Here's an interesting article about capitalism and socialism in the NFL. Jones and Snyder are the capitalists and it's easy for them because they are in the big markets. On the other hand Irsay (Colts owner) wants more revenue sharing so he doesn't have to keep paying his players out of his own pocket (the Colts don't make enough money to handle a Peyton Manning size contract).
In the midst of it all is Wellington Mara lamenting that football was more fun in the old days. Nowadays, when the owners meet they only talk about business; they used to talk about football.
Articles you should read:
The 49ers released Greg Randall. He was a starter for Houston last season, but was going to be a backup for San Francisco until they decided they didn't need another backup. The Giants have to think about signing him.
Marcus Spears has been released by the Kansas City Chiefs. Here's a 6'5" veteran who has played guard and tackle. If Greg Randall gets too expensive, the Giants could go after Spears.
Inside Football talks about conditioning and other stuff. For example it's reported that Shockey has decided to have surgery. Also there's some talk about Coughlin's offense and a nice overview of the competition for diferent positions.
An overview of rookies with an NFL pedigree includes a bit about Eli Manning.
I just read an unusual but interesting article about the NFL and identity theft. It seems that so few people know what NFL players look like under the pads and helmets that NFL players are easy targets for identity theft.
The NFL rund free background checks for players to check out their nannies, business associates, or whoever. There are also classes on identity theft, but how do you protect yourself from a stranger using your name?
Norman Hand hurt his back during a drill. Hand has been dieting; he wants to play at 317 but the Giants will settle for 325. As Kim Jones pointed out a few days ago, the Giants are relying on Hand to keep blockers away from Nick Greisen...
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Shockey is leaning toward surgery Monday. The idea would be to end the foot problem. As Shockey says, if he doesn't do anything now the foot might will probably last until week 6 or 7, but it's better to miss a couple weeks of training camp and solve the problem for good. Otherwise normal wear & tear will eventually cause the problem to resurface.
Jeremy Shockey will get a second opinion on his foot. This is necessary because x-rays show a "hot spot" on his right foot. The article explains that this could be anything from a bruise to a fracture.
Ralph Vacchiano is also talking about the foot. Considering that Shockey had turf toe his rookie year and was injured last year (his second), it's not surprising that the possibility that Shockey is injury prone is floating around Giants message boards...
Inside Football says surgery would be no surprise. There's also a run down on other injuries, and talk about other positions. As always, it's worth the read.
The NY posts says that Tom Coughlin works the Giants pretty hard. There's also some mention of Ryan Van Dyke compteing with Jesse Palmer and J. Load for the #3 spot.
There's another NY Post article with a detailed look at how Van Dyke figures into the QB equation.
It seems that while Coughlin says it'll be a fair fight between Warner and Eli, Warner will probably win:
"One thing you can't switch from one player to the other is the experience factor and obviously Kurt has that," he said. "He has been there. It is going to take time for Eli. No question about that."
In this one from the Daily News, Tom Coughlin is interviewed. Coughlin talks about Eli, Snee, his grandkids, 9/11, etc. Very interesting read.
There's no motivator like belief in what you're doing. I feel that a group has to be molded, and by today's standards, it's almost out of character. I believe nothing good is ever accomplished without a struggle."Interestingly though, it doesn't seem as though Coughlin is molding the players by making them bend to his will. For example he talks about winning Strahan over when some Giants fans (me included) expected him to lay down the law. Dr. Z doesn't sound all that positive that Tom Coughlin's philosophy will work for the New York Giants. However he concludes on a somewhat positive note:
If Coughlin can somehow inject the spirit of passion into a veteran team such as the Giants that he did into his young '96 Jags, then it will be one of the great success stories of the season.... It's a tough arena for Coughlin and his belief system, but somehow you get the feeling that he's going to make it work.
Neil Best writes about forging a team and it seems that the players feel that the 20 new veterans (not to mention rookies) and the Giants who have been around are bonding more easily because they are all learning Coughlin's system together. Of course making all these strangers a team is a big challenge for Coughlin.
Shockey has injured his foot again. This has sparked some Criticism of Shockey's lifestyle. It seems that Shockey dances too much and is too busy "scamming babes" for some tastes. My fellow Giants blogger over at Big Blue Blog comes to Shockey's defense, however.
Roosevelt Brown died at 71. Frank Gifford recalls a few specific plays that worked because of Roosevelt Brown, the Giants 255 pound left tackle, who is considered one of the best ever. Paul Schwartz has some interesting information on Brown too, including salary numbers from the 50's. All in all, it seems that everyone respected him as a player, coach, scout, and gentleman.
Here's an interesting article about how Westbrook may be too small to be an every down back but how the Eagles want him on the field as much as possible. Naturally they talk about his 84 yard return and how "he can run by the whole Giants" team. They also compare him to Tiki Barber because he wasa third dwon back converted to a full-time featured back. Anyway, clearly the Giants will have to do a better job stopping Westbrook than they did last year...
