2002 Weekly Reviews/Comments

Amani's Comments

Reviews

Season wrap-up with Amani

Interview with Amani, December 24, 2002

Congratulations, Amani. Two weeks ago you set one franchise record, last Sunday you set two franchise records. What can you do for an encore?

Amani: Thanks. For an encore I hope to go to the playoffs.


You really deserved to be selected for the Pro Bowl this season.

Amani: Thanks again. I felt like I should have gotten some acknowledgement, at least an alternate or some mention. I was disappointed for a day or two but I got over it quickly. A couple of things really helped me get over it. One was Coach Fassel coming up to me and explaining that you often don’t get selected until the year after you earn it. Then Mr. Mara came up to me and said, “You made my Pro Bowl team!” When an NFL Hall of Famer comes up to you and says something like that, it really means a lot!


Last week both you and Collins had brilliant games.

Amani: Thanks again. When Kerry does well, I do well so I love it when he has a great game. I think he is one of the best throwing quarterbacks in terms of accuracy, decision-making and arm strength. He’s been consistent all year; we just didn’t get enough touchdowns.


Were you aware of the score in the New Orleans-Cincinnati game as your game progressed?

Amani: I didn’t know the score at all until Cincinnati won. Kerry told us in the huddle so that was a nice way to find out.


After Shockey ran over the safety Gibson and the play was over, you walked over to Shockey and said something. What did you tell him?

Amani: I said, “That was disgusting!” I kept saying it over and over again; even in the huddle I said it again. “That was disgusting!”


Looking forward to Saturday, what would you say are the keys to a Giants’ victory?

Amani: Winning the turnover battle is going to be huge. Everything else on our offense is going pretty well. We have to eliminate mistakes and not give them a short field. If they’re going to score make them drive the whole field and make them execute a long drive. Our punting and kicking game is going to be critical.  Our cornerback situation is good. When you have a guy like Sehorn backing up, you’re in good shape. In our Super Bowl year, I think he had five or six interceptions. 

Interview with AMANI: Dec. 31, 2002

Congratulations on reaching the playoffs. In the worst moments of this season, did you ever doubt that you would reach the playoffs?

Amani: Thank you. The whole team is excited and happy. I always did believe that we were going to go to the playoffs. About midway through the season, I even gave some reporter a tongue-in-cheek guarantee that we would go. I saw that reporter today and reminded him saying, ‘See, I told you we were going to the playoffs.’ I think he had forgotten about that so I had to remind him.


Did you really believe? Even after the loss to Houston, when you were kicking garbage cans around the locker room?

Amani: I thought we could regroup even then but I believed we took a giant step backwards with that game. That’s the reason I was so frustrated.


You only had two catches in the Eagles’ game and Kerry seldom went long. You’ve had good success against the Eagles cornerbacks in the past. Was that the game plan or just the way the game evolved?

Amani: It’s just how things worked out. There were plays where I was open but I guess one of the other check-down routes opened up more quickly. Shockey was hot so that’s the way you have to go.


You made an amazing play on a deflected pass to bat the ball to the ground. How did you get into position to make that play surrounded by three defenders?

Amani: Well, I saw the ball up in the air and at first I thought maybe I could catch it. Then I realized the three defenders were all in better position so I decided to jump up and just try to knock it down without running into them. I jumped early so that I would be coming down immediately after I hit the ball and would get my feet close to the ground quickly. That way I wouldn’t be taking too much of a shot.


There were two questionable holding calls that negated your touchdown and the Stackhouse touchdown. When the team reviews the game film, is there much discussion of calls like these?

Amani: No, not really. We just move on. It would have been more of an issue if we hadn’t pulled it out and won the game. The way it worked out, we didn’t think about it much later.


You made a great block opening up Tiki’s run which in turn set up Shockey’s touchdown. You blocked one defender so that he effectively took out another defender. How did you do that?

Amani: Well, I was just following blocking rules. Often when you go inside to block a safety you don’t get there in time but I just kept going, trying to make contact, trying to do something. It was just one of those things where all the stars were in alignment. I got the opportunity to hit him and I took it.


This is New Year’s Eve. Are you going out to celebrate?

Amani: No, I went out last night. My wife and I took her sister and our brother-in-law out. It was relaxing but tomorrow we have to get to work. We’ll have a regular practice New Year’s Day and on Friday will fly out to San Francisco.

Interview with Amani, December 17, 2002

Congratulations on setting the Giants' franchise record with four consecutive seasons of over 1000 yards receiving.

AMANI: Thank you. It was exciting because you become part of Giants' history when you break a record. It's a team with about 80 years of long, proud history and it's thrilling to be a part of it.

The franchise record for yards received in a single season was set by Homer Jones thirty-five years ago. You have a chance to break that record this season. Is that a goal?

AMANI: I'm aware of that record but I'm not focusing on it at all. I feel that if it's meant to be, it will happen.

Last Sunday, against Dallas, you made an exceptional catch on the touchdown that was called back. The referees said you were down on contact although there didn't appear to be any contact after the catch. How do you view that call?

AMANI: It's tough to comment on the officiating because the refs have a very tough job. In this case though, I think they just blew a call. After all, they're just human like anybody else. I expect that if you asked them about the call right now, they would say they made a mistake.

It appeared that you were being interfered with on nearly every play. Has that become routine for you?

AMANI: Yes, it has. It's kind of funny because two weeks ago I was called for offensive pass interference. Before that call, the cornerback ripped my jersey off and the next time I ran a route he tackled me and he never got a flag. Then, in the fourth quarter, I got called for pushing off just for raising my hands. How was I supposed to react to him? He never got a flag, he wasn't playing by the rules and was interfering with my getting my job done. I know the refs are doing the best job they can but sometimes a little hand-check here and there can throw a whole route off.

This season there seem to have been a lot of very picky offensive pass interference calls and it appears to have become an area the refs are emphasizing. What's your take?

AMANI: Well, all I can do is play my game. I get called a lot because in the past I have been flagged so I guess I'm one of the guys that they look out for. I have a physical style of play. I also believe that there is an emphasis on watching out for offensive pass interference this year. I don't know why that's so. It wasn't mentioned to me at training camp but it definitely is an area of emphasis based on the amount of offensive pass interferences calls there have been this year.

