Big Blue Huddle

I will admit, even I am suffering from fatigue at this point in terms of evaluating the QB class, but for those who are not.  Here are two articles full of comments from NFL coaches and front office staff


https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/04/19/2024-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-case-study-top-prospects

https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-draft-pro-execs-scouts-coaches-rank-and-evaluate-the-top-20-prospects-in-this-qb-class

CHATTER: GIANTS WILL TAKE A QB AT NO. 6 OR TRADE UP
There has been talk about this since Daniel Jones tore his ACL last season, and it was clear the New York Giants would have a top pick. Yes, the organization has done extensive work on all the top quarterbacks in the draft. However, I have not gotten the indication they'd pull the trigger on taking one at No. 6.

There are rumblings in league circles that if Drake Maye fell, he could intrigue them the most. Otherwise, they likely will take a different position, whether a receiver or an offensive lineman. There is a good chance the Giants will explore taking a quarterback in this draft, but it could be in the second round.

https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-draft-fact-or-fiction-on-draft-trade-rumors/

The Tweet is a short video, and the link leads to pictures.  There seems to be more work on the grass (conditioning?) than I ever remember and the strength training is much different than my younger days at the gym.


https://x.com/Giants/status/1781352059096240595



https://www.giants.com/photos/giants-offseason-workout-program-underway-2024#644f4eee-af16-402d-8713-207fc51e8bcf

Joe Schoen talked about a walk-away price (and based on previous actions, I think he firmly believes in this approach). So, if the rumor is true, will Schoen try to outbid the Vikings?


https://x.com/art_stapleton/status/1781316019056738462

Q. Coming in, do you find historically speaking that the draft tends to address needs, or do you feel there's a good core in place that you can be flexible?

JOE SCHOEN: I think right now we have enough needs that it can go either way, offense or defense. I think we're not one player away or two players.

So I think Shane (Bowen) coming in has been phenomenal with his communication and articulating what he's looking for in his scheme. We've had really good communication with him throughout this pre-draft process in terms of what players fit his scheme and, again, the value where we can get those players. Shane has been a really good addition and enjoying my time working with him so far.

Rich Eisen has always struck me as more of a schmoozer than someone who was controversial or combative.  Yet, he seems to be having a low-key feud with Schoen.

ROUND 1-  Rich Eisen declares the Giants are done with Jones and have buyer's remorse

https://x.com/CGF_Sports/status/1765009205293875316

ROUND 2-  Joe Schoen pushes back and suggests Rich's claims are not true


Q. At the combine or after the combine, Rich Eisen went on his show and said that all he heard was a lot of buyer's remorse from the Giants -- he didn't say from whom obviously -- about the contract given to Daniel. On Monday Daniel talked to us, and he said very confidently, he thinks he is the best quarterback to start the season, assuming he's healthy, for the Giants. Where are you right now, maybe small and big picture, on Daniel Jones?

JOE SCHOEN: Like I said before, the expectation is for him to be our starter. Again, I don't have a crystal ball. I hope he doesn't have any setbacks. He's working his tail off.

One of the things, when you go back and you watch the 2022 season or all of his throws in 2022, like he was a 25-year-old player that played at a high level and we won 10 games and won a playoff game. I'm still confident in Daniel, the way he's wired, what he showed us in 2022.

Again, did we have the best start to the season last year? Absolutely not. Anything that could have went wrong, it seems like it did early on between injuries and some other things. I've still got a lot of confidence in Daniel.

Q. Doesn't part of you wonder who told Eisen that stuff?

JOE SCHOEN: I can't worry about that. There's stuff out there all the time that's not true. You really can't let it bother you. I've got a good relationship with Daniel, and we communicate all the time.

Again, he's here all the time. We've got a good relationship, and we communicate well. If he has an issue or hears something or something I think I need to talk to him about, we do that often.

ROUND 3-  Rich doubles down on his claims and predicts the Giants will draft a QB high in the draft


https://x.com/RichEisenShow/status/1781123776471880115

https://x.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1781163897166172500

https://x.com/PeterMallouk/status/1781128648122134962

I have come to appreciate over the years that there range of core views when it comes to team building, free agency, and the draft.  On one side of the spectrum is the star collectors.  They are all about the blue chip (and, to a lesser degree, red chip) players.  They feel stars drive the team and raise those around them.   They try to get as many stars on the team as possible, and the rest take care of them as best they can.

On the other side of the spectrum is the hole fillers.  They believe a team is only as strong as its weakest link.  So, the focus is eliminating weak points/needs on the roster/team.   

Which side of the spectrum (and how far on the spectrum) do you see yourself?


I will answer my own question.  I tend to be a hole filler. I look at things like a draft as a way to fill holes and fix flaws.   Having realized this, I am trying to become more balanced and appreciate the need for the star talent.

https://x.com/PFF_Sam/status/1780663074313154977

https://x.com/bigblueview/status/1780995838489034886

https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1780995019295412258

For the past couple of years, you have probably heard me talk about my concept of the three pillars of quarterback support-  coaching, pass protection, and receiving targets.

