Brandon Jacobs' former coach is convinced that handling the playbook will be no problem despite rumors of a learning disability. In this article by Paul Schwartz we also get confirmation that Jacobs is being given the chance to be Tiki's successor.
Looks like there are some good big defensive line prospects (both ends and tackles but more tackles) and some good running backs. Also a left tackle or two... Read about 32 prospects here. Or read the other story here.
ESPN tells us that Shockey is on his way to New York for the Giants voluntary training.
The Daily News adds that next week the veterans have off. I don't know how many articles about this story (one which i find pretty boring) but The New York Post covers it twice. The Star Ledger also has the same story. They also note that WR Jason Geathers and DE Claude Harriott were cut now that the Giants have some youger talent for camp.
It's not confirmed, but the Giants are probably signing Georgia Tech safety James Butler as an undrafted free agent. I guess the locals were guilty of wishful thinking when they said he'd be a third or fourth round pick. I don't know much about him, but here's a little something fromt he article:
Butler, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound free safety, had 91 tackles and two interceptions last season. As a junior, in his first season as a starter, Butler set a Tech record with 119 tackles, the most in school history by a defensive back.
Personally, I have no idea why Kiper still has a job because everyone I know hates him. He doesn't seem to know much about anything so I hesitated to even post this but hey we're here to discuss the Giants.
Notice how Kiper is grading us based on the number of picks we had rather that their quality. And why does he think Tuck should have gone back to Notre Dame? I'm pretty sure the Giants pay better. So Kiper had this to say:
New York Giants: C
Cornerback Corey Webster was slowed by nagging injuries last season but is a tremendous cover man when healthy and had a top-10 grade after his junior season. Justin Tuck is an OK end in the third round but should have gone back to Notre Dame; Brandon Jacobs should carve a niche as a power back; and end Eric Moore is also an OK pick. The Giants just did not have enough selections to make a big impact on their football team.
One Eagle/Notre Dame fan is upset that the Giants landed Tuck. I for one hope that we do see Tuck knock McNabb around twice a year...
Once or twice a year sports writers play teacher and try to assign grades. They are not trained for this and it usually shows. Charles Robinson grades the Giants draft
New York GiantsFirst of all, no way was defensive tackle a greater need than defensive end. Secondly, Brandon Jacobs is a running back so to say that the position was not addressed at all goes beyond stupidity.
High marks: Give the Giants credit – for having only four picks and no first-rounder, they improved their team this weekend. All-American cornerback Corey Webster should be able to step in as the nickel cornerback. Defensive end Justin Tuck has first-round talent and was a total steal in the third round. He solidifies the depth at end and should easily get into the rotation for playing time. Defensive end Eric Moore's lack of speed hurt him, but he still was considered a likely third-round pick. The Giants got great value nabbing him in the sixth round.Low marks: Not enough picks translates into not enough needs met. Safety, defensive tackle and running back arguably were the Giants' top three needs, yet they got no attention.
Final grade: B
Also I don't quite follow the logic of deducting points for the Giants having only four draft choices. We deducted points for the Manning trade last year, now we're deducting points for it again? Find a teacher who calls that fair.
I thought the Giants would pick Fason in the 4th round, but they went for size instead. NFL.com's draft anlaysis says Brandon Jacobs is 267 pounds. That's one big tailback!
There is some talk about moving him to tight end, but he was a productive runner so why fix what's not broken? Accorsi agrees, "It's important to understand that this is a running back, not a fullback. This is a guy who scored 19 touchdowns his senior year and averaged 6.6 yards a carry. He gained 992 yards in a running back rotation. His specialty is short yardage, but he's a halfback. That's what he was drafted as."
Jacobs doesn't consider himself only a short yardage back either:
Q: Is there more to your game than just being a short yardage back?A: Yes, there is most definitely more to my game. I think, as far as just being a short yardage back, It's going to surprise a lot of people when they only ask for one yard and I take it the distance.
Q: What makes you good at short yardage?
A: When I know it's short yardage I don't pitter-patter behind the line of scrimmage. I know the down and distance. I know where I have to go so I get the rock and I barrel down and I just get in. Just one person won't stop me from getting what I want. It's going to be a couple people.
The Daily News writes about how happy the Giants are to land Webster. The part I like is his ability to create turnovers.
The New York Post also talks about luck. The Giants think they got the best corner in the draft so they chose Webster over Tuck. Then Tuck fell all the way to the Giants third round pick.
