Giants get their DT? Prob OL, maybe TE (1 Viewer)

[Koya]

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants said Monday they have agreed to terms with rookie free agent Jai Lewis, who has not played organized football since high school but who played forward on the George Mason University basketball team that reached the Final Four this spring.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2428659

Interesting signing. The one position that the Giants could really use some help at is DT. Here you have a guy who has not trained for size but rather for Basketball, so I assume you can do something with an athletic 6'7" 275 lb frame. Getting to 290 or 300lbs+ shouldnt be too much of an issue.

I really like the approach the Giants have taken over the past few years. Osi at defensive end was a very raw player with unreal physical talents - and he blossomed into a pro bowler last season. This year the Giants took a VERY raw Offensive Lineman and this FA pickup continues along the path of picking exceptional athletes that may be projects, but present physical gifts enough to warrant a roster spot.

Could be an ideal situation for a practice squad player who then becomes a player over the next 2-3 years. You never know.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I thought teams were interested in Jai because of his hands - he's been labeled as a potential TE the past couple months.

Never heard of him as a DT.

 

[dgreen]

I assume you can do something with an athletic 6'7" 275 lb frame.  Getting to 290 or 300lbs+ shouldnt be too much of an issue.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's already about 290. His pre-draft workout numbers listed him at 292.

 

[Koya]

I thought teams were interested in Jai because of his hands - he's been labeled as a potential TE the past couple months. 

Never heard of him as a DT.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Before today, I hadn't hear him associated with the DL either - but this article says that is a possibility. At nearly 280, you wonder if he would have the speed to be a TE - this is not a Gates type body.However, if he has the first step quickness and good strength, I could easily see the guy bulk to 300 without losing much in terms of agility/athleticism.

Now, I was a bit tongue in cheek about the Giants finding their DT since it will take him a couple years at least - but the body type would seem to fit that bill.

 

[dgreen]

Jai Lewis thread with workout article.

 

[Koya]

I assume you can do something with an athletic 6'7" 275 lb frame.  Getting to 290 or 300lbs+ shouldnt be too much of an issue.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's already about 290. His pre-draft workout numbers listed him at 292.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is how good my prognostications are - sometimes, they have already happened.

Thanks for the update. Already at 290 on a 6'7" frame could be an interesting addition to the D Line if he can indeed make the transition.

 

[Koya]

According to the NYTimes, the Giants told Lewis they see him as a TE if he loses weight, or an OT if he gains, fwiw.

Id still like to see him on D - but it aint my call.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-...ants-Lewis.html

 

[Marvelous]

I had heard he was 6' 5" and 290 lbs. Most likely OL, but possibly a TE. They are very different positions.

 

[Avery]

I had heard he was 6' 5" and 290 lbs.  Most likely OL, but possibly a TE.  They are very different positions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dwayne Carswell seemed to switch between OT and TE every other week in Denver.If we are talking about a predominantly blocking TE, TE and OT might not be as different as all that.

 

[Bri]

I had heard he was 6' 5" and 290 lbs.  Most likely OL, but possibly a TE.  They are very different positions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dwayne Carswell seemed to switch between OT and TE every other week in Denver.If we are talking about a predominantly blocking TE, TE and OT might not be as different as all that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well it's different but it's a doable switch for some. Pretty sure one of the Packers starting Ts was a late pick TE turned T. Tauscher?

 

[Koya]

It would not surprise me if the Giants have no idea where he will play. They see a guy that could be 6'7" and 270 or over 300. Can play OL, possibly a big TE. Bring him into camp, and you have a unique athlete, if you can find the right spot.

 

[Avery]

It would not surprise me if the Giants have no idea where he will play.  They see a guy that could be 6'7" and 270 or over 300.  Can play OL, possibly a big TE.  Bring him into camp, and you have a unique athlete, if you can find the right spot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wasn't under Coughlin, but the Giants did something similar with Daryl Dinkins. College QB who played QB in NFLE and then IIRC, they tried him at safety before they eventually moved him to TE.

 

[Avery]

It would not surprise me if the Giants have no idea where he will play.  They see a guy that could be 6'7" and 270 or over 300.  Can play OL, possibly a big TE.  Bring him into camp, and you have a unique athlete, if you can find the right spot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Obviously,a developmental guy, but a "jumbo" package with him at TE (basically an extra tackle who can catch) and Brandon Jacobs at RB sounds intriguing.

