DE:
Vernon - I think was a great job by Reese to pay up for what he projects going forward as opposed to rewarding the name recognition and prior performance. Yes, he cost a ton but to get a 25 year old with a clean injury history and one that has the kind of ability this kid has was a phenomenal move.
JPP - the spill-over of Vernon along with re-signing of JPP (and his improved fitness, hand situation etc.) makes JPP awfully dangerous in a good way. He won't typically see double teams or elite OTs like Tyron Smith. With his ability and constant all out hustle, he should have a very good year.
Double O - wasted year for him last year, but the kid was pretty impressive both at UCLA and the Senior bowl. Not too many 3rd DEs have this kind of ability.
Wynn - Perfect reserve DE. Fantastic run defender. Reliable, smart, good special teamer.
Okwara - brings similar work rate as Wynn.
DT:
Big Hank - Really impressive development last year. Arrow pointing straight to pro bowl.
Snacks - Love the nickname. Love massive DT to clog stuff up and keep opposing OL off our LBs and Collins.
Bromley - started to show some stuff last year but i still think he was over-drafted. oh well.
Hughes/Nix - jumbo sized NT types who have lagely (pun intended I suppose) disappointed elsewhere
LBs:
Uninspiring group once again. Hoping Goodson can do his part to change that. Same goes for Kennard who needs to stay healthy. No other player has a chance to be any better than average.
CBs:
DRC - Still a jaw dropping athlete. Outstanding in coverage. Really concerns me when he attempts to make a tackle bc he just doesn't have the strength to handle that without jacking up the injury risk.
Jenkins - Gambling CB who should be a great fit given the pressure one would expect from the front 4.
Apple - Somewhat raw but terrific athlete and a big CB. Unclear if Jenkins or DRC will play the slot in nickel or if Apple can do it (conventional wisdom says hes an outside guy).
Deayon - UDFA who is tough as nails and really attacks the ball. Yes, he's a midget but boy is he a baller.
Wade/McFadden
S:
Collins - I wonder if a Deone Buchanan role is envisioned by Spags. Clearly he's better if closer to the LOS.
Thompson - be nice to have a centerfield type. I am not sure about his tackling or 1v1 coverage ability
Jackson - ACL last year. Unfortunate because I thought he could have been a good coverage safety
Behre - Him and Taylor are so injury prone but I like what he brings (at the very least on specials)
I see Robinson moving to the middle on passing downs and WLB Casillas stepping in as the defacto coverage LB there.
As the season progresses, I'm hoping MLB Goodson shows enough to take over MLB. it is a leap to surpass a veteran signal caller like Brinkley but he is a talent and he is smart too.
The key for LB is health as Robinson, Kennard have never stayed healthy for 16 games. Or even 15 games. A healthy Robinson, hungry for a big deal, could be the "steal" of UFA for us (dollar for dollar steal). He is fast and can cover and we need that.
As the season progresses, I'm hoping MLB Goodson shows enough to take over MLB. it is a leap to surpass a veteran signal caller like Brinkley but he is a talent and he is smart too.
^^^^THIS^^^^
I was checking out film on Floyd, and kept wondering who the "other" guy was who was always making the 1st hit.....I am extremely hopeful that that translates in a huge way for the Giants......huge....
For example, has S M. Thompson recovered from the Achilles enough to be effective? I believe he'd be eligible for the PS should he be a final cut. Have S's Behre and Jackson fully recovered?
Assuming everyone is as healthy as they can be, I think we could end up carryng five safeties should B. Jackson be the de facto nickel corner backup and FS backup plus all play special teams.
S N. Behre is going to surprise and challenge for starting time. This kid can play he just got hurt last year. He is a hammer tackling.
- You're off by a year with Hankins. He was awesome in 2014 and was looking like a future pro-bowler. I thought he took a step back last year though, even before the injury. Granted that could be partly due to all the other guys missing time around him.
- LBs - a mix of solid veteran depth and some athletic guys. If healthy, Thomas could have a big year with Snacks and Hankins keeping him clean. And Kennard needs to stay healthy and give us a playmaker at that level.
- FS - it'll be interesting to see who emerges here, though I like what I've read about Thompson's "leadership" already. Need a vocal guy back there. If B Jackson can stay healthy, I wouldn't be surprised to see them use a big nickel often with Collins dropping down in the box. Especially against some of the better receiving TEs (Reed, Ertz, Witten).
However, there is nothing behind any of the starters.....they will be rotational players, for breathing purposes only....
The linebackers, are a merry go round of changes every year.....the right combination has to be out there...it looks like a slight upgrade but nothing more....
