NY Giants

NY Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has tested positive for coronavirus -- forcing the team to cancel Thursday practice.

54-year-old Garrett -- former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys -- will not call plays for the Giants when they take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, so he can focus on his recovery, the team announced.

Instead, Giants tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens -- the former Cleveland Browns head coach -- will take over the playcalling duties this weekend against his former team.

The Giants say they do NOT believe there are other high-risk contacts who may have contracted the virus from Garrett because the team did not meet on either Monday or Tuesday due to "the league's most updated protocols."

"At this point, there appear to be no high risk close contacts. We are awaiting confirmation from the league."

"He farted by my face. And, walked away."

That's NY Giants running back Wayne Gallman with a seriously stank allegation against Eli Manning ... claiming the QB hit him with one of the most aggressive crop-dusts of all time.

The 26-year-old RB blew the lid of Manning's putrid secret during a Q&A with NY Post columnist Steve Serby ... when he was asked to recall his favorite Eli memory during their time together in NY.

That's when Gallman dropped this [butt] nugget ...

"I wouldn’t say it was my favorite, but this is my most memorable -- we’re in the locker room before a game, he was doing his stretching while I was sitting in my chair listening to music, and he walked by and he farted by my face. And walked away."

IT WAS A HIT AND RUN!!

Serby asked, "You didn't get him back?"

To which Gallman replied, "There was no way I could get him back after that. Had to do something real nasty."

Serby again pressed ... "But, you didn’t do anything?"

Gallman -- "I didn’t get a chance to (chuckle)."

FYI, schoolyard rules state if Gallman would have yelled "doorknob" before Eli yelled "safety" ... everyone would have been allowed to punch Eli without consequence until he touched a doorknob. Everyone knows this.

Manning retired after the 2019 NFL season and has spent his time relaxing and hanging with his family.

Golden Tate is finally apologizing to the NY Giants for that "throw me the damn ball" rant during the Bucs game 2 weeks ago ... telling reporters his actions were "unacceptable."

"I just got caught up in the moment," Tate said on Friday ... "I was wrong to draw attention to myself."

"I take full responsibility for that. I handled it the wrong way ... It was something that won’t happen again."

If you missed it ... 32-year-old Tate has been frustrated with the lack of targets this season, and finally exploded after a critical TD grab during the Nov. 2nd matchup on "Monday Night Football."

The wideout yelled into the camera, "Throw me the ball!" He reportedly also screamed toward his sideline earlier in the game, "Throw me the damn ball!"

To make matters worse, Tate's wife, Elise, publicly called out the team on IG -- saying "Ain't no way this BS gonna hurt his stats this yr bc he doesn't get targets. FEED HIM THE BALL."

Giants head coach Joe Judge punished Tate for the public criticism -- demoting him to the scout team and benching him for the Nov. 8 game against the Washington Football Team.

People were wondering how Tate would react to the discipline -- but it appears he's taking the high road now and accepting responsibility.

"My actions were unacceptable," said Tate, who added he was NOT trying to force a trade with his tirade.

"I apologized to the team, the GM, the coaches, the offense. I’m excited to move forward. I want to be here."

Logan Ryan made the interception that won the game for the NY Giants on Sunday -- and he's giving the game ball to his wife.

What a week.

As we previously reported, Logan's wife, Ashley, underwent emergency surgery last week for an ectopic pregnancy (which is when the fertilized egg implants in the Fallopian tube instead of the uterus).

Ashley didn't know she was pregnant and only went to the doctor at the suggestion of a NY Giants medical trainer.

She is recovering and doing well but doctors were not able to save the pregnancy.

Despite the traumatic week, Ryan -- a defensive back for the G-Men -- decided to play Sunday against the Washington Football Team ... and was awarded the team ball for picking off Alex Smith in the 4th quarter to seal a 23-20 victory.

After the game, Ryan opened up about his "extremely emotional week" -- and gave an update on his wife's condition.

"[I'm] extremely grateful to the organization and to my wife," Logan said ... "She's a fighter."

"For her ... not to lose her there in that situation is very fortunate."

"At the same time, my wife and I mourn in silence of our lost child during that process to so we had a loss as well. Although it's a great story, it was an emotional week for me and her and that game is definitely for my wife, definitely for my family."

Logan says he had his wife's name written on his cleats on Sunday -- and when was thinking about her the whole day.

In fact, Logan says Ashley told him to go out there, BALL OUT and earn a game ball -- and that's exactly what he did.

NY Giants star Logan Ryan says team trainers saved his wife's life after the Bucs game on Monday night -- identifying a major medical emergency before it was too late.

Ryan -- a free safety who just signed with the Giants this season -- says he was being checked out by the trainers after losing to Tampa Bay on Monday night ... when his wife, Ashley, complained of stomach pain.

