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Interesting Article on New Giants WR Geremy Davis

Four Aces : 5/4/2015 9:00 am
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Link - ( New Window )
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Four Aces : 5/4/2015 9:06 am : link
"Geremy is hungry," Weist said. "And when I say hungry, I'm talking about guys who will work. Guys who will truly work on their own, work at their craft, because when you get to the league, that's the best talent in the world and the best ones work harder than anybody. If you don't have that work ethic, you don't have that hunger, you're going to get left behind. There's so many examples of great athletes who get left behind because the game doesn't mean enough to them, and they don't work hard enough or work hard in the offseason, but I truly believe Geremy Davis has that hunger and fire and love of the game to succeed."

Davis appears ready to feed that hunger.

"I've been waiting all my life," he said. "Growing up, I just wanted the opportunity, but to actually have the opportunity now ... I'm just being patient and trusting in God that wherever I end up I'll make the best of it."

The knock on Davis has been his speed, especially in separation to get open. He might have put some concerns to rest with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at UConn Pro Day last month. He also did 23 reps on the bench, tied for first among receivers. He ran routes in front of many NFL scouts.
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Four Aces : 5/4/2015 9:08 am : link
"You have to learn routes, it's not just about running straight ahead," Weist said. "It's about giving the defensive back the illusion that you're going deep on every route. The defensive back has to get backed up, has to have a fear that you're going deep, otherwise he'll just sit down on you. Geremy just had to learn to come off the ball running, arms pumping, knees pumping up and down and really running off the ball, planting and changing direction with speed and not losing speed in and out of breaks. That's so much about technique and working at it. He's really worked at it and made himself a fine receiver."
Interesting read  
Headhunter : 5/4/2015 9:08 am : link
you can't teach talent, but you can get the most out of your talent. Seems that is a common thread with all of our draft choices, guys willing to put in the work
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Four Aces : 5/4/2015 9:13 am : link
Weist has been Michigan's senior offensive analyst under new coach Jim Harbaugh since February, yet Weist took time to analyze Davis.

"I evaluated [the video] for him and told him what I thought about his routes and techniques and stuff, and he kind of said it was the same thing he thought," Weist said. "He's always looking for improvement. That's the best thing about Geremy."

The video was of Davis' workout for the Eagles on Friday. He has also done individual workouts for the Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
Nice read  
ctc in ftmyers : 5/4/2015 9:15 am : link
thanks
We'll See  
Arkbach : 5/4/2015 9:55 am : link
It's a long summer especially August.
Rang  
DanMetroMan : 5/4/2015 9:55 am : link
called him a sleeper for the Giants
He's a big guy and very strong.  
BeerFridge : 5/4/2015 9:59 am : link
Seems more fast than quick. And the UCONN QB situation was so terrible it's hard to know how good he is at catching the football.

He's gotta be a special teamer and he's built perfectly for that kind of thing. Fingers crossed he follows in Tyree's footsteps and makes a few big catches here and there.
Route running is so under-rated  
Emil : 5/4/2015 10:04 am : link
Everyone talks about speed speed and more speed concerning WRs during draft time, but speed is not the most important quality. It's not even the second most. My personal list:

1. Route running
2. Hands
3. Reading coverage
4. Speed

The NFL's trash pile is full of guys who had #4 but didn't have any of the other three. Looks at OBJ, sure he has great speed, but his ability to excel at the first three is what makes him a game changer. Look at Kevin White this year, all the speed in the world (+ size) but do you ever see him generate separation? NO, and that's because he is not yet a polished route runner. The setup of the defender and transition into breaks at the precise moment is what generates separation. Guys like Keyshawn Johnson, Anquan Bolden, Eric Moulds, and Art Monk (there are more) were not burners by any stretch, but they were technicians with their routes, had great hands, and used their size to their advantage. I'm not saying any of Davis will be any of these guys, but he has decent speed (seen anywhere from mid-4.4s to 4.5s) great size, great length, good hands, and is a strong player. Keep mind, Randle only ran a 4.55 and he and Davis are about the exact same size.

