NFL-Giants: NY Giants football news

Here’s an interesting article from Football Outsiders that summarizes the free agency period to date plus the draft needs of the Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins. Of course the Giants have shown that they are not afraid to go BPA in round 1 considering the Kiwannuka pick last year.

I always laugh when people say we need to draft a starting linebacker in round 1. Sometimes a great pick falls to you at a position of need (like when the Patriots got Vince Wilfork) and sometimes the Giants have traded up to get a guy they wanted (Shockey for example or even Moss). But Ginat fans who won’t wait past the first round for us to start filling needs are begging to be let down.

Kawika Mitchell says he’s in a good situation. Let’s hope the same can be said for the entire Giants team. Mitchell says he’s ready to move to OLB, probably SAM.

One definite positive is that Grey Ruegamer is back giving us depth at center and guard. Speaking of offense, USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett is visiting the Giants after running in the USC Pro Day. He offered to work out again when he visits individual teams. Could the Giants be looking at him with their first round pick? He’s not especially fast or strong, but he did produce in college. He won’t outrun NFL cornerbacks or even safeties, but he is taller (6 foot 4)and can jump. He needs to get stronger to avoid getting jammed and become a decent blocker.

Of course drafting offense means the defense waits for the help it needs. And drafting a receiver tempts the Giants to run less often. Let’s forget about drafting a receiver, find a good blocking tightend, and just go back to pounding the ball with the run game. Teach Anthony Mix to block and make him our next wide receiver (because he’s big and can pound small corners when he blocks).

One definite negative is that Coughlin is comparing the criticism he got to what Hitler got. Idiot (and yes I would say worse things about Hitler).

This New York Times article is pretty critical of the Giants offseason: “It could be argued that the Giants have not been improved at any position.”

I suppose we could argue that. Kawika Mitchell may be an improvement on the strong side (Brandon Short and Carlos Emmons are gone). I had no problem with Short, but if Mitchell can do an equal job, he is younger than Short so that’s an improvement.

Otherwise any improvements need to come organically. Will Eli Manning show some consistency? Will Barry Cofield grow or trail off the way Gibril Wilson seemd to his second year? Will Demps played better toward the end of last season – does he continue to improve? Can Wilkinson step at at WLB?

The Giants need some yes answers to those questions. Will Diehl be a better LT than Petigout? Doubtful. Will Whimper be a better backup than Whitfield? Possibly but not likely. Who will replace Jay Feeley?

But it’s not all bad. Can Tim Carter be replaced? Definitely. Are we excited about Jacobs and Droughns bruising the opponents defenses? Definitely.

So while the article paints a bleak picture, if the Giants can grow some of the current players on the roster things might look better real soon. If they can’t then we could be in for another tough season, especially if Eli Manning doesn’t deliver more consistent performances than last season.

The Giants have been awarded a compensatory pick, the 40th of the seventh round, No. 250 overall.

That might or might not fill a hole in the roster but signing Kawika Mitchell certainly does (many reporters say he has signed but it’s not official yet). He could compete with Blackburn at SAM but I’d rather see him backup Pierce in the middle. The Giants got him for 1 year at 1 million which is very reasonable. Plus this dud is going to go all out to try to earn a bigger payday next year. Good motivation.

Mitchell is younger than Brandon Short, but Short is probably the better tackler. You certainly don’t want both guys on your team since neither can really cover.

We still need a linebacker, preferably one who might be able to start soon. I’m especially concerned about Wilkinson and the weakside LB spot. We need a safety, preferably one who can cover. We need a DT so we don’t have to resign William Joseph. We need defense.

A little offense would be nice too. I’d say we need a left tackle, but it’s unlikely we find one who is ready to play now. Do we draft another project? Only if he’s the BPA. We really need a wide receiver who can play. a WR who is also a return guy would be nice.

The Houston Texans re-signed fullback Vonta Leach.

The Eagles get Takeo Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb from Buffalo for defensive tackle Darwin Walker and a conditional draft pick in 2008. Walker was a starter for the Eagles and had 6 sacks so they definitely gave something up.

ESPN is reporting that trade talks between the broncos and Giants got serious enough that Al Wilson came to NY for a physical which he failed because of his neck.

While Al Wilson plays tough and tough is what the Giants need, we don’t need a 30 year-old injury risk with a big salary. I wish the guy were healthy and playing for Big Blue, but if he’s not healthy you have to pass on the 30+ guys with injury concerns (see Emmons, Carlos – good in Philly, injured, sucky with the Giants).

Vinny Ditriani won’t guess one way or the other. He notes how Leach had an impressive impact on the Texans’ Ron Dayne powered running attack. Leach’s agent says it could go either way. Most Giants fans would like to see him coming to NY thinking that he’s a more powerful lead blocker than the experienced Finn. I’m going to go with the reporters and not say anything useful because I don’t know enough about Leach to comment on his play compared to Finn’s. What do you guys think?

Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns have Giants fans hoping the coaches learn to keep the ball on the ground a bit more responsibly than last season. Brandon jacobs is getting stronger with Tiki Barber’s old trainer. He emntions it briefly at the end of this video.

The Giants reworked Reuben Droughns’ contract (he was going to get cut by the Browns because of a $1.75-million roster bonus – Droughns salary was $1.25 million, $1.75 million and $2.75 million the next three seasons) and traded Tim carter for him.

This trade works for the Giants since Tim Carter never got anything done here. The Giants get a veteran running back with a similar style to Brandon Jacobs. Reuben Droughns is big and can catch. He’s willing to play for Coughlin obviously: “I just know he’s a good coach,” Droughns told Sirius regarding Coughlin. “You hear your rumors and everything but his record speaks for itself. He does a good job getting the guys ready and prepared to play. I’ve had a lot of disciplinarian coaches in my past so I’m sure it won’t be too much of a problem at all.”

“Reuben rushed for 1,200 yards in ‘04 and ‘05 and 750 last year. We think he gives us a nice veteran presence and complements Brandon Jacobs and the rest of our running back group nicely,” said Jerry Reese in a statement. “We wish Tim the best. I think it will be good for him to have a fresh start. We have some young receivers that we are ready to throw in the mix.”

Droughns is 29 and was a starter in Cleveland. His production was only so so last season but considering the Browns offensive line, I don’t think we can say that means he’s lost anything. In 2004 Droughns rushed for a career-best 1,240 yards and six touchdowns. He’s probably got a few good years left, especially as a backup.

The Giants would probably still like a smaller scat back. “We’re kind of bruising type of backs,” Droughns said of himself and Jacobs during an interview with Sirius Radio this afternoon. “We’ll be able to wear down a lot of defenses. Teams are going to get very tired when it comes to the fourth quarter.”

The Giants still need some receivers in addition to smaller back. Kevin Curtis visited…

The Giants continue to frustrate fans by losing players and not signing anyone new. Now that Feeley is going to Miami, Ernie palladino says we’ve made a mistake, while Ralph Vacchiano explains why we shouldn’t count on Josh Huston.

For the optimists out there, Mike Garafolo says we are still looking to sign players (at least we haven’t given up!). LB Donnie Edwards, RB Dominic Rhodes, CB Rod Hood, and S Deon Grant all get a mention.