Saturday Reading

Giants

Duggan NJ.com: Dan Duggan's 10-step offseason plan for the Giants
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2017/02/dan_duggans_10-step_offseason_plan_for_the_giants.html

Giants.com: Fact or Fiction: Competition to watch this offseason
http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Fact-or-Fiction-Competition-to-watch-this-offseason/883e2287-7615-4f08-b9a1-cb20bc4d1eb1

Salomone Giants.com: Make the Case: TE David Njoku vs. DE Taco Charlton
http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/makethecase/article-1/Make-the-Case-TE-David-Njoku-vs-DE-Taco-Charlton/57f2a788-941c-4cf7-8b61-a582e539e2fd

Traina Inside Football: Reader Mailbag: Tagging JPP, Draft Winds, the O-Line and More
https://insidefootball.com/2017/02/reader-mailbag-tagging-jpp-draft-winds-o-line/

LT

Kratch NJ.com: Why Ereck Flowers may end up being Giants' best left tackle option
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2017/02/why_ereck_flowers_may_end_up_being_giants_best_lef.html

OLB

Giants.com: Inside the Film Room: Devon Kennard
Go inside the film room for an in-depth look at LB Devon Kennard
http://www.giants.com/videos/videos/Inside-the-Film-Room-Devon-Kennard/46011343-2daa-41e8-9ce2-c8e8a44a1df9

NFL

Orr/Brooks NFL.com: 2016 rookie grades: Falcons, Cowboys, Chiefs earn high marks
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000786285/article/2016-rookie-grades-falcons-cowboys-chiefs-earn-high-marks

Mays The Ringer: The Falcons offense came out of nowhere to put up mind-blowing numbers during the 2016 season. Which groups are only a few pieces away from making a similar jump next fall?
https://theringer.com/nfl-units-free-agency-draft-improvement-43b97f2af188#.n1mwomhq5

Moy PFF: TOP 10 RUNNING BACKS SET TO HIT FREE AGENCY
https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-top-10-nfl-running-backs-currently-set-to-hit-free-agency/?utm_content=buffer70a30& utm_medium=social& utm_source=twitter.com& utm_campaign=nfl

ARIZONA
Green AZ Sports: Cardinals GM Keim: �We have to identify a franchise quarterback�
http://arizonasports.com/story/1026958/cardinals-gm-keim-we-have-to-identify-a-franchise-quarterback/

Somers AZ Central: Cardinals pursuing deals with Chandler Jones, Tony Jefferson
http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2017/02/17/arizonas-cardinals-free-agents-update-chandler-jones-tony-jefferson/98040130/

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Falcons can build off of breakthrough 2016 season
http://www.ajc.com/sports/football/falcons-can-build-off-breakthrough-2016-season/3SSQa3lYcwsXFF5yNyKrFM/

McClure ESPN Atl: Falcons add Charlie Weis Jr., ex-Rutgers head coach to staff
http://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/26008/falcons-add-charlie-weis-jr-ex-rutgers-head-coach-to-coaching-staff

BALTIMORE
Mink Ravens.com: WHY MICHAEL PIERCE IS A KEY PIECE OF RAVENS' FREE AGENCY PICTURE
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Why-Michael-Pierce-Is-A-Key-Piece-Of-Ravens-Free-Agency-Picture/cfbf9d5e-2720-48e9-a88d-01fc711f4bd3

CAROLINA
Newton ESPN Charlotte: Of salary-cap casualties, Victor Cruz most likely for Panthers to pursue
http://www.espn.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/24618/victor-cruz-the-most-likely-salary-cap-casualty-for-panthers-to-pursue

Rodrigue Charlotte Observer: Panthers begin restocking offensive line in free agency
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article133348984.html

CHICAGO
Wiederer Chicago Tribune: Bears' QB search: Exploring 4 paths GM Ryan Pace could take
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-bears-quarterback-search-ryan-pace-spt-0219-20170218-story.html

DALLAS
Mather NYT: Where Will Tony Romo Play Next?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/sports/football/tony-romo-dallas-cowboys-new-team.html

Dallas Morning News: Cowboys sign free agent guard Ryan Seymour
http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2017/02/17/cowboys-add-free-agent-guard-ryan-seymour-active-list

DENVER
Legwold ESPN Denver: With combine looming, Broncos work to 'stay great' on defense
http://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/77472/with-combine-looming-broncos-do-have-some-defensive-needs-too

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Can stadium upgrades help Detroit Lions attract free agents?
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/02/17/detroit-lions-free-agents-2017/98045354/

