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*** Official 2010 New York Giants Thread *** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter RC94
- Start date
netnalp
Footballguy
I'd rather risk Moss or Hagan on KR than Ross or Rolle though. Tuck said the turf at the new stadium was soft, that it needed to be broken in. I hope we don't see more of these injuries.
Avery
Footballguy
I don't think any discernible effect there.Bump up opportunities for Barden.
netnalp
Footballguy
I agree, this just means more opportunities for Barden.
netnalp
Footballguy
Reese is done looking back; he now needs to look forward for a replacement for Hixon as a backup wide receiver and effective returner.
“We have kick returners,” Reese said. “My concern would be as a punt returner.”
The first player Reese mentioned for the role was wide receiver Mario Manningham, though the Giants might be wary of sending one of their starters out for such a role. Another possibility brought up by Reese is cornerback Aaron Ross, who returned punts in college and might be a backup this season behind Terrell Thomas. There’s also safety Antrel Rolle, though the team probably wouldn’t want to risk the $37 million they gave him by standing him under a punt with defenders in a full sprint headed his way.
“We have some guys that we think can step up,” Reese said.
And if not, they’ll look for a trade, Reese added.
***************************************
SkinnyMike3 RT @TheBlueScreen: Kiwanuka on DE Jason Pierre-Paul: "He can do things on the field that a lot of other guys can't do." #NYG
Kenny Phillips getting antsy. Tried to sneak into the huddle for 2 min drill. #nyg
Webster not affected by finger issue from this morning. Just stuck his hand in there to break up a hook from Eli to Manningham. #nyg
And no sooner do I tweet that than he breaks up another one. Also Michael Johnson down briefly. Appears to be fine. #nyg
Tuck has had foot issues for a few years now. He elected to not have surgery after '08 season to remove bone spurs. #nyg
“We have kick returners,” Reese said. “My concern would be as a punt returner.”
The first player Reese mentioned for the role was wide receiver Mario Manningham, though the Giants might be wary of sending one of their starters out for such a role. Another possibility brought up by Reese is cornerback Aaron Ross, who returned punts in college and might be a backup this season behind Terrell Thomas. There’s also safety Antrel Rolle, though the team probably wouldn’t want to risk the $37 million they gave him by standing him under a punt with defenders in a full sprint headed his way.
“We have some guys that we think can step up,” Reese said.
And if not, they’ll look for a trade, Reese added.
***************************************
SkinnyMike3 RT @TheBlueScreen: Kiwanuka on DE Jason Pierre-Paul: "He can do things on the field that a lot of other guys can't do." #NYG
Kenny Phillips getting antsy. Tried to sneak into the huddle for 2 min drill. #nyg
Webster not affected by finger issue from this morning. Just stuck his hand in there to break up a hook from Eli to Manningham. #nyg
And no sooner do I tweet that than he breaks up another one. Also Michael Johnson down briefly. Appears to be fine. #nyg
Tuck has had foot issues for a few years now. He elected to not have surgery after '08 season to remove bone spurs. #nyg
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bigern1000
Footballguy
Agreed as well. Moss and Hagan really aren't any threats for WR4, so this will be the opportunity for him to take the next step in his development. Shouldn't impact Nicks and Stevie, though...
Avery
Footballguy
Thought I'd throw out an update on rookie signings:
The signings are dropping quick and in the past couple of days 4th round pick LB Phillip Dillard, 5th round pick OG Mitch Petrus and 7th round pick P Matt Dodge have signed, adding them to previous signees 6th round pick LB Adrian Tracy and 3rd round pick S Chad Jones.
That only leaves 1st rounders DE Jason Pierre-Paul and 2nd rounders DT Linval Joseph yet to sign.
The signings are dropping quick and in the past couple of days 4th round pick LB Phillip Dillard, 5th round pick OG Mitch Petrus and 7th round pick P Matt Dodge have signed, adding them to previous signees 6th round pick LB Adrian Tracy and 3rd round pick S Chad Jones.
That only leaves 1st rounders DE Jason Pierre-Paul and 2nd rounders DT Linval Joseph yet to sign.
Avery
Footballguy
Last I heard he may be out of the woods in terms of his life be in imminent jeopardy. They are now trying to save his leg.Terrible stuff here.
netnalp
Footballguy
Hixon is released.
http://trainathought.insidefootball.com/20...a+Thought%22%29
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Answering Some Questions RE: The NFL Waiver System
I received a few questions about the Giants decision to waive WR Domenik Hixon, who suffered a season-ending knee injury. I put together the following Q&A to help you understand what happened.
Also, you might want to take a gander at the story I did on the waiver systemlast October – that article ironically has Hixon’s take on his first experience with the waiver wire after Denver cut ties with him in 2007.
Anyway, here are a few more answers to the questions that I’ve seen raised. If I miss anything, post a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Q: If Hixon is listed as having five years of NFL experience, why is he still apparently eligible for waivers?
A: For the same reason why when he was tendered a RFA offer, he was tendered the four-year offer and not the five-year offer; Hixon spent his rookie season with Denver on the Reserve/Non-Football injury list and was not eligible for a credited year of service toward free agency. So while Hixon is affiliated with the NFL for five years, only four of those years actually count as eligible service.
Q: Why didn’t the Giants just put him directly on injured reserve?
A: If a player suffers an injury and a team is willing to carry him on their 80-man roster up until the first round of cuts are made, the injured non-vested player can be moved to the IR list without being exposed to waivers. The drawback though is a team is forced to have one less player available for practices and pre-season games. The Giants apparently didn't want to go into camp with that scenario of having to wait until the first cuts came up.
Q: Hixon has a signed contract, so aren’t the Giants obligated to pay him?
A: No because the contract was not guaranteed. It was a standard, no-frills RFA tender with just the base salary and no bonuses or guaranteed money.
Q: What happens if he clears waivers?
A: The Giants have two options. They can either place Hixon on injured reserve (which is what I suspect they’ll do) and pay him his entire base salary or they can draw up an injury settlement that amounts to a percentage of his base salary at minimum and set Hixon free. (I have an inquiry in to find out if there is a minimum percentage or if injury settlements are handled on a case-by-case basis.)
Q: If the Giants put Hixon on IR, how does that affect their cap number?
A: It doesn’t – there is no salary cap this year.
Q: If Hixon is claimed off waivers by another team, what happens?
A: That other team will assume the obligation to pay Hixon’s base salary. Of course, since Hixon is out for the season, he’ll probably end p on injured reserve anyway.
Q: Could Hixon come back to the Giants?
A: Sure. Remember he was only signed to a one-year contract as a RFA this year. If the Giants feel he’s still in their plans next year (assuming there’s no lockout), they could look to negotiate a multi-year deal with the receiver if he clears waivers and ends up on injured reserve because that will give them the rights to Hixon until the 2010 league year expires.
Q: If Hixon gets claimed by another team, do the Giants get compensation?
A: No. The Giants waived their right to Hixon for the 24-hour period that’s in effect at this time of the year.
Q: Did the Giants waive Hixon to create an open roster spot?
A: Theoretically yes. With camp being so long, they prefer to have 80 guys who can contribute, even if it is just once per day. So by waiving Hixon, they’ve cleared a roster spot (which they’ve since filled with WR/KR Adam Jennings).
Q: Is this the same approach the Giants are going to take with Chad Jones?
A: Jones’ injuries were the result of a car accident, not something that happened on a football field. What I believe happens in a case like this is that Jones will be put on PUP (since he wouldn't be able to pass a team physical). That would open up a roster spot while not exposing Jones to the other 31 teams.
Players who are placed on PUP before camp can come off any time prior to the start of the regular season -- this is what happened last year with DT Rocky Bernard, who started training camp on PUP. However, if a player can't pass a physical by the start of the regular season, he must remain on PUP for six weeks, after which the team has three weeks to either activate him or place him on IR.
Since Jones is not expected to be able to play football this year, this approach seem to make the most sense in that it not only allows the Giants to hang onto Jones, but it also ensures the rookie will be paid his first-year base salary.
Read more: http://trainathought.insidefootball.com/20...9#ixzz0tvU3grGN
http://trainathought.insidefootball.com/20...a+Thought%22%29
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Answering Some Questions RE: The NFL Waiver System
I received a few questions about the Giants decision to waive WR Domenik Hixon, who suffered a season-ending knee injury. I put together the following Q&A to help you understand what happened.
Also, you might want to take a gander at the story I did on the waiver systemlast October – that article ironically has Hixon’s take on his first experience with the waiver wire after Denver cut ties with him in 2007.
Anyway, here are a few more answers to the questions that I’ve seen raised. If I miss anything, post a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Q: If Hixon is listed as having five years of NFL experience, why is he still apparently eligible for waivers?
A: For the same reason why when he was tendered a RFA offer, he was tendered the four-year offer and not the five-year offer; Hixon spent his rookie season with Denver on the Reserve/Non-Football injury list and was not eligible for a credited year of service toward free agency. So while Hixon is affiliated with the NFL for five years, only four of those years actually count as eligible service.
Q: Why didn’t the Giants just put him directly on injured reserve?
A: If a player suffers an injury and a team is willing to carry him on their 80-man roster up until the first round of cuts are made, the injured non-vested player can be moved to the IR list without being exposed to waivers. The drawback though is a team is forced to have one less player available for practices and pre-season games. The Giants apparently didn't want to go into camp with that scenario of having to wait until the first cuts came up.
Q: Hixon has a signed contract, so aren’t the Giants obligated to pay him?
A: No because the contract was not guaranteed. It was a standard, no-frills RFA tender with just the base salary and no bonuses or guaranteed money.
Q: What happens if he clears waivers?
A: The Giants have two options. They can either place Hixon on injured reserve (which is what I suspect they’ll do) and pay him his entire base salary or they can draw up an injury settlement that amounts to a percentage of his base salary at minimum and set Hixon free. (I have an inquiry in to find out if there is a minimum percentage or if injury settlements are handled on a case-by-case basis.)
Q: If the Giants put Hixon on IR, how does that affect their cap number?
A: It doesn’t – there is no salary cap this year.
Q: If Hixon is claimed off waivers by another team, what happens?
A: That other team will assume the obligation to pay Hixon’s base salary. Of course, since Hixon is out for the season, he’ll probably end p on injured reserve anyway.
Q: Could Hixon come back to the Giants?
A: Sure. Remember he was only signed to a one-year contract as a RFA this year. If the Giants feel he’s still in their plans next year (assuming there’s no lockout), they could look to negotiate a multi-year deal with the receiver if he clears waivers and ends up on injured reserve because that will give them the rights to Hixon until the 2010 league year expires.
Q: If Hixon gets claimed by another team, do the Giants get compensation?
A: No. The Giants waived their right to Hixon for the 24-hour period that’s in effect at this time of the year.
Q: Did the Giants waive Hixon to create an open roster spot?
A: Theoretically yes. With camp being so long, they prefer to have 80 guys who can contribute, even if it is just once per day. So by waiving Hixon, they’ve cleared a roster spot (which they’ve since filled with WR/KR Adam Jennings).
Q: Is this the same approach the Giants are going to take with Chad Jones?
A: Jones’ injuries were the result of a car accident, not something that happened on a football field. What I believe happens in a case like this is that Jones will be put on PUP (since he wouldn't be able to pass a team physical). That would open up a roster spot while not exposing Jones to the other 31 teams.
Players who are placed on PUP before camp can come off any time prior to the start of the regular season -- this is what happened last year with DT Rocky Bernard, who started training camp on PUP. However, if a player can't pass a physical by the start of the regular season, he must remain on PUP for six weeks, after which the team has three weeks to either activate him or place him on IR.
Since Jones is not expected to be able to play football this year, this approach seem to make the most sense in that it not only allows the Giants to hang onto Jones, but it also ensures the rookie will be paid his first-year base salary.
