Big Blue Huddle

Lance Zierlein article from NFL.com:

QuoteProjected compensatory pick: One in Round 4.

Key free-agent losses: Xavier McKinney (Packers), Saquon Barkley (Eagles), A'Shawn Robinson (Panthers), Tyrod Taylor (Jets), Ben Bredeson (Buccaneers).

Key free-agent additions: Jon Runyan Jr., Devin Singletary, Drew Lock, Jermaine Eluemunor.



McKinney should qualify the Giants for a fourth-round pick, while the other four losses are canceled out by comparable free-agent signings.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-compensatory-pick-projections-for-every-team

It's easier to joke and say he would have taken a long snapper and a punt returner in 2021 but to be serious for a moment, what do you think Dave would have done the last two drafts given his draft patterns historically? Would he have taken Thibs and Neal or trade up a spot for Banks? Would have have taken W'andale or Hyatt? I'm actually curious.

QuoteAppearing on The Wyman and Bob Show, Schneider claimed that the Giants sold Lock on the possibility of winning the starting job over Daniel Jones.

"They basically sold him on the opportunity to compete to be the starter," Schneider said. "And he felt like it was the right opportunity. He looked at Baker Mayfield's opportunity last year and felt that this could be something similar."

The only problem? That never happened.

During his introductory press conference, Lock told reporters that Giants brass made it abundantly clear that Jones would remain the starter and he would serve as the backup.

"Daniel Jones is the starter of this team. That's been conveyed to me," Lock said. "Now, I need to come in and push Daniel to be the best that he can be. That's the role that I played for Geno (Smith), that's the role I played for Teddy (Bridgewater)."



Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that like Lock, the Giants informed Wilson that Jones would remain the starter and there was no guarantee he'd receive significant playing time.

Lock, indeed, was not offered a chance to compete for the starting job, according to a league source. The Giants did sell him on the idea of working with head coach Brian Daboll, who has a quarterback-friendly system that led to Jones' best season in 2022.
There's a pattern here, too. The Giants had an exploratory meeting last week with Russell Wilson, and the team didn't make any promises about playing time, according to league sources. That's been the Giants' approach as they've built toward the 2024 season with Jones as the expected starter.

Despite outside speculation, Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been remarkably transparent about the team's stance on Jones. When he's healthy, he's the starter and their faith in him has not waned.

https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-told-russell-wilson-daniel-110254704.html

This is a compilation of draft prospect visits sorted by prospect. The data was acquired via Charlie Campbell (@draftcampbell) and other media sources.

COM – Combine meeting.

PRI – Private visit. Prospect making an official 30 visit.

New York Giants

Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU (COM)

Jaylan Ford, Outside Linebacker, Texas (COM)

Jaden Hicks, Safety, Washington State (COM)

Adisa Isaac^, Defensive End, Penn State (COM, PRI)

Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina (COM)

J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan (COM)

Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU (COM)

Bo Nix, Quarterback, Oregon (COM)

Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington (COM)

Brenden Rice, Wide Receiver, USC (COM)

https://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetingsByTeam2024.php

Gardner Minshew

"Minshew could make sense as New York's insurance option for the early portion of the 2024 season as Daniel Jones recovers from a torn ACL, with Tyrod Taylor set to hit free agency after sitting on the bench while Tommy Devito started despite clearly being the best quarterback available. Minshew gets to once again start a few games and perhaps fill in if Jones, unfortunately, gets hurt again. There may not be starting jobs available for Minshew after a solid year in Indianapolis, but this is a solid opportunity."

2 Years / $17.5m, $9m guaranteed

D'Andre Swift

"If the Giants elect to move on from Saquon Barkley, they could pivot to another former top draft pick who played in their division the past year. Swift showed growth in 2023, hitting the designed hole and not trying to bounce outside too often -- an area Barkley has similarly improved in over the years -- and offers pass-catching ability, as well."

