A year ago, a spirited player who was disappointed not to be selected in the NFL Draft was signed by the Giants to compete for a spot on the roster at fullback. That player, Henry Hynoski, became a role player as a rookie and helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLVI.
A year later, the Giants signed another undrafted player to compete for a spot at fullback.
Joe Martinek of Rutgers did a nice job during the recent rookie mini-camp. The competition and the stakes rise today when he participates in the Giants’ first Organized Team Activity practice with most of the veterans on hand.
Hynoski will be looking to solidify his spot and Martinek will be looking to carve a niche for himself on the roster in a competition that won’t really get cooking until training camp this summer at the University at Albany. The fullback’s role in the Giants’ offense is primarily to block for running backs, pass-protect for the quarterback and catch an occasional pass out of the backfield.
Mostly, it is about establishing a physical presence on the field, something that won’t really happen in an OTA. This is the first of 10 practices that go on without pads, without contact and without any 1-on-1 drills. The OTAs conclude with the June 12-14 veteran mini-camp.
Head coach Tom Coughlin described Martinek as “very steady’’ during the rookie camp and said Martinek probably could play both fullback and running back.
“Whatever they decide … I’m willing to do whatever they ask me,’’ said Martinek, a native of Hopatcong, N.J., who said he did not grow up a fan of the Giants.
“I was a fan of college football in general,’’ Martinek said. “I watched professional, any game that was on, but my town and my best friends are all huge Giant fans. It does help. I have family and friends and the Jersey support. I’m trying to make the most of this opportunity. I might not get another one.’’
* Coughlin will be one of five to receive the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Award in a ceremony today at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. The award will be presented by Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the Chief of Staff of the Army, a Giants fan who has developed a close relationship with Coughlin.
The citation to be presented to Coughlin in part states his “consistent, outward public support of the U.S. Army and the military in general have had far-reaching positive impacts on the health and morale of our service members at home and deployed overseas.’’
* Coughlin told the Florida Times-Union this past weekend he has not even thought about retirement.
“I’m not mentally, not physically ready [to retire],” Coughlin said during his 17th annual Jay Fund golf tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., which raised $450,000 for families of cancer patients. “I feel I have good energy. I’m excited every day. The competitiveness, the nature of the business, is something that I’m still excited about. I don’t wander down that path. I don’t think about retirement.’’
The Giants shortly will complete and announce a multi-year contract extension for Coughlin, who turns 66 on Aug. 31 and is the NFL’s oldest head coach.