Lots of people complaining about Luke (bad back - back problems are often chronic - too many penalties) on the Giants.com message boards, but I think we're stuck with him for a while. Signing a free agent left tackle is very difficult. There is an off chance that the Pats won't resign their left tackle but you can bet there will be a bidding war *if* he hits the free agent market. Anyway, we're talking about next year. Stojny might be a possibility on 2 or 3 years. Guys like Pace, Ogden, and Gallery don't come often so don't expect to draft an awesome tackle in the next few years (especially not without a first round pick next year).
Now we signed him to a big contract because he played well. He is a better than average left tackle, but we need him to have a healthy back.
Giants offensive line coach Flaherty has been diagnosed with cancer. He plans to work this season as he undergoes treatment. Pat Ruel (Bills offensive line coach last season - has also worked with Green Bay and Detroit) and Dave DeGuglielmo will help (or take over if needed). Naturally I hope Pat Flaherty wins the fight; I'm encouraged that he plans to keep working. That seems like a good way to start fighting.
Inside Football has a good report on the latest Giants mini-camp. The author feels that Warner is physically healthy though has some doubts about how he'll handle real pressure. She also notes that Manning looked much much better than at his first camp.
About the offensive line, the writer saw Diehl and Ian Allen playing right tackle and thinks Diehl will be the starter while Ian Allen won't make the team. The other big question mark, MLB, is also covered. Greisen seems to be better against the run than against the pass. Reminds me of Barrow actually. There's lots of other good stuff too if you read the article...
Ten worst things to happen to sports since ESPN dawned lists Jesse Palmer at #1 (not a reality TV fan) and the NFL players association #4 (not a salary cap fan).
Tiki drops old style of running and carrying ball is a welcome read for all Giants fans. We can't win if Tiki fumbles like he did last year. Seems that he has a new running style and claims to be a bit more buff...
An article from Newsday says that Manning is answering some of Warner's questions and that Warner has had some big misses. It's only his sixth day after all. Eli has been here a month and guys like Tiki Barber say there's a big difference: "That day (May 7 - first mini-camp) he looked like he couldn't play in high school," Barber said. "As the weeks have gone on, you can see his confidence."
This AP article on Sportsline notes that Coghlin is so impressed with Jesse Palmer that his football career didn't end when his TV career started. I wrote before about Palmer, the Giants, and the Bachelor, so you know how I feel. Still if Palmer beats out Manning for the #2 spot I guess we keep him. Our depth chart would be Warner (who Phil Simms says will statr), Palmer, Manning. I'm not sure what would happen to Van Dyke and J. Load.
Van Dyke seems to have played so well in Europe (he comes back soon) that unless he really underachieves in the preseason, he would make the practice squad. I'm not so sure if the Giants would put 2 QBs on the squad so J.Load might be the odd man out. Of course Palmer beating out Manning is a big if. We could then see him at #3 and deal with the same questions. Personally I'd like Van Dyke to get #3 but only if he's the better football player.
An interesting article about how the scrutiny that was on Eli during the first mini-camp is now on Warner and how Warner should win the starting job if he's healthy (and the Giants who saw him practice say he is healthy).
Warner plans to win the starting job, and the Giants offense says he exudes confidence and throws well. Toomer offers a probable comparison to Eli:
Added wide receiver Amani Toomer: "He definitely has a confidence about him. You can see when he's in the huddle. It's a little different than someone who's just trying to learn the thing and trying to get the system down."
That doesn't stop Dr.Z from arguing that Warner's not mentally or physically healthy. At least he stopped talking about the redhead for a few paragraphs.
This article on how Barrow plays younger than he is (it's from the Washington Post, so you'll have to register to read it) suggests that he'll do very well for the Redskins. 6 years for 13 million seems like a bargain for a guy who led the Giants in tackles for three years and even led the NFC last year with 148.
A very intersting post on the BBI message board from a Rams fan who feels that Warner has all the physical tools and smarts a QB needs. There is some mention, however, of the possibility that Warner is not as fearless as he used to be. Giants players are also happy.
The other side of the story: some fans are not so excited about Warner's potential.
I read some mildly disturbing rumors that Eddie George wants to play for the Eagles. With the addition of Owens plus Detmer and Blake backing up McNabb, the Eagles seem to be in pretty good shape offensively. Eddie George didn't put up such great numbers in 2003 (3.3 average and 5 touchdowns) but he would be another capable guy in the backfield...
There's not too much news since the Warner signing, but I'll do my best to keep you entertained. I've found an article about Barry Stokes' golf tournament (Manning, Shockey, and others will be there).
Also of interest is that the Giants are not reported to be interested in recenlty released Trotter or Gildon. An aging ex-Giant (Barrow) replaces Trotter (which shows you how much the Redskins think of Trotter - I don't think much of Trotter either) and the redskins are rumored to be interested in Gildon.