Your position coach, Jimmy Robinson, said that the second Washington game might have been your best game as a pro. Coach Fassel has also singled you out for praise a number of times this season, saying that you are playing your best ball. Is that also your opinion and, if so, to what do you attribute your improved play?

AMANI: I feel like things are going my way because I made the decision that everything I was going to do in football would be because I wanted to do it. My experiences working out in the off-season and my experiences traveling around the world have all enabled me to concentrate better on what I'm doing and to better appreciate the country we live in.

Last Sunday, you were running an out around the five or ten yard line when you made a cut and slipped. I could see large divots of grass and mud coming up. Given the condition of the field, are there any areas that the coaches try to avoid in their game planning?

AMANI: No, the game plan is already so complicated that we can't also game plan for the condition of the field. I don't think the coaches knew just how bad that area of the field was. It's pretty much on the receiver to stay on his feet. Theoretically, we should be able to adjust to those things.

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December 12, 2002, Interview of Amani

How would you access your performance last Sunday? Coach Fassel and your position coach, Jimmy Robinson, felt you played an excellent game.

AMANI: I thought my performance was OK but I didn't finish the game as well as I would have liked.


Did this win give you some momentum going forward?

AMANI: I think we have to approach this one game at a time rather than worry about momentum.


How do you feel about the performance of the cornerbacks?

AMANI: They did a good job. Ralph Brown was at training camp but Jason Sehorn missed practicing at camp because he was still rehabilitating his knee. Kato Serwanga was just picked up from the Redskins. So they kind of got thrown in there and they performed well.

Who will you face on Sunday and how do you feel you matchup against him?

AMANI: Probably Mario Edwards. He's just been starting since last year, I think. I've had some success against him.

Statement from AMANI:, 12/11/2002

Statement from AMANI:I thought that the defense played a terrific game against Washington Sunday. Despite all the injuries and substitutions, everyone stepped up and played smart and hard. If I had a game ball to give, it would go to the defense.

Of course, I'm still hopeful that we will get into the playoffs. With three games left to play, there will still be some surprises. Some team that looks doubtful right now may yet get in and some team that looks solid now could run into a rash of injuries which will change the whole equation.

Whether we go to the playoffs or not, we have to continue to play hard. I get paid to win games and I will do my best even if we should be eliminated at some point. Our fans still come out and watch so how can any of us do anything less than our best?

Interview with Amani, 12/03/2002

I'm sure you're really disappointed in the way the season is working out.

AMANI: I am disappointed in how the season has gone for us. As I've said before there is a lot of talent on the team but we beat ourselves with mistakes and penalties. I think the offense should be able to put more points on the board to take some of the pressure off the defense.

Last week there were a number of picky penalties called that seemed unwarranted.What was your take on the offensive pass interference call you drew in overtime?

AMANI: On the play before I ran an out route and I totally left the cornerback. He was still running backwards. The play in question, I ran the same route and my hands got extended, but not to the point that I was pushing him, certainly not to the point to warrant a call.There were numerous times during the game where I was pulled down by my shirt and another time when I was coming out of my break, the guy ripped my shirt out of my shoulder pads and they didn't call any of that.

On the face mask penalty on the corner covering me, I thought I was going to make that play but as soon as he grabbed the mask and twisted my head, I slowed down to get my head back straight so I wouldn't get injured. But here were a lot of penalties that weren't called. It was kind of a crapshoot, but I guess that's the name of the game

A week ago, Bill Maas was referring to how well you have been able to play despite the depleted receiver corps. He said that you were really answering the bell. He then went on to say that you were really stepping up and getting separation on tight press coverage.

AMANI: That's very nice but as I've said before, I'd rather have a win than the kind words.

Statement from AMANI: 11/27/2002

I’ve been told that I received a lot of favorable comments about my play in the Houston-Giants game last Sunday. And, while I appreciate the kind words, I would much rather have had a win.

I feel that we are the ones beating ourselves, with all the mistakes and penalties, and that has to end in order for us to succeed. Now, we’ve backed ourselves into a corner and need to run the table and win our remaining games.

Do I think we can? Yes. Do I think we will? Again, the answer is yes but we must all work together and bring our best game out onto the field.

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Interview with AMANI:11/19/02

Last week you said you weren’t running any of Ike Hilliard’s routes. Now, with the additional injury to Ron Dixon, has that changed?

AMANI: Yes, I am doing a lot of different things and running some of Ike’s underneath routes.
When I first came into the league, I was playing behind Ike so I did more of that kind of thing. It’s exciting for me to be doing some new things; it’s keeping everything fresh and fun. Against Washington, the timing was a little different because I had to run some of the underneath routes and everything moves more quickly in there. But I think I got the hang of it and everything worked out pretty well.

Will Herman Moore be ready to play this week?

AMANI: Yes, I think he will. Being an eleven year vet, it doesn’t take him long to pick up an offense. Having one more person out there will help our team There are a lot of things that other teams will have to deal with now, especially with Shockey coming around the way he is.

During Sunday’s game, you supposedly told both Coach Fassel and Kerry that you were getting open on a pattern but you weren’t early in the progression. Is that being reported correctly?

AMANI: I didn’t say it like that. I just said, “I don’t want to go into your reads or anything, Kerry, but when we ran that play before, I was open both times. You might just want to give me a look.” Normally, Kerry has between three and four reads on each play and I wasn’t one of those reads in this case. I was kind of the decoy.

You made a beautiful save on that deflected pass to Dorris. How did you come to be in position?

AMANI: Thanks. I was just trying to run to the ball in case anything happened with the game being so close. It seemed like it hung up in the air for a long time and I began to think, “Maybe I can get this” And then all of a sudden it was, “I can get this!” and there it was.


Last week the play-by-play announcer referred to you as one of the great NFL receivers. He pointed out how you were able to get separation on very good, tight coverage by Champ Bailey.

