Big Blue Huddle

With the Giants effectively out of the playoffs, who would you like to see make the Super Bowl and win it all?

Merry Christmas!

May you and yours enjoy happy and safe holidays

One of my rules of life-  good deals don't go out of their way to find you

Jan. 1 — Rose Bowl (CFP semifinal): Alabama vs. Michigan

Player to watch: J.J. McCarthy, QB (9), Michigan (6-3, 202)
The third-year college QB has yet to commit to returning or entering the draft. He can't even commit to legally ordering a beer, as he doesn't turn 21 until Jan. 20. But the film does not lie, and his skill set might challenge for the best in this year's QB class, even perhaps with Caleb Williams. If he has a highlight playoff performance against the greatest college coach and the Crimson Tide defense, it might just change the landscape at the top of the NFL Draft. And, yes, I'm talking about the very top. McCarthy has the size, athletic ability and arm to go with accuracy, backing up his 74.2 percent completion rate this year with career marks of 46 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. If his intangibles check out, and I have no reason to think they won't, his ability to get the ball out from the pocket and on the run will give NFL decision-makers something to really consider as to whether he's a legit franchise QB. Because he is only three years removed from high school, many in NFL circles have not studied his film yet. The offense is basic, but a positive national TV exposure in college playoff games would send GMs and offensive coaches to the film room. The drop-dead date for underclassmen to declare is Jan 15.

https://theathletic.com/5153092/2023/12/21/nfl-draft-prospects-college-bowls-jj-mccarthy/

https://x.com/giantinsider/status/1738657844424024494?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

https://x.com/caplannfl/status/1738672793632276611?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on December 22, 2023, 01:10:28 PMI don't think the Giants are zeroing in on a QB in the draft. Maye has great potential, but I'm sure either the Patriots or Bears, or even the Commanders if they draft ahead of us, have every intention of landing him (or Williams). Regardless, even if we were to draft Maye, he'd be a year or two away from taking over the helm and it just doesn't seem realistic that the Giants are throwing in the towel on Jones. Then again, I have been wrong so many times while trying to devine what the Giants are thinking, that the only thing I really know...is that I haven't a clue

I think that if a Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, or JJ McCarthy was still available when they are on the clock in the second round, they could go that direction. It all depends on Schoen and Daboll's analysis of the QBs and their feelings on DJ. Sadly (for us, but good for fans hostile towards the Giants), it is something that we'll never know until after the fact. There will be so many red herrings thrown out (leaked) to the media that fans will be chasing rumors down a rabbit hole...and I'm likely to be one of them

When the dust settles, I have to believe we're in good hands with our staff doing their research on prospects, and have to believe they'll do what's in the best interest for the future of the Giants

Ric,

My issue with Jones is the injury issues.  You know how I feel about injury-prone players and between DJ's overall injury history along with those very troubling neck injuries, I don't know how you can count on him to stay healthy moving forward.

Is there a QB prospect you would want the Giants to draft (assuming they are in the 6-8 range)?

what troubles me is that clearly hamstrings have been an issue this season.  Yet here is what Joe Schoen said over the break

QuoteQ: Regarding injuries, you mentioned that's been a problem. I know you guys looked at that in the offseason. What takeaways did you have, are there still things that you can do, and have you identified things that maybe you can do? It might be too late now, but have you kind of said, 'Hey, we've got to change this up for next year?'

A: We're going to continue to evaluate that. I wish it was one specific injury. It just hasn't been a consistent. If you could look and say, 'Man, we have seven guys that have the same injury,' you could really do a deep dive on what do we need to do to improve what we're doing in that area, but there hasn't been a consistent, other than we've been injured often. I have a lot of confidence in our training staff and (Head Athletic Trainer) Ronnie Barnes and our strength staff with (Director of Strength and Conditioning Craig) Fitz(gerald).

We're going to continue to look under every rock for any competitive advantage we can get from sports science, training, strength and conditioning, whatever it may be because it is, it's hard to go in and compete week in and week out if you don't have your best players. One of the guys was telling me the other day, going into the season, if you told me (tight end Darren) Waller, (tackle) Andrew Thomas, Saquon and Daniel would play less than 40 plays together, I wouldn't have been real excited about that, and that's the reality of how it played out.

