Saturday Reading

Giants

Raanan NJ.com: Trade down? Not likely with Giants and general manager Jerry Reese
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/04/history_shows_giants_not_very_active_on_draft_day.html

@JordanRaanan your prediction for season. Do Giants make it back to playoffs?
@JordanRaanan: Need to see final roster first. They're paper thin right now

Traina B/R: 5 NY Giants Who Must Show Significant Improvement This Year
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2427947-5-ny-giants-who-must-show-significant-improvement-this-year

Graziano ESPN: A stat that tells the Giants not to pick a wide receiver in the first round
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-giants/post/_/id/42259/a-stat-that-tells-the-giants-not-to-pick-a-wide-receiver-in-the-first-round

@JordanRaanan Think WR is a legitimate option in round 1?
@JordanRaanan: Yes. Very much so, especially if Cooper is there.

@JordanRaanan which wr has best chance to be drafted by nyg? And are those chances good?
@JordanRaanan: Cooper. Not very good. I put it at 10% he slips to 9

@JordanRaanan If you had all WR of this draft on the board, which one would YOU choose for NYG?
@JordanRaanan: I'd go White. Size/speed combo tantalizing.

@JordanRaanan The Flowers talk has to be smoke screen right? No way they can look at that tape and think he's better than Peat or Scherff
@JordanRaanan: Don't shoot the messenger. But also know, Giants not alone

@JordanRaanan If all fell Ray,Beasley, or Fowler? Who do you think the Giants would take?
@JordanRaanan: In order: Fowler, Beasley, Ray

@JordanRaanan What do the Giants think of Bud Dupree?
@JordanRaanan: Lukewarm. Tape doesn't match freak athleticism for size. Giants like more consistent players in first

@JordanRaanan how do you feel about Arik Armstead
@JordanRaanan: Eh. Flashes ... But not often enough

Traina B/R: New York Giants draft countdown: Making the case for CB Byron Jones
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2430480-new-york-giants-draft-countdown-making-the-case-for-cb-byron-jones

DT

@JordanRaanan How do you think Jay Bromley will fit into Spag's scheme?
@JordanRaanan: Have to think it's well. Bromley gets upfield, Spags likes to attack

P

Curtis NJ.com: NFL Draft 2015: Here's what Steve Weatherford thinks the Giants should do with their picks
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/04/nfl_draft_2015_heres_what_steve_weatherford_thinks.html


NFL

Bedard MMQB: What Did They Know? What Can They Learn?
Aaron Hernandez’s murder conviction will absolutely not change the way teams assess players with off-the-field problems. But there is one lesson teams can take away. Plus, why the Vikings should move Adrian Peterson, why the Chargers should deal Philip Rivers and why concerns about Jameis Winston are very real
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/04/17/nfl-aaron-hernandez-conviction-lessons-new-england-patriots/

Jason OTC: Four Pro Bowl Wide Receivers are entering contract years
http://overthecap.com/four-pro-bowl-wide-receivers-entering-final-year-of-rookie-deal/

CAROLINA
Jones Charlotte Observer: Here's who the Panthers might consider in the NFL draft
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article18776934.html

CHICAGO
@ChicagoBears: New Bears safety Antrel Rolle: “My first goal has always been to be a playmaker and just go out there and lead by example."

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: With George Johnson gone, Lions turn to Larry Webster
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/16/larry-webster-detroit-lions/25875177/

DALLAS
George Dallas Morning News: Turmoil hits Dez Bryant’s inner circle; rift clouds contract talks
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20150416-turmoil-hits-dez-bryants-inner-circle-rift-between-old-adviser-new-agents-clouds-contract-talks.ece

DENVER
Klis Denver Post: Broncos' offensive line filled with uncertainty in new offense
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_27920348/broncos-offensive-line-filled-uncertainty-new-offense

INDIANAPOLIS
Holder Ind Star: Insider: Projecting the Colts' 2015 starting lineup
http://www.indystar.com/story/colts-insider/2015/04/16/indianapolis-colts-starting-lineup-2015/25875305/

