Big Blue Huddle

Thanks Afan, I didn't know where that term had come from.

good memories

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMkN2H1_O3I

We would still be running the message board. 

As you know, we have always tried to recruit and retain the most thoughtful and knowledgeable Giants fans for our forum.  The success of this board has been and always will be because of all of you.  We believe this is the best discussion board about the NY Giants on the internet thanks to your efforts and contribution.   

The purpose of these discussions is to form a collaboration between BBH and Inside football to provide benefits for both.  If this comes to fruition we will be the message board for Inside Football.   We feel this would be a good marriage because the fan base of both seems to be a mirror image of each other.  Pat has a quality premium product that she publishes on a weekly basis to fans just like you.  We provide a discussion group that transcends the average run of the mill sports message board.  Pat herself has said many of her ideas have come from her fans and our board may serve as a resource for new and fresh ideas. 

We realize that we can't get everyone to agree on everything, however we will not proceed with out the blessing of the majority of our membership.  Therefore we are asking you to vote on this and if you vote no, please state the reason why.   

Be assured that we will never allow this board to be out of control, so if you have any reservations about it becoming too big city we don't for see that happening.   Here is a link to her existing message board called the Tailgate Club and here is a link.

http://insidefootball.websitetoolbox.com/

Jim it was great to meet you and your family.  I hope we can do it again next year.

That was a great recap Pagan    As someone who would be a stone's throw from the Giants fancy practice facilities, I am really hoping they continue with their Albany camps.

Reader Dave writes:

Could you address the different wide receiver positions: split end, flanker, and slot? How are their routes different? What makes certain guys suited to one position but not others? What roles do they play in the offense? I have read that in most West Coast offenses everything is designed to funnel balls to the flanker. Why?

First, the terms: a split end is a receiver on the line of scrimmage several yards from the five interior linemen. A flanker is aligned one or two yards off the line of scrimmage and split wide. A slot receiver is aligned between the main formation and another receiver. If he is inside the split end, he is off the line of scrimmage. If he is aligned inside the flanker, he is often (but not always) on the line. A receiver can also be "flexed," placing him on the line of scrimmage and four to six yards wide of the offensive tackle. This is usually a tight end's position, but in modern offenses wide receivers are often flexed. See the figure for some default positions.

Basic Wide Receiver Positions


I use these terms when explaining playbook diagrams, but they are really out of date. The terms are holdovers from T-formation offenses, in which the flanker was often one of the backs who reached the flanker position via presnap motion. Modern offenses use letter names for receivers: X and Z for the starting receivers, Y for the tight end, letters like F, H, or W for third, fourth, or fifth wideouts. Different systems have different preferences. In one system, the X receiver is typically on the left, Z on the right. In others, X is usually on the line of scrimmage, Z off. As offenses become more complex, even those in-system generalities get blurred.

Instead of explaining the difference between an X and a Z receiver, which is nearly impossible, let's go over the advantages and disadvantages of each position. A receiver on the line of scrimmage can release immediately into his route, and he is in good position to block his defender at the line. On the downside, he can be jammed easily. A receiver a yard or two in the backfield has extra space to beat a jam, which is why smaller receivers are often "flankers."

The wider a receiver's split, the more space he has in which to isolate and beat his defender. However, a receiver split wide of the field numbers has little room for running out-routes and other patterns that work the sidelines. Wide spacing also creates longer throws for the quarterback, which can be dangerous. Slot or flex receivers have space to work to the inside or out, can catch shorter, safer passes, and have a better chance of getting mismatched against a linebacker, safety, or nickelback in coverage. On the downside, they are working in tighter space; a slot receiver running a crossing route quickly moves from one defender's zone to another, making it hard for him to get open.

I have heard that old versions of the West Coast Offense funneled plays to the flanker, who was usually the Z receiver in their system. I have seen some WCO playbooks from the 1980s, and one thing that is striking is how often the Z-receiver went in motion. Factor in the motion and the fact that a flanker is hard to jam, and you have the perfect short-pass target from a three-step drop. That's an oversimplification, and I think the Z receiver got so much attention because his name was usually Dwight Clark or Jerry Rice.


http://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2009/walkthrough-camp-adventure

There are a couple of Holiday Inn Express's in Albany. The closest one is in walking distance of the practics fields (or at least my walking distance)

http://www.ericwinston73.com/blog.html

Me 1 for each

http://history.giants.com/page/New+York+Giants+Uniforms

Welcome Cal-G-meister!!!  I hope you enjoy becoming part of our little group.

Thanks Brian, good stuff

Very interesting article about the year the Giants started to turn things around.


http://bigblue101.com/2009/05/1981-a-critical-year-in-giants-history.html

DeAndre Wright

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 198
College: New Mexico
Conference: Mountain West
Hometown: Clinton, MD
High School: Gwynn Park HS



Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 4.59 seconds
Bench Press : 17.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 34.5 inches
Broad Jump : 122.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 7.02 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.44 seconds

Strengths:

DeAndre is a solid and smooth athlete. He has a good size and quick feet. He uses his sound footwork
to break and close quickly and his ball skills to breakup passes surprisingly well. He is an instinctive
player and combined with his quick feet is able to transition out of pedal and close on
passes in front of him fast. Is a solid ball hawking corner that has a nose for the football. Has the
quickness, agility and balance to stick with quick reicevers in tight M/M - Can stay right on WR