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1997 Final NFC East Standings!

Team              Wins Losses Ties Percentage PF PA     
N.Y. Giants   10 5 1  .656 307 265
Washington    8 7  1 .531 327 289
Philadelphia   6 9 1  .406 317 372
Dallas   6 10 0 .375 304 314
Arizona   4 12 0 .250 283 379


Giants trim payroll by releasing Hampton
Associated Press --------April 22,1998
NEW YORK -- The only thing clear about the New York Giants' running back picture is that Rodney Hampton isn't in it. Hampton, whose 6,897 yards make him the team's all-time leading ground-gainer, was released Tuesday, not an unexpected development. Hampton carried just 22 times in two games last year and was due to make $1.95 million in 1998.
Also on Tuesday, the Giants signed Gary Brown -- who ran for 945 yards in San Diego last season -- to join Tiki Barber, Tyrone Wheatley and the recently signed LeShon Johnson in a crowded backfield.
"It's a numbers game," said Hampton, who was upset he hadn't been released at the start of free agency and before the draft to give him a better shot at a job. "The Giants have younger guys. I've been around. I know it's a business."
But the Giants -- who two years ago matched a six-year, $16.45 million offer from San Francisco to keep Hampton -- tried to make Hampton's landing a soft one.
"He has been the consummate professional during his career," general manager Ernie Accorsi said. "He has conducted himself with pride and dignity and he made his mark. His statistics speak for themselves."
Hampton, who gained 1,000 yards or more each year between 1991-95, had mixed feelings. He suggested he could have been back earlier from arthroscopic knee surgery if the team really wanted him. He finally played for the first time in the team's 15th game, when the Giants clinched the NFC East title against Washington. Hampton had a 22-yard run and got a standing ovation from the fans at Giants Stadium.
"That will be one of my great memories," said Hampton, who also scored his team record 49th rushing touchdown in the finale against Dallas. "I had a lot of 100-yard games, but that was one where the fans showed they appreciated my play over the years."
Brown signed a one-year, $400,000 deal that saves New York more than $1.5 million in salary cap room. He'll get a chance to start, but he's in a crowd.
Barber started as a rookie, was hurt, then regained the job when Wheatley was injured. Barber is now the starter on paper, although coach Jim Fassel may prefer him as a return man and third-down back. Hampton said that he believes that the temperamental and erratic Wheatley, the Giants' No. 1 pick in 1995, should be the starter.
"Tiki's a good back," Hampton said. "But put the ball in Tyrone's arms. Get off his back and let him carry the ball 25-30 times a game."
Like Hampton, Brown is 29, but has had 700 career carries to 1,823 for Hampton. "I have a lot of carries left in me," he said.
Brown's best year was in 1993 when he gained 1,002 yards in eight games with Houston, averaging 5.1 yards. But he was released after the 1995 season, sat out and ballooned to 262 pounds, 24 pounds than he weighs now and 33 over his playing weight of 229.
Last year, he led the Chargers in rushing but was expendable when the team signed Natrone Means.
Hampton, whose signing bonus will still cost $2.4 million against the salary cap, said he would have preferred to be released immediately after the season. He had been given permission to talk to other teams before Tuesday but several -- Arizona, Dallas and New England, have filled their running back openings. One possibility might be Kansas City. "You still have a lot of dust from free agency and the draft," said Ralph Cindrich, Hampton's agent. "We'll just have to let that dust settle and then we'll see."


 

Giants Draft Picks!!!



Shaun Williams, DB (6-1 ½, 211, 4.48) | UCLA Drafted by: New York Giants, Pick 24, Round 1 , Overall 24

Notes: Two-way player at running back and defensive back in high school. Also a fine baseball player and a 10.7 100-meter sprinter in track. Was a 17-year old freshman when he began his Bruin career in 1994 as a running back. However, as the result of injuries, was moved to defensive back early in the year. Ended the season starting one game at safety and taking part in 21 stops and breaking up one pass. Started 11-of-12 games in '95 at free safety. Had 69 tackles and two passes broken up but once again failed to pick off a pass. Missed two games in '96 with a right knee sprain, but did get his first pick. Also broke up 11 passes and took part in 59 tackles. In '97, suffered a severe high-ankle sprain in practice after the opener and missed the Tennessee and Texas games and was not close to 100 percent again until late in the year, when UCLA met Washington. Ended the season with 58 tackles, five for loss, two picks, nine passes broken up and All-Pacific-10 first-team honors.

