Again I'll try to keep this short so we can generate some productive discussion.
First off...fans need to know a couple things about this time of year.
1 - There ARE players available on the market right now that WILL make an important impact this season. That is the case every year. Just because a player is cut by a sub .500 team does not mean that can't help out a franchise like Seattle or Denver, much less NYG. A lot of personnel success comes from the scheme and situation they are thrown in to. James Harrison for example was one of the top defenders in the NFL for a 4-5 year span. However he had issues sticking to rosters for years prior and he would have had a hard time sticking to the NYG roster back then based on scheme and situation. So keep that in mind.
2 - While there are guys that will help other teams, bringing in a new player to make the immediate impact at this point is really tough. Tougher than osme of you want to believe. A new player needs to learn the scheme and develop chemistry with other players and coaches. At this point, there are situations where keeping a lesser player on your team that understands the scheme and surrounding players is a smarter move than bringing in a fresh face.
So without further adieu, here is a list of names that I think NYG should be intrigued by. This is very position-based, as I think they could use some personnel upgrades along the OL, TE, LB positions followed by a few names at other spots to keep an eye on.
OL
Jamon Meredith - G/T (TB)
Meredith entered the offseason with a legit shot at starting for TB at either G or T. The new coaching staff didn't think he was a fit for their new scheme. Meredith has some good tape from last year. He can backup a couple spots and he could be one of the top 5 OL on this team right away.
Guy Whimper - OT (PIT)
Formerly of NYG, Whimper has made a couple stops around the league (JAC and PIT). Has a good amount of starting experience and the few games I saw him play last year, he looked more than solid. I have a hard time believing he isn't better than Brown and/or Brewer.
Marcel Jones - G/T (NO)
2012 draft pick of the Saints spent all of 2013 on the the practice squad. Was an OT at Nebraska but the Saints slowly molded him in to an oversized guard. Saw him play twice this preseason and I love the footwork/length. He's had issues staying healthy in the past but has been on a good run the past two years.
Michael Philipp - G/T (SF)
I gave Philipp a really high grade coming out of Oregon State in comparison to what was out there. He played LT in college but I loved his skill set for the G position. Showed some promise this preseason, able to handle some of the NFL power/strength right away.
Zac Kerin - C (MIN)
I didn't get to see Kerin enough at Toledo last year to give a full evaluation. But I did watch their final preseason game and Kerin looked outstanding in the middle of that OL. They have a crowded group there and I think he was a tough cut for them. I prefer his game to Reynolds.
Vinston Painter - OT {DEN)
Quality back up type that has shown steady progress over past two years. He is put together really well and showed glimpses of a guy that is starting to understand the mental side of the game really well.
TE
Steve Maneri (NE)
He won't offer much as a receiver, but Maneri would quickly be the top blocking TE on the roster. With a less than average OL, this could be a big help for both the rushing and passing games respectively.
Rashaun Allen {SEA)
A tad undersized but Allen is a quick route runner and shows power as a blocker in space. I liked his style during preseason, he can be a guy that stays on the field no matter the situation.
Jeron Mastrud (OAK)
Another guy that could be brought in based on his blocking ability alone. Mastrud actually reminded me of Ballard as a receiver. Strong hands and quick enough to get open. Not a seam-buster but thats not his game and that isn't what NYG should be looking for.
Chase Ford (MIN)
Probably the top two way threat available. Ford missed a lot of 2014 preseason with a foot injury but he has some solid regular season tape to his name from last year. Ford moves well and plays tough. I like the way he competes. He is a football player unlike Robinson.
LB
DeDe Lattimore (CHI
Rookie out of South Florida that looked like the best player on the field last week against the Browns. Looks more slim and faster than he did last year. Always was a smart player with a nasty side to him.
Dan Molls {PIT)
Former tackling machine at Toledo that plays with his eyes. A guy that is always in good position. Tough situation for him to break in to in PIT. Chase Blackburn type that will do whatever he can to help a team.
Steve Beauharnais (NE)
Could add some more speed to the inside AND outside positions. Was one of the top backup LBs I watched this preseason.