Read more: http://trainathought.insidefootball.com/20...9#ixzz0tvU3grGN
Yenrub
Footballguy
Giants add Keith Bulluck to roster
Link
I think he is going to compete with for the MLB job. I hope his knee is ok. He should be a good leader
Unlike the WR situation last season this move indicates (at least to me) that the Giants didn't have confidence in the guys already on the roster. How the DT's play will have alot to do with how the MLB plays, so I hope Alford, Joesph, Canty, Benard and Cofield stay healthy
Link
I think he is going to compete with for the MLB job. I hope his knee is ok. He should be a good leader
Unlike the WR situation last season this move indicates (at least to me) that the Giants didn't have confidence in the guys already on the roster. How the DT's play will have alot to do with how the MLB plays, so I hope Alford, Joesph, Canty, Benard and Cofield stay healthy
Avery
Footballguy
I don't think this is really comparable to the WR situation from last year. It reminds me more of the Sam Madison signing a few years ago.Bullock brings some firey, veteran leadership to the Giants young LB corps. He can play if the young guys aren't ready, assuming/hoping his knee is OK, and/or he can mentor them as well. For the price, it's a low risk/high reward proposition.
Solid signing.
bigern1000
Footballguy
I agree with the leadership point-of-view, just have to see how healthy he is and how he takes to transitioning to MLB (don't believe he's played there in his career). I'm just more concerned how much of an indictment this is of Goff...
Avery
Footballguy
I don't see how this is an indictment on anybody.They brought in a vet with a reasonable one year contract. The truth is the Giants have little or no game experience with any of their young, potential starting MLBs: Goff, Wilkinson, or Dillard. Being unsure in what they have isn't exactly an indictment.
Avery
Footballguy
In awesome news, Chad Jones was released from the hospital today. On his way home with more surgery to come.
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Avery
Footballguy
As well as 2nd round DT Linvall Joseph
and FA vet safety John Bushing. :X
Avery
Footballguy
Nicks hyperextended his knee at the end of the afternoon practice. MRI this evening. Results tomorrow.
Nicks doesn't believe it's serious, although Hixon said the same this in minicamp.
Nicks doesn't believe it's serious, although Hixon said the same this in minicamp.
netnalp
Footballguy
jDE Jason Pierre-Paul, playing on the left side made a nifty lateral move to his right to slice into the backfield in the 11 on 11s. DE Osi Umenyiora got around end so fast he was already ten yards past Eli before Eli finally decided that throwing the ball would just be a sham, so he ended the play.
http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/training...rnoon-practice/
good to read the Rookie is doing well and Osi doesn't seem hampered by the hip.
Tidbits from other reports @ BBI:
Defense having a great camp, especially Rolle, Webster, T. Thomas, Ross all mentioned a lot. Not seeing much on Goff.
Jacobs and Bradshaw look healthy and running better. Andre Brown showing no ill effects from torn achillies. Ware doing well. Not much good about Gartrell Johnson, he's slow and the worst pass catcher of the RBs.
Ramses Barden still inconsistent, looks great on one play, then drops an easy one. Beckum dropping the ball a bunch.
With O'Hara injured the OL is shaping up to be Beatty LT, Diehl LG, Seubert C, Snee RG, McKenzie RT.
http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/training...rnoon-practice/
good to read the Rookie is doing well and Osi doesn't seem hampered by the hip.
Tidbits from other reports @ BBI:
Defense having a great camp, especially Rolle, Webster, T. Thomas, Ross all mentioned a lot. Not seeing much on Goff.
Jacobs and Bradshaw look healthy and running better. Andre Brown showing no ill effects from torn achillies. Ware doing well. Not much good about Gartrell Johnson, he's slow and the worst pass catcher of the RBs.
Ramses Barden still inconsistent, looks great on one play, then drops an easy one. Beckum dropping the ball a bunch.
With O'Hara injured the OL is shaping up to be Beatty LT, Diehl LG, Seubert C, Snee RG, McKenzie RT.
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Yenrub
Footballguy
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az_prof
Footballguy
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/20...+Blue+Screen%29
• RB Ahmad Bradshaw looked terrific in the first real show of force for the rushing attack. He is cutting sharply, darting through the mass of bodies in the first semi-live drills of camp. If you didn’t know that he had offseason surgery on both his feet and his right ankle, you’d think he was 100%. Maybe those surgeries won’t turn out to be a very big deal at all.
• Seriously, who spiked Kevin Gilbride’s coffee? He called two end-arounds this morning and then a flea-flicker tonight where Eli Manning handed to Brandon Jacobs who pitched back to Manning who hit Sinorice Moss in traffic down the field.
• WR Hakeem Nicks returned to practice and looked fine. Made some nice catches. He seemed to cut and run well. He did not appear to be limited at all.
• RB Ahmad Bradshaw looked terrific in the first real show of force for the rushing attack. He is cutting sharply, darting through the mass of bodies in the first semi-live drills of camp. If you didn’t know that he had offseason surgery on both his feet and his right ankle, you’d think he was 100%. Maybe those surgeries won’t turn out to be a very big deal at all.
• Seriously, who spiked Kevin Gilbride’s coffee? He called two end-arounds this morning and then a flea-flicker tonight where Eli Manning handed to Brandon Jacobs who pitched back to Manning who hit Sinorice Moss in traffic down the field.
• WR Hakeem Nicks returned to practice and looked fine. Made some nice catches. He seemed to cut and run well. He did not appear to be limited at all.
netnalp
Footballguy
August 5, 2010 – Evening Practice
by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Marty in Albany
Four Aces & Rolle Wrap Up Practice with Eighty Yard Interception
Okay, last things first: the Giants played in full pads for the first time and both offense and defense had their moments. The best moment for the defense came at the end of the practice in the two minute drill.
QB Eli Manning had moved the starters down to about the thirty yard line and called time out with fifteen seconds left on the clock. The defense sent in a defensive line of DEs Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, and Dave Tollefson. When Eli dropped back to pass, two linebackers blitzed Eli.
I don’t know who the intended receiver was, but S Antrel Rolle intercepted the ball at what looked like the 20 yard line and Antrel took off like a shot straight down the field. Nobody chased him past the 50, but he continued to run the full 80 yards to the opposite goal. He covered the 80 yards with amazing speed.
Consider that Rolle’s interception and run came at the very end of the second practice of the day. I think it is fair to say that Rolle is doing exactly what Coach Tom Coughlin expects from this savvy veteran: leadership by example. If, when we acquired Rolle (and paid him a bundle of cash) you were wondering if he had anything left in the tank, I think Antrel answered your question this evening.
LB Keith Bulluck is another savvy veteran and I had a chance to watch him this evening. What I saw was a guy who looks to be in very good shape and is speedy and agile on the field. Whether he knows the playbook and whether his surgical knee will permit him to hit with power are questions for another day. Probably after a few preseason contests.
As with the morning practice, WR Sinorice Moss managed to catch just about everything thrown his way, including a sliding catch of a flea-flicker pass from Eli Manning. Sinorice probably had as many catches as WRs Steve Smith, Ramses Barden, and Hakeem Nicks combined. Nicks made several catches and looks to be okay.
TE Kevin Boss started the session running gingerly, but he made several catches including a nice sliding catch. He had no drops and looked much better than yesterday.
I’m always pleased when HB Brandon Jacobs makes a catch and has no drops during a practice. Jacobs even cut back when his path was blocked at the line of scrimmage on a hand off from Eli. HB Ahmad Bradshaw looks like he has no trouble cutting and he seems to cut multiple times on every run. I continue to be impressed by HB D.J. Ware’s speed and power.
P Matt Dodge had about a dozen and a half punts this evening. I think that he improves with every practice. He is catching the snap and getting the ball to his foot in a much smoother more efficient motion. Unfortunately, LB Zak DeOssie was not having a good day snapping the ball. It seemed to me that when the snap was low, say at thigh level, Dodge’s kicks were also low and when the snaps were high, say at helmet level, then the kicks were high and short. However, when the snaps came in at chest level, that is when Dodge hit the high arching punts that turned over and bore into the wind.
DeOssie’s bad snaps continued for the field goal attempts of K Lawrence Tynes. His first snap to was wildly off line and uncatchable. There was at least one other bad snap, but Dodge (the holder) managed to get the rest of the snaps down for Tynes’ kicks. Tynes was successful on all 7 of his kicks. By my estimation the kicks were from distances of 28, 30, 35, 35, 35, 38, and 42 yards. He was kicking into the wind and he kicked from both the left and right hash marks.
Throughout the practice, the quarterbacks continued to make accurate throws that were completed, but on many occasions, the defense had already penetrated the offensive line and would have disrupted the throw or gotten a sack.
Let me mention a few players that I have not said a lot about. WR Derek Hagan continues to make excellent catches. He has size, speed, and grace and is having a terrific camp. He made an outstanding tumbling catch on a deep side line pass from QB Rhett Bomar in the 11 on 11s.
FB Jerome Johnson continues to show that he is a skillful receiver.
In the 11 on 11s, DE Dave Tollefson got into the backfield and would have smothered HB Andre Brown for a five yard loss. DT Nate Collins managed to get into the backfield shortly thereafter.
LB Bryan Kehl made an excellent pass defense in the 7 on 7s drill, although it was not as good as spectacular as CB Terrell Thomas’ leaping one-handed pass defense of an Eli Manning pass to Steve Smith in the two minute drill. Thomas continues to make play after play at CB. It may well be that CB Aaron Ross will be competing with CB Corey Webster for a starting spot rather than with Thomas.
by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Marty in Albany
Four Aces & Rolle Wrap Up Practice with Eighty Yard Interception
Okay, last things first: the Giants played in full pads for the first time and both offense and defense had their moments. The best moment for the defense came at the end of the practice in the two minute drill.
QB Eli Manning had moved the starters down to about the thirty yard line and called time out with fifteen seconds left on the clock. The defense sent in a defensive line of DEs Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, and Dave Tollefson. When Eli dropped back to pass, two linebackers blitzed Eli.
I don’t know who the intended receiver was, but S Antrel Rolle intercepted the ball at what looked like the 20 yard line and Antrel took off like a shot straight down the field. Nobody chased him past the 50, but he continued to run the full 80 yards to the opposite goal. He covered the 80 yards with amazing speed.
Consider that Rolle’s interception and run came at the very end of the second practice of the day. I think it is fair to say that Rolle is doing exactly what Coach Tom Coughlin expects from this savvy veteran: leadership by example. If, when we acquired Rolle (and paid him a bundle of cash) you were wondering if he had anything left in the tank, I think Antrel answered your question this evening.
LB Keith Bulluck is another savvy veteran and I had a chance to watch him this evening. What I saw was a guy who looks to be in very good shape and is speedy and agile on the field. Whether he knows the playbook and whether his surgical knee will permit him to hit with power are questions for another day. Probably after a few preseason contests.
As with the morning practice, WR Sinorice Moss managed to catch just about everything thrown his way, including a sliding catch of a flea-flicker pass from Eli Manning. Sinorice probably had as many catches as WRs Steve Smith, Ramses Barden, and Hakeem Nicks combined. Nicks made several catches and looks to be okay.
TE Kevin Boss started the session running gingerly, but he made several catches including a nice sliding catch. He had no drops and looked much better than yesterday.
I’m always pleased when HB Brandon Jacobs makes a catch and has no drops during a practice. Jacobs even cut back when his path was blocked at the line of scrimmage on a hand off from Eli. HB Ahmad Bradshaw looks like he has no trouble cutting and he seems to cut multiple times on every run. I continue to be impressed by HB D.J. Ware’s speed and power.
P Matt Dodge had about a dozen and a half punts this evening. I think that he improves with every practice. He is catching the snap and getting the ball to his foot in a much smoother more efficient motion. Unfortunately, LB Zak DeOssie was not having a good day snapping the ball. It seemed to me that when the snap was low, say at thigh level, Dodge’s kicks were also low and when the snaps were high, say at helmet level, then the kicks were high and short. However, when the snaps came in at chest level, that is when Dodge hit the high arching punts that turned over and bore into the wind.
DeOssie’s bad snaps continued for the field goal attempts of K Lawrence Tynes. His first snap to was wildly off line and uncatchable. There was at least one other bad snap, but Dodge (the holder) managed to get the rest of the snaps down for Tynes’ kicks. Tynes was successful on all 7 of his kicks. By my estimation the kicks were from distances of 28, 30, 35, 35, 35, 38, and 42 yards. He was kicking into the wind and he kicked from both the left and right hash marks.
Throughout the practice, the quarterbacks continued to make accurate throws that were completed, but on many occasions, the defense had already penetrated the offensive line and would have disrupted the throw or gotten a sack.