AMANI: Well that’s nice. It was a tough job out there, I can tell you that! Bailey is definitely a good corner but I was having some success against him. The next matchup will be a personal battle between me and him We both really respect each other as players so it’s one of those things where it’s a good, healthy competition.


Have you talked with Tim Carter since his injury?

AMANI: Yes, I talked with him yesterday as a matter of fact. Even though both of our rookie seasons ended abruptly, my injury was more of a standard injury and isn’t a big deal anymore. With a torn Achilles tendon like Tim’s, they don’t know how it’s going to turn out. He slipped and, as soon as I saw him on the ground, I knew it was something pretty bad. He just didn’t grab it like it was an ankle injury or something like that. But, knowing Tim, I believe he’ll work hard so that it doesn’t have any long-term consequences. I definitely plan to talk with him again.


Do you still watch the Michigan games?

AMANI: Oh, yes, I still watch them. Next weekend we have Ohio State coming up and that’s a big rivalry for us. Over the last couple of years, we beat Ohio State frequently but last year they got a new coach. Now it’s a whole new ball game. We ran the former coach out of Ohio State. They let him go because he couldn’t beat us. Now they have a new coach and he beat us for the first time in a long time last year, in his first ever matchup. Now we want to start the winning trend all over again.

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Travels with Amani
by Gail Bahr\

It was to be a simple sightseeing trip for Amani Toomer and his then fiancée Yola Drabowski as neither had traveled outside the United States before last spring. They wanted to see Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and of course the Louvre. However, in the process of making all the usual tourist stops, Amani decided he would like to see Brazil as well.

He visited the barrios of Rio and walked the harsh streets, where life is brutal and brief.
He went into the jungle and watched natives try to wrest a life from the earth and the turbulent waters of the Amazon.

And this wealthy young man, born to educated parents and a comfortable life, who left home a tourist, returned home a citizen of the world.

He developed a deeper appreciation of the quality of his life as a citizen of the United States.

He became aware of the waste that is our everyday life when he saw people exist and even thrive on a small portion of the food he consumed each day. And he resolved to eat what he needed, to waste little and to more fully appreciate the bounty that had been given him.

Perhaps another young man, similarly favored by nature and background, would not have been so affected.

As a child growing up in Berkeley, Amani was sent to the Montessori School. On Friday afternoons in addition to his regular school activities, Amani went on field trips, where he learned about endangered species and the fragility of the rainforests. Why? Because his parents felt that the Montessori School could teach Amani to understand both that he had a place in the world and that his place was not at it’s epicenter. Perhaps it is this background that enabled Amani to see more deeply than a tourist and to feel more deeply than a sightseer.

Returning home Amani resolved to apply what he had seen and learned to his daily life and found himself happier, more compassionate and more capable of appreciating life’s lessons.

He kept his resolve to consume only what he needed and lost fifteen pounds in the process. In the pre-season of 2002 coaches and media alike noticed that Amani was leaner, quicker, sharper in and out of breaks and seemed more focused.

It was also in the 2002 season that Amani truly emerged as one of the elite receivers in the NFL.

Coincidence or confluence?

Gail Bahr
Inside Football

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Toomer Returns Home for Wild Weekend Bay Area native ready for NFC playoff in hometown.
By Michael Eisen, Giants.com, January 3, 2003

East Rutherford, N.J. - The Giants have made infrequent visits to Candlestick Park in recent years, but when they visit the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC Wild Card game tomorrow, Amani Toomer will feel right at home.

"I was a huge 49ers fan. I had a cousin on the team, they were the home team, they were a dynasty. I'd get to walk through the locker room every once in a while. They were very good when I was growing up."
- WR Amani Toomer

The Giants outstanding split end grew up in the Bay Area, and the 49ers were his team. They had Jerry Rice, the world's greatest receiver, whom Toomer loved to emulate. They had his cousin, Steve Wallace, playing tackle and providing tickets and locker room tours. And when Toomer was growing up, they had success. Lots and lots of success.

"I went to a lot of games," Toomer said this week. "I was a huge 49ers fan. I had a cousin on the team, they were the home team, they were a dynasty. I'd get to walk through the locker room every once in a while. They were very good when I was growing up. Jerry Rice was in his first prime."

Toomer has played just twice in the Bay Area as a professional, when the Giants visited both Oakland and San Francisco in 1998. He did not catch a pass against the Raiders, and just two - for 14 yards - two months later against the 49ers.

At that point in his career, Toomer was a part-time pro who had accomplished little except to frustrate and annoy head coaches Dan Reeves and Jim Fassel. When he returns this week, it is as arguably the best receiver in Giants history.


Toomer this year set team records with 82 catches and 1,343 yards. He scored a career-high eight touchdowns. Toomer has led the team in receiving and yards in each of the last four seasons. His 355 career catches are the most by a player who played exclusively wide receiver for the Giants and is 40 receptions behind Frank Gifford, who is No. 1 overall. That's about a half-season's work for Toomer.

"It means a lot to be ranked up there," Toomer said. "The Giants are an old franchise, with a lot of history. A lot of great players have played for the Giants. To be thought of at that level is a great honor."

Toomer's record-setting production this season is even more remarkable considering he has been the Giants only reliable receiver for most of the season. The Giants second, third and fourth receivers - Ike Hilliard, Ron Dixon and Tim Carter - have been sidelined most of the season with injuries. Their absence has made it tougher on Toomer, but he has thrived.

"I think the added pressure has given me more opportunities to do different things, because of them not being here," Toomer said. "I've had a lot of fun in trying to pick up the slack. I've really enjoyed this season because of the different things I've gotten to do as a receiver. I've kind of expanded my game. I usually just play the outside, but now I'm playing the inside. I'm doing stuff in the slot, so it's a lot more fun."

Toomer has never been selected to the Pro Bowl, a slight he was hoping to erase this season. However, he was overlooked again, a snub he admitted hurt, albeit briefly.

"I thought I had a chance," he said. "To not even be an alternate … I was kind of disappointed. Kind of upset. I talked to my wife, my family. They consoled me. It stayed with me for like a day. But you've got to move on."

