NEW YORK (AP)

The Super Bowl champion New York Giants will face Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.

The league released the full, 65-game exhibition schedule Wednesday, noting that all 12 playoff teams from last season will appear on national television this preseason.

That includes Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning’s Giants, of course, whose game against the visiting Chicago Bears on Aug. 24, at 8 p.m. ET, will be shown on CBS. Exact days and times for most games will be announced later.

Manning’s older brother Peyton gets his first chance to suit up wearing No. 18 for the Broncos in a Week 1 game, when Denver plays at Chicago sometime from Aug. 9-13. Peyton Manning, cut after 14 years with the Indianapolis Colts, could play against two teams that courted him in free agency, because the Broncos host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, and are at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.

In Week 3, the Colts, who are expected to take quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall choice in the draft, will be at the Washington Redskins, who are expected to take Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III with the second pick.

The NFL already had announced the Aug. 5 preseason-opening Hall of Fame game will be between Arizona and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints and their head coach, Sean Payton, are in the process of appealing penalties for the bounty system the league said the team ran from 2009-11.

The next week, the Saints will play at the New England Patriots. In the final preseason week, the Patriots will be at the Giants in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl, which New York won 21-17.

The New York Jets have been the talk of the town in the Big Apple since trading for Tim Tebow, but New York football fans haven’t forgotten that the New York Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning
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While the NFL has already released its official 2012-13 season matchups, the exact game dates won’t be announced until April.

Since we already know which teams the Giants will be up against this year, including their home and away opponents, it’s time to make some predictions for the upcoming NFL season:

Here’s a look at how I see the season shaping out for the Giants:

Home Games

The New York Giants are slated to host the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers in the season ahead.

Two of the Redskins’ five victories last season came against the Giants, but I don’t see any way that they’ll be able to repeat that performance in 2012. They have question marks all over the field, and will likely have a young quarterback taking the snaps in Robert Griffin III.

I’ll mark the G-Men down for a ‘W’ against Washington, and a lopsided win over the hapless Cleveland Browns, who earned just four victories last year. Tampa Bay is also coming off a 4-12 season, and got smoked, 24-0, when they last played the Giants in 2009. I’ll give the Giants the victory over Tampa Bay, and a split in the Cowboys-Eagles contests.

The NFL did not do the Giants any favors by matching them up against the Saints, Packers and Steelers at home. Historically, the Giants struggle against each of those teams and I don’t see them getting by any of them. That would leave the Giants with a 4-4 overall record at home for 2012-13.

Away Games

The Giants hit the road for away games against the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

The only safe-bet victory of that bunch is the tilt in Washington, as Cincinnati is much-improved and Carolina might even be a playoff team this year with Cam Newton’s continued development. Nevertheless, I would have to bet that the Giants will come away victorious in each of those three battles.

Much like their home contests, I would expect the games against the Cowboys and Eagles to be highly-competitive and evenly matched, with another split that could go either way. That would leave the Giants at 4-1, with away games remaining against San Francisco, Atlanta and Baltimore.

As I said earlier, the NFL didn’t do the Giants any favors with its scheduling, as the team faces some of the toughest challenges on the road of any squad in the league. San Francisco will be hungry to avenge its playoff ouster by the Giants in the 2011 NFC Championship Game, and they will be a true force this season.

I don’t see any scenario where the Giants get by the 49ers, Falcons or Ravens on the road, and that would leave the G-Men with a 4-4 record in away games. Overall, that would leave them at 8-8, and a .500 mark in a stacked division that features several early Super Bowl favorites may not be good enough for a playoff berth.

Will the New York Giants make another deep run into the playoffs in the 2012-13 season? Let me know in the comments.

Eric Holden is a lifelong resident and supporter of both New York-area football teams. Follow him on Twitter @ericholden.

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NEW YORK — The NFL has suspended New York Giants running back Andre Brown for the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the league policy on performance enhancing substances.

The NFL announced the suspension without pay Friday. Brown is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

Brown was on the Giants’ practice squad last season and did not play. He was originally drafted by New York in 2008 in the fourth round out of North Carolina State.

He is perhaps best known for the “I got a ring” chant he did on the Giants’ team plane back from their Super Bowl victory in February. A teammate filmed Brown’s performance and the video went viral. He reprised that performance at the Giants’ Super Bowl parade and celebration.

In 2010, Brown was with Carolina, Denver, Indianapolis and Washington, but was active for only four games.

