NFL football.

In the end, the Giants hung on thanks to three Patriots interceptions and a missed chip-shot field as time expired. Oogly.

Here is a look at some of the studs and duds (and studly duds) from the Week 12 win.

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If there was a star on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, it was rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. He dazzled with his speed and footwork, hauling in five receptions on six targets for 109 yards. It was the first 100-yard performance for the third-round pick.

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You won’t find tight end Daniel Bellinger in the box score but that lack of production isn’t what landed him here. He struggled mightily as a blocker, missing blitz pickups in pass protection while getting beaten as a run blocker. His regression in 2022 has been jarring.

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Linebacker Bobby Okereke did miss a couple of tackles on Sunday (who didn’t?) but was arguably the best defender on the field. He was second on the Giants with eight tackles (seven solo), adding two passes defensed and an interception that was returned for 55 yards.

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If there was a worse offender for misses on Sunday, let us know in the comments below. Not only did linebacker Isaiah Hodgins whiff on several tackles, but he also let a would-be interception go right off his fingertips. It was a game of almosts for Simmons one week removed from a game-sealing pick-6.

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Rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito is still struggling to adjust to the processing speed at the NFL level and his pocket presence leaves a bit to be desired but all things considered, he played quite well. Other rookie quarterbacks have struggled much more mightily against Bill Belichick and DeVito held his own. He finished the game going 17-25 for 191 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He was credited with two fumbles (one lost).

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It’s becoming clear that Sterling Shepard’s days in New York are coming to an end. He’s not the same receiver he once was despite showing flashes here and there, and Sunday’s performance was evidence of that. Shepard hauled in one reception on three targets for six yards, zero yards after the catch, and one drop.

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Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was credited with another sack, bringing his season total to 11.5, but his play outside of that was so-so. He made a terrific open-field tackle of Ezekiel Elliott to save a potential first down, but also overpursued at times, got eaten up by opposing blockers and otherwise struggled to generate consistent pressure.

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  • P Jamie Gillan
  • RB Saquon Barkley
  • CB Deonte Banks
  • S Xavier McKinney

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  • CB Nick McCloud
  • OL Tyre Phillips
  • OL Justin Pugh
  • DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
  • DL A’Shawn Robinson
  • RB Matt Breida

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New York Giants’ Andrew Thomas, John Michael Schmitz out vs. Dolphins

The New York Giants take on the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida and will do so shorthanded once again.

Head coach Brian Daboll revealed prior to practice that left tackle Andrew Thomas, rookie center John Michael Schmitz and reserve guard Shane Lemieux would all remain sidelined.

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That was a bad omen and the worst-case scenario proved true as all three were listed as “out” for the Week 5 game.

Meanwhile, running back Saquon Barkley remained limited in practice and will be a game-time decision for the second consecutive week. It remains unlikely that he’ll play.

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Dolphins can be found below:

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Out: LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring), OL John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), OL Shane Lemieux (groin)

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (knee), LB Micah McFadden (ankle)

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Out: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: N/A

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New York Giants injury report: Andrew Thomas remains sidelined

The New York Giants took the field for their second of three practices leading up to Saturday’s departure for Florida.

There was hope that both left tackle Andrew Thomas and rookie center John Michael Schmitz would return to the field but that did not happen. Instead, head coach Brian Daboll revealed that nothing would change from the day prior.

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That likely means no Thomas, JMS or reserve Shane Lemieux for the Giants on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

It also wasn’t entirely accurate as linebacker Micah McFadden was added with an ankle injury.

Running back Saquon Barkley was once again limited but he, too, remains uncertain for the Week 5 game.

The Giants’ Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring), OL John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), OL Shane Lemieux (groin)

Limited participant: LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (knee), OL Evan Neal (hand/ankle), OL Marcus McKethan (knee), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) and RB Gary Brightwell (ankle), LB Micah McFadden (ankle)

Full participant: N/A

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New York Giants injury report: Andrew Thomas misses practice

The New York Giants were back at practice on Friday, this time working inside the field house with Mother Nature dumping buckets of water on the northeast.

The concerning development for the Giants was the status of left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring), who appeared to take a step backward. He did not participate on Friday after being limited in practice on Thursday.

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However, head coach Brian Daboll refused to say Thomas suffered a “setback” and wouldn’t address his chances of playing on Monday night.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Daboll said of Thomas not practicing, adding that the left tackle received treatment.

In more positive injury-related news, running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) practiced for the second consecutive day, as did linebacker Azeez Ojulari (hamstring).

The Giants’ Friday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring)

Limited participant: LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (neck), DL Davidson (elbow)

Full participant: OL Ben Bredeson (concussion)

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Saquon Barkley, Ben Bredeson return to practice

The New York Giants returned to the practice field for the first time (save for walkthroughs) in more than a week on Thursday and it provided an opportunity to see where several of the team’s injured players are at.

