Friday Reading

Giants

Traina B/R: Giants Have Gotten Back on Track After Slow Start to 2014 Season
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2211446-how-the-ny-giants-have-gotten-back-on-track-after-slow-start-to-2014-season

Samuel NYDN: Larry Donnell has three touchdowns as NY Giants rout Washington, 45-14
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/larry-donnell-touchdowns-ny-giants-rout-washington-45-14-article-1.1953445

Hubbuch NYP: Eli Manning throws 4 TD's in Giants' rout of Redskins
http://nypost.com/2014/09/26/eli-manning-throws-4-tds-in-giants-rout-of-redskins/

Hubbuch NYP: Report card: Giants have 'A' new star
http://nypost.com/2014/09/26/report-card-giants-have-a-new-star/

Pennington NYT: Giants’ Smooth Offense Runs Redskins Ragged
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/sports/football/ny-giants-smooth-offense-runs-redskins-ragged.html

Raanan NJ.com: Rapid Reaction: Giants put it all together, send notice to NFC East
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/rapid_reaction_giants_put_it_all_together_send_notice_to_nfc_east.html

Orr Star Ledger: Giants-Redskins: 10 observations, including that tight end we didn't think Big Blue had
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/giants-redskins_10_observations_including_that_tight_end_we_didnt_think_big_blue_had.html

Perez NJ.com: Studs and Duds: Giants' Larry Donnell, Eli Manning shine, Redskins QB Kirk Cousins scuffles
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/studs_and_duds_giants_larry_donnell_eli_manning_shine_redskins_qb_kirk_cousins_scuffles.html

Rock Newsday: Larry Donnell's 3 TD catches lead Giants to rout
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/larry-donnell-s-3-td-catches-lead-giants-in-rout-1.9410202

Stapleton The Record: Giants blow out the Redskins 45-14 behind Eli Manning's 4 TD passes
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/giants-blow-out-redskins-45-14-behind-eli-manning-s-4-td-passes-1.1096548

Traina Inside Football: Giants Dominate Washington, 45-14
http://insidefootball.com/2014/09/26/giants-dominate-washington-45-14/

Rosenthal NFL.com: Eli Manning registers 5 TDs in Giants' rout of Redskins
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000400853/article/eli-manning-registers-5-tds-in-giants-rout-of-redskins

Woo WSJ: Manning, Defense lead Giants to win over Redskins
http://online.wsj.com/articles/manning-defense-lead-giants-to-win-over-redskins-1411705564

Wilson CBS Sports: Takeaways, Giants-Redskins: Maybe we should take Eli seriously
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24724960/takeaways-giants-redskins-maybe-we-should-take-eli-seriously

Offense

Serby NYP: Manning, Donnell do their best Simms-Bavaro imitation
http://nypost.com/2014/09/26/manning-donnell-do-their-best-simms-bavaro-immitation/

Graziano ESPN: Eli-to-Donnell connection is clicking as Giants tailor offense to their personnel
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/39074/giants-fitting-offense-to-their-players

Prewitt Wash Post: Against the Redskins, the Giants show ‘everything’s coming together’ for their new-look offense
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/against-the-redskins-the-giants-show-everythings-coming-together-for-their-new-look-offense/2014/09/26/13836c80-436c-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html

QB

@art_stapleton: Eli Manning: "We can't be satisfied with where we are. There is still definitely room for improvement, room to get better." #NYG

Glauber Newsday: Eli Manning ready to take baton from Derek Jeter as NYC's biggest star
http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/with-eli-manning-giants-have-big-edge-in-stability-at-qb-in-nfc-east-1.941084

RV NYDN: NY Giants QB Eli Manning looks like a ‘10’ again, back to his old self in rout
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/vacchiano-giants-qb-eli-manning-10-back-old-rout-article-1.1953576

WR

Braziller NYP: Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle come up big in Giants laugher
http://nypost.com/2014/09/26/victor-cruz-and-rueben-randle-come-up-big-in-giants-laugher/

TE

@TomRock_Newsday: Donnell now on pace for 100 receptions in 2014. Had 3 in his career coming into the season.

