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Wright gets third shot at NFL team with Giants
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Updated: August 16, 2007, 11:54 AM ET
Perhaps operating on the belief that his third shot in the NFL will be a charm for Manuel Wright, but more likely on the reality that they need to get stouter against the run, the New York Giants have signed the free agent defensive tackle.
The former Southern California standout is most noted for having been moved to tears by then-Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban during a camp practice two summers ago.
Wright, 23, was released by the Dolphins early this spring. He was claimed on waivers by Buffalo, then released by the Bills six days later because of his poor conditioning. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin acknowledged that Wright's weight, conservatively listed at 329 pounds but believed to be perhaps 20 pounds greater, remains an issue.
"I don't think he's completely in shape," Coughlin told local reporters. "He's done a pretty good job of getting his weight down a little bit. We would like to take a look at him. He's come down from being a little bit heavier. I think he could go for more."
The addition of Wright comes in the wake of the Giants' loss to Carolina in the preseason opener last Saturday night. The New York defense surrendered 154 rushing yards on 31 carries in that game and the tackles came under heavy scrutiny for their performance.
In his latest chance to earn a roster spot, Wright will compete on a depth chart that includes veteran tackles Marcus Bell, Barry Cofield, William Joseph and Fred Robbins. Despite such apparent depth, though, Giants' coaches clearly are not happy with the group and have been seeking help at the position.
It is not known if the Giants have indicated any interest in Denver defensive tackle Gerard Warren, who is being shopped in trade talks and could be released if the Broncos don't find a buyer.
Wright, who left the Dolphins last summer after citing a personality conflict with Saban and an ongoing battle with depression, sat out the entire 2006 season. He returned this spring for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program. But he was out of shape and simply did not fit into the plans of first-year coach Cam Cameron.
Because of his youth, Wright still has time to fulfill his enormous physical potential. Whether he does or not could depend on his frame of mind and his commitment, the latter of which he lacked under Saban's stewardship. There is no denying that Wright has NFL-level ability, but he is running out of chances.
Miami used a fifth-round choice in the 2005 supplemental draft to select Wright, an underachiever during his career at Southern California, but a player with undeniably rare physical skills. He signed a four-year contract that included a $190,000 signing bonus.
Early in training camp that summer, after a practice in which he was reluctant to participate because he claimed he was experiencing back problems, Wright was lectured by Saban while leaving the field. Cameras captured Wright using his uniform jersey to dab away tears.
In his rookie season, Wright played sparingly, appearing in only four games, and registering four tackles and one sack.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Updated: August 16, 2007, 11:54 AM ET
Perhaps operating on the belief that his third shot in the NFL will be a charm for Manuel Wright, but more likely on the reality that they need to get stouter against the run, the New York Giants have signed the free agent defensive tackle.
The former Southern California standout is most noted for having been moved to tears by then-Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban during a camp practice two summers ago.
Wright, 23, was released by the Dolphins early this spring. He was claimed on waivers by Buffalo, then released by the Bills six days later because of his poor conditioning. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin acknowledged that Wright's weight, conservatively listed at 329 pounds but believed to be perhaps 20 pounds greater, remains an issue.
"I don't think he's completely in shape," Coughlin told local reporters. "He's done a pretty good job of getting his weight down a little bit. We would like to take a look at him. He's come down from being a little bit heavier. I think he could go for more."
The addition of Wright comes in the wake of the Giants' loss to Carolina in the preseason opener last Saturday night. The New York defense surrendered 154 rushing yards on 31 carries in that game and the tackles came under heavy scrutiny for their performance.
In his latest chance to earn a roster spot, Wright will compete on a depth chart that includes veteran tackles Marcus Bell, Barry Cofield, William Joseph and Fred Robbins. Despite such apparent depth, though, Giants' coaches clearly are not happy with the group and have been seeking help at the position.
It is not known if the Giants have indicated any interest in Denver defensive tackle Gerard Warren, who is being shopped in trade talks and could be released if the Broncos don't find a buyer.
Wright, who left the Dolphins last summer after citing a personality conflict with Saban and an ongoing battle with depression, sat out the entire 2006 season. He returned this spring for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program. But he was out of shape and simply did not fit into the plans of first-year coach Cam Cameron.
Because of his youth, Wright still has time to fulfill his enormous physical potential. Whether he does or not could depend on his frame of mind and his commitment, the latter of which he lacked under Saban's stewardship. There is no denying that Wright has NFL-level ability, but he is running out of chances.
Miami used a fifth-round choice in the 2005 supplemental draft to select Wright, an underachiever during his career at Southern California, but a player with undeniably rare physical skills. He signed a four-year contract that included a $190,000 signing bonus.
Early in training camp that summer, after a practice in which he was reluctant to participate because he claimed he was experiencing back problems, Wright was lectured by Saban while leaving the field. Cameras captured Wright using his uniform jersey to dab away tears.
In his rookie season, Wright played sparingly, appearing in only four games, and registering four tackles and one sack.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