Let me mention a few players that I have not said a lot about. WR Derek Hagan continues to make excellent catches. He has size, speed, and grace and is having a terrific camp. He made an outstanding tumbling catch on a deep side line pass from QB Rhett Bomar in the 11 on 11s.
FB Jerome Johnson continues to show that he is a skillful receiver.
In the 11 on 11s, DE Dave Tollefson got into the backfield and would have smothered HB Andre Brown for a five yard loss. DT Nate Collins managed to get into the backfield shortly thereafter.
LB Bryan Kehl made an excellent pass defense in the 7 on 7s drill, although it was not as good as spectacular as CB Terrell Thomas’ leaping one-handed pass defense of an Eli Manning pass to Steve Smith in the two minute drill. Thomas continues to make play after play at CB. It may well be that CB Aaron Ross will be competing with CB Corey Webster for a starting spot rather than with Thomas.
netnalp
Footballguy
*Coughlin said he expects safety Kenny Phillips to practice for the first time on Monday. It will be the 2008 first round draft choice's first action on a football field since last Sept. 20 in Dallas. Later that week, he was diagnosed with patella femoral arthritis in his left knee. He underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve...Center Shaun O'Hara (ankle) is also expected to return Monday.
http://www.giants.com/news/headlines/story...?story_id=44142
http://www.giants.com/news/headlines/story...?story_id=44142
netnalp
Footballguy
Mike Garafolo:
Before the snap, Phillips was lined up where he prefers: well off the ball - 22 yards deep, in fact. Once he saw QB Jim Sorgi start to throw in WR Victor Cruz's direction, Phillips broke. And unlike Tuesday's practice, he didn't jog this time; he sprinted hard and got there to get his hands on the ball to knock it away.
I was thinking Tuesday I haven't seen DE Osi Umenyiora try to jump the snap count much in camp like he used to. I thought maybe it was because of his hip. Well, Umenyiora, his hip, his knee and his anticipation were back to their old form on one play Wednesday evening. He got a tremendous jump off the ball, flew past LT William Beatty (before you blame Beatty, I'm telling you it wouldn't have mattered if Jonathan Ogden or Orlando Pace in their prime were lined up there; Umenyiora was GONE as soon as the ball was snapped) and got to Sorgi as he tried to hand the ball to RB Andre Brown. Umenyiora could have taken that handoff if he wanted. On the next play, Umenyiora took the long route but got past Beatty for a sack of Sorgi. Like Phillips' pass break-up, those two plays were great signs for the Giants' defense.
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/08...menyiora_s.html
Before the snap, Phillips was lined up where he prefers: well off the ball - 22 yards deep, in fact. Once he saw QB Jim Sorgi start to throw in WR Victor Cruz's direction, Phillips broke. And unlike Tuesday's practice, he didn't jog this time; he sprinted hard and got there to get his hands on the ball to knock it away.
I was thinking Tuesday I haven't seen DE Osi Umenyiora try to jump the snap count much in camp like he used to. I thought maybe it was because of his hip. Well, Umenyiora, his hip, his knee and his anticipation were back to their old form on one play Wednesday evening. He got a tremendous jump off the ball, flew past LT William Beatty (before you blame Beatty, I'm telling you it wouldn't have mattered if Jonathan Ogden or Orlando Pace in their prime were lined up there; Umenyiora was GONE as soon as the ball was snapped) and got to Sorgi as he tried to hand the ball to RB Andre Brown. Umenyiora could have taken that handoff if he wanted. On the next play, Umenyiora took the long route but got past Beatty for a sack of Sorgi. Like Phillips' pass break-up, those two plays were great signs for the Giants' defense.
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/08...menyiora_s.html
AcerFC
Footballguy
That jump by Osi was truly awesome. The entire defensive unit was going nuts. He could have taken the handoff and took it in if he wanted to thats how quick it was
netnalp
Footballguy
Even though Nicks, Bradshaw and Smith (though I worry his hamstring will linger all season) are having a great camp, the defense is pretty much dominating the offense. My take from the camp reports is that the defense is back on track and should be one of the better defenses in the league. Rolle has been a great addition, Phillips is practicing (2plays in then 2 out), Tuck, Kiwi, Osi, Pierre-Paul, Joseph and Canty are making big plays. Not hearing much about the LBs though, other than Bulluck is showing he still has game and gives the team more than if they had kept Pierce ("Nicks was covered by LB Keith Bulluck. Nicks is going to catch that ball no matter who is defending him, but at least Bulluck was able to keep up with him going down the field." ~ BBI). Not seeing much on Boley and Sintim, when they have been mentioned, it's been about them making a good play. The CBs Webster, Thomas and Ross are making camp miserable for the QBs and WRs. It's going to be hard for them to choose a starting 2, health might be the deciding factor.
O'hara and Seubert have come back this week, so I'm hoping that will get the offense going, Koets was taking snaps at center while O'hara was out and to say he struggled is putting it mildly.
O'hara and Seubert have come back this week, so I'm hoping that will get the offense going, Koets was taking snaps at center while O'hara was out and to say he struggled is putting it mildly.
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Koya
Footballguy
It's great to hear that the defense is coming back to form. Without them, this team can only go so far (and its not very). Even took them in my first money league (yeah, way too early a draft but as we all get older, scheduling only gets more difficult), not as a homer pick but because I think they can rack up some sacks and force TO's once again.
Weiner Dog
Footballguy
I didn't see this reported anywhere, but it looks like Seubert broke his hand well over a week ago.
Giants G Rich Seubert breaks bone in left hand:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-08-06/spor...ne-pat-flaherty
Giants G Rich Seubert breaks bone in left hand:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-08-06/spor...ne-pat-flaherty
AcerFC
Footballguy
netnalp
Footballguy
Great Read from BBI:
2010 Training Camp Evaluation by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Marty in Albany
http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/training...rnoon-practice/
As I have done in prior years, here are some overall evaluations of training camp:
The 2010 Draft Choices:
First Round – DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida: JPP is big, quick, fast, and athletic. In terms of potential, the proverbial “sky is the limit.” We are told that he is working hard to learn the defensive scheme, but (and this applies to all linemen) training camp is not the best place to evaluate Jason. It is better to study his play in the preseason games.
Conventional wisdom says that it might take awhile, perhaps more than a season, before we know if Jason is quality NFL material because his playing time will be limited and that he will be playing behind Kiwi, Osi, and Tuck. If Jason is quick to develop, there will be less pressure on the Giants to retain the services of all three of those veteran DEs.
Modern history differs from conventional wisdom. Last year our defensive line was “stacked.” All the experts said so, and they were wrong. On Monday night Jason had a sack against the Jets’ starters. It was the only sack of the game. Our vaunted veterans put very little pressure on the Jets QB and got pushed around by their offensive line. Jason’s good health, speed and strength may see him playing a major role much more quickly than anyone has imagined. If Jason continues to make one sack a game, he’ll do just fine.
Before a player can get to the highest level, he needs experience. When I say experience, I mean getting schooled by savvy opponents rather than learning from coaches or film study. As mentioned above, the veteran DEs on the Giants’ roster may or may not limit how fast Jason gets that experience. Jason is not nearly as good as he is going to be, or as good as he needs to be.
Second Round – DT Linval Joseph, East Carolina: He’s a VLT- a very large tackle. In camp he has shown quickness and speed belying his 320 pounds. Drafting a DT in the second round was no doubt inspired by last season’s nearly total meltdown of our defensive line due to injuries. Pretty much everything I said about JPP’s development in terms of time and experience also applies to Joseph. Like his draft-mate JPP, Linval played well against the Jets with four tackles and some good penetration. At this point, there is reason to be optimistic about Joseph’s future in the NFL.
Third Round – S Chad Jones, LSU: Chad was drafted to shore up an ineffective safeties squad that was depleted by S Kenny Phillips’ knee injury. A serious car accident put Chad in the hospital. Chad will need surgeries and long-term rehab. At this point, his football career is very much in doubt. We all wish Chad a normal and healthy life, even if football is no longer a part of it.
Fourth Round – LB Phillip Dillard, Nebraska: The departure of Antonio Pierce left a large void at the Mike LB position with no heir apparent to fill it. There was (and still is) a dire need for a first rate middle linebacker. Drafting one in the first round might have been a good idea, but there would be no guarantee that a rookie, even a first round pick, could start from day one. This became a moot point when no worthy MLB prospect was available when it was the Giants’ turn to draft in the first round. Instead of “reaching” for a LB, the Giants picked the best player available (JPP). At that point it became clear that the Giants would either make due with the veteran LBs already on the team, or try to acquire another veteran LB.
Eventually Dillard was drafted and we were told that he would compete for the starting Mike position. While fourth round rookies seldom become immediate starters, the veterans on the Giants had hardly set the world on fire. In camp, Dillard has gotten praise for his dedication to training and his desire to be a team leader. He is quickly picking up the defensive scheme and he has the on-field smarts to make the calls needed to set up the defense.
The problem for Dillard is that a linebacker’s career really depends on how fast he can get to the ball carrier and tackle him. Since there is no live tackling in training camp, it is impossible to know if Dillard is our savior, or just another average player that his fourth round draft status tends to suggest. He will get a chance to shine in the preseason games, but until then, he remains a reserve. He is behind newly acquired veteran Keith Bulluck and current starter Jonathan Goff.
Fifth Round – OG Mitch Petrus, Arkansas: The Giants offensive line is not getting any younger and they have had their share of injuries. A backup center was probably the position of greatest need on the offensive line, but it turned out that Guard was the position with the best player available. At this point you may want to refer to the beginning of my August 1, Camp Report wherein I “thanked” Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin for drafting so many linemen who would remain total mysteries in training camp.
Mitch has all the measurable to be an NFL lineman, but there are very few linemen like David Diehl, who come in and play at a high level from day one. We will have to wait until the real games begin before we know what we have in Mitch Petrus. Last year, there might have been some doubt about Mitch making the squad. The recent injury to veteran OG Kevin Boothe, seems to insure that Mitch will make the Giants roster. With our two starting guards too nicked up to play against the Jets, Mitch’s presence came in handy.
Sixth Round – LB Adrian Tracy, William & Mary: Adrian started 47 games at LDE in college. The Giants drafted him to be a Sam linebacker. There is a considerable difference between those positions and that complicates his making the team. According to DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Adrian is very rapidly picking up the defensive scheme and if he makes the roster he is likely to back up LB Clint Sintim.
In camp, Adrian has shown speed, agility, and coordination. He has also made a play or two at linebacker. As with LB Phillip Dillard, Tracy’s status on the Giants will be determined by his ability to cover and tackle in the preseason games. The Giants are very thin in talent at the linebacker position. They may not have the luxury of letting Tracy watch and learn from the bench until he is able to pull his own weight. He may end up on the practice squad. However, if he does make the roster, we can all yell, “Yo! Adrian!”
Seventh Round – P Matt Dodge, East Carolina: Dodge was drafted because at 43 years of age, veteran punter Jeff Feagles could no longer meet the physical demands of playing football. The soon to be “legendary” Feagles was classy enough to come to Albany and shepherd Dodge into the world of NFL punting, especially directional punting.
Dodge has an impressively strong leg, and impressively muscular arms as well. He looks like a football player. When camp started it was very clear that Dodge was struggling to handle the snaps cleanly. He was not consistent in where he held the ball when he kicked it and he lacked rhythm. The good news is that when he kicks the ball properly, they are high and deep spirals that turn over at the top of their arc and bore into the wind.
Although he is not yet consistent enough, it appears that under Jeff Feagles’ tutelage, Dodge is becoming more consistent with every practice. Dodge is handling LS Zak DeOssie’s snaps much more cleanly and kicking with more rhythm in practice. Dodge has also replaced Jeff Feagles as the holder for field goals. Dodge has done an excellent job as holder and has received praise from K Lawrence Tynes.
Dodge had a dismal game against the Jets averaging just 37 yards. One of his punts was blocked (not his fault) and the others were low and short. Nevertheless, the punts were not disastrous for the Giants because Dodge’s low punts generally result in a long forward roll and that is what happened against the Jets. If Dodge does not have a marked improvement in the next game, the Giants will probably be watching the waiver wire for his replacement. As with Adrian Tracy, the Giants don’t have the luxury of waiting for Dodge to develop. They need him to produce immediately.
