Larry Donnell discussion

he's a better Brandon Myers. He seems like a likable guy who tries hard so maybe he can improve with practice (we all know he used to be a QB, so some of this is new to him).

He's a good red zone target who cannot run block to save his life and doesn't have much toughness.

If he's cheap I say keep him because of the red zone, for depth, and he has some crazy soft hands for a guy his size, but know what he is.

Daniel Fells is more well rounded, and if the Giants are committed to running the ball, he might be a better fit.

To save his life. He really needs to work on that.

League wide. I think there are probably 10 guys in the league who can block and pass catch well. Donnell definitely has starter ability

and we need blocking from our starting TE. If he can't get better at that, he isn't the long term solution.

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at best going forward. Seems to have decent hands but brings little else to the table. Weak blocker, you are spot on about his putrid run after the catch ability. Guy seems to break no tackles or make people miss. Not to mention he may have cost the Giants two games this year with critical fumbles.

Guy is better than the crap this team had at TE last year but the team can do better.

I'd like the giants to keep developing him but to get a true number one tight end as well. I think he'd be much better suited as a number two tight end.

position in the draft, but there are to many other needs which to be addressed to probably go tight end in the top two picks. I would keep him and hope he can improve. I would also sign a veteran tight end in free agency.

It is a shame that the Giants have never gotten Eli a premium tight end. It helps QBs a lot. Look at River, Roethlisberger, and Romo.

Donnell seems more athletic.....but has ball security issues, and couldn't block your grandmother....this teaching someone to block is BS, when it comes to Donnell....his problem is, he is susceptible to a quick move, that's why he can't block...

Fells may be a little better as a blocker, but nothing to write about...less athletic as a receiver, not as fast as Donnell...

Donnell is a project....he may get better, or he has peaked already.....neither is the answer at TE....

this is a passing league now. you use the pass to set up the run. if you can pass and get the defense back on its heels, you will ultimately break some runs--just like we saw in the Rams game.

the most important thing for an OL is that it can pass protect; the most important thing for a TE is that he can get open and catch the ball.

Donnell can do those two things. Yes, he sucks as a blocker. But that's largely because he had no experience doing it in college. He has the body to be an acceptable blocker.

Donnell is not an all=pro. But given the Giants other needs, TE is not something they have to worry about right now.

done a lot better than expected.

The two issues have been his blocking and fumbling.
He'll never be the road grader blocker but can become adequate. I think he’s improved as the season has progressed.

The fumbling has been from trying too hard to get extra yards.
To me he really wants to improve and will work on it and will get better with more work which I think he’ll do.
Keep him he’s cheap.

he'll be a good TE. His pass catching ability is not upper echelon but it sure is average for his position.

He is known for practicing as hard as he can. I'd expect that to pay off in 2015 which is essentially his 2nd year in the NFL.

around a league average TE, maybe a little below average. He's awful after the catch, but he's still able to get down the seam and make plays in the passing game (12th among TEs in yards). And he definitely needs to improve his blocking, but I'd say he's definitely a low to mid-end starter at the position.

Can the Giants upgrade the TE position? I don't follow CFB much, but it's probably easier said than done. And it looks like slim pickings in FA (Gresham is probably the cream of the crop).

Donnell came from "Grambling State" whatever that is. This year he has 61 catches for almost 600 yards and 6 TDs. That's not bad for his first year starting.

If the Giants were all set at other positions, I'd try to upgrade this off-season. But we're not. I'd put my precious cap dollars elsewhere.

Bringing Donnell back as the #2 TE would be preferable. Or drafting someone in rds 3-5 to compete for the top spot.

35 for first downs 6 TD's good enough for me

player. He has to learn how to protect his knees (and the ball) on the block tackle. For a guy his size , he's very easy to take down. In the 2 tights, he gets the clean release while Fells screws up the heavy lifting.

Just needs to work on blocking & protecting the ball

In comment 12050830 Headhunter said:

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35 for first downs 6 TD's good enough for me

that's slightly better than Brandon Myers #'s. Like I said initially, not saying he's value-less, but he's upgrade-able and should be upgraded as the #1 TE.

about TE going into a season then we have since Boss was here. Really Ballard had one good year and got hurt and so never went into a season as someone to count on. Marty B had a great year but it was his first good year after backing up Witten so while we were hopeful we weren't sure what we had. Myers sucked. At least this year we know that we have a serviceable receiver. Can we improve? Yes and it should be a priority to do so.

In comment 12050858 The Turk said:

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about TE going into a season then we have since Boss was here. Really Ballard had one good year and got hurt and so never went into a season as someone to count on. Marty B had a great year but it was his first good year after backing up Witten so while we were hopeful we weren't sure what we had. Myers sucked. At least this year we know that we have a serviceable receiver. Can we improve? Yes and it should be a priority to do so.