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions RB Ameer Abdullah's rehab seems to be going well
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/02/17/ameer-abdullah-surgery/98054216/

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions TE Cole Wick 'itching' to play football after IR stint
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/02/17/detroit-lions-tight-ends/98038152/

GREEN BAY
Wilde ESPN GB: Guys behind the guy: Jordy Nelson credits Packers trainers for his impressive comeback
http://www.espn.com/blog/milwaukee/post/_/id/1277/guys-behind-the-guy-jordy-nelson-credits-packers-trainers-for-his-impressive-comeback

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans' Quintin Demps on his future, A.J. Bouye: 'Pay the man'
http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-Quintin-Demps-on-his-future-A-J-Bouye-10940485.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Wells ESPN Ind: Colts lack difference-makers when it comes to free agents to re-sign
http://www.espn.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/19802/colts-lack-difference-makers-when-it-comes-to-free-agents-to-re-sign

JACKSONVILLE
O'Halloran Fla Times Union: Jaguars Analysis: Branden Albert would be upgrade, but is a gamble
http://jacksonville.com/sports/2017-02-17/jaguars-analysis-branden-albert-would-be-upgrade-gamble

DiRocco ESPN Jack: Potential Branden Albert trade fits into Jaguars' win-now mode
http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/20893/potential-branden-albert-trade-fits-into-jaguars-win-now-mode

O'Halloran Fla Times Union: Jaguars re-sign offensive tackle Josh Wells
http://jacksonville.com/sports/2017-02-17/jaguars-re-sign-offensive-tackle-josh-wells

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Woike LA Times: Chargers tackle King Dunlap arrested in Nashville
http://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/la-sp-chargers-king-dunlap-arrested-20170217-story.html

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Gonzalez ESPN LA: Rams QB Jared Goff working out at QB training facility in Los Angeles
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18700744/jared-goff-los-angeles-rams-leveraging-noted-qb-training-facility

Gonzalez ESPN LA: Rams' new staff has a tough task at WR
http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/33053/rams-new-staff-has-a-tough-task-at-wr

MIAMI
Beasley Miami Herald: Re-signing Stills remains a Dolphins priority � but what would it cost? History says a lot
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article133462439.html

Salguero Miami Herald: Everything you need to know about a Branden Albert trade, including the name of one suitor
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article133322754.html

Walker ESPN Miami: Dolphins have two big holes to fill at guard
http://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/83064/dolphins-have-two-big-holes-to-fill-at-guard

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Notable void on Patriots' staff created with Brian Daboll's departure
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4801221/notable-void-on-patriots-staff-created-with-brian-dabolls-departure?utm_source=dlvr.it& utm_medium=twitter

Boston Herald: Patriots' Michael Floyd sentenced to jail after extreme DUI plea
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/the_blitz/2017/02/patriots_michael_floyd_sentenced_to_jail_after_extreme_dui_plea

NEW ORLEANS
Holder Nola.com: Saints should stay away from WR market come free agency time
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2017/02/new_orleans_saints_wide_receiv_37.html

OAKLAND
Gutierrez ESPN Oakland: Should the Raiders re-sign DT Stacy McGee?
http://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/77471/should-the-raiders-re-sign-dt-stacy-mcgee

PHILADELPHIA
Shorr-Parks NJ.com: NFL free agency 2017: How much salary cap space do Eagles have?
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2017/02/how_much_cap_space_do_the_eagles_have_enough_to_si.html

Berman Phil.com: Previewing the Eagles' offseason: Tight ends
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/eagles/Previewing-the-Eagles-offseason-Tight-ends.html

Shorr-Parks NJ.com: Eagles should keep Jason Peters, Jason Kelce and offensive line together in 2017
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2017/02/eagles_should_keep_jason_peters_jason_kelce_and_of.html

PITTSBURGH
Fittipaldo Pitt Post Gazette: Six names Steelers fans should know ahead of the NFL draft
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Steelers-Blog/2017/02/17/steelers-mock-draft-Tim-Williams-Haason-Reddick-Desmond-King/stories/201702170196

Corry CBS Sports.com: Agent's Take: Why receiving the franchise tag might be a blessing for Le'Veon Bell
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-why-receiving-the-franchise-tag-might-be-a-blessing-for-leveon-bell/

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Why is John Lynch doing this? Inside new 49ers GM�s crash course
http://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Why-is-John-Lynch-doing-this-Inside-new-49ers-10941386.php

Inman SJ Mercury News: 49ers Kyle Shanahan seeks �violent� defenders, no �short-term� QB
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/17/49ers-kyle-shanahan-seeks-violent-defenders-no-short-term-qb/