If Davis can continue to work on his route running and grow at reading the defender over him and coverages there is no reason he can't be a contributor for the Giants. His first task is to shine on special teams and beat out Washington, which I think he can do. Washington has never shown to be a special team's contributor and Davis is known for it. This gives him a serious leg up as he fights for one of the final two WR spots. Wouldn't sleep on this kid, he could be the Giants next Tyree, an outstanding special teams player, good blocker, and sure handed WR. You need those guys at the back of your roster.
problem  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/4/2015 10:22 am : link
is if you look at the limited youtube tape on him from 2013 (pre-injury), he just doesn't look that quick (bigger issue) or fast. I'm not sure he has NFL mobility.
Here's the context for Rang listing Davis as a diamond in the rough:  
Big Blue Blogger : 5/4/2015 11:00 am : link
Published three weeks ago:
Quote:
WIDE RECEIVERS

Tre McBride, William & Mary, 6-0, 210, 4.41: It isn't often that a "small school" receiver ranks as one of the more polished pass-catchers in his class but McBride's pro-ready build, body control and hand-eye coordination project very well to the next level. McBride didn't receive a great deal of attention from FBS schools out of high school after playing running back but dominated the lower level of competition throughout his time at William & Mary and was the best player this year at the East-West Shrine Game. Considering the switch from running back, McBride shows surprising vision and body control as a receiver, consistently winning contested passes because of his ability to track and high-point the ball. McBride isn't as explosive as his 40-yard time would suggest but he's a legitimate top-100 candidate who could surprise with a relatively smooth transition to the NFL.

Five other wide receivers to consider:
1. Mario Alford, West Virginia, 5-8, 180, 4.43
2. Geremy Davis, Connecticut, 6-3, 216, 4.48
3. Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas, 6-4, 214, 4.58
4. J.J. Nelson, Alabama-Birmingham, 5-10, 156, 4.28
5. Jordan Taylor, Rice, 6-5, 209, 4.52*

FWIW, Arizona took the pocket rocket Nelson in round five. McBride, Alford and Lewis were drafted in the seventh round. Taylor signed with Denver as a UDFA.
2015 NFL Draft: Rang's Diamonds in the Rough - ( New Window )
I don't know where it would rank on your list, Emil...  
manh george : 5/4/2015 11:07 am : link
but you have to include quickness as separate and distinct from speed. You can't be a really good route runner without quickness, because it is quickness that gets a receiver into his breaks in order to get temporary separation.

It also explains why straight-line speed doesn't measure much.
manh george  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/4/2015 11:21 am : link
that's how I traditionally view WRs too....it's rare you find WR's who are so fast they really run away from NFL defenders.

But it's quickness that creates the separation from the defenders. Youtube videos are not the best way to look at someone...you only see glimpses...but the guy doesn't look very quick to me. Problem though is his QB stunk.
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arcarsenal : 5/4/2015 11:26 am : link
Steve Smith was a classic example of a guy who was very quick but not very fast.

Never really had the speed to get open deep but his quickness and excellent route running were what made him so good at creating that short separation to get open on all of those intermediate routes.
RE: manh george  
Joey in VA : 5/4/2015 11:47 am : link
In comment 12269906 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
that's how I traditionally view WRs too....it's rare you find WR's who are so fast they really run away from NFL defenders.

But it's quickness that creates the separation from the defenders. Youtube videos are not the best way to look at someone...you only see glimpses...but the guy doesn't look very quick to me. Problem though is his QB stunk.

He does not at all, I agree. He takes a long time to get going and to slow down, he has to be pegged as a gunner type or ST ace who will bust his hump. He's not getting on the field as a WR.
Joey in VA  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/4/2015 11:50 am : link
that's why this pick doesn't make sense to me. Was Davis really THAT good a special team player?

The Giants have a lot more interesting WRs already on their roster such as Marcus Harris and Corey Washington.
RE: manh george  
Emil : 5/4/2015 12:10 pm : link
In comment 12269906 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
that's how I traditionally view WRs too....it's rare you find WR's who are so fast they really run away from NFL defenders.

