By Tom Rock, Newsday
The Giants have their first ever Seawolf.
Paul Fenaroli, a center at Stony Brook University for four seasons, was signed to the Giants’ practice squad on Wednesday. It’s about 65 miles from Stony Brook University to the Giants’ training facility at the Timex Performance Center, but it’s taken Fenaroli a couple of years to get here.
After finishing his career at Stony Brook he played for the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League, then spent time during 2011’s preseason with the Falcons and the Packers. He played for the Orlando Predators this past winter in the AFL, was in training camp briefly with the Saints, and last played for the Virginia Destroyers in the UFL.
Six different teams. Three different leagues (one of them now defunct). And now he’s on the Giants’ practice squad in the same market where he played college ball and grew up (he’s from Monroe, Ct.).
“I’ve bounced around a little bit,” he said in the Giants’ locker room on Wednesday, just a few minutes after actually signing his contract.
Fenaroli said he was surprised to get a call from the Giants since he worked out for them two weeks ago during the team’s bye and hadn’t heard back. “A little bit of a shock,” he said. “I’m glad they gave me a call back. You never know what they’re thinking.”
The Giants had an opening for a practice squad offensive lineman because Sean Locklear suffered a knee injury on Monday against the Redskins and on Wednesday was placed on injured reserve. They promoted Selvish Capers from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to take Locklear’s place, and then signed Fenaroli to take Capers’ place. He’s wearing the 62 jersey and was on the field with the team for Wednesday’s practice.
Of course Fenaroli wanted to talk a little Seawolves football. He said he was disappointed that the team lost to Montana State, but he was at the home playoff win against Villanova. “So that’s good,” he said. As for Stony Brook’s star player this year, Miguel Maysonet, Fenaroli said he will “definitely” be able to play in the NFL. “He’s going to win the Walter Payton Award,” Fenaroli boasted.
As for his place on the Giants, Fenaroli said he can play both guard and center. The Giants are a little thin at tackle, though. At 6-3 and 310 pounds, can he possibly find a way to slide outside if needed?
“No,” Fenaroli said. It turns out that he’s unlike his path to the team. “Too short.”