Ashley says she thought she was just having a stomach ache and was planning on popping some Tums and sleeping it off ... but the Giants' trainers felt the situation was more serious and urged her to head to the hospital.

Ashley listened (thankfully) ... and after undergoing tests at the E.R., she learned she was pregnant -- despite having a "fully functioning IUD."

The bigger issue ... Ashley says she was told the pregnancy was ectopic and had implanted in her Fallopian tube.

Ashley was told the pregnancy was not viable -- and to make matters worse, the tube had ruptured, requiring emergency surgery.

"They ended up saving her and ended up preventing a lot of what could've been done," Logan explained.

Ashley opened up about the situation on IG, saying the pain was "unbearable" -- but it seems the surgery was successful and she's currently recovering in Florida.

Logan is praising the NY Giants training staff -- saying, "Our trainer, Justin Maher, telling my wife going to the ER at 1 AM ending up could've saved her life or saved a lot of internal bleeding there."

Logan says Giants' head coach, Joe Judge, couldn't have been more understanding and helpful -- and says he can't thank him enough for his support throughout this ordeal.

NY Giants receiver Golden Tate's wife just went NUCLEAR on the G-Men ... saying it's "excruciating" to watch him go without targets this season.

Elise Tate -- who has been married to the NFL vet for 3 years -- unleashed an all-time Instagram rant after the Giants' 25-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ... saying the team sucks because they're not throwing Tate the ball.

"Getting so many texts throughout the game GT WIDE OPEN WIDE OPEN WIDE OPEN. I KNOWWWWW," Tate posted to her 55k followers.

"I mean yeah given ONE chance in the fourth quarter of course he comes down with the ball! He's @showtimetate !!"

FYI -- Tate had 2 receptions for 31 yards and a TD in the loss ... and reportedly shouted "throw me the ball" into the camera after the late-game score.

Elise clearly wanted to see GT get more opportunities, saying, "SO UNDER UTILIZED. AS HIS WIFE I CANNOT EVEN WATCH WITH ONE EYE OPEN!!!!

"Same exact thing last game, one target in the first quarter -- of course -- an epic TD. HE NEEDS TO BW (sic) FED THE BALL. Period. Watch the film. He always comes down with the ball."

She didn't stop there.

"I'm lit. 11yrs in the NFL I've never said something like this online. but its excruciating to watch and killing his stats this year but you cant have yards on a few to no targets."

"Hes CRAZY making the most of what comes his way that's for sure though. Every time."

Elise went on to admit GT will "kill me" for speaking out and will make her delete the rant ... but as of the time this post was published, it's still live on her page.

Tate has 22 receptions for 226 yards and 2 TDs this season ... and Elise thinks QB Daniel Jones needs to look his way more often.

"HES HEALTHY! and every damn time he gets an opportunity it's a big play," Elise added. "Ain't no way this BS gonna hurt his stats this yr bc he doesn't get targets. FEED HIM THE BALL/"

The rant comes hours before the NFL's trade deadline ... and there are talks the Giants are trying to shop Tate.

He could ... go ... all ... the ... wait, did he just trip and fall?!!

Yep, NY Giants QB Daniel Jones tripped over his own two feet Thursday night while heading for a wide-open end zone while playing the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jones had taken off from his own 12-yard line and quickly found daylight -- tucking the ball and sprinting 80 yards with ZERO defenders in the area to stop him!

All he had to do was walk the final 8 yards and he would've scored a TD -- but he lost his footing and came crashing to the ground.

Everyone watching had to pick their jaws up off the floor and shake their heads.

Even announcer Joe Buck couldn't believe it -- "He trips! Absolutely all alone and he trips going to the end zone!"

"A walk-in touchdown and he tripped himself!"

Don't worry, the Giants eventually scored a TD on that drive -- with Wayne Gallman punching in a 1-yard run that gave NY a 14-10 lead at the time. They did end up losing 22-21 to the Eagles.

The trip and fall was a hit on social media -- where fans and NFL players clowned Jones for the goof.

Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs even got in on the jokes ...

Patrick Mahomes didn't clown Jones -- explaining, "I mean i can’t even say anything cause i would never be able to run that far either."

Rough moment for the Giants. Rough game for the Giants. Rough season for the Giants.

Former NY Giants Pro Bowl kicker Aldrick Rosas was sentenced to 3 years of probation in his wild June hit-and-run case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

A court official tells us Rosas appeared before a judge Wednesday after cutting a deal with prosecutors ... in which he pleaded no contest to three charges, including misdemeanor reckless driving and misdemeanor hit-and-run.

In exchange, we're told Rosas received the probation and a 30-day suspended jail sentence.

We're also told Rosas was ordered to pay fines and fees ... and is now not allowed to drive with ANY measurable amount of alcohol in his system while he's on probation.

Rosas' attorney, Michael Thomas Erpino, tells us the 25-year-old football player is "thrilled" with the resolution ... and is now gunning to get back in the NFL.