Except he's a FA, so as of now the only TE signed for 2015 is Robinson.

wishful thinking

Much better hands and way less of a liability in the blocking department, especially run blocking.

But I don't know who's available in the draft or in free agency.

is I'm glad I didn't get my way in May and draft Eric Ebron.

But they can surely upgrade.

I would hope they add a TE younger TE who can block a bit at the very least. Adrien Robinson is all but gone and out of the league.

61 catches
Headhunter : 9:15 am : link : reply
35 for first downs 6 TD's good enough for me


It's also possible, being a FA, someone is looking for a pass catching TE that they could coach up?

because 2014 and 2013 are his only accrued seasons.

Re-signing him for 2015 should be a no-drama process. (Although I suppose they could try to go for a longer-term deal if they wanted to.)

He can't go anywhere unleass the Giants let him walk.

Donnell is a useful player, but an incomplete one and I'm not sure he'll ever be more than a pass-catching specialist. That's a valuable asset, but you really want him to play Hernandez to somebody else's Gronkowski. I think the best-case scenario is that Robinson replaces him in the starting lineup, because he has the tools to be a much better blocker. If Robinson can't be that guy in year four, they need to look elsewhere for a real tight end. I'm not at all convinced Donnell can fill in the holes in his game.

but he's also had some big time mistakes. I think he's still has some developing to do and I'd love him to back up a veteran TE that can block and catch a bit.

That makes Donnell's run blocking a bigger problem than it might be on another team.

but this is a team that preaches balance in the run. the run blocking on this team is mediocre at best, and has been for a long time. We don't seem to value blocking TE, but at the same time, we also go with a FB, perhaps to make up for it.

IMO, we need a blocking TE.

LD is an average TE. Nothing to write home about. could do a lot worse, could do a lot better. I'd guess his caliber of TE is about what we should expect under the current regime, because that's about what we value the TE position.

The Giants got a lot out of him in the first half of the season, but he's the embodiment of JAG, and has no upside.

Stiff? How does a guy show excellent body control and hands get that label? It takes an athlete to go up for the ball like he does and make tough catches. He can also change directions and get open on an NFL field. He's athletic.

In his first year of getting any PT, he's been a MASSIVE upgrade over Myers. ONe of the real bright spots for the team this year.

I hate any mention of Myers when talking of LD. Myers was useless. LD gets open and makes plays. He can give you a matchup advantage vs NFL defenders. Myers could not. Myers catches 4 yard outs when your team is down by 2 scores. LD makes plays down the field and can be a guy you look to when you need a first down, red zone or play.

He can be a very good starter on an NFL winner. He is not an as athletic as guys like Olson, Cameron, Davis, etc but he has NFL AA for the position. Kevin Boss was a good starter for us. LD can do even more than Boss (tougher matchup, can high point the ball, and better red zone target).

Can they upgrade with a guy with elite speed? Sure. But right now I would keep him as an inexpensive starter and look to use the resources on other positions.

Next year, the Giants can win plenty of games with LD as the starting TE.

In comment 12050970 Big Blue Blogger said:

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The Giants got a lot out of him in the first half of the season, but he's the embodiment of JAG, and has no upside.

it isn't enthusiasm for Fells, but he's more well rounded. He has decent hands, he seems to run good routes and get open AND he can block. and he should cost next to nothing. He's not a starter, but IMO either is Donnell unless the OL is solidified and doesn't need a TE who can block.

the question is, who? I'd love for the next Bavaro to fall in our laps, but they don't grow on trees

We all wanted (at least, I did) one of the TEs in the draft this past spring...Reese and company had conviction that none of the TEs were worth a pick around where they went, and they seem to have been right on that one

In comment 12050945 Big Blue Blogger said:

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He can't go anywhere unleass the Giants let him walk. Donnell is a useful player, but an incomplete one and I'm not sure he'll ever be more than a pass-catching specialist. That's a valuable asset, but you really want him to play Hernandez to somebody else's Gronkowski. I think the best-case scenario is that Robinson replaces him in the starting lineup, because he has the tools to be a much better blocker. If Robinson can't be that guy in year four, they need to look elsewhere for a real tight end. I'm not at all convinced Donnell can fill in the holes in his game.

This is an excellent post. As much as BBI loves to bash him Robinson could be the answer at TE. Would have loved to see him get more snaps after we were eliminated....he's done well when given the chance....and appears to be a much better blocker than Donnell.

after last year TE was a huge hole for the Giants

everyone on this board was screaming for Reese to do something about the position

While Donnell has shown flashes especially earlier in the year
I have been more impressed with Fell in second half of year
as many have posted he is a complete TE
and you can notice that Fell is now evenly splitting snap count with Donnell.

