Tuesday Reading

Giants

Gola NYDN: NY Giants lack the talent to fix problems at the point of attack
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/gola-giants-lack-talent-fix-problems-point-attack-article-1.1981213

Schwartz NYP: ‘I think we can': Defiant Giants believe they’ll win-out
http://nypost.com/2014/10/20/i-think-we-can-defiant-giants-believe-theyll-win-out/

Pedulla NYT: Needing to replenish, Giants finally catch a break
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/21/sports/football/needing-to-replenish-giants-finally-catch-a-break.html?_r=0

Ehalt The Record: Giants staying upbeat during bye week
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/giants-stay-upbeat-1.1113715

O'Gorman The Trentonian: Giants head into bye on two game losing streak
http://www.trentonian.com/sports/20141020/giants-head-into-bye-on-two-game-losing-streak

Traina B/R: 5 Decisions the NY Giants Should Make During the Bye Week
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2238814-5-decisions-the-ny-giants-should-make-during-the-bye-week

Dottino WFAN: Game balls and gassers; Giants brutalized on the ground, end of story
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/10/20/dottinos-game-balls-gassers-giants-brutalized-on-ground-end-of-story/

Raanan NJ.com: Some Giants injury news: Not all that promising for Jon Beason, Geoff Schwartz (for the Colts game) and DRC
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/giants_injuries_drc_update_jon_beason_to_visit_doctor_geoff_schwartz_has_long_way_to_go.html

Coach

Raanan NJ.com: Tom Coughlin's message to the Giants: Get ready, we're going to make a run
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/tom_coughlins_message_to_the_giants_get_ready_were_going_to_make_a_run.html

Lewis NYP: Coughlin’s plan to avoid getting ‘punched in the mouth’ again
http://nypost.com/2014/10/20/coughlins-plan-to-avoid-getting-punched-in-the-mouth-again/

QB

Raanan NJ.com: Eli Manning: Grading he Giants' QB's performance vs Cowboys
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/eli_manning_grading_the_giants_qbs_performance_vs_cowboys.html

Schwartz NYP: Giants rewind: Wasting Eli Manning's great season
http://nypost.com/2014/10/20/giants-rewind-wasting-eli-mannings-great-season/

Graziano ESPN: Introducing the new, much more careful Eli Manning
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/39717/introducing-the-new-much-more-careful-eli-manning

Rock Newsday: Eli Manning proud of Peyton Manning after breaking TD record
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/eli-manning-proud-of-peyton-manning-after-breaking-td-record-1.9526021

@TomRock_Newsday: Elsewhere on the all-time TD pass list, Eli Manning's 3 TDs on Sunday gave him 243 and moved him ahead of YA Tittle into 18th place.

RB

Raanan NJ.com: RB Rashad Jennings 'right on track,' eyes Giants next game vs. Colts
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/rb_rashad_jennings_right_on_track_eyes_giants_next_game_vs_colts.html

WR

Raskin WSJ: Odell Beckham JR. enters bye week as Giants playmaker
http://online.wsj.com/articles/odell-beckham-jr-enters-bye-week-as-giants-playmaker-1413852579


OL

@PFF_Pete: Sign of poor run blocking: take away a QB scramble, Giants had to earn 71 of their 93 yards (76%) after contact vs Dallas.

LT

@PFF_Pete: Long fall back to earth for Will Beatty. @PFF's highest-graded LT heading into Wk 7, earned a career-low grade vs Dallas.

DE

Raanan NJ.com: JPP gets off-the-charts grade by @PFF. Tom Coughlin seems to agree he won battle vs. Tyron Smith
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/giants_de_jason_pierre-paul_gets_off-the-chart_grade_vs_cowboys.html

Tasch NYDN: Jason Pierre-Paul still believes in 3-4 NY Giants: 'Don't count us out yet'
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/jason-pierre-paul-believes-3-4-ny-giants-don-count-article-1.1980994?cid=bitly

Knobler ESPN: Jason Pierre-Paul believes Giants can run the table after bye week
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/39720/jason-pierre-paul-believes-giants-can-run-the-table-after-bye-week