The New York Times adds that Webster is best at press coverage on the outside. Since nickel backs often play in the slot I wonder if the fans who believe Webster is replacing Terry Cousin have it right.
The Times-Picayune has this quote from Webster: "(Saban) called me right at the same time. He told me he was going to get me if the Giants didn't take me." That's heartening since Saban obviously knows Webster very well.
The Journal News adds that Webster playing through injury is the kind of thing that can impress coach Coughlin. Also mentioned, is that Webster is more of a finesse corner so the 5 yard contact rule shouldn't change the way he plays.
I thought JJ Arrington would be a better value here, but from all accounts Webster is a player. I like that he has better hands than you know who (was a former receiver) and should note that Coughlin thinks this is an excellent value:
As you know, he had an outstanding year in 03 on , in their National Championship team. And had he decided to come out then, he would have been a top 15 pick and that is the exciting thing here.Clearly Coughlin knows a few things I don't so that's encouraging. The injury causing his stock to fall does worry me a bit, though. Jerry Reese doesn't sound worried:
Q: You think he's injury prone?All in all this pick excites me. If he develops, we won't have to overpay for Will Allen. You see Corners going for a ton of money in Free Agency, but a #43 pick is generally cap-friendly.A: I don't think he's injury prone. I just think the guy, as a sophomore he played and had seven interceptions. He had seven interceptions as a junior and only two as a senior. I don't think he's injury prone, he has played through it. You have to like his toughness for playing through an injury like that. He had some significant injuries so I think he's a tough kid, number one, and you have to like guys who have played through injuries like that.
RE: Injuries.
A: I just know that he had three or four things that he was dinged up with that he tried to play through during his senior year. Again, when you're evaluating the guy, you're evaluating a hurt player.
Q: Why do you think he lasted that long?
A: I don't think that there is any doubt that it was the injury concern that scared people off because again, you go back and look after his junior year and this kid is a top ten pick. It's a slam dunk. If he comes out as a junior, he's a top ten pick. A size, speed corner with seven interceptions and played like he played his junior year, it's shocking that he didn't come out at the time. If he played to the caliber that he played as a junior, he's probably right up there, actually he's probably better than the corner that got picked from Miami, Rolle, and of course, he's five inches taller than Pacman. So this guy has value if he was still the same as he was as a junior. We're very fortunate to get the guy. There is no question in my mind.
I actually wrote about Justin Tuck a while back at in the third round I ahve to agree with Pat Kirwan who said this is a strong value pick:
I spent a lot of time on the phone with him this offseason, and he has put on weight (265 pounds). He had 19.5 sacks the last few years, and frankly, this is a bargain pick. He has good pass rush skills and understands he has to attack the quarterback without always using the speed rush. His added weight will help him with his bull rush.It's real nice when going BPA means you fill a position of need too. The NFL.com analysis is encouraging too.
I think Ware will be good but we can hope it takes him a few years to make a big impact. Here's an interesting tidbit: Ware's "57 stops behind the line of scrimmage broke the old school career-record of 40 by Osi Umenyiora (1999-2002)." This comes from the NFL.com analysis.
The Redskins are on the clock. I was pretty happy when I learned the Redskins traded next year's #1 for Denver's pick this year. I think they gave up too much. I think I'm also happy that Rolle is off the board.
Yes, now they've picked. Carlos Rodgers. Time will tell, but I'm feeling a bit smug. I feel Rodgers is a bit of a reach at #9.
Everyone decided to write about Eli Manning today so here goes: We've got Newsday talking about how Manning is relaxed about the upcoming draft (unlike last year), and a not on Jeremy Shockey.
The NY Post goes into a bit more detail on the 2004 draft and more importantly says Manning is becoming more decisive and confident. The Daily News has a similar article with many of the same quotes from Manning.
Paul Schwartz reminds us that the Giants do better in the second round than in the first:
player than anyone they might have taken on the first round.Now I'm not sure if it's a good thing to screw up as many first round picks as the Giants have, but at least history is on our side when it comes to getting a good player in the second round.More often than not, the Giants in recent years have encountered greater success in the second round than the first. Left tackle Jumbo Elliott (second round, 1988) had a much better career than first-round offensive lineman Eric Moore. Cornerback Phillippi Sparks in the second round in 1992 fared much better than tight end Derek Brown in the first. Defensive end Michael Strahan, taken in the second round in 1993, is a six-time Pro Bowler, light years ahead of anything quarterback Dave Brown (supplemental draft in 1992) ever accomplished.
