Tag Archives: 2010 NFL Draft
Eagles’ Rookie DE Meeting All Expectations
On draft day, the Eagles, fearing the rival Giants were going to steal their man, traded up to the 13th slot and grabbed Michigan DE Brandon Graham.
Two spots later, the Giants selected South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul. JPP has more physical talent, but Graham may be more NFL-ready coming into their rookie seasons. 
According to multiple sources, Graham will get a great deal of playing time as a rookie. As a Michigan Football follower, I will personally tell you that the Eagles got themselves a hekuva football player here….so did the Giants, by the way….
Graham is one of 13 players selected by the Eagles in April’s draft. WATCH
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Brandon Graham, Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants, New York Giants News, NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles |
Bypassing Skill Players in the Draft is a Rarity
If the New York Giants’ draft this season seemed a bit odd, there is a good reason for it.
They chose seven players altogether, one in each round. Very traditional. Five are defensive players. The the other two are an offensive lineman and a punter.
For the first time in 17 years, and only the second time in franchise history, the Giants did not select an offensive “skill” player in the draft.
The first time this happened was in 1956. The Giants selected Henry Moore, a DB from Arkansas in Round One. Moore played one year for the team. He was out of football by 1958.
The rest of the draft did, however, yield a few gems: Sam Huff, Jim Katcavage and Don Chandler. The Giants went on to win the NFL Championship that year, a feat they would not repeat for another thirty years.
Before that draft, the Giants had only one playoff appearance in the previous ten seasons. The team was stacked on offense with Charley Connerly, Frank Gifford, Alex Webster, Mel Triplett and Kyle Rote, causing the Maras and Jim Lee Howell to seek help in the trenches and on defense in the draft.
In 1993, the Giants did not have a first round selection, having used it the previous season in a supplementary draft on Duke QB Dave Brown. George Young still had eight picks in his pocket and needed to re-establish his defense.
He did that with his first and final selections – DE Michael Strahan and LB Jesse Armstead. The rest of the draft was not as fruitful. The Giants were in their first season under Dan Reeves and would rebound from the Ray Handley era with an 11-5 season and a trip to the playoffs.
The club would soon come crashing back to reality the next three seasons, going 20-28 leading to the ultimate dismissal of Reeves. The collapse was not all Reeves’ fault.
Brown was an average player who could barely stave off the likes of Kent Graham and Danny Kanell. The offense,which had only one real star – RB Rodney Hampton – was anemic, and Young made poor selections in the ensuing drafts trying to augment it.
These drafts became turning points in the club’s history. The draft of ’56 completed the team and sent it on a winning path. The ’93 draft was seen as a quick fix (sans Strahan and Armstead) that would damage the team for years to come.
This year’s draft will also be a turning point. Defense was a problem in 2009 and the Giants needed depth desperately at all positions. The offensive line needed interior help and they also needed a punter. They got all of that last week at the draft. The team is chock full of rushing and receiving talent, to there was no need to draft any players at those “skill” positions.
If they need any, there is always free-agency, which wasn’t there in ’56 and was in its infancy in the mid-90′s.
In ’56 they were a good team that filled holes, got back on its feet and won a championship. In ’93 they thought they had long-term answers on offense, but did not.
The current outcome appears to be leaning towards the ’56 one in this case.
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Jerry Reese, New York Giants, New York Giants News |
2-Day Camp Gives Little Indication of What Lies Ahead
There has been quite a bit bit of grumbling on the net about the Giants’ latest draft class being a weak group.
Some say GM Jerry Reese is leaving too much to chance by taking players with so little football experience.
Others believe the Giants will pay a steep price for passing on such linebackers as Sean Weatherspoon, Sean Lee, Daryl Washington and Donald Butler in favor of defensive lineman they don’t need. Now, there are the rumors of how badly the team’s rookie camp went, as few players distinguished themselves.
All of these are legitimate gripes, and all can be explained away, but the facts are no one will have real answers for awhile. The ideal strategy is to draft players for the next season, not the current one in front of you. That would mean the Giants’ MLB conundrum will be resolved from a group of existing players, none of whom tickles the Giant fans’ fancy.
I wish people would stop calling JPP a bust. First off, it is way too early in the process to evaluate anyone. Second, he is in shape, regardless of what anyone thinks or says. I was there when the back twinge sent him to his knees and I was there when he explained what happened. The coaches did not chide him, they supported him. So should the fans. He will be fine. The only group that should be worried about JPP are opposing quarterbacks.
You also had to be there to see that three other draftees conducted themselves like veterans. Linval Joseph, Phillip Dillard and Mitch Petrus all need refining, but they will be good pros. All three have the qualities to make it in the NFL.
The only player that still intrigues us all is this Chad Jones (pictured), known at LSU as the “Dreadlocks of Doom”. He flew around in practice, but looked a bit lost. The main reason is that everyone was in shells, so there was no contact. Excessive contact is Jones’ forte.
Tom Coughlin also said publicly that Jones was “a little heavy”, but by that he meant only 5-8 lbs overweight. Jones talked mainly of his baseball exploits because he spent as much time playing that as he did football. Jones has tons of upside: he has good hands and is very physical.
