Tuesday Reading

Giants

Raanan NJ.com: Some roster predictions, Isaiah Battle worth a look and more | Giants mailbag
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/06/some_roster_predictions_isaiah_battle_worth_a_look.html

Traina B/R: Predicting the Last 5 In, Last 5 out for New York Giants' Final 53-Man Roster
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2508807-predicting-the-last-5-in-last-5-out-for-new-york-giants-final-53-man-roster

Traina B/R: 5 Players Who Might Find Themselves on New York Giants' Practice Squad in 2015
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2510339-5-players-who-might-find-themselves-on-new-york-giants-practice-squad-in-2015

RB

Giants.com: Big Blue Uncut: RB Rashad Jennings
Throughout the next month, Giants players will provide fans with quick video updates on the latest happenings in their lives!
http://www.giants.com/videos/videos/Big-Blue-Uncut-RB-Rashad-Jennings/f01971e5-94ab-4fa5-8216-342087798121

P

Traina Inside Football: Blog Bits: P Steve Weatherford
http://insidefootball.com/2015/06/29/blog-bits-p-steve-weatherford/

NFL

Farmer LA Times: L.A.'s NFL stadium riddle: Three teams, two plans, what to expect next
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-0629-nfl-stadium-q-and-a-20150629-story.html

Miller B/R: B/R NFL 1000: Ranking the Top 35 4-3 Outside Linebackers from 2014

29. J.T. Thomas, New York Giants

Pass Rush13/20
Having yet to record a sack in his NFL career, J.T. Thomas (6’1”, 236 lbs, three seasons) has never been used more than occasionally as a pass-rusher but doesn’t offer much in that regard. While he is a good athlete, he’s not quite explosive enough to shoot gaps with consistency as a blitzer.

Coverage15/20
Quick and agile for a linebacker, Thomas shows the fluidity to drop in a backpedal and cover tight ends down the field. He emerged last season as a linebacker who could make plays on the ball, recording the first five passes defensed and two interceptions of his career. His biggest weakness in coverage is his instincts, as he will let receivers get behind him at times and react too slowly to keep himself in the play.

Run Defense10/20
Thanks to his lateral-movement ability, Thomas is very good at sliding himself into position to fill running lanes at the second level. He doesn’t make a great deal of plays around the line of scrimmage, however, as he tends to be swallowed up by offensive linemen and struggles to work his way through traffic.

Tackling25/35
Thomas had about six total tackles (83) for every tackle he missed (14) last season. He doesn’t hit with much authority and is more of a catch-and-drag tackler whom runners can finish through when they have momentum.

Starter3/5
After starting the final 10 games of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2014 season, Thomas signed as a free agent this offseason with the New York Giants. He’s not good enough to walk right into a starting role but is favored to be in New York’s lineup at weak-side linebacker in 2015.

Overall66/100
26. Mark Herzlich, New York Giants

Pass Rush14/20
Mark Herzlich (6’4”, 246 lbs, four seasons) recorded the first sack of his career in 2014 but otherwise did little else as a pass-rusher. He has been used as an edge-rusher situationally, but he lacks the burst, speed and pass-rushing moves to have any consistent effectiveness in that role.

Coverage3/20
Lacking both long speed and the ability to change directions fluidly, Herzlich is a liability in pass defense. When he keeps a play in front of him, he can close quickly and make a sound tackle. However, he gets beaten off the snap too easily, and when he does, he struggles to recover.

Run Defense16/20
Built as much like a defensive end as he is a linebacker, Herzlich has terrific strength and consistently holds his ground against blocks at the line of scrimmage. He has great instincts, which enable him to play with an attack mindset, and he shows he can fight his way off blocks to make tackles. Herzlich’s only weakness in run defense is his range, as he lacks the athleticism to be a sideline-to-sideline player, but he is terrific around the line of scrimmage.

Tackling31/35
With 52 total tackles and only three misses in 2014, Herzlich was consistent in wrapping up ball-carriers and finishing plays. He plays with a mean streak and is authoritative in his tackling.

Starter3/5
A throwback-type player in more ways than one, Herzlich holds less value in today’s NFL than he would have had in a previous era. As good as he can be in run defense, Herzlich’s limitations against the pass make him unlikely to ever be a long-term starter.

Overall67/100

6. Devon Kennard, New York Giants

Pass Rush16/20
In his rookie season, fresh out of USC, Devon Kennard became a rare find at linebacker for the New York Giants. The search for a stud ‘backer to build around could be over in New York. Kennard has the frame (6’3”, 251 lbs) to bend the edge and take on blockers as a pass-rusher, and he shows good potential to produce heavily when asked to bump down and go after the quarterback. With a good mix of power, first-step quickness and instincts, Kennard could change the Giants defense for the better with his versatility.

Coverage15/20
Pass coverage was a weak link for Kennard at USC because he was mostly used as a pass-rushing defensive lineman, but he performed well when asked to rough up a tight end at the line of scrimmage or drop into a zone look in 2014. Man coverage is still an issue for him, but he did flash here as the season came to an end.

Run Defense12/20
Kennard was a big, stout presence on the edge of the defense against the run. He’s able to lock out blockers with his length and is strong enough to shed their hands, but he has to improve at identifying the play and getting himself into position earlier in the process.

Tackling35/35
With only six starts, Kennard wasn't on the field enough to post eye-popping numbers, but he did get credit for 35 solo tackles during that time.