He did just that, in extraordinary fashion. Three days after the Pro Bowl teams were announced, Toomer went out and torched the Indianapolis Colts for 10 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns. He was the first Giants wide receiver to catch at least 10 passes in a game since Del Shofner in 1962. The 204 yards were the third-highest total in team history and the three scores were a career-high.

"Amani played great this season," quarterback Kerry Collins said. "He really stepped up his game. Obviously I'm biased, but I thought he should've made the Pro Bowl."

Such plaudits directed at Toomer would have sounded preposterous early in his career. A second-round draft choice from Michigan, he caught just one pass as a rookie in 1996 before a knee injury ended his season after seven games. Fassel replaced Reeves the following year and was quickly unimpressed by Toomer. The coach didn't like his work ethic, questioned his attitude and considered cutting him.

The best moves are sometimes the ones you don't make. Toomer began to break out in 1998 with 27 receptions and the game-winning touchdown against a 13-0 Denver Broncos team that would win the Super Bowl six weeks later. Since 1999, he has been the Giants leading receiver. By the time he retires, he could be recognized as one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Fassel is understandably happy he stuck with Toomer.

"When I saw him really early in his career it wasn't easy to have patience with him," the coach said. "We weren't getting lined up right, we weren't doing some things and he was testing my patience. But I think he made a difference after the first year when he came back and he did some things on his own that helped him. I think that is a part of that. We can do the work, we can push him, but at some point in time that player needs to realize himself what he needs to do and I think that he did that. I guess what I have always told you about every player that I have ever had a problem with in the beginning is that if they'll show me the attitude and the work ethic that they want to and they are not putting blame on somebody else then I am working with him.

"There are miles between where he was in '97 and where he is today. My feelings on Amani are that I am very proud of him because when he came in here I was probably as hard on him as on any player on this football team. I can vividly remember getting ready for a playoff game, which puts us toward the end of the season, and we were in a very basic, easy formation and in a very basic and rudimentary route for him and he can't get lined up correctly and I went off on him. In practice I kicked him off of the field and told him to go to the sideline, a couple guys went off on him because we were in a playoff hunt. It is to the point now where he is on top of everything. He can adjust, talk in the game, make the adjustments and all of that. The thing I am proud of is that he did it. He did it himself. I could be on him, pat him on the back, put my arm around him and kick him in the rear. I have done that to players and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Amani Toomer went about it himself. I thought that something was wrong and we checked him because he couldn't run through a whole practice. We were running gassers and the slowest tight end could beat him by 20 yards. I was concerned about him and had him tested and everything to see what was wrong. But he went about it that year and did things in the off-season and put it on himself. I remember talking to him about it. He took the responsibility. That is the reason he is playing the way he is. There is no other reason. He took the responsibility, said he wanted to be a good player, and he went about it."

Just as Fassel is quick to credit Toomer, the receiver is thankful the coach didn't give up on him.

"I think with coach Fassel, what I was putting on the field as a young player wasn't what he expected," Toomer said. "But I always felt I could do it. I always had this belief in myself that I could produce for this team. I just thought it was a matter of time.

"In this business, time isn't something you always get. I'm just happy the organization stayed with me and gave me the opportunity to develop into the player that I've become."

And can still grow into. Toomer believes he still hasn't hit his prime. He will be only 29 when the 2003 season begins and he plans on being in a Giants uniform for a long time.

"I don't think I've hit it (his prime) yet," he said. "I think there is a lot more that I can do. I feel like I keep getting better every year. I think this year I played more consistently than I have in the past, in terms of producing every game. I think I caught the ball better this year. But I can play better."

Tomorrow, he'll return to Candlestick with a chance to show the folks at home the great player he's become.

Thursday, January 2, 2003 (SF Chronicle)
Amani Toomer's circular route/After a slow start in the NFL, the former De La Salle star is back atop his game
Brian Murphy, Chronicle Staff Writer

Click here for the article

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From BBI, January 2, 2003

Wide Receivers: Not a huge factor this week though Amani Toomer (2 catches for 57 yards) got screwed when the officials took his 43-yard touchdown reception off of the board. Amani’s other two questions (receptions)were impressive: a 33-yard reception on a deep pass down the left sideline against double coverage and a leaping catch of a high Collins’ pass on 3rd-and-7. Not only did he come down with the ball, but Amani ran for additional yardage after the play en route to a 24-yard gain.

Both (Daryl) Jones and Toomer did a good job in the run blocking department. Jones got a great block on Tiki’s 22-yard gain in the 1st quarter around right end and Toomer got a nice inside block on the safety on a Tiki run up the middle on the game-tying touchdown drive. Toomer did a great job of knocking down a tipped Collins’ pass that looked like an easy interception.

From Inside Football, December 30, 2002

Although he only had two catches for 57 yards this week, it was still a solid outing........ On one play, Toomer made a big catch over Taylor in the end zone, but a questionable holding call sent this one back.......Not having a second receiver all season has presented a challenge at times, but somehow he overcomes it. In the upcoming playoff battles don't be surprised if the opposition puts their best defender on Toomer man-to -man and sends the safety over to provide the deep help.

The Eagles Have Landed
by Gail Bahr
(Inside Football)

The Giants’ final and most important game of the regular season went as predicted, scratching and clawing into overtime and the playoffs.

In a season marked by inconstancy and injury one constant has remained, the play of wide receiver Amani Toomer.

As the only experienced receiver on the team for much of the season, Toomer did everything asked of him. And then he did more.

In the final game, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Amani only had two passes thrown to him in the first quarter. Only two passes but for a gain of 57 yards.

In an amazing play in the third quarter, Collins threw a pass, which was deflected. It fluttered down like a punt with three Eagles in position to make the play. But Amani flashed into the scene, leaping into the air and spiking the ball harmlessly to the ground, preventing an almost certain interception.

During the fourth quarter, Collins threw a perfect strike to Amani in the end zone, which was called back by a phantom holding call.

With approximately eight minutes remaining in regulation play Amani threw a key block, setting up a run by Tiki Barber, which lead directly to the Giants’ only touchdown of the game.

