Not everyone has ESPN insider, but I do. If you have insider, I’m sure by now you’ve read Kiper’s take on the Giants’ needs heading into the NFL draft. If you don’t have insider, here’s a look at what he had to say.

Assuming this his order of importance: Top needs: MLB, DL, CB, S, RT, RB

Kiper explains in his little blurb that the reason DL is above CB or safety is because nothing helps a secondary more than a pass rush and the Giants were quietly in the bottom half of the league in terms of producing them.

Kiper also explains that taking Dunlap would be like getting “top-5″ talent at 15.

He may be right on this one. Think about it. Dunlap’s little DUI situation has to be hurting his draft stock at least a little bit, and could be knocking his stock down from a potential top-5 guy to a mid-to-late first round guy. If he’s that talented, then it’s worth the pick.

One guy Kiper wrote down as a possible 2nd round pick for the Gmen is Kyle Wilson out of Boise St. I personally can recall quite a few plays I saw Wilson make throughout this college football season. I recll thinking to myself that this guy was gonn be a quality NFL player.

I remember feeling the same way about Jets MLB David Harris before he declared for the draft, and I turned out to be pretty dead-on with that one.

Wilson seems like the exact kind of CB the Giants would want. a smart guy who won’t dazzle you, but at the same time makes the routine plays without missing a beat.

In terms of possibly their most pressing need (LB), Brandon Spikes would be a good pick if he’s there in the second round, however I doubt that comes true.

If the Giants were to look LB in the first round (which most fans seem to think they should), I think they’d have their pickings of some fine young talent. Rolando McClain may be there, Bowman as I said earlier, and even Sergio Kindle may all be good fits with the Gmen.

Kindle is more of a hybrid guy, but I can definitely see him stepping in and helping with that pass rush.

Tom Coughlin spoke to WFAN’s Mike Francesa yesterday about the new additions to the coaching staff – DC Perry Fewell and D-line coach Robert Nunn.

LISTEN HERE

Francesa also spoke with Fewell.  LISTEN HERE

Giants’ radio voice Bob Papa also sat down with Fewell.  READ HERE.

The Giants announced they have hired a replacement for Mike Waufle as defensive line coach.

Robert Nunn, was previously the d-line coach down in Tampa Bay and comes highly regarded according to sources.

HC Tom Coughlin: “Robert Nunn has been in professional football for 10 years and he has coached some outstanding players at every stop along the way. He is a guy who did an outstanding job on the board with the X’s and O’s in the interview process. More than that, he is a guy who, by virtue of how he presented himself, I feel very strongly will bring the best out of the players that he coaches. He will provide structure. He will gain their trust. He will prove to the players the techniques that are important. When that happens and they buy into it, I think the results will come back for us. He will coach a very important position on our team, one that we will rely on heavily to bring us back to the level of championship play.”

DC Perry Fewell: “We’re very excited to have Robert Nunn join our football staff. He comes highly recommended from some of the other coaches throughout the league. I look for him to bring to our defensive line fundamentals, technique, toughness, energy and to bring us together as a group to help make us a good defensive line unit.”

Nunn’s coaching resume also includes stops in Green Bay, Washington and Miami.

With the pro bowl a few days away, I have decided to assemble my “All NFC Team.” I have selected a team consisting of the best player(s) at quarterback, wide receiver, running back and tight end, as well has honorable mentions at each position.

The term “NFC East” is defined as “A division of the National Football Conference. It is made up of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins.”

All players selected play for one of these teams, although one team does not have a single player on the All NFC East First Team.

QB- Tony Romo (DAL)

This one was easy. Romo put forth yet another great statistical season with career highs in passing yards (4483) and QB rating (97.6). He was also more careful with the ball, throwing a career low nine interceptions to go along with 26 touchdowns.

But possibly more important, he quieted his critics by leading the Cowboys to the playoffs with a strong December/January and actually winning a playoff game. That alone should shut up all of his detractors.

WR- Miles Austin (DAL)

This guy came out of nowhere to put his name among the elite receivers in the NFL. He didn’t even earn a starting role until week 5, but since then, he was arguably the best receiver in the league.

He caught 81 balls for 1320 yards and eleven touchdowns. While Roy Williams cost the Cowboys a king’s ransom, Austin will enter next year as the team’s unquestioned number one receiver.

WR- DeSean Jackson (PHI)

Although he’ll still make you roll your eyes every now and then, Jackson made on explosive play after another, and is always one play away from changing the game. He is one of the best deep threats in the league, and the same can be said for his punt returning abilities.

His big play ability is highlighted by his 18.5 yards per receptions. He had 63 receptions for 1167 yards and nine touchdowns.