DT

Schwartz NYP: More pain for Giants defense, Cullen Jenkins on crutches
http://nypost.com/2014/10/20/more-pain-for-giants-defense-cullen-jenkins-on-crutches/

CB

@NYGsalomone: Coughlin on DRC: "It's going to be a continuous kind of a thing here. The rest, will it help him? Sure it will." #NYG #NFL

NFL

Vaccaro NYP: The Golden Age of NY football is over
http://nypost.com/2014/10/20/the-golden-age-of-ny-football-is-over/

Barnwell Grantland: The triangle: Week 7 wrap-up
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/week-7-wrap-up-seattle-seahawks-san-diego-chargers-kansas-city-chiefs/

Barnwell Grantland: The Percy Harvin Saga: How Seattle Lost and the Jets Won
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-percy-harvin-saga-how-seattle-lost-and-the-jets-won/

@Patricia_Traina: NFLPA finally updated its public salary cap report. NYG has $2.192M of cap space left. http://t.co/ot15ULNPLU
https://www.nflpa.com/public-salary-cap-report

ATLANTA
McClure ESPN ATL: Mike Tice prepared for another injury like Konz (ACL). But are the Falcons prepared for 5th different starting line?
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/145878/falcons-face-another-starting-o-line-combo-with-peter-konz-out-for-year

McClure ESPN Atl: A little background on the newest Falcon, Jonathan Scott, one of the most unique o-linemen I've covered in the past.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-11-24/sports/ct-spt-1125-bears-scott-chicago--20121125_1_jonathan-scott-max-starks-gabe-carimi

BUFFALO
Orr NFL.com: Bills' Sammy Watkins just beginning to evolve
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000414457/article/bills-sammy-watkins-just-beginning-to-evolve

CAROLINA
Person/Jones Charlotte Observer: Carolina Panthers Chase Blackburn: League should apologize for ejection of Luke Kuechly
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/10/20/5255187/carolina-panthers-chase-blackburn.html

Person Charlotte Observer: ‘Swarming’ mentality missing from Panthers’ defense
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/10/20/5255366/swarming-mentality-missing-from.html

CINCINNATI
Dehner Cin Enquirer: Hue Jackson wants blame for shutout addressed to his office. But was Sunday an anomaly or trend?
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2014/10/20/bengals-hue-jackson-direct-shutout-blame-to-my-office/17631731/

Skinner Cin Enquirer: Trading Gresham would be illogical, here's why
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/blogs/2014/10/19/trading-gresham-would-be-illogical-heres-why/17551065/

CLEVELAND
Cabot CLE Plain Dealer: Cleveland Browns' Brian Hoyer admits he hurried his throws in the face of Jacksonville's rush
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/10/cleveland_browns_brian_hoyer_a_1.html?utm_source=dlvr.it& utm_medium=twitter

Reed CLE Plain Dealer: Lack of run game and Alex Mack's injury expose Browns' offensive challenges
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/10/lack_of_running_game_and_alex.html#incart_story_package

DALLAS
Gosselin Dallas Morning News: What Sanders did for Lions in '97, Murray can do for Cowboys in '14
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/rick-gosselin/20141020-gosselin-what-sanders-did-for-lions-in-97-murray-can-do-for-cowboys-in-14.ece

Dallas Morning News: Upon further review: Short yardage plays
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20141020-cowboys-giants-upon-further-review-winning-in-short-yardage.ece

@PFF_Pete: It hasn't affected the game's outcome, but Tyron Smith has had 2 very poor run blocking games in a row now (-8.1 @PFF grade).

DENVER
Renck Denver Post: Bibbs in Barrett out for the Broncos.. A quick story on the details and reason why
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26764719/kapri-bibbs-signed-by-broncos-active-roster-shaquil-barrett-waivers

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Calvin Johnson is making the trip, but Lions are mum on if he's playing
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2014/10/20/calvin-johnson-injury-detroit-lions/17619385/

Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Lions add veteran TE Kellen Davis
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2014/10/20/detroit-lions-kellen-davis/17621275/

@PFF: Ndamukong Suh leads all defensive tackles with 23 combined sacks, hits & hurries. 2nd are Nick Fairley & Sen'Derrick Marks w/ 21


