Big Blue Huddle

@Ed Vette that was some turnaround.  Prior to the draft you were talking about how excited you were, how this was the most important draft, and even threw in a reference to the multiverse.  Now you seem absolutely crestfallen.


As to the question, I think this team is moving in the right direction.  I appreciate the team lost Barkley and McKinney, but in my mind, it's not about adding good players; it's about adding impact players.  While it's not unreasonable to label both Barkley and McKinney as good, neither really made an impact on the team nor its fortunes.

Now, with the qualifier that this is a speculative thread and question, so we are projecting the play of players, I see the following:

On offense, the Giants added Nabers, who I feel will have a significant positive impact. He will do that by not only giving the quarterback an open target but also adding significant YAC, something this offense hasn't had in quite some time.

I also see players making bigger positive impacts this year than last, including JMS, Hyatt, Robinson, and Daniel Jones (if he stays healthy).

I wouldn't be surprised if Theo Johnson and Tyrone Tracy are year-one contributors.

I don't believe there will be a drop off at RB

At QB, I am concerned about DJ's ability to stay healthy, but I am intrigued as to what Drew Lock can bring to the table.  He always had talent, but from what I hear, he finally "gets it" in terms of what it take to be an NFL QB.

Still, the biggest problem with the offense was the offensive line. I hope that when we look back on next season, we will say the biggest addition to the team was O-line coach Carmen Bricillo.  Adding a bunch of proven veterans to pair with the younger players seems to be a wise move at this point.

On Defense, I don't have any reason to believe that Shane Bowen isn't a competent DC.  The addition of Burns and the day two DBs were nice additions.  There were already some solid contributors with Dex, Thibs, and Okereka.  There is no reason to think the Giants can't field at least a middle-of-the-pack defense with some potential upside.


Coaching is an interesting issue.  I have gone on record that I didn't like how the Giants handled the situation.  Still, if one wants to take the optimistic view, Daboll's staff should at least all be on the same page and follow Daboll's vision for how the team should be run.  That has the potential to make things much better for the team.

So all-in-all I am cautiously optimistic

the direction is headed the right way. stacking up the defense, which is always a good thing. good young pass rushers, elite dt, solid MLB, secondary gaining depth- gotta hope a couple of the young guys turn out to be something.

Receiver core is looking good the next few years

o line has a lot of young guys, you gotta figure at least a couple of them will shake out. we got thomas and JMS penciled in for the next half decade. gotta find some permanent solutions on the rest of the line.

qb is still a HUGE question mark. can jones finally turn the corner with better supporting cast? until this question is answered, the "direction" looks to be exactly the same.

Three of the four teams in the division at least have a plan.

I think the Eagles' roster has gotten better, especially turning the defensive backfield from liability into arguably a strength.

I like that the Giants didn't panic after a lost season, and continued to build a promising young roster. 

I much prefer what Washington did in the draft to what they did in free agency, which looked like the football equivalent of a nostalgia tour.

It seems obvious that Dallas simply does not know how to manage the salary cap.  They've demonstrated stunning ineptitude since the end of the season.  How do you end up capped out with arguably your three least replaceable players in line for new contracts?  Even a normal rash of injuries, which every team has to some extent, will doom them this year.

Interesting draft. seems like we got at least 2 day 1 starters in nabers and nubin. phillips seems to be a well regarded player who can instantly be the lead slot guy, and probably can move into the #2 spot across from banks.

Ex-CLU-sive footage of Zeke getting in shape for the season:

https://www.tiktok.com/@bigskinnyshow/video/7118092287304895786?lang=en

McGinn's series with quotes from NFL scouts has always been a favorite of mine.  With so much stuff posted during the draft, these often get buried.   I just finished rereading all of them, and I found them to be enjoyable exercises.

2. MALIK NABERS, Louisiana State (6-0, 199, 4.44, 1): Third-year junior. "He's that all-around, well-polished, freakishly athletic individual," said one scout. "His traits just jump off the tape at you." His pro day workout included a 42-inch vertical jump and 10-9 broad jump. "I absolutely love watching Malik Nabers," a second scout said. "He's not your typical size for an 'X' but he has the speed, the separation, routes and hands. Where he separates himself is run after catch. That's what makes him such an exciting player. CeeDee Lamb is a little bit bigger; Nabers is more sudden and (has) better top-end speed." A third scout graded him on a par with Justin Jefferson, another LSU product. "He's powerful, he's explosive and he can win at every level of route running, which makes him special as a high-floor player," a fourth scout said. "He can run after the catch. He can run intermediate routes. He can track the deep ball." Started 30 of 38 games. Finished with 189 catches for 3,003 (15.9) and 21 TDs. "He's not Harrison," a fifth scout said. "If you see that just ignore it. He's more of the D.J. Moore kind of player. Thick running back build. He's a good player, a really good player. I don't think he has elite ball skills." From Youngsville, La. "He is what he is right now," said a sixth scout. "He's topped out. Against the Alabama corners his production all came against zone coverage over the middle. When he was manned up he struggled. But he has straight dog in him once he catches the ball."

