Petitgout a "marginal player," Giants GM says

Now, seeing him play up here, of course I don't think he's a "savior," but man, coming from ones of the guys responsible for signing you...

July 26, 2007 -- Not many years ago, the Giants hit training camp determined to blunt the swirl of optimism surrounding a team characterized as a true contender loaded with talent.

That surely will not be the case tomorrow when players report to the University at Albany. The Giants aren't anyone's darlings.

Jerry Reese likes it better this way.

"I have things to prove," the first-year general manager told The Post. "The coach has something to prove. The quarterback has something to prove, as well as the running back. That gives you a little bit of an edge. A couple of years ago everyone was reading the press clippings. Now people are saying the Giants didn't do enough in the offseason. People are picking us probably third in the NFC East. That motivates me. That should motivate some people."

So devalued are the Giants in some circles there's a fairly widespread notion that Reese has set up head coach Tom Coughlin for failure with less-than-robust maneuverings in free agency since replacing Ernie Accorsi. Coughlin was not hired by Reese, and doesn't every GM want his own coach in place?

"That's insane," Reese shot back. "That's silly. I'll be very disappointed if we don't win, and win big."

Reese scoffed at the suggestion that left tackle is a major question mark heading into camp, insisting that at the very least, guard-turned-left tackle David Diehl will perform at least as effectively as long-time starter Luke Petitgout, whom Reese jettisoned soon after taking over (Petitgout signed with the Buccaneers). Reese also hasn't given up hope that Guy Whimper remains a left-tackle prospect.

"People are so worried about left tackle . . . I think that's so overrated," Reese said. "People act like Petitgout was the second coming. He never made the Pro Bowl, and I don't think he ever was a first alternate. Now all of a sudden he's the savior? That's ridiculous. I don't think we're that bad off without Luke Petitgout. He was not a star left tackle. He was a solid left tackle on some occasions and other times he wasn't. Luke has been a marginal player for a long time."

Tops on Reese's list of concerns is not left tackle, replacing RB Tiki Barber, or the continued development of QB Eli Manning.

"The secondary is the most glaring spot for me," Reese said.

As far as camp attendance, Reese said he's heard the rumblings that DE Michael Strahan is considering a holdout "ever since Michael and I had our first meeting when I first got hired as GM." Strahan, coming off a serious foot injury, is scheduled to make $4 million this season and $4 million in 2008. The Giants have absolutely no interest in giving the veteran defensive end more money, despite Strahan's plea that in today's inflated market he is underpaid.

"It's really kind of silly," Reese said. "How does that help him if he holds out? I expect Michael to be at camp."


paul.schwartz@nypost.com

[deltbucs]

Any Giants' fan will say the same thing. Just like most of us will who watch and understand the game. He'll be an upgrade, but he's average. It's no secret, really.

[Kress]

Man, these suckers could use some sugar....

How long has be been a GM?

while I don't really question that fact that he is just a solid player

doesn't this guy come off as somebody who's only knowledge about how to GM is madden???

[tampabayfan]

You know what I rather have a solid LT than what we had before. Probowl means crap.

Originally Posted by TheChronic

How long has be been a GM?

First year GM, but has been with the organization since 1994. His last position, I believe was dealing with player personnel.

And delt, you're right. The description is dead on. But for a GM to come out and say that... Looks to me like he's feeling the heat for not filling quite a few holes the team has.

[Corsair]

I hope this motivates Luke.

[lachy]

Originally Posted by NYBucsFan

Tops on Reese's list of concerns is not left tackle, replacing RB Tiki Barber, or the continued development of QB Eli Manning.

I wonder if that coincides with the fact that he hasn't been able to, or can't, do squat about any of those things....

[Buccs99]

the LT spot is overrated ? It protects 90% of the leagues QB's blindsides.


Unbelievable remarks and I hope Luke eats it up.

[Ruger7mmmag]

Originally Posted by LuckySeven

while I don't really question that fact that he is just a solid player

doesn't this guy come off as somebody who's only knowledge about how to GM is madden???

Those guys never make it...



Signed,


The Boston Red Sox...

