Rest of Draft and UDFAs

Who Else Did They Get?

I will never guess what the Giants will do. Ever again. Not one player I wanted was drafted or picked up.

4th, 5th, two 7th round picks, along with 6 undrafted free agents. Agree with some, not all. Still could have done better, I'll just put a thought or two on each player.

4th Round - Ryan Nassib QB Syracuse - Traded our 4th and 6th round picks to get a player that Reese hopes to "never play". Was mocked by many to go in the 1st to Buffalo. I guess you have to find an Eli replacement sometime, but also could be a trade piece down the road.

5th Round - Cooper Taylor S Richmond - Started at Georgia Tech Second Team All ACC as a freshman. Had a heart condition that caused him to miss sophomore year on a medical red shirt then barely played the next year cause of injuries. Went to Richmond for his last 2 years. Giants will use him as a 3rd safety/linebacker hybrid. At 6-4 228, he is a little big for a safety, a little small for an outside backer. He also ran a 4.49 at his pro day. Freak athlete, that I really want to see play.

7th Round - Eric Herman OG Ohio - 6-4 320, Mr. Pancake is what they call him, 335.5 pancakes at Ohio. Big nasty brawler. May not even make roster, but with the lack of depth at OLine, especially in 2014, he will be on the practice squad at the worst.

7th Round - Michael Cox RB UMass - 6-0 214 guy has good hands and good burst coming out of the backfield. Nothing else on him except the fact that he can flip into the end zone.

UDFAs

• Mount Union LB Charles Dieuseul 
• Mount Union is the Alabama of D3 football. 6-0 230. Went from LB to DE to LB during career there. 
• Charleston Southern DB Charles James
• 5-9 184. Apparently guy has a nose for the football. Had a school record 6 INTs in 2011
• LSU TE Chase Clement
• More of a lineman. 3rd string TE if anything
• Ohio State LB Etienne Sabino
• 6-2 247. All the physical tools, just not completely there in terms of skill. A project. 
• Virginia Tech S Alonzo Tweedy
• Special teams whiz apparently. Not as a returner necessarily but as a gunner on punt and kick coverage. 
• Virginia Tech WR Marcus Davis
• LOVE this pickup. Also loved Ramses Barden, ha. At 6-3 233 and arms that reach 32 and 3/4", he has all the physical talent in the world. Ran a 4.48 and had a 39" vertical at his pro day.   Has the speed to break away from the defender in the open field. His weaknesses are all fixable with good coaching. Blocking, and catching with his hands away from his body are the two big things against him. Coughlin & Co. hopefully will get all that fixed so we can add him to the list of Reese's gems. 

Day 2

2nd and 3rd Round Picks

Johnathan Hankins DT Ohio State

Damontre Moore DE Texas A&M

                                       

2nd round, Arthur Brown was still on the board and they did not go with him. Instead take a DT, a position the Giants have drafted in the 2nd round 4 of the last 5 drafts. What this says to me is they are set with the linebacking corps they have. Rivers, Connor, Jacquain as the starters most likely. 

Hankins: Big guy, 6-3 320, could weigh even more. That's the problem with him though. Has a stamina issue because he is just that big. Brings his work ethic in the weight room and in practice into question. The picture above would be nice to see, but it wont be happening often. Guy is a complete run stuffer. Able to take on double teams. Gotta be more consistent, some had him as a first round talent. 

Moore: This pick I like, a lot. 6-4 250. Once considered a top 5 pick, but with his terrible combine and pro day, his stock came crashing down. Apparently he has an attitude issue to go along with his work ethic. Off field issues are there too with an arrest for marijuana possession. Played behind Von Miller at A&M when they were in the 3-4 so got mentored by a great football player. 2012 they switched to the 4-3. 12.5 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss as a DE. Guy is a natural at getting to the QB. And the Giants could never have enough of those. 

I've been reading a little on late players. Take a look at the WR Da'Rick Rogers ... off field issues, but a tremendous talent, would LOVE HIM. I'll put up day 3 later tonight or tomorrow. 

