Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: Painter on April 15, 2024, 03:19:12 PMIf ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have Merry Christmas- Don Meredeth.

What say you, Howard?

Cheers!

I'd say the reason the Cubs took so long to win a World Series is because as soon as they realized they had a player who had remarkable talent, they traded him for three guys who didn't.

I certainly don't think it is a "crap shoot" or a "random dart".

For me the one underrated, underappreciated, and undervalued trait is that guys who win in college regardless of who is around them more often than not will win in the pros. Guys like Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, and Brock Purdy don't have the prototypical skill set, but they figure it out. The guys that rocket to the top of draft boards after their Senior year as a shiny new plaything for NFL GMs to consider often.....very often....don't pan out despite being given every opportunity to do so. Dan Marino was a sure fire top 5 pick entering his senior season at Pitt, but with a coaching change and more interceptions than he had thrown in the past, GMs changed their minds his final year in college. That was true of Josh Allen as well, although he didn't slip near as far. Guys who can lead can lead. Take one of them. If you question their leadership, and the willingness of the team to follow them, pass.

Quote from: Philosophers on April 15, 2024, 12:47:43 PMMy question Larry about those stats for Nabers is that he played slot 50% of thr time.  How much production of his came from the slot vs X vs Z?  My gut tells me his slot production is disproportionately higher compared to X or Z.  If true, i think he is less of a fit given Robinson on the team.

I think his ability to line up anywhere is one of his strengths. Wan'Dale took a lot of snaps out wide at Kentucky. With Nabers, they can move everyone around and keep Defenses guessing. And if Waller decides to play in 2024 and can maintain his heath through the season......what's up with that anyway? Is Waller retiring or not?

Quote from: kartanoman on April 13, 2024, 11:30:32 PMWhat are the chances that Schoen already has pick swapping scenario contingency agreements in place with those two teams and, perhaps, a few others?

I would think he does.

Despite the #6 pick, the Giants are not picking where they can historically get a top QB. They are picking in a spot where you can historically get the Best CB, Best Edge rusher/DE, or Best DT. This year you can add Best OT to that list, which is rare. The best one typically goes with one of the top 5 picks. Sixth overall is a bit high to look at other positions, but Best TE and Best WR in the draft are also an option this year.

I just don't like the idea of using the #6 overall pick on the 4th or 5th best QB in the draft. If they take a QB at #6, that is almost certainly what they will be doing.

As for the later Rounds, there is a 2nd round or later WR Pro-Bowler in almost EVERY draft. 

Do the Giants trade down? Minnesota can trade their first and second for the Giants first and second and it works out pretty even. Since nobody trades for an even swap, the Giants will likely want something extra if there is a QB there they do not want and players they do, that they can get at #11.

Oakland seems to be interested in Jayden Daniels only. If he is still there at #6 (unlikely, but possible) there may be a lot offered to the Giants to move down to #13.

I guess the real question is whether the Giants truly believe Daniel Jones is the guy or if they have been telling free agents that to convince the rest of the league they are not interested in a QB. Of course, if Jones doesn't work out, there is no promise that Daboll and Schoen still have their jobs in 2025 to use any extra draft picks they may acquire. They will want picks in 2024. The poker game continues. Two weeks before everyone shows their cards.

As always, the rule for a top 10 pick is not to screw it up. The draft for me starts on Day 2. If the Giants take a QB, I would rather see it after Round 1. Lots of flash and overvalued options in this year's draft at the top of the draft for QB. REAL value in the second and third rounds. Id' go for as many picks as I could get between 30 and 90.

Josh Allen was considered by most to be a lock to go in the first 5 picks in the draft. Then the Raiders surprised everyone and drafted Clelin Ferrell from Clemson with the 4th pick. Suddenly Allen was sitting there for the Giants at number 6 and I was overjoyed.

Then, the Giants reached past him to take Daniel Jones. With the next pick, the Jags sent the card up for Josh Allen in about 3 seconds. It is right up there with the Mathias Kiwanuka selection as the most upset I have ever been during the draft as a Giants fan.

The Jags fans know what they have. Do we?

We draft a guy in the second round, and he steps in immediately and starts 13 games. Maybe he was worn out blocking Dexter Lawrence in practice every week.

I hope we draft 6 more guys like that this year. 