This draft season you might have heard me talk about how that infrastructure is a very important part of the success of a drafted QB.

A big smile came across my face when I listened to Daniel Jeremiah's latest national draft conference call.

First, he made reference to the "three Ps of QB support, playing caller, protection, and playmakers."

He also mentioned that in his discussions of teams, they are more focused on whether their team is ready (having the 3 Ps in place) to develop a quarterback if they draft one.

You can listen to the podcast here


https://open.spotify.com/episode/0OFYuhn1SH4N66R1acepfT

If you read the long ESPN article (the link is in my Bill Belichick post from today) it seems a big part of the reason Belichick didn't get another HC job is that the league is moving away from the powerful head coach model (yet the two SB teams are both teams with powerful HCs)

One thing I have noticed since Bowen replaced Martindale as the new DC is that both Daboll and Henderson talked about Bowen being a good teammate.  This tracks with the Giant's accusations that Martindale didn't seek out input from his entire staff but only his trusted lieutenants.

These two things got me thinking.  Which model is the more successful one?   Are teams better off with a management style that is all about collaborations and agreement (sort of management by committee) or are teams better served with one or two powerful voices in the room?

My take is that the collaborative approach is sort of like buying many different types of stocks (diversify your portfolio) to protect from downturns.  The shortcoming to that approach is you tend to mute the upside a bit for the same reason you are protecting your downside.

In other words, if you get the right one or two voices, a team will enjoy higher highs (and risk lower lows) than if they adopt the collaborative approach, which serves as a moderating influence for both good and bad.

I am curious what others think.

https://x.com/AlbertBreer/status/1780258694531543239

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/1780631274333380827

My first question (an ode to the late great JimV) was "who is Ian Valentino?"   I wasn't going to post this if he was just some guy.  So here is his bio:

Ian Valentino is currently the NFL Scouting Director for PFN. He has covered all aspects for the NFL since 2013. He's previously provided scouting services to the NFL, XFL, and CFL in addition to writing for Bleacher Report, Complex Sports, and Sports Illustrated.

https://x.com/RalphVacchiano/status/1780583411616272504




Here is an interesting article to go along with the news


https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39955777/how-patriots-legend-bill-belichick-end-nfl-job

They looked at the prior 3 drafts, starting with the 22 draft.  They looked at the success of WRs drafted in round one and round 2.

While admittedly a smaller sample size than ideal, what they saw was that WRs drafted in the top 10 tended to be successful picks.  Wide Receivers drafted after 10 and round 2 WRs were far less successful as a whole.

https://x.com/giants/status/1779998661532897380?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

be it big-ticket contracts (and in the case of Daniel Jones, a willingness to move off the money spent)

or the little things needed to win

https://x.com/art_stapleton/status/1779882294842359915


https://x.com/MadelynBurke/status/1779881814108070213

https://x.com/SNYGiants/status/1779885192112488840


https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1779883228783874342

https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779901697797579177

https://x.com/Dan_Salomone/status/1779901643095478550

https://x.com/SNYGiants/status/1779901017754071526


https://x.com/DDuggan21/status/1779902833363448193

https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779906442465517947

https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779906442465517947


https://x.com/giantswfan/status/1779906101820985689

https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1779911987473895532

https://x.com/Dan_Salomone/status/1779912868646858779

https://x.com/Dan_Salomone/status/1779911312144846907

https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1779910883159765369

https://x.com/SNYGiants/status/1779886487925899560

https://x.com/DDuggan21/status/1779914505557864730

https://x.com/GiantInsider/status/1779910552304730515


Art Stapleton
@art_stapleton
When the Giants traded for Isaiah Simmons, it was mentioned that Wink had a plan for him.

With Simmons re-signing, Shane Bowen praised his skill set, but was also candid in saying that he did not know yet what role he would play. I took it as, he doesn't want to pigeon-hole him. Wants to get the players on the field, see where everyone fits and go from there.
12:50 PM · Apr 15, 2024
·
https://x.com/art_stapleton/status/1779915144748843226

https://x.com/RalphVacchiano/status/1779917024933605738


Jordan Raanan
@JordanRaanan
Daniel Jones says he fortunately hasn't had any setbacks at all during his rehab for the torn ACL. He insists the neck is not a concern at all. Says that was just a stinger. He's throwing and his goal is to get into some drills as part of his rehab this spring.

Jones expects to be fully cleared for the start of training camp.

https://x.com/SNYGiants/status/1779916791738675611

https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1779917130772717654

https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1779912943238291676



Ryan Dunleavy
@rydunleavy
I see #Giants as needing a CB2. Here's what Shane Bowen wants in CBs (Good answer).

"I want guys that can defend the deep part of the field, play man coverage and guys that are willing to tackle. Measurables are great, but if they are able to get the job done with being a little bit less in some of those measurables, I'm OK with that."