       

Giants First Round Pick

And the Giants Select...

JUSTIN PUGH!!!

Well here is your Giants 2013 first round draft pick. Offensive lineman from Syracuse. 6-5 307 pounds. 34 starts at Syracuse, mostly at LT. Biggest hit on him is his arms. They measure at 31.5 inches, which is t-rex like in the NFL. "Good" thing is, in 2012, he allowed only a half sack and one other hurry of his quarterback. Now Syracuse was not playing NFL type defensive ends/tackles, so that means little to me really. 

Jerry Reese on Pugh: "He was the highest guy on our board. You guys think I'm joking when I say that, but he was the highest guy on our board." 

...

"Pugh can play every position on line," Reese said. Can he be opening day starter? "We'll see. I think it's going to be a lot of competition."

The guy doesn't even have a set offensive line position. Where is he going to play? Over Boothe at LG?  Snee at RG? Or be Diehl's replacement at RT? Center? WHO KNOWS! I would be so much more comfortable with a stud at one of them instead of a second round grade player at some of them. 

 Here's what I think. Jerry Reese sits in his office, and is like, "hey who can we draft that NO ONE thinks we will draft? Oh Justin Pugh? Alright lets take him, shock the world again!" I am furious with this pick. The needs on the defensive side of the ball are TREMENDOUS. A linebacker? Pick Ogletree. A corner? Pick Rhodes, or even Trufant. A safety? Matt Elam. Defensive End? Bjoern Werner. 

By the way, if he turns out to be some pro bowl type offensive lineman and Reese proves me wrong, then that would be absolutely amazing, we do need the O line help and youth. 

I am not even gonna guess what Reese is going to do tomorrow. What I do know is that the Giants better go defense, and NOT TE'O. Here's whats left that I would like to see happen tomorrow, pretty much in order: 

CB Tyrann Mathieu (this pick may make up for my anger in the first round) 

OLB Arthur Brown (pick I would be very excited about) 

ILB Kevin Minter (another pick I would be very excited about)

CB Darius Slay (worried about torn meniscus in knee that "does not need surgery") 

DE Cornellius "Tank" Carradine (tore his ACL on November 24th last season) 

Who To Pick At 19?

Pick 19

Now I will never mock a draft. That is a huge waste of time, since predicting even the first round in the draft is almost as hard as predicting March Madness. What I will do is give you some options the Giants SHOULD have at 19, IF they stay there. 

Based on recent history, the Giants base their draft on BPA, or best player available. That is how we got the likes of JPP, in a year where the Giants had needs at other positions and a good to great defensive line at the time. This is what makes trying to predict the Giants pick so hard. Does Jerry Reese draft the BPA in his mind? Or do they go with need. Speaking of need, here are the glaring holes on the team coming into next year:

OL: The line is filled with guys over the age of 30. Anchored by left tackle Will Beatty, the future of the rest, especially right tackle is uncertain

LB: With Kiwi going back to DE, all 3 starters from last year are gone. 

CB: Terrible group last year. CWeb is in his final year. Prince never seems to be fully healthy

DE: VERY underachieving bunch last year. With the loss of Osi, and Tuck being in the final year of his contract it may be a need if the Giants don't see the younger players like Tracy being able to fill the roll. Even with Kiwi coming down, still a need. 

S: Kenny Phillips is now an Eagle. Stevie Brown and Antrel Rolle are now the starters. Do they trust Will Hill to be that 3rd safety? Trell has a high cap as well, do they need to replace him next year? 

Now I'll give you a list of players I HOPE the Giants draft at 19. Then some I would like to see later on. 

1. Alec Ogletree LB - The guy is an athlete from Georgia, use him at the weakside LB spot. Maybe even as a spy on QBs like RG3 and Vick. Need speed on defense to keep up with evolving offenses. LOTS of character issues, but the Giants have had their fair share of those types. Draft profile here. (Giants haven't drafted a LB in the 1st round since '84 when they drafted Carl Banks.) 