GREEN BAY
Dunne Mil JS: Packers defense adds bite, takes a stand in Carolina game
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-defense-adds-bite-takes-a-stand-in-carolina-game-b99372153z1-279875912.html?ipad=y

Dunne Mil JS: Blocking is Richard Rodgers' other talent
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/blocking-is-richard-rodgers-other-talent-b99374462z1-279864752.html?ipad=y

Silverstein Mil JS: McCarthy: We're getting ready to go into a hotbox down there in New Orleans
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/279840032.html?ipad=y

INDIANAPOLIS
@RapSheet: #Colts RB Trent Richardson had 14 carries for 77 yards & 4 catches for 41 yards. First game over 5 yards per rush. #progress

Holder Ind Star: Like what you've seen from Colts TE Dwayne Allen? If you believe him, you ain't seen nothing yet
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2014/10/20/tight-end-dwayne-allen-overcoming-injury-for-colts/17636065/

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: How increasing usage of TE position, tied to Rob Gronkowski's return to top form, is reshaping Patriots' offense.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4770515/how-tight-ends-are-reshaping-pats-attack?ex_cid=espnapi_public

NEW ORLEANS
Harris Nola.com: New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says QB Drew Brees is least of his worries.
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/10/new_orleans_saints_coach_sean_247.html

Bedard MMQB: Saints Under Siege
Sloppy defensive play and poor pass protection. Even after a bye week to get things right, the Saints repeated the same mistakes as their season continues to slip away
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/10/20/nfl-new-orleans-saints-drew-brees-struggles/

PHILADELPHIA
Berman Phil.com: Flacco, Ryan: Philly area QB's going in different directions
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20141020_Flacco__Ryan__Philly-area_QBs_going_in_different_directions.html

@ZBerm: Mychal Kendricks writes that he will practice this week, among other things
http://mychalkendricks.com/an-injury-the-lessons-and-the-future/

PITTSBURGH
Bouchette Pitt Post Gazette: Steelers defeat Texans, 30-23
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/10/20/Steelers-vs-Houston-Texans/stories/201410200213

SAN FRANCISCO
Kroichick SF Chronicle: 49ers Harbaugh left Kaepernick in Sunday because he had visions of 32-point rally
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2014/10/20/visions-of-epic-comeback-spurred-harbaugh-to-stick-with-kaepernick/

Barrows Sac Bee: The last guy in the green room on draft day will get the first crack at becoming the #49ers' new starting center.
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article3184494.html

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: News and notes from Pete Carroll's meeting with the media today
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/seahawks/2014/10/20/seahawks-coach-pete-carroll-with-more-on-harvin-and-injury-updates/

TAMPA BAY
@Rand_Getlin: WR/KR Trindon Holliday has signed with the #Bucs, per a league source. Lightning in a bottle for Tampa Bay.

WASHINGTON
Jones Wash Post: Redskins prepare to move forward with linebacker Brian Orakpo out for the season
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins-prepare-to-move-forward-with-linebacker-brian-orakpo-out-for-the-season/2014/10/20/85b1f356-589f-11e4-9d6c-756a229d8b18_story.html?wprss=rss_redskins-page-shell& utm_source=twitterfeed& utm_medium=twitter


Draft

Miller B/R: 2015 NFL Draft: Each Team's Biggest Need and Best Fit
"The Need: Offensive Tackle | The Fit: La'el Collins, LSU
William Beatty's days as the left tackle of the New York Giants are limited. Very limited. He may play out the season, but you can bet general manager Jerry Reese has already hit the road to check out the top tackles eligible for the 2015 draft. With what would be a pick in the middle of the first round as of now, the Giants would miss out on top tackle Cedric Ogbuehi but will have a nice group to pick from in the second tier. Assuming Brandon Scherff is probably off the board when the Giants pick, LSU's La'el Collins could be the ideal player. Collins has the size, arm length and athleticism to be a left tackle in the NFL from day one, and most of the weaknesses keeping him from being a premier prospect are fixable early on. And with a good line around him if all starters are healthy, Collins can learn from experienced studs like Justin Pugh and Geoff Schwartz while he and Weston Richburg form the future of the line.
Secondary Fits: Brandon Scherff (Iowa), Andrus Peat (Stanford), Ty Sambrailo (Colorado State)"
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2238186-2015-nfl-draft-each-teams-biggest-need-and-best-fit

