The New York Giants already are stocking their roster for training camp this summer.

The Super Bowl champions announced Wednesday that they had signed as free agents eight players who spent all or part of this season on their practice squad.

The eight are defensive back Brandon Bing, running back Andre Brown, offensive lineman Selvish Capers, receivers Dan DePalma and Isaiah Stanback, defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks, tight end Christian Hopkins, quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and defensive end DE Adrian Tracy.

Hendricks is the only one of the eight who played in a regular-season game, appearing in one.


(wsj.com)

With the NY Giants defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl XLVI last night in Indianapolis, three player Super Bowl Rings were added to the proCane trophy case with starting safeties Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips winning rings along with defensive lineman practice squader Dwayne Hendricks as well. Congrats to all three players, but we must not forget Special Assistant Coach for the Giants and former proCane Jesse Armstead who also, as a result of the Giants’ victory, won a Super Bowl Ring yesterday.

CORRECTION: Bruce Johnson will also receive a Super Bowl ring. Despite not being on the NY Giants roster either on the active or IR roster, according to their website, Bruce Johnson will receive a ring. Several proCanes.com fans notified us that Bruce did post a message on Facebook to that effect. We thank everyone for their help in getting this figured out!

With the NY Giants defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl XLVI last night in Indianapolis, three player Super Bowl Rings were added to the proCane trophy case with starting safeties Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips winning rings along with defensive lineman practice squader Dwayne Hendricks as well. Congrats to all three players, but we must not forget Special Assistant Coach for the Giants and former proCane Jesse Armstead who also, as a result of the Giants’ victory, won a Super Bowl Ring yesterday.

INDIANAPOLIS — Duzz geebts noor here Puls 4.

No, I didn’t just take my hand and drag it across the keyboard. Those were the words scrawled on a notebook by a German media host, who said it translated to “Only can be seen on Channel 4.”

It’s a message that Giants backup DT Dwayne Hendricks was asked to say on camera during the team’s Media Day availability. It took Hendricks a few takes, but he eventually nailed it.

“It basically shows that the NFL isn’t just a U.S. thing,” he said. “It’s spread into other countries, even Germany. Just knowing that it’s not going to be a statewide or countrywide, but worldwide event provides more incentive.”

German TV reporters are fun, but no one brings the party like the Spanish-speaking media. One news team was equipped with a boom box and a 6-foot pole with a disco ball attached on a string. The team was going up to players asking them to do their best Victor Cruz-inspired salsa dance.


(blogs.nfl.com)

Dwayne Hendricks isn’t sure if he’ll get on the field Sunday in the New York Giants’ biggest game of the season, but that isn’t stopping the 2004 Millville High School graduate from enjoying everything the NFL’s grandest stage has to offer.

Hendricks, 25, and his teammates arrived in Indianapolis on Monday as Big Blue prepares to take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

The teams participated in NFL Media Day on Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Hendricks got his first real taste of the frenzy surrounding the spectacle.

As part of the Giants’ practice squad, Hendricks will be allowed on the sideline for the game, but will not be dressed for play.

“Indy is great, we just wrapped up Media Day and it was a pretty incredible experience,” the defensive lineman said in a telephone interview. “The town is showing nothing but love for us. Everyone has been very hospitable.

“I heard there were something like 7,000 people at the event, which someone said might be a record. When I got back to our hotel room downtown, I looked out the window and there’s just fans everywhere. I’m seeing a lot of blue, because that’s what both teams wear.”

Hendricks, who is currently a member of the Giants’ practice squad, has appeared in just one game this season — in a 24-20 win over the Patriots on Nov. 6, when the Millville native played on special teams.

Being a part of that victory is something that has stuck with Hendricks this season.

“I was just saying to myself that the last time I had an opportunity to play was a win against New England, and it feels good knowing I had a hand in that,” Hendricks said. “For me, I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to play Sunday, but you have to be ready because you never know what could happen.”

Super Bowl week creates a circus-like atmosphere in the host city every year, but Hendricks, who played college football at University of Miami, maintains staying focused shouldn’t be a problem.

“The NFL and New York Giants have put together a good plan that allows you to separate yourself from the distractions,” he said. “The best thing to do is just stay in your room, watch film and maybe try to sneak in a movie during some downtime. Whatever you can do to keep yourself out of the spotlight.”