But it's quickness that creates the separation from the defenders. Youtube videos are not the best way to look at someone...you only see glimpses...but the guy doesn't look very quick to me. Problem though is his QB stunk.


Gentlemen, you bring up a good point and I should have listed agility as a key element of a good WR. Admittedly, I consider it to be part of what makes/helps a good route runner.

Unlike straight line speed, an athletic can do a lot to improve their agility. Sure everyone can get "faster" but there is a ceiling. That ceiling is much higher when it comes to quickness in a small area. So I think Davis can improve in the agility department. We shouldn't expect OBJ and Cruz type quickness, but Randle is not out of the realm of possibility.
Scouts are paid to  
Headhunter : 5/4/2015 12:19 pm : link
evaluate WR's factoring in the QB throwing to them. Would have OBJ have put up the numbers he did last season say with Kyle Orton throwing to him? I don't know how much a WR makes the QB look good and the reverse how a QB makes a WR look good. I thought that OBJ in his highlight reel was not put into the best position by Mettenberger. On some throws he had to wait on the ball, very few highlights where he caught the ball in stride
RE: Joey in VA  
Emil : 5/4/2015 12:25 pm : link
In comment 12269995 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
that's why this pick doesn't make sense to me. Was Davis really THAT good a special team player?

The Giants have a lot more interesting WRs already on their roster such as Marcus Harris and Corey Washington.


I said he was fighting for the last two roster spots, but in reality it's the final WR spot he is fight for. Top 4 in has to be:

1. OBJ
2. Cruz
3. Randle
4. Dwayne Harris

This is where it gets hard.

5. Marcus Harris showed a lot in training camp before he got hurt and could provide some insurance if Cruz is hobbled to start the season. I think he makes the team if he is healthy.

So who is Davis really in competition against?

Preston Parker: A hard worker and a great story who contributed last year when no one expected him to. Not a guy who is going to scare a defense, but he gets open, even if his routes are not always at the proper depth. I think his roster spot was put in serious jeopardy by the Dwyawn Harris signing and I don't he makes the cut.

Corey Washington: I know a lot on BBI are high on this guy, and he does have the things you can't coach, like good height, but to my eyes he is such a one trick pony. Good asset on the vertical routes, but if he wants to make the team he has to demonstrate an ability to work on the kickoff and punt coverage units. He didn't do it last year, complained about his playing time, and I just don't think the coaches are going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He has to show up on special teams.

Kevin Ogletree: Savvy veteran who contributes on special teams and can give you minutes on offense if needed. I also think his roster spot was placed in jeopardy by Harris, but he has a shot if he proves to be an asset on special teams on can sub in for one of the outside WRs.

Julian Talley: I don't think Talley has much of chance to make the final 6 WRs. A steady guy, but he doesn't scare anyone has yet to show anything meaningful on special teams.

I know nothing about Chris Harper and Juron Criner, but they appear to have good size and large frames. If either can play well on the coverage units they have a chance to stick.

You can see the common theme. The final WR slot is going to be a guy who excels on specials and can step in on offense for a few snaps. Right now the leading contenders have to be Ogeltree, Washington, and Davis. Out of those three, I think Washington actually has the toughest challenge because he is not known to be a solid special teams player while the other two have that reputation. Davis will have to show he can get open against NFL-caliber DBs and live up to his special teams rep. If he does that, I think he's the #6 WR.
as an aside,  
River Mike : 5/4/2015 12:26 pm : link
my son's best friend is an avid Uconn fan (and Cowboys fan) and my son went to a Uconn game with him last year. His friend pointed out Davis and said "he's my favorite player on the team, I hope the Cowboys get him". Needless to say, when the Giants signed him, my son called his friend and really had a good time at his expense.
A measure of quickness/agility is the 3-Cone drill.  
Four Aces : 5/4/2015 12:39 pm : link
Davis completed the 3-Cone drill at the combine in 6.86s. That's pretty darn good.

