Big Blue Huddle

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
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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."

Art Stapleton
@art_stapleton
The first phase of NFL's voluntary  offseason program runs for two weeks and is limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.

For the #NYGiants, this is the first step ushering in the second Aaron Wellman era with Frank Piraino coming aboard as the team's new director of strength and conditioning.
8:41 AM · Apr 15, 2024
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https://x.com/art_stapleton/status/1779852430655541481

Certainly makes offseason attendance easier.

Dan Duggan
@DDuggan21
Giants offseason program starts today. This stage is voluntary, but the Giants put a heavy emphasis on attendance through workout bonuses. Half the teams don't really use workout bonuses, but 27 Giants have them, ranging from $20K to $500K. Giants typically require players to attend 84% of the entire offseason program and 100% of OTAs/minicamp to earn the bonuses. Full list of workout bonuses:



https://x.com/DDuggan21/status/1779853972485877836

https://x.com/arjunmenon100/status/1779513439024504880

Super Bowl champion Shaun O'Hara takes a ride with passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson,

I am talking round one, but feel free to expand on the question.

What do you see as the best-case (realistic) and worst-case (realistic) scenarios on how the draft plays out in round one for the Giants?