Hedgecock eyes reprisal in return to Dome
To paraphrase Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe) in “Gladiator” . . . “My name is Madison Hedgecock, and I will have my revenge.”
A year later, Hedgecock still bristles at any mention of Scott Linehan or the Rams. The fullback from the University of North Carolina, a Rams seventh-round draft pick in 2005, was unceremoniously cut after the ‘07 season-opener. The Giants scooped up Hedgecock. He wound up with a Super Bowl ring and in November received a five-year, $5.5 million contract extension.
“I was fortunate, thankfully, but there’s no pride in that,” he told reporters in New York this week.
The Giants will be in town Sunday, and Hedgecock is itching for payback.
“I definitely had this one on my calendar,” he said. “I didn’t get a chance to prove myself there, so I’ll have to do it on another team. It’s a golden opportunity.”
Hedgecock didn’t like the manner in which he was “fired,” as he puts it. “They said, ‘Bring your playbook and come to the stadium,’” he recalled. “I was in shock.”
He also was unhappy that he was let go so that Richard Owens, a tight end/fullback who played under Linehan in Minnesota, could be signed. “They could’ve at least brought in somebody that was good,” Hedgecock said. “He was the coach’s buddy. I don’t want to play for a buddy.”
Owens no longer is with the Rams; Hedgecock is thriving with the Giants.
“Excellent fit,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “A physical, lead-blocking fullback that has good hands and can be a factor in the play-action game. And he’s done an outstanding job on special teams.”
Hedgecock vowed that despite his lingering anger, he won’t let his emotions get the best of him Sunday. “I have to keep those in check and do my job,” he said. “I’ll be ready to play.”
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Notes & quotes:
*Former holdout Steven Jackson, on how he expects the fans at the Dome to greet him Sunday: “Boos or cheers . . . I just have to go out and be in focus and in the zone of executing my job. I don’t know. I just know my parents will be there, and I’m happy to be able to see them.”
*Marc Bulger, on what reaction he expects for the team in the wake of the ugly loss at Philly: “They’re great fans, and certainly I want them behind us. But we have to play better to get them behind us. It’s up to us to get the fans back.”
*DE Leonard Little and G Jacob Bell sat out practice Thursday. Both have hamstring injuries.
*Former Rams owner Georgia Frontiere, who died in January, will be honored at Sunday’s game. Her name will be added to the Ring of Fame at the Dome.
*TE Joe Klopfenstein, a vintage car enthusiast, drives in 1980 Pontiac GTO.
*The Giants are gunning for their 12th road victory in a row.
All for now . . .
Steven Jackson hasn’t been the same runner without Hedgecock lead blocking for him and the Giant runners have thrived with him. Go figure.
Dave, Alex Barron was drafted three years ago. That makes him about 25 or 26. Certainly he’s old enough to count to three or remember the snap count for 20 seconds. And in three years, he should be showing some improvement. He plays at about the same level he did when he was drafted.
Actually, Alex Barron does suck. Good luck convincing yourself otherwise. Take it from a Cowboys fan who has seen great talent and crappy talent the past 5-10 years, just quit fooling yourselves and ditch the whole program, starting with GM/draft guys, head coach. It’s really sad, but until then I think they’re just wasting your time with this team. I’ve been there.
The Giants will destroy the Rams.
Joe Klopfenstein is still on the roster?
A 1980 GTO???? There are no classic 1980 vehicles. Late ’70s and early ’80s were the worst cars Americans ever produced. Now if he had a 1970 GTO, now that would be classic. Preferrably a ragtop.
On Marc Bulger, I didn’t think he was the answer when the Rams chose him over Kurt Warner I still don’t think he is the answer, he isn’t mentally tough as Warner and not physically big either Thanks Mike Martz.
I think “OMG” adequately conveys my view of Rams talent. What fools thought this team had talent in the first place. We’re a new coach, a new quarterback, a big explosive receiver and 4-5 big play defensive players away from a competitive team. bring on the Raiders!
Why is this culture overrun with people who think everyone should smile and take when they’ve been wronged. Madison Hedgecock’s career could have been destroyed by this stupid scapegoat, buddy system move. I don’t care how sunny the present may be.. Madison Hedgecock’s career could have been cut short and he was unfairly terminated. Remember what happened when Hodgins was let go earlier in the decade? Madison Hedgecock went through what too many can relate to these days.. wrongful termination.
This is precisely the kind of thing that could have been prevented. Bad enough to have cut a fairly good player (at least a good blocking back) for a nobody. But then not having enough class to treat him with some degree of respect and gratitude has produced an situation where he will play out of his head to get even. This may be the stupidest thing Lanahan has done.