Jerry Reese at Vanderbilt Pro Day - LB Zach Cunningham

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Reese attended the Pro Day for most of or all of his recent first round picks. For what ever that's worth.

Maybe this is why we haven't made room for Robinson yet?

I would rather have Reddick if we go LB.

i really like him, him or Reddick would be a great pick at 23

In comment 13395448 Rjanyg said:

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Maybe this is why we haven't made room for Robinson yet? I would rather have Reddick if we go LB.

Agree on Reddick. But he might not be there. Also don't know if Cunningham's best fit is as a MLB. There are still free agents like Perry Riley and Gerald Hodges who the Giants could sign in FA.

from 6 weeks ago? Maybe nothing's chsnged - teams usually know who they like well before the Combine.

Link - from Feb 3
Early favorite? - ( New Window )

I think this is my least favorite. I don't see a physical player, but what do I know...lol

would be a great pick. People were concerned about Floyd's lack of production in the SEC? All this guy does is make plays. Shoots the gap like an animal. Great measurables as well. Near 7 flat 3 cone.

Collins coming out. For some reason he's not getting the love as other top prospects but just solid across the board and a tackling machine, always around the ball. I might prefer him to Reddick.

The first Pro Day he has attended this year? Was he at Bama's?

didn't get the memo that he doesn't value LBs and doesn't take them in Rd 1.

Is from Tennessee and rose up the scouting ranks as an area scout in that general area so he tends to go to the big school Pro Days in that area every year if there are potential first round picks to see

Tipping his hand.

In comment 13395464 ryanmkeane said:

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would be a great pick. People were concerned about Floyd's lack of production in the SEC? All this guy does is make plays. Shoots the gap like an animal. Great measurables as well. Near 7 flat 3 cone.

Totally agree. I'd be thrilled with Cunningham. And he should be available at #23.

He does remind me of Floyd. Maybe more physical than Floyd. He tends to arm tackle a little but he can thump too. I like the 6'4" 230 lbs frame. He could probably put on 10 lbs and not lose any speed. I'd be ok with this pick if NYG takes him.

Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports)
3/16/17, 2:22 PM
.@Patriots coach Bill Belichick letting LB Zach Cunningham what he's looking for in a drill at @VandyFootball Pro Day

Or trade up

In comment 13395452 jeff57 said:

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In comment 13395448 Rjanyg said: Quote: Maybe this is why we haven't made room for Robinson yet? I would rather have Reddick if we go LB. Agree on Reddick. But he might not be there. Also don't know if Cunningham's best fit is as a MLB. There are still free agents like Perry Riley and Gerald Hodges who the Giants could sign in FA.

Cunningham would be the WILL. No way he plays the MIKE on Sundays.
I'd rather have Reddick too. Wish list is in order Reddick, Howard Ramczck Or Robinson in that order.

of course he has to wrestle these guys to the ground. Clearly not a thumper, but very athletic.

Shouldn't work and do BBI at the same time :)

Of course if Butler or Jimmy G are traded...

or the smoke screen. when was the last time the Giants picked a LB in the first round?

In comment 13395540 shelovesnycsports said:

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or the smoke screen. when was the last time the Giants picked a LB in the first round?

1984 ( 33 years )but who's counting.

Would be a big upgrade at WLB or MLB. Cunningham has the speed and instincts to make a ton of plays. Reminds me a lot Bobby Wagner when he came out. He's a perfect fit for our defense.

Reese may have also been checking out offensive lineman, Will Holden. A possibility for the 3rd or 4th round?

In comment 13395528 yatqb said:

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of course he has to wrestle these guys to the ground. Clearly not a thumper, but very athletic.

Wasn't the same said last year of Floyd?

In comment 13395569 hazydave said:

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Reese may have also been checking out offensive lineman, Will Holden. A possibility for the 3rd or 4th round?

Definitely. Very underrated prospect IMO.

Reese and co want clean prospects who are football players in round 1. Cunningham fits that mold.

In comment 13395528 yatqb said:

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of course he has to wrestle these guys to the ground. Clearly not a thumper, but very athletic.

Look at his instincts though. Reads plays and attacks. We haven't had that since Pierce.

STRENGTHS: Cunningham sports a long-levered frame with broad shoulders, a tapered middle and plenty of room for additional muscle mass without significantly impacting his impressive quickness, agility and speed. He attacks oncoming blockers with an aggressive and powerful initial punch, quickly disengaging on his way to the ball. Unlike most linebackers with his length, Cunningham shows good recognition and body control to slip cut blocks, as well, sprawling to maintain his balance and rarely losing sight of the ball. Cunningham is able to convert speed to power as a tackler, showing no hesitancy in the hole against big (or small) runners and ripping at the ball, when possible. Cunningham's future in the NFL could be on the outside as he possesses the range and body control to excel in space. He changes direction well for a man of his size, showing light feet and loose hips. He possesses the range to beat backs to the edge, as well as exciting closing speed while in pursuit and coverage. Cunningham shows good awareness of passing lanes, as well as the body control and long arms to contort in space to knock down throws.
WEAKNESSES: While Cunningham's size, athleticism and awareness are certainly appealing, there is room for improvement, including in the most important area for any linebacker -- tackling. In part because of Cunningham's relatively lanky frame, his pad level is often higher while tackling then preferred. Cunningham often wrestles runners to the ground with his upper-body strength rather than consistently driving them back through his hips. This can leave Cunningham a little off-balance at the point of attack, leading to his catching runners and pulling them down (after surrendering another yard after contact) or, occasionally, missing them altogether. Cunningham could also improve as a pass rusher, too often relying on a quick hand slap, bull rush or his speed (rather than refined technique) to defeat blocks.