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Thats all for now...have a busy day ahead but will throw some additional thoughts and discuss as we progress.
"Appealing" is subjective. What they are looking for is not necessarily what NYG is looking for.
Every team wants that, I agree. But I would look more for the type that can block well that has some subtle receiving traits. Sort of like what Ballard brought a few years ago. Doesn't need to be a 4.5 guy that used to play WR.
Quote:
A TE who can catch and run
Every team wants that, I agree. But I would look more for the type that can block well that has some subtle receiving traits. Sort of like what Ballard brought a few years ago. Doesn't need to be a 4.5 guy that used to play WR.
Amen
Also was Robinson worth keeping in your estimation?
Thanks again for the analysis and insight.
dropped another TD pass vs. the Pats last week - maybe we think it will all just click for him
...fantastic. Thanks so much!!!
He won't offer much as a receiver, but Maneri would quickly be the top blocking TE on the roster. With a less than average OL, this could be a big help for both the rushing and passing games respectively.
The way it looks like we will be run heavy in the early aseason and play action i really would keep him over our 3rd.
I lift my cup to you, Sir.
A few points on some of these players. Meredith was an Academic All American and regularly played 3 OL positions, so he has the versatility the Giants seek in O lineman. His college coach was Dave DeGuglielmo (former Giants coach) who now coaches the Patriots OL, so keep that in mind, though the Giants have a better waiver opportunity over NE.
Maneri and Beauharnais both played their HS ball minutes from Giants Stadium, thus are local kids.
As Sy indicates, the Giants should be asking themselves what available OLmen are better than what we have (Brewer, Brown, and Reynolds) now.
Is Meredith better than Brown?? That is the questions for me.
What are your thoughts on Orson Charles?
He seems like the HB/TE that I kept hearing would work well in this offense.
What are your thoughts on Orson Charles?
He seems like the HB/TE that I kept hearing would work well in this offense.
Capt Don-
I liked Charles coming out of Georgia in 2012 but he hasn't done anything in the NFL yet. I thought he could be a, at the time, Chris Cooley type TE with more ability after the catch. He hasn't been in the best situation in CIN with the guys in front of him. I think there is some talent to be worked with and he is a better blocker than he was in college. Worth a look for sure, somebody will grab him.
Similarly, if Jerry is a starting guard, it helps Brewer hang on because Jerry is also a potential RT.
The #Browns did end up finding another RB. I'm told they claimed Glenn Winston, who played for #49ers and Michigan St
Another former #49ers player claimed: CB Darryl Morris claimed by the #Texans, I'm told. Usually means deep SF roster
CB Leon McFadden has been claimed by the #Jets, per a league source.
CB Leon McFadden has been claimed by the #Jets, per a league source.
Similarly, if Jerry is a starting guard, it helps Brewer hang on because Jerry is also a potential RT.
Agreed, I'd bump Reynolds once Herman returns from suspension. Herman has been showing signs of improvement and playing with some snarl as he did in college.
#Colts claimed C A.Q. Shipley off waivers from the #Ravens and waived C Thomas Austin.
He is 6'3" 255. That is plenty big enough for a h-back/move TE.
Fells is only 1" taller and 5 lbs heavier.
#Titans claimed WR T.J. Graham off waivers, source said.
Some claims: TJ Graham was claimed by the #Titans. DT Kelcy Quarles claimed by Patriots
Queue the Kuhn hate.
Patriots 0
in factlast time we played they tampa i recall the commentators saying he was the highest in the league for
being flagged
i do agree they need to find some OL help in the roster cuts
just not sure whimper is the guy we are looking for i get the idea he may be a faster fit having played for the giants previously but the new scheme lessens that chance anyway
Ahhh no.
You might be thinking about Guy Ruegumuer (sp?) for O'Hara in the Tampa playoff game.
great stuff, Sy, thank you:
... is a football player, unlike Adrien Robinson...
LOL. I had the same thought watching him against NE. In his third (?) year, this is the bill of goods JR sold us on him; he looks tubby, unhappy to be out there, and doesn't move. Golly, this roster is thin and untalented.