John Fennelly

New York

Senior Columnist at USA Today

Covering #Giants for 25 years. Original @NFL blogger. Revered #PFWA member. #FantasyFootball expert and innovator since 1982. Columnist for @TheGiantsWIre

Articles

New York Giants defense adopts new motto: 'Be a damn pirate'

3 days ago | sports.yahoo.com | John Fennelly

New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is encouraging larceny from his players on the field in 2024. In his second year on the job, Bowen wants to see his unit increase their takeaways, imploring them to "be a damn pirate" and has even added a "turnover chest" on the sideline. Big Blue had just 15 takeaways (five interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries) last season, which was 28th in the NFL. They had a net give/take differential of -8, which was 26th overall.
New York Giants' Michael Ghobrial leaves door open to kicker competition

3 days ago | giantswire.usatoday.com | John Fennelly

New York Giants special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial says that there will be a competition at the placekicker spot during the team's upcoming training camp. Ghobrial, speaking to the media before the Giants' OTA session on Thursday, told reporters that Jude McAtamney will get a chance to compete and challenge 17-year veteran Graham Gano for the starting job. Gano missed seven games last season and nine in 2023 due to leg injuries.
Where does New York Giants' Jevon Holland rank among NFL's top 32 safeties?

3 days ago | giantswire.usatoday.com | John Fennelly

The New York Giants headed into the offseason seeking to upgrade at the safety position and landed Miami Dolphins standout Jevon Holland in free agency. Holland, 25, was the 36th overall selection out of Oregon in the 2021 NFL draft. He started 40 games in his four seasons with Miami. The Giants viewed Holland as an ascending player and awarded him a three-year, $45.3 million contract this past March, with $30.3 million guaranteed.
Evan Neal named a player New York Giants should consider trading before Week 1

4 days ago | giantswire.usatoday.com | John Fennelly

Three years ago, Evan Neal was a promising prospect the New York Giants hoped would man their offensive tackle position for the next decade. Today, he is a man without a position and is likely playing his last season for the Giants after three disappointing years filled with injury and incompetence. The Giants have scrapped the idea that the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft is their answer at right tackle, shifting him to guard this spring in hopes he can win a roster spot.
New York Giants are one of NFL's best drafting teams since 2020, model shows

4 days ago | giantswire.usatoday.com | John Fennelly

The New York Giants have not had much success since the new millennium began, winning just 33.9 percent of their games, which is 29th out of 32 teams over that span. Yes, they have won two Super Bowls in this millennium but, overall, they've been bad a lot more times than they've been good. After qualifying for the postseason seven times between 2000-2011, they've only done it twice since. They have lost 10 or more games in nine of their last 11 seasons, including last year's 3-14 showing.
New York Giants are one of NFL's best drafting teams since 2020, model shows

4 days ago | yahoo.com | John Fennelly

The New York Giants have not had much success since the new millennium began, winning just 33.9 percent of their games, which is 29th out of 32 teams over that span. Yes, they have won two Super Bowls in this millennium but, overall, they've been bad a lot more times than they've been good. After qualifying for the postseason seven times between 2000-2011, they've only done it twice since. They have lost 10 or more games in nine of their last 11 seasons, including last year's 3-14 showing.
Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber join growing list of greats to address New York Giants

5 days ago | giantswire.usatoday.com | John Fennelly

The New York Giants continue to utilize their rich history to energize and inspire their current roster. So far this offseason, they've wheeled out such big guns as Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Victor Cruz, and Howard Cross. Over the past several practices or organized team activities (OTAs), Ottis Anders and Tiki Barber have taken turns addressing the team.
New York Giants sign Darius Alexander to his rookie deal

5 days ago | giantswire.usatoday.com | John Fennelly

The New York Giants signed their third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Monday, inking defensive lineman Darius Alexander to a four-year deal worth a reported $6.7 million. Alexander was the 65th overall selection in Round 3 out of Toledo and was high on the team's radar. He was mocked as early as the second round by several top draft analysts. "A 3-technique that we did a lot of work on.
Deion Sanders disputes report about New York Giants' pre-draft meeting with Shedeur

6 days ago | giantswire.usatoday.com | John Fennelly

NFL Hall of Famer and current University of Colorado head coach, Deion Sanders, is speaking out about the reports that his son, Shedeur, was unprepared for several pre-draft meetings with NFL teams. The younger Sanders was said to have had several meetings that did not go well, particularly with the New York Giants and head coach Brian Daboll. One rumor had Sanders wearing headphones during a meeting and appearing to be disinterested.
Deion Sanders disputes report about New York Giants' pre-draft meeting with Shedeur

6 days ago | sports.yahoo.com | John Fennelly

NFL Hall of Famer and current University of Colorado head coach, Deion Sanders, is speaking out about the reports that his son, Shedeur, was unprepared for several pre-draft meetings with NFL teams. The younger Sanders was said to have had several meetings that did not go well, particularly with the New York Giants and head coach Brian Daboll. One rumor had Sanders wearing headphones during a meeting and appearing to be disinterested.