Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: UKGiantsFan on April 21, 2015, 08:15:44 AM

Quote from: DesG89 on April 21, 2015, 06:50:39 AM
Good read as always Ceri. Just like cam Erving in the guard review we're on the same wavelength regarding Preston Smith. He's on my wish list but I have this nagging feeling he'll be taken late in the 1st considering the lack of tradition 4-3 DEs in the draft this year. Is it safe to assume from their absences that you don't think much of Za'darius Smith and Anthony Chikillo?

I also think Smith will be gone. It's one very big reason why I favour going DE first. DE's aren't going to last long as their aren't many of them. Their will be good OL's still available at #40.

As far as Za'darius Smith and Chickillo go, I'm not of the opinion that either will be a starter or that they'll upgrade our pass rush. We have depth, what we're missing is a second two-way player or a speedy outside pass rush specialist.

I count over 40 guys being projected as first round or possible first round picks.  I am thinking some of these guys will fall to round two.   I am thinking either Smith or OO or both will be their at 40. 

Quote from: Philosophers on April 20, 2015, 10:47:25 AM
We are completely in sync on Preston Smith as I have said the past month or so how much I think he's Justin Tuck 2.0.  I think he is the absolute prototype for the Giants.

I will be very very very happy if the Giants go O-line round one and come back in round two with either Preston Smith or OO.   That would be such a great 1-2 punch for this team

Great report Ceri!   Of course you know I was going to say something about Owagume Odighizuwa.   I think you are putting him in the wrong category.   He's too short to really be 3-4 DE.   He would be an ideal LDE in a 4-3 though.   I want him and if the team gets him I know we would all be happy.  He would improve the run defense and give the generally less athletic RTs fits.

Quote from: dasher on April 19, 2015, 02:30:40 PM
Here's my fearsome pick for round 5
Sean Hickey OT projected to OG
Why?
2 reasons - We LOVE Syracuse and team captains.

Wouldn't shock me Dale

Good work Ceri!     None of these guys really excite me as a pick at 9.  If one were to slip to the second round of the questionable fit list, they might be worth a pick.   The small school prospects are intriguing and one of them would be a nice day 3 pick.

Quote from: Jaime on April 15, 2015, 09:03:05 PM
What happened to dah much ballyhooed Arik Armstead?

Maybe he was off shooting hoops   

Quote from: UKGiantsFan on April 12, 2015, 05:17:53 AM

Quote from: DesG89 on April 11, 2015, 08:17:41 PM
Schwartz being signed last year is what makes me believe Pugh stays at RT. If the plan is to get bigger and more physical inside then that's not Pugh's game. He needs to stay outside where his athleticism and technique can be put to better use. I said it 2 years ago when I first saw him play and I'll say it again here. I look at Pugh I see a more athletic version of Doug Riesenberg. Not the biggest or strongest but a rock solid OT

I'm gonna get splinters in my ass if I sit any more on the fence on this one 

I'm not sure whether the plan is to replicate the 20007/11 line with a pulling LG and powerful RT or create a new version with athletic T's and two bigger Guards. The only thing I know for sure is the C will be the mobile Richburg, Beatty the LT and Schwartz one of the two G's. My belief is the plans are fluid dependent on the players available to them in the first two rounds and whether they go with a playmaker with their first pick.

The mention of Beatty made me realize.  Beatty will never be a mauler as a run blocker.  So it seems unlikely the Giants will be able to run with power to the left side even if they get a bigger stronger less mobile LG.

Quote from: Philosophers on April 11, 2015, 11:52:34 AM
Maybe not that much different than Steve Young being a lawyer and we know how that worked out.

I am not seeing the comparison. Steve Young did not excel academically while in college playing ball and Steve Young was not aware of the dangers concussions posed.  As I said it's a concern.  It's the sort of concern that you address in an interview.   Doesn't mean I wouldn't draft him, but I would want to be sure football is his biggest passion (many draft busts are the result of lack of passion for the game).  I would also want to get a feel for his life plan and how long he intended to play the game.

Great stuff Ceri.  Stuff I would add.