There will be no hiding from the bright lights Sunday, however.

The Giants, who didn’t clinch a postseason berth until claiming the NFC East division title with a win over Dallas on the final week of the regular season, hope to ride their hot streak to their first Super Bowl title since beating New England, 17-14, in 2008.

“It’s mainly about clicking at the right time, and I feel like we’ve done that on both sides of the ball over the last five games,” Hendricks said of the Giants. “Coach (Tom) Coughlin has been here before and knows the right way to go about it. He knows what’s best for the team, and we are all willing to do whatever it takes to win the game.”

Hendricks was signed by the Giants as a free agent rookie in 2009.

Even if he doesn’t suit up Sunday, he still plans to use the Super Bowl as a learning experience.

“I consider it a blessing to be a part of this,” Hendricks said. “It’s only my third year in the league, and I’ve learned that if you put in the hard work, not just the typical hard work, but over and beyond, that it pays off. To have this opportunity shows that.”


(thedailyjournal.com)

Technically, four proCanes are headed to Super Bowl XLVI, though only three will see action. Vince WIlfork played an integral part in the Patriots’ victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, with several defensive plays, while Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips were solid in their defensive effort versus the 49ers and fellow proCane Frank Gore. Additionally for the Giants, current practice squad member of the Giants Dwayne Hendricks would also get a Super Bowl ring if the Giants were to win.

CORRECTION: Because Bruce Johnson was injured before the beginning of the season, he was not put on IR, but instead waived, so he is not on the Giants’ roster.

The Giants announced on Monday that they have added defensive tackle and Yonkers native Jimmy Kennedy to the 53-man roster.

Kennedy was suspended without pay for four games by the NFL for violating policy on performance enhancing substances.

He has four tackles in five games as a backup.

The Giants had until today to decide whether to activate or release him. To make room for Kennedy, tackle Dwayne Hendricks has been waived.

It is unclear at the moment what the Giants will do with Michael Coe's roster spot. Coe suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday night and Coughlin said he will have season-ending surgery to repair it.


(espn.com)

After finishing practice for the New York Giants on Friday, defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks grabbed his playbook and cell phone and headed back to his apartment a few miles from Met Life Stadium.

When he wasn't studying in preparation for Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Millville native was calling friends for updates on Millville High School's South Jersey Group IV semifinal game against Washington Township.

Hendricks not only played for the Thunderbolts, the 2004 Millville graduate and two-time Press All-Star served as a volunteer assistant coach for the team between stints on the Giants' practice squad in 2009 and 2010.

"I obviously haven't been able to get to a game this year, but I've been keeping up with them all season," Hendricks said in a phone interview. "I called coach (Jason) Durham and some of the other coaches this week to wish them luck. It's really great to see them doing so well."

Hendricks is also doing well.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder began this season on the practice squad, but was promoted to the active roster for the first time on Oct. 14 when Giants defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy was suspended for four games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Hendricks, 25, made his NFL debut on Nov. 6 in the Giants' 24-20 victory at New England. He did not get any snaps on defense, but played extensively on special teams.

"Playing in that game really meant a lot to me," said Hendricks, who was deactivated for the other games. "The goal for every football player is to play in an NFL game and to finally get that opportunity was really special.

"Everything happened so fast that game that I didn't have time to be star-struck or anything like that. I just want to do anything I could to help us get a win. Beating the Patriots was a big win for us."

Suiting up against the Patriots was a reward for the hard work and determination that helped Hendricks get to the NFL. After a standout career at the University of Miami, he signed with the Giants as a free agent in 2009, but was cut at the end of the preseason and did not join their practice squad until six weeks into the regular season. Last year, he was released again and joined the Giants practice squad again for the final seven weeks.

In between stints, he served as a substitute teacher in the Millville school system while also helping to coach the Thunderbolts.

Once the NFL lockout ended, he reported to Giants' training camp and impressed both the coaches and his teammates with his work ethic enough to join the practice squad again at the outset of the season.