3 Years / $18.75m, $12m guaranteed

A.J. Dillon

"If the Giants move on from Saquon Barkley, they will need multiple players to fill that void, arguably as many as three backs depending on how they felt about rookie Eric Gray's debut season. Gray is built like a tree trunk and was trusted with some punt return duties because he has solid start-stop ability & acceleration. Here, Dillon is part of a committee and adds speed to replace Matt Breida."

2 Years / $6.5m, $4m guaranteed

Kevin Dotson

"The Giants desperately need to improve the league's worst offensive line from 2023, and while much will be made of the right tackle spot, where 2022 top-10 pick Evan Neal has really struggled, adding a top-end pass protector next to the right tackle could go a long way in stabilizing the right side of the offensive line."

4 Years / $69m, $41.25 guaranteed

Dalton Risner

"The Giants could look to lock down their other guard spot with a good pass-protecting left guard in Risner, who settled in after his late arrival to Minnesota this season."

3 Years / $16.5m, $10m guaranteed

Kyle Dugger

"Dugger received the transition tag, so teams can still sign him to offer sheets in the hope of stealing him away from the Patriots, who may not be so inclined to match a hypothetical deal if it reaches a certain number.

The Giants elected to let Xavier McKinney test free agency, so here they hypothetically add a chess piece who can come down and make plays in the box, with linebacker Bobby Okereke being a solid coverage player and the rest of the safety room serving as more ball-hawking types."

4 Years / $53m, $29m guaranteed

Sean Murphy-Bunting

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in this scenario recruits Murphy-Bunting to follow him from Tennessee, where recent draft picks like 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks started to show a lot of promise to close out the season. Depth is still needed, though."

1 Year / $4m, $3.25m guaranteed

Taylor Rapp

"The Giants could be set to lose safety Xavier McKinney and need potentially several additions. Rapp is a good playmaker down in the box who could pair well with the rangy Jason Pinnock at free safety."

No projection

Azeez Al-Shaair

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was the Titans' defensive coordinator in 2023, and finding a running mate for linebacker Bobby Okereke will be important, tough New York also desperately needs help along the defensive line and in the secondary. Nonetheless, the duo would form one of the better run-defending linebacker tandems in the NFL."

3 Years / $20.25m, $11.5m guaranteed

Tyrel Dodson

"Giants general manager Joe Schoen was a member of the front office that added Dodson as an undrafted free agent in 2019, and he finally got to showcase his skills in 2023 following a bunch of injuries. New Yoek may need to focus it's real spending in the trenches, so the team adds a low-cost, agile backer with familiarity."

1 Year / $3.25m, $2m guaranteed

Zach Cunningham

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen added Cunningham off waivers in 2021 and kept him aboard for 2022. Cunningham is still a very capable run defender who can shed tackles and make plays around the line of scrimmage."

1 Year / $2.75m, $2.25m guaranteed

Bilal Nichols

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has done a lot of great work aiding in the development of defensive linemen, valuing versatile players who bring consistency and effort."

2 Years / $10m, $6.75m guaranteed

Bryce Huff

"Huff adds an immediate impact on money downs for any team willing to pay a bit extra to acquire a premium designated pass rusher, a skill set the Giants need desperately."

3 Years / $50m, $35m guaranteed

Leonard Floyd

"The Gianrs need to add several pieces on the edge for new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, and there is the connection here with general manager Joe Schoen formerly working with the Buffalo Bills."

1 Year / $6m, $6m guaranteed

Denico Autry

"New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen comes over from Tennessee, where Autry just had several of the best seasons of his length career."

1 Year / $7.25m, $7.25m guaranteed

Yannick Ngakoue

"We've mentioned the Giants plenty, but the edge rush talent beyond Kayvon Thibodeaux is virtually non-existent, and New York is likely selecting too early at No. 6 overall to consider taking a defensive player - perhaps after a trade-down, if they go that route."

