Who has control over what jersey number an incoming player is assigned? How much input does a player have in getting a particular number for himself?
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Equipment Director Joseph Skiba issues player numbers. I had the chance to ask him this question, to which he replied, "What I first do is see what the player wore in college or what the veteran wore with his previous team. If the number is selected I will usually ask the player what he has in mind. With the roster being 90 players, numbers are sometimes hard to come by, so we usually have a good amount of number changes before the first regular season game."
Will the Giants look to sign another DE, like John Abraham perhaps? And are they ever going to fully address the major problems in the secondary?
Dear Matthew:
I'll give you the standard answer. The Giants investigate every available player and adding someone at any position is always a possibility. I can't comment on specific players. But if I had to guess, with the opening of training camp just a week away, I think the Giants will see what they have before bringing in help from the outside – unless something unexpected falls in their lap. Regarding the secondary, they brought back Aaron Ross, signed Ryan Mundy, drafted Cooper Taylor, hope Terrell Thomas stays healthy, expect Corey Webster to have a better season and believe Prince Amukamara and Jayron Hosley will continue to improve. And don't forget, they still have Antrel Rolle and Stevie Brown.
Is there any chance that Adewale Ojomo, Adrian Tracy, Cooper Taylor, or Damontre Moore plays a significant amount of time at outside linebacker, despite being listed as other position? And where do you see Taylor contributing the most at?
Dear Brad:
I strongly doubt any of those players will get any, much less significant, time at outside linebacker. Ojomo, Tracy and Moore are defensive ends and Taylor is a safety. All are young players still learning their craft. The coaches don't want to stunt their growth at their primary positions by giving them responsibility at another spot. And the Giants have plenty of outside linebacker candidates. Regarding Taylor, his most important contributions are likely to be on special teams.
How come the Giants haven't retired Tiki Barber's jersey number yet?
Dear Terrence:
When I receive questions of this nature they're usually about Harry Carson's No. 53 and not Barber's No. 21. The Giants have several worthy of jersey retirement – Carson, Barber, Michael Strahan. But the numbers dictate that it's not feasible. Obviously, there are 99 numbers suitable for a football uniform. The Giants have already retired 11 of them. That leaves 88 numbers for a 90-man camp roster. Teams also have to issue numbers according to NFL mandates. For example, linebackers must wear numbers between 50-59 or 90-99. If the Giants keep retiring numbers, they won't have enough available for current players. That's what happens when your franchise is 88 years old.
Who has control over what jersey number an incoming player is assigned? How much input does a player have in getting a particular number for himself?
Dear Jim:
Equipment Director Joseph Skiba issues player numbers. I had the chance to ask him this question, to which he replied, "What I first do is see what the
player wore in college or what the veteran wore with his previous team. If the number is selected I will usually ask the player what he has in mind. With
the roster being 90 players, numbers are sometimes hard to come by, so we usually have a good amount of number changes before the first regular season
game."
Will the Giants look to sign another DE, like John Abraham perhaps? And are they ever going to fully address the major problems in the secondary?
Matthew
Dear Matthew:
I'll give you the standard answer. The Giants investigate every available player and adding someone at any position is always a possibility. I can't
comment on specific players. But if I had to guess, with the opening of training camp just a week away, I think the Giants will see what they have before
bringing in help from the outside – unless something unexpected falls in their lap. Regarding the secondary, they brought back Aaron Ross, signed Ryan
Mundy, drafted Cooper Taylor, hope Terrell Thomas stays healthy, expect Corey Webster to have a better season and believe Prince Amukamara and Jayron
Hosley will continue to improve. And don't forget, they still have Antrel Rolle and Stevie Brown.
Is there any chance that Adewale Ojomo, Adrian Tracy, Cooper Taylor, or Damontre Moore plays a significant amount of time at outside linebacker, despite
being listed as other position? And where do you see Taylor contributing the most at?
Brad
Dear Brad:
I strongly doubt any of those players will get any, much less significant, time at outside linebacker. Ojomo, Tracy and Moore are defensive ends and Taylor
is a safety. All are young players still learning their craft. The coaches don't want to stunt their growth at their primary positions by giving them
responsibility at another spot. And the Giants have plenty of outside linebacker candidates. Regarding Taylor, his most important contributions are likely
to be on special teams.
How come the Giants haven't retired Tiki Barber's jersey number yet?
Dear Terrence:
When I receive questions of this nature they're usually about Harry Carson's No. 53 and not Barber's No. 21. The Giants have several worthy of jersey
retirement – Carson, Barber, Michael Strahan. But the numbers dictate that it's not feasible. Obviously, there are 99 numbers suitable for a football
uniform. The Giants have already retired 11 of them. That leaves 88 numbers for a 90-man camp roster. Teams also have to issue numbers according to NFL
mandates. For example, linebackers must wear numbers between 50-59 or 90-99. If the Giants keep retiring numbers, they won't have enough available for
current players. That's what happens when your franchise is 88 years old.