I think he's more athletic than being given credit for.
Emil  
giants#1 : 5/4/2015 12:50 pm : link
Your earlier post compared Davis' upside to Tyree, but if you want to look for a 2014 version of Tyree, it's Preston Parker. So unless Washington can show some desire and improvement on specials, it's likely coming down to a battle between these two for the final spot (assuming a healthy Cruz and M. Harris grabs the backup slot).

Though I think they see D Harris taking some snaps from the slot as well, which might put M Harris closer to the bubble.
The Davis pick made no sense to me either.  
Red Dog : 5/4/2015 1:01 pm : link
I figure they already have 8 guys for 6 WR spots, and that doesn't count Criner, Harper, or Talley.

Marcus Harris would have made the team last year if he hadn't got hurt. He caught everything thrown his way and showed that he is a very solid gunner on special teams. He's going to be an asset for somebody if the GIANTS are dumb enough to let him go. Assuming he makes it this year, there's only one spot left for Parker, Washington, Ogletree, Davis and the three above. Parker and Ogletree have some track record and Washington is the biggest and maybe the fastest of the bunch even if he has had a couple of brain farts.

It would seem that they could have better invested that Davis pick in another position, like DT where Rakeem Nunes-Roches went several picks later, or TE where Nick O'Leary went two or three picks later, or another CB or even another Safety like several (Anthony Harris, Eskridge, Drummond, etc) who went undrafted. It's not like they have a cast of thousands at either DB position. But they have more WRs than they know what to do with.

The  
AcidTest : 5/4/2015 1:15 pm : link
Davis pick makes sense because:

(1) The Giants may lose or not want to keep Randle after this year, and Davis is also a big body possession type receiver with excellent hands who can go over the middle and move the chains. Remember also his QB situation was terrible.

(2) They want to push Washington, who didn't play ST last year. Davis can and will. There has been a real emphasis on improving the ST, with Davis, Thompson (three blocked kicks), and Harris.

I would worry about the speed. Davis ran a 4.47 40, albeit at his pro day. Nicks didn't have great speed, but was able to "box" out defenders. Davis will have to do the same.

Every receiver except Beckham and maybe Randle is a JAG. Every one. (I'm not counting Cruz because I think he'll start the year on the PUP.) Reese knows this, and is throwing bodies at the position to make everyone work harder, and in the hope that somebody really emerges.
RE: The  
AcidTest : 5/4/2015 1:16 pm : link
In comment 12270178 AcidTest said:
Quote:
Davis pick makes sense because:

(1) The Giants may lose or not want to keep Randle after this year, and Davis is also a big body possession type receiver with excellent hands who can go over the middle and move the chains. Remember also his QB situation was terrible.

(2) They want to push Washington, who didn't play ST last year. Davis can and will. There has been a real emphasis on improving the ST, with Davis, Thompson (three blocked kicks), and Harris.

I would worry about the speed. Davis ran a 4.47 40, albeit at his pro day. Nicks didn't have great speed, but was able to "box" out defenders. Davis will have to do the same.

Every receiver except Beckham and maybe Randle is a JAG. Every one. (I'm not counting Cruz because I think he'll start the year on the PUP.) Reese knows this, and is throwing bodies at the position to make everyone work harder, and in the hope that somebody really emerges.


Meant wouldn't worry about the speed.
could be productive  
msh : 5/5/2015 7:53 am : link
in the giants system with so much emphesis being paid to beckham and cruz this guy could find himself open alot
and could be steve smith 2.0 for them
I'm seeing David Tyree 2.0  
Headhunter : 5/5/2015 7:54 am : link
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Davis VS Tyree  
chillinman1183 : 5/5/2015 11:31 am : link
Davis has more talent and upside then Tyree ever dreampt of having. He has everything you look for in a WR,except for great quickness. Neither did Amani Toomer and he turned out pretty good for the Giants.
Davis has excellent size,and good,strong hands. He's very good at high pointing the ball,out muscling and leaping at the most precise moment.
Everything I've heard about this dude tells me he's able and willing to work extremely hard at his craft.
If he doesn't supplant Corey Washington in the preseason I'd be extremely surprised.
I'm actually excited about this 6th round selection,and that doesn't happen very often,if ever!! I think it was a good pick by reese and CO...
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