Antrel Rolle: New York Giants legend Eli Manning 'deserves' Hall of Fame
Kerry Collins took the team to a Super Bowl in 2000, but the Giants lost, and he was only with the team for four years, compared to Simms and Manning, who played for the Giants for 15 and 14 years, respectively.
Manning was a Hall of Fame nominee for the 2025 class, but he didn't make the final cut. Former Giants safety Antrel Rolle views that as a travesty and believes Eli deserves to make it in.
"Do I think he will get in? Yes, I do. And I think he deserves to get in. And it's not just because of the name, or because he played in New York," Rolle told Gambling Industry News. "You're talking about someone who had a very good NFL career, postseason we know what he did. Two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, and the guy (Tom Brady) who he beat in both Super Bowls.
"That stuff speaks for itself, and it doesn't happen by accident. Eli, to me, is clutch. He gets my vote 200 percent of the time. And this is not me being biased. He is the real deal at quarterback, and I'm hoping he gets his flowers. I know he will. He deserves it."
Manning does deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame, and he will likely get there at some point. But what about the Giants' current quarterback situation? They have options now, but it was pretty dire for a little bit.
"Listen, I love my Giants," Rolle said. "I just felt like there were some bad moves along the way, man. GM moves. They got rid of some guys and paid some guys where it didn't make sense to me. The film doesn't lie. I understood Saquon had injuries, but if you had gotten Saquon more help, he would have been who Philly experienced this year. Maybe not to that extent because we know how dominant the offensive line is there, but I just felt like there were a lot of bad moves made that really didn't make any sense.
"With that being said, they are trying to get back into the right direction. They drafted the stud they drafted this year (Jaxson Dart). He's going to be a helluva player. That goes without saying. You have Nabers, who's been playing out of his mind. Russell Wilson can distribute the ball. How good will Russ be? That's to be determined. But we haven't seen a huge decline in Russell Wilson.
"But I feel like Nabers needs more help, and you can use more help in the backfield. Those will be the key focal points to turn the organization back around."
The Giants are absolutely working to turn the organization around, and the offseason activity led by Joe Schoen seems to be pointing the team in the right direction. When the players hit the field for training camp next week, we'll learn more about what to expect from the Giants this fall.
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Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Which Giants will make the cut? Here's our 53-man roster projection after Week 1 of camp
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He's likely still staring at a practice squad offer or heading elsewhere unless there is a significant injury. Running back (3) Tyrone Tracy Devin Singletary Cam Skattebo Breakdown: Tracy is the lead back and looks good. Will be interesting to see him when the run game starts getting work. Skattebo has been fantastic as a receiver, catching every pass thrown his way while working with the second and third teams. Singletary is solid and his reliability in pass protection is a plus. Turbo Miller has had a strong start to camp and will be fighting to force the Giants to keep four backs. His burst jumps out. Can he carve out a role on special teams and lock down a roster spot? Wide receiver (6) Malik Nabers Darius Slayton Wan'Dale Robinson Jalin Hyatt Ihmir Smith-Marsette Beaux Collins Breakdown: Special teams ace Bryce Ford-Wheaton had an inside track to a spot from this position until he tore his Achilles in Sunday's practice. It's a crushing blow for a third-year player who has shown flashes, but has been hit by bad injury luck in each of his three seasons. That potentially opens the door for another receiver. Undrafted rookie Beaux Collins has stood out with chances on the first and second teams with Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston, so he gets the early nod. Dalen Cambre is another UDFA rookie who could have a path to replace Ford-Wheaton because of his special teams prowess in college at Louisiana. Another option: free agent Gabe Davis did visit the team in May and has strong bonds with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. Smith-Marsette has done well with his opportunities on offense and he is the kick returner. Tight end (4) Theo Johnson Chris Manhertz Daniel Bellinger Thomas Fidone Breakdown: I kept four tight ends here, but as expected, this could be a position that gives up a spot depending on a numbers' crunch elsewhere. A fifth in Greg Dulcich has had a strong start to camp. Bellinger and Manhertz have been relatively quiet, so it'll be interesting to see the physicality they can bring with the pads going on. Offensive line (10) LT Andrew Thomas LG Jon Runyan Jr. C John Michael Schmitz RG Greg Van Roten RT Jermaine Eluemunor T James Hudson T/G Marcus Mbow G Evan Neal G Jake Kubas G/T Joshua Ezeudu Breakdown: Thomas has started camp on the PUP list and he can be activated at any time, but don't expect the Giants to rush him. He's working with the training staff to make sure he's ready on road back from Lisfranc surgery. Rookie fifth rounder Marcus Mbow has emerged at left and right tackle with the second and third teams, and while James Hudson has been at left tackle with the 1s, if for some reason Thomas' return is slower than anticipated, it's possible Mbow gets even more of a look. John Michael Schmitz had a tough first week and needs to step up when the physicality increases. It's