MIAMI
Salguero Miami Herald: Cameron Wake: 'Work to do before we start crowning ourselves'
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2015/04/cameron-wake-work-to-do-before-we-start-crowning-ourselves.html

NEW ENGLAND
Guregian Boston Herald: Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower tells @kguregian "I'm right on track, if not better" with rehab from torn labrum:
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/04/dont_a_hightower_shouldered_load_ready_for_more

NEW ORLEANS
Terrell Nola.com: Drafting defenders who can play right away will be important, Sean Payton tells WWL
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/04/sean_payton_wwl.html

PHILADELPHIA
Wilson Bal Sun: Penn State safety Adrian Amos had private workout for Eagles coach Chip Kelly at Calvert Hall
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-penn-state-safety-adrian-amos-had-private-workout-today-for-eagles-coach-chip-kelly-at-calvert-hall-20150416-story.html

McManus Phil mag: Daryl Williams An O-Line Option For Eagles
http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2015/04/17/daryl-williams-an-o-line-option-for-eagles/

ST.LOUIS
Thomas STL Post Dispatch: Updated look at Rams QB caravan confirms team is working out Oregon State's Sean Mannion as well.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-traveling-to-scope-out-qbs/article_17c7f2e6-75f7-5a74-a0fb-144c8148ee4f.html

SAN DIEGO
Krasovic UT SD: No surprise if Rivers retired over L.A.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/apr/17/chargers-rivers-barry-sanders-nfl-gates-weddle/

SAN FRANCISCO
Barrows Sac Bee: What Trent Baalke likes: Heading into his sixth draft, 49ers GM's patterns have emerged ...
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article18784884.html

Barrows Sac Bee: 49ers endured rough offseason but Baalke declares roster has no holes
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article18780615.html

Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers Bruce Miller is not participating in offseason program while his legal case is being reviewed.
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2015/04/17/fb-miller-not-in-offseason-program-while-legal-case-reviewed/

Draft

Miller B/R: New Scouting Notebook with updated Top 50 players two weeks before the draft.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2432877-nfl-draft-2015-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-2-weeks-from-draft

Klemko MMQB:T-Minus 14 Days: Why Team Visits Don’t Matter
Pre-draft visits by prospects get a lot of media attention, but many are calculated ruses by teams looking to gain an advantage. Remember Blake Bortles? Plus, the draft’s best corner (in his own mind) and the first running back off the board
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/04/16/nfl-draft-prospects-team-visits-blake-bortles/

Maske Wash Post: Top 50 NFL draft prospects for 2015 led by Leonard Williams, Jameis Winston
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2015/04/15/top-50-nfl-draft-prospects-for-2015-led-by-leonard-williams-jameis-winston/

Rang CBS Sports: Impossible to scout all year & not develop some favorites... My list of non-1st rd prospects making up Rang's Gang:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25152518/nfl-draft-cobb-flowers-among-underrated-on-annual-rangs-gang

Brugler CBS Sports: 2015 NFL Draft: No combine? No problem for these draftable prospects
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25151389/nfl-draft-no-combine-no-problem-for-these-draftable-prospects

Gabriel NFP: NFP Prospect Focus: Mario Edwards Jr. and Donovan Smith
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-mario-edwards-jr-and-donovan-smith/

Brinson CBS Sports: 2015 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Eagles trade twice to land Marcus Mariota
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25152515/nfl-mock-draft-50-eagles-trade-twice-to-land-marcus-mariota

Maske Wash Post: NFL Mock Draft: Winston, Mariota go no 1-2, Jets, Redskins land top pass rushers
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2015/04/16/2015-nfl-mock-draft-winston-mariota-go-no-1-2-jets-redskins-land-top-pass-rushers/?tid=pm_sports_pop_b

QB
Bowen B/R: Breaking down FSU QB Jameis Winston...18 INTs in 2014 a cause for concern with #NFL teams?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2432074-breaking-down-jameis-winston-is-qbs-game-cause-for-concern

Dunne Mil JS: Prospect Watch: QB Bryan Bennett found new life at Southeastern Louisiana
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/300321341.html?ipad=y

WR
Miller B/R: B/R NFL Draft 400: Top Wide Receivers
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2419009-br-nfl-draft-400-top-wide-receivers-for-2015

@SI_PeterKing: MT @Schottey: All in on Cooper. White a physical specimen but Cooper is a fantastic WR … Smart man. More than 1 team has Cooper 1st overall.

