It is being reported on twitter, Mark Herzlich is a Giant

you have to root for this guy, he will get healthier as he recovers from his cancer and treatment.

This guy could be a real stud big time.

Giants sign Mark Herzlich
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 26, 2011, 10:43 AM

The most inspirational player in college football last season has found his professional home.

Mark Herzlich, the Boston College linebacker who won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2008, sat out a season while battling cancer in 2009 and returned to start all 13 games in 2010, is a New York Giant.

Herzlich confirmed on Twitter that he agreed to a deal as an undrafted free agent today.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin is the former head coach at Boston College and likely followed Herzlich’s career there closely, so it’s not a surprise that Coughlin would want to give Herzlich a chance.

Although Herzlich was invited to the NFL draft, he was not selected. Now he’ll get a chance to compete for a job in training camp and to become an inspiration to millions in the NFL.

New York Giants sign Mark Herzlich as undrafted free agent

The Giants today added one of the most notable undrafted free agents on the market, former Boston College star Mark Herzlich. He announced his destination via Twitter.

Herzlich, a linebacker, was a former standout for the ACC school but is just as widely known as having battled and beaten cancer to get back on the field.

"They’re a team that needs linebackers, it’s a great opportunity for me to get in and play and be on a team," Herzlich said during an interview with ESPN. "And it’s a great community feel. It’s a family-owned team, I know the Maras, I know (Tom) Coughlin from Boston College. It just seemed like a great place to be."

Giants president John Mara, a Boston College alum, told reporters at the team's facility he nudged the front office to sign Herzlich.

"He’s a great kid and he’s certainly had his share of obstacles to overcome and we’re excited to give him the opportunity," Mara said.

In 2008 Herzlich was a first-team All-American, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Butkus Award after a season in which he accrued 110 tackles, six interceptions and two sacks. But in May 2009 he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

"My health’s great right now. I had my checkups yesterday, actually at Penn (University) Hospital," Herzlich said during his ESPN interview. "Everything was clear, everything was fine, and I’m feeling great, feeling healthy and I’m ready to play some football."

Asked if he feels like he did in 2008, Herzlich replied, "I can probably tell you more on that when I actually strap on some pads. When I’m running and doing drills, I feel great, I feel fast, I feel fluid. But it’s obviously, for anyone who’s played football, a little different when you get on the field in pads. In about a week, I’ll be able to let you know."

Before the draft, someone informed of the Giants' thinking said team doctors would not give the okay on Herzlich's health. But as an undrafted free agent, he apparently was worth the gamble.

"It’s been a lot different, I would have to say, going from zero teams pursuing me to a bunch of teams. It makes you think, ‘What changed?’" Herzlich told ESPN. "But I know what changed; I’ve been down training in Florida, I’ve been getting my body right and getting in better shape. I think I’ve progressed as a football player and as an athlete within the past few months and I think they know that."

They, of course, being the Giants.

"What I do know is they’re a great team, they have a great D-Line and pass rushers, obviously with Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka," Herzlich said, clearly hoping Kiwanuka, a BC alum, re-signs with the team. "They’re a pressure team, they like getting pressure on the quarterback and they need some ‘backers in order to be there. They’ve got some great players right now, but I feel like I have an opportunity to go in there and make something happen."

Well by now I think it's obvious Coughlin, Reese, and Mara read my Big Blue Print and are taking it into consideration.

Great move on signing Herz. He's the steal of the UDFA market. Now we make a move for Pauly P and the rest is history.

Pizan wrote:Well by now I think it's obvious Coughlin, Reese, and Mara read my Big Blue Print and are taking it into consideration.

Yes, they were just on Touchdown Blue yesterday to make sure you were ok with the signing Vin.

I thought Herzlich was going o be a Raven or something during yesterdays hoopla. Good to see he's a Giant!

FYI Todd, Reese consults with me on a regular basis via text.

Herzlich said he was in serious talks with the Ravens, Eagles, and obviously the Giants.

Pizan wrote:FYI Todd, Reese consults with me on a regular basis via text.

Herzlich said he was in serious talks with the Ravens, Eagles, and obviously the Giants.

not when it comes to which players to draft

what position do you think Herzlich is best suited for?

56 Crazed Dogs wrote:what position do you think Herzlich is best suited for?

With our Tampa style defense, he could play any of the spots.

WLB could depend on how much speed he has recovered though

doesn't say too much, but I liked the read, part of an article by ESPN's Dan Grazino:



Got to like the move if you're a Giants fan. You know they need help at
linebacker. You know Herzlich was, at one point, a universally feared
athletic monster whose skills and controlled fury on the field would
translate at any level. You don't know if he can ever get back to full
strength and be that player again. But you do know that he's already
kicked cancer's butt, and it's worth taking a chance on a guy who's
shown what he could do pre-cancer and also the toughness and
determination to beat it.


Herzlich will be a fun story to follow -- an upside play for whom
everyone will be rooting. And he's just hooked on with a team that
coaches talented young defensive players into stars. Great place for
Herzlich, good signing for the Giants. If it doesn't work out, no big
deal. Undrafted free-agent signing. Little or no risk. But if it does
work out, what a story it'll be.

56 Crazed Dogs wrote:what position do you think Herzlich is best suited for?

SLB most likely but MLB is a possibility and after the senior bowl I was convinced he could play in the middle. I said it a few times around the draft but Herzlich's instincts and football smarts are unmatched. This guy diagnoses the play much quicker than your average rookie.