Big Blue Huddle

Earlier this week, current Cleveland Browns o-line coach Bob Wylie broke down the details and assignments within traditional 7-man protections, and the differences between

Bob Wylie, current Cleveland Browns o-line coach, and a veteran of 40 years on football sidelines, explains the details and assignments within traditional 7-man protections.  He also dives into the differences between

Always an interesting read

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000785722/article/mike-mayocks-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings?campaign=tw-cf-sf56140990-sf56140990

Pretty much every offseason discussion involving the roster, free agency, salary cap and the draft should start with the Giants actual 2017 roster.  Yet, I am never able to find a depth chart or roster that reflects the real current Giants roster.  So I have created one for our group that shows the current Giants roster prior to free agency and the draft.  I have included exclusive rights and restricted free agents in the depth chart even though they technically are not on the roster because the Giants can acquire all the exclusive rights guys cheap and the two restricted rights I am thinking will be tendered.  I did make a notation of those players though so that it's easier to spot them.


Pos   No.   Player 1   No   Player 2   No   Player 3   No   Player 4   No   Player 5

OFFENSE

LWR   13   Beckham Jr., Odell 14/1   82   Lewis, Roger CF16   86   Powe, Darius Fut/WR  Jalen Williams               
RWR     15   Brandon Marshall   17   Harris, Dwayne U/Dal    83   Norwood, Kevin Fut/WR   Rob Wheelwright            
WR   87   Shepard, Sterling 16/2   12     King, Tavarres SF15   Travis Rudolph  Keeon Johnson            
LT   74   Flowers, Ereck 15/1      Michael Bowie   Chad Wheeler            
LG   67   Pugh, Justin 13/1   69   60  Gettis, Adam   Jessamen Dunker    Sam Ekwonike            
C   70   Richburg, Weston 14/2   69   Jones, Brett SF15    C Khaled Holmes                  
RG    77      John Jerry         75   Halapio, Jon Fut/OG      Martin Wallace    Armando Bonheur           
RT   76   DJ Fluker     68   Hart, Bobby 15/7  66   Adam Bisnowaty            
TE     85     Rhett Ellison    88  Evan Engram   45   Tye, Will CF15  89   Adams, Jerell 16/6   81   LaCosse, Matt   Colin Thompson      
QB   10   Manning, Eli T/SD  8   QB Josh Johnson     3   Geno Smith  5  Davis Webb   
FB    Shane Smith                     
RB   28   Perkins, Paul 16/5  44  Wayne Gallman   26   Darkwa, Orleans P/Mia   Shaun Draughn     48   Huesman, Jacob Fut/RB      34   Vereen, Shane   Daryl Virgies


DEFENSE

LDE   90    JPP   72   Wynn, Kerry CF14   78   Okwara, Romeo CF16    71   Maponga, Stansly Fut/DE            
LDT   98   Harrison, Damon SF16   96   Bromley, Jay 14/3   Jarron Jones            
RDT    94  Dalvin Tomlinson   99   Thomas, Robert W/Car   79   Williams, Jordan Fut/DT   Josh Banks               
RDE   54   Vernon, Olivier U/Mia   58   Odighizuwa, Owamagbe 15/3    91   Avery Moss   Evan Schwan      
SLB   59   Kennard, Devon 14/5      61   Williams, Ishaq CF16  44   Mark Herzlich    Curtis Grant            
MLB   93   Goodson, BJ 16/4   57  Keenan Robinson   55   Thomas, JT    Calvin Munson            
WLB   52   Casillas, Jonathan U/NE   44   Skinner, Deontae SF16            
LCB   41   Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique U/Den   24   Apple, Eli 16/1      Valentino Blake          
SS   21   Collins, Landon 15/2   29   Berhe, Nat 14/5      FUT   36   Murphy, Ryan Fut/FS              
FS   27   Thompson, Darian   33   Adams, Andrew CF16   37   Pinkins, Eric SF16   22   Thompson, Mykkele    Rahim Moore   Jadar Johnson   
RCB   20   Jenkins, Janoris U/LA    39   Hunter, Michael Fut/CB   38   Deayon, Donte Fut/CB  Nigel Tribune