@art_stapleton: Asked if Donnell has exceeded his expectations, Tom Coughlin: "No."

Asked if Donnell has exceeded his expectations, Eli Manning: "Yeah."

@art_stapleton: Giants TE Larry Donnell told me: "When you’ve got Eli on this team, there should never be any question about how good we can be.” #NYG

Rock Newsday: Larry Donnell making splash for Giants
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/tight-end-larry-donnell-making-splash-for-giants-1.9410205

Defense

Lewis NYP: Opportunistic Giants' defense forces six Redskin turnovers
http://nypost.com/2014/09/26/opportunistic-giants-defense-forces-six-redskins-turnovers/

Orr Star Ledger: Giants defense: Kirk Cousins was 'staring down' Redskins receivers all night
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/giants_defense_kirk_cousins_was_staring_down_redskins_receivers_all_night.html

DE

@art_stapleton: Damontre Moore got his 1st career sack. His post-sack dance? Awful. "It's not about who does it the best. It's about who does it the most."

Rock Newsday: Damontre Moore gets his first sack dance
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/damontre-moore-gets-his-first-sack-dance-1.9412492

MLB

@art_stapleton: Jon Beason told me issue was not that he could not play tonight, but if he could give full game. Still believes he will be back for Atlanta.

@art_stapleton: Jon Beason on Eli Manning: "That was impressive, man. Elisha, the book of Eli – he looked great." #NYG

Rock Newsday: Giant Jon Beason lauds linebackers' chemistry
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/injured-giant-jon-beason-lauds-linebackers-chemistry-1.9412534

Hubbuch NYP: Playing it safe, Beason sits and watches happily as Giants roll
http://nypost.com/2014/09/26/playing-it-safe-beason-sits-and-watches-happily-as-giants-roll/

DB

Rock Newsday: Giants' secondary gets a tip from Jason Pierre-Paul
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/giants-secondary-gets-a-tip-from-jason-pierre-paul-1.9412535

S

Raanan NJ.com: Quintin Demps: 'I did what I was supposed to do' on hit that knocked Niles Paul out of Giants victory
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/quintin_demps_i_did_what_i_was_supposed_to_do_on_hit_that_knocked_niles_paul_out_of_giants_victory.html

WASHINGTON

Jones Wash Post: Kirk Cousins has five turnovers, Eli Manning has five TDs, and Giants top Redskins, 45-14
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/kirk-cousins-has-five-turnovers-eli-manning-has-five-tds-and-giants-top-redskins-45-14/2014/09/26/cf6b8294-450a-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html

Reid Wash Post: Kirk Cousins not only problem for Redskins, but QB is the biggest issue
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/jason-reid-kirk-cousins-not-only-problem-for-redskins-but-qb-is-the-biggest-issue/2014/09/26/ed947c8a-450a-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html

@TomRock_Newsday: Wash FB Darrel Young (Amityville) said he thought it was his team's night. "When Victor Cruz dropped that ball, I said 'Ok, we got action.'

@art_stapleton: RT @DanGrazianoESPN: "I've never seen him get rid of the ball so fast." -Brian Orakpo on Eli Manning, per @john_keim

Perez NJ.com: Redskins' linebacker Ryan Kerrigan "Giants flat out kicked our butts"
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/redskins_linebacker_ryan_kerrigan_giants_flat_out_kicked_our_butts.html

Steinburg Wash Post: Redskins-Giants best and worst
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/09/25/redskins-giants-best-and-worst-5/


NFL

King MMQB: Three Weeks Down…
...14 more to go. What have we learned so far in the 2014 season? We've met the league's emerging star (hello, Le'Veon Bell) and its most disappointing team (sorry, Bucs). Let's run down a few more, plus find 10 things to watch in Week 4
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/09/26/nfl-week-4-gameplan/

Barnwell Grantland: The Rise and Fall of the 2012 Draft
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-2012-nfl-draft/


ARIZONA
AZ Central: Arizona Cardinals boosted by energy and optimism of Darnell Dockett
http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2014/09/25/arizona-cardinals-darnell-dockett-bruce-arians-nfl-knee/16236271/