There's more. Cornerback Jason Sehorn (second round, 1994) far overshadowed first-round receiver Thomas Lewis. Do you prefer receiver Amani Toomer (second round, 1996) or defensive end Cedric Jones? Running back Tiki Barber (second round, 1997) or receiver Ike Hilliard? Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (second round, 2003) or defensive tackle William Joseph?
Paul Schwartz lists a few names that might interest the Giants at #43:
The Giants do hope to upgrade three remaining areas: Cornerback, running back and defensive line. In all three, the Giants have the luxury of drafting for depth.I'm not a college football expert, but it seems to me that of those names the best prospects are at the running back position.At cornerback, the Giants will have a shot at Justin Miller (Clemson), Eric Green (Virginia Tech), Stanford Routt (Houston) or Bryant McFadden (Florida State). At running back, they might be able to select from a group that includes Ciatrick Faison (Florida), Eric Shelton (Louisville), J.J. Arrington (California) and Vernard Morancy (Oklahoma State). The options at defensive line could include Northwestern's Luis Castillo (who has admitted to using steroids), Dan Cody (Oklahoma), Mike Patterson (USC) and Ronald Fields (Mississippi State).
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I think the Chargers GM knows how to hold a grudge:
"We had been singled out," Smith recalls. "The most amazing thing was when he (Eli) said he wouldn't play for the San Diego Chargers. He shouldn't have said anything, but when he said that, it's a heavy thing to say, something he will have to carry throughout his career. He'll have to live with it. Maybe Steve Foley and Randall Godfrey (Chargers linebackers) will remember him."It's a good thing that the Giants offensive line should be much improved with the addition of McKenzie, the maturation of Snee, and Diehl (presuming he beats out Whittle) at left guard. Just hope Petigout's back is stronger...Now those would seem to be fighting words, and they probably are. Smith is a proven counterpuncher, and he can still feel the Mannings' slap on his cheek.
A lot of Giants fans are crying about the need to draft a defensive end. That's why I wrote about Justin Tuck yesterday. But Accorsi is not specifically targeting defensive ends in the draft:
With the 43rd overall pick -- a spot Accorsi said will net the Giants the same "quality of athlete" as a late first-round selection -- the team will most likely address depth concerns at cornerback, running back or the defensive line.I haven't heard any guesses yet about who is likely to be released after June 1. I hope to hear more about that soon.Defensive end is a dangerously thin spot right now. Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora are the starters, but behind them are Claude Harriott and former Rutgers lineman Raheem Orr, who have been active for a combined two regular-season games in their short careers.
For the importance of depth at the position, see last season when Strahan and Keith Washington were lost for the year to knee injuries in the same game. After that week, the Giants defense was never the same.
"We're not done yet there," said Accorsi, who said there are some ends he expects to be released on June 1.
Neil Best notes four reasons why the Giants don't miss the #12 pick: Eli Manning, the lack of consensus top prospects, Chris Snee, and saved cap space. Here's what he had to say about Snee and cap space:
The Giants likely could have preserved this year's first-round pick had they been willing to send their second-round pick last year to the Chargers; they are glad they did not because they love the potential of guard Chris Snee.Personally, I think Snee and McKenzie will really kick some butt working next to each other and I ahve especially high hopes for our short yardage offense.Another by-product of not having a first-round choice is it saved salary-cap money that would have been spent on a rookie. Accorsi said the Giants could not have signed all three big-ticket free agents -- Kareem McKenzie, Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce -- if they owned a first-round pick.
With the need for depth at defensive end, Justin Tuck is a name that often comes up in disucussions about what to do with the #43 pick. After reading this ESPN interview with Tuck, I think I like his personality.
A few highlights:
1. He prefers DE but says he can play OLB in a 3-4.
2. He likes Atlanta because it's close to home, Dallas (yuck) and the 49ers, and he loves the Giants.
3. His knee is at full strength.
4. He would like to play on the Eagles (yuck) defensive line.
5. He also mentions he'd like to play with Strahan.
6. Then he says he'd LOVE to play for Parcells.
7. Then he says he'd be happy playing anywhere.
Plaxico Buress, the new Giant wide receiver, will be in the ESPN chat room Wednesday April 13 at 2:00 PM EST.
