Big Blue Huddle

Rich's descriptions are quite adequate in characterizing the nature , roles, and responsibilties of those two LB positions. It may also be worth emphasis that the reason the "Mike" linebacker is so often referred to as the Quarterback of the defense is because normally he is the one who receives defensive playcalls from the sideline and relays them to the rest of the team. He has to correctly identify the offensive formation and adjust the defense accordingly. As such, he has to be a pretty savvy guy with more than a little leadership skill. 

As Rich has indicated, the Will LB provides backside support on runs as well as outside contain.  He also is the one most often deployed in coverage especially against backs in the left flat and against WR screens.

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I might, Eli. I sure would be tempted.  But I don't think the Giants will for the reasons I've given.

If McClain is there, I think they'll take him. If not, I suspect that they'll go for a Dlineman (Dan Williams, Derrick Morgan) at 15, a LB at 46, and an Olineman at 76

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Great write-up, Ceri; accurate and well-presented. Spiller is the most explosive RB in the draft by far. I'd love the Giants to have a home run hitter like him, but I doubt that they'll go that route. I don't think they'll feel the "need"

The Giants running game declined last year from top to the middle of the pack, but that was with both RBs playing with injury for most of the season. Both now report feeling great after surgeries. And even with the lesser production from the running game, the Giants offense finished in the top 10 in both yards and scoring. And they really liked Andre Brown before he tore his Achille's in camp, last year. He's reported to be running at full-speed, and feeling good. I think the Giants will go back to their 3 RB: 1a, 1b, 2 rotation as they did before they let Ward go assuming they all are healthy and stay that way.

It was defense that won a Super Bowl in '07 not Tiki- as much as we loved watching him dart for big gainers in the years before. And it was defense which made a mockery of the season just two years later. That's something which Reese & Co. can not allow to happen again. I expect the first three picks to focus on LB and Lines, D and O, not necessarily in that order. I also expect that both Spiller and McClain will be off the board before the Giant pick at 15.

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I don't know why I didn't see it. Here I was watching wide-eyed at the Giants performance tonight, and then suddenly I felt all the air go out of me as if punched in the gut.  I'm heartsick by the news, and by thoughts of his family's agony. May God bless Evan, and give him rest. My deepest sympathy to his loved ones. 

What do you mean by departed and RIP, Rich.  Good Lord!

Around 1989, the League began reducing offseason roster size while also cracking down on the stashing of players on what was by then known as the "developmental squad"- practice squad, today. Players who are declared to be injured either go through PUP status which provides a window of opportunity for a return during the season, or are placed on Injured Reserve and become ineligible to play or practice for the duration of the season. And, of course, players on the ps are not shielded against loss; they can be signed by any other team willing to place them on their regular 53 man roster.

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It may be hard to be certain in advance whether there will be any risk of the BBH standards being compromised, but no one has a greater investment in its future than Rich and his Merry Mods. If they are for it, I'm for it.

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I was an early migrant from BBWC for reasons already mentioned and shared by others. I could not be more satisfied with what we now have in BBH, thanks to Rich and his able associates. Whatever you folks are doing to maintain the guidelines based on the understanding that participation here is not a right but a privilege seems to be working rather well. On that basis, I'm all in favor of an increase in the numbers.

Cheers! 

We all have been made better by the Mary Anns of this world. Sorry for your loss, Brian.

Glen Coffee- not related to Junior Coffee- looks like Ottis Anderson? He runs hard and seems to like contact, but it's not a comparison that would occur to me. Coffee is 2 inches shorter, 20 pounds lighter than OJ Anderson, and is kind of slender below the waist. I can't see him looking quite so powerful against the big bullies in the NFL.  He's one of those guys who might have benefited by staying in school for another year. I hope he doesn't expect to go higher than the 5th/6th Round because he's likely to be disappointed.

Kory Sheets is another back with a 5th Round grade who might go a tad higher because he's has a bit more speed, is an above average pass catcher, and is a bonafide return guy. Ironically, although he catches well, he has had some ball security problems when toting it.


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Excellent summary, Ceri. Better than anything else I've seen.

Folks talk about the draft being a crapshoot, but it also is a game of dominoes. While I wouldn't expect the Giants to draft a RB at 29, if they still have it,  I can see the possibility of them taking one in the 2nd Round, even trying to move higher for someone they really like; perhaps, McCoy or Donald Brown.

Danny Ware would seem to be the wildcard in what they do and when given that they were willing to stash him away on the 53-man last year.

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I can't do any better than that which Rich has provided. I hadn't seen it before.

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I can't fault anything you've said; no surprise in that, Ceri. Personally, I like Mack a bit less than Unger for one single reason. He has atendency to jump staight up with the snap which he will have to correct if he's not to be pushed onto his back, or into his QB by some of those meany NFL NTs. I suspect he will make the adjustment, however.

Both he and Unger likely will be considered good value anywhere from late first to early second.  Both might go in Round 1 to Tennessee at 30 and Pittsburgh at 32, or certainly in Round 2 to teams like Seattle and Cinncinnati at 37 and 38, respectively.

I too prefer Eric Wood for the Giants. They may not have him targeted at 45, but they damn well should at 60. As one wag described it: Eric Wood is a complete center who can play in any style of offensive system. If your team drafts him, consider yourselves smart and lucky because drafting Eric in a round other than the 1st will be like buying your favorite gallon of ice cream on double coupon day at the supermarket.

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I too am curious about how the Giants have Beatty rated, todge.  As I have said in other threads, I have reservations about him.  He clearly has talent, but I don't know that he has the dedication to go with it. He did look better last year than the year before, but he still showed a tendency to forget all about technique and play terribly in some games.

Cheers!

Excellent summary and analysis, Ceri.  I fear that you are right in your estimation that the "top 5" OTs will be off the board before the Giants pick at 29. Indeed, it is entirely possible that the Eagles will use their 21 slot for Britton, and their 28 for a WR, or a RB. With that in mind, I can't convince myself that the Giants's priorities would lead them to trade up as high as it would take. I'm not even convinced that they would take Beatty at 29 over a WR. I don't think a LB with 1st Round value will still be around at 29 unless Matthews or Laurinaitis survive in what yet may be draft day scramble. However, I have just about conceded the Giants top priority to be WR given the need to replace not just Burress, but Amani as well.

If they really like Beatty, I can see them moving further up in Round 2 to get him. Cadogan needs good coaching and effort to improve his technique, but he might be worth one of their 5th Rounders.

Again, very well done- as usual, CD.

Cheers!