Tuesday Reading

Giants

Sessler NFL.com: Projected 2015 starters New York Giants
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000493015/article/projected-2015-starters-new-york-giants

Graziano ESPN: Because you asked: Giants in contract years
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-giants/post/_/id/42636/because-you-asked-giants-in-contract-years

QB

Raanan NJ.com: Ryan Tannehill's new deal and what it means for Giants' Eli Manning and the QB market
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/05/ryan_tannehills_new_deal_and_what_it_means_for_gia.html

WR

Raanan NJ.com: Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. thinks NFL players should make more money
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/05/giants_odell_beckham_jr_thinks_nfl_players_should.html#incart_story_package

Costello NYP: Odell Beckham: Why NFL players are underpaid
http://nypost.com/2015/05/18/odell-beckham-why-nfl-players-are-underpaid/

Walder NYDN: Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. on NFL players: ‘We should make more money’
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-beckham-jr-nfl-players-money-article-1.2226734

DE

Giants.com: Giants Insider: Owa Odighizuwa (Video)
Giants.com chats with DE Owa Odighizuwa about his versatility on the defensive line
http://www.giants.com/videos/videos/Giants-Insider-Owa-Odighizuwa/40dcfb1d-7edd-42f1-8c3b-a744d8598784

CB

Traina B/R: New York Giants slot cornerback battle
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2467944-who-will-win-new-york-giants-slot-cornerback-battle


NFL

King MMQB: Fixing the Most Boring Play in All of Sports
At the NFL owners meetings in San Francisco, 24 of 32 votes are needed to turn the point-after touchdown from the ultimate gimme into must-see TV. A close look at the three proposals on the table, and my pick for the likely winner
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/05/19/nfl-owners-meeting-fixing-the-point-after-touchdown-competition-committee-new-england-patriots-philadelphia-eagles/

King MMQB: I’m Talking About You, Ndamukong Suh
As well as you, Roger Goodell, Troy Vincent, Dean Blandino, Ted Wells, Steve Spagnuolo, Rex Ryan, Betsy Nabel, Dante Fowler Jr., Todd Gurley, Nate Boyer, Eli Manning, and your little dog too

"3) I think I really like the approach Steve Spagnuolo is taking in his return to the Giants as defensive coordinator. That unit has been missing an identity the past couple seasons, so Spagnuolo came in this spring and started by showing his players film of some of the franchise’s defensive greats: Lawrence Taylor, Sam Huff, and Michael Strahan, among others. What Spagnuolo did well in his first stint as Giants DC, from 2007-08, was maximize the strengths of his players, put them in positions to succeed, and help young players come into their own (see: Justin Tuck). Doing so again will be critical to a Giants defense that will rely on a lot of youngsters."
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/05/19/nfl-roger-goodell-dean-blandino-ndamukong-suh-eli-manning-tom-brady-deflategate/

PFF: PFF’s Top 101 of 2014: 20 to 11
"13. Odell Beckham Jr, WR, New York Giants

Incredible rookie season for a guy who didn’t play in the first four weeks of the year. Beckham quickly made his presence felt causing Atlanta plenty of problems, but it wasn’t until Week 12 where he really hit his stride. Then, spurred on by a catch that will live long in the memory of all who saw it, he was as good as any receiver and well worthy of all the praise that came his way.

Best Performance: Week 15, WAS @ NYG, +4.4

Key Stat: His 2.74 Yards Per Route Run were the most of any wide receiver."

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/05/18/pffs-top-101-of-2014-20-to-11/

Tripodi NFL Draft Insider: Grading the Draft: NFC East

"New York Giants
With Collins’ legal issues and the Redskins pick of Brandon Scherff at No. 5, New York drafted Miami’s Ereck Flowers to bolster their offensive line. An excellent athlete for a 330-pounder, Flowers has violent hands and shows the ability to anchor in pass protection and block in motion. He’s also a waist bender who struggles protecting the edge, but flashed dominance at times and has great upside. The Giants traded up in the second round to begin Day 2, drafting Alabama safety Landon Collins. A strong run defender with good speed, Collins will slide immediately into the starting lineup and just needs work on his instincts in coverage. If the Giants keep him in the box, it should minimize his center field responsibilities and accentuate his strengths. Concern over a 2013 hip injury dropped Owamagbe Odighizuwa to the 74th overall pick, but the Giants let him slide no further. An explosive edge rusher who turns speed to power extremely well, Odighizuwa shows great functional athleticism and is a first-round talent if his health cooperates, although he’ll struggle with larger tackles until he adds strength. New York stayed on the defensive side of the ball in the fifth round, drafting Texas safety Mykkele Thompson. A solid center fielder in college, Thompson’s lack of speed makes him a liability covering downfield in the pros and he lacks the size to match up with tight ends. He’ll have to make his living on special teams. In the sixth round, the Giants added depth to their passing game with receiver Geremy Davis from Connecticut. At 6-2, 215 pounds with 4.49 speed, Davis shows the ability to make difficult catches but lacks separation speed to get open at the NFL level. He disappointed as a senior in part due to poor quarterback play at UConn, but has the physical profile to stick on the roster. Seventh-rounder Bobby Hart played tackle at Florida State, but should move inside to guard in the NFL. A strong run blocker, Hart isn’t the most fluid athlete but represents nice depth and value for the Giants.
Grade: B Many viewed Flowers as a big reach, but as our No. 13 prospect the pick makes some sense from a value and need standpoint. Stealing Odighizuwa in the third round could make this draft for New York, and Collins can be the run-stopping safety the Giants needed."
http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10594

