I attended Training Camp Practice Yesterday and here are a few things I made note of:
- I spend the majority of the time watching/focusing on the offensive line, which is by far the team's weakest unit. I think the Giants made some minor improvements across the line but don't think enough was made to fix this unit. Beatty seems very fluid and determined to have a bounce-back year and we know we have a solid young player in Pugh. The guy that concerns me is actually Schwartz, he is an enormous specimen but seems very un-athletic and clumsy. His footwork was unimpressive and he did not show the same punch as Mosley and others. I got ripped for suggesting Schwartz was an average at best offensive lineman when we signed him but I still feel the same way. Hopefully I am wrong.
- Jernigan runs great routes and looks to play a larger role in the passing game this year but they need to end the experiment of him as a punt returner. I saw two (2) punts go straight through his arms during live punt-return scrimmage, which made me sick to watch. I would like to see what Charles James can do back there.
- I think Nate Behr will be on the practice squad this season, barring injuries. With all of the talented CBs, it is highly unlikely the Giants carry more than 4 safeties and Taylor is much more valuable on special teams.
- I'm sure the Giants would love to see Nassib seize the backup QB job but he hasn't shown enough. He still appears skittish and lacking confidence. Painter through a bad INT to Trumaine McBride but still shows a better grasp of the offense and seems more comfortable about where to go with the ball. Sunday will be a great opportunity for Nassib, as he will get plenty of playing time.
He is big, strong, and serviceable but I don't think he is an upgrade over Booth.
I am not saying it wasn't a good signing, I just don't see him as much of an improvement.
Remember, he is a journeyman player who has been a backup for most of his career.
There are options on the Giants roster now. We don't need to choose between him and Rueben "Fair Catch" Randle anymore.
There are options on the Giants roster now. We don't need to choose between him and Rueben "Fair Catch" Randle anymore.
Cruz, Manningham, and OBJ are also options.
Losing valuable time, but if this unit does not jell, we may still see some position changes before the 1st game in September.
Also, remember, LG is usually a more difficult position of the two, as it typically requires more pulling. Maybe given Schwartz has more experience they want to keep him there for now.
Also, Jerry's natural position is RG so they have some more depth/experience on that side.
On paper, I believe this OL is several clicks better than your assessment. Let's hope I'm right.
richburg is the guy who needs to start - he looks like our best interior player
Not sure he will win the starting Center job but I see him as a guy that will eventually be a stalwart on the Giants starting o-line for many years.
I must say Mosley impressed me a lot. Reminds me of Diehl in his formative years.
I think we will do a better job of protecting Eli this year but don't see this group pushing guys around in the run game the way Snee, Mckenzie etc. used to.
So much hype around kennard. can't wait to see him on sunday. he better not be another player they talk up and then suck. i would love a home grown LB and not someone else's find.
They may not be great, but even just holding their own will be tons better than last year when the RBs were getting hit consistently behind the LOS.
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I think he has virtually no shot at getting the job.
There are options on the Giants roster now. We don't need to choose between him and Rueben "Fair Catch" Randle anymore.
Cruz, Manningham, and OBJ are also options.
I'm thinking Quintin Demps more than any of those guys.
Sometimes it's not as simple as that. Shaun O'Hara was a guy the Cleveland Browns did not want.
The guy was considered one of the top guards in the game last year..
"Schwartz has played as well as any [guard] not named Evan Mathis on a per-snap basis the last two years.... has an overall grade of +24.1 in 792 snaps (full season is typically 1000+ snaps) since he missed the whole 2011 season with a hip injury. While he had a superb year in pass protection with a pass blocking efficiency of 97.3 (ranked 11th), Schwartz’ calling card is his run blocking. He has elite power at the point of attack, but he also rarely gets beat cleanly. He had the sixth-lowest percentage of run snaps that took a downgrade among all guards."[45]
Schwartz (followed by Pugh) are the least of the worries on this team.
richburg is the guy who needs to start - he looks like our best interior player
Why do people need to make up facts to support their opinions? Schwartz was signed the first day of free agency - you know, when the premier FAs generally sign - how the fuck does Thomas determine that there was "lukewarm" interest on the open market for him (not to mention the Rams were interested as well, at a minimum).