WR- Steve Smith (NYG)

Read more…

Diehl, Snee Officially Pro Bowlers

T David Diehl and G Chris Snee were officially added to the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster yesterday.  They replace New Orleans’ Jon Stinchcomb and Jahri Evans, who will not be playing since the Saints are in the Super Bowl.

Diehl and Snee will represent the Giants along with teammates C Shaun O’Hara and WR Steve Smith in Sunday night’s game in Miami.

Rex Ryan’’s Backhanded Giants’ Diss

In the never-ending press conference that has become the new Jets culture, someone is bound to say the wrong thing sooner or later.  The Colts were not happy with the loquacious nature of the Jets this past week and made it known to the world after the game (illustrated by the comments made on the victory podium by Jim Irsay, Jim Caldwell and Peyton Manning).

But even those not-so-subtle hints and a sound thrashing apparently cannot stop the gargbage-laden diatribe of Rex Ryan.  Yesterday he took a swipe at the Giants, who are innocent bystanders in this Jet whirlwind.

“Let’s play this game in front of our fans and our stadium, the new Jets stadium,” Ryan ranted. “I can’t wait. We get our own stadium and we are not visitors in our stadium. This is our stadium. We are the biggest show in town, and that’s what it’s going to be.”

I’m not going to let us get dragged in to this idiocy.  Neither are the Giants. They have too much class.

When asked about Ryan’s comments,  Giants’ VP Pat Hanlon simply said: “The Jets had a very good season, and we congratulate them.”

It’s crass vs class at the Meadowlands these days.  Ryan will one day be eating his words you can rest assured.

A little less than two weeks back, ESPN NFL draft aficionado Mel Kiper Jr. came out with his first NFL mock draft. The following is what he came up with for first the Gmen, and then the rest of the NFC East squads.

New York Giants:(15) Carlos Dunlap, DE: Florida: “This is a high-value pick for the Giants, whose defensive line depth I feel has been overstated. There are makeup questions surrounding Dunlap, but for much of this past season, he was considered the premier pass-rusher in the college game. He has the potential to be like Jevon Kearse — the healthy version.” (Kiper)

I also think this would be a good pick for the Giants. We all know the defensive line starters (and backups) did not play anywhere near what they were expected to this season and it is to be expected that a few of them will be gone come the 2010 season. Osi may be gone, wouldn’t be surprised if Canty and one of the other DT’s were gone as well, so a strong defensive end  like Dunlap who seems to know how to get to the quarterback may be a good fit with Tuck and Kiwanuka for the future.

I would like to say that the Giants should look for some help at the CB position in the first round, however it just doesn’t seem like there’s anybody out there worth the selection this year except Joe Haden from Florida. I do not see the Giants trading up for the kid.

RB also wouldn’t be a bad way to look either, however according to Kiper the only one worthy of the first round is Jonathan Dwyer out of GT, whom I personally think wouldn’t be a good fit in New York.

Dallas Cowboys: (27): Bruce Campbell, OT: Maryland: Jerry Jones knows he needs to address the tackle position after the debacle he witnessed against Minnesota in the divisional round of the playoffs, and Campbell, while still learning, is a tremendous talent at this position. (Kiper)

I can see the ‘Boys going one of two ways with this pick. If Mr. Jones is feeling ballsy, he can try and trade up and go after one of the many safeties projected to go in this first round. If he wants to play it safe, he can wait on his pick, maybe hope the player “with the most potential” (that’s me I’m quoting) Taylor Mays is available, or just take an OT like Campbell. The Cowboys definitely showed a bit of weakness this season in terms of depth at the OL position, so drafting a young guy to replace the aging Columbo and Adams in the future would certainly not be a bad move.

Philadelphia Eagles: (24) Navorro Bowman, OLB: Penn State: The Eagles need an athletic OLB, and they get a lot of value by landing Bowman here. Bowman lacks size, but any parsing on measurable can’t overcome his great play on film. Could end up as the best at his position in this class. (Kiper)

Like the pick here for the Eagles. Clearly, their most glaring need is at the linebacker position. Akeem Jordan and Chris Gocong just aren’t going to cut it anymore. Love Bowman, frankly, i’d maybe like to see the Giants show him a little consideration as well.

Washington Redskins: (4): Sam Bradford, QB: Oklahoma: Mike Shanahan and the Redskins can get a quarterback here who might have been the top player taken had he opted to come out last year. The Redskins need to find their franchise quarterback, and when healthy, Bradford is an exceptionally accurate passer with an underrated arm. Shanahan also hit on his last QB selection when he drafted Jay Cutler in Denver. (Kiper)

Not much to say here. Shanny’s in town, and there’s no better way of sending the message that this team is his now than drafting the franchise QB for years to come. Obviously, the injury comes to mind, but I do not think anyone could question the potential this young kid has. Assuming he’s on track, this looks like the right selection in order to restore any faith from the Washington fans back in this team.

