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Dan Salomone: 3 Players who stood out at OTAs

Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/28/2014 7:32 pm
FYI.

Eli
JPP
Dan Fox
Giants.com - ( New Window )
Read that earlier, interesting list.  
BlueLou : 5/28/2014 7:36 pm : link
Eli, JPP, and Dan Fox?
Dan Fox  
Mr. Nickels : 5/28/2014 7:47 pm : link
future starting Mike
How about Victor Cruz  
DaveW : 5/28/2014 7:52 pm : link
Nice toe tapping sideline catch. He is becoming one of my favorites on this team. He seems to have it all, talent, desire, work ethic, intelligence. Someone who can make a big difference this year (like he did two years ago), and someone who I can be proud of as a Giants fan.
Another good article  
Big_Blue_Wrecking_Crew : 5/28/2014 7:55 pm : link
LINKED below. Looks like Beckum is already impressing.
5 Things at OTAs - ( New Window )
Is there room on the bus?  
BlueLou : 5/28/2014 7:55 pm : link
Quote:
How about Victor Cruz
DaveW : 7:52 pm : link : reply
...He is becoming one of my favorites on this team.
Victor needs a bounce back year  
dep026 : 5/28/2014 8:00 pm : link
as much as Eli and JPP do. Cruz really was quite average last year.
RE: Is there room on the bus?  
DaveW : 5/28/2014 8:03 pm : link
In comment 11700510 BlueLou said:
Quote:


Quote:


How about Victor Cruz
DaveW : 7:52 pm : link : reply
...He is becoming one of my favorites on this team.



So far he seems to not be phased by the big paycheck, but the jury is obviously still out on that.
I am still unsure about the OL especially at LT  
Big_Blue_Wrecking_Crew : 5/28/2014 8:11 pm : link
But I am really excited about this team. Remember how good Eli would look in the 2 minute offense? I think we are going to see that sharpness from Eli more consitently throughout the game.
Cruz was above average in a below average  
gmen1234 : 5/28/2014 8:13 pm : link
Passing offense.
Love our interior line now  
Mr. Nickels : 5/28/2014 8:15 pm : link
Schwartz Walton Snee Mosely Richburg (though Snee is done soon but if healthy he is good) Richburg has elite potential.

John Jerry should have a tough time making the team. I hope Mosely beats him out.


Tackle is ugly after Pugh. Relying on Beatty's health and back ups like Brewer Brown and Kropog is risky.

IIRC Cruz had a good first half season  
Bill in UT : 5/28/2014 8:17 pm : link
but the second half wasn't much
Was expecting  
Giants2012 : 5/28/2014 8:29 pm : link
Sinorice Moss' name again
Toldja  
Phil in LA : 5/28/2014 8:33 pm : link
Dan Fox can play, I don't know if he has the size to make it, but he can play.
I don't ever want to see  
bob in tx : 5/28/2014 8:43 pm : link
" James Brewer" and "LT" in the same sentence again.
RE: Cruz was above average in a below average  
dep026 : 5/28/2014 9:15 pm : link
In comment 11700526 gmen1234 said:
Quote:
Passing offense.


No he wasnt. 2-3 big games really padded his stats. He struggled mightily at the end of the year.
Cruz  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/28/2014 9:25 pm : link
scored in two games last year.
RE: RE: Cruz was above average in a below average  
BMac : 5/28/2014 9:30 pm : link
In comment 11700581 dep026 said:
Quote:
In comment 11700526 gmen1234 said:


Quote:


Passing offense.



No he wasnt. 2-3 big games really padded his stats. He struggled mightily at the end of the year.


He was constantly double-covered, with no one to take the pressure off. I'm sure that with your superior athleticism, you'd be able to handle that with ease. However, I don't know of anyone else who can do it on a consistent basis when no one else is producing (note that final, key, phrase).
RE: RE: RE: Cruz was above average in a below average  
dep026 : 5/28/2014 10:02 pm : link
In comment 11700599 BMac said:
Quote:
In comment 11700581 dep026 said:


Quote:


In comment 11700526 gmen1234 said:


Quote:


Passing offense.



No he wasnt. 2-3 big games really padded his stats. He struggled mightily at the end of the year.



He was constantly double-covered, with no one to take the pressure off. I'm sure that with your superior athleticism, you'd be able to handle that with ease. However, I don't know of anyone else who can do it on a consistent basis when no one else is producing (note that final, key, phrase).


