Giant June 15th Deadline
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Good morning all on a Giant Tuesday which brings us the June 15th deadline for restricted free agents to sign their tender offers or risk having their offers reduced substantially. Again, the G-men have been largely unaffected by the uncapped year and are having a nice little off season free from individual player contract disputes (yes, Steve Smith wants to get paid and he will get paid, but by no means can we characterize Smith’s situation as a problem for Jerry Reese and company).
But, the June 15th deadline could have a big impact in San Diego where restricted free agents Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill have both refused to sign their tender offers and it is being reported that both players have made “financial preparations” to sit out most of the 2010 season (the first ten weeks of the season) as well as the 2011 season, if a lockout occurs which could be a crushing reality to all fans of the National Football League. Couple that with Patriots guard Logan Mankins requesting a trade out of New England and it appears the labor battle has already begun for some teams. Now if only Desean Jackson could become a bit more disgruntled? Wishful thinking, but it never hurts to hope.
Giants mandatory minicamp begins today and the big news is competition, competition, and competition. Mathias Kiwanuka, fresh off a motorcycle incident, is the starting right end, with Osi mixing it up with the 2nd team defense and Jonathan Goff is starting out as the 1st team defense middle linebacker (rookie Philip Dillard is running with the 2nd team defense). No word yet on whether Osi has walked off the field yet; we are kiddingon that one, I hope.
Kenny Philips stretched with his teammates and has been running on the side, no cutting yet on his surgically repaired knee, Philips participation to this point is a good sign and good news for the G-men. A healthy KP gives the Giants a very athletic safety tandem and increases the depth at the position with veteran Deon Grant playing a supporting role to each, the Giants ideal safety situation. It’s early, but we like what we hear about KP and just maybe he will avoid the dreaded PUP list.
Stay Blue!