The Giants signed him to the practice squad before the 2011 season.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

The New York Giants have a few holes to fill at wide receiver. With the loss of Mario Manningham to the San Francisco 49ers, they have a pressing need for a play-making third wide receiver. That’s why the Giants should consider pursuing restricted free agent, Danny Amendola

Remember when Danny Amendola was drawing comparisons to New England’s Wes Welker? After all, it seems like an eternity since he suffered a season-ending arm injury last year during the first game of the season versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Originally called a dislocated left elbow that would sideline him for 4-6 weeks, Amendola was unable to gain full strength in his arm leading to an early exit for his 2011 campaign.

Like Welker, Amendola graduated from Texas Tech. Both are far from over-sized (Walker is listed at 5 foot 9 inches while Amendola is 5 foot 11 inches) yet possess good hands and quick feet. Like Welker, Amendola needed a change of venue to make his mark in the NFL as he was scooped up by the Rams from the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.

As a slot receiver, Danny Amendola could be the perfect complement to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. With 85 receptions (689 yards) in 2011, he established himself as a viable weapon in the short passing game while providing an effective decoy to assist in the development of more explosive down field passes for quarterback Sam Bradford.

If Amendola could provide that type of support for Brandon Gibson and Laurent Robinson, imagine what he could do for Nicks and Cruz.

Additionally, he combined for 1,594 yards in kickoff (avg. 22.8) and punt returns (11.3).

There is one catch to the signing of Amendola – he is a restricted free agent, tendered at the second-round level. Yet would the Giants mind parting with the 63^rd overall pick for the opportunity to nab him? Could they find similar talent at that late pick?

As of now, Danny Amendola is expected to be a full participant as camps open in a few months. At just 26 years of age, he is young enough to regain his 2010 form.

With a little luck, maybe he will be recapturing a little of that magic in a Giants uniform.

Sources: Yahoo! Sports

cbssports.com

Robert Watkins is former investment professional and partner. A native New Yorker until 9/11, he considers Pa. his adoptive home. A passionate Giants fan, fantasy football fanatic, and Pennsylvania sports enthusiast, Robert is a frequent contributor to Yahoo! Sports and News

Manning? Not yet. Manningham? Yep.

Wide receiver Mario Manningham, whose clutch catches keyed the New York Giants’ Super Bowl run, agreed Saturday night to a two-year contract with the 49ers, ProFootballTalk.com first reported.

Manningham, a four-year veteran, joins a 49ers receiving corps that added veteran Randy Moss on Monday.

The last time Manningham played at Candlestick Park, his 17-yard touchdown catch sparked the Giants’ fourth-quarter comeback in a 20-17 overtime win over the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

In Manningham’s encore, he made a 38-yard sideline catch to launch the winning touchdown drive in the Giants’ 21-17 Super Bowl victory over

the New England Patriots. He finished with five receptions for 73 yards.

Manningham visited the 49ers facility on Thursday before meeting with the St. Louis Rams, who reportedly were in serious contract negotations with him Saturday. Two other wide receivers who visited the 49ers this past week have signed elsewhere: Brandon Lloyd with the New England Patriots and Chaz Schilens with the New York Jets.

In 28 starts the past three seasons, Manningham totaled 156 receptions for 2,289 yards and 18 touchdowns. Manningham was a 2008 third-round draft pick out of Michigan, the alma mater of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.

The 49ers receiving corps lost starter Joshua Morgan to the Washington Redskins on Tuesday. Ted Ginn Jr., a part-time

starter and the 49ers’ primary return specialist, has made free agency visits this past week to the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens. Incumbent starter Michael Crabtree, two-year veteran Kyle Williams and practice-squad call-up Joe Hastings are the other wide receivers on the 49ers roster.

For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman’s Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers.

NEW YORK (AP) – Steve Weatherford earned Tom Coughlin’s trust with one clutch punt after another.

The New York Giants rewarded him with a long-term deal for being a reliable force during their Super Bowl run.

A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday that the Giants and Weatherford agreed to terms on a five-year contract worth $12.75 million.

The deal includes a $3.25 signing bonus, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the signing. Weatherford will be paid about $6 million through the first two years, and the bonus is more than the roughly $2.6 million Weatherford would have made if he signed his franchise tender.

The Giants placed the franchise tag on him on March 5, with both sides anticipating getting a long-term contract done.

“I’m looking forward to representing the NEW YORK GIANTS for the next 5 years,” Weatherford wrote on Twitter, where he has become a fan favorite. “(at)giants thank you to our fans for making it an easy decision!”

Weatherford had a solid regular season, averaging a career-best 39.2 yards, and was terrific in the playoffs while helping lead the Giants to a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

The 29-year-old punter spent the previous two seasons with the area-rival Jets and set an NFL mark with 42 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2010. But they chose not to re-sign him, and Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff declared that Weatherford “wasn’t good enough” to punt anymore for them.

Instead, Weatherford had perhaps his finest season with the Giants, who were looking for more consistency at the position after a rocky rookie campaign by Matt Dodge the previous year.