2. D.J. Fluker OT - A monster right tackle from Alabama. 6-6 335 is enormous in my book. Long arms is can make up for his slight trouble with pass blocking, but he is a run blocking tackle. David Wilson would have little problem getting to the outside with Fluker over there. Problem is, gotta hope that the Dolphins and Chiefs get a deal done that sends Branden Albert to Miami.  Draft profile here.

3. Xavier Rhodes CB - From Florida State coming in at 6-2 217, Rhodes has some nice size that runs a 4.39 40. Loves to jam receivers on the outside. Long arms and big frame are perfect for throwing receivers off their routes. Also good at shedding blocks to help support the run. Draft profile here.

4. Kenny Vaccaro S - Best safety prospect in the draft outta Texas. Will have to slip by a few teams, Dallas being one of them at 18. Aggressive in run defense, and can be that 3rd safety to come down and cover the slot. Draft profile here.

5. Desmond Trufant CB - Younger brother of Marcus, the kid out of Washington has talent. Runs a solid 4.38 40. At 5'11 192, can he take the punishment of the NFL on a weekly basis? His aggressive nature could see him sidelined, and with Prince barely healthy all season, the last thing we need is another hurt corner. Draft profile here.

I would also really, really, really, like to see the Giants draft Tyrann Mathieu the CB out of LSU, or more recently, out of marijuana rehab. Guy obviously has off field issues because he loves smoking weed, got him kicked off the team at LSU after being a Heisman finalist his sophomore year. Guy can return kicks and is an absolute ball hawk, will get the INTs or strip anybody holding the ball. Complete play maker  best ball skills at the combine, BY FAR. 3rd or 4th round would be fine. Don't be surprised to see the Pats take him in the 2nd though. 

Also later on I would love to see Connor Vernon in another blue uniform. WR from Duke looked real real nice at the combine, catching absolutely everything. Also works out with the Manning brothers at their camp they do at Duke, where Eli praised him for always getting open. IF and a huge IF that Cruz situation doesn't pan out, we need to start looking at slot WR's that can not only run routes, but go deep. 

Notice how I didn't put any defensive ends. I feel like Reese can find them somewhere later. JPP figures his stuff out, Tuck bounces back, Kiwi and Adrian Tracy, and whoever else can hold it down. 

Andre Brown Signed his tender so he's all set. Cruz is still being an absolute idiot, $8 mil a year with $15-$18 mil guaranteed is on the table. He wants number 1 WR money. Out of his mind. 

2013 Schedule

Here it is. 2013 Regular Season Schedule

Week 1: at Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 8, 8:30 p.m. (NBC)
Week 2: vs. Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 15, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Week 3: at Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Week 4: at Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Week 5: vs. Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Week 6: at Bears, Thursday, Oct. 10, 8:25 p.m. (NFL Network)
Week 7: vs. Vikings, Monday, Oct. 21, 8:40 p.m. (ESPN)
Week 8: at Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: vs. Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Week 11: vs. Packers, Sunday, Nov. 17, 8:30 p.m.* (NBC)
Week 12: vs. Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 24, 4:25 p.m.* (FOX)
Week 13: at Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 1, 8:30 p.m.* (NBC)
Week 14: at Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 4:25 p.m.* (FOX)
Week 15: vs. Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.* (FIX)
Week 16: at Lions, Sunday, Dec. 22, 4:05 p.m.* (FOX)
Week 17: vs. Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 29, 1 p.m.* (FOX)

Boom, kicking off Sunday Night Football this year at Jerry's World. Yes Sir! Ready for some payback for last years opener. Then right after that its Manning Bowl III at home. Gonna be a real tough game. Hopefully Eli can finally get the best of Peyton. Eagles week 5 obviously is a big match up. Giants will have time to get film on the Eagles new offense which is good, but they couldn't figure out the Redskins at all last year so who knows. 