The first part is clear (Joe is ignoring the hamstring issue.

The second part involves unjustified blind faith.  Joe, you have zero medical background, so you need to recognize that you need to base your faith on RESULTS, not the bullshite they feed you.

Quote from: TONKA56 on December 22, 2023, 11:34:41 AMThe biggest problem I see with Neal right now is that he appears to be mentally breaking down in the face of adversity, much like Flowers did before him. Getting snarky with the press is never a good sign when a player is struggling on the field.

I am assuming a new O-line coach.  The new coach will hopefully be able to reach Neal.  If that fails, I have already laid out the alternative.

I think the team needs to target a high-end swing tackle.  Should Evan Neal fail to prove he is a starter, he could be made the swing tackle and the swing tackle would be the starter.

Quote from: kartanoman on December 22, 2023, 07:51:36 AMGood morning, Rich @MightyGiants .

Do you believe that there has been an uptick for the Giants in Hamstring and lower body injuries, in general, for the Giants this year? Do you think it might be possible due to the new turf being hard on the players?

This year reminds me of the Titans' decision to do away with their grass field because they believed it was hard on their players' joints. I haven't really heard much from them this year whether making the change helped them or not.

There was pay website out there that tracks a key safety metric "Lost Man-Games Due to Injury" (www.mangameslost.com, appears to be down as of this morning)
which, from the samples they sometimes shared with the public, appeared to analyze the types of injuries by team and I've thought about buying a subscription before, but it was a little pricey for my tastes as I wouldn't use it much apart from a couple of times a season.

But it is clear that the Jets and Giants have list Quarterbacks on the new turf, opposing teams have incurred injured players on it and it appears it will get a failing grade from the NFL Players' Union despite the three choices which were presented to the two home teams. So, is it back to the drawing board again or will the NJSEA, the Jets and Giants try to divert attention away from the new turf being labeled a mistake?

Whomever does the analysis of every injury incurred on the new turf this year, its severity by lost man games and compare it with the other playing surfaces around the league should tell the story.

My recollection of injuries, especially those of opposing teams, tell me the turf may be even more dangerous than the previous one.

Peace!

There was recently a discussion (I think the Jones VS Lawerence thread) about reality and perception.   The reality is they replaced the turf this past offseason, and the players even had input.  The new surface is considered one of the best artificial surfaces available.  Yet, athletes (not aware of the change) are still complaining about the surface based solely on reputation. 

As for hamstring injuries, I did a bit of research.  The reality is the hamstring and its function while sprinting is far more complex than I think most people realize.   As a result, scientists and doctors are still trying to learn exactly what happens to a hamstring (they have a basic idea but the details are still elusive) during sprinting.   Without fully understanding that, finding the best ways of reducing hamstring injuries is pretty much a crap shoot. 

I think, based on the evidence we have seen this season with the Giants, the approach they are taking to prevent hamstring injuries needs to be changed.   As to exactly what needs to change, that needs to be answered by people with the proper education and experience.

Quote from: President Rick on December 21, 2023, 05:02:29 PMis  Bullock  fully recovered?  Do we have a kicker, or backup for either PK or punter?

https://x.com/mysportsupdate/status/1737951408593223960?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

https://x.com/dduggan21/status/1737892574717718872?s=46&t=1vcQIN8GqF5J2oLdxEVEJQ

GIANTS INJURY REPORT

DNP:
TE Lawrence Cager (Groin)
DL Dexter Lawrence (Hamstring)
S Xavier McKinney (Illness)
T Evan Neal (Ankle)
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Knee)

Limited:
RB Matt Breida (Hamstring)
LB Carter Coughlin (Neck)
P Jamie Gillan (Left Groin)
DL A'Shawn Robinson (Back)

Quote from: Ed Vette on December 21, 2023, 12:25:29 PMHis fortune could come down to something as simple as film review to exploit a weakness in the Eagles or something he picks up on himself. His goal should be to become a starter and if he runs the table in a seemingly impossible situation, it goes a long way to writing his own ticket. A ten year career or a flash in the pan with some chump change. His star dropped from 12 to 6 in New Orleans. The Italian gig has already fizzled out.

I think that would be sound advice that Tommy should hear