Tweet
Snit bit from Giants.com
One of the interesting calls was the decision to keep Jennings over Ponder. A sixth-round draft choice in 2003, Ponder led the NFL in 2004 with a 26.9-yard kickoff return average, the highest by a Giant in 30 years. Ponder brought back a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown against Pittsburgh, then returned one 95 yards for a score in last season’s opener versus Arizona. In three years, Ponder caught eight passes, none last year.
Jennings was a track star who didn’t play football at Florida State. He has received a lot of publicity for his flashy car (1995 Caprice Classic with 26-inch rims and multiple speakers), gold teeth and witty quotes. But Jennings has steadily improved as a player, largely because he was on the Giants’ practice squad for part of the 2004 season and all of 2005. In the Giants’ 4-0 preseason, Jennings had a team-high seven receptions for 70 yards and returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown at Baltimore.
“It was a tough call, without a doubt,†Coughlin said of the Jennings/Ponder debate. “But when you look at what’s been done, you have to be fair about analyzing it. Both players can play in the league. Both have certain elements that they bring to the overall special teams and offense, and that made for a most difficult decision.â€Â
One of the interesting calls was the decision to keep Jennings over Ponder. A sixth-round draft choice in 2003, Ponder led the NFL in 2004 with a 26.9-yard kickoff return average, the highest by a Giant in 30 years. Ponder brought back a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown against Pittsburgh, then returned one 95 yards for a score in last season’s opener versus Arizona. In three years, Ponder caught eight passes, none last year.
Jennings was a track star who didn’t play football at Florida State. He has received a lot of publicity for his flashy car (1995 Caprice Classic with 26-inch rims and multiple speakers), gold teeth and witty quotes. But Jennings has steadily improved as a player, largely because he was on the Giants’ practice squad for part of the 2004 season and all of 2005. In the Giants’ 4-0 preseason, Jennings had a team-high seven receptions for 70 yards and returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown at Baltimore.
“It was a tough call, without a doubt,†Coughlin said of the Jennings/Ponder debate. “But when you look at what’s been done, you have to be fair about analyzing it. Both players can play in the league. Both have certain elements that they bring to the overall special teams and offense, and that made for a most difficult decision.â€Â
Comment