Safety is still a mystery....we want D. Thompson to be a wunderkind from the get go....we will soon find out in preseason.....Collins has a year's experience and should be better if left as the SS....no depth at either safety position....M. Thompson, Berhe, Cooper, Bennett are pipedreams, with basically no NFL experience between them....
Corners seem to be our strongest position.....who will be the slot corner is the question....Apple has to play like a first round selection.....once again, no depth behind them...
We have starters, that's it....we have to avoid injuries....
Plus, we will be having a lot of new players on defense...it will take awhile for them to gel...hopefully the offense picks up the slack until they do.....
- You're off by a year with Hankins. He was awesome in 2014 and was looking like a future pro-bowler. I thought he took a step back last year though, even before the injury. Granted that could be partly due to all the other guys missing time around him.
- LBs - a mix of solid veteran depth and some athletic guys. If healthy, Thomas could have a big year with Snacks and Hankins keeping him clean. And Kennard needs to stay healthy and give us a playmaker at that level.
- FS - it'll be interesting to see who emerges here, though I like what I've read about Thompson's "leadership" already. Need a vocal guy back there. If B Jackson can stay healthy, I wouldn't be surprised to see them use a big nickel often with Collins dropping down in the box. Especially against some of the better receiving TEs (Reed, Ertz, Witten).
As for FS, I believe we'll use a lot of 3 safety looks. I also have a feeling S B. Jackson could end up being our nickel CB. CB Wade wasn't very good doing it last year and CB Jenkins is learning the spot. Much will be learned in camp, for sure, and much depends upon the development of Apple of course.
Quote:
As the season progresses, I'm hoping MLB Goodson shows enough to take over MLB. it is a leap to surpass a veteran signal caller like Brinkley but he is a talent and he is smart too.
^^^^THIS^^^^
I was checking out film on Floyd, and kept wondering who the "other" guy was who was always making the 1st hit.....I am extremely hopeful that that translates in a huge way for the Giants......huge....
What are you talking about? Floyd went to Georgia. Goodson went to Clemson.
Collins at SS gets first crack but if he hasn't improved significantly from last year I'd give Berhe a shot and play LC at dime CB.
I dont want Casillas or J.T. Thomas starting at WLB - neither are good fits in Spags scheme where the WLB plays more like a 34 ILB. (And why were they signed in the first place...?)
WLB Robinson / Casillas, MLB Brinkley / Goodson, SLB Kennard / Shepard. Many are interchangeable in the sense that Goodson may be able to play all 3 spots; Shepard too. Not sure just yet. I think this is the year LB Herzlich is cut.
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"darkhorse" at WLB is Kelvin Sheppard.
Shepard seems like a hulking MLB type. I don't think JT Thomas makes the team this year. he has sucked and he has been hurt a lot.
WLB Robinson / Casillas, MLB Brinkley / Goodson, SLB Kennard / Shepard. Many are interchangeable in the sense that Goodson may be able to play all 3 spots; Shepard too. Not sure just yet. I think this is the year LB Herzlich is cut.
SGMen, that's right he is. Thats why he's my darkhorse at WLB, in the old K.Mitchell role. bryan kehl on this mssg board did a nice job describing what Spags looks for in a WLB. mitchell did it to perfection. he doesn't want a sideline to sideline speed merchant he wants a downhill wrecking ball that blows up blocking schemes in the backfield.
he has a very different scheme than most 43 coaches and thats why he's always harping on how critical it is that guys "buy in".
Is this something Spags told you himself, or is it just one more thing you've pulled out of your ass that can't be confirmed one way or the other?
What are you talking about? Floyd went to Georgia. Goodson went to Clemson.
Excuse me....Shaq Lawson, not Floyd
That's what I keep thinking every time I hear Donald Trump.....doh!
Quote:
In comment 13048315 area junc said:
Quote:
"darkhorse" at WLB is Kelvin Sheppard.
Shepard seems like a hulking MLB type. I don't think JT Thomas makes the team this year. he has sucked and he has been hurt a lot.
WLB Robinson / Casillas, MLB Brinkley / Goodson, SLB Kennard / Shepard. Many are interchangeable in the sense that Goodson may be able to play all 3 spots; Shepard too. Not sure just yet. I think this is the year LB Herzlich is cut.
SGMen, that's right he is. Thats why he's my darkhorse at WLB, in the old K.Mitchell role. bryan kehl on this mssg board did a nice job describing what Spags looks for in a WLB. mitchell did it to perfection. he doesn't want a sideline to sideline speed merchant he wants a downhill wrecking ball that blows up blocking schemes in the backfield.
he has a very different scheme than most 43 coaches and thats why he's always harping on how critical it is that guys "buy in".
JPP Improved Grip ? Vernon also VG against the run .
My money is on Collins I think he is gonna get his fair
share of Big Hitts...