"He's developed a lot since he first got here," Giants defensive tackle Rocky Bernard told the Newark Star Ledger last month. "He was a little undersized, so he got in the weight room and bulked himself up. He's just one of those guys who just keeps quiet and works hard every day."
During the week, Hendricks' role has not changed that much since his promotion. He lines up with the scout team in practice against the Giants' starting offense. This week, he was emulating Eagles defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins.

Ironically, he counts Eagles defensive tackle Antonio Dixon among his best friends. The two were teammates at Miami and were both signed as rookie free agents in 2009. Dixon is on the injured reserve list after suffering a torn triceps against San Francisco on Oct. 4.

"The biggest difference is I get to jump in and take a few reps with the defense now that I'm on the active roster," Hendricks said. "I feel like I've made a lot of progress and improvement, especially with my pass rush. One of the advantages of being in my situation is that I'm allowed to work on getting better every day and I'm hoping it will pay off. I'm hoping I reach a point where I'm playing in every game instead of just one."

Besides playing against the Patriots, another event had a profound impact on Hendricks this month.

November 7th marked the fifth anniversary of the death of former Hurricanes defensive end Bryan Pata, who was shot in the back of the head as he was walking toward the apartment he shared with Hendricks and Pata's girlfriend, Jada Brody. The murder is still unsolved.

Hendricks keeps in contact with Pata's mother, Jeanette, and participates in a football camp in North Miami each summer.

"It's been very hard for her," Hendricks said. "Every parent wants to see their son or daughter graduate from college and she was denied that chance. Hopefully, they'll catch whoever did it, so she can finally get some closure."


(pressofatlanticcity.com)

Every day at practice, Dwayne Hendricks gets to club offensive linemen and throw a shoulder into ball carriers. He’s very thankful for such opportunities because a few months ago, for the first time in his life, he couldn’t be as physical on the job front.

With the NFL in a lockout as owners and players squabbled over a new collective bargaining agreement, the Giants’ defensive tackle served as a substitute teacher and day care worker in his hometown of Millville.

It was “Kindergarten Cop,” NFL style.

“It was crazy. I didn’t know what to do,” the 6-3, 305-pound Hendricks said the other day. “Kids are running around, and you don’t know how to handle it. I couldn’t put my hand on them because I didn’t want to hurt ’em. You have to be real careful because those little kids are fragile.”

With the labor issues well behind him, Hendricks is back to his normal line of work. And two weeks ago, when Jimmy Kennedy was suspended four games for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Hendricks became the newest addition to the active roster when he was signed off the practice squad.

An undrafted free agent from Miami in 2009, Hendricks was inactive 13 days ago against the Bills, might not dress tomorrow against the Dolphins or over the next two weeks and could head back to the practice squad when Kennedy returns.

But it all beats the alternative, even if his temporary job taught him some valuable lessons.

“It’s like a switch, you have to learn to turn the aggressiveness off. And I had to turn it off a lot,” said Hendricks, who taught everything from physical education to English on the high school and elementary levels. “You can’t say stuff you normally say in the locker room to little kids, even high school kids. You have to watch what you say. So it helped me grow as a person.

“It was hard, but it was a good experience.”

As is being on the Giants’ practice squad.

Hendricks said a lot of the South Jersey teams he faced in high school ran the old “Wing-T” offense, a run-heavy scheme that features misdirection plays. And after tearing his ACL in college, he played primarily on first and second downs, meaning he didn’t have to diagnose run/pass reads as much as is required of an NFL defensive lineman.

But even in practice, he has improved in such areas.

“He’s developed a lot since he first got here,” veteran defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said. “He was a little undersized, so he got in the weight room and bulked himself up. He’s just one of those guys who just keeps quiet every day and works hard at it.”

And after being in a classroom for much of the late winter and spring, Hendricks is motivated to work even harder on the field. Plus, he appreciates looking at his pay stubs: installments of a $375,000 base salary while he’s on the active roster and a weekly rate equivalent to a $96,900 salary while he was on the practice squad.

“You go from seeing one check to a much smaller one,” Hendricks said of the drop in pay he took while teaching.

“People say you’re on practice squad, you don’t make that much, but it’s a lot more than the average person.

“I just take it every day like it’s a blessing to be here. Just to be on a practice squad is a testament to itself.”



(nj.com)

Throughout the week, Giants coach Tom Coughlin deflected questions about who he will fill Jimmy Kennedy's spot on the active roster while Kennedy serves a four-game suspension.