      
SPECIAL TEAMS

P   9   Wing, Brad T/Pit                        
PK     Aldrick Rosas                         
LS   51   Zak DeOssie                     
H   9   Wing, Brad T/Pit                        
PR   17   Harris, Dwayne U/Dal       13   Beckham Jr., Odell 14/1   87   Shepard, Sterling 16/2      
KR   17   Harris, Dwayne U/Dal        87   Shepard, Sterling 16/2   


restricted free agent- *player* Wynn was tendered with the lowest offer ($1.7 million).  If a team makes him an offer the Giants don't match they get nothing

In case you are wondering who is missing:

Giants Unrestricted Free Agents

QB Ryan Nassib
QB Josh Johnson
RB Bobby Rainey
TE Larry Donnell
OT Will Beatty
OT/OG Marshall Newhouse
OG John Jerry
DE Jason Pierre-Paul
DT Johnathan Hankins
LB Keenan Robinson
LB Kelvin Sheppard
LB Mark Herzlich
CB/S Leon Hall
CB Trevin Wade
CB Coty Sensabaugh
PK Robbie Gould
LS Zak DeOssie

Players the team may cut (with their cap savings)

Victor Cruz-  $7,500,000
Shane Vereen-  $3,750,000
JT Thomas- $3,000,000
Rashad Jennings- $2,500,000
Dwayne Harris-    $1,400,000  (would have a big $2,400,000 cap hit if cut)


The depth chart I used as the base for updating and editting
i

http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/NYG

This topic has been moved to Big Blue Huddle.

http://giantsfans.net/message_board/index.php?topic=39071.0

BBH's own former college official (his name is Al by the way) does an in-depth look at the NFL rule changes this season.  Al also has connections with NFL officials which allows him more insights.  We are going to try something different this season.  We are going to leave the thread unlocked for people to ask questions.  Now I know refs are not popular with many fans.  We at BBH as you keep the questions and comments respectful.   

A LOOK AT THE NFL OFFICIATING CHANGES

by BayAreaGiants (Al)


It is almost time to play football again and time to take a look at some of the changes that have (or haven't) been made related to NFL officiating during the off season.

NFL Front Office Changes

Despite the assumptions of some and the claims of many, the discipline (i.e., fines and suspensions) that is handed down weekly to NFL players is not the work of Roger Goodell but a committee within the NFL office previously headed by Merton Hanks, the ex-49er and reporting to Troy Vincent, Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Both Hanks and Vincent, as well as the other members of the committee are ex-players.

Hanks left his position with the NFL during the offseason and the league has announced that Jon Runyan has been appointed to a newly created position of vice president of policy and rules administration. Among his duties, Runyan will serve as the executive in charge of on-field discipline

This topic has been moved to Big Blue Huddle.

http://giantsfans.net/message_board/index.php?topic=38003.0

There is a disturbing trend where there is less and less respect shown to fellow posters here at BBH.  Respect is more than refraining name calling.

Respect is showing respect for a poster's opinions and ideas

Respect is showing respect for a poster's knowledge and/or experience

Respect is showing respect for a poster even if they are younger or been a fan for a shorter time

Respect is disagreeing with someone in a respectful manner

Respect is showing respect for your fellow posters by not making the same points over and over and over and over again

Respect is most tested in how you treat those you don't agree with.   It's easy to respect someone you agree with, the challenge is when you don't

Some would even argue that respect on a message board devoted to Giants fans is showing respect for the team and all those associated with that team even if you don't think they are doing a good job

Respect is key part of the foundation of civility and good conversation.   Civility is what BBH is built on.  Those that fail to pay heed to this post may find themselves on the wrong side of those who enforce the board's rules.   

I requested civility immediately after the loss and that request seems to have fallen on deaf ears for some.  If posters will ignore that and this post, then moderators will take action to ensure there is respect and civility. 