I think the Donnell/Fell combo was pretty decent this year and both have enough upside that I don't think we are going to need to find another TE in the next year but just resign these two.

and i am more impressed with Reese sticking to his guns and knowing that we had the talent at TE.

and that's being kind.

If Donnell improves, great. If he doesn't he's gonna be a liability.

The TE definitely needs to block if the OL isn't 2008 quality and even then you don't want a so so pass catching TE who can't block. WTF is that? That's a sub-par player. Donnell has limitations. If he can be brought back on the cheap which is likely, he's worth a roster spot and a game day jersey. We can do better though.

Every time he makes a catch, I wonder whether he'll fumble.

Not much yardage after catching the ball ecause he's one of the slowest TEs in the league. When Fells and he are in the game at the same time, the Giants must have the slowest TE duo in the entire league.

Cannot block because IMO he has no quickness. IMO it's not the fact that he was a college QB and, thus, little experience in blocking but instead his lack of quickness.

Hopefully in 2015 a rookie draftee or vet FA to replace him.

He is of course athletic but we are talking nfl athletic not you and I. Donnell is very slow but he is fluid. He lumbers more than he glides. I would compare him to an anthony becht type athlete which is called below average. Becht was also not much of a blocker and strictly a pass catching tight end

35 first down catches.

Except for the DC game that made him famous, LD has been useless. It seems like he makes a great catch and drops an easy one. I want to address the TE position this off season and get someone who can be reliable and actually be used a lot more.

Donnell is a marginal receiver who can't make a difficult catch in traffic or handle a seriously contested ball. He has to be wide open to make the catch, and even then he drops some he should handle. He's also a fumbler and a generally piss poor blocker. All in all about what you would expect from a converted QB.

That said, he and Fells, who wasn't even on an NFL team last season, are the best they have. This does not say anything good about the front office and their player acquisition record. (Robinson is another Reese / Ross draft bust.) I still say that Bear Pascoe was better than any of these guys and he wasn't much. But at least he could block some. A TE that can't block isn't worth much at all because that's what a TE does most of the time.

Donnell and Fells are probably worth sticking with until they can find somebody else. There is always a chance that one of them, probably Donnell, will develop into a better player. Of course, there's a chance that I will win the Irish Sweepstakes and the PowerBall jackpot in the same year, too.

he ALWAYS seems to jump (with one leg extended) and land awkwardly, and lands on his head a lot when tackled. Not much YAC and potential fumbles.

has done a commendable job this year. He's helped us win one game, but has also probably helped us lose a few others. He shows nice athleticism, and good reliable hands, but never seems to get any YAC. He constantly is getting upended and lands on his head. He could really get hurt bad if he continues that. At any rate, he is serviceable, as others have mentioned, however he needs substantial improvement as a run blocker. This line needs the TE to help in the blocking scheme and so he is a liability there. Right now he looks like a decent #2 TE. We need to get better there IMO, but might have to settle for the same 3 TES next year given the holes elsewhere. I think he is adequate to win with, but we need to upgrade at some point. If he becomes a better blocker next year, I'll take that back, but as of right now, we need to get better there.

has done a commendable job this year. He's helped us win one game, but has also probably helped us lose a few others. He shows nice athleticism, and good reliable hands, but never seems to get any YAC. He constantly is getting upended and lands on his head. He could really get hurt bad if he continues that. At any rate, he is serviceable, as others have mentioned, however he needs substantial improvement as a run blocker. This line needs the TE to help in the blocking scheme and so he is a liability there. Right now he looks like a decent #2 TE. We need to get better there IMO, but might have to settle for the same 3 TES next year given the holes elsewhere. I think he is adequate to win with, but we need to upgrade at some point. If he becomes a better blocker next year, I'll take that back, but as of right now, we need to get better there.

His blocking is not good - see every other TE other than Bennett. Almost every good receiving TE lines up most times off the LOS

For a guy that size, but his lack of speed shows up at times along with the need to improve blocking. I think they should look for a better starter while they continue to develop him

There are some good free agent tight ends. I expect the Giants will use a lot of their cap space to upgrade the Oline and defense so I doubt they would break the bank for Julius Thomas or jordan Cameron but I would hope they would look into Gresham and clay.

They will probably add a mid level FA and draft one in the mid rounds.

the Giants philosophy is to draft or sign a pass catching TE and teach them to block. Going forward both Donnell and Fells will be the #1 and #2 TE. This team has too many needs and the TE position is not one of them.