Positives: Very good size and speed. Fluid long-strider who covers a lot of ground. Tough, physical player who likes to make receivers hear footsteps. Comes up to fill against the run. Can be an inside-outside, run-fill safety. Very athletic for size and can cover a slot receiver. Handled Keyshawn Johnson nicely back in '95. Had a very nice week at the Senior Bowl. Could possibly be a bump corner despite his long stride because he is so athletic and physical and runs well. Very young - born in October '76.

Negatives: Plays best with the game in front of him. Lacks great quick change of direction due to his long stride. Does not always play with a sense of urgency and will do some standing around. Has had some injury problems. Has a very low interception total for a big-time safety and will often go for the hit instead of the ball.

Summary: If he plays with a sense of urgency like he did at the Senior Bowl and stays healthy, this young man can develop into a top safety in the NFL. He is somewhat in the mold of Kenny Easley, Don Rogers and Eric Turner, who came before him at UCLA, and may be better-suited for strong than free safety at the next level because he is more of a hitter than a centerfielder type.
 Information provided by Pro Football Weekly



Joe Jurevicius, WR (6-4 7/8, 231, 4.67) | Penn State Drafted by: New York Giants, Pick 25, Round 2 , Overall 55

Notes: High-school football All-American and basketball player. Redshirted in 1993. Caught one pass and punted 15 times for a 36.9-yard average in '94. Backup to Bobby Engram in '95, when he caught 13 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown. Moved into the starting lineup in '96 and grabbed 41-869-4, finishing second in the nation with a 21.2-yard average per catch. Was held out in the spring of '97 for academic reasons. Became eligible for the fall and won second-team All-Big Ten honors after catching 39-817-10. Was suspended for the Citrus Bowl by head coach Joe Paterno for not measuring up to his academic standards. Played in the Hula Bowl and caught four passes for over 100 yards and a touchdown and threw a TD pass to Michigan QB Brian Griese.

Positives: Very good all-around athlete. Extremely versatile. Can be a wide receiver, pass-catching H-back, holder and emergency punter. Also throws very well for a non-quarterback. A tremendous target as a wide receiver with David Logan-type size. Like Logan, Jurevicius has a knack for getting deep and making big plays with his deceptive speed and by taking the ball away from smaller defensive backs. Has good balance and body control. Adjusts to the ball well and is well-coordinated.

Negatives: Lacks blazing speed. Does not have great quickness into and out of his breaks.

Summary: Could be another Logan or a Pete Holohan-type H-back, only faster. Creates mismatches with his size. Information provided by Pro Football Weekly


Brian Alford, WR (6-1 ½, 187, 4.48) | Purdue Drafted by: New York Giants, Pick 9, Round 3 , Overall 70

Notes: High-school track and football standout who ran an unofficial 21.7 in the 200 meters. Redshirted at Purdue in 1993. Missed the first half of the '94 season with a broken clavicle but came back to catch four passes for 58 yards and one touchdown in the last five games. Started the first six games and played in every game in '95. All-Big Ten wide receiver in '96 and '97. Caught 34-686-8 in '95, 63-1,057-12 in '96 and 59-1,167-9 in '97. Almost flunked out of Purdue, but went to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College in the spring of '97. Went to summer school at Purdue to pull off an almost impossible task of getting all the credits he needed to play his senior year.

Positives: Big and fluid. Athletic. Good body control. Has deceptive speed. Has been productive both in the number of catches he makes and the number of touchdowns he comes up with. Seemed much more dedicated, mature and focused in 1997 after coming within a hair of flunking out. Has really improved his concentration and route-running skills. Is much quicker getting into and out of his breaks and much more precise. Has really improved his running speed and football skills. Had a great combine workout.

Negatives: Up until 1997, he dropped an awful lot of passes and was very erratic catching over the middle. Hands still can be inconsistent at times.

Summary: Much better than he was. Was one of the very few players who moved way up because of postseason workouts and the scouting combine.

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