Being an NFL rookie is a difficult job. It is newness after newness. There’s so much to be learned and absorbed in such a short window of time.
Rookie mini-camp is basically to acclimate the draftees and signed free-agents into the NFL. It indoctrinates them into the team’s way of doing things.
Camp also gets the rookies familiar with the basics: the team language and acronyms; the facilities and the surrounding area; team coaches, players, employees and officials; team and league rules etc etc etc….
This past weekend was just a beginning. As time rolls on, you can begin to make your judgments and assessments of this group.
Right now, it’s way too early in the game for that.
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Giants Rookie Mini Camp, New York Giants |
Coaches Have Lots Of Young Talent To Work With
With 44-year-old Jeff Feagles no longer on their roster, the Giants will inherently become a younger team They will also add about seven-to-ten of the 22 or 23-year-olds that hit the field at the Timex Performance Center yesterday, which will make them even a younger team.
Coach Tom Coughlin seemed generally pleased with the group of over 50 first and second-year players invited to the camp. He mentioned a few by name. Tim Brown, a 5’8″ free-agent wide receiver from nearby Rutgers, was one of those players.
For most of the players, they are relieved in a way that the draft is over and they are getting settled into the world of the NFL.
| Giants rookies Jones, Pierre-Paul, and Dillard on their first day of minicamp |
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Giants Mini-Camp, New York Giants |
Free Agent QB Looking To Stick With Big Blue
With Eli Manning, Jim Sorgi and Rhett Bomar all headed to camp with the New York Giants, there doesn’t appear to be room on the roster for another Quarterback. But don’t tell that to Dominic Randolph.
The 23-year-old from Holy Cross, who ended his college career as the most decorated quarterback in school history, signed a free agent contract with Big Blue earlier this week and expects to fight tooth-and-nail for a job.
“I’m definitely excited right now,” Randolph told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, “but I’m going to be getting to work and showing them what I can do on the next level. I’m looking forward to being part of a great organization.”
“Camp fodder” will be the term most often used to describe Randolph’s presence at camp, but that may be writing this youngster off a little too soon and a little too fast.
Once a high school back-up, Randolph has quickly transformed himself into prolific passer with a constant desire to better his game. And although his accolades may be taken with a grain of salt because they were accomplished in the Patriot League, there is no denying the numbers he’s put up over his four years at Holy Cross and the success that he’s had.
He finished his college career with 13,455 yards passing and 117 touchdowns. Not to mention the extremely impressive streak of four straight seasons with a 141+ QB Rating.
The one constant knock on Randolph is his lack of arm strength. It’s something he was able to overcome at the collegiate level because of his accuracy and game-smarts, but something that would most certainly present a problem in the NFL. However, that’s not to say he couldn’t improve on it…after all, Tom Brady did.
But it’s his other intangibles that give Randolph a potential edge as the team heads into camp. Head coach Tom Coughlin recently said the young quarterback may be the new holder…something the Giants will need now that punter Jeff Feagles has decided to retire.
In the end, Randolph may not be the next Joe Montana and he may not be a top NFL prospect, but he’s a smart kid who is willing to work hard day in and day out. For that reason, and that reason alone, his chances of making the team aren’t out of the question.
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Giants Mini-Camp, New York Giants |
The NFL Draft is over and now the rookies – drafted and undrafted – will converge on the Jets and Giants training facilities in New Jersey from Friday through Sunday.
The Jets will feature four draft choices and 10 free agents among the attendees. First round selection Kyle Wilson will join Vladimir Ducasse, Joe McKnight and John Conner and scores of others at the Atlantic Health Training Center in Florham Park beginning tomorrow.
At the same time, the Giants will host their rookie mini-camp at the Timex Performance Center in East Rutherford, adjacent to the New Meadowlands Stadium.
Among the 54 participants will be top pick Jason Pierre-Paul(pictured), Linval Joseph, Mitch Petrus, Phillip Dillard, Chad Jones and several free-agents including Lee Campbell, Nate Collins and Micah Johnson.
No veterans will be participating, but a few had some advice for the newbies.
Former Giants’ first pick Mathias Kiwanuka had this to say to Mike Eisen of Giants.com….”"I think for any player the biggest adjustment is usually going to be physical,” Kiwanuka said. “The speed of the game is something you have to get used to. You have to be able to get the snaps and get the reps and get out there and get more experience.
“There’s a little bit of a whirlwind every step of the way. There are new experiences, things you have never been through. And there are not a lot of people who have been through them to guide you through it. So once you get through the draft, once you get through all the press stuff you have to do and come to rookie minicamp and training camp and the preseason games are another step and then you actually get out there and walk into the stadium for the first time, there are a lot of wow moments. But it’s all fun.”
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Giants Rookie Mini Camp |
Fans Shouldn’t Be Too Worried About MLB Spot
The Giants lost Antonio Piece to a neck injury last season and then chose to part ways with him shortly after the season. They had no immediate successor to Pierce, who not only played a whale of MLB in his prime, but was an intelligent, cognizant leader in one of the league’s premier defenses.
