Tag Archives: 2010 NFL Draft

54 First-Year Players To Attend Rookie Camp This Weekend

For Jerry Reese, draft day was all gravy. With most of his roster basically in place, the Giants’ GM was merely looking for players that could fit into the Giants’ model.

That would explain why, in several cases, he chose players who had not reached their potential rather than ones who had. The Giants prefer to draft those types of “solid citizens” and then indoctrinate and nurture them the Giant way.

This weekend the Giants will host their annual spring Rookie Mini-camp, which is scheduled to to be attended by 54 first year players.

That includes all seven selections in last week’s draft and the free-agents signed in the ensuing hours, plus players signed and/or drafted last year that still have first-year status.

In attendance will be Brandon Crawford, the Ball State sack machine, who is an ex-marine and will be 34 years old at the start of the 2010 season. There is also heavy Northeast flavor to the invitees which include Holy Cross QB Dom Randolph, RB Andre Dixon of UConn and Rutgers WR Tim Brown.

Then there are candidates that will get more serious consideration, such as LBs Micah Johnson of Kentucky, Minnesota’s Lee Campbell, DT Nate Collins of Virginia and Ohio State products C Jim Cordle and TE Jake Ballard (pictured).

There may be some gems in this group, but making the current roster will not be an easy task for any of them The Giants currently have 75 players listed on their roster. That includes those players held over from last year, practice squad players and the seven young men drafted this past week. It does not include the 13 free-agents signed after the draft and the 23 at-large invitees who will descend on the Timex Performance Center on Friday.

The team can only take 80 players to Albany with them. That means there will be lots of movement between now and July.

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, New York Giants News |

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Jerry Reese, Tom Coughlin |

There were many moments during the 2010 NFL draft; were I thought I might throw something through my TV .  It wasn’t going as I had hoped.

I didn’t want the NY Giants to draft a project and dress it up by calling it “Raw Talent”, I didn’t want the fourth or fifth best defensive tackle, I didn’t want another safety and I especially didn’t want a linebacker who until the fall had lost his starting job and only averaged 7 tackles a game.

However…the gem of the Giants draft came in the fifth round when Tom Coughlin reached out and called Mike Petrus the offensive guard from Arkansas to ask him what he felt  about playing football for the New York Giants.

Petrus’ impressed the Giants brass back in February at the NFL combine when the former Razorback tied the bench press record of 45 repetitions (of 225 pounds).

Coughlin said, ‘I’m about to turn your name in for the draft, and how would you like to be a New York Giant?’

Petrus eagerly responded, “I would love to be, and I can’t wait, ” Petrus said.

Mike Petrus is big man at 6’3 and 310 pounds, and will fit in perfectly as the successor to Rich Seubert. Petrus has already done his share of blocking for stud college running backs as he paved the way for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones who both passed the 1000 yard mark in 2007.

An even more impressive note to mention is that in 2005 Mike Petrus arrived at the Razorbacks’ fall camp as a walk-on. With no major college scholarship offers, Petrus sucked it up and headed to Arkansas to prove recruiters wrong and to showcase how much of a hard worker he was.

It paid off, because Mike Petrus is coming to the “new” Meadowlands to blow open some holes for Brandon Jacobs and Amhad Bradshaw.

- Craig J. Santucci is a Senior Writer for Pro Football NYC.com

- Craig J. Santucci is the NY Giants “Fan Voice” for NFLtouchdown.com

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Mitch Petrus |

The Giants used their 6th round selection in this year’s NFL Draft on 6’3″, 248 lb William and Mary DE Adrian Tracy. He fits the typical prototype that Jerry Reese values in his draftees: a good citizen that can play football.

Reese likened Tracy to former Giant LB Reggie Torbor, but quickly cited that Tracy was “a better athlete.” Tracy played DE at William and Mary, but the Giants will probably use him as a SAM backer. Tracy was described by Reese as a “big, smart kid”, which is evident in this video interview shot before the 2009 season.

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Adrian Tracy, New York Giants News |

Yesterday, at the NFL Draft, myself, Dr. Bill Chachkes (Football Reporters Online) and Zennie Abraham (zennie62.com) caught up with Giant great Tiki Barber, who was present on behalf of Yahoo Sports.

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Tiki Barber |

A “Tweener” According to Experts

From CDSdraft.com…

Nice size and wingspan. Similar to last years’ CAA DE phenom Lawrence Sidbury of Richmond, but is flying further under the radar. Gets our nod as the CAA’s top DE prospect narrowly over JMU’s Adrian Tracy because of his size and improved play against the run. Makes tackles from the back side. Shows enough quickness and lateral agility to be looked at as a LB, while he has room to get bigger if left as a 4-3 pass rushing end. Comes hard off the edge, and fights down the LOS and ruins the stretch play. Scrapes well. Protects his legs, and plays with energy. Solid citizen.

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Adrian Tracy |

Giants Prefer Nebraska LB Over Other Fan Favorites

The Giants’ fourth round selection, LB Phillip Dillard of Nebraska, is another rising prospect with great upside.

Our esteemed colleagues at  Consensus Draft Services sent us their analysis of this run-stuffing defender…

Played in twelve games in 2009 and started nine. Invited to and participated in both the Senior Bowl and the combine.

Strengths

Versatile LB who can stuff the run and play the pass. Solid instincts, negotiates trash and plays the game inside out. Good hitter and sound tackler. Strong and rugged. Runs better than he times and can play sideline-to-sideline. Closes quickly. Solid athlete who can run downfield in coverage and will break up passes. Solid blitzer.