1 Year / $4m, $4m guaranteed

"Going to New York wouldn't be a bad idea. The QB situation, they're gonna figure it out, especially if they have a caliber receiver coming like me. They're gonna wanna get me the ball so I'm sure they're gonna wanna get a QB that can do that."

https://twitter.com/WBG84/status/1763932797100556790

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1757858426942627991

There aren't DC openings available

https://twitter.com/allbrightnfl/status/1755604632951574767?t=Q6mWmp3eSZGJBIB5ceTvOA

People have said fans and media tend to look at stats, production and success while NFL looks at traits and what they feel translates to the NFL.

Mike Kafka will have assistant head coach duties added to his role as offensive coordinator. Secondary coach Jerome Henderson will also be the defensive passing game coordinator, and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney will take on the additional role of offensive passing game coordinator.

https://twitter.com/art_stapleton/status/1755334817846120760

DC info:

• Shane Bowen, Titan's DC - connected to Giants through GM executive advisor Ryan Cowden. Titan's kept him on as DC right up until announcing the Wilson hire, so there was no second interview. Started as OLB coach.
• Jerome Henderson, Giants DB coach - has had that role with a few teams since 2008. Only noteworthy assistant coach to be kept on by Daboll from previous staff.
• Anthony Campanile, Dolphins' LB coach - he's a true local guy. Grew up in NJ, went to Rutgers, coached at Don Bosco. Then went on to BC, Michigan, and finally Miami.
• Brendan Daly, Chiefs' LB coach - his season is still going of course, so the Giants can still get a second interview if they want up until this Sunday but for the week leading up to the SB (and day after) no more meetings can be made, and no announcements until after the season is over. He's working under Spags now.

Are the other four who have interviewed.

Ejiro Evero - Panthers' DC who they blocked from other DC interviews (did have one HC interview), including the Giants, prior to HC being named but there are questions if they will allow them now.

Potential candidates for Giants' next defensive coordinator

QuoteThe six known defensive coordinator candidates:

Jerome Henderson: The Giants' defensive backs coach would allow them to keep some continuity. Henderson has experience as a pass-game coordinator and consistently develops young talent. The veteran coach already has the respect of some key players.

Dennard Wilson: He's been a player, scout, assistant position coach, position coach and pass-game coordinator. So, he's done it all. Wilson sets standards and enforces them. The Philadelphia Eagles let him walk and their secondary collapsed, while the Ravens' has thrived under his leadership. Just last week, Eagles cornerback Darius Slay admitted they should have hired Wilson as their defensive coordinator. "I thought he would have made a difference," Slay said.

Bobby Babich: The Bills linebacker coach was a pass-game coordinator at FIU before coming to the NFL. He should know what to expect working for Daboll and Schoen, considering their time together in Buffalo. That should alleviate some concerns after what just transpired with Martindale.

Anthony Campanile: The New Jersey native is the linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins. But Miami currently has an opening after Vic Fangio parted ways for the Eagles, and Campanile is believed to be among the frontrunners for that job.

Shane Bowen: He's the most experienced of the candidates to have interviewed with the Giants having spent the past three years as the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator. Bowen is known for his work with edge rushers and running multiple schemes.

Derrick Ansley: He most recently was the interim defensive coordinator for the Chargers. A former defensive backs coach, Ansley has a strong track record working with the back end of a defense.