One receiver could not a season make but Amani Toomer came very close

From Giants.com by Michael Eisen, December 27, 2002

"The NFL sets up the schedule real well," said split end Amani Toomer, who has set team records with 80 receptions for 1,286 yards. "They knew it was going to come to us and Philadelphia, and it was going to mean something at the end of the year. The schedule-makers knew what they were doing."

From Giants.com by Michael Eisen, December 27, 2002

"The NFL sets up the schedule real well," said split end Amani Toomer, who has set team records with 80 receptions for 1,286 yards. "They knew it was going to come to us and Philadelphia, and it was going to mean something at the end of the year. The schedule-makers knew what they were doing."

From BBI, December 26, 2002

Talk about All-Pro efforts. WR Amani Toomer, who apparently is the only healthy viable receiver on the roster and the focus of constant attention by opposing defenses, came up with an incredible 10 catch, 204 yard, 3 touchdown performance..... Rather than sulk because he didn’t make the Pro Bowl, Amani made a statement. When he is double-covered, he is still making catches and when he is singled-covered, he’s toying with lesser corners now. He completely turned around the corners on his last two touchdown receptions.

Stats, December 26, 2002

Amani is second in the NFC (4 yards behind first place) and third in the NFL in total yards receiving. No Giant has ever led the conference or the league in receiving yards.

Amani is averaging 16.1 yards per catch, third in the NFC and seventh in the NFL.

He has a career high eight touchdowns. Amani's eight touchdowns puts him in a tie for third place in the NFC and a tie for seventh place in the NFL. The Giants' franchise record was set in 1967 by Homer Jones when he caught 13 touchdowns.

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From BBI, December 26, 2002

Talk about All-Pro efforts. WR Amani Toomer, who apparently is the only healthy viable receiver on the roster and the focus of constant attention by opposing defenses, came up with an incredible 10 catch, 204 yard, 3 touchdown performance..... Rather than sulk because he didn’t make the Pro Bowl, Amani made a statement. When he is double-covered, he is still making catches and when he is singled-covered, he’s toying with lesser corners now. He completely turned around the corners on his last two touchdown receptions.

From Inside Football, Unsung Heroes, December 23, 2002

Offense: WR Amani Toomer. He's not flashy and he is still shy about doing media interviews, but boy, can he play football. Logging his best season as a pro, Toomer has quietly topped the 1,000 mark in receiving yards for the fourth straight year and has been one of the few players who we think is truly worthy of his contract.

From Giants Insider, Ken Palmer, December 23, 2002

Collins and WR Amani Toomer were outstanding. "When he gets time, he's one of - if not the - best quarterback in the league," said Toomer, who caught three of Collins' four TDs. "He can do things that most QBs just flat-out can't do."

From BBI, December 23, 2002

The offensive heros of the game were QB Kerry Collins who completed 23-of-29 passes (and two of these were dropped) for 366 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions - a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3. WR Amani Toomer amassed an incredible 204 yards on 10 catches and scored 3 touchdowns.

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From Giants.com by Michael Eisen, December 23, 2002

The Giants had plenty of heroes. Amani Toomer caught 10 passes for 204 yards and scored three touchdowns. Jeremy Shockey added seven receptions for 116 yards. Kerry Collins threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, for a perfect rating of 158.3. Collins and Toomer hooked up for an 82-yard touchdown. Tiki Barber rushed for two touchdowns....It was in the third period, when the Giants scored three touchdowns to turn a narrow 10-3 halftime lead into a commanding 30-6 advantage. The big play of the game occurred on the first snap of the second half. With the ball at their won 18-yard-line, the Giants used a little trickery to cover the 82 yards in an electrifying instant. Collins handed the ball to Barber, who threw it back to the quarterback. While that was taking place, Toomer was racing down the center of the field, ahead of safety David Gibson. Toomer hauled in the Collins pass at the Colts 40-yard line and outraced the overmatched safety to the end zone for a shocking touchdown.....It was the longest reception of Toomer's seven-year career, and the longest pass of Collins' tenure with the Giants....."It hasn't worked that well in practice, because our defense sees it all the time," Toomer said. "But it worked pretty good for us in the game. I saw (Gibson) coming toward me, and I had to slow down a little bit for the ball. I knew I wasn't going to drop it. It was just a matter of me catching the ball and outrunning (Gibson). As soon as I took two or three steps, I knew he wasn't going to catch me. It was a fairly simple play. It's kind of a gimmick play that either works or doesn't work." Collins said, "It's one of those things where either we get behind them or they see it and they cover it. Amani got a step on the guy and we scored." Toomer's long touchdown was the game's turning point....Toomer's second touchdown reception, a 21-yarder with 6:45 left, increased the Giants lead to 37-12 and all but emptied the dome.....Collins and Toomer hooked up for their third touchdown of the game and a 44-27 advantage.

from E-Giants by Dave Klein, December 23, 2002

Collins completed 10 passes for 204 yards to wide receiver Amani Toomer, who caught three of his four touchdown passes. The yardage and the TD receptions were both career highs for Toomer. "I think Amani made a big statement today," Collins smirked. "We all thought he should have gone to the Pro Bowl. I am still not clear why he didn’t, but I think he showed that he deserved it."....Wide receiver Amani Toomer set career records for yards gained in single season as well as receptions and touchdown receptions. He has caught 80 passes for 1,286 yards and now has eight touchdown catches.... Toomer was a frightful presence for the usually tough Colts’ defense. He caught 10 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns. His second score came on the first play of the second half, a masterful "flea flicker" trick play that called for Collins to hand off to halfback Tiki Barber, who ran to the line, then spun and threw it back to Collins. Meanwhile, Toomer was motoring downfield, and he got two steps on strong safety David Gibson, who was personally tormented by Shockey most of the day. "Amani got a little separation and I was lucky enough to put the ball up so he could get it," Collins said, characteristically modest.

With a tinge of irony, four days after being snubbed in the Pro Bowl balloting, wide receiver Amani Toomer played his career game.

