Friday Reading

Giants

Serby NYP: Giants must remember dangers of 49ers (even fictional ones)
http://nypost.com/2015/10/08/giants-must-remember-dangers-of-49ers-even-fictional-ones/

RV NYDN: Giants begin easy stretch that will make or break season
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/vacchiano-easy-stretch-break-giants-season-article-1.2390652

RV NYDN: With favorable schedule, we break down how the Giants can grab control of NFC East
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-grab-control-nfc-east-article-1.2390273

Dottino WFAN: What To Watch For In Giants-49ers, Plus A prediction
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/10/09/dottino-what-to-watch-for-in-giants-49ers-plus-a-prediction/

FB

Salomone Giants.com: Offense. Defense. Special Teams. Nikita Whitlock continues to show versatility.
http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Nikita-Whitlock-impressing-everyone-with-versatility/122ffd98-dcd2-4252-a34b-5837931072c6

Rock Newsday: Tom Coughlin likes Nikita Whitlock's playmaking ability
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/tom-coughlin-likes-nikita-whitlock-s-playmaking-ability-1.10939370

WR

Popper NYDN: Giants WR Victor Cruz categorizes his status as ‘day to day’ as he deals with calf injury
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-wr-victor-cruz-categorizes-status-day-day-article-1.2390469

Lewis NYP: Victor Cruz 'convinced' he'll return — and is circling a date
http://nypost.com/2015/10/08/victor-cruz-convinced-hell-return-and-is-circling-a-date/

Traina B/R: Budding Superstar or Not, Odell Beckham Jr. Still Has Some Growing Up to Do
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2577042-budding-superstar-or-not-odell-beckham-jr-still-has-some-growing-up-to-do


TE

Raanan NJ.com: Giants tight end Daniel Fells remains hospitalized with MRSA, needs more surgery: Source
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/10/giants_tight_end_daniel_fells_remains_hospitalized.html

Defense

Lewis NYP: Giants improving defense looking to fix one gaping hole
http://nypost.com/2015/10/09/giants-improving-defense-looking-to-fix-one-gaping-hole/

Glauber Newsday: Being relentless is helping Giants' defense get job done
http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/being-relentless-is-helping-giants-defense-get-job-done-1.10939347

LB

Raanan NJ.com: How do Giants replace linebacker Devon Kennard if he can't play vs. San Francisco 49ers
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/10/how_do_the_giants_replace_linebacker_devon_kennard.html

S

Salamone Giants.com: Rookie Report: Safety Landon Collins (10/8)
http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Rookie-Report-Safety-Landon-Collins-108/f0f0cbe7-0d5a-4411-8b45-23d67b2fc949

NFL

King MMQB: Bothered by boos in his own city this summer, Andy Dalton has started the 2015 season as one of the NFL's hottest quarterbacks. Here's why his success might carry into January. Plus, 10 things to watch in Week 5

"Stat of the Week
Colin Kaepernick the past two weeks: 22 of 44 (.500), 227 yards, zero touchdowns, five interceptions, 25.7 rating.
For a quarterback in modern football to have a two-week mark like that is beyond concerning. There is no player under more pressure to play well in Week 5 than Kaepernick at the Giants. “I don’t worry about job security when I step in the building,” Kaepernick said this week. Well, he should know his job’s on the line."

"Ten Things I’ll Be Watching For This Weekend
8. Odell Beckham Jr.’s extracurriculars. Accused by Buffalo defenders this week of throwing punches when the cameras weren't focusing on them last Sunday, Beckham has a difficult task Sunday night: facing a pugnacious San Francisco defense knowing it has to keep the score down because the Niner offense is so bad. Might be a good idea for Beckham to remember the NBC telecast has a jillion cameras, and there’s a good bet, knowing how good Fred Gaudelli and Drew Esocoff are inside the truck at the game, that there will be a camera on him for 60 minutes."
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/10/08/hue-jackson-cincinnati-bengals-nfl-offense-andy-dalton

Mays Grantland: Sinking Suh, Rising Ware, and a Bargain in Buffalo: Looking Back at the Recent Successes and Disasters of NFL Free Agency
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-free-agency-2014-15-miami-dolphins-devner-broncos-ndamukong-suh-demarcus-ware/

El Sayed PFF: RANKING ALL 32 NFL OFFENSIVE LINES ENTERING WEEK 5
"12. New York Giants (20th)
Pass blocking rank: 12th

Run blocking rank: 12th

Penalties rank: 14th

Stud: This is what they wanted from Geoff Schwartz (+5.6) when they signed him.