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I think he has virtually no shot at getting the job.
There are options on the Giants roster now. We don't need to choose between him and Rueben "Fair Catch" Randle anymore.
Cruz, Manningham, and OBJ are also options.
No way in hell should cruz be returning punts, manningham is coming off major knee problems so i wouldn't count on him contributing much of anything this year and OBJ can't even get on the practice field, so i'd say those 3 are horrible options. Holliday should be returning punts, he returned one against us for a TD last year for christs sake.
"Schwartz has played as well as any [guard] not named Evan Mathis on a per-snap basis the last two years.... has an overall grade of +24.1 in 792 snaps (full season is typically 1000+ snaps) since he missed the whole 2011 season with a hip injury. While he had a superb year in pass protection with a pass blocking efficiency of 97.3 (ranked 11th), Schwartz’ calling card is his run blocking. He has elite power at the point of attack, but he also rarely gets beat cleanly. He had the sixth-lowest percentage of run snaps that took a downgrade among all guards."[45]
No, PFF does not count. they are wildly inaccurate just as much as they are correct
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Pro Football Focus wrote:
"Schwartz has played as well as any [guard] not named Evan Mathis on a per-snap basis the last two years.... has an overall grade of +24.1 in 792 snaps (full season is typically 1000+ snaps) since he missed the whole 2011 season with a hip injury. While he had a superb year in pass protection with a pass blocking efficiency of 97.3 (ranked 11th), Schwartz’ calling card is his run blocking. He has elite power at the point of attack, but he also rarely gets beat cleanly. He had the sixth-lowest percentage of run snaps that took a downgrade among all guards."[45]
No, PFF does not count. they are wildly inaccurate just as much as they are correct
See the attached article. The Giants have used Pro Football Focus stats in the past
WSJ Article - ( New Window )
That somewhere was New Jersey, where he signed a four-year deal with the Giants for a reported $16.8 million, with $6.2 million guaranteed. After a physical the next day, he put pen to paper and was officially a member of Big Blue.
So, why did he sign with the Giants?
Link - ( New Window )
Baas was not below average. His sole problem was health, and his health was clean until the moment he put on a giant uniform.
Hes healthy in his physical prime and he got an OK deal and Andy Reid was not interested in retaining him at that number. What PFF says is irrelevant, the league has spoken.
Im not trying to trash the guy, he was overhyped by people who dont know what theyre talking about
They also had two linebackers that were journeymen on that team.
They won a championship with a journeyman QB.
Sometimes the second hand store has bargains.
Get the nursing home ready
Hes healthy in his physical prime and he got an OK deal and Andy Reid was not interested in retaining him at that number. What PFF says is irrelevant, the league has spoken.
Im not trying to trash the guy, he was overhyped by people who dont know what theyre talking about
Wait, shouldn't that mean you're one of the ones hyping him up?
There are options on the Giants roster now. We don't need to choose between him and Rueben "Fair Catch" Randle anymore.
I am puzzled
As to why the Giant coaches keep putting players like JJ in positions for which they are obviously not suited. How many kicks do we need to see JJ muff? He obviously has talent as a WR, which was clear after watching him tear up the field during the last 3 games in 2013. That should be sufficient.
They seem to be making a similar mistake with Holliday, by insisting that he must double as a WR, when his record shows that he is a premier kick returner & cannot catch a pass to save his life. The idea of “versatility” has become a shibboleth in the NFL. Some people, like Holliday, can be very valuable as specialists. Do they expect Weatherford to double as CB? Do they want Josh Brown to throw passes? I do not get it. And, do not tell me that they need depth in a 53 man roster. Look back at the 2012 season & see that some of these depth chart players, who hardly ever got on the field. I am referring to: Marvin Austin, Adrian Tracy, James Brewer, Ryan Torain, (who?) Selvish Capers
They lost all 5 of them
He is a good player who was reasonably priced
This exactly.
The bottom line is that pre-season games start before long and then we'll be able to see and judge for ourselves. But for now, I feel very good about this signing.
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He takes a bit too long to make up his mind where to go, and then he makes long strides. Easy tackle...
I saw a fairly proficient Guard in the few things I watched. I really liked how he always kept himself upright and stayed in the play until the whistle too.
just sayin...