Big Blue Huddle

https://x.com/Anthony_Rivardo/status/1787855388848566516

He is an intriguing prospect but for him to have 0 ints in college is a huge red flag for me. Cedrick Dort, Wisconsin's worst starting cornerback the past 20 years managed to pick off one despite having hands of stone and no ball skills. I don't know how much room there is in the NFL for non ball hawk cover guys there are in the NFL.

Quote from: madbadger on May 07, 2024, 11:04:14 AMHe is an intriguing prospect but for him to have 0 ints in college is a huge red flag for me. Cedrick Dort, Wisconsin's worst starting cornerback the past 20 years managed to pick off one despite having hands of stone and no ball skills. I don't know how much room there is in the NFL for non ball hawk cover guys there are in the NFL.

The funny thing is that he did have 1 INT, but it was called back due to a penalty (the penalty was not on Phillips).

While I prefer ball-hawks, I have seen DBs who are skilled at preventing completions from doing well.  I think former Giant Adoree Jackson could be an example.

Quote from: MightyGiants on May 07, 2024, 11:20:59 AMThe funny thing is that he did have 1 INT, but it was called back due to a penalty (the penalty was not on Phillips).

While I prefer ball-hawks, I have seen DBs who are skilled at preventing completions from doing well.  I think former Giant Adoree Jackson could be an example.

Jackson was a ballhawk at USC and fairly good his first couple years in the league. The other concern is that Phillips only had five passes defended last year. His last year at USC Jackson had 11. I hope I am pleasantly surprised but I think his career might be close to Darnay Holmes than to Jackson's.

Quote from: madbadger on May 07, 2024, 11:40:01 AMJackson was a ballhawk at USC and fairly good his first couple years in the league. The other concern is that Phillips only had five passes defended last year. His last year at USC Jackson had 11. I hope I am pleasantly surprised but I think his career might be close to Darnay Holmes than to Jackson's.

MB,

In Adoree's three years with the Giants he had all of two INTs.  That isn't exactly "ball-hawk" material.  Hell, in his entire 7 year career he has only 4 INTs.

At least he can tackle. if you cant give me picks, at least make a sure tackle. lot of cb's get 2-3 lucky int's a year and miss dozens of tackles. break up plays, and keep your guy from getting YAC. im ok with this from a 3rd round pick.

Andru hands-of-stone Phillips

There's plus/minus advantages to being a "ball hawk". A true ball hawk is always aware of the ball...more so than the player he's supposed to guard. Those who aren't ball hawks, tend to pay super close attention to the receiver to stop him from catching the ball, it is first and foremost in their repertoire (enter Andru Phillips a "sticky CB")

Last year, I was sold on Emmanuel Forbes Jr., even though he was very skinny and not a physical back. I wanted him for our first round draft pick, but he was already gone to the Commanders when we were on the clock. I remember groaning as I watched his name come off the board. Well, anyway, he was so bad in his rookie year that he was benched halfway through the season. With a PFF grade of about 50, he had a total of 1 takeaway for the year, whilst allowing 37 catches for 598 yards and three touchdowns in an abbreviated season (for him)

Previous write-up on Forbes (before the draft): "Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is one of the best ball-hawking cornerbacks in college football history, as he had 14 interceptions and ran an FBS record six back for a touchdown during his three seasons at Mississippi State...". But (and that's a big "but"), the NFL is a different animal than college. WRs are fully aware of all the tactics used by CBs and know how to mess up "ball hawks" who don't pay enough attention to the receiver's moves and pay too much attention to the ball

Suffice it to say, Dan Quinn was not happy with Forbes' performance. Whether or not Quinn can turn Forbes around is yet to be seen

https://x.com/Schmeelk/status/1787883501049577680

Early third-round defensive back choice Dru Phillips always seemed destined for Day 2, but a few scouts had a late-first-round grade on him — and one of the reasons was his football acumen. Multiple teams told me Phillips' combine interview was among their very best thanks to his ability to see the game and grasp defensive concepts.

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/5/7/24151160/report-giants-had-usc-running-back-targeted-in-2024-nfl-draft?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=bigblueview&utm_source=twitter

This is my sleeper pick of the Giants' draft. Taken in the third round, he is definitely not a "leftover."

He has more brains than flash, but I'll take a boring CD every time. Just show up, shut up and do your job.

Barring injury, IMO he's the guy on the Giants most likely to have a long career (and then become a coach).

Bob

Given how bad they were, Giants need real production from say 4 draft picks for a) this draft to be considered very successful and b) to help get out of the sub 0.500 doldrums.

Nabers - easy pick
Nubin - likely pick
Phillips - hopeful pick
Johnson - dark horse pick
Tracy - should given poor RB pool on team

Quote from: Philosophers on May 08, 2024, 10:11:25 AMGiven how bad they were, Giants need real production from say 4 draft picks for a) this draft to be considered very successful and b) to help get out of the sub 0.500 doldrums.

Nabers - easy pick
Nubin - likely pick
Phillips - hopeful pick
Johnson - dark horse pick
Tracy - should given poor RB pool on team

4 out of 6 would be an impressive batting average even for the best GMs

I think people are expecting too much production in college for a 3rd round pick.  He's a slot corner - I imagine that plays into the lack of INTs.  Typically the wideouts he'd cover are not deep-speed guys, they're jitter-bug guys with quick acceleration who run digs and slants, maybe a seam route against a zone.   Not exactly routes or throws that are more likely to be picked off.

There's nothing wrong with this for a 3rd round pick.  If he's as studious and aware as advertised, that's a "whole is worth more than the sum of the parts" kind of player that can be a valuable role player.  If there's any concern from me, and it's been echoed around here, isn't this Cordale Flott version 2.0? 

PFF had listed Phillips as the best 3rd round pick


ROUND 3
PICK 70. NEW YORK GIANTS: CB ANDRU PHILLIPS, KENTUCKY
The Giants drafted Deonte Banks in the first round of last year's draft and now add more youth to that group early in the third round this year. His career-best 23 defensive stops led all SEC cornerbacks in 2023, and his 72.9 PFF coverage grade was also the best mark of his career.

https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/5/8/24152074/pff-names-ny-giants-cornerback-dru-phillips-the-best-pick-of-the-third-round?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=bigblueview