You mentioned seeing guys on the ground too often.  In my scouting class we were taught that is an indication of a lack of balance and balance is something good offensive linemen need.

Erving may have struggled in his second meeting with Vic Beasley but he had won the first round.  I would also point out that Erving was very raw as an offensive lineman.  He is a guy the Giants could draft start at guard and work to develop him into their future LT (he had won awards as a LT after moving their from the D-line).  Erving is the personification of versatility something the Giants seem to really value.

TomLinson sounds like a good second round pick.  However I am actually troubled by this positive- "he

Ceri,

One thing that Ross Tucker and Greg Cossell mentioned with Collins was inconsistency.   I haven't had the chance to watch enough footage of him to discern this issue one way or the other.  What did you see in reference to that issue.   In my mind consistency is perhaps most important when it comes to offensive linemen.   After all they need to do two things, keep their man of the QB and get their man (or men) out of the way on running plays.  No real bonus for pancake blocks and the like.  On the other hand just a handful of bad plays can be a major detriment to the offense. 

Wingspan is an new and interesting measure.  I am not sure how much it means though.   After all wingspan is the arm length times 2 plus the skeletal width of the shoulders.   I would think that basically bigger is better.  However unlike arm length I am not sure how significant it can be.  With arm length the longer you can extend your arms the bigger the blocking radius created and the further an edge rusher has to rush to get around you.   I would think you would get similar help with the shoulder width as you extend your radius to a degree.  I am just not sure it's to the same degree as arm length. 

Of course the other issue with wider is creating a wider base which gives the blocker better balance and control.   However just being wide in the shoulders is only part of the equation.  The real key is wide at the hips.  The wider hips would be the real key to the balance that linemen need.  In fact wide shoulders combined with narrow hips may actually create leverage that would hurt the blocker. 

Plus with run blocking it's about getting your hands inside the defender's arms and on to his chest plate.   I would think the wider shoulders would prove detrimental to winning those battles.

So for me I am just not sure what the wingspan really tells us.  Arms are a lot easier.  Besides the increased blocking radius those longer arms give a blocker the edge in the who gets to who's chest first in bull rushing and run blocking scenarios.   

Quote from: Judgebredd on March 20, 2015, 08:04:11 AM
1)  I live in the UK

2)  Since 85, mostly due to a friend being a Skins fan

3)  Electronics

4)  Play Madden too much, married, saw the Giants at Wembley.

Hello and about time I actually signed up.

Welcome aboard!  You will find you're not the only one from the UK, there are quite a few of you from that side of the pond

Quote from: The12th man on February 24, 2015, 09:30:22 PM
For the record, I'll be moving back to the Buffalo area in June of this year!

You are waiting until June?  You'll miss all the fun cold and snow and ice

Quote from: MBZ4 on February 22, 2015, 02:13:07 AM
I've been following this site for some time but figured I'd officially register!

1)  I currently live in North Jersey not too far from Metlife Stadium.

2)  I've been a Giants fan since I was a child in the 1980's.

3)  I studied business in both undergrad & grad school & currently work as a Business Development Manager.

4) I am a proud season ticket holder.  I have been to some of the Giants' worst games: Brian Westbrook's punt return for td in 2003, Desean Jackson's punt return for td in 2010. But I have also witnessed some great moments: Eli Manning's 1st career win in 04 season, Odell Beckham's 1 handed catch in 2014, etc.  I follow the NYG year round and they are my first love when it comes to sports.

Welcome! I look forward to reading your posts

Quote from: bamagiantfan on January 14, 2015, 09:51:01 AM
For those who haven't seen it, the program is a great insight into Coughlin. The phone call from John Madden after the final regular season game against the Patriots before the Superbowl run is worth the time spent watching this. I was unaware that call was ever made. Coughlin then played the call for his team and I wouldn't be surprised if its result was the galvanization of players and coaches that this team was looking for at the time. It says a lot when one of your peers recognizes you and what you stand for, when they didn't have to.

That 2007 season had so many special things come together.  The whole end of season Pats play hard or rest decision.  That was also the season the team met Col Gadson for the first time and he helped to inspire them as well.