No question where Jerry Izenberg's loyalties lie, is there?
What complicates it for Zoffinger is the fact that Xanadu has put roughly $121 million in escrow that the authority can't touch until the Giants approve certain things Xanadu wants to do.Because of that, he privately demands that the Giants give Xanadu what it wants before he approves a deal with the football team. Meanwhile, Gov. Codey wanders in large concentric circles on all of these issues.
Some say this is because Gov. Codey can't make up his mind. Some say this is because Zoffinger has not played it straight with him. And some say this all is because this is New Jersey, where politicians watch "The Sopranos" on TV and think they are part of a reality series.
Better late than never I guess:
The case was to be heard by an arbitrator late last week, and a union official even traveled to New York for the case. But the players involved -- cornerback Terry Cousin and linebackers Barrett Green and Carlos Emmons -- didn't want to pursue the case. Cousin was released by the Giants this offseason and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and didn't want to travel to New York to resolve a dispute over $500, sources familiar with the case said.
Newsday's John heyman calls Coughlin a bully for not criticizing Shockey for being absent from optional practices. He argues that Coughlin doesn't go after the stars, only poor media types.
Now I think Giants fans have a right to complain about Shockey being absent from New York, but heyman sounds less like a reporter and more like a disgruntled fan:
When your team wins 10 games in two seasons and you score 10 touchdowns in three, you're set, I guess. Why lift a finger? Why practice with the team? Why get accustomed to Eli Manning's passes?It's obvious by now, Shockey cares more about hooking up with Tara Reid than Manning.
While Manning publicly voiced disappointment over Shockey's extended absence, Coughlin has stayed silent. He's the classic bully. He picks on media members, backups and deposed coaches, not on stars like Shockey.
Bob Papa does the Giants radio play by play and in this interview he has some interesting things to say. He thinks the Giants will try to draft an offensive lineman for example.
Personally, I would only draft offensive line if one were the best player available. Clearly if we're looking at positions, we should be looking at defensive line and secondary (not to mention back up running back). Some people talk about Adam Terry from Syracuse at #43. If he can develop into a great left tackle then sure, draft him. I'm not so sure though.
The other interesting thing he says is that Gibril Wilson will move to free safety. presumably Shaun Williams will start at strong safety then. I think this makes the most sense for the Giants although it will be critical for Gibril to learn the playbook very very well since last year he relied on Brent Alexander to tell heim where to go...
Cleo Burrows was a Redskins fan last year. Now he's a Giants fan. His son is Antonio Pierce. He thinks Pierce can handle fame and fortune:
“His mother and I raised him to be responsible and I don't think this is going to change him,” continued Burrows.
Len Pasquerelli reminds Giants fans about what they know all too well:
Williams simply isn't a playmaker, and has never really lived up to the hype. In seven seasons, he has just 11 interceptions and has never had more than three pickoffs in a season. He did record double-digit passes defensed in three straight years, 2000-2002, but hasn't been nearly the impact player many predicted he would be.This, plus the fact that there are other safeties available, plus the injuries is why Williams had little choice but to restructure. As I mentioned I like this deal. We can use the draft choices on players that command higher salaries than safeties: I would like us to come out of the draft with a good defensive end prospect (or 2), a cornerback prospect (cornerbacks are pricey in free agency), a potential backup running back, maybe a big offensive lineman...
I'm glad Coughlin and the Giants have gotten guys like Snee and Mckenzie who push people backwards. The Broncos make me sick:Obviously getting defenders on the ground is one benefit of the cut block, but an intangible benefit is that defenders start worrying about their knees and ankles. They lose a bit of their aggression and speed since they’re paranoid that some lineman is going to creep up on them and take out their legs. This has the benefit of slowing down the entire defense.
Shaun Williams restructred and is still a Giant. Inside Football speculates on the new deal.
I think this was the right move for the Giants presuming they got Williams pretty cheap. With 4 picks in the upcoming draft the Giants don't need to go in looking specifically for a safety.
On various message boards a lot of people are tlaking about Matt Jones, the big, fast, inexperienced receiver. This article about Matt Jones says he looks like Jeremy Shockey.
After his workout, Jones joshed and joked with a small contingent of local media. He talked about how his golden tresses drew comparisons to the flowing mane of Jeremy Shockey, the outspoken fourth-year New York Giants tight end. "At the [NFL] Combine, everybody kept asking me if I was Jeremy Shockey," Jones said.