Big Blue Huddle

Kind of a soft slate, any games you might be looking forward to?

I think Tulane could beat Oklahoma, South Carolina could beat LSU, and  Florida has a chance over Texas AM if Lagway plays.

Haven't really talked about it before but for the past 2+ years I was mostly in the hospital with cancer, a leg infection and other things when i was in California. I was there for an eternity but got out, got married, and my wife got pregnant we moved back to Mississippi. She got really sick in June and stayed at the hospital a couple weeks but then got out. She then went into labor on the 19th of June and we went to the hospital but before admitting her to the hospital or a Dr even seeing her they made us pay in full for what they thought the pregnancy would cost which was around $11,000. Like at the door before she could be seen. I'm not that fluid but did what I had to do. My daughter wasn't supposed to be born until Sept 1st, she came June 20th, which was scary but because we didn't have NICU insurance they only kept my daughter for a few weeks which was mind blowing. It took a lot out of my wife as even when she got home she's been on bed rest and I've virtually been taking care of both since we got home so I'm unable to work, or really do basic things. Turn to a week ago and my daughter is wheezing a little so I get concerned, take her to the hospital and she's doing better but now needs a procedure and they want me to pay most of it upfront, is that legal?

I was just curious because I have never heard of paying upfront at a hospital for anything besides maybe an elective procedure that you might have scheduled with a Dr not at the hospital. I mean as a husband and father I did what I had to do initially at birth but it just being the 3 of us I'm bouncing between the hospital and house to take care of both with no end in sight and I'm not sure how anyone could afford to continue to pay up front for non elective procedures and then just hope an insurance may cover it half a year later. Especially with just the basic costs associated with a child, or even a family in 2024.

I tried to speak to the Dr and what I was told was that what they were asking for weren't grand amounts and that they were easily attainable price points. That they have to target people they know will pay to make up for the 1,000s that don't. I was like I can't afford it, I'm trying to keep a family afloat not working trying to get by until my wife gets on her feet and I can go back to my job. His response, well you paid the first time.

Maybe I'm blowing it out of proportion, maybe I'm not, kind of a vulnerable subject, but it has really dumbfounded me, and was just curious if we had any drs that may give me better insight into why or how this happens. I've now paid them multiple times for things and can't afford to continue on at the rate I have.

With only a week or so until college football what are you most looking forward to?

Some major storylines:

Expanded SEC and Big10 With no divisions moving forward.

12 team playoff including auto-bids

Preseason top 10
Georgia
Ohio State
Oregon
Texas
Alabama
Ole Miss
Notre Dame
Penn State
Michigan
Florida State

Feels like Alabama is up there on name recognition alone, that and they felt bad for FSU and have them in the top 10 as a consolation prize.

This seems like the year we find out if portal teams are here to stay or not. Ole miss has the best skills and offense in the country from the portal and revamped their entire D via top guys in the portal. Ohio St has done virtually a similar route to retool. Does this new model that focuses less on the more traditional Georgia's and Alabamas that just sign 5stars and develop them from high school.

Which Qbs turn into that dude? Any Qbs that come out of nowhere? Guy you are looking at the most?

Is Deion all talk?

Do the pac12 teams that moved to the big10 or Texas/Oklahoma lose more now that they don't have a walking cupcake schedule?

Should a 11-1 group of 5 team like liberty make the playoffs over a battle tested 10-2 LSU/Texas AM?

Missing the ACC, BIG10, or SEC championship game is actually a luxury now. Say Texas(3), Georgia(1), and Ole Miss(6) all lose 1 game. The 1 game Ole miss loses is to Georgia, so its Georgia v Texas in the SEC championship game while Ole miss would likely be ranked 5-7th have that week off and then get a home game in the playoffs against the 11th/12th seed which would likely be liberty or a winnable game straight to the semi finals. So who would want to play I'm a conference championship game going forward?

Underrated teams? Overated teams? Players to watch for? I could go on and on, so much anticipation.

Just curious if anyone here knows anything about coins? I found a handful of 1914-1918 wheat pennies and other coins in individual cases.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-analyst-calls-giants-sneaky-second-place-team-with-one-major-caveat/ar-BB1oFE5c

This NFL Analyst thinks the Giants could be a really sneaky 2nd place team in the NFC East. His whole thought process is that the Giants bench Jones and Lock leads the way to a few quality wins.