Last Year’s Rookies:
WR Hakeem Nicks: You know what they say, “big hands…big…plays.” If ever a first rounder lived up to the hype and hopes for him, it was Hakeem Nicks. He is now a starter and the receiver most likely to turn a short pass into a TD. Nobody mistakenly calls him “Hicks” anymore because everyone knows who he is and what he can do with those big hands. As a part-time starter last year, he caught 47 balls for almost 800 yards, including 6 TDs.
How has he looked in camp? Better than ever. He has enough strength to out-fight a defender for the ball, or to break a tackle for extra yardage. He is usually in a good position to make a catch, but he has made catches when he was out of position and he has made them look easy. If WR Steve Smith is our most prolific receiver, Nick is our most dangerous one. The only thing that will hold him back are injury issues. He has been limited to one practice a day. Hopefully, his rehab will be complete prior to the start of the season.
LB Clint Sintim: A big and athletic player, he was a reserve last year and somewhat of a disappointment. It was hoped that he would make more plays last year even in his limited time on the field. Clint played in a 3-4 defense in college and needs to adjust to the Giants 4-3. Frankly, I am always astonished when a player comes out of college and fits right into the NFL style of play. At least so far, the Giants have shown confidence in Clint. The starting SAM linebacker position is Clint’s to lose. He is backed up only by rookie 6th rounder Adrian Tracy.
Sintim recorded no tackles in the Jets game and Adrian Tracy had only one assist. On the bright side, only 3 of the Jets’ 29 completions were to their TEs, so maybe our SAM coverage was good.
LT William Beatty: Another second round pick, Beatty has played well enough as a rookie, for the Giants to consider starting him at LT, the premier job on the offensive line. Clearly, he is a better tackle than veterans Guy Whimper and Adam Koets. They are currently filling in at guard and center, respectively. Beatty will need some outstanding performances in the preseason or regular season before the Giants will allow him to protect QB Eli Manning’s blind side. That would result in Dave Diehl shifting to LG and the current LG, Rich Seubert, becoming a reserve.
Against the Jets, Beatty allowed no sacks, but he did not plow defenders out of the way either. I imagine that this experiment will be continued in the next game.
WR Ramses Barden: I raved about Barden last year and I continue to rave about the way he has performed in camp this year. At first, I though it was foolish to expect him to replace Plaxico Burress. I’ve changed my mind about that. Barden is 6’6″ and 227. He is not designed for making gymnastic catches, but he has made them in training camp. When he is on the field with WR Hakeem Nicks and WR Steve Smith, they will draw the most attention from the defense leaving Barden in single coverage and almost certainly with a size mismatch.
He has huge hands, a very powerful build, and long muscular arms. He has a smooth running style that helps his balance and body control. It allows him to see the ball well and get into a good position to catch it. After the catch, he can pivot much more quickly than you would expect from a man his size.
Putting a 5-10 defender on him is almost like cruelty to animals. He can out-leap defenders and he can come back towards the QB and make a “shield” catch by putting his body between the ball and defender. Barden has the size to make it nearly impossible for him to be covered by a single small DB. He has the strength to make yards after a catch by running through tackles or dragging DBs along with him. It may not happen immediately, but it will happen.
However, do not expect the Giants to give Ramses a starting spot just on my say-so. Unless he has some superb preseason games, he will start the season as the fourth receiver behind WR Mario Manningham who had 57 receptions for more than 800 yards last season.
TE Travis Beckum: Travis has been injured and has played very little in camp this year. He is a talented receiver, but he never got incorporated into the Giants offense. Last year the Giants had a boatload of draft picks and I think that Travis was drafted as insurance against Nicks, Barden, Smith, and Manningham not panning out as WRs. Fortunately for the Giants, but unfortunately for Travis, those four WRs played so well that he was relegated to blocking TE – a role for which he is unsuited.
Travis is perhaps 240 pounds. He is not a good enough blocker to fill the traditional second TE role. As a result, he got very little playing time last season. He has been injured in camp and it is uncertain if his blocking has improved. While he is very likely to remain with the Giants this year, it is not yet clear how the Giants intend to take advantage of Beckum’s receiving talents without being harmed by his shortcomings as a blocker.
HB Andre Brown: For all intents and purposes, Andre is still a rookie. Last year at this time he was running down field for a pass and tore his Achilles’ tendon. Up until that point, he was having a very good camp, showing elusiveness and power to go along with his receiving skills. He is probably the best receiver of the Giants’ running backs.
Most people doubted that Andre, or anyone else, could return to football from an Achilles’ tendon injury, but here he is looking pretty much the same as last year. He runs, he cuts, he catches the ball, he drives into defenders. In Andre’s case, being back where he started is a good thing.
Andre needs to prove that his repaired Achilles’ tendon can withstand actual game conditions. Before he can be considered a lock to make the Giants roster, he also needs to show that he can gain yardage against a real opponent, not just look good in practice. Against the Jets, he gained some yardage against their scrubs and returned three kicks for reasonable yardage. He also missed a tackle which resulted in Matt Dodge’s punt being blocked.
Last September, the Giants acquired HB Gartrell Johnson to fill Andre’s slot. Gartrell is about the same size as Andre. He is a more powerful inside runner, who has excellent balance. He is not as elusive, or nearly as good a receiver as Brown. At this point Johnson is behind Brown and is the fifth running back.
For all of his short-comings, Gartrell is a known quantity. He has shown that can stay in the backfield and pass protect. The Giants could go with either four or five RBs, but Gartrell will certainly remain a Giant until it is certain that Brown is fully healed and that he can pass protect.
QB Rhett Bomar: Last season Rhett was far behind back-up QB David Carr and was not ready to play at an NFL level. The Giants risked putting him on the practice squad and kept only QBs Carr and Manning on the roster. The Giants’ gamble paid off and Rhett is back for another try at making the team. In camp, Rhett has a strong arm and a quick release. He is usually accurate. He is playing better than he did last year, but he still hesitates when looking for receivers and still makes some poor decisions in camp.
The preseason games will provide Rhett with ample opportunities to show what he can do. He will get much more playing time than last year, because this year the Giants have three QBs in camp instead of the four that they had last year. Can Rhett show the Giants that he is too valuable to risk losing off the practice squad? Rhett may have done just that on Monday night against the Jets.
He completed six of seven passes, threw for a TD, and scrambled 23 yards for an important first down when he saw that the defensive coverage would allow it. What impressed me most was that when the Jets defense went into an overload formation that the Giants were not prepared for, Rhett diagnosed the problem in time to call a time out. He then came back with the answer. I’m not sending Rhett to Canton just yet, but I think he has earned a longer look from the Giants.
The Rest of the Team:
QB Eli Manning: Manning’s arm looks just fine in camp. How far he can take the Giants depends on whether the Giants can run the ball on offense. The Giants receivers are developing nicely, but health issues for the offensive line and tight ends, could derail the Giants.
QB Jim Sorgi: He has performed well in camp. His arm may not be as strong as Manning’s or Bomar’s, but he is smart and gutsy and his throws are accurate enough.
HB Brandon Jacobs: He has shown speed and cutting ability in camp. He has also caught the ball well. If Brandon does not do well, it will not be because he lacks speed, strength, or desire, but because he uses poor technique or poor judgment.
HB Ahmad Bradshaw: He has looked healthy in camp and his 50 yard catch and run against the Jets shows why he is now the starting RB.
HB D.J. Ware: He can do it all. He has size, speed, strength, and receiving skills. He returns kicks. In my opinion, there is a significant gap between him and Andre Brown and Gartrell Johnson.
WR Derek Hagan: He has played well in camp. He is a very consistent receiver in terms of getting open and not dropping catchable passes.
WRs Mario Manningham and WR Steve Smith: Hopefully they will be healthier when the season starts. There was no reason for either of them to kill himself in training camp.
WR Victor Cruz: He has good hands, a decent amount of speed, and can make yards after the catch. He made some fine catches in camp, but he had the good fortune to shine in the Jets game. He had 6 catches for 145 yards, Jets, including 3 TDs. I still want to see more from him before I jump on his bandwagon. In camp, there were a fair number of balls thrown his way that he failed to catch. Maybe they were just bad throws by the QBs; maybe not.
In the long run, it is not circus catches that win football games, it is pitch and catch. The top receivers get open consistently. When they do, accurate and well-timed throws from the QB result in a multitude of routine, yet unstoppable catches and an annual invitation to the Pro Bowl. When Cruz makes a few catches in the first half of a preseason game, then I’ll become a believer. Cruz also caught a punt against the Jets. That can only help his cause. If Victor has the talent for returning punts, it could signal the end of Sinorice Moss’ career as a Giant.
Sinorice Moss: Sinorice is a tough, speedy, hardworking, and thoroughly decent guy, who is on the wrong team. He has spent a lot of time on the bench because of injuries and this year was no exception as he sat out the Jets game.
Every year I write that Sinorice should be replaced. My suggested replacement is usually someone who is six or eight inches taller. This year it is Victor Cruz who is three inches taller at 5-11 rather than the 6-1 the Giants list him at. My reason is always the same: Eli Manning has trouble connecting with short receivers like Sinorice. Even if that is Eli’s fault, Eli is not going anywhere. Last season, QB David Carr had no trouble finding Sinorice in traffic. In one preseason game last year, they hooked up for two TD receptions. Carr is now with the 49ers. Perhaps Sinorice should go West to find his fortune.
WR Tim Brown: He has flashed in camp with his great moves and speed as a punt returner, but his injury may be his undoing. Tiny Tim at 5-7 (or less) 165, also suffers from the short receiver syndrome that afflicts Sinorice Moss.
WR Duke Calhoun & WR Nyan Boateng: They are both swift and rangy. They have shown good receiving talent in camp, but they are playing behind a very good group of receivers. If they have a good game or two in the preseason, they might catch on with another team, but they have little chance of making our roster.
TEs Bear Pascoe, Scott Chandler, Jake Ballard: In camp, Pascoe and Chandler both looked good as receivers. They got open and caught the catches that they were supposed to make. They are close enough in their receiving skills to warrant keeping the better blocker to join TEs Kevin Boss and Travis Beckum on the roster. Ballard has shown very little.
FB Jerome Johnson: If he can block, he is going to make some NFL team very happy. Although he is probably the best receiving Giants FB since Charles Way, the Giants will keep only one FB and that will be Madison Hedgecock.
CBs Terrell Thomas, Corey Webster, and Aaron Ross. The only thing that will stop these guys is health. They have all looked great in camp and CB Bruce Johnson is not very far behind them.
CBs D.J. Johnson, Courtney Brown, and Seth Williams: D.J. Johnson has had a brutal camp allowing reception after reception. In the Jets game, Santonio Holmes took him to school. D.J. also intercepted an inaccurate pass, but it did appear that the receiver (who was not Holmes) had still beaten him on the route.
Between Seth and Courtney, I would give the edge to Seth who had more good plays in camp. However, against the Jets, it looks like Courtney got into the game ahead of Seth. Courtney is taller and 20 pounds heavier than Seth. This might make him more effective in run support and on special teams.
Safeties Sha’reff Rashad, Michael Greco, and John Busing: Rashad has made more plays than Greco in camp and he had an interception against the Jets at the end of the game. Busing is a newcomer and I have not seen much of him. As with the young CBs above, Greco and Busing are about twenty pounds heavier than Rashad. That may be significant.
As of now, the first and second team safeties are S Antrel Rolle, S Deon Grant, S Kenny Phillips, and S Michael Johnson. With Phillips still recovering from micro-fracture surgery, and Michael Johnson dinged up, the Giants may want to keep five safeties and four cornerbacks instead of the other way around. John Busing has the reputation of being a very good special teams player. That may give him an advantage in making the roster.
Linebackers: It may take a few games before LB Michael Boley gets accustomed to DC Perry Fewell’s defense and the same goes for LB Keith Bulluck. Bulluck wins the “most ripped Giant” contest. I don’t think there is an ounce of fat on him. Keith has an “8 pack” where DT Rocky Bernard has a keg. In camp, Bulluck has shown that he is fast and quick. We know that they both can play, but when will Keith Bulluck get healthy enough to play and will Michael Boley stay healthy for an entire season?