going to be interesting to watch Evan Neal at guard when the pads go on. DEFENSE (24) Defensive line (5) Dexter Lawrence Rakeem Nunez-Roches Roy Robertson-Harris Darius Alexander Elijah Chatman Breakdown: Nunez-Roches is going to get pushed by younger players such as Elijah Garcia, who has had a strong start to camp. Chatman gets the fifth spot for now, but the Giants have depth here and it'll be a roller coaster for all those competing for a spot here. All depends on the combinations, and don't forget Abdul Carter and Chauncey Golston can also play inside in rush packages. Edge (4) Brian Burns Kayvon Thibodeaux Abdul Carter Chauncey Golston Breakdown: Carter has been as advertised - maybe even better so early. Burns is so underrated and such a presence on this team. His production should catch up to that perception. Thibodeaux is off to a strong start as well. Golston rounds out this quartet and he's had his moments, too. Free agent signee Victor Dimukeje was injured while training away from the team, tearing his pectoral and landing on the PUP list to start camp. Inside linebacker (5) Bobby Okereke Micah McFadden Chris Board Darius Muasau Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles Breakdown: Okereke and McFadden are mainstays in the middle. Board and Muasau are core special teams players. Flanningan-Fowles is an addition from our initial projection; he's also a contributor on special teams. Cornerback (6) Paulson Adebo Tae Banks Dru Phillips Cor'Dale Flott Tre Hawkins III Korie Black Breakdown: Banks and Flott are battling for the starting job opposite Adebo, and so far, Flott appears to have the upper hand. It's early, however. Phillips is a potential game-changer at nickel. Nic Jones had a Pick 6 of Jaxson Dart on Day 1 and he's been pushing for bigger chances as Phillips' backup. He could threaten for a role, which could put Hawkins or Black in jeopardy if that continues. Safety (4) Jevon Holland Tyler Nubin Dane Belton K'Von Wallace Breakdown: The top of this position is set with Holland and Nubin. Both have made plays and gives the Giants their best safety tandem since Super Bowl XLVI with Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips. Belton has had a quiet start to camp after such a loud spring as a takeaway machine. Wallace was signed on the eve of camp, so he's working his way up the depth chart. Specialists (3) K Graham Gano P Jamie Gillan LS Casey Kreiter Breakdown: No reason to think anything has changed here. Jude McAtamney is still on track to be a second kicker on the practice squad as part of the International Pathway Program. This article originally appeared on NY Giants roster projection: Our prediction after Week 1 of camp
Fox Sports
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Giants take home losing streak into matchup against the Pirates
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ichiro Suzuki becomes comedian during Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech
COOPERSTOWN, NY. — The day was filled with passionate speeches, inspirational messages, and ended Sunday with a comedy show by the least suspecting Hall of Famer, with most of the audience unaware he even spoke English. Ichiro Suzuki, the first Japanese Hall of Famer in baseball history, brought down the house with one of the most humorous speeches since the late Bob Uecker. Suzuki, who has had a full-time interpreter since he arrived in the United States in 2001, delivered his entire speech in English, cracking jokes with a perfect delivery, entertaining the crowd of 30,000 at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He was one of five players inducted in the 76th induction ceremony, joined by CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner and the late Dick Allen and Dave Parker. 'People often measure me by my records,'' Suzuki said. '3,000 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, 10 seasons of 200 hits. Not bad, huh? But the truth is that without baseball, you would say, 'This guy is such a dumbass.'" Suzuki's comedy act was just beginning, reciting baseball stats, his 3,089 hits, his record 262-hit season, and saying how his career was recognized by the Baseball Writers Association of America, but it still wasn't good enough for the one anonymous writer who didn't vote for him, preventing him from joining Mariano Rivera as the only unanimous Hall of Famers in history. He paused, listened to the laughter from the crowd, and then with a perfect delivery said, 'Oh, by the way, and that offer for that writer to have dinner at my house has now ... expired.'' He thanked the Seattle Mariners and Hall of Fame GM Pat Gillick for believing in him and signing him in 2001, thanked the New York Yankees for his 2 ½ years with them, and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for his valuable leadership. And then thanked the Miami Marlins for extending his career for three more years, but with a twist: 'Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015,'' Suzuki said, pausing again, 'I had never heard of your team.'' Suzuki's teammates all knew that he spoke perfect English, and had a delightful sense of humor, but now the baseball world became clued into his secret. 'I played with him for three years, so I knew he could do that,'' Sabathia said. 'I was just excited for people to get to know his personality and how funny he is.'' In the press conference after the ceremony, Suzuki said there was never any thought to delivering his speech in Japanese, saying it was important to him to provide humor to the fans and baseball officials in attendance in Cooperstown, while also making sure everyone understood the importance of respecting the game. 'I always said that being a Hall of Famer wasn't a goal,'' Suzuki said, 'but to make people laugh here was a goal of mine.'' The only time Suzuki spoke Japanese during his entire speech was thanking Hideo Nomo for giving him the courage to play Major League Baseball. 