Saying you want ti upgrade the position is nice. Who exactly is an upgrade FA TE that it realistic - J. Thomas is not coming here

Jordan Cameron -cant block at all. He weighs under 250.

When you see J. Gresham, do you honestly come away impressed

Charles Clay - is he any better - they look the same

Lance Kendricks, Ed Dickson, etc, etc

The 1 guy I would look at, if cut, is B. Celek. I do not see the Eagles paying him 5M next season, with Ertz and their 3rd TE making 4M

In comment 12051655 stretch234 said:

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Saying you want ti upgrade the position is nice. Who exactly is an upgrade FA TE that it realistic - J. Thomas is not coming here Jordan Cameron -cant block at all. He weighs under 250. When you see J. Gresham, do you honestly come away impressed Charles Clay - is he any better - they look the same Lance Kendricks, Ed Dickson, etc, etc The 1 guy I would look at, if cut, is B. Celek. I do not see the Eagles paying him 5M next season, with Ertz and their 3rd TE making 4M

Stretch - I think Celek would be a mistake, he's at the end of his career and has taken a physical whipping over the last few years. Perhaps as a backup only type.

I mean, he's made huge strides after just two years.

Rookie year was basically learning to navigate his way thru what the NFL is about. He never really caught passes in college I believe.

Second year.....he's catching the ball and making plays. Blocking..that's another story. I don't pretend to know but I've heard enough to know he isn't getting it done there.

So, the big question is, can he make the next leap in year three. Needs to block better, and also protect the ball better.

I definitely see him on the roster.

And just comparing Donnell to Robinson...you can see the difference in a guy who progresses at the right rate, versus a guy who is stuck in neutral.

he's no stiff.

61 catches.....no one would have predicted that before the season.

The key is he has to keep getting better.

It could happen, esp after gaining a lot of experience this year.

In comment 12051696 BillKo said:

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he's no stiff. 61 catches.....no one would have predicted that before the season. The key is he has to keep getting better. It could happen, esp after gaining a lot of experience this year.

For comparison, look at Zach Ertz. I'm not one to go soley on stats, but you could make the case these guys are very comparable. And one was a second round pick who plays in an offensive friendly system, the other an undrafted FA.

In the Coughlin era is TE. We crapped out with Myers, but every year going in to camp the question is who is our TE? And yet we get decent if not good contributions every year. The best thing about Donnell(and to a lesser extent Robinson) is that we don't need a Gresham or Gronk type of player. We just need a reliable blocker with decent hands. And that's why a guy like Ed Dickson or James Casey could make sense. And be a hell of a lot cheaper than signing someone like Thomas.

Him as a 2nd te. But you can't turn the ball over every 10 times you touch it.

is Donnell is a s good as he gets at blocking. He likes catching and even there he doesn't have the will to pick up tough extra yards after the catch as was demonstrated many times during the season.

at Tight End. He probably can improve his blocking but he leaves his feet way too often when approaching contact and it results in fumbles. He did it again in StL but was able to hold onto ball. Not sure what he is trying to achieve doing this so often away from goal lines and first down markers

Donnell has great size and catching radius.He's really no downfield threat and gives us ZERO YAC. He may be the worst player I have seen with the ball in his hands. He lacks ball security and he doesn't block very well. In McAdoo's system I think Myers may have caught as many balls even though he sucks. I would hope for an upgrade at the position with Donnell coming back as a no.2 THOUGH I wouldn't spend tons of money on this position at this time.

Needs to do a better job of protecting the ball & blocking. But I think he can be an important piece going forward. I like the kid.

hes shown he can go up and make a play. then hes shown he has a tendency to put the ball on the ground... Could have won both dallas games and jville if he holds the ball. he is not much of a blocker. Hes best we have now, id like an upgrade. i feel hes more suited as a situational recieving TE. or a #2 TE

also learn how to not fumble-maybe Tiki could teach him.
Maybe Gilbride and Snee could help the kid.

he can get better during the offseason with ball security and learning how to be tackled properly

his off season focus - get stronger/more powerful and work on his blocking.

number 7 in receptions among TE
sounds good to me

But leaves his feet too much

Larry Donnell is a work in progress and is worth more investment rather than replaced in the draft. Giants definitely need a veteran and while they continue to need a blocking TE, end up going after the receivers.

maybe I was a little harsh when I said he's average at best. He needs to improve but donnell has shown some positives this year as a receiver and even at times as a get in the way type of blocker.

Maybe he has a decent future I don't want to kill the guy. Considering where he came from-- been a good story this year.

Donnell is a work in progress and there is no reason to think he will not improve in his second year in this offense.

the blocking is unlikely to develop. But he's encouraging as a receiver, and I think he can be a contributor going forward.