With their seasons on the line both the Colts and the Giants needed a victory to remain alive in their playoff quests. With a three-touchdown assist from Amani Toomer and a win by Cincinnati over New Orleans, the Giants remain in playoff contention.

Prior to the start of the game color commentator Chris Collingsworth said, “Amani Toomer is arguably the best receiver the Giants ever had.” Well, the argument is over. Amani Toomer is now, indisputably, the best receiver the Giants have ever had.

Homer Jones’ single season record of 1209 yards receiving, which stood for thirty-five years, fell today. Already in second place, with 1183 yards gained in 1999, Amani shattered the record with 1286 yards received and a game yet to play in the regular season.

On the first snap of the third quarter, with the Giants leading 17-3, quarterback Kerry Collins threw a perfect strike to Toomer, who ran it in for a touchdown and an 82-yard completion, the longest of Amani’s seven-year career. He finished the day with 204 yards, another personal record for Amani.

With ten receptions for a total of 80 this season, Toomer broke his own franchise record of 79 for the most receptions in a single season.

Amani currently is third on the Giants’ franchise list for the most yards gained in a single game. The record is held by Del Shofner who gained 269 yards against Washington in 1962.

Oh, well, there’s still another week and another record for Toomer to break.

Congratulations, Amani!

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IT SEZ HERE
by Gail Bahr
Inside Football

Amani Toomer should be going to Hawaii in February.

Though he lacks the gaudy numbers of Joe Horn and the flamboyant, look-at-me antics of Terrell Owens, Toomer's play has been more crucial to the Giants than either selectee has been to his team.

When the Giants' receiving corps shrank, Amani Toomer's performance expanded to fill the need. As the only experienced wide receiver on the Giants for much of the season, Toomer has been a marked man and what could easily have become Amani's worst season became his best. Sunday, playing division rival Dallas, Amani set a franchise record becoming the first Giant receiver to post four consecutive 1000-yard seasons.

After that record setting game, head coach Jim Fassel said,"For him to go over 1,000 yards in this season the way it's been, means a lot."

Winning against division rivals is critical for teams hoping to make it into the playoffs and the Giants have swept both Dallas and Washington this season, despite the dearth of wide receivers left standing.

In the first Washington matchup, with the play developing on the opposite side of the field, the unwary cornerback released Toomer. However, the ball intended for Derrick Dorris was deflected. Amani said the ball seemed to hang in the air for a long time so he started running toward it, the cornerback pursuing. In Amani's words he thought,"Maybe I can catch that ball." As he closed on the unfolding play, he thought, "I can catch that ball." And catch the ball he did for a critical first down completion.

Toomer subsequently completed eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Redskins' defensive coordinator, Marvin Lewis, was determined not to let history repeat itself. When the teams met for the second time on December 8th, cornerback Champ Bailey shadowed Toomer from the moment he stepped onto the field.

In the second quarter, with Bailey sticking to Toomer like a limpet, Amani sprinted down the right sideline. Quarterback Kerry Collins threw the ball behind Amani, allowing Toomer to shield the ball with his body and leaving Bailey in no position to defend the play. Bailey zigged, Toomer zagged and the result was a touchdown. Bailey, seldom bested, punched out the ground.

Toomer had three other catches in the game, seemingly having his way with Bailey, and in his press conference following the game, head coach Jim Fassel enthused saying,"Amani stepped up big against Bailey and that is the best he has played against him." Jimmy Robinson, the Giants' wide receivers' coach added that it might have been Toomer's best game as a pro.

Four catches. No, these aren't gaudy numbers but without them the Giants probably would have chalked up another loss and would now be out of the playoff hunt.

Currently, Toomer has 70 receptions and is on pace to break his own franchise record of 79 catches. He has 1082 receiving yards with two games remaining, putting him on pace to break his record of 1183 yards established in 1999. The club record is held by Homer Jones with 1209 yards gained during the 1967 season. In 1969 Homer Jones became the last Giants' wide receiver to be selected to the Pro Bowl.

Although Jones' record as the last receiver from the Giants to play in the Pro Bowl will stand for another season, Toomer is on pace to break his 35 year old franchise record. Amani said that he is aware of the record, adding,"If it's meant to be, it will happen."

Amani Toomer is competing at as high a level of any receiver in Giants' history and at as high a level as anyone selected to the Pro Bowl this season.

From BBI, December 20, 2002

The other Giant (beside Tiki Barber) who deserved consideration and was not selected was WR Amani Toomer, who is having a career season despite being the only productive, veteran receiver on the team and facing constant double-teams. Toomer leads the NFC with a 15.5-yard average per catch. He's sixth in yardage at 1,082 and seventh in receptions with 70. "I thought I had a chance, but you never know," Toomer said. "I feel like I've done a good job, made a lot of plays and helped this team a lot. So you're always a little disappointed, but I'm more happy for the others than disappointed for me."

T. Barber comments, December 20, 2002

Running back Tiki Barber said, "He's (Amani)going to go down as one of the
greatest wide receivers who ever played for us. What more can you say than
that?"

From BBI, December 19, 2002

Wide Receivers: Amani Toomer (6 catches for 99 yards) has really, really stepped up his game. Long-time readers know that for years I've been calling for Toomer to make plays when he was either covered by the opponent's best corner or double-teamed. And that's exactly what Amani is doing now. It's absolutely incredible that the Giants are moving the ball through the air as Toomer the only wide receiver on the field who concerns the defense. Toomer caught two passes on the Giants' first scoring drive and craftily created separation by pushing off in the end zone on the overthrown pass from Collins. At the beginning of the 2nd quarter, he caught a 33-yard deep pass, setting up the first field goal in the game. In the 3rd quarter, he made a spectacular, one-handed grab of a 29-yard deep pass from Collins. Toomer wasn't touched and had the presence of mind to get up and run another 37 yards for the touchdown, but the refs screwed up and blew the whistle too soon. In the 4th quarter, Toomer made another great catch - this time on a pass thrown behind him and too high from Jesse Palmer for 6 yards down to the 3-yard line.