Indianapolis was great. A few thin high clouds but sunny overall with no obstruction whatsoever. It was my son's girlfriend's first view of an eclipse, and she was completely in awe and giddy. Good time all around and the "Lunacy in Indy" put on by the city was terrific for all ages.

Next Eclipse is the US is in 2044. If anyone needs a pair of glasses, I'm, selling six pairs......cheap. 

Quote from: FL GMAN on April 04, 2024, 04:28:32 PMIs Odunze faster than Bowers. To my untrained eye, on the field, Bowers seemed faster. I'm probably wrong because Bowers is probably 20 lbs. heavier.

Bowers is in the 4.5s and Odunze is in the 4.4s. Bowers would be a worthy choice if Waller decides he is retiring. He is a nightmare cover. Too quick  for LBs and Safeties and too big for CBs. Productive, smart, and hard-working. Some would not be happy with this pick, but after watching him shred Defenses in the SEC for years, I would have no complaint.

Thanks Ed. He seems to chew up zones but against man I can see where the concerns are coming from. Still, he looks like a beast after he gets the ball.

So, I had heard during the last few months that there were some concerns about Odunze's ability to separate and that despite his size it could limit him in the NFL. A pre-draft comparison to another highly thought of receiver - Laquan Treadwell - was made. Does anyone have any concerns about that? I have seen plenty of highlights but have not seen Odunze play.

If you really want to have some fun, you can pair him with his teammate at Washington in Round 2.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/2024-nfl-draft-espn-releases-qb-mock-draft-pick-team-predictions-for-12-quarterbacks/ar-BB1l50iI?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=da36a9a8787d426aa4965b97edaa05f9&ei=26

I think the trust Daboll showed in him in 2022 at critical times, and the fact that he would not promise competition for the starting job to QBs seeking a landing spot in New York, tells me Daboll sees something in him.

I hope he's right. 

Do we think we know who the top 4 are? I ask because the top 4 now were not the top four last month. It changed the month before that, and it changed again from the month before that.

I don't get the love for Drake Maye. He has all the tools but he isn't a guy who can carry a team. I you are looking for a guy with a live arm, scrambling/running ability who throws some WTF interceptions and could be the next Ryan Tannehill, he's your guy.

Caleb Williams looked great in 2023, and again to start 2024, then the back half of the season happened. Yes, those were better teams. However, throwing 1 TD or less in 5 of the last 7 games has raised some questions. I still think his best football is ahead of him. He is worth the #1 overall pick.

Bo Nix was the best QB in college football last year and nobody wants to talk about it because we all watched several years of so-so quarterbacking while we waited for him to become this player. He HAS matured and is the most NFL ready NFL QB in this draft mentally and physically. Has an NFL body today. If you want to spread the field with a QB who can make the right reads in a dink and dunk offense, adjust and scramble when the first read isn't available, and hit a guy downfield when you try to sneak someone over the top every now and then, he could be very, very good. I wish his release point was higher but I said that about Oregon Duck Justin Herbert too. At 6'4" Herbert can get away with it. The 6'2" Nix may have some work to do, but he is a steal in Round 2.

Jaden Daniels is amazing but still raw and didn't shine throwing the ball against good teams, using his legs instead to move the ball. That's what COLLEGE QBs do and very few have had much success doing that at the next level. He has good height but he is not big and threw to two incredible receivers last year which would make almost any QB look good. The next Justin Fields?

If five years in college helped Bo Nix mature, it resulted in an advanced degree for Michael Pennix who played parts of six seasons. In my opinion he has the best arm of the top QBs in the draft (Joe Milton's arm is the best of all) but needs to work on his footwork and reads to bring down those interceptions and raise his completion percentage. After the knee injury in Indiana he didn't move out of the pocket as much but seemed to be regaining some mobility toward the end of last year. He's one of those guys who could win a preseason competition for the QB position or be a backup for a decade because everyone just loves watching him throw the ball, but he does need some work. He could be a very nice find early in Round 2 for someone. Geno Smith type skills and potential at this point.


JJ McCarthy has become the darling of this draft. He's the Daniel Jones of 2024. Looks great, but what has he really done? He didn't make many mistakes but to my eyes rode  a stout Defense and impressive running game to the national championship. Decent height, below average size, below average arm, only one pass over 50 yards last year. Does that sound like anything more than a game manager to you?