These are the new posting guide lines to ensure that BBH maintains the core values I have posted at the end of the guidelines.   Please be advised if you do not follow the guidelines you will be subject to progressive disciplinary actions.  Losing fans from the board is never a good thing but a disruptive poster can often cost more as good people quietly leave.   So please pay heed to these guidelines

1)  CIVILITY-  Insults or insulting comments directed at other board members is not acceptable behavior.   Please conduct yourself like a gentleman or gentlewoman (which ever applies)

2)  THESE LOOP HOLES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE

A)  Insult a person's idea is no more acceptable than insulting the person directly.  Laughing at or mocking another member's position is not acceptable behavior

B) Making the target general will also be an unacceptable loophole.  Going after people here at BBH but not naming names is still unacceptable behavior

3)  This is a PG 13 board and so please use content and language that is appropriate

4)  Please be mindful that the board automatically sends out to our 7000+ social media followers the title of all new posts on the main board with a link back.  So please use good titles and if you posting a non-football topic please use put "NFT" (no quotes) in the title.  This will prevent the post from being broadcast and will let people know it's a topic that doesn't involve football

5)  It is not OK to retaliate or engage in cyber vigilante justice.   If you have an issue with a post please use the report post feature of if you have an issue with a poster please PM a moderator or admin.  So if you feel that someone insulted you or someone is disruptive notify the moderation team, that's their job to handle such things in a fair and impartial manner.

Common Courtesy, these are not rules per say but general guidelines on how to be a considerate poster to your fellow fans here on BBH

1)  Check to see that you are not posting a duplicate thread before starting a new one.   While we can merge threads, it's always nice to check first

2)  When referring to a member of the Giants organization please refrain from name calling.  It may surprise some to know that this board is filled with Giants fans and many of them don't enjoy hearing their favorite team insulted even by fellow fans.  It's OK to criticize the team but stay away from hyperbole (exaggeration)

3)  No one likes repetition.  If you have a point to make make it and move on or discuss it if fellow fans are interested.   A great way to annoy your fellow fans is to make the same basic point over and over again on all sorts of different topics.   Slight variations of the point doesn't make this practice anymore welcome

4) We are a big cyberfamily here.  So be considerate to your fellow Giants fans.   We all suffer the same ups and downs

5) Try not to side track a thread.  If you find yourself getting to off topic, consider starting a new thread.   Odds are some may find the new topic interesting and will not know to look and others who were talking about the original topic may annoyed that the thread changed to a topic different from the one they wanted to talk about.

6)  BBH is known for intelligent conversation.  So try and support opinions you make with reasons and facts.  Remember the whole difference between fact, opinion and belief.


Thank you and enjoy


BBH CORE VALUES

1)  Respect and Civility-  We should always been respectful and civil to one another.  We tell people they should join here because this is a site where you can be expected to be treated fairly and with respect

2)  We invite intelligent and well reasoned discussion-   There are plenty of places for over the top comments and wild arguments.  We have a board here for smart, mature and good conversation.   We want to talk football, Xs and Os, players and coaches and the like.  It's not about who you think sucks or who is worthless.  You can feel that someone isn't cutting it, but express it in a smart and respectful manner.  You can say Coughlin isn't getting the job done and explain why you feel that way.  Calling him a senile old man that needs to be fired isn't the sort of conversation BBH was created for.

3)  We are more than just a message board.   This is like a cyber family.  Many are friends here off the board and if that's not your thing that's fine to.  The idea is that we are supportive of one another.  Here you talk to people not just some disposable screen name or Twitter Handle.   We are all people here that try to support one another and from time to time we have gatherings for people to meet.

4)  BBH is you the members.  We the moderator team have the responsibility to keep order and make sure people don't hurt the board or disrupt things but in the end a message board is just a bunch of computer files, what makes this a great place and what this place really is, is all of you the people that post and share your thoughts and participate. 

I have a feeling this could be a topic of conversation come training camp as the Giants try to set their WR lineup.  Just listened to Ross Tucker's Podcast where Greg Cosell, an NFL analyst and a senior producer at NFL Films, discussed the difference between the WR positions.  You can listen to it here (It's RTFP #60 starting starting at 14:25):

http://podcastone.com/Ross-Tucker-Football-Podcast

From my own research over the years I could describe the positions like this:

X Receiver or Split End-  This is usually a team's number one WR.  He is usually tethered to the line of scrimmage and lined up on the weakside (the side without the TE) of the formation.  There are two things about that position.  Because he can't move (he is a LOS guy) and he is right on that line he frequently faces press coverage.  That means he needs to be strong enough or have the quickness and body control to beat that press coverage.   Defenses will also tend to play M2M coverage on him.  So if he can consistently beat M2M coverage he gives your offense a real edge as teams will need to roll a safety to his side to assist. 