Bowen B/R: NFL Rookies Are Thrown Straight into the Fire in Mini Camps
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2468262-nfl-rookies-are-thrown-straight-into-the-fire-in-mini-camps

ATLANTA
McClure ESPN ATL: Falcons owner Athur Blank happy with chemistry between coach and general manager
http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/13456/falcons-owner-arthur-blank-happy-with-chemistry-between-coach-general-manager

McClure ESPN ATL: Falcons safety William Moore hopes to be cleared soon
http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/13464/falcons-safety-william-moore-shoulder-hopes-to-be-cleared-soon

BALTIMORE
Wilson Bal Sun: Baltimore Ravens confident in rookie runner Buck Allen's pass catching skills
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-ravens-confident-in-rookie-runner-buck-allens-passcatching-skills-20150518-story.html

Hensley ESPN Bal: Will Ravens get spread out as much after adding Kyle Arrington
http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/20090/will-ravens-get-spread-out-as-much-after-adding-kyle-arrington

BUFFALO
Carucci Buffalo News: Bills won’t overlook their passing game
http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/05/18/bills-wont-overlook-their-passing-game/

CINCINNATI
Owczarski Cin Enquirer: Bengals say it's time to win a playoff game
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2015/05/18/cincinnati-bengals-time-to-win-playoff-game/27534955/

CLEVELAND
Reed Cleve Plain Dealer: Cleveland Browns confident it will be 'Rabbit' season in 2015 for Travis Benjamin and punt-return game
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/05/cleveland_browns_confident_it.html

DALLAS
George Dallas Morning News: Passion for football has never been issue with Dez Bryant
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20150518-george-passion-for-football-cowboys-has-never-been-issue-with-dez-bryant.ece

Rang CBS Sports: Finding the fits: Jones not Gregory key to Cowboys Super Bowl run
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25188504/finding-the-fits-jones-not-gregory-key-to-cowboys-super-bowl-run

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Med school on hold for new Lions RB Zach Zenner
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/18/zach-zenner-detroit-lions-nfl/27530391/

Detroit News: Durability, tenacity drive Lions safety Glover Quin
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/18/durability-tenacity-drive-lions-safety-glover-quin/27565783/

GREEN BAY
Mil JS: Ismail on Adrian Coxson: 'He has the big-play capability of a Terrell Owens'
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/304200581.html?ipad=y

HOUSTON
Robertson Houston Chronicle: Texans rookie lineman Covington has pedigree for NFL success
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Christian-Covington-hopes-to-give-Texans-first-6271114.php

MIAMI
Salguero Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins lead NFL in dead money
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2015/05/miami-dolphins-lead-nfl-in-dead-money.html

Beasley Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill signs six-year, $96 million extension
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article21314271.html

@adbrandt: Tannehill contract like so many NFL deals: limited upfront investment, larger numbers non-guaranteed, "pay-as-you-go" after 2-3 years.

NEW ENGLAND
Boston Globe: Robert Kraft: Tom Brady "has never lied to me, and I have found no hard or conclusive evidence to the contrary"
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/05/18/defiant-and-angry-robert-kraft-speaks-out-deflategate/eHp4cQ28xtn7rx71z801PO/story.html

Young Boston Globe: Patriots bring back linebacker Brandon Spikes
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/05/18/patriots-bring-back-linebacker-brandon-spikes/y38wsmQOE5XhxpLZ7NcGyL/story.html

Boston Herald: Patriots release CB Chimdi Chekwa
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/the_blitz/2015/05/patriots_release_cb_chimdi_chekwa

NEW ORLEANS
Terrell Nola.com: Saints tackle Zach Strief: Andrus Peat is taking my job eventually
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/05/zach_strief_2.html

PHILADELPHIA
McLane Phil.com: Early Birds: State of the Roster: Quarterback/Specialists
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-eagles/Early-Birds-State-of-the-Roster-QuarterbackSpecialists-The-Eagles-roster-is-at-the-maximum-of-90-players-after-the-draft-Well-spend-the-next-two-weeks-resetting-the-table-and-taking-a-position-by-position-look-at-the-Birds-as-Chip-Kelly-begins-t.html

SAN DIEGO
Acee UT SD: Right time for new generation to run Bolts
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/may/18/chargers-spanos-dean-john-ag-ownership-acee/

SAN FRANCISCO
Lynch SF Chronicle: Tomsula shows some logic and creativity during 49ers rookie minicamp
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2015/05/18/tomsula-shows-some-logic-and-creativity-during-49ers-rookie-minicamp/

Branch SF Chronicle: The 49ers have plenty of rookie projects, but it's easy to spot their biggest.
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2015/05/15/big-brown-background-college-coach-on-49ers-enormous-athletic-rascal/

TENNESSEE
Wyatt The Tennessean: Titans analysis: Sorry, Mettenberger; Mariota's the man
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2015/05/18/titans-marcus-mariota-zach-mettenberger-charlie-whitehurst-ken-whisenhunt/27555819/

WASHINGTON
Clarke Wash Post: ‘Tough as crud,’ Redskins rookie running back Matt Jones has a point to prove
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2015/05/18/tough-as-crud-redskins-rookie-running-back-matt-jones-has-a-point-to-prove/

Steinberg Wash Post: What the Redskins can expect from Brandon Scherff
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2015/05/18/what-the-redskins-can-expect-from-brandon-scherff/

History

Borges Talk of Fame: State your case: Lester Hayes
http://www.talkoffamenetwork.com/state-your-case-lester-hayes/