The Giants are very thin at LB and there is not much talent to back these guys up if they can’t play. I am concerned that our linebacking squad will consist of capable starters who are not healthy and reserves who are mediocre.
My prediction for the 2010 Giants: They will go as far as their health will take them.
2010 Training Camp Evaluation by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Marty in Albany
http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/training...rnoon-practice/
As I have done in prior years, here are some overall evaluations of training camp:
The 2010 Draft Choices:
First Round – DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida: JPP is big, quick, fast, and athletic. In terms of potential, the proverbial “sky is the limit.” We are told that he is working hard to learn the defensive scheme, but (and this applies to all linemen) training camp is not the best place to evaluate Jason. It is better to study his play in the preseason games.
Conventional wisdom says that it might take awhile, perhaps more than a season, before we know if Jason is quality NFL material because his playing time will be limited and that he will be playing behind Kiwi, Osi, and Tuck. If Jason is quick to develop, there will be less pressure on the Giants to retain the services of all three of those veteran DEs.
Modern history differs from conventional wisdom. Last year our defensive line was “stacked.” All the experts said so, and they were wrong. On Monday night Jason had a sack against the Jets’ starters. It was the only sack of the game. Our vaunted veterans put very little pressure on the Jets QB and got pushed around by their offensive line. Jason’s good health, speed and strength may see him playing a major role much more quickly than anyone has imagined. If Jason continues to make one sack a game, he’ll do just fine.
Before a player can get to the highest level, he needs experience. When I say experience, I mean getting schooled by savvy opponents rather than learning from coaches or film study. As mentioned above, the veteran DEs on the Giants’ roster may or may not limit how fast Jason gets that experience. Jason is not nearly as good as he is going to be, or as good as he needs to be.
Second Round – DT Linval Joseph, East Carolina: He’s a VLT- a very large tackle. In camp he has shown quickness and speed belying his 320 pounds. Drafting a DT in the second round was no doubt inspired by last season’s nearly total meltdown of our defensive line due to injuries. Pretty much everything I said about JPP’s development in terms of time and experience also applies to Joseph. Like his draft-mate JPP, Linval played well against the Jets with four tackles and some good penetration. At this point, there is reason to be optimistic about Joseph’s future in the NFL.
Third Round – S Chad Jones, LSU: Chad was drafted to shore up an ineffective safeties squad that was depleted by S Kenny Phillips’ knee injury. A serious car accident put Chad in the hospital. Chad will need surgeries and long-term rehab. At this point, his football career is very much in doubt. We all wish Chad a normal and healthy life, even if football is no longer a part of it.
Fourth Round – LB Phillip Dillard, Nebraska: The departure of Antonio Pierce left a large void at the Mike LB position with no heir apparent to fill it. There was (and still is) a dire need for a first rate middle linebacker. Drafting one in the first round might have been a good idea, but there would be no guarantee that a rookie, even a first round pick, could start from day one. This became a moot point when no worthy MLB prospect was available when it was the Giants’ turn to draft in the first round. Instead of “reaching” for a LB, the Giants picked the best player available (JPP). At that point it became clear that the Giants would either make due with the veteran LBs already on the team, or try to acquire another veteran LB.
Eventually Dillard was drafted and we were told that he would compete for the starting Mike position. While fourth round rookies seldom become immediate starters, the veterans on the Giants had hardly set the world on fire. In camp, Dillard has gotten praise for his dedication to training and his desire to be a team leader. He is quickly picking up the defensive scheme and he has the on-field smarts to make the calls needed to set up the defense.
The problem for Dillard is that a linebacker’s career really depends on how fast he can get to the ball carrier and tackle him. Since there is no live tackling in training camp, it is impossible to know if Dillard is our savior, or just another average player that his fourth round draft status tends to suggest. He will get a chance to shine in the preseason games, but until then, he remains a reserve. He is behind newly acquired veteran Keith Bulluck and current starter Jonathan Goff.
Fifth Round – OG Mitch Petrus, Arkansas: The Giants offensive line is not getting any younger and they have had their share of injuries. A backup center was probably the position of greatest need on the offensive line, but it turned out that Guard was the position with the best player available. At this point you may want to refer to the beginning of my August 1, Camp Report wherein I “thanked” Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin for drafting so many linemen who would remain total mysteries in training camp.
Mitch has all the measurable to be an NFL lineman, but there are very few linemen like David Diehl, who come in and play at a high level from day one. We will have to wait until the real games begin before we know what we have in Mitch Petrus. Last year, there might have been some doubt about Mitch making the squad. The recent injury to veteran OG Kevin Boothe, seems to insure that Mitch will make the Giants roster. With our two starting guards too nicked up to play against the Jets, Mitch’s presence came in handy.
Sixth Round – LB Adrian Tracy, William & Mary: Adrian started 47 games at LDE in college. The Giants drafted him to be a Sam linebacker. There is a considerable difference between those positions and that complicates his making the team. According to DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Adrian is very rapidly picking up the defensive scheme and if he makes the roster he is likely to back up LB Clint Sintim.
In camp, Adrian has shown speed, agility, and coordination. He has also made a play or two at linebacker. As with LB Phillip Dillard, Tracy’s status on the Giants will be determined by his ability to cover and tackle in the preseason games. The Giants are very thin in talent at the linebacker position. They may not have the luxury of letting Tracy watch and learn from the bench until he is able to pull his own weight. He may end up on the practice squad. However, if he does make the roster, we can all yell, “Yo! Adrian!”
Seventh Round – P Matt Dodge, East Carolina: Dodge was drafted because at 43 years of age, veteran punter Jeff Feagles could no longer meet the physical demands of playing football. The soon to be “legendary” Feagles was classy enough to come to Albany and shepherd Dodge into the world of NFL punting, especially directional punting.
Dodge has an impressively strong leg, and impressively muscular arms as well. He looks like a football player. When camp started it was very clear that Dodge was struggling to handle the snaps cleanly. He was not consistent in where he held the ball when he kicked it and he lacked rhythm. The good news is that when he kicks the ball properly, they are high and deep spirals that turn over at the top of their arc and bore into the wind.
Although he is not yet consistent enough, it appears that under Jeff Feagles’ tutelage, Dodge is becoming more consistent with every practice. Dodge is handling LS Zak DeOssie’s snaps much more cleanly and kicking with more rhythm in practice. Dodge has also replaced Jeff Feagles as the holder for field goals. Dodge has done an excellent job as holder and has received praise from K Lawrence Tynes.
Dodge had a dismal game against the Jets averaging just 37 yards. One of his punts was blocked (not his fault) and the others were low and short. Nevertheless, the punts were not disastrous for the Giants because Dodge’s low punts generally result in a long forward roll and that is what happened against the Jets. If Dodge does not have a marked improvement in the next game, the Giants will probably be watching the waiver wire for his replacement. As with Adrian Tracy, the Giants don’t have the luxury of waiting for Dodge to develop. They need him to produce immediately.
Last Year’s Rookies:
WR Hakeem Nicks: You know what they say, “big hands…big…plays.” If ever a first rounder lived up to the hype and hopes for him, it was Hakeem Nicks. He is now a starter and the receiver most likely to turn a short pass into a TD. Nobody mistakenly calls him “Hicks” anymore because everyone knows who he is and what he can do with those big hands. As a part-time starter last year, he caught 47 balls for almost 800 yards, including 6 TDs.
How has he looked in camp? Better than ever. He has enough strength to out-fight a defender for the ball, or to break a tackle for extra yardage. He is usually in a good position to make a catch, but he has made catches when he was out of position and he has made them look easy. If WR Steve Smith is our most prolific receiver, Nick is our most dangerous one. The only thing that will hold him back are injury issues. He has been limited to one practice a day. Hopefully, his rehab will be complete prior to the start of the season.
LB Clint Sintim: A big and athletic player, he was a reserve last year and somewhat of a disappointment. It was hoped that he would make more plays last year even in his limited time on the field. Clint played in a 3-4 defense in college and needs to adjust to the Giants 4-3. Frankly, I am always astonished when a player comes out of college and fits right into the NFL style of play. At least so far, the Giants have shown confidence in Clint. The starting SAM linebacker position is Clint’s to lose. He is backed up only by rookie 6th rounder Adrian Tracy.
Sintim recorded no tackles in the Jets game and Adrian Tracy had only one assist. On the bright side, only 3 of the Jets’ 29 completions were to their TEs, so maybe our SAM coverage was good.
LT William Beatty: Another second round pick, Beatty has played well enough as a rookie, for the Giants to consider starting him at LT, the premier job on the offensive line. Clearly, he is a better tackle than veterans Guy Whimper and Adam Koets. They are currently filling in at guard and center, respectively. Beatty will need some outstanding performances in the preseason or regular season before the Giants will allow him to protect QB Eli Manning’s blind side. That would result in Dave Diehl shifting to LG and the current LG, Rich Seubert, becoming a reserve.
Against the Jets, Beatty allowed no sacks, but he did not plow defenders out of the way either. I imagine that this experiment will be continued in the next game.
WR Ramses Barden: I raved about Barden last year and I continue to rave about the way he has performed in camp this year. At first, I though it was foolish to expect him to replace Plaxico Burress. I’ve changed my mind about that. Barden is 6’6″ and 227. He is not designed for making gymnastic catches, but he has made them in training camp. When he is on the field with WR Hakeem Nicks and WR Steve Smith, they will draw the most attention from the defense leaving Barden in single coverage and almost certainly with a size mismatch.
He has huge hands, a very powerful build, and long muscular arms. He has a smooth running style that helps his balance and body control. It allows him to see the ball well and get into a good position to catch it. After the catch, he can pivot much more quickly than you would expect from a man his size.
Putting a 5-10 defender on him is almost like cruelty to animals. He can out-leap defenders and he can come back towards the QB and make a “shield” catch by putting his body between the ball and defender. Barden has the size to make it nearly impossible for him to be covered by a single small DB. He has the strength to make yards after a catch by running through tackles or dragging DBs along with him. It may not happen immediately, but it will happen.
However, do not expect the Giants to give Ramses a starting spot just on my say-so. Unless he has some superb preseason games, he will start the season as the fourth receiver behind WR Mario Manningham who had 57 receptions for more than 800 yards last season.
TE Travis Beckum: Travis has been injured and has played very little in camp this year. He is a talented receiver, but he never got incorporated into the Giants offense. Last year the Giants had a boatload of draft picks and I think that Travis was drafted as insurance against Nicks, Barden, Smith, and Manningham not panning out as WRs. Fortunately for the Giants, but unfortunately for Travis, those four WRs played so well that he was relegated to blocking TE – a role for which he is unsuited.
Travis is perhaps 240 pounds. He is not a good enough blocker to fill the traditional second TE role. As a result, he got very little playing time last season. He has been injured in camp and it is uncertain if his blocking has improved. While he is very likely to remain with the Giants this year, it is not yet clear how the Giants intend to take advantage of Beckum’s receiving talents without being harmed by his shortcomings as a blocker.
HB Andre Brown: For all intents and purposes, Andre is still a rookie. Last year at this time he was running down field for a pass and tore his Achilles’ tendon. Up until that point, he was having a very good camp, showing elusiveness and power to go along with his receiving skills. He is probably the best receiver of the Giants’ running backs.
Most people doubted that Andre, or anyone else, could return to football from an Achilles’ tendon injury, but here he is looking pretty much the same as last year. He runs, he cuts, he catches the ball, he drives into defenders. In Andre’s case, being back where he started is a good thing.
Andre needs to prove that his repaired Achilles’ tendon can withstand actual game conditions. Before he can be considered a lock to make the Giants roster, he also needs to show that he can gain yardage against a real opponent, not just look good in practice. Against the Jets, he gained some yardage against their scrubs and returned three kicks for reasonable yardage. He also missed a tackle which resulted in Matt Dodge’s punt being blocked.
Last September, the Giants acquired HB Gartrell Johnson to fill Andre’s slot. Gartrell is about the same size as Andre. He is a more powerful inside runner, who has excellent balance. He is not as elusive, or nearly as good a receiver as Brown. At this point Johnson is behind Brown and is the fifth running back.
For all of his short-comings, Gartrell is a known quantity. He has shown that can stay in the backfield and pass protect. The Giants could go with either four or five RBs, but Gartrell will certainly remain a Giant until it is certain that Brown is fully healed and that he can pass protect.