Bears and BMarsh/Bennett/Cutler the following week is a scary match up. Not as afraid of their defense though. We get AP week 7 at home, maybe he will get busted for steroid use by then. Week 9 is a great time for the bye, right in the middle of the season

I'm only excited to see the Raiders if Terrelle Pryor is a starter. The Packers on Sunday Night Football is obviously a scary game because they are the Packers. Regardless of how well we play them, they are a scary team. We see the Redskins for the first time week 13 so hopefully RG3 is already out for the season or at least banged up before that. Phillip Rivers sucks so who cares about the Chargers. Seattle week 15 will probably be a nightmare. That defensive line could rack up 15 sacks against us. Lions have Megatron so maybe we can get LeBron James in our secondary by then to help out. 

Well that's 5 prime time games. There is also something that I do not like. The Giants are known for starting hot and having a poor second half, well look at the 2nd half of the schedule... 5 of the last 8 games are against 2012 playoff teams. 

"No More BS" and Andre Brown's goals.

JPP Sick of BS, ABrown Sets Lofty Goals

Jason Pierre-Paul has put his two cents into what has hindered the Giants in the past few years. Apparently it has been too much "BS". He, like all of us fans, is frustrated with the lack of consistent play from this ball club since Coughlin has come on as head coach. They always start off hot, go ice cold, then try to catch a spark and ride the flame to the Super Bowl.

“We can’t BS around this year,” JPP said on Tuesday. “The falling down and going up, that sucks, you know what I mean? Because it’s like every year it happens. Every year.”

He went on to say how much of an impact he made last year and how his stats didn't tell the whole story. Well I have news for him. He had 6.5 sacks last year, 10 less than 2011. Coughlin says the fact he came into camp overweight took him down a few pegs. JPP of course fired back saying he wasn't, going on to state that the NFL hasn't seen anything yet in terms of his potential. Beat a double team, and prove to us fans that your rookie season wasn't "BS".

On the offensive side of the ball, Andre Brown actually had some surprising aspirations.

“I have to outdo last year’s stats. Eight touchdowns – I want 22,” Brown said. “I want 1,300 (yards) this year. That’s the steppingstone. I have to erase last year’s stats and show I can do better.”

Yeah. See, here's the thing with that. David Wilson is going to be the featured back in this offense. Brown will not only split carries with him, but probably another back as well. Not to mention the aging offensive line the Giants have. Brown, however, will most likely be put in goal line and short yardage situations.  The guy broke his leg in November, crushing his breakout season. Does he have talent? Absolutely. Are the goals a little out of reach? Most likely.

Regular season schedule is released Thursday the 18th at 8PM ET,  with the draft a week from that. I will post the schedule when it is available and be giving you some info on potential 1st rd draft picks for the Giants sometime next week. PRESEASON SCHEDULE is below:

GAME 1: Saturday, Aug. 10: at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

GAME 2: Sunday, Aug. 18: vs. COLTS, 8 p.m.

GAME 3: Saturday, Aug. 24 vs. JETS, 7 p.m.

GAME 4: Thursday, Aug. 29: at New England, 7:30 p.m.

Another Eagle?

Giants Sign Mike Patterson

This is old news.

Just adding DL depth here. Patterson, or "Patt" is a good run stuffer, shown here by Blogging The Beast. ESPN has him at 6'1" 300 Lbs, so obviously he has some size. If you click on the link, the images show his ability to take on double teams and stand his ground. He is a guy that does not get pushed around very often.

Issue here is his health. In 2011 he suffered a seizure during training camp. The next off season he had surgery to repair a arteriovenous malformation in his brain. Not sure what that means, but brain surgery in any form scares me. He only got to play 5 games last year.

A healthy Patterson will not be a starter, but maybe a goaline/short yardage lineman. Linval Joseph and Jenkins will probably get the majority of the reps with Patterson, Shaun Rogers, Marvin Austin and Markus Kuhn coming in under special circumstances.