As we previously reported ... Rosas was cut from the Giants in July -- just a few weeks after he was arrested on June 15.

Rosas was accused of driving at speeds of 100 MPH ... and then slamming his SUV into a pickup truck before fleeing the scene on foot.

Cops say when they eventually found Rosas for questioning about the incident ... his hands, legs and bare feet were covered in blood.

Rosas initially pled not guilty to his charges ... but his attorney told us Wednesday the kicker "definitely worked his ass off" to close out the case with prosecutors.

"He doesn’t want to hit anybody!"

Tiki Barber just went OFF on Saquon Barkley ... ripping the New York Giants star for his poor pass blocking ability -- and wondering out loud if it's going to cost the RB playing time in the future.

Tiki -- speaking on his "Tiki + Tierney" show this week -- said after watching Barkley and the Giants over the last few seasons ... it's become clear to him Saquon doesn't want to pass protect.

And, according to the ex-NYG star, that's a HUGE problem.

"He might not be an every-down back," Barber said. "He cannot pass protect, and it is starting to become glaring."

It's pretty shocking commentary from Tiki ... given Barkley is considered the best player on the Giants' roster by far -- but Barber says if Saquon doesn't shape up, he could see his minutes cut.

"I learned this early on in my career, because I was a third-down back before I was a star running back," Barber said. "If you can’t block, you can’t be on the field on third down."

"You just can’t, because you know those are high blitz and dog downs."

For Barkley's part ... New York coaches might not mind he's not the best blocker in the world -- dude has 23 total touchdowns in 30 career games.

TMZ Sports has obtained the 911 call from the DeAndre Baker alleged armed robbery ...  and the caller is VERY clear the NFL player is the culprit.

"I just got robbed by an NFL player," the caller tells the operator during the May 13 call.

The caller says he was hanging out at a get-together with 23-year-old Baker and other people when a confrontation broke out ... and things escalated quickly.

"I was standing at the back restroom and Dre Baker came around with a gun and him and his friend robbed me," the caller tells the 911 operator.

"[Baker] told his friend to shoot me. And they took my bag and my money and my watch."

The caller says Baker and his associates left the scene in a black G-Wagon and a Lamborghini.

When the operator asks for a description of the suspect, the caller says, "I know exactly who it is … Dre Baker. He plays for the NY Giants."

As we previously reported, Baker has been formally charged with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm ... and faces up to life in prison if convicted.

He was cut by the NY Giants earlier this week.

Baker, through his attorney, has repeatedly denied the allegations and vows to fight the charges.

The NY Giants have officially cut ties with DeAndre Baker -- who's facing life in prison for his alleged role in an armed robbery.

The move was expected ever since Broward State Attorney Mike Satz announced prosecutors would be moving forward with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm against Baker stemming from a May 13 incident.

Baker was a star for the Georgia Bulldogs before being selected by the Giants with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was expected to compete for a starting job this season.

As we previously reported, Baker -- along with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar -- was arrested for allegedly robbing several people at gunpoint during a cookout in Miramar, FL.

Cops initially said ... witnesses told them Baker pulled out a semi-automatic firearm and directed Dunbar to start taking expensive watches and other valuables from people at the cookout.

Prosecutors later dropped ALL of the charges against Dunbar, but Baker has been formally charged with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm.

If convicted, Baker faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in state prison.

Eli Manning is celebrating Tom Coughlin's 74th birthday by doing a pretty cool thing ... challenging a bunch of his ex-NY Giants teammates to donate to a cancer charity.

The former NY Giants head coach -- who led the G-Men to two Super Bowl titles -- also runs the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, which raises money for family's affected by pediatric cancer.

Coughlin named the charity after one of his former players, Jay McGillis, who played for Coughlin at Boston College.

McGillis was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1991, during Tom's first year as head coach. He passed away 8 months later.

Enter Manning, who says Tom's charity is one of the things he's most passionate about in life -- and he's calling on some of his rich teammates to help the cause.

"A great way to celebrate his birthday, the best gift we can give [Coughlin] is bringing attention to the great work he’s been doing for the last 25 years in helping families that are struggling as they deal with a child that has cancer," Manning said.

"So, it's a little challenge to everyone that played on Super Bowl 42 and 46 [or] if you played for Coach Coughlin at any point, let's come together and help the Jay Fund and raise some money."

Obviously, there are some super-rich guys in that group ... from Michael Strahan to Justin Tuck, Amani Toomer -- and Tiki Barber.

No pressure ... but here's hoping they all accept the challenge!

Saquon Barkley loves his personal Nike logo so much, he decided to get the thing decked out in a brand new baller chain ... and man, does this thing shine!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the New York Giants superstar running back wanted to treat himself before the start of the new season ... so he hit up his go-to guy, celeb jeweler Leo Frost, to whip up a diamond copy of his signature bolt emblem.

