Jerry Reese at Vanderbilt Pro Day - LB Zach Cunningham

In comment 13395683 jayg5 said:

Quote:

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.

Fair enough...that is a good point. The defense was nearly the best in the NFL without a very good WILL. However, I don't think draft picks in the 1st round should be based on what other players did or how the defense (or offense for that matter) was ranked the season prior. I think you'll get into trouble if you're just trying to fill a hole year over year. The goal is to find dynamic playmakers in the first round.

For example, there's a really good chance we take a great CB in the first round if one slips. We have 3 really good CBs on the roster already. Would anyone throw the remote if we took Marlon Humphrey at 23? I think not. Roster turnover is different year to year. Ya never know who goes down with an injury, etc. Cunningham would be adding to the playmaker mix on D...something we have been lacking for a long time and only recently have been re stocking our roster with them. And also, it's not like we have any linebackers that are true difference makers on the roster right now. Our backers couldn't tackle and couldn't cover against Green Bay and they toasted them.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love a guy like Lamp or another OL in the mix at 23....but. If they have a similar grade to 10 other lineman, odds are Reese will not reach for one there. Like last year, when everyone was screaming to take OL, all he did was draft 5 guys who at this point are going to be big contributors to the team. Possibly 5 starters. He didn't reach for OL when it wasn't there, he took players of value and look what happened...

That's fine. But the defense was what it was bc the Giants place a lot more value in dline and corners. We all know that. Again, I think Cunningham is a very good football player. But LB, In my opinion just doesn't hold enough value to draft in round 1 unless you can rush the passer. Like Big Rick said though, just because he wasn't asked to doesn't mean he can't.

with his tackling technique you wouldnt need to worry about him missing playing time due to concussions or neck burners.

In comment 13395711 jayg5 said:

Quote:

That's fine. But the defense was what it was bc the Giants place a lot more value in dline and corners. We all know that. Again, I think Cunningham is a very good football player. But LB, In my opinion just doesn't hold enough value to draft in round 1 unless you can rush the passer. Like Big Rick said though, just because he wasn't asked to doesn't mean he can't.

Agreed...that's fair. If he's the guy, at least it appears he flashes all over the field.

been such a great judge at LB position. Many posters on here knew Kelvin Sheppard was really bad. He should have talked to the Dolphins. I know in free agency there is limited money but thats not an excuse to sign someone who stinks.

the bust factor with round 1 picks as well. Make sure they are as clean as possible. Not a single bad thing to say about Cunningham's background or love for football.

In comment 13395725 XBRONX said:

Quote:

been such a great judge at LB position. Many posters on here knew Kelvin Sheppard was really bad. He should have talked to the Dolphins. I know in free agency there is limited money but thats not an excuse to sign someone who stinks.

Sheppard was brought to stop the run up the middle.

Pretty sure that worked, its called role players

#1 defense in the NFL if the Giants can add talent like this to the LB corp. DL/Secondary are already top notch .. would be nice have ZC flying around being this DL

yes, pro prospects have to be judged on potential and not necessarily production...it's half and half. That being said, there's something to be said for someone who is just constantly around the ball and making plays. I couldn't believe Collins was slipping in the 2015 draft...he was in on basically every tackle during your weekly Alabama game. Cunningham averaged about 10 tackles a game. That has to count for a lot.

Should just search the last Cunningham thread with his "highlight" reel in the thread. Dude just isn't physical and will struggle tackling NFL caliber RBs.

Most would love the pick until Zeke rips off huge gains twice a year off broken arm tackles from this guy.

most scouting reports actually praise his physicality. Are you basing this off his weight? Plenty of pro bowl LBs play around 235-240.

In comment 13395747 ryanmkeane said:

Quote:

most scouting reports actually praise his physicality. Are you basing this off his weight? Plenty of pro bowl LBs play around 235-240.

Just my opinion off of watching his tackling technique. He's a drag down arm tackler. I don't think that translates well at the next level, and particularly not well in our division where we face a smash mouth running team twice a year.

If we're going LB I'd rather go Reddick or Davis. Both are athletic, physical, down hill monsters who knock guys around.

we must have watched different games. Sheppard flat out stunk against the run.

And Collins is like having another middle linebacker on the field anyway.

If Howard, Njoku and Reddick are gone? Cunningham looks the part but is behind these 3 IMO.

15 reps is not good for an LB.

but he kinda seems like a guy that will be hurt a lot.

of how he'll fit on the defense. He's likely to take over Robinson's role in passing situations, and play WILL otherwise. I'd prefer a more physical player, but that athleticism might make him a great addition to the team.

I remember how down I and others were on Collins for his coverage deficits; well, he certainly got coached up AND changed his body in the last offseason. Perhaps Cunningham could too.

On a positive note, he seems the exact opposite of a guy like Sintim, who just never achieved anything with us.

Cunningham does seem to have a nose for the ball. Not a fan of the tackling style..

and if Reese thinks this is the guy, so be it...Hell, I'll settle for Pro-Bowler.

Quote:

SOURCES TELL US "He needs to be uncovered so he can fly around and just go get the ball. He didn't have much help over there and he took it upon himself to make as many plays as possible. I love that mindset." AFC East regional scout. NFL COMPARISON Alec Ogletree. BOTTOM LINE Cunningham's missed tackles and lack of desired play strength could bother teams, but his consistent production is hard to ignore. Cunningham is a rangy, three-down linebacker who has a nose for the ball and special teams value. His downhill approach is made for attacking 4-3 defenses and Cunningham could become a good, early starter as a run-and-chase weak-side linebacker.

I'll just say the same thing about Cunningham that I said about Leonard Floyd. If the Giants buck a 30+ year trend of not drafting Linebackers in the 1st Round and call his name when they're up, he'd better be the Second Coming of Carl Banks.

Highlghts - ( New Window )

at Vanderbilt pro day, especially the part about his possible interest in Cunningham,everybody knows Reese doesn't think LBers are worth a high pick in the draft