Since Pierce’s departure, fans have been clamoring nervously about who will take Pierce’s place. GM Jerry Reese did little to calm their fears by not signing a veteran in the off-season, claiming he had the answer right in the building, meaning Bryan Kehl, Jonathan Goff and Gerris Wilkinson.
We now know that to be partially untrue. Had Alabama’a Rolando McClain fallen to the Giants in the draft, they were ready to take him. But that never came close to happening.
Now, those three will compete for the job with two other players brought in by the Giants this week: 4th Round draft choice Phillip Dillard and free-agent rookie Lee Campbell.
Yesterday we introduced you to Campbell. Today, it’s Dillard’s turn. Enjoy.
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, New York Giants News |
Draft, Free-Agency Fortifies Already Solid Units
Last year, injuries turned the Giants’ proud defensive team into a disorganized, nearly non-existent, group. Four months later, circumstances have radically changed.
The Giants have loaded up at nearly every position, which will make for a very competitive and interesting summer in East Rutherford (and Albany). While the cameras are following the Jets around, the Giants will be the ones going through a real-life version of Hard Knocks.
Coach Tom Coughlin has not been in the media much lately, still reeling from his team’s historic defensive meltdown. After the draft, he was back talking about his defense (and running game) with ESPN’s Suzy Kolber.
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Tom Coughlin |
U of Minnesota Star Brings Physical Style to Big Blue
Minnesota’s Lee Campbell wasn’t selected in this year’s draft, but that has not deterred his quest for NFL stardom. The former Gopher is excited and proud to have the opportunity to play for the New York Football Giants. 
Knowing what I know about both parties, the Giants are feeling the same way about Campbell. The hard-hitting Florida native will be one of a half-dozen candidates plying their wares to win the open MLB spot.
Campbell’s combine numbers do not jump off the page. His production is above average but is not eye-popping. That is why draftniks do not believe me when I tell them that Campbell is the goods.
Numbers do not mean a thing in this case. Campbell brings qualities that numbers cannot accurately gauge. Qualities that Giant fans are going to immediately embrace. Campbell had offers from four other teams whose rosters he would easily make. He chose the Giants and he plans not only to make the roster, but to become their man in the middle.
“My objective is to hit and punish”, Campbell told me on the Football Reporters Online radio program Tuesday night. “And at the same time, not make mental errors…to be in the right place all the time.”
The Giants need someone to emerge at the MIKE position in DC Perry Fewell’s version of the Tampa 2. Bryan Kehl, Jonathan Goff, Gerris Wilkinson and newly drafted Phillip Dillard are all talented players but none have played in the Tampa 2 and called the defensive signals.
Campbell called signals for all four years at Minnesota. He has also played MIKE in Kevin Cosgrove’s Tampa 2. He is a smart, versatile, rugged kid who has succeeded in a program where he had four different playbooks in four years. Coming into the NFL, he’s more than ready, especially to play for the Giants’ LB coach, Jim Herrmann, who was a long-time Big-10 defensive staple at Michigan.
“I have the highest respect for coach Herrmann. He is one of the best linebacker coaches in the country” Campbell told me. Herrmann will be pleased with the intelligence, physicality and desire of his newest student as well.
Campbell will undoubtedly fit right in. He is determined to make his mark.
“I want to make the Giants proud.”
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Lee Campbell |
in a report from Jason La Canfora on NFL.com, the Giants and Saints were reportedly in discussion involving DT Barry Cofield. Reportedly, the trade involved a day two draft pick, which would’ve meant a 2nd or 3rd rounder.
The talks got to a point where the Saints actually spoke to the DT. Discussions pretty much came to a halt when the Saints and Cofield couldn’t work out a long-term extension.
I’m glad the Giants didn’t make this move. Assuming no other moves would’ve been made, Bernard and Canty would’ve been our starting DT’s. I don’t like that at all. I guess there’s also the possibility that Coughlin’s considering having Tuck play the inside a little bit again. Or maybe, we just have a tremendous amount of confidence in the new guy Linval Joseph.
If this move was made, the Giants would have joined a number of other teams who traded or cut quality veteran players on a day where their position was drafted. Oakland drafted McClain, and in turn traded a quality ILB in Kirk Morrison. The Jets drafted Vlad Ducasse and then cut Faneca. The Jags…drafted Mr. Tyson “reach” Alualu, and then got rid of their most veteran locker room guy John Henderson.
I’d include the Washington/Joe McNight situation too, but you could kinda see where they’re coming from in getting rid of the injured Washington.
I don’t get it. Why not keep these studs on your team and let them teach the new guys the tricks of the trade. There’s no doubt Ducasse or McClain would’ve only benefited long-term from playing with (or behind) guys like Morrison and Faneca.
Regardless, with the talk of the Giants being interested in John Henderson, and the drafting of the DT Joseph, it seems that it may be sooner than later that Cofield’s on another roster.
Henderson is already scheduled for visits with the Chiefs on Wednesday, and soon after, the New York football Giants.
Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Barry Cofield | ← Older posts
