It really sucks to be having to look toward the off-season in November for the 2nd season in a row, but it's the place our team is in...
Other than watching OBJ's stellar rookie season, I really have no other choice but to start thinking about what could happen in the 2015 off-season that will help our team get back to the top.
Here are my ideal FA and draft scenarios, and yes I know it is early, but again....well fuck...you know....it's not even Thanksgiving, but this makes me feel better, so here it is:
2015 Free Agency Additions (all are 28 or younger):
*Dan Williams (DT) Arizona
Williams is a premier run stuffer and would create a fearsome duo with Big Hank. He has sneaky push to the QB, but he makes his hay by causing opposing Olines to double him up and let the his fellow DL get after it.
*Sean Weatherspoon (OLB) Atlanta
He is dynamic presence we can use at LineBacker, and after a torn achilles in OTA's he should come at a relatively cheap price. He is an injury concern, but at 27 he will be worth the wildcard. He has shown the ability to be a stellar player, but does come with some injury risk. I wanted him bad his draft year, and we can grab him now cheap and hopefully get some prime years out of him yet.
*Devin McCourty (S) New England
After switching from CB to Safety, McCourty has blossomed into one of the leagues best. He would be a perfect transition from Rolle, and team up with Nat Berhe/Cooper Taylor to be a fine safety combo...
*Shane Vereen (RB) New England
Vereen is the lightning we need to our thunder (Williams/Jennings) Plus he is a dynamic receiver that can help create mismatches when he is in the game. He is a terror in the screen game and would keep opposing D's on their toes.
*Marcus Cannon (OT/G) New England
Cannon is an ascending player that can play either tackle or guard. He is 6-5 335 and an absolute beast at RT or G. He is only 26 and has his best football in front of him. He is exactly what we need to help get this O-line back into a positive for our team.
2015 NFL Draft Class (Picking at #7)
I was listening to Phil Simms on Mad Dog today and he made a (IMO) tremendous point. They were talking about how different positions affect NFL games, and Phil said (paraphrased) "offense line play is the key to winning consistently in the league, because top Oline gives their QB's time to throw and RB's holes to run through. Also, they help keep opposing offenses off the field, and subsequently wear/tire out opposing defenses"
I agree with Phil that besides a franchise QB, offensive line is the most important part of a successful team because they either positively or negatively affect the game in so many ways.
And so I approached our draft with this in mind, and think the Giants should in 2015 too.
1) Andrus Peat (OT) Stanford 6-7, 315 lbs.
Peat is that rare breed of human that has size AND athletic ability. He will be a top notch LT for many years in this league, and will stabilize Eli's blind side from day one.
2) A.J. Cann (OG) South Carolina 6-3, 315 lbs.
I don't need to say much to Giant fans about AJ Cann other than: He is a Chris Snee clone...
3) Kurtis Drummond (FS) Michigan St. 6-1, 200 lbs.
Drummond is fantastic safety that can lay some wood in the run game, but also has the AA to stay with top receivers and be an asset in coverage. He is similar to Kenny Phillips before that terrible knee condition ruined his career...
4) Cam Thomas (CB) Western Kentucky 6-1, 190 lbs.
Cam is a kid I really like and think will turn into a top caliber CB at the next level. He has the size of the "new" CB, and the intangibles to develop into a shut down guy. He is from a smaller school, but I'll happily see the Giants steal him in the 4th round.
5) A.J. Thomas (ILB) Tennessee 6-2, 240 lbs.
We need to bring in a thumper at MLB that can dictate games from a physical level. AJ Thomas is your man. Plus he is a rangy player that can develop coverage skills under NFL coaching. He has all the tools to be an everydown leader. He is a sleeper in this draft that will make an NFL team very happy, let's put him in blue, huh?
6) Lynden Trail (DE) Norfolk St. 6-6, 260 lbs.