1. TYLER NUBIN, Minnesota (6-1, 205, 4.61, 2-3): High-school corner moved to safety once he reached the Twin Cities. "They played him (in the box) but if you watch him covering on special teams you know he can play in space," one scout said. "He is a special-teams demon. Nubin gives you more than (Kamren) Kinchens because he could be that big nickel. He plays with a physical mindset. He's better than Kinchens in natural tight end matchups in man coverage or as a general slot guy. He's got great ball skills, too. For a guy you don't see going backwards very often he's always around the ball." Ran an unexpectedly slow 40. "That hurt him," a second scout said. "Instincts are his thing. He's quick to trigger. Better in zone than man. Physical around the line of scrimmage. Little tight in his backpedal but uses his size well to play physical and doesn't give up separation much. Struggles to open his hips and change direction, but nothing crazy. Can track (the deep ball). Looks to lay a hit. I think he should have come out last year but I still think he's a pretty good football player. Yes, he'll be a starter. I would say second round but he would have been a first-rounder last year." Just 10 reps on the bench press. "He doesn't have great range but he can do the interchangeable stuff," a third scout said. "He'll be a good teams player. He's had production on the ball." Started 43 of 55 games, finishing with 207 tackles (4 ½ for loss), 13 picks and 24 passes defensed. From St. Charles, Ill.

10. ANDRU PHILLIPS, Kentucky (5-10 ½, 192, 4.48, 3): Fourth-year junior with a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-3 broad jump. "He's excellent," one scout said. "His movement skills, his toughness, his awareness and production ... to me, this guy's a slam-dunk starter. He can play inside and outside – probably better in the slot. He's so fluid. You'd be good with him as your No. 2 corner moving forward." Started 16 of 38 games over four seasons. "He has a compact build," a second scout said. "More of a nickel. Not the greatest speed. Quicker than he is fast. Kind of a mid-range cover guy than deep." Finished with 82 tackles (three for loss), no picks and 10 passes defensed. "He's a little bit under the radar but a pretty good player," a third scout said. From Mauldin, S.C.

4. THEO JOHNSON, Penn State (6-6, 261, 4.62, 3-4): Helped himself at the combine with a solid 40, a 39 ½-inch vertical jump and a position-best short shuttle of 4.19. "I'd rather take a shot on him than Sanders," one scout said. "He's on the upside. He's got assertiveness with his blocking but he's not consistent with his blocking. He can make hard, adjusting catches but he can't run after the catch. He doesn't make people miss in space." Started 29 of 45 games over four years, finishing with 77 receptions for 938 (12.2) and 12 TDs. "He's a little bit intriguing," said another scout. "He's a big guy. He's fast. He'll give you effort as a blocker. He's much improved in that area. He's got ball skills. He's a really clunky mover, a really unnatural route runner. He's Canadian, so he's raw. I thought he might go back to school. If somebody really wants one they might take him in the third but I don't think he's worth that." From Windsor, Ontario.

12. TYRONE TRACY, Purdue (5-11, 209, 4.48, 4-5): Started 16 of his 38 games as a wide receiver at Iowa from 2018-'21. Had 36 receptions in 2019. Team captain in '21. Transferred to Purdue in 2022 and was a backup wideout before moving to running back last year and flourishing. "Love him," one scout said. "Change of pace guy. Did really well in his first year really playing running back." Posted 113 of his career total of 146 rushes in 2023 when he led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.4). Finished with 947 (6.5) and 10 TDs to go with 113 receptions. "Kind of new to the position so he's feeling it out," a second scout said. "His vision keeps him alive. Like a No. 3 running back who contributes on special teams. Not a powerful back but he's grown into that body and stays on his feet and fights for extra yardage. Has enough speed to get outside. Struggled in pass pro." His 3-cone time of 6.81 led the position. From Indianapolis.

Quote from: Ed Vette on Today at 07:23:39 AMOnce Maye was off the table, I think Alt was the guy. Although I don't think they ever had serious intentions of trading the farm for Maye.

That would have ruined the draft for me. As much as I want to have the offensive line fixed, I think we have enough pieces already to see a significant improvement. It would have been putting all the eggs in the same basket.

I would have been much more optimistic going forward if a QB was there for the future. As it is now, Giant fans are in limbo on that very important aspect of team building. I've repeatedly said that 2024 should not be looked at as anything but a bridge to the future. But without the QB of the future, we have to bump that down the road a year or two.

Quote from: Ed Vette on Today at 07:20:48 AMThe ones in the best situations would be Williams but the Bears have been following finding ways to hurt themselves. Let's see how his projection will perform.

Daniels but Washington is a hapless organization who also kill themselves and their QBs. They had RG3 and Cousins. Somehow they will find a way to wind up with Sam Hartman as their starting QB.

Nix is in a good place with one of the all time best Head Coaches who will build a program around Nix. This might be the best opportunity.

McCarthy is also surrounded by outstanding talent. But another team that has never quite put it together.

Maye and Penix? I feel sad for them.

Penix got royally screwed. It's too bad. I think he would have done very well with the Vikings or Denver. I have no idea what the Pats are putting together in terms of coaching staffs. I do know the team is as bad as Carolina, so the situation will be similar for Maye as it was for Young. 

Where's the "waiting for a QB" option?