Nothing but excuses. Megatron, Graham, Bryant, Green, Gordon, Marshall among many other WRs get double teamed. And they do just fine.

And to say he was always doubled team is just false. Dallas didnt double team in the 2nd game, and Scandrick flat out shut him down.
Megatron, Graham, Bryant, Green, Gordon, Marshall  
Ten Ton Hammer : 5/28/2014 10:09 pm : link
are all 6 foot 4 inch 220 pound physical marvels.

Cruz can do a lot of things on the field, but he can't play like they do.
DeP i understand what you mean and it is true  
NewYorkGiants : 5/28/2014 10:14 pm : link
to a degree, but with what we had on offense last year are any of those players not named Calvin Johnson making an impact with this offense

I know how good Dez Aj green Marshall and so on can be, but if they were on this team instead of cruz last year i dont see how they make a difference, the oline was dreadful, eli was bad(alot to do with oline).
I just dont see how any of them put up great stats last year on this offense
Here's a prediction:  
kinard : 5/28/2014 10:20 pm : link
..its going to be Rueben Randle who has has the breakout year.
A lot of people annointed  
dep026 : 5/28/2014 10:21 pm : link
Cruz as a top 3-5 WR in the NFL in 2012 and to start last year. Well you cant make excuses like he was doubled or he cant get open.

Listen I like Cruz a lot, and think he is very good. But he wasnt very good last year. He struggled to get open against man coverage. You cannot throw balls up to him like you can with Marshall, Calvin, Gordon, etc....

Me saying he needs to play better doesnt mean he stinks. He has to play better than what he did last year. You're going to tell me its ok for him to score in only 2 games last year? Come on, he wasnt doubled every play and Eli didnt get sacked every 2 seconds every time he dropped back.
DEP the thing is Cruz isnt the reciever that those guys are  
NewYorkGiants : 5/28/2014 10:30 pm : link
I love cruz but he is not as good as any of
Marshall Calvin Gordon Dez Fitz.. Those are all big athletic 1s that are able to go up and get it at any point when u decide to heave it up for a 50-50 ball

Cruz did not play good last year and does have to do better, all im saying is those guys are different animals that shouldnt be compared to cruz, and i also stand by the fact that all of those recievers not named calvin most likely put up a similar bad year, 900-1000 yards and a few tds.. but maybe a few extra tds when considering 50-50 balls in endzone shots when in redzone
Megatron  
djm : 5/28/2014 10:46 pm : link
Wouldn't have done very much in the confines of the 2013 NYG offense. I think we can all agree with that. Cruz struggled but he also had little to no help.

Since some of us have no problems killing Cruz can we all admit that Eli sucked major wad last year too? Or was he just a victim?
I made a post earlier this year  
dep026 : 5/28/2014 10:48 pm : link
stating the 3 giants that needed to step up the most were:

1. Eli
2. JPP
3. Cruz

It wouldnt matter on who did what if these 3 dont go back to play to their top level.
RE: DEP the thing is Cruz isnt the reciever that those guys are  
dep026 : 5/28/2014 10:49 pm : link
In comment 11700666 NewYorkGiants said:
Quote:
I love cruz but he is not as good as any of
Marshall Calvin Gordon Dez Fitz.. Those are all big athletic 1s that are able to go up and get it at any point when u decide to heave it up for a 50-50 ball

Cruz did not play good last year and does have to do better, all im saying is those guys are different animals that shouldnt be compared to cruz, and i also stand by the fact that all of those recievers not named calvin most likely put up a similar bad year, 900-1000 yards and a few tds.. but maybe a few extra tds when considering 50-50 balls in endzone shots when in redzone


Calvin would have had a monster year last year. Why? Because he is just that damn good. LOL
funny thing about  
ANGPASS : 5/28/2014 10:49 pm : link
marshall, dez, green, and megaton….they all have great running games that the defense has to account for. Cruz hasn't been on the giants when they had a good run game. easier to go over the top,
I guess what I'm saying is  
djm : 5/28/2014 10:51 pm : link
Cruz wasn't and isn't the problem with the offense. He's the least of our worries. I don't think anyone was helping this offense last year once shit snowballed.
DEP i 100% agree calvin has a monster year  
NewYorkGiants : 5/28/2014 10:54 pm : link
prolly 1400 yards 12 tds and also eliminates a couple eli picks cause he out jumps defenders and wins some jump balls
Never heard of Dan Fox ...  
Manny in CA : 5/28/2014 11:29 pm : link
But looks like someone who can locate the ball very well. Good candidate for outside linebacker depth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMR7Zzx1LfA
RE: funny thing about  
Riggies : 5/28/2014 11:34 pm : link
In comment 11700688 ANGPASS said:
Quote:
marshall, dez, green, and megaton….they all have great running games that the defense has to account for. Cruz hasn't been on the giants when they had a good run game. easier to go over the top,


Dez, Megatron, etc have all had big years where their offense's run game hasn't been great themselves. It's not some plight unique to Cruz.