We're told the piece is made up of 18-karat white gold and VVS diamonds ... which means it's super high quality.

Of course, you've seen Frost's work in the past -- dude's done awesome chains for Joe Burrow, Henry Ruggs, Justin Jefferson, Errol Spence, Jr. and more.

The Michael Strahan Super Bowl 42 jersey auction has been temporarily suspended ... after the NFL legend claimed the auction house has a FAKE.

As we previously reported, Goldin Auctions is adamant their jersey is 100% real -- and insist it was authenticated by multiple professional (and reputable) photo-matching services.

But, Strahan claims to have the real jersey framed in his home -- and both sides were digging in their heels about which is the actual jersey from the 2008 game when the Giants defeated Tom Brady's New England Patriots.

Now, Goldin has announced the jersey has been pulled from the auction block "until the consigner of the jersey and Strahan can settle their dispute."

"At this time, it is unfair to the potential buyers and the seller of the jersey to continue with the sale due to the recent claims made."

Goldin Auctions still believes their jersey is the real one -- but says they are "not interested in a dispute with the former athlete."

Goldin insists a 3rd party authentication company studied the jersey in Strahan's home -- and believes it is NOT the real deal.

Strahan claims he gave the jersey to a friend directly after the game and instructed him to bring it to his hotel room -- and he's had it ever since.

The auction house claims the jersey ended up with a NY Giants equipment manager -- who eventually got it to another person, who brought it to Goldin.

Iconic NY Giants super fan "License Plate Guy" says he understands why his team is implementing a no fan rule this season due to COVID-19 ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's still "devastated!"

LPG -- aka Joe Ruback -- is maybe the most famous Giants fan on the planet ... he's been to EVERY G-men game for nearly TWO DECADES, always showing up with NY license plates around his neck.

But, with New Jersey passing a rule this month that says no fans can come to MetLife Stadium this season ... Ruback's streak is now over -- and he tells us he's feeling pretty blue about it.

"We can sit here and talk about how devastated I am, and then you get the people that are like, 'Oh, you don't care about people's health then!'" the 51-year-old fanatic tells us.

"But, no, we're just talking football. Let's just talk football, OK? I'm devastated, yo! I mean, I'm devastated!"

Ruback, though, says he's still planning to make the most of the situation ... promising to throw some epic watch parties to make up for not being able to cheer on Saquon Barkley in person.

"If you think I'm going to sit here in my basement, you got another thing coming," Ruback says.

"I'm going to get a caterer, I'm going to get a DJ, I'm going to drink, eat and I'm going to watch on a big-ass screen wherever it is."

Fortunately for LPG ... his ties to the team are still strong -- he tells us he was just in contact with star receiver Golden Tate about the upcoming season this week.

NY Giants cornerback Deandre Baker is denying paying off 4 victims in his armed robbery case ... despite new allegations to the contrary.

The new claims are spelled out in a warrant obtained by the NY Daily News ... in which law enforcement officials say they have video evidence and Instagram messages which show the NFL player paid out $55,000 between 4 victims to recant their stories.

As we previously reported, Baker -- along with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar -- have been charged with multiple counts of armed robbery with a firearm stemming from a May 13 incident at a cookout in Florida.

Officials say Baker essentially worked with a witness who happened to be a longtime friend -- known as "Coach" -- to orchestrate the payouts at the office of Dunbar's attorney.

Cops say they have IG direct messages from Baker to "Coach" saying, "Yo I’m in the city now getting cash how much to bring ?? I’m tryna get there too u ASAP."

Cops say they have records which show "several phone calls between Baker and [Coach]" discussing the alleged payoff.

And, there's this ... cops also say they have surveillance video showing an unknown person arriving to the lawyer's office with a "black bag" containing a bunch of cash.

Cops say, at one point the person "opens it and removes the money and the shows the bag to "Coach."

"[Coach] then takes the bag."

On the same day as the alleged payoff, Dunbar's attorney allegedly contacted police to inform them 4 witnesses "have recanted their sworn/recorded statements against Dunbar."

Coincidence? The cops think not.

But, Baker's attorney Bradford Cohen tells us Baker did NOT pay anyone off ... period -- denying all of the new allegations.

Cohen says, "Deandre has been saying since day 1 that this was an extortion scene. Nothing from that day has changed."

"Any texts from [Baker] to these extortionists were made to keep them on the hook, as we informed authorities of this extortion the minute money was demanded."

"Deandre was with his attorneys, including myself, on the day in question and I was in contact with the authorities at the same time of the extortion demand."

"We have no affidavits from the alleged victims. Our affidavits are from independent witnesses."

Cohen says Baker has also taken a lie detector test from a "nationally recognized examiner" and passed as truthful.

The drama continues ... stay tuned.