ATLANTA
Cunningham AJC: Falcons' Julio Jones shrugs off hot start: 'I'm trying to finish'
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/football/falcons-julio-jones-shrugs-off-hot-start-im-trying/nhWFc/

BUFFALO
Skurski Buffalo News: Bills aren’t disappointed with Manuel on the run
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/bills-arent-disappointed-with-manuel-on-the-run-20140925

Oklobzija Roch Democrat: Bills’ Brown has what it takes
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2014/09/25/bills-brown-takes/16244301/

CAROLINA
Jones Charlotte Observer: Carolina Panthers defensive line and linebackers out of sync vs Steelers
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/23/5195078/carolina-panthers-defensive-line.html

CHICAGO
Chi Sun Times: Matt Forte eager to jump start running game
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/30104457-606/matt-forte-eager-to-jump-start-the-running-game.html

Tucker SOE: BEARS ROOKIE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Packers wide receivers may have a lot of room to roam now that Charles Tillman is out for the season. Can rookie CB Kyle Fuller stay hot? Also, a look at the Dolphins-Raiders London showdown and a battle in the trenches between the Eagles and Niners.
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/96369836/bears-packers-dolphins-raiders-eagles-niners-matchups-to-watch

Bowen B/R: Kyle Fuller Already Ahead of Schedule in Bright Young NFL Career
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2210533-kyle-fuller-already-ahead-of-schedule-in-bright-young-nfl-career

CINCINNATI
Kapadia SOE: BENGALS QUIETLY DOMINATING
Though they're only three games in, the Cincinnati Bengals haven't missed a beat. Paul Guenther's defense has stymied opponents, as Cincinnati has allowed just 11 points per game, tops in the NFL, and their passing attack is the fourth-most efficient in the league.
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/96387590/bengals-quietly-dominating-paul-guenther-andy-dalton

DALLAS
Moore Dallas Morning News: Linehan, Cowboys showing commitment to run; can it continue vs. Saints?
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140925-linehan-praised-for-cowboys-commitment-to-run-can-it-continue-vs.-saints.ece

Machota Dallas Morning News: Dallas Cowboys’ DeMarco Murray doesn’t care about leading NFL in rushing
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/dallas-cowboys-demarco-murray-doesnt-care-about-leading-nfl-in-rushing.html/

Sabin Dallas Morning News: Dallas Cowboys trying to patch up interior defensive line by moving Tyrone Crawford to 3-tech tackle spot
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/dallas-cowboys-trying-to-patch-up-interior-defensive-line-by-moving-tyrone-crawford-to-3-tech-tackle-spot.html/

Gosselin Dallas Morning News
"On Cowboys vs. Saints
Rick Gosselin: This is a terrible matchup for the Cowboys. Mo Claiborne walks out, you’re kind of unsettled at cornerback and you’ve got to be able to cover. They’ve got four wide receivers, three- and four-receiver sets. You’ve got the best tight end in football. You got Pierre Thomas coming out of the backfield. But the important thing is you’ve gotta get pressure in your front four. Those four guys have to pressure Drew Brees. You can’t blitz him; if you blitz him, he’ll kill you. I don’t think they can pressure him. They’ve got ½ sack in three games. I don’t see how the Cowboys are gonna slow the Saints down. I’d be surprised if you don’t see Drew Brees’ and that offense’s A game this weekend."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140925-gosselin-game-vs.-saints-a-terrible-matchup-for-cowboys.ece

DENVER
Moss Denver Post: John Fox enters bye way more fit than a year ago
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26608829/fox-enters-bye-way-more-fit-than-year

Denver Post: Broncos Emmanuel Sanders soars to top of NFL receiving charts
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26601511/broncos-emmanuel-sanders-soars-top-nfl-receiving-charts

DETROIT
Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Lions' Stafford hits piling up as Jets' pass rush looms
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2014/09/26/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-getting-hit/16251075/

NJ.com: Former Rutgers DE George Johnson's NFL career revived with Detroit Lions
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2014/09/former_rutgers_de_george_johnsons_nfl_career_revived_with_detroit_lions.html