Cruz isn't on that true top-top tier WR level... and it's okay, just like it's okay that Eli's never going to be on Aaron Rodgers' level or that Tom Coughlin isn't ever going to be the "coach of his generation" or that Prince isn't ever going to be Richard Sherman's equal or whatever. It's not hating for anyone to accept those things. It's not hating on him, specifically, to point out that, like almost everyone on offense last year, he's got some rebounding to do this season either.
I don't think there is a receiver  
Semipro Lineman : 5/28/2014 11:37 pm : link
in the league who wouldn't have struggled on the Giants last year in all fairness to Cruz. That said, yeah he needs to play better. That drop in production wasn't all on the offensive line
The Giants enter this season ...  
Manny in CA : 5/29/2014 12:36 am : link
With ONE legitimate starter - Beason (whose best days are behind him). then there's Paysinger & Williams, who have "flashed" at times.

Maybe there's a surprise among the rest of them, let's hope so. There's certainly a lot of opportunity.
Linebacker starters ….  
Manny in CA : 5/29/2014 12:37 am : link
Is what I'm talking about.
On the Cruz subject...  
giantgiantfan : 5/29/2014 1:30 am : link
He isn't an elite X receiver and he isn't paid one like either. He's an elite slot receiver who can be effective on the outside. He did okay last year given that he had no help from any other receivers, running backs, or tight ends. By virtue of any of those units bouncing back then Cruz will bounce back.
giantgiant  
manh george : 5/29/2014 1:45 am : link
You left out another kind of help he was missing: from the OL.

It really would have been useful for Cruz to have had time to complete his routes, and for Eli to have the confidence to wait for him and then step into his throws.
RE: Linebacker starters ….  
Ten Ton Hammer : 5/29/2014 2:55 am : link
In comment 11700788 Manny in CA said:
Quote:
Is what I'm talking about.


Not really different from any other year since Pierce retired.
O line  
Rolyrock : 5/29/2014 3:02 am : link
The bad year they all had was in direct correlation to the o lines bad performance.
RE: I don't ever want to see  
jeffusedtobeonwebtv : 5/29/2014 6:49 am : link
In comment 11700557 bob in tx said:
Quote:
" James Brewer" and "LT" in the same sentence again.


I don't want to see "James Brewer" and "Giants" in the same sentence again.
Fox is a guy who suffered from low game production vs expectations  
Mason : 5/29/2014 7:08 am : link
Still a little surprised he didn't get drafted just based on potential. Lacks MLB instincts though.
FOXY!!!!!!  
teamschlitz : 5/29/2014 7:19 am : link
Huge ND fan, while I didn't think he was that great, all of his teammates seemed to love him and he worked very hard. In the current day NFL where LBs need to be able to cover as well as they defend the run, he could flourish (eventually). However, he is certainly a project.
re: Cruz  
bc4life : 5/29/2014 7:37 am : link
2012 - he was 15th best wr in the league.

2013 - just missed hitting the 1000 yard mark and only played 14 games. And that was on arguably one of the worst offenses in the league.

Biggest difference between Cruz and a lot of the top receivers is size. "You can throw the ball up and they can go get it" yeah - size has a lot to do with that.

Eli did not have time to throw to anyone last year - adding to that was the lack of a running game, yet he still just missed the 1000 yard mark. If you actually watched the games last year - it's not hard to figure out why his numbers were off. And, the vast majority of the reasons were beyond his control.

To simply point to his lack of TDs and drop in yardage is an incomplete analysis.

But, if you think Cruz is a player you have to worry about this year, be my guest...