The Z receiver or Flanker-  This guy has to line up off the LOS (otherwise the TE is not an eligible receiver) on the strongside of the formation.  As a result of lining off the line he can go in motion and he has room to try and beat press coverage.  As a result this receiver can be a smaller receiver and often the routes he runs will be ones that set up yards after the catch situations.  He will often work combo routes so being a smarter receiver is an asset.  A Z can really enjoy a lot of receptions if the team has good X receiver that demands the defense's attention.  This position will often be called on to do more run blocking. 

The Slot receiver or H receiver-  This receiver lines up inside off the line of scrimmage and can go in motion.  Often the receiver will run his route based on coverage and the route run by other receivers.  So football smarts is key.  The slot guy needs to be able to find the weakness of the defensive coverage.  Most slot receivers tend to be on the smaller size as they rarely will face press coverage and usually don't run routes where size will help (although there are notable exceptions).  Again yards after the catch is often an important part of this receiver's abilities. 

When you look at the Giants receiving corps:

Victor Cruz-  Has shown to be a solid slot WR and good as a Z receiver.   Not an X receiver by any stretch of the imagination

Ruben Randle-  Has the size to be an X receiver.  I don't think he has shown the ability to consistently beat man coverage though.

Odell Beckham-  He is your prototypical Z receiver.  Has great YAC ability and the speed to stretch the field in route combinations.  He would also most likely do well in the slot position.   The interesting thing is he was drafted with people assuming he would replace Nicks (who played the X position).  I am not sure at Beckham's size he will have the ability to consistently beat press coverage.  That will be something to watch in camp and in PS games as it could go a long way to how the Giants use their WRs.   After all of Beckham could play the X then Cruz can go Z and JJ could come in and play slot (his prefered position)

I think Manningham is pretty much just a Z receiver.    I think Julian Talley is a backup X or Z guy. 

New York Giants

Not often something free, like membership here at BBH can bring so much good.   Here are some of the things BBH membership brings:

Access to football savvy Giants fans on the internet.  Got a question about a player, coach, scheme or play this is the place to ask.

Friendships!  BBH, if you want, goes beyond the internet.  Make new friends with big time Giants fans.   So many good friendships have came from being a member of BBH.   BBH has a diverse group of members through the country and world.   

Participate in the most interesting and lively discussions about Giants football and football in general.

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All features are smart phone and tablet friendly (the forum does require the purchase of Tapatalk for a minor cost)

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Have your voice heard:   BBH is always growing it's social media presence.   We have nearly 2900 Twitter followers and 400+ likes of our Facebook page.   All new topics are sent out to that growing group of followers.  We have players and Giants media people among our followers.   So comments here at BBH has an impact beyond our web pages.

A chance to post on a very friendly website, where insults and verbal abuse are not what you will dealing with.  It's all about Giants talk in a smart and friendly environment. 

Registration does require approval but that's just an extra security measure to keep out spammers, all Giants fans are welcome!

Join Today!  It's Free!

Also be sure to check out the new and improve Giantsfans.net front page

and a link to a good article

http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/09000d5d80ecd9a3/article/what-does-the-combine-data-mean-depends-on-your-position

If you are going to attend camp, please post what days you will be there


Me-  Will be watching practices starting Thursday August 2nd and Leaving after practice on Monday August 6th.

More from the Billick Chalktalk 101 Series at Mother's Grille in Federal Hill in Baltimore brought to you by Coors Light & Toyota Live Web.

Billick Chalktalk 101: Breaking down the 'Prevent Defense'

New York Giants All Time Team

I love his Xs and Os series:

QuoteThe two route concepts we consistently see in the NFL to target the top of Cover 2 (or Tampa 2) are Flat-7 and 4 Verticals. Today, let

Former Seahawk starting QB Marcus Trufant is moving inside and talks about the adjustment

QuoteTrufant

Billick Chalktalk: When a QB can identify man or zone he wins

WNST.net owner and former Super Bowl winning coach of the Baltimore Ravens Brian Billick talks Chalktalk with local NFL fans at Mother's Federal Hill Grille.

