Big Blue Huddle

My good friend's son is a huge supporter of Michigan football to the extent that he has pledged $1.5 million to the football program. He lives in Miami and each week flies privately with my friend to every Michigan football game. He sits on the sideline and last week at practice my friend was speaking to Wink Martindale about the Giants defense and specifically Thibodeaux. Martindale told him that Thibodeaux takes off almost 50% of the time during the game .

If he would play up to his full potential every down, Martindale thinks he coulkd be one of the best in the NFL and a perennial ALL PRO .

Quote from: Doc16LT56 on September 09, 2024, 10:25:30 PMIt's hard to tell on video but it didn't look like great effort on a lot of plays. He was going up against their left tackle Darrisaw who is very good, but... I don't know. That tape just looks bad.

I'm also reminded that they could've drafted Darrisaw instead of Kadarius Toney (who just signed to the Browns practice squad). Huge missed opportunity.

Not to change the subject but that guy was on the board when they drafted Toney.  Could have had him playing oppposite of Thomas.

Back to the original subject:  There were questions about Thibs pre-draft and they have shown to be warranted. I think he is what we have seen.  A guy that can be a decent complementary pass rusher.  Not a guy that is going to take over games and raise the level of play from complementary players.

I think many hoped the Burns trade would help elevate Thibs and maybe it will as the season goes forward.  It seems almost improbable that a DE would not even record an assist or tackle in 41 snaps. 

Quote from: uconnjack8 on September 10, 2024, 07:57:13 AMNot to change the subject but that guy was on the board when they drafted Toney.  Could have had him playing oppposite of Thomas.

Back to the original subject:  There were questions about Thibs pre-draft and they have shown to be warranted. I think he is what we have seen.  A guy that can be a decent complementary pass rusher.  Not a guy that is going to take over games and raise the level of play from complementary players.

I think many hoped the Burns trade would help elevate Thibs and maybe it will as the season goes forward.  It seems almost improbable that a DE would not even record an assist or tackle in 41 snaps. 

uconn: Two points. 

The last 2 times the teams played, he did some damage, so IMO the Vikings did a few things to avoid him.

More importantly, the defense was schemed to take away Jefferson. When you're doing that type of thing, almost all 11 defenders will have certain constraints on what they can do. It's essentially a team defense, so it's likely he and others had to limit what types of pass rushing they could do.

Bob

Quote from: Doc16LT56 on September 09, 2024, 11:33:04 PMPoor form from Thibs. He's got to do better.

https://x.com/Anthony_Rivardo/status/1833260416748949989?t=6goC3L06AhFY4XB6mvV6Fw&s=19

Not good at all. He's going to be the next player to speak out about the boo birds if they don't turn this around quickly.

Carl Banks called Thibs out (Carl has been a strong advocate for KT) on his latest podcast.  Carl was not impressed with how KT handled a question about his lack of production (he had zeros across the board in his box score).  Carl felt KT needed to own that reality rather than giving a cute answer (something along the lines of "next question")

Edit to add:  I guess Carl was referring to the video that was referenced just above this post

I guess that Michael Strahan Mentorship program isn't working out?

Quote from: uconnjack8 on September 10, 2024, 07:57:13 AMNot to change the subject but that guy was on the board when they drafted Toney.  Could have had him playing oppposite of Thomas.

Back to the original subject:  There were questions about Thibs pre-draft and they have shown to be warranted. I think he is what we have seen.  A guy that can be a decent complementary pass rusher.  Not a guy that is going to take over games and raise the level of play from complementary players.

I think many hoped the Burns trade would help elevate Thibs and maybe it will as the season goes forward.  It seems almost improbable that a DE would not even record an assist or tackle in 41 snaps. 

Regarding Darrisaw, it's a good point. Also, if they draft Darrisaw, then they likely don't draft Neal the following year. That draft was WR rich, so maybe they pick Garrett Wilson or one of those guys.

Regarding Thibs, I remember those discussions before the draft. There were legitimate concerns. Lots of questions remain to be answered regarding the Burns/Thibs duo. They're already invested in Burns so hands are tied there, but I believe they have to make a decision on Thibs 5th year option at the end of the season. If he doesn't pick up the pace, I'm not sure if it's wise to pick up his option year. They definitely won't be picking up Neal's option.

Quote from: TDToomer on September 10, 2024, 08:29:54 AMI guess that Michael Strahan Mentorship program isn't working out?

Mentoring only works when the person being mentored honestly and truly values and wants to be mentored. 

Quote from: MightyGiants on September 10, 2024, 08:32:03 AMMentoring only works when the person being mentored honestly and truly values and wants to be mentored. 

I was 100% sure he would get some tips from Burns on how to do the spin move.

Thibs is talk with very little substance.

Acting like a jerk not answering legit questions is not helping. He is veering towards an ultimate bust draft with Neal (already so). Be accountable and professional.
bs
What a mess is developing already: Hyatt pouting, Thibs doubting and Jones floundering. No bigger must-win for all parties than week 2.

 

If Neal never establishes himself as a starter at any position he will merit the word bust. If he becomes a functional G for us he will be over-drafted but not a bust.

Thibodeaux might be overdrafted but 15.5 sacks, 99 tackles (51 solo) in 2 seasons is not a bust by any sane metric. We chased a need taking third edge off the Board at 5 when Stingley and Sauce went 3, 4. The debate at the time was mainly whether we should take Neal or Ekwonu at 5 knowing Carolina were taking a T. One or two posters were never convinced on KT but most were happy at the time. Drafting remains a crap shoot.

Perhaps the big lesson is if you have a choice between the third player at a high value position of need or the first at another take the latter...Garrett Wilson in this case.

Quote from: londonblue on September 10, 2024, 09:38:49 AMPerhaps the big lesson is if you have a choice between the third player at a high value position of need or the first at another take the latter...Garrett Wilson in this case.

london: It seems the Giants do not believe in this rule, which (if I were a GM) I would follow strictly. IMO you can never have too many "best players available."  Bob

Thibs 100% doesn't play hard each play. It's there on tape to see. Now he's entitled and feels he's a veteran. Well guess what, it's time to play and act like it

Quote from: Doc16LT56 on September 09, 2024, 11:33:04 PMPoor form from Thibs. He's got to do better.

https://x.com/Anthony_Rivardo/status/1833260416748949989?t=6goC3L06AhFY4XB6mvV6Fw&s=19

Wow! So he's not just a xxxx player but also a d bag.