Now Brewer at LT  
bc4life : 5/29/2014 7:50 am : link
Maybe he will do better at tackle. Maybe, but there is room for concern. And, I would be interested in hearing any argument that we should feel confident with him as the starting LT
Hell of a long  
Semipro Lineman : 5/29/2014 7:58 am : link
way to go from taking snaps at an May OTA and becoming the opening day starter, Yes, No? The hell?
Semi  
bc4life : 5/29/2014 8:14 am : link
Absolutely. But, just the thought of it...
Fox question  
Spock : 5/29/2014 8:17 am : link
What position? Outside or inside. He seems to light to be middle.
I am very excited for the BBI Freakout over Dan Fox  
BeerFridge : 5/29/2014 8:57 am : link
.
hey, maybe if our QB didn't suck ass last year?  
Greg from LI : 5/29/2014 9:01 am : link
Just spitballin' here
The  
area junc : 5/29/2014 9:01 am : link
quarterback coaching is a big upgrade to what we're used 2
and yes, that was partly a function of the OL play  
Greg from LI : 5/29/2014 9:02 am : link
But there were plenty of instances of Eli getting adequate protection and still playing poorly.
Spock: Fox's best shot at the roster...  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/29/2014 9:03 am : link
...is to back up Beason at MIKE. He can also play outside, and could earn a Sunday shirt on specials. To make the final 53, though, the guy he has to beat is Herzlich. There are too many bodies ahead of him at OLB, barring an injury to McClain, Paysinger, Williams or Kennard.

Not that I watched a lot of Notre Dame games while he was there. I'm just looking at roster math. As for the size issue, he needs about ten pounds of muscle to stay in the league at any position. Looks like his frame can handle it; he's just really underdeveloped for a kid who played 50+ games at a major program. That might mean a year on the practice squad.
By the way, I wouldn't be shocked if only 5 LBs make the final cut.  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/29/2014 9:10 am : link
Spencer Adkins might wind up a speed-dial street free agent, with a couple of young guys like Fox and Anderson on the practice squad.

Six is more likely, but five is possible if the team is hurting for roster spots.
beating out Herzlich isn't exactly a monumental task  
Greg from LI : 5/29/2014 9:11 am : link
The guy is a great story, but he's not an NFL linebacker.
I remember a comment some time ago  
bc4life : 5/29/2014 9:14 am : link
re: NFL players who overcame cancer - said they were never the same player after the treatment (chemo). Don't know how much that impacted Herzlich.
RE: hey, maybe if our QB didn't suck ass last year?  
dep026 : 5/29/2014 9:18 am : link
In comment 11700914 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
Just spitballin' here


No one here said Eli played well. All some of us are saying its quite possible Cruz didnt play well either.... because he didnt.

So far we have double teams, the OL, no run game, Eli, no help from TE or any other WRs. any other excuses for why Cruz didnt put up top 10-15 numbers last year? I am losing count.
Anyone watch the video at the first link  
BlueHurricane : 5/29/2014 9:24 am : link
That ball Eli thew was BEAUTIFUL!! That is all.
Thanks BBB  
Spock : 5/29/2014 9:25 am : link
Beating out MH doesn't sound like a big thing to me considering MH is only so so. I thought Kennard was our next MLB behind Beason.
RE: beating out Herzlich isn't exactly a monumental task  
jcn56 : 5/29/2014 9:26 am : link
In comment 11700938 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
The guy is a great story, but he's not an NFL linebacker.


Agreed, but he's stuck thus far, did you forget he went to BC?
Jack Pardee  
RetroJint : 5/29/2014 9:29 am : link
is a name that comes to mind. If I recall correctly he returned from cancer as an OLB with the Rams, then again as a HC. Mark wouldn't want any cancer points to make the team. Nor should he get any. We still root for him.

Victor is a slot receiver. He's great at it. Better than Stevie Smith was. He needs, however, a deep threat to open up his game. And if that guy is Randle I will be very surprised. To me there is nothing special to his game .
Spock: Kennard is getting reps at MIKE...  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/29/2014 9:41 am : link
...because he might have to back up multiple positions. He projects best to Kiwanuka's old spot, which the Giants call the WIL and most teams call the SAM. That would put him behind McClain. It's a two-down position, so backing it up isn't really a full-time job. He'll also get looks as as a pass-rusher in long yardage.
A Terrible Offensive line  
Chef : 5/29/2014 9:42 am : link
a shell shocked QB, a non existant running game, a hardley serviceable TE, an offensive scheme that has run its course, and a # 1 WR who could care fucking less opposite him and we are wondering why Victor Cuz had a down year?
RE: A Terrible Offensive line  
dep026 : 5/29/2014 9:51 am : link
In comment 11700995 Chef said:
Quote:
a shell shocked QB, a non existant running game, a hardley serviceable TE, an offensive scheme that has run its course, and a # 1 WR who could care fucking less and substandard play from Victor Cuz, and we wonder why the offense had a down year?


