Giants Sign Wide Receiver and Place Droughns on IR: The Giants have signed free agent WR Derek Hagan. Hagan was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, but waived in November 2008.
To make room for Hagan, the Giants placed HB Reuben Droughns (neck) on Injured Reserve.
WR Joe Horn to Visit Giants: According to The Star-Ledger, free agent WR Joe Horn will visit the Giants today and take a physical for the team. According to an unidentified source, the Giants may sign Horn shortly. The 36-year old Horn was released by the Falcons in August.
Six New York Giants Giants Voted to Pro Bowl: The following six Giants have been voted by players, coaches, and fans to represent the NFC:
- QB Eli Manning
- OC Shaun O’Hara
- RG Chris Snee (starter)
- DE Justin Tuck (starter)
- P Jeff Feagles (starter)
- PK John Carney (starter)
It is the first time Manning, O’Hara, Snee, and Tuck have been to the Pro Bowl. Feagles went one other time in 1995 and Carney one other time in 1994.
“You always want to be considered to be elite and play to the best of your abilities to be recognized across the league for what you are doing,” said Manning. “It is such an honor having great players that are out there to be chosen by the fans and by the players and coaches. It is really a tribute to our whole team and how we have played in our offense for protecting me and making plays. I think whenever you have guys and a number of players, three guys from the offense make the Pro Bowl, it is just because your team is doing well and everybody is playing well.”
“It is definitely an honor to be voted in, but I think the honor really stretches more for my group as an offensive line,” said O’Hara. “I am honored on behalf of the group and really just as a team. I think the number of guys from this team that are nominated is a direct reflection of that team and winning.”
“Obviously it is an honor,” said Snee. “It is a weird feeling after growing up watching all your favorite players play in the game and now you are actually a part of it. I know that it is a reflection of the group that we have and the offense, but in particular all those guys on the offensive line who play around me. It is a true honor for all of us.”
“It is huge,” said Tuck. “The Pro Bowl is kind of like that ultimate individual award, but it also lets you know that you have a lot of guys around you that really helped you become what you are. I just want to thank my coaches and the players around me that have helped me to get to this point.”
“It’s truly a humbling experience,” said Carney. “I feel blessed and I thank God that this has happened and the Giants for their support and their faith in my abilities. And the support of the coaching staff and the team has been overwhelming. I’m still in shock and humbled by the whole experience.”
“I can still tell you this,” Feagles said. “I would still rather be playing on February 1st (the date of Super Bowl XLIII) than February 8th.”
The following seven players did not make the Pro Bowl, but were elected alternates:
- TE Kevin Boss (first alternate)
- FB Madison Hedgecock (first alternate)
- LB Antonio Pierce (first alternate)
- LB Chase Blackburn (first alternate as special teamer)
- DT Fred Robbins (second alternate)
- HB Brandon Jacobs (third alternate)
- LT David Diehl (third alternate)
The Pro Bowl will be played on February 8th in Hawaii.
Notes: The Giants have not played a team with a record under .500 since beating the 49ers on October 19. Their final two games are against the 11-3 Carolina and 9-5 Minnesota , a streak of 10 consecutive games against teams with winning records. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Giants will be the first team in NFL history to play 10 straight games in a single season against teams with a winning record entering the game.