If you ignore the qb aspect, how do you think the division shakes out this season?

https://gmenhq.com/posts/another-former-new-york-giants-ol-turning-heads-elsewhere-sick-joke-01j0bq6ks165

Ben Bredeson is turning heads at Tampas Camp, he is standing out to all the right people.

Hernandez goes away and does well
Feliciano goes away and does well
Bredeson goes away and does well

Multiple of our UDFA Olinemen leave team and are starting and playing well for other teams.

The only lineman in recent time that left the Giants and played badly was Gates, besides that every lineman that has left got leaps and bounds better??

Each day I am going to go position by position with the best college guys to watch for during the upcoming college football season.

Because the Qb position is so polarizing let's get it out the way.

QB
https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-10-quarterbacks-to-know-ahead-of-the-2025-nfl-draft

From PFF
CARSON BECK, GEORGIA
Beck isn't the kind of slam-dunk prospect Caleb Williams was last summer, but he should still be seen as the early QB1 favorite ahead of 2025. He's a signal-caller with precise accuracy and timing, placing in the top five of the FBS in both adjusted completion rate and average time to throw. His 91.5 overall grade ranked fourth among all quarterbacks in the country last season.

SHEDEUER SANDERS, COLORADO
Sanders is an advanced processor who earned the country's third-best clean pocket passing grade (92.9) this past season. The only two who posted better marks were the first two picks in 2024: Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.

Sanders kept the ball out of harm's way, too, as his 1.6% turnover-worthy play rate ranked fourth among all FBS signal-callers.

JAXSON DART, OLE MISS
Dart took a major leap from his sophomore to junior year, improving his passing grade by more than 13 points (75.2 in 2022 to 88.7 in 2023). A major reason for that jump was the significant stride he made when forced outside of the pocket. In 2022, he posted just a 42.8 passing grade outside the pocket, 111th among FBS quarterbacks. Dart improved that mark to 74.6 this past season, 15th in the nation.

Overall, his 91.2 grade was tied for sixth among all signal-callers in the country. The question will be how much he was elevated in Lane Kiffin's RPO/play-action-heavy offense. He should be one of the top Heisman contenders next year and could launch up draft boards.

CONNER WEIGMAN, TEXAS A&M
Weigman got off to a rapid start to his sophomore season, earning a 91.9 grade through the first four games. Unfortunately, that's all we saw from the former five-star recruit, as he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 4.

The Aggies passer has a good arm but an inconsistent follow-through right now. If he can build off the few games we saw in 2023, he can be a dark-horse QB1 candidate next April.

My take
Expect these to be your top 4 next April assuming Weigman comes in and builds off last year. I left Milroe, Ewers, Ward, Aller, and Gabriel off because they are behind these guys for one reason or another. Ward could really be the one to launch up from this group depending on what he does at Miami but the rest have serious problems with parts of their game. Dart has the best weapons in college football, so he could be my Heisman front runner right now. Sanders has "it" even though we can't see it at all times because Colorado' oline was in shambles. That and Georgia Qbs scaring most national analyst because they are so hard to predict at the next level similar to Ohio St Qbs and you have a wide open qb class for the 2025 draft class.

Next up Rbs:

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-safety-rankings-top-32-2024-nfl-season

List is really interesting considering the 3 former Giants that are on it. Two of which walked on cheap deals and the other was one of the top graded safeties in the league.

No current Giant is on the list.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-top-triple-threat-receivers-amon-ra-st-brown-puka-nacua

I found this a fascinating read. I was a huge backer of Wandale Robinson since he was drafted and he can be absolutely lethal.

"Receivers can win in several ways, each with its own set of challenges. Some receivers run masterful routes to create separation, while others use leverage and play strength to win on contested throws or eat up chunk yardage with the ball in their hands.

Doing just one of these at a high level takes incredible skill, but maximizing each approach is a key indicator for potential production. Just six receivers exceeded the threshold in each facet in 2023.

These are the NFL's triple-threat receivers, ranking above the 60th percentile in yards after the catch per reception, contested catch rate and separation rate."