Starter5/5
Kennard and Johnathan Hankins team to form one of the best young linebacker-defensive tackle duos in the NFL. If Kennard continues to perform like he did down the stretch in 2014, the Giants will have a steal.

Overall83/100

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2503294-br-nfl-1000-ranking-the-top-35-4-3-outside-linebackers-from-2014

Bowen B/R: The Franchise Five: NFL Players Who Could Anchor Any Franchise Build
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2506914-the-franchise-five-nfl-players-who-could-anchor-any-franchise-build

Bowen B/R: The NFL's Most 'Unstoppable' Plays
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2505575-the-nfls-most-unstoppable-plays

ARIZONA
Rang CBS Sports: Finding the Fits: Rookie David Johnson a big catch for Cardinals
http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25227831/finding-the-fits-rookie-david-johnson-a-big-catch-for-cardinals

BUFFALO
Stockwell PFF: Pass Rusher Profile: Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/06/29/pass-rusher-profile-mario-williams-and-jerry-hughes/

CAROLINA
Katzenstein Detroit News: UM's Funchess says he can do 'damage' with Benjamin, Panthers
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2015/06/29/ums-funchess-says-he-can-do-damage-with-benjamin-panthers/29465577/

DALLAS
Gosselin Dallas Morning News: When it comes to Cowboys pass rush here's an under the radar name to remember
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/columnists/rick-gosselin/20150628-gosselin-when-it-comes-to-cowboys-pass-rush-here-s-an-under-the-radar-name-to-remember.ece

Rogers NW Ark Online: Ex-Hog McFadden feels like a rookie
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/jun/28/ex-hog-feels-like-a-rookie-20150628-1/

MIAMI
Poupart Dolphins.com: Tannehill Feeling Great Entering 2015
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Tannehill-Feeling-Great-Entering-2015/de19bcfb-8f0b-4042-b3ec-c1987574f38e

MINNESOTA
Testaftsion Minn Star Tribune: Vikings punter Jeff Locke still seeking consistency
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-jeff-locke-still-seeking-consistency/310716331/

Katzenstein Detroit News: MSU's Trae Waynes on 'steep' learning curve in NFL
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state-university/2015/06/28/msus-trae-waynes-on-steep-learning-curve-in-nfl/29428945/

NEW ORLEANS
Erickson NO Advocate: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/sports/saints/12784330-128/early-returns-have-been-impressive

PHILADELPHIA
Berman Phil.com: Eagles sign G John Moffitt to a one-year deal, release G Cole Manhart
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/eagles/Eagles-sign-G-John-Moffitt-to-a-one-year-deal-release-G-Cole-Manhart.html

SAN FRANCISCO
Barrows Sac Bee: 49ers rookie Eli Harold eager to lead – and be heard
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/article25795291.html

SEATTLE
Brandt MMQB: No. 48: Mark Rodgers
Russell Wilson has been absurdly underpaid since entering the NFL. His rookie contract is set to expire at the end of this season, setting up one of the most fascinating contract negotiations the league has ever seen. And it will be Mark Rodgers, primarily known as a baseball agent, negotiating the deal
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/06/30/mark-rodgers-agent-russell-wilson-contract-nfl-the-mmqb-100/

Boyer MMQB: The American Dream
Motivated by Shia LaBeouf's recent viral video, Nate Boyer explains what moved him to leave his comfort zone in the U.S. and how that propelled him to serve in the Army, walk on at Texas and try to make an NFL team as a 34-year-old rookie
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/06/29/nate-boyer-seahawks-shia-lebeouf-american-dream-nfl/f

History

Gagnon CBS Sports: Identifying the best single season team in every NFL franchise's history
"1927 New York Giants
If you want a contemporary winner, the 1986 Giants -- a 14-2 Super Bowlwinner with Lawrence Taylor in his prime -- appear to have a strong edge over great teams from 1990, 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2011. But '27 wasn't just a special year in New York for the Yankees. The three-year-old Giants went 11-1-1 that season, outscoring their opponents by an average margin of 15-2 (yes, the game has changed a lot in 90 years). That team featured four eventual Hall of Famers."
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25228031/identifying-the-best-single-season-team-in-every-nfl-franchises-history

Stuart Football Perspective: Guest Post: Brad Oremland’s Best QBs in History: 6-10
6. Fran Tarkenton In 1967, the Giants traded two 1st-round draft picks and two 2nd-rounders for Tarkenton. Teams normally regret that kind of trade, but the Giants improved immediately. Tarkenton set career-highs for passing yards and TDs, the Giants scored 106 points more than the previous year (an improvement of over 40%), and New York rose from 1-12-1 to 7-7, the first of four straight second-place finishes. Even though the Giants never made the playoffs, Tarkenton regards these as the finest seasons of his career.
http://www.footballperspective.com/guest-post-brad-oremlands-best-qbs-in-history-6-10/


Draft

NFL.com: Top senior prospects for the 2016 NFL draft; top 150
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499024/article/top-senior-prospects-for-2016-draft-top-150

Brown SOE: COLLEGE QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/133373274/college-football-2015-quarterback-rankings

Zierlein NFL.com: Last tweet of the day. No matter what you think, Georgia's Greg Pyke is better than your guard. My top interior OL:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000499012/article/greg-pyke-spencer-drango-are-top-cfb-guards-to-watch-in-2015