Brugler CBS Sports: 2015 NFL Draft: Week Eight Stock Report
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24761269/nfl-draft-week-eight-stock-report

History

King MMQB: Behind the HOF’s New Contributor Committee
To alleviate a backlog of non-playing contributors to the sport, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has established a nine-person committee to select two candidates for the Class of 2015. Here is how that process will unfold this year and beyond
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/10/21/pro-football-hall-of-fame-contributor-committee/

Today in Pro Football History 10-21
10-21-1973 Vikings Sink Feisty Eagles as Gilliam Stars
http://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2014/10/1973-vikings-sink-feisty-eagles-as.html

Today in Giants History

10-21-1928 Detroit Wolverines 28 Giants 0
Benny Friedman of Detroit was so good (58 yard rush for TD, 4 XP's) the Giants bought the Detroit franchise, essentially just to get him.

Eric BBI: Benny Friedman: The QB Who May Have Saved the New York Giants
http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/2006/02/13/the-quarterback-who-may-have-saved-the-giants-benny-friedman/

Cronin LA Times 2012: Did the New York Giants buy a whole team just to get their quarterback?
"Mara felt that the Jewish Friedman would appeal to New York's large Jewish population. Also, of course, he felt that Friedman would help improve the team and make it a winner and winning tends to attract crowds, as well. Mara approached Fisher about acquiring Friedman. Each time Mara made an offer, Fisher turned him down. This went on for awhile before Mara finally reached a solution. The Wolverines weren't doing particularly well, either (not many NFL franchises were flush during the 1920s), so Mara just offered to purchase the entire franchise from Fisher. Unlike most other NFL owners, Mara was still quite well off (he took a big hit in the 1929 Stock Market Crash, but that was still a year away) so his attitude was that he would use his wealth to make the Giants as attractive an option for fans as possible and eventually his investment would pay off big time. Fisher agreed and Mara purchased the Wolverines franchise and promptly disbanded it (I have not been able to find the terms of the purchase - I've seen some extremely small figures thrown out there, like $3,500, but I find them hard to believe, as Friedman alone would be worth that much).
Besides Friedman (who Mara paid $10,000 for the 1929 season), a number of other Wolverines joined the Giants for the 1929 season (in fact, while Friedman was clearly the impetus behind the purchase, it is not like Mara did not also think that the other Wolverines wouldn’t play a big part in the improvement of the Giants). LeRoy Andrews even came over to become the coach of the Giants. After also adding future Hall of Famer Ray Flaherty from yet another defunct NFL franchise (NFL franchises dropped like flies during the 1920s), the Giants went on to a 13-1-1 season, losing only to the undefeated Green Bay Packers. The Giants turned a small profit in 1929. Friedman, for his part, threw 20 touchdown passes. It would be nearly fifteen years before another NFL team threw 20 touchdown passes, let alone a single player."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2012/02/did-the-new-york-giants-buy-a-whole-team-just-to-get-their-quarterback.html

10-21-1934 Giants 17 Pittsburgh Pirates 7
Ken Strong kicked a 44 Yard FG and rushed for a touchdown in the Giants win.

10-21-1945 Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Giants 7
The reconstituted struggling Steelers dominated the Giants who in 1945 were reduced to playing spoiler in the East.

10-21-1951 Giants 26 Philadelphia 24
Trailing 17-0 at the half, the Giants rallied raising their record to 3-0-1. In the third quarter the Giants scored 23 unanswered points. Charlie Conerly found fellow Mississippi alumnus Bill Stribling for a 15 yard touchdown pass. Then DB Harmon Rowe tackled the Eagles' Bosh Pritchard for a safety. Later in the third Emlen Tunnell returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown. Fullback Eddie Price then ended the Giants huge third quarter with a 25 yard touchdown run. A fourth quarter Ray Poole FG extended the Giants lead to 9 and the Giants held off a Eagles comeback bid.

10-21-1956 Giants 38 Pittsburgh 10
Charlie Conerly tossed three touchdown passes and the Giants rushed for 241 yards.