This is from a recent podcast he was on.

https://twitter.com/TalkinGiants/status/1750629897377071449

https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1750303544295448637

Dan Duggan
@DDuggan21
Yes. Checked on this and he qualifies as a minority candidate (his grandparents are Puerto Rican, according to a
@DarrylSlater
story).
So if the Giants lose Kafka or Brown to a HC/GM job, they'll get a third-round comp pick in 2024 and 2025. If they lose both, they'll get a third-round comp pick in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

https://twitter.com/DDuggan21/status/1750259352487793149

https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/15/the-truth-behind-brian-daboll-wink-martindale-mike-kafka-and-the-giants-drama/

Here's an exert from the article

QuoteJerome Henderson, Giants DB coach

Andre Patterson, Giants DL coach

Leslie Frazier, former Bills DC

Patrick Graham, Raiders DC

Sean Desai, Eagles DC

Matt Patricia, Eagles senior defensive assistant

Eric Washington, Bills assistant head coach/DL coach

Anthony Weaver, Ravens assistant head coach/DL coach

Kris Richard, former co-Saints DC

Ejiro Evero, Panthers DC

https://theathletic.com/5182371/2024/01/08/giants-defensive-coordinator-candidates-wink-martindale/

For DC candidates may include:
Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears head coach (if he gets fired)
Leslie Frazier (worked with Daboll and Schoen in Buffalo)
Marquand Manuel Jets DB's coach (was a coach during the LOB era of the Seahawks)
Brandon Staley, former Chargers Head Coach (very bad Head Coach but as a DC should be really good, think Dan Quinn 2.0)
Joe Whitt Jr, Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator
Aden Durde, Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach

For OC candidates may include:
Ken Dorsey, former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator (Obvious candidate, worked under Daboll so it will be continuity).
Brian Griese, San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach
Jerrod Johnson, Houston Texans quarterbacks coach
Klint Kubiak, San Francisco 49ers passing game specialist
Zac Robinson, Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach

What's the biggest disconnect between the national media and the fans perspective when it comes to your team?

Whether they are more positive or negative despite you thinking the opposite. For me is that while QB play is bad, OL is tiers below the list of problems the media blames for the Giants bad season. The attitude is usually "yeah the OL stinks BUT THE QB...". And I'm not defending Jones, I want a new QB drafted but it seems like the people don't watch games and just blame the QB by default because they already hated him. Also the narrative that "they paid Jones 40 mil and didn't pay their best player", when there were more nuances and factors to went along with that situation rather than the team choosing Jones over Barkley.

Implying DeVito playing better than Daniel Jones with the same OL and WR's people were critical of to start the season. Also that Jones contract shouldn't give Jones the job back automatically. 

https://twitter.com/nightcapshow_/status/1734603767482556485?t=AWJRbZyoisWFNF8kMWOdkQ

In summary, fans overwhelmingly want Daboll and Schoen to return in 2024
 Daboll - 96.2% Yes, 3.4% No,  Schoen - 95.3% Yes, 4.7% No

48% of fans give both a 4/5 level of confidence they can turn things around

Blame for Giants collapse in 2024 due to OL(63%) and QB(12%).

Player who was the source of most frustration this year Neal(59%) and Jones(32%).


77% of fans want Giants to move on from Jones.

Interesting that 45% fans want Barkley to be a lifetime Giant while only 21% of fans want to move on from Barkley. 34% were in favor of franchise tagging him

About 45% of fans want Giants to draft Caleb Williams and 27% want Drake Maye.



82% say OL is the biggest non-QB Giants need this offseason

Whether they are more positive or negative despite you thinking the opposite. For me is that while QB play is bad, OL is tiers below the list of problems the media blames for the Giants bad season. he attitude is usually "yeah the OL stinks BUT THE QB...". And I'm not defending Jones, I want a new QB drafted but it seems like the people don't watch games and just blame the QB by default because they already hated him. Also the narrative that "they paid Jones 40 mil and didn't pay their best player", when there were more nuances and factors to went along with that situation rather than the team choosing Jones over Barkley.

QuoteWant to know why scoring is down? Check out the QB play across the league. Why does it seem there are no great teams this season? QB play.

Why is it hard to fill out a top-five best games of the season list after two months? You guessed it.

Think of it this way: How many quarterbacks are playing better than their expectation this season? That list is very short.