Pat Kirwan does a really good job explaining this

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/19195136/inside-triangle-key-to-every-teams-1st-and-2nddown-success-on-d

Nice Xs and Os article

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Breaking-down-the-basics-of-the-Dagger-route.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Al Blozis

Sport: Football

Born: January 5, 1919

Died: January 21, 1945

Town: Garfield, New Jersey

Albert Charles Blozis was born January 5, 1919 in Garfield. After his family moved to Hudson County, Al attended Dickinson High School in Jersey City. He was the star of the track team, using his 6

If you were going to start a team which running back would you take?

Frank Gifford?  3609 YDS Rushing, 34 TD Rushing, 5434 YDS Receiving, 43 TD Receiving

Joe Morris?  5,585 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 50 TD 960 YDS Receiving 2 TD Receiving

Rodney Hampton? 6,897 YDS, 3.8 AVG, 49 TD 1309 YDS Receiving 2 TD Receiving

Ottis Anderson? 10,273 YDS, 4.0 AVG, 81 TD 3062 YDS Receiving 5 TD Receiving

Tiki Barder? 10,449 YDS, 4.7 AVG, 55 TD 5183 YDS Receiving 12 TD Receiving

Brandon Jacobs?  4849 YRDS, 4.5 AVG 56 TD 730 YDS Receiving  4 TD Receiving

First published in 2007

I grew up in Syracuse.  I am 51 years old.  Syracuse University sports was a big part of my life.  My Dad was a guy who was hard to know.  He had problems communicating with his two sons because of a fractured childhood that was filled with serious illness and dislocation.  But he could get through to my brother and me with sports.  It was natural then that we all became intense fans.

I grew up in Syracuse.  I am 51 years old.  Syracuse University sports was a big part of my life.  My Dad was a guy who was hard to know.  He had problems communicating with his two sons because of a fractured childhood that was filled with serious illness and dislocation.  But he could get through to my brother and me with sports.  It was natural then that we all became intense fans.

My earliest memories of attending sporting events are from 1963.  The last game that the Nationals played in Syracuse before they moved to Philadelphia and became the 76ers.  Technically, that's not correct.  There was an interim agreement in place that had the Sixers play a couple of regular season games in Syracuse.  That lasted for about 4 years, as I recall.  Yankee Stadium against the Chisox in August.  And then the Giants in the fall.

As far as rooting for the Orange, the sustained memories begin in 1966.  This was the season of the Floyd Little-Larry Csonka tamden at RB and FB, respectively.  That season culminated in a loss to Tennessee in the Gator Bowl on December 31, 1966.  The team's determination to run the football during that era was simply consistent with how the game was being played throughout the country.  Little rushed for 216 yards in the game.  Csonka added another 114.  But still the Orange lost.  They were continually jammed up inside the Vols' ten yardline.  The wingback on that club was #49.  He hailed from Waterloo, N.Y., just west of Syracuse.  He was Tom Coughlin.

Wingback was kind of the pre-historic flanker.  Although it was beginning to be phased out of the lexicon of collegiate football, it was still in use when the great Art Monk played on Piety Hill.  This position required incredible toughness.  Because the fullback frequently carried the football, the wingback's role was primarily as a blocker.  He also caught the occasional pass.

Coughlin played it with exceptional toughness and courage.  As a kid watching him play, I couldn't help but be impressed with him.  He wasn't fast nor big nor strong but he had sure hands and he was willing to drop his headgear into the chest of defenders who outweighed him by 70 pounds.

The coach of Syracuse was the legendary Ben Schwartzwalder. He was the eastern collegiate version of Woody Hayes.  A captain in the army, he had particpated in the invasion of Normandy with the 507th Paratroop Infrantry.  He was awarded a Silver Star for leading his men on a mission to take the LaFiere Bridge after the disastrous consequences of their jump.  Aerial maps had failed to show the extent of the water in the marshes in the drop zone.  Plus the Germans had flooded them.  This harrowing event is well chronicled in the Youman brothers' excellent book on Syracuse's 1959 National Championship team.  Excellent read.  I suggest you do.  Anyway,  many guys drowned in four-feet of water as they got snagged and pulled down by the weight of their equipment.  And most of the radios were lost.  The situation was an absolute nightmare.  From this, Schwartzwalder engineered victory, which is all that you ever need to know both about the man and his abiltities.