QB Rhett Bomar: Last season Rhett was far behind back-up QB David Carr and was not ready to play at an NFL level. The Giants risked putting him on the practice squad and kept only QBs Carr and Manning on the roster. The Giants’ gamble paid off and Rhett is back for another try at making the team. In camp, Rhett has a strong arm and a quick release. He is usually accurate. He is playing better than he did last year, but he still hesitates when looking for receivers and still makes some poor decisions in camp.
The preseason games will provide Rhett with ample opportunities to show what he can do. He will get much more playing time than last year, because this year the Giants have three QBs in camp instead of the four that they had last year. Can Rhett show the Giants that he is too valuable to risk losing off the practice squad? Rhett may have done just that on Monday night against the Jets.
He completed six of seven passes, threw for a TD, and scrambled 23 yards for an important first down when he saw that the defensive coverage would allow it. What impressed me most was that when the Jets defense went into an overload formation that the Giants were not prepared for, Rhett diagnosed the problem in time to call a time out. He then came back with the answer. I’m not sending Rhett to Canton just yet, but I think he has earned a longer look from the Giants.
The Rest of the Team:
QB Eli Manning: Manning’s arm looks just fine in camp. How far he can take the Giants depends on whether the Giants can run the ball on offense. The Giants receivers are developing nicely, but health issues for the offensive line and tight ends, could derail the Giants.
QB Jim Sorgi: He has performed well in camp. His arm may not be as strong as Manning’s or Bomar’s, but he is smart and gutsy and his throws are accurate enough.
HB Brandon Jacobs: He has shown speed and cutting ability in camp. He has also caught the ball well. If Brandon does not do well, it will not be because he lacks speed, strength, or desire, but because he uses poor technique or poor judgment.
HB Ahmad Bradshaw: He has looked healthy in camp and his 50 yard catch and run against the Jets shows why he is now the starting RB.
HB D.J. Ware: He can do it all. He has size, speed, strength, and receiving skills. He returns kicks. In my opinion, there is a significant gap between him and Andre Brown and Gartrell Johnson.
WR Derek Hagan: He has played well in camp. He is a very consistent receiver in terms of getting open and not dropping catchable passes.
WRs Mario Manningham and WR Steve Smith: Hopefully they will be healthier when the season starts. There was no reason for either of them to kill himself in training camp.
WR Victor Cruz: He has good hands, a decent amount of speed, and can make yards after the catch. He made some fine catches in camp, but he had the good fortune to shine in the Jets game. He had 6 catches for 145 yards, Jets, including 3 TDs. I still want to see more from him before I jump on his bandwagon. In camp, there were a fair number of balls thrown his way that he failed to catch. Maybe they were just bad throws by the QBs; maybe not.
In the long run, it is not circus catches that win football games, it is pitch and catch. The top receivers get open consistently. When they do, accurate and well-timed throws from the QB result in a multitude of routine, yet unstoppable catches and an annual invitation to the Pro Bowl. When Cruz makes a few catches in the first half of a preseason game, then I’ll become a believer. Cruz also caught a punt against the Jets. That can only help his cause. If Victor has the talent for returning punts, it could signal the end of Sinorice Moss’ career as a Giant.
Sinorice Moss: Sinorice is a tough, speedy, hardworking, and thoroughly decent guy, who is on the wrong team. He has spent a lot of time on the bench because of injuries and this year was no exception as he sat out the Jets game.
Every year I write that Sinorice should be replaced. My suggested replacement is usually someone who is six or eight inches taller. This year it is Victor Cruz who is three inches taller at 5-11 rather than the 6-1 the Giants list him at. My reason is always the same: Eli Manning has trouble connecting with short receivers like Sinorice. Even if that is Eli’s fault, Eli is not going anywhere. Last season, QB David Carr had no trouble finding Sinorice in traffic. In one preseason game last year, they hooked up for two TD receptions. Carr is now with the 49ers. Perhaps Sinorice should go West to find his fortune.
WR Tim Brown: He has flashed in camp with his great moves and speed as a punt returner, but his injury may be his undoing. Tiny Tim at 5-7 (or less) 165, also suffers from the short receiver syndrome that afflicts Sinorice Moss.
WR Duke Calhoun & WR Nyan Boateng: They are both swift and rangy. They have shown good receiving talent in camp, but they are playing behind a very good group of receivers. If they have a good game or two in the preseason, they might catch on with another team, but they have little chance of making our roster.
TEs Bear Pascoe, Scott Chandler, Jake Ballard: In camp, Pascoe and Chandler both looked good as receivers. They got open and caught the catches that they were supposed to make. They are close enough in their receiving skills to warrant keeping the better blocker to join TEs Kevin Boss and Travis Beckum on the roster. Ballard has shown very little.
FB Jerome Johnson: If he can block, he is going to make some NFL team very happy. Although he is probably the best receiving Giants FB since Charles Way, the Giants will keep only one FB and that will be Madison Hedgecock.
CBs Terrell Thomas, Corey Webster, and Aaron Ross. The only thing that will stop these guys is health. They have all looked great in camp and CB Bruce Johnson is not very far behind them.
CBs D.J. Johnson, Courtney Brown, and Seth Williams: D.J. Johnson has had a brutal camp allowing reception after reception. In the Jets game, Santonio Holmes took him to school. D.J. also intercepted an inaccurate pass, but it did appear that the receiver (who was not Holmes) had still beaten him on the route.
Between Seth and Courtney, I would give the edge to Seth who had more good plays in camp. However, against the Jets, it looks like Courtney got into the game ahead of Seth. Courtney is taller and 20 pounds heavier than Seth. This might make him more effective in run support and on special teams.
Safeties Sha’reff Rashad, Michael Greco, and John Busing: Rashad has made more plays than Greco in camp and he had an interception against the Jets at the end of the game. Busing is a newcomer and I have not seen much of him. As with the young CBs above, Greco and Busing are about twenty pounds heavier than Rashad. That may be significant.
As of now, the first and second team safeties are S Antrel Rolle, S Deon Grant, S Kenny Phillips, and S Michael Johnson. With Phillips still recovering from micro-fracture surgery, and Michael Johnson dinged up, the Giants may want to keep five safeties and four cornerbacks instead of the other way around. John Busing has the reputation of being a very good special teams player. That may give him an advantage in making the roster.
Linebackers: It may take a few games before LB Michael Boley gets accustomed to DC Perry Fewell’s defense and the same goes for LB Keith Bulluck. Bulluck wins the “most ripped Giant” contest. I don’t think there is an ounce of fat on him. Keith has an “8 pack” where DT Rocky Bernard has a keg. In camp, Bulluck has shown that he is fast and quick. We know that they both can play, but when will Keith Bulluck get healthy enough to play and will Michael Boley stay healthy for an entire season?
The Giants are very thin at LB and there is not much talent to back these guys up if they can’t play. I am concerned that our linebacking squad will consist of capable starters who are not healthy and reserves who are mediocre.
My prediction for the 2010 Giants: They will go as far as their health will take them.
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RC94
Footballguy
From Rotoworld today:
Shawn Andrews-T- Giants Aug. 20 - 2:02 pm et
Shawn Andrews' contract with the Giants is an incentive-laden six-year deal.
Andrew's agent confirmed that the contract contains very little guaranteed money, providing "more upside" in the second year. In order for Andrews to cash in, he'll have to prove to the Giants throughout this year that he's a worthwhile long-term investment as a potential starter at guard or tackle.
Shawn Andrews-T- Giants Aug. 20 - 2:02 pm et
Shawn Andrews' contract with the Giants is an incentive-laden six-year deal.
Andrew's agent confirmed that the contract contains very little guaranteed money, providing "more upside" in the second year. In order for Andrews to cash in, he'll have to prove to the Giants throughout this year that he's a worthwhile long-term investment as a potential starter at guard or tackle.
Avery
Footballguy
Low risk, high reward signing.Like it.
netnalp
Footballguy
I like it too. Article in the Philadelphia Inquirer is an overreaction, says it'll be a train wreck. There's little risk, it's not like when the team signed Ron Stone to a big contract, which worked out, but was a big risk.http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/sp...ts_problem.html
RC94
Footballguy
More on the Andrews deal:
Shawn Andrews-T- Giants Aug. 20 - 8:18 pm et
Shawn Andrews' "six-year" contract is actually only for one year.
It's not "incentive laden," per se, but the only guaranteed money is a $250K signing bonus. Andrews' initial base salary is $1.25 million, and he's due a $3.5 million roster bonus on the 30th day of the league year in 2011, making it essentially a one-year deal. All in all, Andrews can collect $7 million in 2011 bonuses and salary -- an investment the Giants won't make unless he emerges as a starter. It's a one-year, $1.5 million dice roll for New York.
Shawn Andrews-T- Giants Aug. 20 - 8:18 pm et
Shawn Andrews' "six-year" contract is actually only for one year.
It's not "incentive laden," per se, but the only guaranteed money is a $250K signing bonus. Andrews' initial base salary is $1.25 million, and he's due a $3.5 million roster bonus on the 30th day of the league year in 2011, making it essentially a one-year deal. All in all, Andrews can collect $7 million in 2011 bonuses and salary -- an investment the Giants won't make unless he emerges as a starter. It's a one-year, $1.5 million dice roll for New York.
bigern1000
Footballguy
Of course Philly would say it'll be a train wreck. The guy's a 2-time Pro Bowler, is only 27, and as has been said here already, is low-risk, high-reward. Really like this signing...
netnalp
Footballguy
I expect it to be downplayed by Philly beat writers, it just surprised me how angry the article I linked read. Maybe Andrews nailed the writer and never called back.
Avery
Footballguy
He's guaranteed a grand total of $250,000. If he's still broke, mentally of physically, it costs relatively nothing. In an uncapped year, this is a stellar deal by the Giants and sour grapes by the Philly beat writers.
netnalp
Footballguy
Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger
An interception by Corey Webster. A pair of excellent plays in the backfield by Osi Umenyiora ... on runs. And a healthy Justin Tuck getting after the quarterback.
Those are the things the Giants’ defense missed last season. And for at least one night — okay, a little more than one quarter — they got it in a 24-17 loss to the Steelers tonight, their second game in the New Meadowlands Stadium but their first as hosts.
The offense, without quarterbacks Eli Manning and Jim Sorgi, guards Rich Seubert and Chris Snee, running back Brandon Jacobs (a late scratch because of a stiff neck) and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who was ejected after getting into a fight with Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, predictably sputtered.
Third-string quarterback Rhett Bomar, solid in relief against the Jets last Monday, showed his inconsistency by missing several throws he should have made, including a pass that bounced off Mario Manningham’s hands for an interception.
But the fact Manning was on the sideline with a white Giants cap over the three-inch gash on his forehead made it tough to grade that side of the ball.
Perry Fewell’s defense, on the other hand, was at full strength. Even safety Kenny Phillips and linebacker Keith Bulluck, recovering from knee surgeries, were back in action and played a set of downs in the second quarter.
Tuck made the first solid play of the night for Fewell’s unit when he beat tight end Heath Miller’s block attempt to tackle Antwaan Randle-El for a 13-yard loss on an end around. Pittsburgh punted two plays later.
Umenyiora opened the next defensive series by shooting into the backfield to make a stop on a sweep to Rashard Mendenhall for a 7-yard loss. It was quite the way to celebrate his first start since being demoted last November for his struggles against the run. One play after Umenyiora’s stop, Webster tracked a deep ball up the right sideline from Ben Roethlisberger better than wide receiver Mike Wallace. Webster, who has been challenged by general manager Jerry Reese to return to his 2008 form after struggling last season, stepped in front of Wallace and leaped to pick off the pass.
“They tried to run a double move,” said Webster, who left early and had a wrap on his right groin area. “We are coached to stay on top, and I was able to get my head back around to make a play on the ball when it was downfield.“
Later in the first quarter, Tuck was having his way with his old buddy Flozell Adams, the former Cowboys tackle who caused Tuck’s shoulder injury with an illegal trip last season, to get pressure on Roethlisberger. Meanwhile, Rolle was up to make stops in the backfield – one of which was made possible by a bull rush from Umenyiora that forced Mendenhall back to Rolle.