Weatherford certainly delivered, particularly in the postseason. In the Giants’ 24-2 playoff-opening win over Atlanta, he averaged 40.8 net yards on four punts, with two going out of bounds at the Falcons 21 and one going out at the Falcons 10. He had 12 punts for a 40.6 yard net average in the NFC championship victory over San Francisco, and dropped three punts inside the 20 against New England in the Super Bowl.

Weatherford has also played for the Jaguars, Chiefs and Saints.

The 2012 NFL draft is right around the corner and as a New York Giants fan I can’t wait to start building for next season. I love my Giants but I’m also a realist. There’s some areas that the team needs to address. There’s no better way to build for the future and address those areas of concern than the NFL Draft.

In lieu of that, here’s a list of five players that the Giants should consider drafting:

Brandon Washington, OL, Miami – The Giants O-line was not that great last year. If it weren’t for Eli Manning’s escapability last season could’ve been a disaster. I like what Washington brings to the table. He already has the talent and after a full NFL season he should mature and become a solid starter on a line that needs some help.

Terrell Manning, OLB, North Carolina State – The Giants LB’s couldn’t cover anybody last year. They really seemed to struggle. Manning may be just what the doctor ordered. He’s got good body control in coverage and that’s a plus. He’s not the most physical of linebackers, but if he can cover, I’ll take it.

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis – I know that the Giants D-line is one of their strengths but it can’t hurt to add to it. Poe has flexibility, power, and good speed. He still has plenty to learn but if he applies himself he could develop into a formidable inside force. The Giants seem to have a real knack for drafting defensive linemen and Poe would make a nice addition.

Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee – Poole is a big back that’s similar to Brandon Jacobs. He’s more of a straight ahead runner that breaks tackles rather than makes guys miss. With Brandon’s future in limbo, Poe may be a very valuable commodity.

Brandon Bolden, RB, Mississippi – Bolden is a strong runner that can hit the hole provided he has the blocking. He’s not going to wow anybody but he could be a very solid number three back. There’s no harm in adding some depth at RB. You never know when the injury bug could bite.

The Giants seem to do pretty well in the draft and I’m confident that this year will be no different. I’m just glad that Jerry Jones isn’t our owner or I’d be dreading the draft rather than looking forward to it.

Source:

SI.com

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Steve Weatherford’s first season with the New
York Giants was so impressive they placed the franchise tag on him Monday.

Weatherford was a key contributor in the team’s run to the Super Bowl
championship, both as a punter and a holder on kicks.

“What a blessing to have another opportunity to be a NY Giant for at least
another season. God is good!!!” Weatherford tweeted.

Weatherford has played six seasons in the NFL with five teams. He was the
Saints’ regular punter for 2006 and ’07, played for New Orleans, Kansas City and
Jacksonville in 2008, then joined the New York Jets for 2009 and 2010.

He left the Jets but didn’t switch stadiums, signing with the Giants for
2011. Weatherford averaged 45.7 yards gross and 39.2 net, and was particularly
effective as the Giants won their last two regular-season games and four
postseason games.

Weatherford will be paid roughly $2.5 million, the average of the top five
salaries at the position. If he signs with another team, New York will get two
first-round draft picks.

It’s the third time the Giants have used the franchise tag. Running back
Brandon Jacobs got it in 2009 and Jumbo Elliott in 1993. Jacobs signed a new
contract less than two weeks after being franchised.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Alex Webster, the star running back for the New York Giants who later coached the team for four years, died Saturday at a hospital in Florida. He was 80.

Webster played for New York from 1955-64 and was the head coach from 1969-1973. He is fifth on the franchise list with 4,638 yards rushing and also ran for 39 touchdowns.

”Alex was one of the all-time great Giants,” team co-owner John Mara said in a release. ”He contributed so much to our team as a player, assistant coach and head coach. He was an even better person. We shall miss him dearly.”

Webster, from a native of Kearny, N.J., played his entire NFL career with New York. He ran for two touchdowns and had five catches for 76 yards in the Giants’ 47-7 victory over the Chicago Bears in the 1956 NFL championship game.

The former North Carolina State star was inducted into the Giants’ Ring of Honor on Dec. 4.

”Some of my greatest memories growing up were my father taking me and my brother and sister to Giants games at Yankee Stadium,” Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said. ”I knew early in life what a great Giant Alex Webster is and was and what he meant to our organization. We are all thankful and proud of Alex’s induction into our Ring of Honor this past fall.”

Webster led the Giants to a 9-5 record in 1970 in his second season as coach and was 29-40-1 overall. He also played for Montreal in the CFL in 1953-54.

