Watch CBS News

Giants Invite Felix Jones And 14 Other Players To Bye Week Workout

By Curt Macysyn

Heading into their bye week with a 3-4 record may have been bad enough for some members of the New York Giants, but the idea that your employer may be interviewing your replacement might be downright scary for a couple of team members. According to Jordan Raanan of nj.com, the team brought in 15 offensive players and specialists for a bye week workout. Among the names on the invite list were former NFL starters: Felix Jones (RB), Alex Green (RB), Jonathan Baldwin (WR), Terrelle Pryor (QB) and Tony Moeaki (TE).

Perhaps it makes sense that Pryor would garner some interest from the Giants, as the former Ohio State signal caller had been an NFL starter last year for the Oakland Raiders. The G-men might like to have a back-up plan at the position on the practice squad, if possible. On the other hand, both Green and Jones might be more of an attempt to upgrade the running back position for the Giants. After seeing LeSean McCoy and DeMarco Murray gash their defense in successive weeks, maybe New York now understands that in the NFL speed kills.

Once David Wilson was forced to retire from the Giants this summer, the team's backfield lacked a true game breaker. Both Green and Jones would be an upgrade in the speed department from current running backs judging from the respective forty-yard dash times. Felix Jones (4.47), who has played with the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, has also returned kickoffs in his career. Alex Green (4.45) is both bigger and faster than Jones, and he would be a speed upgrade over Peyton Hillis (4.57) and Andre Williams (4.56).

"Jones has played for the Cowboys and Steelers. He compiled 1,250 total yards from scrimmage in 2010. He's also served as a kickoff returner throughout his career," according to Raanan.

Jonathan Baldwin was first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011 but never panned out with the team. Baldwin has the size (6-4, 228 lbs.) and speed (4.49) that teams covet at wide receiver, but he has been unable to put it together on the field, even after a trade to the San Francisco 49ers. With the spate of injuries at wide receiver, the Giants may be taking a longer look at bolstering the position.

The same might be said for Baldwin's former teammate, tight end Tony Moeaki. Moeaki seemed destined for stardom after a 47 catch rookie season in 2010, but he sat out in 2011 with a knee injury. The former Iowa Hawkeye came back with a 33 catch season in 2012 before the injury bug bit him again in 2013 in the form of a fractured shoulder. He spent the 2014 preseason with the Buffalo Bills before getting cut at the end of training camp. After the two fumble performance by Larry Donnell, perhaps the Giants want to find more options at tight end, especially with the fact that Adrien Robinson still has not been anything close to a regular contributor.

Former Eagles running back Dion Lewis and former New York Jets' punter Robert Malone were part of the group of fifteen. It would also make sense for the Giants to bring in some defensive free agents in light of the injuries at linebacker and cornerback.

For more Giants news and updates, visit Giants Central.

Curt Macysyn has been covering the New York Football Giants for the past two seasons for Examiner.com. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Curt has followed and covered the New York Metropolitan sports scene for 35 years. He attended Seton Hall Prep School in South Orange, NJ and is a graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. His work can be found on aExaminer.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.