The answer came today, when the team promoted long-time squad practice squad member Dwayne Hendricks, a defensive tackle from Millville.
Hendricks, 25, was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Miami in 2009. e spent 10 weeks in 2009 on the practice squad, seven weeks last season and was signed to the practice squad again this year after failing to make the team out of the preseason.

Hendricks played in all four preseason games this year, including a start in the finale at New England. He had five tackles (four solo), a sack and a forced fumble.

Hendricks was inactive for the Giants versus the Bills on Sunday.


(nj.com)

Giants defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, signed in August to provide depth inside, has been suspended four games after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances, the NFL said via statement.

Kennedy's suspension will begin immediately and will end on Nov. 14, one day after the team faces the 49ers in San Francisco.

The 31-year-old Kennedy, a former first-round pick of the Rams, has played well in limited duty this season in a rotation with starters Chris Canty and Linval Joseph, as well as veteran backup Rocky Bernard. He has four tackles in five games but has disrupted a few plays with solid penetration and helped with a key goal-line stand against the Eagles.

The Giants, who lost rookie second-round pick Marvin Austin to a torn pectoral muscle in the preseason, have a defensive tackle on the practice squad in Dwayne Hendricks, a Millville native who signed as an undrafted free agent last year and spent part of last season on the practice squad.



(nj.com)

The Philadelphia Eagles cut rookie running back Graig Cooper. The Eagles are deep at the running back position, so look for Cooper to sign as a free agent with another team, he looked quite good this pre-season. The Eagles also cut WR Sinorice Moss. Moss had another great training camp, but was a victim of a deep crop of WRs. Moss has the talent and has shown it when given the opportunity and when healthy. WRs go down due to injury quite often, look for a team to pick him up.

The Miami Dolphins cut TE Dedrick Epps. Epps was cut last year as well but eventually made the Dolphins practice squad. Look for him to latch onto the practice squad again considering how thin the Dolphins are at the TE position.

WR Darnell Jenkins was cut by the New England Patriots. Most scouts seem to think he will find a spot on someone’s roster.

S Jared Campbell, brother of Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell was cut by the Cardinals. Campbell played well in limited action in the preseason. He may be able to make a practice squad.

The New England Patriots, in a surprise move, cut safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather who has been to two consecutive Pro Bowls reportedly freelanced too much in the Patriot backfield and was underperforming. It’s not clear as to whether it was also money issue, but Meriweather is definitely still an elite talent at safety in the NFL. Look for teams thin at that position like the Dolphins and Chiefs to go after Meriweather.

Baraka Atkins LB/DE who had been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason was cut as well. Atkins was one of the final cuts of the Denver Broncos last year after spending the beginning of his career with the Seahawks.

10-year veteran DL Damione Lewis was cut by the Houston Texans. Lewis was a late addition to the Texans squad last year and played very well both last year and this preseason. What didn’t help Lewis this year was the fact that the Texans changed to a 3-4 defense and Lewis is much better suite as a DL in the 4-3.

Brett Romberg who was a surprise signing by the Atlanta Falcons only a couple of days ago, after not playing at all during the 2010 season, was cut by the Falcons as concerns over their starting center’s health subsided. Don’t be surprised to see Romberg get signed if the Falcons sustain an injury there.

Running back Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. Berry was slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered in the first game of the pre season, and as a result didn’t play until the fourth game. Berry has NFL skills. BERRY WAS SIGNED TO THE RAVENS PRACTICE SQUAD.

LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden was drafted by the Ravens to eventually replace Ray Lewis at the MLB position, but injuries have really slowed his career. Gooden, if healthy, can start for most NFL teams, but this pre season was no different as he continued to deal with injuries. THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SIGNED GOODEN TO A 1-YEAR DEAL.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Hill was waived by the Minnessota Vikings. Hill didn’t play a lot this pre season but when he did, like in the final pre season game for the Vikings, he performed well leading the team in tackles. The Vikings had Hill listed as a safety. He has the size and speed to play both corner and safety which gives him the type of versatility a lot of teams look for.

Javarris James, RB who led the Indianapolis Colts last year in rushing touchdowns after playing only about half the season was cut by the Colts.