Branch SF Chronicle: Babysitter to boss: Gary Kubiak on 49ers� Kyle Shanahan
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Babysitter-to-boss-Gary-Kubiak-on-49ers-Kyle-10941146.php

Barrows Sac Bee: 49ers looking at Benton at offensive line coach
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article133441849.html

Barrows Sac Bee: 49ers hire Robert Saleh, who will run Seattle�s defense
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article133342344.html

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Sherman Smith says Seahawks wanted to make a change at running backs coach
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/sherman-smith-says-seahawks-wanted-to-make-a-change-at-running-backs-coach/?utm_content=buffer9e083& utm_medium=social& utm_source=twitter.com& utm_campaign=owned_buffer_sports

Kapadia ESPN Seattle: Sherman Smith: Seahawks missed Beast Mode, need to regain hunger
http://www.espn.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/24507/sherman-smith-seahawks-missed-beast-mode-need-to-regain-hunger

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Bucs need Noah Spence to make a Beasley-like improvement
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/bucs-need-noah-spence-to-make-a-beasley-like-improvement/2313657

TENNESSEE
Wolf The Tennessean: Could Titans trade fifth overall draft pick?
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2017/02/17/could-titans-trade-fifth-overall-draft-pick/98046734/

WASHINGTON
Clarke Wash Post: In the wild calculus of quarterback contracts, is Kirk Cousins 1 in 7.3 billion?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2017/02/17/in-the-wild-calculus-of-nfl-quarterback-contracts-is-cousins-1-in-7-3-billion/?utm_term=.e1e65db35279

Bullock Wash Post: Free agent fits: Three smart options to revitalize the Redskins� offensive line
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2017/02/17/free-agent-fits-three-smart-options-to-revitalize-the-redskins-offensive-line/?utm_term=.ed457464e86c

Draft

Miller B/R: MATT MILLER'S SCOUTING NOTEBOOK: MYLES GARRETT IS THE ANDREW LUCK OF 2017 DRAFT
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2693351-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-myles-garrett-is-the-andrew-luck-of-2017-draft?utm_source=twitter.com& utm_medium=referral& utm_campaign=programming-national

DT
Auman TB Times: NFL Draft Q& A: Oklahoma State DT Vincent Taylor
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/nfl-draft-qa-oklahoma-state-dt-vincent-taylor/2313601

Wilson NFP: Georgia Tech�s Pat Gamble on the mend, looking forward to draft
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/georgia-techs-pat-gamble-on-the-mend-looking-forward-to-draft/

OLB/DE
Russo AP/ABC News: Draft Diary: Reddick's path to NFL started as Temple walk-on
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/draft-diary-reddicks-path-nfl-started-temple-walk-45577064

LB
Burke SI.com: Draft This Dude: Why Paul Magloire Jr. deserved an NFL combine trip
http://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/17/paul-magloire-arizona-nfl-draft-combine-prospects

History

Fitzpatrick Phil.com: A giant in more ways than one
"As sculptor Jennifer Frudakis tries to craft a bronze likeness of Emlen Tunnell, it's the eyes that haunt and challenge her."
"His eyes," Frudakis said Friday, "they look right through you."
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20170219_Frank_s_Place__A_giant_in_more_ways_than_one.html

Dougherty Mil JS: Willie Davis stood up for Ali
http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/dougherty/2017/02/17/dougherty-willie-davis-stood-up-ali/97995320/

Shaw GB Press Gazette: What if...
"Everyone from (team president) Dom Olejniczak on down thought (Hearden) would be a dynamite coach," Jan Mancheski said. "They were loaded with a good base of talent when Lombardi got there, and just needed a few more pieces."
Yes, of course, in the universe that actually fell into place, Vince Lombardi wound up leading that Hall of Fame cast to five titles in the '60s.
Tragically, a stroke felled Hearden in May 1957 and he never took the sidelines in his comeback season. He died of a heart attack seven years later.
So, the Packers in 1958 turned the head-coaching reins over instead to Ray "Scooter" McLean, who proceeded to post the worst record in Packers' history at 1-10-1 and was fired. The next year Green Bay hired Lombardi, an unknown defensive coach from the New York Giants."
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/local/door-co/sports/2017/02/17/might/98049564/

Stuart Football Perspective: Hall of Famers on Multiple Teams
http://www.footballperspective.com/hall-of-famers-on-multiple-teams/

