Credit:Julie Jacobson/AP
Chris Snee Retires
Chris Snee, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound guard, was a second-round pick in 2004 out of Boston College. From that day on he knew what he was drafted to do. Block and protect the man that the Giants traded for in a draft day swap that very same draft, Eli Manning. The son in law of head coach Tom Coughlin was a four-time Pro Bowler (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) and three-time All Pro (2008, 2009, 2010). He was also a starter on both recent Giants Super Bowl winners (2007-08, 2011-12). However, after not practicing all offseason due to elbow surgery and undergoing hip surgery two years in a row, Snee eventually decided it was time and retired on Monday before the beginning of camp. He will be missed around the league for not only the man he was on the field, but also the great guy he was off the field.
Odell Beckham Injury
Another road block along the way in Giant’s Camp this week was the injury of Odell Beckham Jr. who left Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. The receiver out of LSU and the Giant’s first round pick did not return all week. This would obviously turn into a big blow to the offense if the injury was any worse. Although the time missed in camp doesn’t help Eli and the offense, the team needs to make sure time missed in practice doesn’t turn into time missed from games. Look for the Giant’s to make sure the speedy receiver is 100% before returning as he is pretty much their only guy that can become that “X” receiver that the Giants need ever so much.
David Tyree Named New Director of Player Development
David Tyree, the man famous for his memorable one handed grab in Super Bowl XLII vs New England has now been named Director of Player Development for the Giant’s earlier this week. Tyree being secondly famous for his campaign and beliefs against gay marriage and anti-gay comments back in 2011 has created a public controversy on the new hiring.
“This will be the beginning of our country sliding toward, it’s a strong word, but anarchy,” Tyree said. “How can marriage be marriage for thousands of years and now all the sudden because a minority, an influential minority, has a push or agenda … and totally reshapes something that was not founded in our country.” Tyree told the National Organization for Marriage in 2011
Now Tyree has apparently evolved and changed his mindset about the gay community. Tyree has now become close with Wade Davis, executive director of You Can Play, who has quoted David Tyree as saying
“Christianity teaches us love, compassion and respect for our fellow man, and it is in that light that I will continue to work with Wade and others to better serve the gay community, I would absolutely support any player on the Giants who identified as gay, in any way I could. And I will continue to stay in touch with Wade to ensure I am aware of the right ways to do that.”
One can only hope he changes or this could just become a huge distraction for the Giants organization.
JPP is Back
With this year being a contract year for Jason Pierre Paul he is looking to make a statement. He admitted that he has thought about Justin Tuck’s departure and has stated that he feels like he’s here to stay. With 2013 being a “lost” year for Pierre Paul due to injuries he is now back looking to be the guy the Giants can rely on on the outside. This is the time for him to become a leader in the locker room and set a tone for the D-line to thrive off of come game day. I do believe he will live up to his talk this year, but then again we’ve all been lured in before.
Two Words…Devon Kennard
The Giants drafted Kennard out of USC in the 5th round and already a week into training camp people may be asking themselves why did he drop so far down. Kennard is big and can also run well. But his play hasn’t been the only thing that has caught the Giant’s attention his knowledge of the game and his quick learning is raising some eyebrows.
“I want to continue to show, one, that I can pick it up because the first thing is I have to be able to make the right call, close in correctly and make the calls and all of the adjustments,” Kennard said. “I don’t think I’ve done anything yet. This is just day two of camp. I did OK during OTAs and minicamp but I’m continually trying to show them what I can do and bring to the table.”
If he can keep this up look for Kennard to be a saving grace if LB Jon Beason isn’t ready to go when the season opens.
Bobby O’Hara: PuresportsNY