From Dave Klein's E-Giants, December 19, 2002

there should be a spot for wide receiver Amani Toomer, who has never gone to the Pro Bowl. He has caught 70 passes this year for 1,082 yards. He needs 100 yards for the second-highest total in team history (he is second now with the 1,183 yards he amassed in 1999), and if he should catch passes worth 128 yards, he'll set a team record of 1,210 (currently held by Homer Jones, who had 1,209 in 1967). Making Toomer's performance all the most impressive this season is the fact that he has been, for all intents and purposes, the only reliable wide receiver on the team.

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Jim Fassel Press Conference, December 16, 2002

Re: Amani's change from 1997 to now.
That is a very good question because there are miles between where he was in '97 and where he is today. I think as much as anything it is his approach to the game I am going to guess. Maybe I can answer this a little bit better. My feelings on Amani are that I am very proud of him because when he came in here I was probably as hard on him as on any player on this football team. I can vividly remember getting ready for a playoff game, which puts us towards the end of the season, and we were in a very basic, easy formation and in a very basic and rudimentary route for him and he can't get lined up correctly and I went off on him. In practice I kicked him off of the field and told him to go to the sideline, a couple guys went off on him because we were in a playoff hunt. It is to the point now of where he is on top of everything. He can adjust, talk in the game, make the adjustments and all of that. The thing I am proud of is that he did it. He did it himself. I could be on him, pat him on the back, put my arm around him and kick him in the rear. I have done that to players and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Amani Toomer went about it himself. I thought that something was wrong and we checked him because he couldn't run through a whole practice. We were running gassers and the slowest Tight End could beat him by 20 yards. I was concerned about him and had him tested and everything to see what was wrong. But he went about it that year and did things in the off-season and put it on himself. I remember talking to him about it. He took the responsibility. That is the reason he is playing the way he is. There is no other reason. He took the responsibility, said he wanted to be a good player, and he went about it.

Re: Situation when Amani came in.
It might have been a little unusual and he got off on a bad foot the year before. He had hurt himself and came in and there were arguments as far as should he be drafted or somebody else. He probably got off on the wrong foot, and players lose their self esteem. They are used to success and they come in and don't have that success and lose their self-esteem and sometimes they don't regroup themselves and they find themselves out of the league. Other ones regroup themselves. Fortunately he had enough pride in himself and that is what he did.

From Inside Football, December 16, 2002

On the Giants opening scoring drive, Toomer had two receptions of 14 and seven yards, plays on which the Cowboys' cornerbacks were simply outclassed. For much of the afternoon, he was up against a rookie in Derek Ross, and Ross was just not up for the task. Toomer did a great job running a second down out pattern to pick up the easy first down. He ran about 15 yards downfield then burst to the sideline. As he proceeded to the sideline, he started back toward the line of scrimmage. He ended up catching the pass about ten yards downfield, allowing him to come up with the easy first down. Coming back to the ball in this way makes it impossible for a cornerback to defend the play. The only way for a cornerback to defend the play is to overplay the out route. If the defender does overplay the out route the receiver must follow up the play with a deep pass downfield. However, Ross, being a rookie, hasn't acquired this experience yet and Toomer was able to exploit it for all it was worth.

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Amazing Amani sets Giant record
By Mistress of the Meadowlands, BBWC.com
Date: Dec 16, 2002

In the Sunday 37-7 romp of the Dallas Cowboys, Giants WR Amani Toomer became the first Giant in history with four straight 1,000-yard seasons.

"I'm just trying to go out there and catch balls. Every time I go over 1,000 yards it definitely is special".

WR Amani Toomer has performed this amazing feat four times, making him the first receiver in New York Giants history to do so.

Toomer is also third on the Giants all-time list for catches with 343 and second in yards with just over 5,000.

Toomer also has a streak of 65 straight games with at least one reception, and he's closing in on that franchise record (68) which is held by Ike Hilliard.

Stats as of December 16, 2002

Amani is 6th in the NFC and 13th in the NFL in yards receiving and is averaging 15.5 yards per catch.

Amani and running back Tiki Barber are currently tied for third on the Giants' franchise list with 343 receptions each. Joe Morrison heads the list with 395 career receptions.

With 1082 receiving yards, Amani becomes the first Giant to ever have more than 1000 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons. His career total now stands at 5048 yards, placing him currently in second place on the Giants' franchise list. He is also only the second player in Giants' history to reach 5000 career yards receiving. The record is currently held by Frank Gifford, with 5434 yards.

The record for the most yards gained in one season currently belongs to Homer Jones, with 1209 yards gained during the 1967 season. With two games remaining, that 35 year old record could fall.

Fassel's Comments, December 13, 2002

"I think having him (tight end Jermemy Shockey)is huge," Fassel said. "With three out of four of our receivers out (Ike Hilliard, Ron Dixon and Tim Carter), I think him and Amani Toomer have done a spectacular job. If we had more guys to put out there, like Ike and Carter, you never know what could happen."

Asked if he is surprised that Toomer and Shockey are open so often, Fassel responded, "We're moving them around a lot. They're playing all positions, inside and outside. It makes it a little more difficult on the defense. You try to create mismatches, you try to diffuse anything they think and do to double-team them."

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Interesting Stats, 12/11/2002

With 17 more yards, Amani will become the first player in Giants franchise history with four 1000 yard seasons. Amani will have four
consecutive seasons.

His "streak" of 64 consecutive games with at least one reception is the 12th longest active streak in the NFL

Excerpt from Coach Fassel's Monday press conference , 12/11/02

Amani stepped up big against (cornerback Champ) Bailey and that is the best game he has played against him.

From Inside Football, by Traina-Duckers, Iannaconi and Folger, 12/09/2002

Toomer has turned himself into one of the better receivers in the game today. He was up against Champ Bailey early, and on two occasions, was able to make a nice cut and get open. After the Ralph Brown interception, Collins went right to the quick strike and found Toomer in the corner of the end zone after a double move. Again, Toomer beat Bailey. Considering the fact that Toomer is the only real wide out the Giants have, the work that he is doing is even more impressive.