Adams 247 Sports: NFLDraft Diary: Georgia WR Chris Conley talks TheForceAwakens, helpATHhomeless & more (video)
http://georgia.247sports.com/Article/NFL-Draft-Diary-Ex-UGA-WR-Chris-Conley-talks-Star-Wars-trailer-36840175

TE
Miller B/R NFL Draft 400: Top Tight Ends
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2423036-br-nfl-draft-400-top-tight-ends

Waldman RSP: RSP Film Room No.40: TE Maxx Williams w/NDTScouting
http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/04/16/rsp-film-room-no-40-te-maxx-williams/

OL
Dunne Mil JS: Brandon Scherff is Iowa's latest elite offensive lineman; OL ratings
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/brandon-scherff-is-iowas-latest-elite-offensive-lineman-b99478231z1-300221581.html?ipad=y

T
Farrar SI: We're now in the single digits in the SI 64, and here's Iowa OT Brandon Scherff at #8
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/16/nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-brandon-scherff-iowa

Bowen B/R: OT Brandon Scherff. 1st round prospect w/ size, athleticism + football character...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2431736-top-lineman-prospect-brandon-scherff-has-tools-and-attitude-to-dominate-in-nfl

DE
Bedard MMQB: Randy Gregory: The Next Great Edge Rusher, If…
The Nebraska product’s athletic traits and relentlessness make him the most tantalizing prospect in this draft class. Gregory will be a great… if he takes well to coaching and, more importantly, keeps himself in line off the field
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/04/14/nfl-draft-randy-gregory-scouting-report/

Farrar SI: The SI 64's final double-digit prospect is Clemson's Vic Beasley, who has many elements of Pure Badass in his game.
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/15/2015-nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-vic-beasley-clemson

Ledbetter AJC: Falcons’ draft board: 5 questions with Dante Fowler Jr.
http://atlantafalcons.blog.ajc.com/2015/04/18/falcons-draft-board-5-questions-with-dante-fowler-jr/?ecmp=ajc_social_twitter_2014_falcons_sfp

Gabriel NFP: NFP Prospect Focus: Owamagbe Odighizuwa
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-owamagbe-odighizuwa/

DT
Huguenin NFL.com: 2015 #NFLDraft: The skinny on this year's class of interior D-linemen
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000485802/article/2015-nfl-draft-the-skinny-on-this-years-interior-dlinemen?campaign=Twitter_nfl_cfb

NFL.com: Danny Shelton "I am the best defensive tackle out there." (video)
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-path-to-the-draft/0ap3000000486115/Shelton-I-am-the-best-defensive-tackle-out-there?campaign=Twitter_video_shelton

LB
@mattbarrows: Caught my eye at #49ers pro day: LB Xavier Russo from Brown by way of SF. Looks like an OLB at 6-5, 257. Baalke dying to measure his arms.

CB
Dunne Mil JS: Trae Waynes of Kenosha could be first cornerback selected in NFL Draft
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/trae-waynes-of-kenosha-could-be-first-cornerback-selected-in-nfl-draft-b99482886z1-300330151.html?ipad=y

Monson PFF: CFF Overview: CB – Top of the Crop
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/15/cff-overview-cb-top-of-the-crop/

McGuiness PFF: CFF Overview: CB – Sleepers
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/16/cff-overview-cb-sleepers/

S
Drummond PFF: Overview: S – Top of the Crop
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/16/cff-overview-s-top-of-the-crop/

History

Borges Talk of Fame: RickGosselinDMN: Terrific obit on former Raiders WR Art Powell, who stood up when others wouldn't.
http://www.talkoffamenetwork.com/art-powell-defeated-racism-and-defenses/

Stuart Football Perspective: The Safety Championship Belt, Part I

"1950 – 1951: Otto Schnellbacher, New York Giants
In 1950, the free substitution rule was permanently instituted: along with the AAFC-NFL Merger, that makes 1950 a good demarcation point for our project. Prior to the free substitution rule, players were forced to play on both offense and defense, but with unlimited substitution, specialization could occur.