As a change up to his brutally effective, straight charging running game, in which the quarterback was also frequently a ball carrier, Coach loved the "scissors" play or "cross buck," which ended up being a hand-off to the wingback.  It was his favorite call.  Properly run, it had the effect of suckering the interior defenders in the 5-2 front, which was the prominent defense of the day. Sometimes the play broke open completely.  I used to watch Coughlin churn through there, kneecaps up, helmet down, offering the would-be tackler nothing soft to hit into.

Little left after 66.  Csonka became the marquee option in 1967. He gained 1127 yards on 261 carries that season.  Coughlin, operating  from half back, chipped in with 256 yards on 42 carries, while setting what was at the time the school record for receptions in a season. He caught 26 for 257, numbers that you would sneeze at today.  But at the time watching the ball being thrown was like viewing the game from another dimension.

That team finished 8-2.  It wasn't selected for a Bowl game.  There weren't many of those around back then.  In fact it would be the best record that a Syracuse team would compile until the 87 team, which went 11-0-1 under Dick MacPherson. We didn't realize it at the time, but the program was beginning a long descent into darkness.

By this time, once venerable Archbold Stadium was falling apart. Literally.  I had a friend who would go on to being a tri-captain on his university's lacrosse program who worked with a construction company on a summer job to prop up Old Archy.  He told me that they found rotting timbers underneath the corner sections of each end zone.  It wasn't out of the range of the possible that large chunks of concrete might have given way during a game, to who knows how much ensuing carnage.  The stadium had opened in 1907. Once considered a pinnacle stadium in the US, it was now crumbling so badly that not even a walk atop the famous arch overlooking Irving Avenue gave much relief.

There was no moral ambiguity with Coach Ben.  Coughlin was a perfect player for him.  Although he played in the sixties, Coughlin was actually from the fifties.  Neither man was consumed by his times.  Schwartzwalder's best years ended with Coughlin.  He had to face the ultimate irony when most of the African-American players on his team in a future season would stage a boycott over the lack of black assistants on his coaching staff.  Ironic in the sense that the school's prestigious football reputation had been built largely by giving African American stars like Jim Brown scholarships in the fifties.  Consider that in the deep south, Alabama's first black player was Wibur Jackson; I think in 1970.

Also Ben had to coach through the tumult centered around the Vietnam protests.  I remember attending a game between Syracuse and Kansas in the early autumn of 1970.  The Jayhawks featured the Riggins brothers.  Junior and his soon-to-be NFL, and ultimately Hall of Fame, bound, brother John.  The game was pretty much a blow out.  Kansas won 31-14.  But what I remember is seeing the oval around the field being ringed by National Guardsman on horseback.  I didn't notice any flare ups inside the stadium.  However when I walked up to the arch, I saw some students engaged in flag burning on Irving.  There were vitriolic speeches being delivered by student leaders by bullhorn.  It must have been difficult for Ben to keep the program together in those days.  Anitquated facilities, black unrest, anti-war demonstrations.  But he was able to at least keep his head above water for awhile.  That season ended with the destruction of the Miami Hurricanes at Archbold, which allowed him to fashion a winning 6-4 season.

Coughlin stayed on as a graduate assistant.  Then he took a job as the head coach at RIT.  He would return to Syracuse as an offensive coordinator for Frank Maloney.  I always kept track of his coaching career.  When Maloney announced that he wasn't returning following the 79 seaon, I signed a petition addressed to the school's athletic director to consider hiring Coughlin as the head coach.  He didn't.  As I recall, Coughlin interviewed, but the job would ultimately go to Dick MacPherson, whose tenure saw a the university's return to national prominence.  Always an anomaly when you consider Syracuse as a football school.  It remains the third-smallest to play Division I football.

For Coughlin it was onto the NFL, first with the Eagles and Packers as an assistant coach, and then joining Parcells and the Giants in 88. He was the receivers coach on the Super Bowl winning 1990 team.  He was regarded as a rising star in the coaching ranks.

That 90 staff was comprised, in part, by Bill Belichick, Romeo Crennel, Al Groh and Charlie Wies, who began his first season in the NFL after leading Franklin Township High School to the 89 state championship.  The point I am trying to make here is that if you have an opening and you decide on Ray Handley, when everybody in the organization was aware for quite sometime that the current guy was seriously entertaining doubts of leaving, then place the blame for what was to follow at the doorstep of the correct person.