Still, the Steelers still managed to get inside the Giants’ 10-yard line. But the defense held, thanks in part to a sack split by Tuck and Mathias Kiwanka, and forced a field goal that made it 3-0 Steelers.
The offense finally found the end zone when a terrific 45-yard catch by Steve Smith over Bryant McFadden set up a 9-yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw.
Tuck then helped the starting defense close out a solid performance with a three-and-out by pressuring Byron Leftwich into an incompletion on a third-and-3.
• MIDDLE LINEBACKER: Keith Bulluck played his first series as a Giant and made two tackles. One of them he feels he should have made three yards earlier. “Coming in midway through the game, you’re not up to game speed yet,” he said. “There is way more for me to go. I really feel like I just got my feet wet.”
• SAFETY: Kenny Phillips played the same series as Bulluck, though he didn’t get a chance to make a play. “It’s like riding a bicycle, you really never forget how to do it,” Phillips said. “Everything felt great.”
• WIDE RECEIVER: Steve Smith made an outstanding catch over Bryant McFadden for a 45-yard gain. Aside from that, this group didn’t show much and at times struggled to get open for Rhett Bomar.
ONE MORE THING: DT Barry Cofield and Steelers rookie C Maurkice Pouncey nearly got into a fight after Corey Webster’s interception. The peacemaker, believe it or not, was Pittsburgh OT Flozell Adams, who perfected the cheap shot (just ask Justin Tuck) as a member of the Cowboys.
— Mike Garafolo
An interception by Corey Webster. A pair of excellent plays in the backfield by Osi Umenyiora ... on runs. And a healthy Justin Tuck getting after the quarterback.
Those are the things the Giants’ defense missed last season. And for at least one night — okay, a little more than one quarter — they got it in a 24-17 loss to the Steelers tonight, their second game in the New Meadowlands Stadium but their first as hosts.
The offense, without quarterbacks Eli Manning and Jim Sorgi, guards Rich Seubert and Chris Snee, running back Brandon Jacobs (a late scratch because of a stiff neck) and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who was ejected after getting into a fight with Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, predictably sputtered.
Third-string quarterback Rhett Bomar, solid in relief against the Jets last Monday, showed his inconsistency by missing several throws he should have made, including a pass that bounced off Mario Manningham’s hands for an interception.
But the fact Manning was on the sideline with a white Giants cap over the three-inch gash on his forehead made it tough to grade that side of the ball.
Perry Fewell’s defense, on the other hand, was at full strength. Even safety Kenny Phillips and linebacker Keith Bulluck, recovering from knee surgeries, were back in action and played a set of downs in the second quarter.
Tuck made the first solid play of the night for Fewell’s unit when he beat tight end Heath Miller’s block attempt to tackle Antwaan Randle-El for a 13-yard loss on an end around. Pittsburgh punted two plays later.
Umenyiora opened the next defensive series by shooting into the backfield to make a stop on a sweep to Rashard Mendenhall for a 7-yard loss. It was quite the way to celebrate his first start since being demoted last November for his struggles against the run. One play after Umenyiora’s stop, Webster tracked a deep ball up the right sideline from Ben Roethlisberger better than wide receiver Mike Wallace. Webster, who has been challenged by general manager Jerry Reese to return to his 2008 form after struggling last season, stepped in front of Wallace and leaped to pick off the pass.
“They tried to run a double move,” said Webster, who left early and had a wrap on his right groin area. “We are coached to stay on top, and I was able to get my head back around to make a play on the ball when it was downfield.“
Later in the first quarter, Tuck was having his way with his old buddy Flozell Adams, the former Cowboys tackle who caused Tuck’s shoulder injury with an illegal trip last season, to get pressure on Roethlisberger. Meanwhile, Rolle was up to make stops in the backfield – one of which was made possible by a bull rush from Umenyiora that forced Mendenhall back to Rolle.
Still, the Steelers still managed to get inside the Giants’ 10-yard line. But the defense held, thanks in part to a sack split by Tuck and Mathias Kiwanka, and forced a field goal that made it 3-0 Steelers.
The offense finally found the end zone when a terrific 45-yard catch by Steve Smith over Bryant McFadden set up a 9-yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw.
Tuck then helped the starting defense close out a solid performance with a three-and-out by pressuring Byron Leftwich into an incompletion on a third-and-3.
• MIDDLE LINEBACKER: Keith Bulluck played his first series as a Giant and made two tackles. One of them he feels he should have made three yards earlier. “Coming in midway through the game, you’re not up to game speed yet,” he said. “There is way more for me to go. I really feel like I just got my feet wet.”
• SAFETY: Kenny Phillips played the same series as Bulluck, though he didn’t get a chance to make a play. “It’s like riding a bicycle, you really never forget how to do it,” Phillips said. “Everything felt great.”
• WIDE RECEIVER: Steve Smith made an outstanding catch over Bryant McFadden for a 45-yard gain. Aside from that, this group didn’t show much and at times struggled to get open for Rhett Bomar.
ONE MORE THING: DT Barry Cofield and Steelers rookie C Maurkice Pouncey nearly got into a fight after Corey Webster’s interception. The peacemaker, believe it or not, was Pittsburgh OT Flozell Adams, who perfected the cheap shot (just ask Justin Tuck) as a member of the Cowboys.
— Mike Garafolo
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netnalp
Footballguy
Mike Garafolo, Twitter https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo
Keith Bulluck working with the first team defense ... at outside LB. Sintim appears to have been at least temporarily bumped.
Sintim still getting snaps with "big base" but Bullick in there with regular base D.
Kevin Boss looking much, much better today than he has since his surgery.
First play of team drills for Andrews: Alford beats him off the ball to make a stop in the backfield. One snap + out for Andrews.
(Philly fans are right, Giants better Cut him)
A snap for Andrews at LT now. Just a quick set + a punch on DE Alex Hall on a quick throw.
Kiwi up to bat down an Eli pass. Don't worry, didn't hit his head on the way back.
Andrews in 1-on-1 showed a great punch on DT Dwayne Hendricks who never recovered.
Not so hot for Andrews the second time. Canty just swam right past him.
Keith Bulluck working with the first team defense ... at outside LB. Sintim appears to have been at least temporarily bumped.
Sintim still getting snaps with "big base" but Bullick in there with regular base D.
Kevin Boss looking much, much better today than he has since his surgery.
First play of team drills for Andrews: Alford beats him off the ball to make a stop in the backfield. One snap + out for Andrews.
(Philly fans are right, Giants better Cut him)
A snap for Andrews at LT now. Just a quick set + a punch on DE Alex Hall on a quick throw.
Kiwi up to bat down an Eli pass. Don't worry, didn't hit his head on the way back.
Andrews in 1-on-1 showed a great punch on DT Dwayne Hendricks who never recovered.
Not so hot for Andrews the second time. Canty just swam right past him.
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Avery
Footballguy
netnalp
Footballguy
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/08...with_a_big.html
Mike Garafolo
Aaron Ross was complaining about the tape job on his ankles during Saturday night's preseason game against the Steelers. The next day, he had what Tom Coughlin termed a "big, swollen heel."
The Giants' cornerback, who had his right foot propped up on a chair in the cafeteria while his teammates practiced Monday, has been diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, the same injury that affected QB Eli Manning last season.
"He got it under control and played with it," Coughlin said of Manning, "but it's a different position."
With all of the cutting and running Ross will be asked to do, this could be a nagging injury.
Elsewhere on the injury front:
--WR Ramses Barden will not require surgery for the stress fracture of a transverse process, Coughlin said. Coughlin is hoping Barden can return in a week. The issue is pain.
"If he can handle the pain, he can go," Coughlin said.
--S Michael Johnson, who has a disc issue in his back, is undergoing a different treatment after his last treatment did not work.
"In the mean time, we're all standing here," Coughlin said. "We can use him."
--S Michael Greco has a knee sprain.
--TE Travis Beckum has an issue with his neck. Coughlin categorized it as a "muscular problem." Coughlin said it's not related to the hamstring issue that has previously plagued Beckum, although hamstring issues seldom affect the neck.
--QB Jim Sorgi remains out with a shoulder injury.
* * * *
"We were in Albany for three weeks and it didn't rain once," LG Rich Seubert said while stretching in the Giants' indoor facility. "We're here one day and it's raining."
Seubert and the rest of the team dealt with the rain by moving practice indoors. The full report:
THE STARTERS
Manning, wearing his cap so as not to aggravate the cut on his head, looked just fine in his return to practice. Early on, he was very smooth during a blitz drill, connecting with WR Derek Hagan on a smooth hot route, and later hit WR Steve Smith on a deep ball past CB Corey Webster. Coughlin noted Manning’s “tempo” and the way he got rid of the ball quickly as good signs he wasn’t rusty.
DE Mathias Kiwanuka got up to bat one of Manning's passes. The ball never came close to Manning's head, though.
DT Barry Cofield got his hand up to knock down a pass from QB Rhett Bomar.
It was a treat to watch the line 1-on-1s, which usually take place away from the media in camp. Here at the indoor facility, they happened right in front of us. DT Chris Canty, LT David Diehl and DE Osi Umenyiora were the most impressive. Canty's second rep was a gorgeous swim move past OL Shawn Andrews, who was lined up at LG. Umenyiora used a combo of speed and power to get around LT Will Beatty. Earlier, Diehl dug in during a good battle with Umenyiora.
There's Canty again, shooting the hole to get to Manning before he can throw a screen pass. Real good practice for him.
S Deon Grant beat TE Kevin Boss to the punch to make a stop in the backfield.
Speaking of Boss, he looked as good as he has since undergoing ankle surgery in the spring. He came out of his break well on an in cut to catch a ball in front of S John Busing and then beat Busing on a flag route.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw snuck behind LB Michael Boley to catch a screen pass and was gone.
LB Keith Bulluck was working as one of the outside LBs with the first-team base defense. He was in there in place of LB Clint Sintim, who was still with the starters in the "big base" defense. This seemed like a possibility when Coughlin said before the start of camp Bulluck would begin as a middle linebacker but could move elsewhere. "He's played there all his career," Coughlin said Monday of Bulluck's playing the outside. "Just to make sure he's familiar so he can be more versatile." Asked if he still considers Bulluck a middle linebacker, Coughlin replied, "I consider him a linebacker."
As for Sintim, Coughlin said he "attacked the line of scrimmage better the other night (against the Steelers). I just think the competitive aspect of it is the way we've gone all camp. If that creates a little bit of competition over there, so be it."
Bulluck was there to make a stop on RB Gartrell Johnson as he tried to bounce to the outside.
* * * *
THE BACKUPS
During 1-on-1s, in addition to the whiff on Canty, Andrews appeared to rock backward a bit early when lined up against DE Dave Tollefson. That probably would have been a false start in a live game. But Andrews did have one very good rep when he showed great punch on DT Dwayne Hendricks, who never recovered from that blow.
During team drills, Tollefson showed his hustle by chasing down RB Andre Brown from behind on a sweep the other way.
S Kenny Phillips continues to look faster and faster with every practuce. Monday, he came downfield hard, and I mean hard, to make a stop in the backfield. Terrific closing speed on that play.
Bomar tried to hit WR Tim Brown on a deep in but threw it to his back shoulder, which allowed CB Seth Williams to make a play on the ball.
DT Rocky Bernard, who absolutely blew up C Adam Koets during 1-on-1s, sniffed out a screen in team drills and stayed all over the RB to disrupt the play.
LB Bryan Kehl made a couple of nice plays toward the end of practice: a stop in the backfield and a tipped ball over the middle.
* * * *
THE YOUNG GUYS
DT Linval Joseph got penetration to make a stop in the backfield early in team drills. He later beat OL Mitch Petrus to force Petrus to grab and tackle him.
Nice work by OL Dennis Landolt to hang in there and resist the urge to hold when LB Phillip Dilliard got a great jump off the snap. Landolt kept working and was able to recover and finish the block.
Williams had an interception during 7-on-7s. I didn’s catch the particulars because I was watching the line 1-on-1s. All I saw was Williams running down the left sideline with only one man to beat: defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.
WR Victor Cruz got CB Bruce Johnson to groan after beating him on a hook. Cruz later caught a hook in front of CB Courtney Brown.