Schnellbacher played with the AAFC’s New York Yankees, and led that league in interceptions with 11 interceptions in 1948. When the team disbanded in connection with the merger, Schnellbacher landed with the other team in New York. In 1950, the NY Daily News named him a first-team All-Pro, and in ’51, the NYDN, Associated Press, and UPI all selected him to their first team. That year, he led the NFL with 11 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.

Schnellbacher was a star at Kansas on both the gridiron and the court, and even played one year in the NBA. Schnellbacher retired after the season to become an insurance executive in Kansas, but the Giants would be fine without him. New York had quite the star-studded secondary in ’51: Schnellbacher, Tom Landry, and our next champion:

1952: Emlen Tunnell, New York Giants

Tunnell was a 9-time Pro Bowler and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and the first African American to make the Giants or the Hall or Fame. He’s one of the game’s legendary figures that deserves to be remembered, and was the key at the top of New York’s famed umbrella defense. In 1952, he recorded 7 interceptions and recovered six fumbles in 12 games, while also leading the NFL in punt return yards. Tunnell made the Pro Bowl every year from 1950 to 1957, but this is his only appearance on the list. That’s because another Hall of Famer was emerging as the game’s premier safety."

1959-1961 Jimmy Patton, New York Giants

Patton’s great run began in ’58, when he led the NFL with 11 interceptions and received nearly as many honors as Dillon and Christiansen. But by 1959, Patton could finally emerge as the game’s top safety, and the services recognized him as such. There may have been safeties playing at this time who would go on to have better careers — including the next man on our list — but Patton was a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection at safety in ’59, ’60, and ’61."
http://www.footballperspective.com/the-safety-championship-belt-part-i/

Stuart Football Perspective: The Safety Championship Belt, Part II
http://www.footballperspective.com/the-safety-championship-belt-part-ii/

Stuart Football Perspective: The Safety Championship Belt, Part III
http://www.footballperspective.com/the-safety-championship-belt-part-iii/

Stuart Football Perspective: The Safety Championship Belt, Part IV
http://www.footballperspective.com/the-safety-championship-belt-part-iv/

Giants Birthdays 4-18 to 4-24

4-18
Pete Gogolak PK NYG 1966-1974 4-18-1942

4-19
Michael Barrow MLB NYG 2000-2003 4-19-1970
Rocky Bernard LDT/RDT NYG 2009-2012 4-19-1979
Phil Cancik LB NYG 1980 4-19-1957
Larry Flowers DB NYG 1981-1985 4-20-1958

4-20
John Carney PK NYG 2008 4-20-1964
Rob Carpenter RB/FB NYG 1981-1985 4-20-1955

4-21
Rick Dvorak LDT D3 1974 NYG 1974-1977 4-21-1952
Tony McGee TE NYG 2003 4-21-1971

4-22
Danny Buggs WR D3 1975 NYG 1975-1976 4-22-1953
Jeff Hostetler QB D3 1984 NYG 1984-1992 4-22-1961
Glenn Parker LG NYG 2000-2001 4-22-1966
Bob Topp E D13 1954 NYG 1954 4-22-1932

4-23
Sam Madison RCB NYG 2006-2008 4-23-1974
Dallas Reynolds C NYG 2013-2014 4-23-1984
Dave Tipton DE D4 1971 NYG 1971-1973 4-23-1949

4-24
Maurice Carthon FB NYG 1985-1991 4-24-1961