It seems Warner will make at least 3.5 million this year, and up to eight million with incentives. A conflicting report has the price at 1.5 million in salary, and the same as a signing bonus for a 2.25 million cap hit. Anyway, this move may take some pressure off of Manning, who still plans to compete for a starting job. Warner said that he reads defenses so well that he can get rid of the ball before the Giants offensive line gives up a sack. After watching his performance against the Giants the last time he played, I'm not convinced. Coughlin, however, seems to be convinced that Warner is healthy and ready to play.
One intersting thing is that no one is complaining that Accorsi overpaid for Warner, while evryone said he overpaid for Manning. A month or so ago, the number floating around was a million for Warner. I know the agent said other teams were interested, but I never actually believed him. I don't understand why the Giants had to pay so much. I mean if Warner had gone anywhere else he would've been going in as a back up. The Giants were the only team that could give him a chance to win a starting job. I wish that leverage could have been used to get a cheaper deal. Anyway, Accorsi is pleased with himself, saying the Giants have the "best of both worlds" (experience and promising youth). Considering how much he paid for each, we'd better have the best.
In other NFC East news, Testaverde signed with the Cowboys. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Warner is a Giant. The contract has not been made public, but the guess is that his salary will be 3 million this season. With a 1.5 million signing bonus, that would be a cap hit of 2.25 million. I honestly thought it would be less and sure hope Warner's worth it. His agent said other teams were interested; I wonder if he fooled Accorsi into overpaying.
Warner should sign with the Giants today, according to Kimberly Jones from the Star-Ledger. The cap hit is expected to be about 2.5 million this year. Jones thinks there will be an interesting competition for the starting job between Warner and Manning.
In other news, offensive lineman Jeff Roehl was released and rookie free agent Greg Walker was signed after lasting less than a month with the Lions. I hope we see a more experienced right tackle brought in...
The first half of this interview with Accorsi is the same old stuff about Eli, but it does get interesting. Accorsi expects Chris Snee to be a starter. Accorsi was impressed by his performance in min-camp. He says he sees Torbor as an outside guy who can play in the middle. I think I read that he may be a pass rushing DE until he's ready to play linebacker, but I don't see why we wouldn't have Osi and Strahan at end on passing downs...
Other stuff to note was how Taylor is a big, fast guy with hands who should be recovered enough to play this year. Stojny is seen as a guy who *could* be a left tackle in a few years if has the desire to work hard and get stronger. He has the feet (which Accorsi says is the one thing that can't be taught or developed).
As expected, Warner has been cut. He's expected to sign with the Giants by the end of the week although his agent still insists other teams are interested. New York Newsday calls Warner a "logical fit".
The insiders have a list of cuts, which includes the Redskins Jeremiah Trotter. There are rumors that the Giants are interested, but I think he's an overrated MLB. Sure he made the pro bowl twice with the Eagles but he hasn't played so well for the Redskins.
The Jets cut Testaverde, who seems to be headed for Dallas. As I've mentioned before, we should consider Testaverde too.
So Brock Lesnar wants to play in the NFL. I think of Stacy Andrews when I think of Lesnar, except that Lesanr is a lot faster (and lighter) and wants to play DE rather than OL.
Still, seems like lots of people are saying Lesnar has no chance. Why was Stacy Andrews drafted after playing football for a month in college? Because if you have the physical tools (Lesnar does) you can learn to play football. I can't quote the source, but I remember reading some coach talking about the Wonderlic saying that he had never met anyone too stupid to play football. It's a sport. People who are athletic do well in sports. Brock Lesnar is athletic.
Now will he get impatient and go back to 9 million a year in the WWE? I don't know. Can he learn to play football? Yes. Can a 280-290 guy who runs 4.7 or better, presses 475, and squats 695 be an awesome defensive end? yes. Now he may not make it, but you'd have to feel pretty stupid if you didn't even work him out and he ends up being a superstar.
Here's an interesting article about how the Patriots may not be able to keep their excellent left tackle, Matt Light. Now the Patriots are pretty tight against the cap so if they can't spend any more, they can't spend anymore.
The thing that amazes me is that Charlie Weis, their offensive coordinator, expects to leave because the Pats are too cheap to pay him a million bucks a year. Now that's just crazy. Look at what he's done with their offense (and remember their running back situation last year).
I read one article that talks about all the quality quarterbacks soon to be available. I read another article about how there won't be quality at any position come June 2.
Now there's no way to know if Warner will be a contributor or not, but if there's no one else available the Giants should consider using their extra cap money to see about the future. We all saw what happened to the cornerback market this season so how about extending Will Allen and Will Peterson by giving them front loaded contracts? Or do it for Shockey. I don't know any Giants fan who'd like to see him go anywhere else...