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: Texans report: Johnson can catch Harrison for record
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-report-Johnson-can-catch-Harrison-for-5781501.php

Smith Houston Chronicle: Texans have nothing but praise for veteran center Myers
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-have-nothing-but-praise-for-veteran-center-5781706.php

McClain Houston Chronicle: Texans must find a way to stop Buffalo’s potent run attack
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/09/texans-must-find-a-way-to-stop-buffalos-potent-run-attack/

INDIANAPOLIS
Cavin Ind Star: Forget the money: Colts' RB Ahmad Bradshaw is playing to prove himself
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2014/09/25/ahmad-bradshaw-proving-he-is-worth-colts-investment/16211407/

KANSAS CITY
Paylor KC Star: Pain of lost rookie season propels Chiefs' enthusiastic tight end Travis Kelce
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article2249388.html

MIAMI
Beasley Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins must 'tidy up' problems stopping the runi
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article2245156.html

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: What Patriots can learn from TNF
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4768932/what-patriots-can-learn-from-tnf-3

Whitmer Boston Globe: Patriots' Nate Ebner finding place on defense
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/09/25/patriots-nate-ebner-finding-place-defense/GOPxf9bXGoLFJVIor6f6RO/story.html

NEW ORLEANS
Woodberry Nola.com: Saints haven't scaled down fullback role with Austin Johnson in place of injured Erik Lorig
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/09/saints_havent_scaled_down_full.html

OAKLAND
Vrentas MMQB: For Raiders in London, It’s a New Kind of Zone Read
What time is it? It's an important question for Oakland, which has lost 15 straight games in the Eastern Time Zone. This week, they’ve gone even further east and are trying to acclimate ahead of Sunday’s game against Miami at Wembley
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/09/25/oakland-raiders-london-nfl/

Tafur SF Chronicle: Jones-Drew aiming to ignite Raiders struggling run game
http://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Jones-Drew-aiming-to-ignite-Raiders-struggling-5781483.php

PHILADELPHIA
Hayes Phil.com: 3 Eagles' issues to keep an eye on
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20140926_3_Eagles_issues.html

McLane Phil.com: Why isn't Brandon Boykin starting for the Eagles?
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20140926_Why_isn_t_Brandon_Boykin_starting_for_the_Eagles_.html

PITTSBURGH
Bouchette PItt Post Gazette: Steelers' offense ready to make name
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/09/26/Steelers-offense-ready-to-make-a-name-for-itself/stories/201409250331

Fittipaldo Pitt Post Gazette: Harrison's role with Steelers defense still unknown
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/09/26/Harrison-s-role-with-Steelers-defense-still-unknown/stories/201409260124

SAN FRANCISCO
Lynch SF Chronicle: Eagles' complex defense and fast offense has the 49ers concerned
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2014/09/25/complex-defense-and-fast-offense-has-the-49ers-coordinators-concerned/

Barrows Sac Bee: Why Tank Carradine isn't playing for the 49ers
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/25/6735215/sidelined-why-tank-carradine-isnt.html

Inman SJ Mercury News: Patrick Willis not writing any checks to NFL
http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_26606601/patrick-willis-not-writing-any-checks-nfl

TAMPA BAY
Bassinger Tampa Bay Times: Scouting report, Week 4: Here's what Steelers, Big Ben will do vs. Bucs (w/film review)
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/scouting-report-week-4-heres-what-steelers-big-ben-will-do-vs-bucs-w-film/2199354

Draft

Miller B/R: Matt Miller's scouting notebook for week 4
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2211118-2015-nfl-draft-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-for-week-4

Brugler CBS Sports: NFL draft week 5 prospect preview
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24723969/nfl-draft-week-5-prospect-preview

Rang CBS Sports: NFL draft: Hundley Bruins D tame Sun Devils, tease scouts
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24725088/nfl-draft-hundley-bruins-d-tame-sun-devils-tease-scouts

History

Allen Wash Post: Redskins’ first game in D.C. was on a Thursday against the Giants in 1937
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/09/25/redskins-first-game-in-d-c-was-on-a-thursday-against-the-giants-in-1937/