As head coach Brian Daboll alluded to earlier in the week, left guard Ben Bredeson has cleared concussion protocol and appears to be a go in Week 4. Left tackle Andrew Thomas also appears to be on the mend.

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They weren’t alone as the entire team practiced in some capacity, even running back Saquon Barkley, who is nursing a high-ankle sprain.

“So, everybody will practice today. Some in a limited role, but we’ll see where they go from individual, team, but they’re all practicing today,” head coach Brian Daboll said.

Things appear to be trending in the right direction and that’s something Big Blue needs as they head into a must-win game against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.

The Giants’ Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: N/A

Limited participant: LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring), OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (neck), DL Davidson (elbow)

Full participant: OL Ben Bredeson (concussion)

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Rob Gronkowski teases NFL return with Brian Daboll

The New York Giants had a surprisingly successful year in 2022 under rookie head coach Brian Daboll.

Big Blue followed that up by making a big splash during the peak of free agency when they traded for tight end Darren Waller.

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Former tight end Rob Gronkowski was a guest on Up & Adams hosted by Kay Adams and talked about the possibility of coming out of retirement. He was specifically asked what head coach has the best chance to lure Gronk out of retirement:

“Brian Daboll wants me on his roster, I know it,” Gronk joked. “Brian Daboll. He can’t get me out of retirement but he would have the best chance to get me out of retirement.”

Adams then asked about the possibility of Gronk and Waller together:

“That would be pretty wild. I always believe that having two tight ends; it makes the defense have the most difficult times,” said Gronkowski. “If you have two tight ends, I think that could make the offense unstoppable. And it’s rare if you go back to my days when I had another tight end with me, it just makes the offense prolific, unstoppable, it gives you so many more options in the run game and the pass game and play action.”

Gronkowski, of course, was on the New England Patriots when Aaron Hernandez was also in his prime.

Although it isn’t likely that he would return to the field, it is something that he gave Daboll the best chance to get him back. For what it’s worth, Gronkowski firmly believes his playing days are behind him:

“I love to pretend that I can still play. It makes me feel good. But no, I can’t – I’m washed up. But I just like to pretend.” Gronkowski told Adams.

As washed up as Gronkowski may be, it would be some story to see him in line up with Waller.

Many people believe the Giants already have an elite duo with Daniel Bellinger following an impressive rookie season. Bellinger showed up earlier this offseason looking like he put on some muscle for his sophomore season.

Adding Gronkowski would be exciting, but there is plenty to be excited about between Waller and Bellinger.



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Giants’ Daniel Bellinger in awe of ‘unicorn player’ Darren Waller

Daniel Bellinger was cruising along last year when his rookie season was interrupted by a freak incident on the field.

In the Giants’ Week 7 win in Jacksonville, Bellinger got poked in the eye by Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, who was attempting to make a tackle. Bellinger suffered a fractured eye socket and would miss the next six weeks.

Heading into this season, many figured Bellinger would be in for a step up in the passing game after catching 30 passes last year in just 12 games.

Instead, they went in a different direction by trading for Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowler Darren Waller, which pushed Bellinger into the No.. 2 tight end role.

The move has not been questioned by many as Waller has come into camp and been dominant. Even Bellinger had to admit that.

On Tuesday at training camp, he was asked if Waller has provided any ‘wow’ moments.

“All the time, yeah,” replied Bellinger. “He’s a unicorn player. Watching him be able to do what he does, even at his age, it’s amazing. Definitely a lot of ‘wow’ moments with Darren.”

This camp wasn’t the first time Bellinger has spent time around Waller. They met at the ‘Tight End U’ last year.

“I got a chance to really connect with him last year at Tight End U, so I was already kind of aware of his very unique abilities. Just being able to actually talk and see how he views things off the field, I think is the biggest eye opener for me. He’s a very smart guy. He helps myself and helps the whole offense just with different things that he can do. Obviously, we see it on film all the time and what he did in Las Vegas but being able to just pick his brain off the field, I think is what makes him the most unique.”

Bellinger came to camp considerably more buff and muscular this year. He knows he’ll be doing more blocking, something he does well. He was asked if Waller’s presence has affected his role on the offense, such as taking away snaps et al.

“I don’t really think of it like that,” he said. “What Darren does opens up for everybody, not just in the tight end room, but in the receiving room and it opens up everything all together. So, I wouldn’t say I think about the targets or the passes or whatever that is. I think of it as just what’s going to help the team the best, what’s going to put us in the best position to win. I think Darren does a great job for us and for myself.”

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