Even though defensive line coach Mike Waufle can be considered a success throughout his 6-season tenure as Giants’ defensive line coach, this year’s lack of success was enough to get him laid off.

Unsurprisingly, Waufle was able to find another job somewhat quickly. Owner Al Davis has decided to bring Waufle back to the Raiders where he coached before coming to the Gmen from 1998-2003. Like he did in New York, Waufle was an integral part to the Raider’s defensive line success and Super Bowl run.

In other news, former Giants RB Reuben Droughns is under investigation by the DEA for growing marijuana inside his centennial home in Colorado. Droughns claims that the marijuana being grown is for medical purposes, however the DEA isn’t buying it…at least not at this point in time.

With all the fence-sitters wearing Jet green these days, the Giants are taking a back seat in the New York football scene.

I’m sure you know everything there is to know about the Jets by now (and some things you wish you didn’t), so let us catch you up on what is happening with the Giants….

Since the Giants lost 44-7 to the Minnesota Vikings on January 3rd, they fired defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and defensive line coach Mike Waufle.  Sheridan was hire by the Dolphins to be their LB coach and Waufle just took a the d-line job in Oakland.

The Giants replaced Sheridan with Perry Fewell, who was most recently the interim head coach of the Buffalo Bills.  No other decisions regarding the coaching staff have been made.

The club signed the following players to reserve/future contracts:

OL Jacob Bender, DT Anthony Bryant, DB Londen Fryar, DT Dwayne Hendricks, OL Rueben Riley, DE Tommie Hill, LB Kenny Ingram, DB Vince Anderson, CB Courtney Brown, K Sam Swank, FB Jerome Johnson and TE Carson Butler.

There does not appear to be any progress on the CBA, which has us inching closer to an “uncapped” season in 2010 and a possible lockout in 2011.  For a quick Q&A on the situation click HERE

Thanks to Jerome Bettis the cat is out of the bag on Bill Cowher’s future coaching plans, if any.  Bettis claims that Cowher, who has been spending a lot of time in the area as an analyst for CBS, is hoping to take over the Giants when Tom Coughlin’s reign as head coach is over.

Philadelphia Eagles: There’s a pretty decent chance that QB Donovan McNabb will not be the man under center in Philadelphia next season. One of the primary reasons in keeping McNabb and his 6.2 million dollar roster bonus around next season would be his intangible leadership. However, according to Howard Eskin of WIP radio, most of the younger players turned to WR Kevin Curtis for advice before they’d even think to look McNabb’s way.

The 6.2 mil the birds would owe McNabb for next season isn’t due to be paid until May 5, meaning that the Eagles can wait until during or even after the draft to make a decision on their veteran QB.

I can’t believe I’m saying this but the end of an era is near. Donovan McNabb’s stint as the QB and icon of Philadelphia may be coming to a close. It wouldn’t be very hard at all to see him in a Browns jersey next year, seeing as former Eagles GM Tom Heckert has landed a job there. The Eagles love trading for draft picks too…

Dallas Cowboys: Todd Archer of Dallasnews.com writes about the potential idea of Al Davis and his Oakland Raiders stealing away Jason Garrett from the Cowboys. Davis has already interviewed both Jim Fassel and Mark Trestman for the job head coach Tom Cable still holds. Davis is known for taking on young coaches as he just recently had Lane Kiffin on board as well as Jon Gruden in the past.

I think it just sounds like Al Davis might have a thing for young, blond-haired men…and would settle for the slightly older blond-haired man (Fassel

Washington Redskins: OG Chad Rinehart isn’t in the playoffs, so why not go back to his old stomping grounds at Northern Iowa University. Well, it’s all good and fun until someone gets locked up right? Rinehart was arrested for public intoxication at Mojo’s Pizza at roughly 2 am Monday night for pulling on a locked bathroom door.

Besides that, everything is just peachy down in DC as it always is.

According to his Twitter account, Giants WR Steve Smith has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster.

GOING TO THE PRO BOWL.. i wanna thank YOU my fans who im so appreciative for because i couldnt have gotten in with out your votes.. also wanna thank eli, the OL, mario, hakeem, hix, sinorice, ramses, hagan, boss, the rbs, amani, plax, coach sully, coughlin, gilbride, my former usc teammates and coaches, and everyone within the giants organization

With a Giants record 107 receptions, Smith is more than deserving of making the pro bowl roster.  It’s also great to see the excitement and gratitude he displays (even if it does kind of remind me of an Oscar speech that would get cut off by the orchestra).

According to rotoworld.com, he will replace Larry Fitzgerald, who dealt with injuries all season.