Coughin returned to the collegiate ranks, this time as head coach at Boston College, where it only took him two years to breath life into a program that had lapsed into a state of decay under Jack Bicknell, who seemingly lost interest at Chestnut Hill once Doug Flutie graduated.  Coughlin used that job as a stepping-stone to land him where he always wanted to be, which was as a head coach in the NFL, with the start up Jacksonville Jaguars.  He found early success there, in part aided by favorable league rules regarding the formulation of the salary cap for the two expansion franchises.  But unlike Carolina, he chose to play mainly young players.  Ultimately he paid the price for salary-cap manipulations that he and his cap guru engineered. The team's ownership didn't have the deep pockets of Dan Snyder. They were unable to continually restructure contracts the way Washington does.  Coughlin was told that he was going to have to bite the bullet.  Play young guys.  Suffer through the ensuing years of rebuilding.  He did, and ultimately he lost his job.

I mentioned earlier that I think that he's from the fifties.  People will jump on the fact that the description isn't necessarily a good thing, or at least, in the whole not all good, and I recognize that.  But I remembered something that he said after fellow Cuse alumnus, and current Giant player, David Tyree was busted for having a brick of grass in his car, when he was stopped by police authorities.  Coughlin when asked about the situation remarked, "He ruined the family's good name."  Reading this, I was floored.  I hadn't heard somebody speak like that in years.  Certainly not from a guy like Jim Fassel, the previous coach, whom although I greatly admired as a football mind, became increasingly frustrated about because I considered him to be a relativist who told people what they wanted to hear, and wouldn't embrace the tougher and less desirable duties of his job.

Shame still exists in the world of Tom Coughlin.  So does honor and commitment, and a sense that you should be grateful to have the opportunity to play in what he considers to be the greatest professional league in the world.  He can't fathom how it could be otherwise.  And I am sure that the kid from Waterloo, who had followed every directive of the paratrooper Captain when he was playing his college ball, was similarly bewildered when his star player conducted a weekly critique of his coaching style and methods last season.  An ingrate whose best years were played under the same coaching tutelage that he was routinely trashing.  A felow whose fumbles had been becoming the punchline for the various sports networks before the current coach arrived on the scene.

But this is 2007, not 1966.  It hasn't gone as I thought it would.  At least, not yet.  Many Giants fans consider Coughlin to be an anachronism, or at least a coach whose style is more in tune with dealing with college players.  I submit that the only difference between his style and Belichick's are the Super Bowl rings.  Had he won, he'd be getting the same treatment as the anointed Little Bill.

With Coughlin there is no keeping married women on the side.  He's a daily communicant in a faith that he has lived while many of us have sadly faded from the same Truths.  He has the support of a strong, loving family, one of whom plays for him.  He'll need it because he's under siege from hostile elements in the capricious, arbitrary press, who, make no mistake on this, hate him for as much what he is as how he runs his football team.  Remember the mob line? "Nothing personal, just business."  It's all personal with these clowns.  As men, they aren't fit to wipe Coughlin's rear-end.

Ultimately, as my board guru Kat constantly reminds me, all he must do is win.  And I acknowledge that fact.  Nothing I wrote is meant to exculpate Coughlin should the losses mount.  Rather I look at his remaining time with the Giants as sort of a last, best chance for my type of guy to enjoy success.

With the inevitable pendulum swing of policy change, I fully recognize that the next guy will undoubtedly display goo goo qualities that will endear him to the masses.  A people person.  We are in the final days of the Bob Knights, the Tom Coughlins.  When they're gone from the coaching landscape people of a certain age will mourn their absence.  There will always be excellent candidates--true. Especially with the gob that these guys are making now.  It just won't be the same.

Therefore, I hope Tom's run lasts as long as possible.  With great success.  If it doesn't, it doesn't.  The struggle in the good fight is always worth it.  I will remain a fan.

1973 wk 9 Cowboys at Giants

1. Do not overstate the power of your argument. One

UK Giant's write up

Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) is 6', 206lb

It's amazing the facts one can learn when you talk to a person rather than listen to people talk about a person.  In this case Gruden shows how Newton was in a very simplistic college system:

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When asked about favorite players people tend to list the stars.  However most hard core fans have a few favorites that never reached the level of stardom but their hard work, effort and character make them personal favorites.   Who would make your list?