DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Pettigout Anyone????

Now I would jump on him in a heartbeat


http://giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=24345

Giants Release Petitgout, Emmons and Arrington
Moves intended to help Big Blue restructure roster.
By Michael Eisen, Giants.com

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February 12, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants today began the offseason restructuring of their roster when they released three veterans, offensive tackle Luke Petitgout and linebackers Carlos Emmons and LaVar Arrington.

“Luke has been a valuable performer for our team. Throughout his career he showed his versatility and toughness. Because of that, this was a difficult decision, but it was one we felt we had to make to take the first steps in improving our team for 2007."
- Giants GM Jerry Reese on the release of T Luke Petitgout
Two of the players are former first-round draft choices (Petitgout by the Giants, Arrington by the Washington Redskins). Petitgout has played his entire career with the Giants. Arrington spent one season in New Jersey after six years in the nation’s capital. Emmons played four years in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia before spending the last three seasons with the Giants.

Petitgout and Arrington had their 2006 seasons ended prematurely because of injury, while Emmons missed four games with a pectoral injury.

“Luke has been a valuable performer for our team,” Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. “Throughout his career he showed his versatility and toughness. Because of that, this was a difficult decision, but it was one we felt we had to make to take the first steps in improving our team for 2007. Carlos has had a tough time staying on the field consistently because of injuries the past couple years. LaVar's situation is unfortunate because he was just starting to really become a factor in our defense at the time of his injury."

Petitgout joined the Giants as the 19th overall selection of the 1999 NFL Draft. In his eight years with the team, the 6-6, 310-pounder played in 113 games with 106 starts and played left guard and both tackle positions. Petitgout was an integral member of the offensive line that helped Tiki Barber set franchise records while rushing for 5,050 yards from 2004-06.

As a rookie, Petitgout played left guard and started eight of the first nine games before being replaced by Mike Rosenthal, his former teammate at Notre Dame. In 2000 and 2001, Petitgout started every game – including three postseason contests – at right tackle. He was named to Sports Illustrated’s All-Pro team in 2001.

Petitgout moved to left tackle in 2002 and played there the last five seasons. When a back injury forced him to miss a game against Dallas on Sept. 15, 2003, it ended a streak of 49 consecutive starts. He played in 10 games that year, but started all 16 games in 2004 and 15 in 2005.

This season, Petitgout started the first nine games of the season before fracturing his left fibula in the first half of a game against Chicago on Nov. 12. He was inactive for six games as the Giants hoped he would be able to return late in the season. But when Petitgout failed to make sufficient progress in his recovery, he was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 26.

Emmons joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent on March 5, 2004. Injuries limited him to 36 games in his three seasons with the Giants.

"Carlos gave us everything he had, but his injuries the last couple years kept him from being the kind of player we know he is. LaVar was only here a short time, but as a coach, I couldn't have asked for more from a veteran player in terms of his desire and his enthusiasm."
-Coach Tom Coughlin on the release of linebackers Carlos Emmons and LaVar Arrington
In 2006, Emmons started all 12 games in which he played, seven at strongside linebacker and five on the weak side. He started the season’s first three games at weakside backer, Games 7-8 on the strong side, Games 10-11 on the weak side and the final five games of the season, plus the NFC Wild Card Game in Philadelphia, at strongside linebacker. Emmons missed four games with a pectoral injury suffered on Sept. 24 at Seattle. He finished the season fifth on the team with 70 tackles (44 solo) and a sack.

In 2005, Emmons played in nine games with eight starts - five on the strong side and three on the weak side. He had 49 tackles (35 solo), 1 interception and 5 passes defensed before being placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury on Dec. 27.

Emmons’ finest season with the Giants was in 1994, when he started all 15 games in which he played at strongside linebacker and led the team with 97 tackles (62 solo), a sack and three passes defensed.