[navybuc81]

Any time a player leaves, you try and downplay it. When Dexter Jackson left, all i heard was "We don't really need him. He played only a small role in our defense's role." But truth was we did miss him a lot. I don't know anything about Petigout so i'm not going to say if the Giants GM is right or wrong. But what he said doesn't surprise me.

[deltbucs]

Originally Posted by navybuc81

Any time a player leaves, you try and downplay it. When Dexter Jackson left, all i heard was "We don't really need him. He played only a small role in our defense's role." But truth was we did miss him a lot. I don't know anything about Petigout so i'm not going to say if the Giants GM is right or wrong. But what he said doesn't surprise me.

The main reason that we missed him was because Dwight Smith couldn't play the nickel spot. Dwight was a MUCH bigger loss than Jackson. This is coming from a Nole, BTW.

[Lt. Dan]

Nothing like a little bulletin board material right before training camp... thanks, dude!

[barberandbrooks]

tiki barber did say that petitgout was his favorite lineman to run behind

[PetePierson]

Bucs should have never let Roman Oben go. Petitgout is nothing special, sorry - wish I were wrong.

[deltbucs]

Originally Posted by PetePierson

Bucs should have never let Roman Oben go. Petitgout is nothing special, sorry - wish I were wrong.

DING, DING, DING!

[Psykes]

Truth is, Petitgout isn't nearly as good as the vast majority of people make him out to be... but he's on a new team, playing alongside a lot of youthful energy, protecting a quarterback who knows what he's doing... it all seems like a good recipe for him to improve his play a lot.

[superdave]

Originally Posted by PetePierson

Bucs should have never let Roman Oben go. Petitgout is nothing special, sorry - wish I were wrong.

Anyone is better then Kenyatta............that's for sure.

[XTrenTX]

Petitgout is a false start machine, especially when he's in Seattle, which is where he'll be in week 1.

[mbm]

Originally Posted by PetePierson

Bucs should have never let Roman Oben go. Petitgout is nothing special, sorry - wish I were wrong.

Shhhh. You'll break too many hearts with your mean spiritness(sp?)!

[Malibu]

Originally Posted by XTrenTX

Petitgout is a false start machine, especially when he's in Seattle, which is where he'll be in week 1.

Everybody is a false start machine in Seattle.

And yeah, I don't know where this guy gets off bashing players that just left his team. GMs are supposed to be behind-the-scenes type guys and airing your business to the press is not befitting of the front office. Of course that sort of thing should be expected from the Giants, no? Also, LT is a very important position when your main concerns are "replacing RB Tiki Barber" and "the continued development of QB Eli Manning."

[superdave]

Originally Posted by XTrenTX

Petitgout is a false start machine, especially when he's in Seattle, which is where he'll be in week 1.

spoken from someone with an unbiased opinion.

[GenocideD]

an alley-opener for Cadillac just like he was for Tiki Barber.

Petitgout starts G GS
2000 New York Giants 16 16
2001 New York Giants 16 16
2002 New York Giants 16 16
2003 New York Giants 10 10
2004 New York Giants 16 16
2005 New York Giants 15 15
2006 New York Giants 9 9
TOTAL 113 106

Tiki's Rushing Yards
Year Yards
2000 1006
2001 865
2002 1387
2003 1216
2004 1518
2005 1860
2006 1662

Hmmmm........somebody opened up some lanes...and two or three of these rushes had to have gone to the left side.

[IchabodCrane#84]

Originally Posted by tampabayfan

Probowl means crap.

Had to quote that. A GM using the Probowl as a means of how a great a player is, is laughable.

Petitgout may or may not be marginal, but he's better than Anthony Davis.

[maryjanewatson]

Jerry Reece is a friggin' moron...You don't say those things about a former player, especially considering I'm not aware of Petitgout starting anything with him.

The Giants are going to be one of the worst teams in the league this year, and now I have a reason to enjoy that.

[maryjanewatson]

Originally Posted by PetePierson

Bucs should have never let Roman Oben go. Petitgout is nothing special, sorry - wish I were wrong.

He's not all world, but if he's healthy he gives us one of the top 15 left tackles in the league, for the first time since Paul Gruber (all apologies to Oben, but HE was nothing special).