From Giants Insider, by Ken Palmer, 12/09/2002

Two plays after Brown's pick, WR Amani Toomer (four catches, 60 yards) made Redskins CB Champ Bailey look like a chump when he turned him inside out for a 29-yard TD that gave New York a 17-0 lead.

Reprint from Giants.com by Michael Eisen 12/09/02

"Amani Toomer caught four passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Toomer has 338 career receptions. He moved past Chris Calloway and into fourth place on the team's career list, right behind Barber. Toomer is the most prolific receiver in team history among players who were exclusively wide receivers. The top three players on the list - Joe Morrison, Frank Gifford and Barber - were/are primarily running backs.

Toomer scored his fifth touchdown of the season, and fourth in five games, matching his total for the entire 2001 season. The touchdown was the 29th of his career, tying him with Bob Schnelker for seventh on the franchise's all-time list.

Toomer has 983 receiving yards this season and needs 17 to reach 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive season. Toomer has 4,949 career yards and needs 45 yards to pass Morrison and move into second place in team history and 51 yards to become the second Giant with 5,000 receiving yards (Gifford had 5,434.")

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Reprint from Giantrs.com 12/06/02

Split end Amani Toomer said, "We still have a job to do. We have to win games. Regardless of the outcome, we have four games left and we have to make the best of them. We're paid to win games. We're going to get paid the rest of the season, so we're going to go out there and do as good a job as we possibly can.

"There are a lot of teams on the outside looking in. I think there's going to be a team this year where their playoff picture doesn't look good and maybe the last two weeks or the last week of the season it all turns around. We're not out of it. Right now we still have a chance, and if there's a chance, there's a possibility we can get in."

Excerpts From BBI, 12/05/2002

Giants' Fourth Offensive Possession: This is a 10-play, 55-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown.......... Amani Toomer gets jammed in the face at the line of scrimmage but manages to get free. Collins does a great job of reading the blitz opportunity and throws a perfect pass to Toomer who beats CB Samari Rolle for 26-yards. Great effort by Barber, Toomer, and Collins!................ On 2nd-and-3, Toomer is interfered with in the end zone.

Giants' Fifth Offensive Possession: Giants start things off right at the start of the 3rd quarter by going 62 yards in 3 plays for the touchdown................ Collins then hits Toomer over the middle for 25 yards and a face mask penalty adds another 15.

Giants' Seventh Offensive Possession: Giants go 88 yards in 9 plays and score another touchdown. Barber breaks loose for 42 yards as Shockey, Dixon, and Toomer all get great blocks.

Giants' Eighth Offensive Possession: Giants go 78 yards in 12 plays to set up another field goal................A pass to Dixon was tipped, but Collins found Toomer for 12 on the next play (Fassel is surprisingly continuing to attack with the passing game ö great job). Two plays later, Collins throws a perfect deep pass to Toomer for 34 yards down to the 1-yard line

Giants' Ninth Offensive Possession:............ Toomer caught a 12-yard pass down to the Titan 32-yard line, but he was called for offensive pass interference (the TV replay never showed the play so I donât know if it was legit or not).

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Excerpts From Inside Football, 12/02/2002

The Giants, with the wind at their backs, made an immediate impact to start the third quarter. Collins connected with Amani Toomer for a 25 yard reception, but in the process also drew a 15 yard face mask penalty to give the Giants the ball on the Titans' 24

The Giants ended the third quarter driving all the way down to the Titans' six. Starting on their own 12, Tiki Barber broke free for a 42 yard run, behind some key blocking by WR Amani Toomer. An offside penalty against Tennessee gave the Giants five more yards and then Barber followed up with a 12 yard run. On a third and four, Toomer wisely found the first down marker and got out of bounds at the Titans' 16.

From Giants. Com by Michael Eisen, 11/25/2002

Toomer has overtaken Barber for the team-lead in receptions, with 55. If he is still on top at the end of the season, it will be the fourth consecutive season in which Toomer has led the Giants in receptions (he was tied with Barber last year). It would also conclude an eight-year span in which two receivers each led the Giants in receptions in four straight seasons.

From 1995-98, Chris Calloway led the Giants in catches every year (he was tied with Lewis with 53 receptions in 1996). Toomer began his streak with a team-record 79 catches in 1999. Toomer is on pace to finish this season with 80 receptions

From Inside Football, 11/25/2002

There's no question that Toomer misses having Ike Hilliard on the other

side. The Texans were playing tight man coverage at the line of scrimmage,thus taking away any type of timing routes. He was also getting jammed at the line of scrimmage, making it tough to get any depth in his routes.

Late in the third quarter big play on a deep in route to Toomer, the pass protection broke down. The Giants kept tight ends Dan Campbell and Jeremy Shockey in to block. The Texans blitzed two defensive backs that were both picked up by the Giant tightends. This gave Collins time to throw and connect on the deep in route to Toomer. On the pass catching end, Collins found that Toomer was the only one who could provide any type of consistency. Toomer ran a deep in and against traffic made the catch, bounced off a couple of defenders and found himself in the end zone. 

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From Giants. Com by Michael Eisen, 11/24/2002

I don't want to take anything away from them - they played a good game and made the plays they needed to make," Toomer said. "But this has nothing to do with their plan. It is all in this locker room."

The Giants had taken a 14-13 lead on Toomer's brilliant touchdown reception with 13:10 remaining in the fourth period.

On second-and-10 from the Houston 31, Toomer was held by cornerback Aaron Glenn, who grabbed his jersey and held on as the two players ran down the field. Despite that, Toomer caught Collins' pass, bounced off an attempted tackle by safety Eric Brown at the 10, then stepped into the end zone.

From E-Giants by Dave Klein, 11/24/2002

Wideout Amani Toomer followed his big game last week (eight for 95 yards) with another, catching eight for 113 yards and a 31-yard touchdown.

Interesting Stats

Against Washington, Amani scored his 27th career touchdown, putting him in a tie for 9th place on the Giants’ career list. With one more touchdown, he will tie Mark Bavaro, currently in 8th place with 28. 

The record is held by Frank Gifford, who scored 78 times during his Hall of Fame career

From Jim Fassel's Monday News Conference, 11/18/02

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