Second-year defensive lineman Dwayne Hendricks who was on the NY Giants practice squad last year and was called up and played in a regular season game last year for the Giants was cut. Giants did have a very good pre-season. THE GIANTS SIGNED HENDRICKS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie DB Corey Nelms was cut by the 49ers. Nelms was a surprise free agent signing and did get playing time in the preseason. THE 49ERS SIGNED NELMS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie Fullback Patrick Hill was cut by the Tennessee Titans. Hill didn’t get any carries in the preseason for the Titans.

Dwayne Hendricks, a Millville High School graduate, is competing for a job as a defensive tackle with the New York Giants.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Hendricks is among seven defensive tackles at the team's training camp in East Rutherford.

The Giants announced Thursday that they had re-signed Rocky Bernard, whom had been cut last week after having spent the 2009 and 2010 season with the team. With Bernard back in the mix, the Giants' interior defensive line corps also includes Chris Canty, Linval Joseph, Gabe Watson, second-round draft choice Marvin Austin and Ibraham Abdulai.

Hendricks, 25, was undrafted out of Miami. He first signed with the Giants in April 2009 but was released that June. New York signed the 6-foot-3, 295-pounder again in October 2009 for its practice squad. At the time, Hendricks had been coaching the defensive line at Millville.

He signed a futures contract with the Giants in January 2010 and played in four preaseson games for them before being released last Sept. 4. The Giants signed him again to their practice squad in November 2010 and to a reserve/futures contract this past January.

Hendricks graduated from Millville in 2004. He was a two-time Press All Star. During his senior year for the Thunderbolts, he made 82 tackles, 13 of them for losses. He also had 6 sacks and caused four fumbles.


(pressofatlanticcity.com)

Dwayne Hendricks, a Millville High School graduate, is competing for a job as a defensive tackle with the New York Giants.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Hendricks is among seven defensive tackles at the team's training camp in East Rutherford.

The Giants announced Thursday that they had re-signed Rocky Bernard, whom had been cut last week after having spent the 2009 and 2010 season with the team. With Bernard back in the mix, the Giants' interior defensive line corps also includes Chris Canty, Linval Joseph, Gabe Watson, second-round draft choice Marvin Austin and Ibraham Abdulai.

Hendricks, 25, was undrafted out of Miami. He first signed with the Giants in April 2009 but was released that June. New York signed the 6-foot-3, 295-pounder again in October 2009 for its practice squad. At the time, Hendricks had been coaching the defensive line at Millville.

He signed a futures contract with the Giants in January 2010 and played in four preaseson games for them before being released last Sept. 4. The Giants signed him again to their practice squad in November 2010 and to a reserve/futures contract this past January.

Hendricks graduated from Millville in 2004. He was a two-time Press All Star. During his senior year for the Thunderbolts, he made 82 tackles, 13 of them for losses. He also had 6 sacks and caused four fumbles.


(pressofatlanticcity.com)

With defensive tackle Barry Cofield and a few other members of the New York Giants' defensive line now free agents, let's take a look at DT Dwayne Hendricks. Listed at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Hendricks went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Giants signed him as a free agent, and, after bouncing on and off the roster last season, Hendricks was signed to a reserve/future contract in January.

The Millville, N.J. native played college football at Miami (Fla.), where he appeared in 27 games, starting three. Hendricks recorded 57 tackles (nine for loss) and seven tackles as a Hurricane. While at Miami, his roommate and teammate, defensive end Bryan Pata, was shot and killed outside their apartment in November 2006. Hendricks has spoken about Pata and his relationship with his roommate's family, crediting them for much of his success.

The consensus among scouting reports on Hendricks, though, is that he plays with a high motor and tenacious attitude, but not all the time. Out of Millville High School, Hendricks was the No. 11 defensive tackle in the nation, according to Rivals.com. Clearly, Hendricks did not live up to the hype preceding him at Miami.

Hendricks has some experience with the Giants, so he could have an advantage over some of the other players signed to reserve/future contracts. Yet, many think Cofield will be re-signed, and the Giants still have Rocky Bernard, Chris Canty and Linval Joseph. That group is largely unspectacular, but Hendricks still has a difficult path to a roster spot.



(bigblueview.com)