In his four years in Philadelphia, Emmons established himself as one of the NFL’s premier strongside linebackers, averaging 110 tackles a season from 2000-2003. Emmons entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft choice (the 242nd overall selection) by the Steelers in 1996. He was a four-year starter at Arkansas State from 1992-95.

Arrington joined the Giants on April 24, 2006 after playing six seasons for the Redskins. The second overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Arrington was a Pro Bowler every season from 2001-03, when he was considered one of the NFL’s most dynamic linebackers.

A knee injury limited him to four games in 2005 and 13 (with eight starts) in his final season in Washington in 2005.

Arrington’s only Giants season was cut short when he tore his Achilles tendon at Dallas on Oct. 23. The injury required surgery and forced him to go on injured reserve. Ironically, Arrington was playing his finest game of the season the night he was hurt. He started at strongside linebacker and sacked Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe for a safety. Arrington later deflected a Bledsoe pass on a flea-flicker that could have resulted in a long gain.

In his brief Giants tenure, Arrington played in six games with five starts on the strong side. He did not start against his former team, the Redskins, on Oct. 8 because the Giants opened the game with an extra defensive back. Arrington finished his shortened season with 17 tackles (11 solo), a sack and two passes defensed.

Arrington’s career totals include 484 tackles (346 solo), 23.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions.

“These are difficult decisions,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. “But as Jerry and I looked at the roster, they are decisions we felt we had to make as we start to compose our team for the upcoming season. Luke has been a tough competitor here, and he was really playing well before his injury last season. Carlos gave us everything he had, but his injuries the last couple years kept him from being the kind of player we know he is. LaVar was only here a short time, but as a coach, I couldn't have asked for more from a veteran player in terms of his desire and his enthusiasm."

http://giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=24345

He's only got 8 years in and is coming back from merely a fbiula fracture. Hopefully our people are already on the phone with his people to start finding out what parameters they are looking for. If he's something we deem worthwhile (and I know nothing about him except that his name is a recognizable one) it would be nice to have him locked up and on his way here before Free Agency even comes close to opening up.... it could have a fairly profound impact on how we approach things.


Of course, there's a LOT of "IF"'s in there, but that's the offseason for ya

Hmm...

Well, suddenly the supply of LT's has doubled. If anything it drives down Leonard Davis' asking price.

Pettigout would be a good pickup considering our Oline as of now....

But I wasn't expecting the Giants to release Arrington...

Build the OL through the draft!

Pettigout was one of the best RTs and actually had a possible "GREATNESS" to be attached to him until he made the switch to LT in 2002.

I see in 04 n 05 he started 31 games...but was injured in many of those 31 games and his play reflected greatly...Just whoever they had to play in his stead totally sucked.

Your typical AS GOOD AS YOUR FA LT COMES - probably. Injury history and really would make a pretty good Pro-Bowl RT.

JMHO

The Giants were blaming his loss to their terrible season, now they let him go? It makes me wonder if he's more injured than jus a fib fracture. They talk about how much of a drop off there was after they lost him, I don't know of any cards up their sleeves. Kind of a surprise to me.

does make you wonder doesn't it.. With them trying to build a team around a young QB, you would think that if he had anything left in the tank, and only 8 years in the league, they wouldn't let him get anywhere near out of the building.. Something is wrong with this..

Shadow I live in Giant territory...Pettigout was an outstanding RT - people were upset when they moved him to LT cause he was the best he had but he went from GREAT RT to Mediocre LT. That was 2002!

Since 2003 - He's been on the IR or the walking wounded where he would have to come out every game for a series or two then tough it out...think it was his back.

JMHO

With these guys being released this means that teams do not have to wait to sign them, correct?

Also they just signed Arrington so I am really suprised they cut him, I wonder what kind of cap hit they took from that. Also these guys must be healed since I wouldnt think they would be allowed to be released if they were still hurt.

Right they are FA's right now...well maybe tomorrow

thanks for the insight Eo,,, so your saying that if we needed a RT (which we may) he might be a good possibility,,,, but we have to watch for injuries,,,, Right?

