Big Blue Huddle

I am not so sure the Giants were ever in the mix for a first Round TE.  Unless of course, Howard somehow miraculously fell to them.  The Giants know full well that his Draft is loaded with TEs - so they could go into the 3rd Round and find an instant starter.   I don't think the signing of Marshall or Ellison has anything to do with them drafting a TE.  Tight End is a different position than Wide Receiver.  Ellison was signed to be a blocker.

Quote from: jerseyguy on March 16, 2017, 05:16:59 PM
maybe all we need to do is to draft the people who draft for the Patriots 

If you log onto Draft history.com - you will see that the Pats have been no better and perhaps arguably worse than the Giants when it comes to the Draft.


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Quote from: WheresDayne on March 15, 2017, 01:05:37 PM
I've heard mixed reviews on Ramczyk.  Is he just the best of a poor class or would he fare just as well in an OL stacked draft.

Either way, I'd be fine with this selection, just not doing cartwheels.

Every potential Draftee has mixed reviews Dayne.  Furthermore, Chiefs, Jaguars and Eagles fans were doing cartwheels during the 2013 Draft. OLTs Fisher, Joekel went 1st and 2nd overall, Johnson was selected 4th overall and Warmack and Fluker were taken 10th and 11th overall.  Draft pundits were stating that this Draft was the best for OL they have ever seen in the history of the Draft.  Well ... how did that turn out?  None of these guys have lived up to expectations.  I suppose Fisher has done alright, but he is nothing to write home about.

So I wouldn't put too much stock in this  "poor OL Draft class" stuff especially when the 2013 class was touted as the greatest ever with all of those guys dubbed "can't miss prospects". Ramczyk may very well turn out to be a stud ... or perhaps a dud. 

Quote from: Vette on March 15, 2017, 09:41:12 AM
Does anyone here know for sure what is factored into the grade system the Giants use to grade a player?

The late GM Jr. publication once included a typical scouting sheet used by most.  I tried but couldn't access it. Perhaps Rich has access to something?

Quote from: President Rick on March 14, 2017, 01:53:52 PM
I'd be surprised to see both of the [apparently] two highest rated OT's still to be there at 23.  One OT maybe, but given the dearth of good OT FA prospects this year, unlikely, IMO.  Njoku maybe, but even he's a long shot to be there at 23.  However, with the many solid DE and CB prospects, I could see us going that way and saving OL and TE for rds 2-4.

Perhaps that is the case because teams in need of a left tackle, signed one in Free Agency.  The teams that need a left tackle have been trimmed.

Quote from: MightyGiants on March 14, 2017, 10:31:28 AM
Good draft picks are what makes a the salary cap work for teams.   With the last CBA and the rookie salary cap, the amount paid to draft picks is negligible.  The more draft picks and undrafted free agents you team has filling roster spots the more money you have to retain players and sign other team's free agents.

Bill Belichick has been brilliant in his cap management and his team routinely has more than the usual 7 draft picks.  As a result the Pats were swimming in cap space and could afford to part with a couple of valuable draft picks to acquire proven players.

You could also credit Nick Caserio, Director of Pro Personnel and his staff for the Pats' success.  Bill B coaches the team, but I am sure he does not run the scouting department and the Draft/Free Agency.  It also stands to reason that he does not monitor the salary cap which has turned into a full time position for every team.

Still can't help to wonder how many Super Bowls the Pats would have won without the greatest QB of all time. My guess? Zero

Quote from: MightyGiants on March 11, 2017, 12:27:55 PM
Exactly!

Some will argue you trade down.  Former front office guy and coach is very fond of reminding fans that you trade down when you multiple targets and you don't if you are targeting one player.  It takes only one team that feels like you do, for the trade down to turn into a disaster

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On the money Rich


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If Dawkins is the highest rated player on your Board - and it is time to make your selection- and you have spent considerable time scouting, interviewing and working out Dawkins- then why would you give up the selection?

Moving down is always embraced by fans. But there is a reason why the Giants have not moved down in 10 years and aren't likely to do it this year.


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Just like the Giants taking a big WR to complement their smallish corp, they will also look to take a north/south, downhill RB to pair with Perkins who is their east/west RB.  With Jennings and Williams both gone, there is no run-between-the-tackles back on the team right now. 

This Draft is shaping up to be an offensive one - RB, TE and OLs badly needed right now.  Then there is also the issue of who is playing the 3T if Hankins walks?  Bromley a starter?  Hardly.

Hard to envision that he is on the Giants' Board.  The Giants have made a concerted effort to draft only Boy Scouts in the first three Rounds.  They are willing take flyers on character risks later in the Draft. 

Quote from: UKGiantsFan on March 07, 2017, 04:39:52 PM
What makes you think Engram would be available in R2, especially as late as 55? Before the Combine I had him in my top 35.

As for Hodges let me be kind and describe myself as 'not a fan'. His worst traits are a cross between those of Donnell and Tye...



Hodges, agreed. Engram? Nope. He doesn't need to block like Howard Cross to be effective. He sticks to his guy pretty good. Plenty of film showing that

And suddenly Engram at #23 becomes realistic. Put him Fasano, OBJ & Shepard on the field together and '12' personnel becomes '11' (or vice versa) very swiftly. Mismatches everywhere!!

OK thanks for info Ceri!  I certainly put more credence in your scouting reports than others.

Quote from: MightyGiants on March 07, 2017, 11:45:39 AM
Both of these guys will probably be gone by pick 23.  So you might want to also consider the round two options of

Evan Engram, South Alabama (a UKGiants favorite)

and

Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech

Failing those this old fashioned TE who can block should be available in rounds 3 or 4

Jeremy Sprinkles, Arkansaw

I think you can scratch Sprinkles from the Giants.  He was arrested in 2014 and again during the 2016 Belk Bowl for shoplifting.

Both Engram and Hodges are converted WRs into TEs.  Both of them have limited experience in the blocking department with neither of them having the lower body power base to ever be effective blockers.  My theory is that the Giants have had enough of TEs who cannot block, so I would be surprised if they pulled the trigger on either of those.  But you never know!

A general observation about the Patriots. Let's remember that Bill is the Head Coach only. The Pats have a Scouting Dept and a GM. Yet many fans believe that Bill calls all of the shots when it comes to the Draft and Free Agency. Sure he has input- but can we stop the implication that he does everything on that team including inflating/deflating the footballs?


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We know the Giants love athletes. So I wouldn't be surprised if they had a higher grade on Njoku than Howard.  On the other hand, Howard appeals to a lot of teams because he had a four year career while Njoku only played two years.

One never knows when it comes to the Draft - so it will be interesting what the Giants will do at #23 if one or both of these players are there for the taking.  If either Bolles or Ramczyk are there as well, then what?  You can get a good TE in the 2nd or 3rd while your chances of landing a starting caliber OLT are very slim after Round One.

Quote from: MightyGiants on March 02, 2017, 02:28:41 PM
Seeing how this appears to be the way the Giants intend to "fix" their offensive line issues:

http://draftanalyst.com/combine-report-31-lamp-headed-round-1

Ramczyk is probably not included because he had offseason hip surgery and his medicals will keep him off many Draft Boards and lists such as this.