Giants Birthdays 2-18

Maury Buford P W-DEN 1988 NYG 1988 2-18-1960
Jay Foreman LB W-OAK 2005 NYG 2005 2-18-1976
Homer Jones SE D20-Texas Southern 1963 W-HOU 1963 NYG IR 1963 NYG 1964-1969 2-18-1941
Shane McDermott C W-CAR 2015 NYG PSQ 2015 NYG 2016 2-18-1992
Gary Reasons LILB/RILB D4-NW Lousiana State 1984 NYG 1984-1991 2-18-1962
Robert Thomas DT W-CAR 2016 NYG 2016 2-18-1991
Danny Ware RB W-NYJ 2007 NYG 2007-2011 2-18-1985
Vince Warren WR D5-SD State 1986 NYG 1986 2-18-1963

Ten for Today: Jim Katcavage LDE/RDT 1956-1968

1. Vince Lombardi scouted Katcavage at Dayton, introduced to him at spring practice in 1955 by his head coach Katcavage said "hell I didn't know who
[Lombardi] was then. I sat down and with him and he gave me all that rigamarole about someday you might be a good football player, and crap like that. But I was pleased they were interested. Well they did go draft me. When I got there they had traded and got Andy Robustelli who was a defensive end just like I was but had already been All-Pro with the Rams a couple of times. And they had Walt Yowarsky, who had been with the Giants a couple of
years. I was wondering how in the hell I would ever make this team. But I did and had the starting job by the first regular season game."

2. Drafted in 1956 as a end out of Dayton, Katcavage, fresh from a six month army stint himself, moved inside to DT to replace Rosey Grier who missed the 1957 season due to a military commitment.

3. Upon leavng the Giants in 1959. defensive coach Tom Landry credited fellow defensive end Andy Robustelli for making Katcavage a "standout" player, "He taught Kats all there is to know. That's why I hate to leave this gang. There is no pettiness, no envy, no selfishness. Everybody helps everybody else."

4 In the same game that Frank Gifford suffered his infamous hit by Chuck Bednarik, Katcavage suffered a broken clavicle, ending his 1960 season as well.

5 Norm Van Brocklin in his 1961 Football book described Katcavage as one who "[r]ushes with abandon. This abandon if not checked with low blocks, can bowl over blockers
like ten pins because of his magnificent strength."

6 By 1963 Katcavage had emerged as a All Pro defensive end, who had only not started two games (due to his injury against the Eagles in 1960) in his whole Giants career including exhibitions since joining the team as a fourth round draft choice in 1956. He was a cement salesman in the offseason. Fran O'Brien tackle of the Redskins said of him,"He wears you down. He keeps coming all the time. He's just as strong on the last play as the first." Katcavage credited his outside linebackers who lined up behind him at strongside defensive end for freeing him up to close on a play (pass or run)..."He [Jerry Hillebrand] keeps me from looking bad. I've always had good linebackers behind me. Billy Winter before Jerry and Cliff Livingston before Billy. I'm grateful."

7 Although sacks were not an official stat, it was thought Katcavage had 25 sacks in 1963.

8 When Dick Lynch and Jimmy Patton retired after the 1966 season, Katcavage became the lone Giant left from the 1956 Championship team and the 1958 Eastern Champions.

9 Katcavage would retire at the end of training camp in 1969, and would become a Giants assistant coach. He would remain in that role until head coach Alex Webster lost his job after the 1973 season. From there he would be a scout for the Eagles.

10 The Giants credit Katcavage with 96.5 sacks for his career...while methods of computation differ do to sacks not being an official stat at the time, Jim Turney
pro football historian credited Katacavage in this manner...

"Sack totals from Katcavage�s era are considered unofficial but he posted outstanding numbers during his peak years including consecutive years in 1962-63 when he led the NFL with 17 and 20.5. John Turney, a football historian and leading expert on defensive line play, believes Katcavage would have contended for Defensive Player of the Year in 1963 had the award existed. He also ranked fourth with 13.5 sacks in 1964 and had 10 in 1961 and 9 in 1967. The Giants won the East six times and the NFL title in 1956 during Katcavage�s career. Along the way, he was instrumental in New York�s leading the NFL in fewest points in 1958, 1959 and 1961, fewest yards in 1956 and 1959, fewest rushing yards in 1956 and 1959, fewest passing yards in 1958 and 1959 and most sack yardage in 1956 and 1963. The 1959 Giants are one of only a handful of teams to rank first in both fewest rushing and passing yards allowed in the same season. Katcavage was a consensus first team all-pro in 1961 (AP, UPI, New York Daily News), 1962 (UPI, NEA) and 1963 (AP, UPI, New York Daily News) and was selected to the Pro Bowl the same three years. He played in all 112 games of the last eight seasons of his career."
PFRA.org: The Hall of the very good 2016
http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2016.html