Stambaugh signs with NY Giants

Former Lehigh quarterback Phil Stambaugh returned to the NFL ranks earlier this week when the New York Giants signed him to a preseason contract. Stambaugh will compete for the number three-signal caller job, along with fellow free-agent signees Darnell Dinkons and John Welsh. The Giants, who just completed a mini camp last week, began a two-week summer session on Monday. Staumbaugh is taking part in that session. The Giants will then hold their preseason training camp beginning July 24th in Albany, New York, where Stambaugh will get a chance to show his stuff to coach Jim Fassel and the rest of New York’s staff in an attempt to make the Giants final roster.
The Giants signed Stambaugh while he was with the New Haven Ninjas of the Arena2 Football League. Stambaugh separated his shoulder in a game with the Ninjas but it was his non throwing shoulder and did not affect the Giants’ interest in him. Prior to playing in New Haven, he played in the NFL Europe League for the defending World Bowl Champion Rhein Fire. Stambaugh put solid numbers together over seas as he ranked 6th in the league in passing with 62.6 rating points, and completed 56% of his passes for over 1,200 yards. After the NFL Europe season ended, Stambaugh was released by the New Orleans Saints and then picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he spent just over ten weeks, eventually becoming the backup after Mark Brunnel became injured. Prior to NFL Europe, the Buffalo Bills signed Stambaugh as a free agent in 2000. There he took part in preseason training camp, but was released soon after.
While at Lehigh, Stambaugh shattered many records that still stand today. These include having thrown the most touchdowns (78), completing the most passes (818), throwing for the most yards (9,669) and completing his passes with a better percentage than anyone in Lehigh’s storied history (63.71%). He also holds single season passing records for completion percentage with a mark of 68% in 1999. Stambaugh was named the Patriot League Player of the Year as a junior while at Lehigh.