Dud: It never works well for any team when they’re having to start Marshall Newhouse (-9.3).

Summary: As bad as they are at tackle, they are as good (if not better) on the interior. Indeed, when the combo of Justin Pugh, Schwartz, and Weston Richburg line up, there may not be a better interior line in football right now.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/10/07/ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-lines-entering-week-5/


BALTIMORE
Meoli Bal Sun: As 'imperfections' in NFL kickers surface, Ravens' Justin Tucker remains strong and steady
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-justin-tucker-1009-20151008-story.html

Zrebiec Bal Sun: Dean Pees says reduced snaps not a 'demotion' for Ravens cornerback Kyle Arrington
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-kyle-arrington-not-demoted-20151008-story.html

BUFFALO
Buffalo News: What They Said: Transcripts of coach Rex Ryan and coordinators after Bills practice

http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/10/08/what-they-said-transcripts-of-coach-rex-ryan-and-coordinators-roman-thurman-after-thursdays-buffalo-bills-practice/

Dunne Buffalo News: Bills' Dixon enthusiastically takes on starting spot
http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/10/08/bills-dixon-enthusiastically-takes-on-starting-spot/

CAROLINA
Person Charlotte Observer: Josh Norman won DPOW, joked about bribing a doc and was overcome by tears. Interesting day
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article38118984.html

CLEVELAND
Reed Cleveland Plain Dealer: Nate Orchard needs to 'cut it loose' while Xavier Cooper seeks to be 'more violent': Browns notebook
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/10/nate_orchard_needs_to_cut_it_l.html

DALLAS
Sabin Dallas Morning News: A look at one big reason why Cowboys haven't been able to recreate winning formula of '14
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/20151008-a-look-at-one-big-reason-why-cowboys-haven-t-been-able-to-recreate-winning-formula-of-14.ece

Pelissero USA Today: Greg Hardy still brings big value to Cowboys
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/10/08/pelissero-greg-hardy-dallas-cowboys-suspension/73601414/

Dooley PFF Wash Post: The Cowboys are going to lose to the Patriots — and then make the playoffs
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2015/10/08/the-cowboys-are-going-to-lose-to-the-patriots-and-then-make-the-playoffs/

DENVER
Renck Denver Post: Gary Kubiak shows confidence in Broncos with calculated risk:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_28936433/gary-kubiak-shows-confidence-broncos-calculated-ris

Klis 9News: Manning pleased with patched up offensive line
http://www.9news.com/story/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/2015/10/07/peyton-manning-denver-broncos/73546800/

Klis 9News: Michael Schofield gives Denver Broncos a solid NFL debut
http://www.9news.com/story/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/2015/10/07/michael-schofield-denver-broncos/73523462/

Jhabalva Denver Post: How Broncos DE Derek Wolfe stayed in "game shape" during suspension:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_28942282/how-broncos-de-derek-wolfe-stayed-game-shape

Klis 9News: Jack Del Rio has Checkdown Carr thowing downfield
http://www.9news.com/story/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/2015/10/07/jack-del-rio-derek-carr-oakland-raiders/73543954/

Klis 9News: Brandon Marshall graded as NFL's top inside linebacker
http://www.9news.com/story/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/2015/10/07/brandon-marshall-denver-broncos/73519148/

Renck Denver Post: Broncos' Ryan Harris focus is more on Raiders than Jack Del Rio
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_28942242/broncos-ryan-harris-focus-more-raiders-than-jack-del-rio

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Lions' Lombardi: I still don't think Stafford is broken
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/10/08/matt-stafford-broken/73590860/

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Fluellen really didn't think he'd be a Lion again
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/10/08/detroit-lions-andre-fluellen/73616758/