Wonder how Pettigout would work out at Guard now?

Could be a possibility.

I say pass on him. He will be too expensive for what we would be getting. We would be paying more for name and what he did years ago than what he can do now.

Injuries is the definate key considering us making a big investment...which I cannot see Savage making any with that risk not after we lost out on Bentley. Why increase the odds.

I think he has better footwork and run blocking skill than Shaffer. Better on both corners than Shaffer when healthy. Older and more injured (back injury reoccuring).

As for position - was one of the best RTs! take that to the bank. Of course that was prior to injuries.

JMHO

doesn't sound like a good idea does it

Thats life in FA OL

If he's healthy enough and cheap enough then i'd be all for signing him to play RT since we are unsure about Tucker.

Well, I got some insider info on this one. I heard Tampa Bay already called him today. And his agent told him to expect a call from Dallas too. I know his mother-in-law.

Luke has played all O-line positions. He was a G/C at Notre Dame.

I wouldn't mind seeing him as a starting guard and a backup for Tucker (while we also draft a G in the 3rd round).

Put him at RT and we just got a whole hell of a lot better.

Quote:

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it was one we felt we had to make to take the first steps in improving our team for 2007."

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Their getting rid of him to improve their team.....If he was still that valuable...And would help with improving the team...He would still be there....

Not necessarily. As was said by a previous poster he was a very good RT but only an average LT and he had been the Gints LT the last few years so he was probably being paid LT money. Combine that with his injury problems the last few years the Gints might have just gave up on him much so they could start fresh.

Thats what I mean....He isn`t valuable...because of his injuries...And wonder why they never switched him back?

Depends on what his injuries were if they were not serious and just nagging injuries he might still be a pretty good RT. As far as switching him back, i think they wanted to but they never found anybody steady to take his place on the Left side and they always had more serious holes to fill with thier early round draft picks.

He did hurt his back....How bad...don`t know....but any back injury can be a problem ....

Just Clickin,

I just found this blurb on Great Blue North:

Quote:

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The oft-injured Petitgout, the Giants #1 pick in 1999, was having a pretty good year but missed the second half of the season after breaking his leg.

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Link

I pass

What's the life expectancy of an OL? Getting too old.
Can get a younger player in the draft for RT/G at a better price

I'd be wary of Luke's injuries. I'm more concerned about the balky back than I am about his leg (assuming there are no complications associated with its healing). If he's good to go, he'd look pretty nice at RG if Tuck gets back OK. Can Tucker play guard? Tucker at guard with Pettigout on the edge might be even better if it would work.

Couldn't hurt to look at the guy to determine his health status and get some idea what he's looking for. With so many teams having lots of cap room, however, I think Savage will be careful not to badly over-pay for a guy who's missed a lot of time with injuries lately (even if he seems healthy right now).

Interesting...

One of the big reasons he was let go was salary.

If the price tag is reasonable I would sign him and immediately plug him in as the starter at RT. If Tucker comes back he could move to RG.This would seriously upgrade our o-line. Resign Fraley and if LCB comes back this year he starts at LG.

I think for the right price you take a long hard look at the guy.
Nothing else he could be quality backup to step in for a few games if someone gets injured. ( The Browns and injury, imagine that thought).
He would be an upgrade over anything we now have, but like I said, only if the price is right.
You don't change your draft plans, just consider if you get a youngun, he might be a good teacher, stopgap until someone can take over.

He got cut because of injury a broken leg. They have no backup for him currently the backup retired. Just an FYI from todays NYC paper.

A broken leg is not a injuyr to worry about. That is why it was such a boneheaded move on the Giants part. Makes me wonder if that is why the other OT retires...as a kinda up yours thing. It would be one thing if he blew up his knee, but the guy just broke his fibula or something. At least it looks like no big deal from where I'm sitting (with no real knowledge of his actual physical state)