Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Jonathan Anderson
- Waived: WR Tanner Gentry
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: DT Daniel Ross
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Johnny Mundt
- Waived: OL Andrew Donnal
New York Giants
- Signed: FB Shane Smith
- Waived: TE Matt LaCosse
New York Jets
- Signed: WR JoJo Natson
- Waived/injured: DL Ed Stinson
Washington Redskins
- Waived: G Tyler Catalina
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/9/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: TE Scott Orndoff
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Deon King
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR KeVonn Mabon
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Will Redmond
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano
- Waived: WR Jake Kumerow
New York Giants
- Signed: DE Jordan Williams
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Tyler Marz
- Waived: OL Brad Seaton
Giants Won’t Make Coaching Change In 2017
The Giant don’t intend to make changes to their coaching staff or front office during the 2017 season, a source tells Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. As such, head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese should be safe until the offseason.
While some New York players have reportedly voiced negative opinions on McAdoo, Giants ownership considers those anonymous comments the “normal griping” that comes with a losing campaign, per Graziano. Whether or not McAdoo has lost the team’s locker room, the Giants want to view the 2017 season as a whole, and won’t make a judgement until the year is complete.
Reese theoretically isn’t guaranteed to keep his job once the season concludes, either, but he’s been with the Giants since 1994 (and been the team’s GM since 2007), which could make a break all the more difficult. But Reese has failed to accrue depth on New York’s roster in recent seasons. The Giants’ front office has a mandate to find the team’s next quarterback, but Reese may not be part of that effort.
Has McAdoo Lost Control Of Giants?
Has Ben McAdoo lost control of the Giants? Two unnamed players told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that McAdoo is no longer the right coach in New York.
The Giants are 1-7 heading into Sunday’s game against San Francisco.
- If the Giants fire McAdoo, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY speculates that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will be among those considered for the job. If GM Jerry Reese is also canned, the Giants could move to put together an ex-Pats tandem of Scott Pioli and McDaniels. Of course, it will take a lot to lure McDaniels away from New England where he might be the eventual successor to Bill Belichick. Besides McDaniels, Vacchiano lists Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, Alabama coach Nick Saban, Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Eagles OC Frank Reich, Stanford coach David Shaw, and Lions DC Teryl Austin as other names to keep in mind.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/8/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Chicago Bears
- WR Rodney Smith; TEs Josiah Price, Beau Sandland (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- WRs Alonzo Russell, Noel Thomas, Paul Turner; CB Will Redmond (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- G Jake Eldrenkamp; C Anthony Fabiano (link)
New England Patriots
- S Lorenzo Jerome (link)
New York Giants
- LBs Akeem Ayers, Chris Casher, Jayrone Elliott, Boseko Lokombo (link via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com)
Philadelphia Eagles
- LSs Andrew East, Jimmy Landes, Jeff Overbaugh (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- RBs Dare Ogunbowale, Kalif Phillips; CB Sojourn Shelton; S Jack Tocho (link)
Giants Eyeing QBs In Draft
With a 1-7 record, the Giants are understandably looking towards the future. Part of that vision could include a new young quarterback. Several weeks ago, owner John Mara told his front office to start looking closely at the top college quarterbacks in the 2018 draft, sources tell ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan. 
The directive, in part, came because Odell Beckham Jr. had suffered a broken ankle. Although it was early in the season, Mara had a feeling that the Giants might end up picking high in the draft as a result. Right now, it looks like the 1-7 Giants are going to be right at the top, along with the winless Niners and Browns.
The Giants could target UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen after sending vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross to scout him in recent weeks. Ross runs the Giants’ draft, so it’s notable that he was the one to take a close look at Rosen in the fall.
Other top names available include USC’s Sam Darnold and Wyoming’s Josh Allen. Louisville’s Lamar Jackson and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, two non-traditional QBs, are also available.
Giants Sign LB Kelvin Sheppard
The Giants have signed free agent linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, the club announced today.
Sheppard, of course, is no stranger in New York, as he appeared in 16 games (11 starts) as the Giants’ middle linebacker in 2016. In those contests, the 29-year-old Sheppard managed 47 tackles and two passes defensed while earning poor overall marks (grade of 39.1 on a 100-point scale) from Pro Football Focus.
The Giants, though, need linebackers — both B.J. Goodson and Jonathan Casillas missed Sunday’s game against the Rams with injury, while fellow ‘backer Calvin Munson is also dealing with a nagging health question. With a record of 1-7, New York isn’t going anywhere in 2017, but Sheppard will give the club experience and familiarity as it closes out the season.
Giants Reinstate Janoris Jenkins
The Giants announced that they have reinstated cornerback Janoris Jenkins. It was just one week ago that Jenkins was handed an “indefinite” suspension by head coach Ben McAdoo. 
Jenkins was banned from the team when he missed last Monday’s meeting. Initially, the Giants said that Jenkins’ absence was excused. Later, McAdoo told reporters that wasn’t the case.
Jenkins’ act-out marked the second time a Giants star has publicly disrespected McAdoo. Just weeks ago, fellow starting corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie butted heads with the coach. He too was handed an “indefinite” suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. And, he too was reinstated after just one week. We know that DRC had some issues with McAdoo specifically, but it’s not immediately clear why Jenkins missed last Monday’s practice.
The Giants are 1-7 after a 51-17 drumming at the hands of the Rams. In the midst of a disastrous season, it’s fair to wonder whether McAdoo will be brought back for another.
In related moves, the Giants signed linebacker Deontae Skinner off the Raiders’ practice squad and waived defensive end Jordan Williams and defensive back Tim Scott. Linebacker Nigel Harris (ribs) was placed on injured reserve.
Giants Place Weston Richburg On IR
Weston Richburg‘s season is over. The Giants announced that they have placed the center on the injured reserve. The team has promoted cornerback Tim Scott to take his spot on the roster.
Richburg, a 2014 second-round pick, has started 50 of his 51 games over the past three-plus seasons. The 26-year-old was productive in four games this season, as Pro Football Focus ranked him 14th among 36 eligible center candidates, and he had similar grades in 2015 and 2016. Richburg hadn’t played since early October as he recovered from a concussion, with Brett Jones taking his spot in the starting lineup. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY tweets that the center is set to be an unrestricted free agent following the season, and he may have played his final game for the organization.
Scott, a 2015 undrafted free agent out of the University of North Carolina, has spent the entire season on the Giants practice squad. With Janoris Jenkins suspended and Donte Deayon dealing with an ankle injury, the team was certainly seeking reinforcement at the position. This weekend, Scott could theoretically slide in as the team’s fourth cornerback behind Eli Apple, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Ross Cockrell.
Opinion: Giants Blew It With Whitworth
Sean McVay’s praise of offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth underscores how much the Giants blew it by not signing him in free agency, James Kratch of NJ.com writes.
Recently, Giants GM Jerry Reese indicated that he did not go hard after Whitworth because he wanted to have a “younger football team.” His offensive line might be younger without Whitworth, but it is also porous.