Alex “Big Red” Webster, a former New York Giants football halfback, died on Saturday at the age of 80, in Port St. Lucie, Fla., the team confirmed with the media. The cause of death hasn’t been specified at this time, according to NJ.com. His name began trending on Twitter late Saturday.

Webster spent 10 years playing halfback and fullback for the Giants during the 1950s and 1960s, according to reports. He scored two touchdowns in the 1956 National Football League championship game in which the Giants won against the Chicago Bears.

The New York Post reported that Webster was named to the Pro Bowl in 1958 and 1961. Webster also served as Giants head coach from 1969 and resigned in 1973. He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this past December. He was named the NFL Coach of the Year by UPI in 1970 after guiding the Giants to a 9-5 record, according to reports.

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The Post’s report also noted that Webster is fifth on the Giants career list for rushing yards (4,638) and fourth in rushing attempts (1,196).

Here’s how Twitter is reacting to Websiter’s death:

– “RIP, Big Red. Alex Webster is and was a Giants’ Giant. He passed away this morning. #Giants” – pat hanlon

– “One of the all time NY Giants greats, Alex Webster has died this morning. We’ll miss you, Big Red.” – Matthew Hollie

– “R.I.P. Alex Webster, a great Giant! #GIANTS” – Albert Gattullo

– “Thanks for sharing. Heard he was a gem. RT @Ash_Eye: Met him on a cruise. Such a nice family. “@MikeGarafolo: Alex Webster passed away” #nyg” – Mike Garafolo

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have re-signed wide receiver Domenik Hixon.

Hixon missed most of last season after surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He was hurt making a touchdown catch against the St. Louis Rams in the second week of the season.

Contract terms were not immediately available, but Hixon gives the Giants another option if Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham is not re-signed.

Hixon has missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries. The six-year veteran can return kickoffs and punts. He missed 2010 after being hurt in a noncontact drill in the Giants’ first practice at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants now have 20 players who can become unrestricted free agents this month.

Hixon, who was signed by the Giants in 2007 after being released by Denver, had no intention of leaving the Super Bowl champions after the team stuck by him during his injuries.

“They could have cut me and let me be on my way and be done with me,” Hixon said. “But they didn’t do that. They treated me the same, and I really appreciate that. I know a lot of times in the NFL loyalty isn’t that big. But in this situation I really felt like I wanted to be here. They helped me out time and time again. I wanted to stay here and repay that.”

Hixon expects to be ready for training camp.

“I was trying to get Dr. (Russell) Warren (the team physician) to cut me loose for spring ball and do OTAs, and he definitely sees me doing that,” Hixon said. “I’m chomping at the bit.”

Hixon was hurt this season after landing awkwardly while catching a 22-yard TD pass against the Rams.

The 27-year-old Hixon has played in 46 regular season games with 10 starts. He has 59 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns and three rushing attempts for 18 yards. Hixon has returned 48 punts for 530 yards (11.0-yard avg.) and a touchdown and 80 kickoffs for 1,966 yards (24.6-yard avg.) and a touchdown. He also has 25 career special teams tackles.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—The New York Giants have re-signed wide
receiver Domenik Hixon.

Hixon missed most of last season after surgery on a torn anterior cruciate
ligament in his right knee. He was hurt making a touchdown catch against the St.
Louis Rams in the second week of the season.

Contract terms were not immediately available, but Hixon gives the Giants
another option if Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham is not re-signed.

Hixon has missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries The
six-year veteran can return kickoffs and punts. He missed 2010 after being hurt
in a noncontact drill in the Giants’ first practice at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants now have 20 players who can become unrestricted free agents this
month.

Hixon, who was signed by the Giants in 2007 after being released by Denver,
had no intention of leaving the Super Bowl champions after the team stuck by him
during his injuries.

“They could have cut me and let me be on my way and be done with me,”
Hixon said. “But they didn’t do that. They treated me the same, and I really
appreciate that. I know a lot of times in the NFL loyalty isn’t that big. But in
this situation I really felt like I wanted to be here. They helped me out time
and time again. I wanted to stay here and repay that.”

Hixon expects to be ready for training camp.

“I was trying to get Dr. (Russell) Warren (the team physician) to cut me
loose for spring ball and do OTAs, and he definitely sees me doing that,” Hixon
said. “I’m chomping at the bit.”

Hixon was hurt this season after landing awkwardly while catching a 22-yard
TD pass against the Rams.

The 27-year-old Hixon has played in 46 regular season games with 10 starts.
He has 59 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns and three rushing
attempts for 18 yards. Hixon has returned 48 punts for 530 yards (11.0-yard
avg.) and a touchdown and 80 kickoffs for 1,966 yards (24.6-yard avg.) and a
touchdown. He also has 25 career special teams tackles.