Wandale Robinson placed 5th among all the Wrs in the league. Showing the talent that the staff saw when they drafted him. Now pairing him with Hyatt, and Nabors should make it electric for the Qb.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-linebacker-rankings-top-32-2024-nfl-season

10. BOBBY OKEREKE, NEW YORK GIANTS
A career-high 78.9 PFF grade highlighted the best season of Okereke's career, his first with the Giants. The 2019 third-round draft pick ranked ninth at the position with an 82.5 PFF coverage grade, and he was one of the surest tacklers in the league, missing just 7.7% of his attempts

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-explosive-plays-and-re-thinking-offensive-success

Amazing read if you are into analytics and a real thought provoking read as we see how Daboll has built this offense.

Every position now has a piece capable of an explosive play whether its Nabers, Wan Dale, Slayton, Waller, and Singletary.

Singletary finished 13th in explosives last season despite less opportunities.

We have been horrible at EPA, Explosives, and Big time throws.

In Buffalo Daboll had Allen reaching tops in Explosives, BTTR, and EPA. You add that context to the team we've built, and you can tell he's laying a foundation.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings-all-32-starters-2024-nfl-season

PFFs 7 tier rankings of the 32 Qbs projected to start for their team.

TIER 7: THE HOLDOVERS

29. DANIEL JONES, NEW YORK GIANTS
Jones was the third-ranked quarterback in PFF grade on his own team last year — behind Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito. Jones played in just six games in 2023 and was basically either elite or one of the worst-graded quarterbacks in a given week, with no in-between.

He is a good athlete whose rushing production and ability to escape the pocket have always been a big part of his game. But in four of his five years with the Giants, he has finished with more turnover-worthy plays than big-time throws. His average depth of target has also been low over the past three seasons.

Bottom 3rd
22 Russell Wilson
23 Deshaun Watson
24 Anthony Richardson
25 Bryce Young
26 Jacoby Brissett
27 Jayden Daniels
28 Will Levis
30 Aidan O'Connell
31 Sam Darnold
32 Jared Stidham

In Division:
6 Dak Prescott
9 Jalen Hurts
27 Jayden Daniels

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-wide-receiver-rankings-top-32-ahead-of-the-2024-nfl-season


25. MALIK NABERS, NEW YORK GIANTS
The second rookie to appear on this list, Malik Nabers brings an exceptional explosive threat to the table. He is extremely fast, sudden as a route runner, and is a big play waiting to happen from the slot or out wide. He gives Daniel Jones the best receiver he has had to throw to thus far in the NFL.

Other Rookies
Harrison Jr 21
Odunze 29

Other Wrs in the Division
CeeDee Lamb 4
AJ Brown rank 5
Devonta Smith 16
Terry Mclaurin 18

I was watching some of the podcasts and heated and this was mentioned a few times.

Take the Qb out of it, no matter if it's Jones, Lock, or Devito will Nabers produce regardless of the Qb?

How much?

OROY?

Garrett Wilson went for 1042 yards despite having no one to throw him the ball. So is Nabers that talented that he'll get production no matter what?

The only 2 things holding me back from saying yes is the fact that our offense lacks the deep/intermediate routes that help production and that it seems like no matter what Slayton does his production is always capped at 700 and our 2nd wr at 500.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-top-25-players-under-25-2024-nfl-season-sauce-gardner-cj-stroud

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/5/20/24160656/4-things-to-watch-during-new-york-giants-otas

What are you looking for?

Anything in particular you want to see?

For me I want them to immediately find 5 guys on the line and give them time to gel

Interested in who is getting reps behind Singletary

Who is getting reps at the wr spots

And how the back 7 is going to shake out

Giants made a move securing Nathan Rourke after the patriots released him Monday.

Rourke was the CFL mvp in 2022 and spent the 2023 season on the Jaguars.

He threw for 3,349 yards 25 tds and 10 int in 2022 for the Canadian team. He's only 25 years old and played college football at Ohio.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/amp/giants_add_former_cfl_star_quarterback_to_roster/s1_15032_40336894

Who Starts? As the roster stands today before we have any camp cuts or additional signings there are several spots up for grabs. I'm going to list the open positions as I see them and tell you who I project to start, could be a dark horse candidate, or maybe the answer is not on the roster currently.

Who do you have currently?

1. CB2- I actually have Flott starting here over McCloud, Robinson, Hawkins, and Phillips.

2. Slot- Currently I have Phillips as my starter in the slot with Belton as the heavy nickel and Mills as the 4th corner in dime packages.

3. Safety- I have Pinnock locked into the FS spot and Nubin penciled in as the SS with Belton being the 3rd while backing up Nubin and Owens backing up Pinnock. I think Mills floats which is why I don't have him listed here.