 

[Bri]

It would not surprise me if the Giants have no idea where he will play.  They see a guy that could be 6'7" and 270 or over 300.  Can play OL, possibly a big TE.  Bring him into camp, and you have a unique athlete, if you can find the right spot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wasn't under Coughlin, but the Giants did something similar with Daryl Dinkins. College QB who played QB in NFLE and then IIRC, they tried him at safety before they eventually moved him to TE.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that guy played soooo many positions! I think he punted and played WR+CB too. Is he on the Ravens now?

 

[Avery]

It would not surprise me if the Giants have no idea where he will play.  They see a guy that could be 6'7" and 270 or over 300.  Can play OL, possibly a big TE.  Bring him into camp, and you have a unique athlete, if you can find the right spot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wasn't under Coughlin, but the Giants did something similar with Daryl Dinkins. College QB who played QB in NFLE and then IIRC, they tried him at safety before they eventually moved him to TE.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that guy played soooo many positions! I think he punted and played WR+CB too. Is he on the Ravens now?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last I checked.Fassel, who has a man-crush on Dinkins, took him to Baltimore.

 

[ravnzfan]

It would not surprise me if the Giants have no idea where he will play.  They see a guy that could be 6'7" and 270 or over 300.  Can play OL, possibly a big TE.  Bring him into camp, and you have a unique athlete, if you can find the right spot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wasn't under Coughlin, but the Giants did something similar with Daryl Dinkins. College QB who played QB in NFLE and then IIRC, they tried him at safety before they eventually moved him to TE.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that guy played soooo many positions! I think he punted and played WR+CB too. Is he on the Ravens now?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

no...Ravens signed Daniel Wilcox to a decent 3yr deal this offseason as b/u TE, so no room to keep DinkensRavens drafted a TE....and of course Phil loves picking up ex-Ravens---Dinkens rostered to Brownies now

 

[redman]

. . . because what the Giants need is another d-lineman.

 

[Q-Bert]

I had heard he was 6' 5" and 290 lbs.  Most likely OL, but possibly a TE.  They are very different positions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dwayne Carswell seemed to switch between OT and TE every other week in Denver.If we are talking about a predominantly blocking TE, TE and OT might not be as different as all that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well it's different but it's a doable switch for some. Pretty sure one of the Packers starting Ts was a late pick TE turned T. Tauscher?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Taushcer has never been anything but an offensive lineman.

 

[Koya]

. . . because what the Giants need is another d-lineman. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

DT? Absolutely. It is one of their few weaknesses - and possibly their biggest one right now. End is another story.

 

[Bri]

I had heard he was 6' 5" and 290 lbs.  Most likely OL, but possibly a TE.  They are very different positions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dwayne Carswell seemed to switch between OT and TE every other week in Denver.If we are talking about a predominantly blocking TE, TE and OT might not be as different as all that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well it's different but it's a doable switch for some. Pretty sure one of the Packers starting Ts was a late pick TE turned T. Tauscher?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Taushcer has never been anything but an offensive lineman.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not home to look it up. A mag I have, I think Lindy's from 2000 lists one of their Tackles as a late pick and says something along the lines of "may be tried at TE" "was a college TE"...something. I'll get back to ya on the weekend

 

[Bri]

It would not surprise me if the Giants have no idea where he will play.  They see a guy that could be 6'7" and 270 or over 300.  Can play OL, possibly a big TE.  Bring him into camp, and you have a unique athlete, if you can find the right spot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wasn't under Coughlin, but the Giants did something similar with Daryl Dinkins. College QB who played QB in NFLE and then IIRC, they tried him at safety before they eventually moved him to TE.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that guy played soooo many positions! I think he punted and played WR+CB too. Is he on the Ravens now?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

no...Ravens signed Daniel Wilcox to a decent 3yr deal this offseason as b/u TE, so no room to keep DinkensRavens drafted a TE....and of course Phil loves picking up ex-Ravens---Dinkens rostered to Brownies now

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yours and the post above disagree.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

I assume you can do something with an athletic 6'7" 275 lb frame.  Getting to 290 or 300lbs+ shouldnt be too much of an issue.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's already about 290. His pre-draft workout numbers listed him at 292.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He doesn't have a very athletic 6'7 275 frame. He looked pretty heavy at that weight playing college ball.