IN OUR VIEW: Cunningham looks more like an outside linebacker for a 4-3 alignment than a traditional inside linebacker for a 3-4 scheme. He isn't always the cleanest tackler but as his statistics suggest, he certainly gets the job done. The time spent inside has honed Cunningham's instincts and ability to fight through blocks, though he remains at his best on the chase.

COMPARES TO: Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs: It is hard not to remember a young Johnson at Texas when watching Cunningham, who possesses a similar rangy frame, speed and nose for the ball. Like the Chiefs' 12-year veteran, Cunningham possesses Pro Bowl potential with the skill-set to translate into the 4-3 or 3-4 alignment.

and makes plays. If that is Cunningham so be it. The Giants have usually made physicality one of their key selectors in evaluating LBs. It hasn't served them well.

Don't want a guy at 23 who has to be coached up on tackling.

In comment 13395616 WillVAB said:

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Don't want a guy at 23 who has to be coached up on tackling.

He had 125 tackles this past season.

In comment 13395622 ryanmkeane said:

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In comment 13395616 WillVAB said: Quote: Don't want a guy at 23 who has to be coached up on tackling. He had 125 tackles this past season.

And? Watch him tackle. He's gonna struggle at the next level and I don't want any part of that at 23.

You draft a LB that doesn't rush the passer unless he's an absolute stud, can't miss prospect.

...

In round 1, sorry

Into the facility he'd be the best LB the Giants have had since Pierce. He's a stud who can do it all. He can go sideline to sideline. He can rush the passer. He can cover. He's a beast. Reminds of Jamie Collins.

In 32 career games with little to no talent around him he has 256 tackles, 36 TFL, 6 sacks, 13 pass break ups, 7 fumble recoveries & 6 forced fumbles. He would be nasty with our DL in front of him.

At 6'3 240 he ran a 4.67. He's got 34 3/8 inch arms. He did 15 reps of 225 which is good for a guy with his arm length. He had a 35 inch vertical. 10'3 broad jump. He had a 7.03 three cone & 4.29 20 yard shuttle.

In comment 13395630 jayg5 said:

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You draft a LB that doesn't rush the passer unless he's an absolute stud, can't miss prospect.

He can rush the passer though. He wasn't asked to do it much last year as they wanted him to drop back more, but prior to that he had 6 sacks in 19 career games. Gotta remember that just because he isn't asked to do it in college doesn't mean he can't.

will find a way to discredit the most productive defensive player in the SEC...somehow.

He's certainly not my first choice at 23, but he'd be a great addition and would really thrive with guys like Snacks, JPP, OV, Collins, Jackrabbit & DRC around him. He was awesome for Vandy and teams entire gameplan was to stay away from him because Vandy sucks. IMO he's a far better player than Leonard Floyd who we almost took at 10 last year. I think he could be a Pro Bowl LB. Like I said in a thread a few months ago he reminds me of the 49ers Julian Peterson. He's a legit 3 down LB that can do it all.

The Giants interviewed Cunningham at the Combine. He's obviously a top contender for their #1, and now they're going there to Vandy just to do their due diligence. I've always wanted to use "they're," "there," and "their" in one sentence, and now I have.

I can't/won't speak for everyone, but I am not trying to discredit Cunningham. I think he's a damn good linebacker. My only point is I am not a big fan of taking a LB who isn't known for his pass rush ability in the 1st round. Giants had a top 10 defense with Kennard, Robinson, and Casillias. Don't feel this defense needs to take a LB round 1.

been at any other Pro days this year?

Tackles is not a good stat to judge a player. He doesn't square guys up and is more often than not grabbing and ripping players to the ground. If we go LB in the first I would much rather have the Florida kid.

In comment 13395683 jayg5 said:

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I can't/won't speak for everyone, but I am not trying to discredit Cunningham. I think he's a damn good linebacker. My only point is I am not a big fan of taking a LB who isn't known for his pass rush ability in the 1st round. Giants had a top 10 defense with Kennard, Robinson, and Casillias. Don't feel this defense needs to take a LB round 1.

They had a top 10 defense with Kennard, Robinson and Casillias.. But still, its clearly the weak link of the defense, has been for far too long. We won a SB with Chase fucking Blackburn starting MLB does that mean we dont need a MLB??

In comment 13395685 Jay in Toronto said:

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been at any other Pro days this year?

No. Unless it went unreported but I doubt that is the case. Reese cant hide at a pro day.

In comment 13395633 Big Rick in FL said:

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Into the facility he'd be the best LB the Giants have had since Pierce. He's a stud who can do it all. He can go sideline to sideline. He can rush the passer. He can cover. He's a beast. Reminds of Jamie Collins. In 32 career games with little to no talent around him he has 256 tackles, 36 TFL, 6 sacks, 13 pass break ups, 7 fumble recoveries & 6 forced fumbles. He would be nasty with our DL in front of him. At 6'3 240 he ran a 4.67. He's got 34 3/8 inch arms. He did 15 reps of 225 which is good for a guy with his arm length. He had a 35 inch vertical. 10'3 broad jump. He had a 7.03 three cone & 4.29 20 yard shuttle.

A+ post. Everybody bitching about Cunningham shouldn't be heard if we continue to get killed down the seam yet again by TEs because we have no LBs who can cover.

but I hope we could do better in the first round.

Yes, it means we don't need to draft a LB in round 1.