4. MLB2- Isaiah Simmons, I think our DC finally places Simmons in a starting role with Muassu technically being behind him and McFadden behind Bobby OK

5. LDE- I have Dex and RNR starting, I have Riley taking snaps at LDE until we sign someone to compete with Davidson and Phillips rotating with the 3. I expect 2 signings here.

6. WR lineup- To start the season I don't have Nabers in the starting lineup. I have Slayton X, Wandale slot, Hyatt Z, and McKenzie as the top 4. Daboll has brought every Wr he's drafted in slow and made them earn time. I think that us your top 4 with Nabers taking reps at every position slowly getting sprinkled in.

RB2- We have Singletary, he's the defacto but number 2 is wide open. One of the backs is going to show out in preseason and be that guy and my guess is Miller with Tracy as number 3. I think Gray got in the dog house last season and until he gets out I have to choose someone else.

TE- I am acting like Waller isn't coming back so I am taking Theo Johnson over Bellinger. My reasoning for that is them drafting Bellinger and then after his solid rookie year the trade for Waller, then the next year sign 2 TEs and draft another one. Obviously they don't like what they got with Bellinger and so if Theo shows a spark I look for him to get the nod over Bellinger.

Who do you have? Any darkhorses? Any players you see taking the next step?

For reference I didn't touch the Oline as I see it as Thomas, Runyan, JMS, Elemeunor, Neal until I see otherwise so there's not much to discuss.

9 spots to fill, who you got?

https://youtu.be/dMMLisoAMJA?si=KF_UBHw7GCtc7AQJ

Had to post this because BBI was referenced as the source for a message thread from an insider for ChatSports Giants and thought it was funny.

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/3/20/24106961/nfl-free-agency-giants-retain-cb-darnay-holmes-on-one-year-deal

I have no idea why, as he graded out as one of the worst corners in football in 2022.

https://youtube.com/shorts/zsLcp6KlIu0?si=5guzgtFE0rRQIT3Q

Pff Grade By Year
2023 68
2022 61.9
2021 65.7
2020 74.3
2019 76.4
2018 61

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/3/18/24103885/does-the-very-buffalo-ish-approach-work-ny-giants-joe-schoen-bills-brandon-beane

Really great conversation about the Buffalo model.

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/3/15/24102299/nfl-free-agency-news-giants-agree-to-terms-with-guard-aaron-stinnie-news

Aaron Stinnie spent the past 3 years with the bucs with "716 snaps at left guard per Pro Football Focus. He gave up 29 total pressure in pass protection last year (2 sacks, 2 hits, 25 hurries), as well as committing four penalties, on 442 pass blocking reps."

Austin Schlottmann depth guy having played "449 snaps at right guard, 512 at center, and 90 at left guard for Denver and Minnesota."

Per BBV

Following the combine multiple sources have come out and said the Giants were done with Jones.

https://youtu.be/8I3Y62CMNzU?si=y731UvMnWG0TIS9A

I know everyone wants the Giants to fix the offensive line, but be prepared for some restructures and cuts in order to do so.

Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence restructures get us an additional 25 million.

Darren Waller PreJune(6.5) post(11 millon)

Glowinski 5 million

That gets us 65 or 71 million in cap space, coupled with our draft picks we could really fix this team if done correctly

We've done a lot on JJ Mccarthy but there are 4 top Qbs in the draft and the other Qb to most likely make it to us is Jayden Daniels.

The 6'4 210lb Gunslinger had a legendary season that won him the Heisman Trophy, Daniels completed 236 of 327 attempts (72.2%) for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Meanwhile, on the ground, he rushed for 1,134 yards.

He Led the nation in total offense (412.2), points responsible for per game (25.2), passer rating (208.0), yards per pass attempt (11.7), rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134), and yards per play (10.71) His 208.0 passer rating is the highest in FBS history.

Per LSU Athletics

Thoughts on him as a prospect? Any advanced metrics you might find or see as we go through the process and any strengths or weaknesses.

https://www.giants.com/news/nfl-draft-order-2024-mock-draft-free-agency-combine-malik-nabers-rome-odunze-joe-alt-jared-verse

By far the top 3 mocked to the Giants are Odunze, Nabers, and Daniels

Bowers gets 3-4
Joe Alt gets 2
Fuaga gets 1
Harrison Jr gets 1
Verse gets 1