As the New York Football Giants opened training camp on Monday, they received both good and bad news. Longtime offensive guard (and son-in-law to coach Tom Coughlin) announced his retirement, but running back David Wilson said that he's cleared for action after suffering a neck injury last year.
Chris Snee was drafted by the Giants in the second round back in 2004 and has remained with the team ever since. The Boston College graduate was selected 34th overall that year and was a productive right guard on the offensive line for a number of years. Before Snee's rookie contract ended, he was signed to a six-year extension through the 2014 season that was worth $41.25 million including $17 million guaranteed.
However, injuries derailed Snee's season last year. He missed only six games in his entire career before last season, where he missed 13 games due to hip and elbow surgeries. The former four-time Pro Bowler notified the Giants on Monday that he plans to retire over health concerns, as his recovery from elbow surgery has been slow after he underwent a procedure in March. Snee's ten-year career earned him two Super Bowl rings.
The Giants were likely preparing for Snee to either announce his retirement or be limited in playing time this year due to their free agency signings (OG Geoff Schwartz, Center J.D. Walton, OT John Jerry, and OT Charles Brown) and draft picks (Center Weston Richburg). But the Giants received news on Monday that former first-round draft pick David Wilson is cleared for football activity after undergoing neck surgery last season.
Just got cleared ..... #cleared for everything now the story continues #pocketrocket https://t.co/thjqbeLtfy
— David E. Wilson (@4stillRunning) July 21, 2014
Despite a limited 2012 season as a rookie (71 carries for 358 yards) and a poor start to the 2013 season (44 carries for 146 yards), Wilson is expected to provide a spark for the Giants offense. The former track star and running back at Virginia Tech impressed the Giants' coaching staff last year with his speed, earning him the starting role. This year he's expected to complement newcomer Rashad Jennings in the backfield. Last year with the Oakland Raiders, the bruising Jennings rushed for 733 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
With the additions to the offensive line and a new offensive system orchestrated by coordinator Ben McAdoo, the Giants are expected to have a bounce-back year in the NFC East behind quarterback Eli Manning. You can read more about David Wilson's return in this ESPN article and Chris Snee's retirement in this PFT article.