'Because of Hideo's courage,'' Suzuki said, my eyes opened to the idea of challenging myself by going somewhere I never imagined.' Nomo was the first Japanese player in 30 years to play in MLB in 1995, pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was an inspiration to Suzuki, who wrote an essay when he was in the sixth grade that he wanted to be a professional baseball player. 'I think you can imagine, there was much doubt when I tried to become the first position player from Japan in MLB,' he said. 'But it was more than just that. There was criticism and negativity. Someone even said to me, 'Don't embarrass the nation.' 'I encourage young players to dream, and dream big, but to also understand the difference between your dream and the goal. In order to make your dream your goal, you must be honest in thinking about what is important to achieve it.'' CC Sabathia hopes to see more Blacks in baseball Sabathia stressed throughout his speech and afterwards in a press conference, that he wants to do everything in his power to make sure he's not the last Black pitcher inducted into the Hall of Fame. He wants to be a role model in hopes of increasing the Black population of baseball, declining to just 6% on opening-day rosters this season. 'When I first started watching baseball, and Dave Parker was crushing homers,'' Sabathia said, 'the number of black players in the major leagues was at its highest, about 18%. Me and my friends played the game because we saw all of those guys on TV. There was always somebody who looked like me in a baseball unfiorm. 'Baseball has always been a great game for Black athletes, but the baseball culture has not always great for Black people. I hope we're starting to turn that around. ... 'I'm sitting here and thinking about it now, 'Who's next? Who's the next Black starting pitcher to win 20 games? Will there be another? I don't want to be the final Black pitcher standing here giving a Hall of Fame speech. I think it's on me and the next generation to find that next kid.'' Sabathia's speech also was effusive in praise for the women in his life, from his mother, Margie, to his aunts and grandmother, Ethel Rufus, raising him in Vallejo, California. He wouldn't be on stage this day, he said, if not for the love and support of his wife, Amber. His mother used to put on catcher's equipment to help him work on his pitching mechanics, and even talking about pitch selection in the garage. And he spent plenty of nights at his grandmother's house where he would pick grapefruits from her tree and throw them at a folding chair used as a strikezone in the back yard. When he wanted to work at Marine World as a teenager, his grandmother wouldn't let him, telling him he needed to focus on baseball. 'You'd be lucky to have even one of those women in your life,'' Sabathia said, 'and I had them all. A village of women who raised me, guided me, made me laugh, fed me, protected me, and a few times, literally save me, starting with my mom.'' Billy Wagner's wait finally ends Wagner, who had to wait until the 10th and final year of eligibility to enter the Hall of Fame while Suzuki and Sabathia made it on the first ballot, thanked dozens of teammates from Jeff Bagwell to Russ Springer to his pitching coaches to bullpen catchers to managers to writers. Wagner, 5-foot-10, is the second pitcher to be inducted under six feet tall. 'I wasn't the biggest, I wasn't left-handed [until twice breaking his right arm], I wasn't supposed to be here,' Wagner said. 'Perseverance isn't just a trait. It's a path to greatness. 'Being up here today, I feel like my baseball life has come full circle.' Dave Parker: Poet Parker, who died last month after battling Parkinson's since 2012, was able to let his son, David Parker II, present just what he wanted to say in his Hall of Fame speech, and wrote a poem before he passed. Here I am, 39. About damn time. I know I had to wait a little, but that's what you do with fine aged wine. I'm a Pirate for life. Wouldn't have it no other way. That was my family, even though I didn't go on Parade Day. I love y'all, the Bucs on my heart because those two championships I got, y'all played in the first part. I'm in the Hall now, you can't take that away. That statue better look good -- you know I got a pretty face. Top-tier athlete, fashion icon, sex symbol. No reason to list the rest of my credentials. I'm him, period. The Cobra. Known for my rocket arm, and I will run any catcher over. To my friends, families: I love y'all. Thanks for staying by my side. I told y'all Cooperstown would be my last ride.'' Dick Allen presented by his widow Allen's widow, Willa Allen, spoke for the Allen family, letting people know that her husband was a kind and passionate man, and was much more than just a Hall of Fame ballplayer. She told the story about the time a 16-year-old fan asked for his autograph at Dodger Stadium. They talked for two hours, and Allen wound up helping him throughout his life. He was in attendance Sunday at the age of 70. "It's not about where you come from, but where you're determined to go,'' Allen said. 'It's about principle, passion and determination.'' When the ceremony ended, the players retreated to the Otesaga Hotel where they had a dinner for Hall of Fame players only. No family members. No friends. Just the players and commissioner Rob Manfred. But, before they got together and sat down, Suzuki had a request to his new Hall of Fame teammates. 'I hope I can hold the values of the Hall of Fame,'' Suzuki said. 'But please, I am 51 years old now. So easy on the hazing.'' Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ichiro Suzuki Hall of Fame speech highlight of weekend in Cooperstown