There was a four-year stretch from 2018-21 in which the passer rating across the league was above 90 each season, peaking at 93.6 in 2020. That dipped to 89.1 last season and was 89.3 this season before Monday night's game, in which winning quarterback Justin Herbert had a 65.4 rating. This season's rating could drop well below 89 as injuries pile up and the weather gets worse.

If you watch games each week or are a Jets season-ticket holder, you don't need stats to tell you quarterback play has not been very good.

The bottom end of NFL quarterbacks is not good enough. It's hard enough to find 32 good starters; when teams have to turn to backups it can get really bad. Clayton Tune had 27 passing yards through three quarters for the Cardinals on Sunday. Over a little more than four quarters of game action through his first two games, Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito had just 10 passing yards. Brett Rypien put up a 45.2 passer rating for the Rams. Tyson Bagent threw three interceptions for the Bears. At least Joshua Dobbs was good for the Vikings when pressed into duty Sunday, though he was bad enough for the Cardinals that he was benched and traded.

There was a lot of ugly quarterback play Sunday. Four teams put up six points or less. Not all of that bad play came from overwhelmed backups pressed into action.

Geno Smith hasn't replicated his stellar 2022 season for the Seahawks. Tua Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes were supposed to engage in an epic shootout; both of them finished with less than 200 yards passing, and the Chiefs and Dolphins were each shut out in a half.

Injuries have been an issue. Aaron Rodgers' season was done after four plays for the Jets, and Zach Wilson has been hard to watch. Kirk Cousins is done for the season, as is Daniel Jones. So is exciting rookie Anthony Richardson. Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow have either missed time or been limited due to injuries. Kyler Murray hasn't played yet.

Even the elite quarterbacks haven't been that great. Burrow got off to a rough start, though he's heating up. Josh Allen threw a terrible interception Sunday night and is tied for the NFL lead with nine of them. Mahomes hasn't lived up to his normal standard. Jalen Hurts has been good but not great. These are supposed to be the NFL's must-watch superstars, and none of them is playing as well as he did last season.

McAdoo was the OC of an offense who was above average for 2 seasons and gave Eli 2 of his best statistical seasons, so him being a head coach I didn't see as a negative. Even though the offense struggled in 2016, they still made the playoffs. Things really unraveled in year 2, the team was horrible, the players quit and we went 3-13. It was a radical difference from year 1. .

Joe Judge was a wildcard hire in 2020. Even while going 6-10 everyone praised how hard they played and thought things were in the upswing. Fans for the most part loved Judge, loved his attituded and felt unity with the team. However like 2017, it was a radical changed, everyone now hated the head coach, he looked nothing like he did last year and everyone like McAdoo, wanted him fired. That after signing and drafting supposed new weapons in the offseason to bolster the offense.
 
Now with Daboll, makes the playoffs his first year, wins COTY then in year two, like in coaches past the team collapses. Again after the team acquires weapons in the offseason to bolster the offense. So why is it that when the first year looks promising, year 2 is always a collapse, even when on paper changes were done to improve the team? What happens in the offseason between years 1 and 2?

Not citing some conspiracy that the NFL gave Carter to the Eagles but how teams allowed this ultra promising prospect to fall to one of the best teams in the NFL. People keep citing "character concerns" yet that didn't stop the Eagles from drafting him and making a great team even better. Eagles go to the Super Bowl and they draft Jalen Carter. The Giants have this miserable season and draft Thibs. 

Because no matter how many guys we sign, how many top OL we draft, we can never fix the OL. We only hit one guy, Thomas (Schmidt is trending up there), the rest are full of high draft picks, FA signings and still the line sucks. So what is it, why is it that this team with multiple coaches, tons of attempts to plug holes never get it fixed? Are we just hiring bad coaches that teach the OL? Other teams have competent OL's and they are never filled with all pros and perennial pro bowlers. The Eagles got a 7th round pick looking like a potential all pro, Patriots had Nate Soler looking like a solid starting OL. So is it coaching? Should we fire Johnson and hire a good OL coach?