* * * *
The passing 1-on-1s included several highlights on both sides of the ball:
--Great route by WR Hakeem Nicks on a short hook that had CB Corey Webster still running upfield. Nicks then added a deep ball past Bruce Johnson on a go route from Manning.
--Bruce Johnson did display excellent coverage earlier, though, on a short route by WR Mario Manningham.
--Cruz got scolded by offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride for either a bad read or a bad route on a short in. That ball was defensed well by CB D.J. Johnson.
--S Antrel Rolle, lined up at corner, was all over WR Duke Calhoun on a comeback. On the next play, CB Terrell Thomas blanketed Hagan.
Mike Garafolo
Aaron Ross was complaining about the tape job on his ankles during Saturday night's preseason game against the Steelers. The next day, he had what Tom Coughlin termed a "big, swollen heel."
The Giants' cornerback, who had his right foot propped up on a chair in the cafeteria while his teammates practiced Monday, has been diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, the same injury that affected QB Eli Manning last season.
"He got it under control and played with it," Coughlin said of Manning, "but it's a different position."
With all of the cutting and running Ross will be asked to do, this could be a nagging injury.
Elsewhere on the injury front:
--WR Ramses Barden will not require surgery for the stress fracture of a transverse process, Coughlin said. Coughlin is hoping Barden can return in a week. The issue is pain.
"If he can handle the pain, he can go," Coughlin said.
--S Michael Johnson, who has a disc issue in his back, is undergoing a different treatment after his last treatment did not work.
"In the mean time, we're all standing here," Coughlin said. "We can use him."
--S Michael Greco has a knee sprain.
--TE Travis Beckum has an issue with his neck. Coughlin categorized it as a "muscular problem." Coughlin said it's not related to the hamstring issue that has previously plagued Beckum, although hamstring issues seldom affect the neck.
--QB Jim Sorgi remains out with a shoulder injury.
* * * *
"We were in Albany for three weeks and it didn't rain once," LG Rich Seubert said while stretching in the Giants' indoor facility. "We're here one day and it's raining."
Seubert and the rest of the team dealt with the rain by moving practice indoors. The full report:
THE STARTERS
Manning, wearing his cap so as not to aggravate the cut on his head, looked just fine in his return to practice. Early on, he was very smooth during a blitz drill, connecting with WR Derek Hagan on a smooth hot route, and later hit WR Steve Smith on a deep ball past CB Corey Webster. Coughlin noted Manning’s “tempo” and the way he got rid of the ball quickly as good signs he wasn’t rusty.
DE Mathias Kiwanuka got up to bat one of Manning's passes. The ball never came close to Manning's head, though.
DT Barry Cofield got his hand up to knock down a pass from QB Rhett Bomar.
It was a treat to watch the line 1-on-1s, which usually take place away from the media in camp. Here at the indoor facility, they happened right in front of us. DT Chris Canty, LT David Diehl and DE Osi Umenyiora were the most impressive. Canty's second rep was a gorgeous swim move past OL Shawn Andrews, who was lined up at LG. Umenyiora used a combo of speed and power to get around LT Will Beatty. Earlier, Diehl dug in during a good battle with Umenyiora.
There's Canty again, shooting the hole to get to Manning before he can throw a screen pass. Real good practice for him.
S Deon Grant beat TE Kevin Boss to the punch to make a stop in the backfield.
Speaking of Boss, he looked as good as he has since undergoing ankle surgery in the spring. He came out of his break well on an in cut to catch a ball in front of S John Busing and then beat Busing on a flag route.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw snuck behind LB Michael Boley to catch a screen pass and was gone.
LB Keith Bulluck was working as one of the outside LBs with the first-team base defense. He was in there in place of LB Clint Sintim, who was still with the starters in the "big base" defense. This seemed like a possibility when Coughlin said before the start of camp Bulluck would begin as a middle linebacker but could move elsewhere. "He's played there all his career," Coughlin said Monday of Bulluck's playing the outside. "Just to make sure he's familiar so he can be more versatile." Asked if he still considers Bulluck a middle linebacker, Coughlin replied, "I consider him a linebacker."
As for Sintim, Coughlin said he "attacked the line of scrimmage better the other night (against the Steelers). I just think the competitive aspect of it is the way we've gone all camp. If that creates a little bit of competition over there, so be it."
Bulluck was there to make a stop on RB Gartrell Johnson as he tried to bounce to the outside.
* * * *
THE BACKUPS
During 1-on-1s, in addition to the whiff on Canty, Andrews appeared to rock backward a bit early when lined up against DE Dave Tollefson. That probably would have been a false start in a live game. But Andrews did have one very good rep when he showed great punch on DT Dwayne Hendricks, who never recovered from that blow.
During team drills, Tollefson showed his hustle by chasing down RB Andre Brown from behind on a sweep the other way.
S Kenny Phillips continues to look faster and faster with every practuce. Monday, he came downfield hard, and I mean hard, to make a stop in the backfield. Terrific closing speed on that play.
Bomar tried to hit WR Tim Brown on a deep in but threw it to his back shoulder, which allowed CB Seth Williams to make a play on the ball.
DT Rocky Bernard, who absolutely blew up C Adam Koets during 1-on-1s, sniffed out a screen in team drills and stayed all over the RB to disrupt the play.
LB Bryan Kehl made a couple of nice plays toward the end of practice: a stop in the backfield and a tipped ball over the middle.
* * * *
THE YOUNG GUYS
DT Linval Joseph got penetration to make a stop in the backfield early in team drills. He later beat OL Mitch Petrus to force Petrus to grab and tackle him.
Nice work by OL Dennis Landolt to hang in there and resist the urge to hold when LB Phillip Dilliard got a great jump off the snap. Landolt kept working and was able to recover and finish the block.
Williams had an interception during 7-on-7s. I didn’s catch the particulars because I was watching the line 1-on-1s. All I saw was Williams running down the left sideline with only one man to beat: defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.
WR Victor Cruz got CB Bruce Johnson to groan after beating him on a hook. Cruz later caught a hook in front of CB Courtney Brown.
* * * *
The passing 1-on-1s included several highlights on both sides of the ball:
--Great route by WR Hakeem Nicks on a short hook that had CB Corey Webster still running upfield. Nicks then added a deep ball past Bruce Johnson on a go route from Manning.
--Bruce Johnson did display excellent coverage earlier, though, on a short route by WR Mario Manningham.
--Cruz got scolded by offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride for either a bad read or a bad route on a short in. That ball was defensed well by CB D.J. Johnson.
--S Antrel Rolle, lined up at corner, was all over WR Duke Calhoun on a comeback. On the next play, CB Terrell Thomas blanketed Hagan.
netnalp
Footballguy
The real, full story on Shawn Andrews' six-year contract with the Giants
Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/08...on_shawn_a.html
On Friday night, we got a look at the numbers in Shawn Andrews’ six-year “prove it” contract with the Giants. But those were the preliminary figures and didn’t include several incentives that can make the deal worth much more.
Up to $40 million, in fact.
Below is a look at the real (and max) values of the contract, year by year. As you’ll see, there were errors with the structure of the contract as I outlined on Friday. You’ll see the base salaries are different – i.e. accurate – in this one. The total value is the close to what was reported, but how much is in base salaries vs. roster bonuses and such is different. I regret those errors. Please use these numbers as your guide for Andrews’ deal from here on out.
Here we go:
2010
Signing bonus: $250k (This is the only guaranteed money in the deal, though…)
Base salary: $1.25m (…this will become guaranteed if he’s on the roster Week 1)
Per-game roster bonus: $250k ($15,625 for each game he’s active)
50 percent playing time bonus: $500k
65 percent: $500k
80 percent: $750k
2011
Base salary: $3m
Roster bonus (due 30th day of league year): $3.5m
Per-game roster bonus: $500k ($31,250 each game active)
Workout bonus: $500k
2012
Base salary: $4.5m
Roster bonus (due 30th day of league year): $1m
Per-game roster bonus: $500k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator (14+ games at LT): $1m
2013
Base salary: $5.25m
Per-game roster bonus: $250k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator: $1m
2014
Base salary: $5.5m
Per-game roster bonus: $250k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator: $1m
2015
Base salary: $5.5m
Per-game roster bonus: $250k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator: $1m
So, as we can see, the value of the deal with the signing bonus ($250k), base salaries ($25m), workout bonuses ($2.5m) and roster bonuses ($6.5m) is $34.25 million over six years. That’s what Andrews will get if he plays less than 50 percent of the snaps this season and then becomes a starter at guard for the next five years.
Now, if Andrews becomes a starter this season and plays more than 80 percent of the snaps, that’s another $1.75 million. That would also allow him to pick up a total of $11 million in the first two years of the contract.
And if he makes the move to left tackle by 2012 and stays there for the rest of the contract, that’s another $4 million, bringing the grand total to $40 million over the length of the contract.
Not bad coin at all for a guy who’s coming back from a pair of serious surgeries and a bout with depression. But again, he has to earn it by proving the back and mental issues are behind him. If not, the Giants can get out of this by paying him as little as $250,000 (before Week 1) or $1,515,625 (after Week 1).
Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/08...on_shawn_a.html
On Friday night, we got a look at the numbers in Shawn Andrews’ six-year “prove it” contract with the Giants. But those were the preliminary figures and didn’t include several incentives that can make the deal worth much more.
Up to $40 million, in fact.
Below is a look at the real (and max) values of the contract, year by year. As you’ll see, there were errors with the structure of the contract as I outlined on Friday. You’ll see the base salaries are different – i.e. accurate – in this one. The total value is the close to what was reported, but how much is in base salaries vs. roster bonuses and such is different. I regret those errors. Please use these numbers as your guide for Andrews’ deal from here on out.
Here we go:
2010
Signing bonus: $250k (This is the only guaranteed money in the deal, though…)
Base salary: $1.25m (…this will become guaranteed if he’s on the roster Week 1)
Per-game roster bonus: $250k ($15,625 for each game he’s active)
50 percent playing time bonus: $500k
65 percent: $500k
80 percent: $750k
2011
Base salary: $3m
Roster bonus (due 30th day of league year): $3.5m
Per-game roster bonus: $500k ($31,250 each game active)
Workout bonus: $500k
2012
Base salary: $4.5m
Roster bonus (due 30th day of league year): $1m
Per-game roster bonus: $500k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator (14+ games at LT): $1m
2013
Base salary: $5.25m
Per-game roster bonus: $250k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator: $1m
2014
Base salary: $5.5m
Per-game roster bonus: $250k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator: $1m
2015
Base salary: $5.5m
Per-game roster bonus: $250k
Workout bonus: $500k
Left-tackle escalator: $1m
So, as we can see, the value of the deal with the signing bonus ($250k), base salaries ($25m), workout bonuses ($2.5m) and roster bonuses ($6.5m) is $34.25 million over six years. That’s what Andrews will get if he plays less than 50 percent of the snaps this season and then becomes a starter at guard for the next five years.
Now, if Andrews becomes a starter this season and plays more than 80 percent of the snaps, that’s another $1.75 million. That would also allow him to pick up a total of $11 million in the first two years of the contract.
And if he makes the move to left tackle by 2012 and stays there for the rest of the contract, that’s another $4 million, bringing the grand total to $40 million over the length of the contract.
Not bad coin at all for a guy who’s coming back from a pair of serious surgeries and a bout with depression. But again, he has to earn it by proving the back and mental issues are behind him. If not, the Giants can get out of this by paying him as little as $250,000 (before Week 1) or $1,515,625 (after Week 1).
netnalp
Footballguy
Vinny DiTrani
The Giants have to decided to move Keith Bulluck (knee) back outside after all.
Bulluck was told Monday "to forget about playing the middle," in effect cementing Jonathan Goff as the starting middle linebacker. Bulluck is likely ticketed for the strong side, but he may not be ready to push Clint Sintim for the starting job just yet.
http://twitter.com/sageman01/statuses/22021289800
The Giants have to decided to move Keith Bulluck (knee) back outside after all.
Bulluck was told Monday "to forget about playing the middle," in effect cementing Jonathan Goff as the starting middle linebacker. Bulluck is likely ticketed for the strong side, but he may not be ready to push Clint Sintim for the starting job just yet.
http://twitter.com/sageman01/statuses/22021289800
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