GREEN BAY
Mil JS: Young receivers work to earn Aaron Rodger's trust
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/young-receivers-work-to-earn-aaron-rodgers-trust-b99592955z1-331501951.html?ipad=y

Mil JS: Andrew Quarless thankful his knee injury isn't worse
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/andrew-quarless-thankful-his-knee-injury-isnt-worse-b99592960z1-331502231.html?ipad=y

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans' offense shows sparks with Brian Hoyer at the helm
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2015/10/texans-offense-shows-sparks-with-brian-hoyer-at-the-helm/

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans' Ryan Mallett says he left field early because he thought half was over
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2015/10/texans-ryan-mallett-says-he-left-field-early-because-he-thought-half-was-over/

KANSAS CITY
Paylor KC Star: Chiefs must count on veterans for leadership more than ever:
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article38142210.htm

MIAMI
Marvez Fox Sports: Dan Campbell has lots more to fix than MiamiDolphins practice habits.
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/miami-dolphins-dan-campbell-first-practice-ryan-tannehill-joe-philbin-100715

NEW ENGLAND
Howe Boston Herald: Patriots notebook: Good deal for Dion Lewis
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/10/patriots_notebook_good_deal_for_dion_lewis

Layman Boston Herald: Rob Gronkowski will put Cowboys in tight spot
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2015/10/rob_gronkowski_will_put_cowboys_in_tight_spot

NEW ORLEANS
Nielsen SI: It’s time for Saints to move on from magic of the past and look forward
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/10/07/nfl-2015-season-saints-drew-brees-sean-payton-future

Holder Nola.com: The fun for Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha has just begun
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/10/the_fun_for_saints_hauoli_kika.html

Dabe Nola.com: New Orleans Saints rookie Andrus Peat awaits possible start with advice from father
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/10/new_orleans_saints_andrus_peat_5.html

OAKLAND
Corkran Raiderbeat: A lot has changed with the Raiders in the four years since Al Davis passed away. Are they better off?
http://raiderbeat.com/2015/10/post-al-davis-raiders-look-much-different-losing-ways-persist/

PHILADELPHIA
Bowen Phil.com: How playoff loss to Saints impacted Eagles
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20151009_How_playoff_loss_to_Saints_impacted_Eagles.html

McLane Phil.com: Look for Sam Bradford to go deep again vs. Saints. After best game, Eagles QB could be trending upward.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/331165421.html

Bowen Phil.com: Eagles say they need to do a better job on third down
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20151008_Eagles_say_they_need_to_do_a_better_job_on_third_down.html

Phil.com: Matthews, not Murray should carry load for Eagles
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20151009_Mathews__not_Murray__should_carry_load_for_Eagles.html

Domowitch Phil.com: Eagles need to get more sack time
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/paul_domowitch/20151009_Eagles_need_to_get_more_sack_time.html

ST. LOUIS
Thomas STL Post Dispatch: Green Bay's defense revolves around LB Matthews:
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/article_90a7fc8a-f9d4-54cf-bb43-ca9c779b165e.html#.VhdRjaVoUL0.twitter

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Blindside bind? LT Staley misses second straight practice
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Blindside-bind-LT-Staley-misses-second-straight-6559907.php

Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers: Giants will present a familiar look.
"You can see watching the tape that the scheme is fairly similar,” Harold said. “I feel like Coach Mangini is very excited about the game plan that he’s put in to stop (Manning) and their offense. Limiting them to things they’re not necessarily great at — forcing him to do things that he’s not really great at.”
http://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-Giants-will-present-a-familiar-look-6560038.php?t=b74da72a73& cmpid=twitter-premium

KNBR: Mangini sees carryover between Packers, Giants
"Just defending New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. and how big of a challenge that is for you guys. Does he fit in that kind of Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown and Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, big-play guy?
“Yeah, he’s tough. [New York Giants WR] Rueben Randle’s tough. [New York Giants QB] Eli [Manning] does a great job on the deep balls. Eli does a really nice job. You can see it with the mechanics, where he’s up at the line of scrimmage. Some of it’s tempo or it’s hurry up and that’s one way that he can gather information. Then you see him moving the pieces around, whether it’s the tight end, the back, the wide receivers, it’s another way that he gathers information. And, you’ve got two talented guys on the outside. Not that the rest of the group isn’t talented, but two guys that can make a lot of plays on the outside that changes some of the things that you have to do. Although you can’t, with Eli, you can’t do the same thing over and over again because he’s going to get his players, his group into the right spots.”