10-21-1962 Giants 17 Detroit 14
The Lions would drive to the Giant 30 late in the fourth quarter on the strength of a outstanding performance by receiver Gail Cogdill (144 receiving yards on the day) but the Giants defense would drive the Lions back 16 yards on the next three plays and Rosey Grier blocked a 53 yard field goal attempt preserving the hard fought win.

The Giants Y.A. Tittle took a pounding from the talented defensive line of the Lions, suffering a contusion to his right side. Tittle somehow played against Washington the next week and without practicing all week, threw for 505 yards against Washington.

Recollection of a fan:
http://johndelach.wordpress.com/2013/12/11/giants-vs-lions-october-21-1962/comment-page-1/

10-21-1973 Dallas 45 Giants 28
Dallas went out to a 45-14 lead with 28 unanswered points as Calvin Hill rushed for 123 yards. Giants punter Jim McCann averaged just 21.2 yards on six punts.

10-21-1979 Giants 21 Kansas City 17
The Giants third straight victory was won on a Harry Carson 22 yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Rookie Earnest Gray had 107 yards receiving for the Giants, including a 53 yard touchdown pass from fellow rookie Phil Simms.

10-21-1984 Philadelphia 24 Giants 10
The Eagles broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter on Ron Jaworski touchdown passes to former Giants draft pick Melvin Hoover and Tony Woodruff.

10-21-1990 Giants 20 Phoenix 19
With Phil Simms injured and down 19-10 in the fourth quarter with 5:38 to play, the Giants rallied to win on a Matt Bahr 40 yard field goal as time expired. The Cardinals came into New York as a 13 point underdog.

Simms was injured after being hit by the Cardinals Cedric Mack and Ken Harvey high-low. Jeff Hostetler took over and struggled until some late game heroics. Hostetler found Stephen Baker on a post pattern for a 38 yard score to make it a 19-17 game. Then the Giants used timeouts, the two minute warning and a tackle by safety Myron Guyton on Cardinals' quarterback Timm Rosenbach two yards short of a first down to get the ball back. Following the punt the Giants had the ball on their 29 with 58 seconds left. After a incompletion, Hostetler hit Mark Ingram with a 26 yard pass down the middle. After two incomplete passes, Hostetler competed a pass of 18 yards to Lionel Manuel to the Cards 20 with 20 seconds left and with the clock running as the Giants had no timeouts. Hostetler was able to get the Giants lined up and spiked the ball with 3 seconds left. Bahr signed as a free agent three weeks prior, then kicked the winning FG.

Litsky NYT: The Giants find a way to win
http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/22/sports/giants-find-a-way-to-win-20-19.html

10-21-2007 Giants 33 San Francisco 15
Osi Umenyiora had two key fumble recoveries including one returned 71 yards for a score as The Giants defense overwhelmed the 49ers. Osi's first fumble recovery at the 49er 30, set up a short Giant touchdown drive that gave the Giants a 13-7 lead. A Sam Madison interception set up a Lawrence Tynes field goal to make it 16-7. In the third quarter with the Giants leading 19-7, Umenyiora sacked the 49ers Trent Dilfer and recovered the fumble he caused returning it for a touchdown. It was the Giants fifth straight win after a 0-2 start.

Litsky NYT: Umenyiora Sets Mood, and Giants Join the Fun
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/sports/football/22blue.html?_r=0

10-21-2012 Giants 27 Washington 23
The Giants improved to 5-2 on a 77 yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Victor Cruz with 1:23 remaining. Redskins rookie Robert Griffin III was unstoppable with 258 yards passing and 89 yards rushing. With 1:38 remaining a 30 yard touchdown pass from Griffin to Santana Moss had apparently given the Redskins the victory.

Replay of the Cruz catch
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P2InxFdibnw

Media

NJ.com: David Diehl Ex-Giants lineman ripped by Baltimore Sun columnist for terrible color commentary
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/10/david_diehl_ex-giants_lineman_ripped_by_baltimore_sun_columnist_for_terrible_color_commentating.html

Scouting

Miller B/R: Reading material for football scouting (spreadsheet)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0ArsvXM5M8f44dGpZbGswbkNydXJDSzdWeWNyTjN0QVE& usp=sharing& pli=1