I was a big proponent of Aaron Lynch last draft, and he is turning in a pretty nice rookie season for the 9ers. Let me introduce you to 2015's version: Lynden Trail is a freaky athlete who started at Florida and...well, you know how this story goes...The kid needs some high level coaching, but he has the AA in spades and will be a nice upside player at DE.
7a) Cam Worthy (WR) East Carolina 6-2, 220 lbs.
Worthy has a complicated past, but has all the talent in the world. He is a 50/50 guy, but that is what the 7th round is for right? I take a chance on this kid's abilities and hope he can develop into an outside wideout factor for us.
7b) Sam Arneson (TE) Wisconsin 6-4, 255 lbs.
Sam is your prototype lunchpail worker at TE. He has soft hands and is a good blocker. He won't run by anyone, but will usually catch balls thrown his way, and rarely miss a blocking assignment. Just the kind of player that successful teams are made of.
This is just a quick synopsis of FA and the Drat for 2015, it doesn't go into other facets of the off-season like: who we re-sign (JPP) or if Cruz comes backs healthy, etc. but it gives some ideas as to what may help us right this ship.
Happy Thanksgiving BBI, be safe and have fun
Why does that simple football truth elude Reese?
But the likely hood of signing so many fifteen agents is not good. And there is also this. As was the case this year signing numerous free agents rarely helps a team. If they were that vital to team success their former team wouldn't t allow them to leave.
Your post is absolutely correct but will be gloss over. As I stated before Lawrence Taylor would be sitting on the sidelines with this coaching regime because they wouldn't have any idea how to utilize and develop his talents. And that is the most troubling aspect of this organization currently. I don't trust Coughlin or his staff with young talent.
You want a free agent beast OL guy, AND OT and OG in rounds 1 and 2. As bad as we are, that might be like half a guy too much. We need DL just as bad, specifically a DE way earlier than your pick. In fact, leaving FA out of the equation, if we went DE in first, OT/G in second and third, I'd be fine with it. Appreciate you getting the DT in FA though.
seen a lot of iupati talk but my #1 target is orlando franklin. right now o.franklin is playing better than iupati ever has. my big problem w/OF is the same as many other ufa's: what will he do after we back up the BRINKS truck?
Definitely agree with this. I like all of those signings and the draft would be ok but we desperately need new coaches.
Quote:
This entire coaching staff is stale and has been out to lunch too long. The players look lost, and out of position, and that's putting it mildly. Wasting draft picks on this staff is the definition of insanity.
Definitely agree with this. I like all of those signings and the draft would be ok but we desperately need new
coaches.
I think it's time to bring in a new DC from outside the organization with a scheme that fits what NFL level of personnel they have at present.
The only thing I would say in contrast is the selection of Andrus Pete. I like him too, but I do think 7 might be to high. This is probably mitigated by the Giants finishing strong and picking between 10-13. I agree with Colin from GBN that the Giants will not be going into the 1st round thinking OT and will seek to spend a premium pick on an impact player. Sure, OT is an important position, but Beatty has played well enough to keep the job for another year and Pugh is the RT unless he switches to Guard. So I don't think OT is where they go in the first round. That being said, I really like your 2nd round pick, fills an immediate need. Also, there should be some promising OTs with good feet in round 2.
One addition I would make to FA is the addition of a veteran WR, such as a Cecil Shorts. Someone who can challenge Randle for playing time and sub-in for Cruz should he start the season on the PUP.
Overall, really good job. Looking forward to seeing how many you get right. I think there will be at least a few. Might be a good idea to re-post it in February/March.
Schwartz missed most of the season and now he isn't practicing again.
Jennings missed a few games.
W. Thurmond got hurt early at CB.
J. Beason was hurt in OTA's and never really contributed.
Overall, we sustained a lot of injuries, especially in the secondary. We quit in the fourth quarter of the Seattle game for sure but we have played hard the last two weeks.
My hope is TC gets a 2 year extension, management gets a new DC, DL, ST coach and the offense gets free agent help.
Everything I have read describes Collins as an in the box type.
Since TC's style is that of an executive coach - his own competence can be largely gauged by choices in subordinates.