Fixed.
I love Herlich the kid  
mac attack : 5/29/2014 10:06 am : link
but I'm done with him as LB, ESPECIALLY a starting LB. There is a place for him on ST, sure, but he just can't play LB.

I'm happy he is having a successful book tour and I hope the best for him in the future but just not as a Giants LB
He's a special teamer.  
Ten Ton Hammer : 5/29/2014 10:11 am : link
not a big deal.
its pretty simple  
hitdog42 : 5/29/2014 10:51 am : link
Cruz is not a #1. the other guys we are talking about are. he is a 1A. He can be the best Robin in the league... but he aint batman. that is not a knock. that is just factual based on where he excels.
Was he great last year? hell no. Was he better then most of our offense, yes... but he still wasnt a big value add guy. I would expect him to perform much better this season.
the reason Nicks people wanted to give hakeem the money is because Hakeem in any offense at peak performance (rare due to injury) is a #1.
RE: its pretty simple  
dep026 : 5/29/2014 11:13 am : link
In comment 11701100 hitdog42 said:
Quote:
Cruz is not a #1. the other guys we are talking about are. he is a 1A. He can be the best Robin in the league... but he aint batman. that is not a knock. that is just factual based on where he excels.
Was he great last year? hell no. Was he better then most of our offense, yes... but he still wasnt a big value add guy. I would expect him to perform much better this season.
the reason Nicks people wanted to give hakeem the money is because Hakeem in any offense at peak performance (rare due to injury) is a #1.


Good post.
hitdog and dep  
alligatorpie : 5/29/2014 11:15 am : link
Victor makes a much higher base salary this year vs. nicks.

so...nice sounding theory, but, no.
side note  
alligatorpie : 5/29/2014 11:19 am : link
Barden is at the Bills, wonder if he makes it.
Will Hill in 5/28 OTA?  
Hondo : 5/29/2014 11:37 am : link
Hope he was there.

RE: hitdog and dep  
Mike in NY : 5/29/2014 11:41 am : link
In comment 11701148 alligatorpie said:
Quote:
Victor makes a much higher base salary this year vs. nicks.

so...nice sounding theory, but, no.


I didn't know that salary was be all and end all. By that measure Russell Wilson is a scrub :)
RE: hitdog and dep  
hitdog42 : 5/29/2014 11:42 am : link
In comment 11701148 alligatorpie said:
Quote:
Victor makes a much higher base salary this year vs. nicks.

so...nice sounding theory, but, no.


I dont understand your post. I would have given nicks money over cruz 2 yrs ago because i view him as a #1... not a 1a.... clearly nicks is another story after last years performance and injuries, but that was the basis for my comment.
Cruz was not a value add WR last year outside of maybe 3 games. The whole offense stunk... cruz was better then most, but still largely lagged expectations.
RE: hitdog and dep  
dep026 : 5/29/2014 11:53 am : link
In comment 11701148 alligatorpie said:
Quote:
Victor makes a much higher base salary this year vs. nicks.

so...nice sounding theory, but, no.


I dont know what this has to do with Cruz's performance last year, but thanks?
My useless, wild-ass guess on Herzlich...  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/29/2014 5:04 pm : link
...is that his career won't end in 2014. Even if the Giants cut him, I think he'll catch on with another team in the northeast, like Philly (home) or New England (his college town). Heck, if the Cowboys keep losing linebackers, he might wind up in Dallas.
hey dep and hitdog, fine, ok, then  
alligatorpie : 5/29/2014 7:30 pm : link
translate this please

''Cruz is not a #1. the other guys we are talking about are. he is a 1A. He can be the best Robin in the league... but he aint batman. that is not a knock. that is just factual based on where he excels.
Was he great last year? hell no. Was he better then most of our offense, yes... but he still wasnt a big value add guy. I would expect him to perform much better this season.


>>>the reason Nicks people wanted to give hakeem the >>>money is because Hakeem in any offense at peak performance (rare due to injury) is a #1.''
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