"With New York Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo there, do they have a lot of the same offensive principles as Green Bay?
“There is some carryover. There’s always going to be significant carryover when a guy comes from a certain system. Some things that they do a little bit differently. There’s more movement by the parts. Whether it be the tight ends, the backs, the wide receivers. A little bit more of that. And some of that goes back to type of quarterback and the feedback that the quarterback gives the coordinator. There’s a lot of carryover. You can’t just put it in a box, but it’s definitely from that family tree."

"Beckham is so good in the air. Do you see Manning being aggressive with throws to him with the confidence that if I put it up there either my guy is going to come down with it or nobody will? Do you see that in the way he throws the ball to him?
“Eli places the ball really well regardless of who he’s throwing it to. I think there’s always, whenever you have a receiver that can go up and win those jump balls, there’s always a confidence that if it’s not placed exactly right it could be caught. Worst case scenario it’s going to get knocked down and then you may take a few more chances that way. And, he is great at going up and snatching it.”
http://www.knbr.com/2015/10/08/49ers-dc-eric-mangini-theres-carryover-between-packers-giants/

TENNESSEE
Wolf The Tennessean: Marcus Mariota’s perfect passer rating in #Titans’ historic season-opening rout of #Bucs is suddenly … more perfect?
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2015/10/08/tennessee-titans-jeremiah-poutasi-bills-mario-williams/73618292/

Glennon The Tennessean: How is Titans' rookie Poutasi progressing as he preps for Mario Williams?
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2015/10/08/tennessee-titans-jeremiah-poutasi-bills-mario-williams/73618334/

WASHINGTON
Testfatsion Wash Post: Redskins are significantly better on third downs this season
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2015/10/08/redskins-are-significantly-better-on-third-downs-this-season/

Steinberg Wash Post: Redskins' Matt Jones explains what if feels like to be tackled by your hair
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/10/08/redskins-matt-jones-explains-what-it-feels-like-to-be-tackled-by-your-hair/ash

Allen Wash Post: Playing his former team isn't anything special for ex-Redskin WR Leonard Hankerson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/10/08/playing-his-former-team-isnt-anything-special-for-ex-redskins-wr-leonard-hankerson/

Clarke Wash Post: Redskins may lack both top cornerbacks for clash against Atlanta's potent offense
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2015/10/08/redskins-may-lack-both-top-cornerbacks-for-clash-against-atlantas-potent-offense/


DRAFT

Rang CBS Sports: 2016 NFL Draft Big Board: Nkemdiche or Bosa -- who deserves No. 1?
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/25331921/nfl-draft-big-board-nkemdiche-or-bosa----who-deserves-no-1

Miller B/R: 2016 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Quarter-Season Rankings
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2576322-2016-nfl-draft-big-board-matt-millers-quarter-season-rankings

Campbell Walter Football: Updated 2016 Big Board. Jalen Ramsey, Ezekiel Elliott, Emmanuel Ogbah rising.
http://www.walterfootball.com/draft2016bigboard.php

Rang CBS Sports: Led by NFL prospect Travis Feeney Washington stuns Southern Cal
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25332410/led-by-nfl-prospect-travis-feeney-washington-stuns-southern-cal

HISTORY

Goldstein NYT: Lindy Infante, who led the Packers’ revival, dies at 75.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/sports/lindy-infante-who-led-packers-revival-dies-at-75.html

Former Giants News:

Vrentas MMQB: Football 101: Going Back to School with Antonio Pierce
The former New York Giants linebacker is coaching at one of the most storied high school programs in America. But the game looks very different from the one he grew up playing
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/10/09/nfl-antonio-pierce-new-york-giants-linebacker-turned-high-school-football-coach