Weaknesses

Not very tall and probably maxed out physically. Not the fastest or most explosive athlete. Lacks the agility for man coverage in the NFL. Was in the doghouse in ’08, but worked himself out.

Projection

Late-round pick or free agent, but definitely will be in a camp. Given time, could surprise. Good football player.

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, New York Giants News, Phillip Dillard |

Giant Fans Should Be Pleased With Draft Thus Far

If you told me yesterday the Giants were going to walk out of here with both Linval Joseph AND Chad Jones I would have laughed at you. No way they get that lucky.

While everyone is whining about the Giants not selecting a MLB, I was shaking my head at Big Blue’s new found wealth at the positions in front and behind the linebackers.

If Linval Joseph is as good as advertised, they wont need a MLB behind him because no one will get past him anyway. Sort of like a jack-knifed tractor-trailer on the Gowanus. Let’s just say he jams thing ups.

He simplified his approach for us. “I like to stop the run,” Joseph said. “I like to hit the running back. … But on third down, I like to get outside and hit the quarterback.”  There you have it….

The Giants have cover safeties in Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant. Don’t forget they still have Michael Johnson, as well. If by some longshot Kenny Phillips can contribute this season, that makes for a very strong group of safeties.

The one thing they were lacking was a fierce hitter to give opposing WRs something to fear while crossing the middle. That is why Jerry Reese chose Chad Jones. He may not be the greatest cover man, but he makes up for it by blowing up receivers. One shot from this kid will have a receiver rethinking his career choice.

My fear is that in this pass-centric league, Jones will get targeted by the NFL and get himself suspended. He’s not a dirty player, he just hits extremely hard. He will daze more than few Eagle, Redskin and Cowboy wideouts. They will be in the huddle peeking out to see if Jones is out there waiting for them. After getting embarrassed last year, Reese decided it was time to retool his defense. Mission Accomplished.

Marc Ross, the Giants’ head of college scouting, says Jones is nowhere near being complete. He can do plenty, including return punts. He’s fearless and he’s big with the potential to get even bigger. After Jones goes through the Giants strength and conditioning program, he could come out around 230 lbs. All muscle, too. Yikes.

What about middle linebacker…?

Jerry Reese told you he was happy with the guys he had. He didn’t lie. Last night he passed on some good ones to take Joseph and Jones. That leads us to believe the onl MLB they would have considered to compete with their trio of in-house candidates was Rolando McClain.

They need an NFL-ready, or experienced player in the middle and this draft simply does not have that. There’s always the possibility they can get one in a trade between now and camp, so this thing is not settled yet.

I see them taking one today, but only for depth purposes. Today will be a day of value picks. An offensive lineman here, a corner there. Maybe even a tight end. Pitt’s Dorin Dickerson was I guy wrote about awhile back, he could be a possible. He’s a special teams demon and another one of those athletes that just jumps out at you. Lee Campbell is a linebacker from Minnesota that the team likes as well.

Other notes…..

Seattle continued their good fortune yesterday, landing Notre Dame WR Golden Tate. They didn’t have a 3rd rounder, but have two fourth-rounders today.

Gil Brandt is still going strong. He was one of the legends brought out to announce a selection by their former team. “He’s like Bert Parks” one observer noted, “He’s only relevant one day a year now.”

The Bears finally got to pick last night. They chose Florida safety Major Wright, who will have his hands full as a rookie trying to cover three receivers at once.

The Redskins did not make a trade to move into either round last night, so they remained uncharacteristically idle.  I can’t see how this will help them.

Dallas only had a second-rounder last night, using it wisely on Penn State LB Sean Lee.  I went on Penn State radio right after the Giants took Joseph explaining away why the Giants passed on Lee.  The Penn State fans wanted Lee to go to the Giants.  I said “He’s a player the Giants were considering, but Joseph will make a bigger impact.”  No pun intended.

The Eagles did their usual jockeying around to get the defensive players they wanted, landing South Florida Safety Nate Allen in Round 2 and Washington DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim in the third round.

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Linval Joseph, New York Giants News |

On April 8th, I posted this….never thought the Giants would actually take this guy….glad they did, though…

Chad Jones of LSU is listed by many experts as a one of the top-10 safeties in this year’s draft. He is an interesting prospect….

First off, he’s 6’2″, 230 lbs. That’s a big safety, folks. Second, he can hit – hard.

If the Giants want to sure up their secondary and make a statement, they’ll take this young man and never look back. New Era Scouting.com believes Jones will be “a Brian Dawkins type…..a high ceiling prospect that has the capability of being an immediate starter and Pro-Bowl defensive back.”

Below is a You Tube video of a vicious hit Jones delivered on an Arkansas receiver last year…….if you go to You Tube, you will also find footage of Jones returning punts, dunking a basketball and appearing as a relief pitcher for the LSU baseball team in the College World Series. Wow….

Tagged 2010 NFL Draft, Chad Jones, New York Giants News |

We knew the Giants were looking at Linvil Joseph. It wasn’t a matter of if they would take the massive defensive tackle out of East Carolina, it was just a matter of when.

Jerry Reese felt he couldn’t wait until Round 3, so he made Joseph a Giant with his second rounder tonight.

Here is a scouting report we obtained from our friends at THE Gridiron Guide to the NFL Draft 2010-From Football Reporters Online/Consensus Draft Services……apologies for the blurry presentation…

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