NFL-Giants: NY Giants football news

Walter Football’s 4 round mock draft has the Giants taking:

1) Brian Price, DT
2) Chad Jones, S
3) Anthony Dixon, RB
4) Sean Lee, MLB

I think the positions make sense, but maybe a little too much sense. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Giants pick the same positions we fans think they need most in the early rounds.

1st Round: WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina

Clearly the Giants biggest position of need. Sure we all know someone saying Braylon Edwards would be better than an unproven rookie. And if you don’t consider the salary cap those people are correct. I have no problem with the pick even if Nicks doesn’t beat out Hixon, Smith, Tyree, Moss, or Manningham. Yeah the Giants have a bunch of unproven guys or #2-#3 guys but Edwards wasn’t ahppening and the Giants did the next best thing – they drafted the most NFL ready receiver with upside available at 29. And they didn’t reach.

2nd Round: LB Clint Sintim, Virginia

Says he’ll play SAM for the Giants. Should be able to contribute immediately on the pass rush and on special teams. Has a chance to become an exceptional starter thanks to his good size and ability to defend the run. There are concerns about his coverage skills but the Giants expect him to be bale to drop back into coverage. Who am I to argue?

2nd Round: LT William Beatty, Connecticut

Reese said he was the most athletic tackle in the draft and that he’ll have no pressure to play right away. In other words, he’s a project. Round 2 is a bit early to be drafting projects, unless the guy becomes an elite left tackle in 2 years. Then this pick will be pure genius.

3rd Round: WR Ramses Barden, Cal Poly

A 6′6″, 230 pound receiver but no replacement for Plax. More of a possession guy then a stretch the field guy because he’s probably not much faster (4.6 40) than any of the NFL competition. But he can catch and he’s big. Can he be a special red zone threat? I like his chances so I like the pick. Obviously the Giants thought he was worth giving up a 5th rounder to move up for.

3rd Round: TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin

At 6′3″. 243, this guy is a smaller tight end not known for his blocking. However, blocking can sometimes be coached. He’s a pretty polished receiving threat. Reese says he will play H-back and will be expected to do some blocking but you get the feeling this guy is here to abuse linebackers in coverage. sounds exciting to watch so I really like the pick.

4th Round: HB Andre Brown, North Carolina State

Reese says this guy reminds him of Derrick Ward. He reminds me of Rodney Hampton. Good speed and tough so he can move the pile. Coughlin calls him a slasher which is what I remember they used to call Tiki the first time I saw him come in for Hampton. Who knows what he is from a highlight reel and a few quotes? Hopefully he’s a good running back.

5th Round: QB Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State

Reese calls this a value pick and says Andre Woodson is not being shoved out the door. I guess competition is good and if the scouts say this guy was BPA then so be it. Certainly I’d rather have seen a safety but…

6th Round: CB DeAndre Wright, New Mexico
7th Round: CB Stoney Case, South Carolina

Two corners I’ve never heard of to be honest. Coughlin says they are corners so the Giants still don’t have a 4th safety. I know 3 on the roster is enough, but that means there is no competition for the 3 guys we have now and an injury leaves us pretty screwed. Both guys are 5′11″ and close to 200. I can’t help but think that they won’t be on the team unless one switches to safety or becomes a special teams ace. But coach says they are corners so what do I know?

At 6″ 1″ & 212 he’s not Plax. The real question is can he be a #1 receiver? Is he more of a possession receiver since he’s not the fastest guy? How much can he contribute as a rookie?

Interesting Kenny Britt was the very next guy taken…

A few things that made the draft interesting before the Giants go on the clock:

The Jets trade up to #5 for Sanchez.

Derrius Heyward-Bey goes to the Raiders at #7 while Crabtree goes to San Francisco at 10.

The Eagles trade up for Maclin at 19 to make it 3 receivers taken in the top 20.

1. Giants give their 1st rounder + a later pick for Edwards.
2. Browns accept a 2nd and a 5th for Edwards.
3. Nothing happens.

According to Mike Garafolo:

I’ve maintained all along that there’s no reason for either side to cave on this one until they’re under the gun and on the clock. That’s when we’ll know if Cleveland will realize they’re not going to get a better offer than the Giants’ second- and fifth-round picks. Or we’ll know if the Giants realize they’re not going to find an immediate upgrade in the draft and should give the Browns their first-round pick and another mid- to high-round pick for Edwards.

This article says something pretty interesting in the “Rose” section – that the receivers who will be around at the end of the first round are not #1 receiver material:

Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina, Maryland speedster Darrius Heyward-Bey, Florida’s Percy Harvin and Kenny Britt of Rutgers. None of these receivers will be No. 1s in the NFL. These players are good No. 3, maybe No. 2, receivers.

If that’s correct, then all the mock drafts are wrong since virtually all of them have us taking a wide receiver in the first. Maybe something will happen with Braylon Edwards…

Here’s an interesting article on a Gators receiver, Louis Murphy. It doesn’t sound like he’s ready to replace Plax, but he could develop into a nice deep threat and has size and speed. I think he’s projected to go in the third round.

….The Eagles and Jets hosted him for visits earlier this week. It is why the Raiders, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Giants have shown particular interest and why most NFL teams have taken a strong look at Murphy. And then another.

He is the son of a minister and he is a player who stuck around for four years and matured at Florida. An NFL executive told me that of all the players he interviewed at the combine, Murphy wowed him the most with his presence, his enthusiasm, his positive attitude.

I’d like to draft a wide receiver, a safety, and a kicker. Some people don’t like drafting kickers but consider:

1. Our oppents get good field position when we kick off.

2. We had to use two roster spots on kickers last season.

3. We have more draft picks than roster spots.

4. The following guys are available:

1. Graham Gano, Florida St.
Ht – 6-1, Wt – 200, 40 – 5.00
Gano proved himself in his only year as a starter. He was almost automatic going 24-26 this past season and 5/7 on field goals 50+. Did punting and kicking for Florida State and he won Lou Groza award this past year.

2. Jose Martinez, UTEP
Ht – 5-10, Wt – 200, 40 – 5.00
The most powerful leg in college football. This past season, Martinez hit a 64 yard field goal. However, that was his only successful field goal of 50+ yards out of 7 attempts this past season.

3. Louie Sakoda, Utah
Ht – 5-9, Wt – 180, 40 – 4.80
Mr. Everything for Utah this past season, did both kicking and punting duties for the Utes. Went 21/23 this past season and 2/3 from 50+. Academic All-American with a 3.73 GPA. Was a captain last year.

I resisted talking about mock drafts as long as possible but for the next month and a bit…

This nfl.com one has us taking Kenny Britt, a 6′3″ 220 pound receiver from Rutgers. I’d be happy with him at #29.

Daily News on the Giants draft and vets.

New York Times on Manningham.

USA Today on NFC East (mostly toe Cowboys).