My favorite Big Blue folks,
Since I am not publishing this year (honoring the late wife), I talked to the moderators here & if you want, use this post to leave me any questions you want to get an answer to & I will check every day.
Now, just for you guys here, on draft day, each Giants pick - I will post their complete scouting report for you guys only.
ALSO-since sportsblog.com bellied up, I am looking for a really good sports blog to jump on next year. Any suggestions? I have been busy, busy at spring drills, prepping for a June 1 monster preseason release. One thing I can emphatically state about the next draft - 2018 will rival the 1983 QB draft class.
Hey, thanks all for letting me back in. I really missed you guys!
Thank you again and it is great to see you in good spirits. It is good having you here.
And, what are your thoughts on the group of corners? We all know this is a fantastic year for corners. It may he the best in a lokg time. Still, I feel it is somewhat overshadowed by the RB and TE classes as well as these edge rushers. I don't necessary have a specific question so whatever pops into your head about it would be great. Thanks.
As for Giant draft: discuss
OT & OG, both - rounds 1-4.
RB, short yardage back, rounds 3-6
TE, to attack the seam, forcing the FS or SS toward him - rounds 1-4
LB, to cover those seams covering the TE, rounds 1-5
Later round WR and CB
Who replaces Hankins, and what round?
Thanks again.
Good to see you back.
webguy@bigblueinteractive.com
And thanks!
As far as Giants positional values go - tagging along with the TE questions (where it has been posited that TE is ranked very low as a position of value) - how much do you think the Giants will value WR in this draft?
Would they take a guy like Zay Jones early on? Someone like ArDarius Stewart on day 2 or a Josh Reynolds on day 3?
Are saying we should grab some Butt? See what I did there!
Thanks Dave, between you and Sy'56 we have quite the resources for this draft.
Thanks to both of you....
I was curious on your thoughts regarding some DB prospects, namely Adoree Jackson, Rasul Douglas, Buddha Baker, Obi Melifonwu, Justin Evans, and Marcus Williams. Do you see any of these guys as a possibility to the Giants, or is there anyone else that you are a fan of in the secondary from this draft?
Thank you as always for sharing your valuable insights, it is greatly appreciated. Living in Australia, I have limited ability to study college players in depth.
What are your thoughts on how the Giants draft strategy under Jerry Reese and Mark Ross differs from other NFL teams?
As far as specific players, the Giants have traditionally had a lower priority on positions such as TE, LB and RB in the draft. Are there any day 3 guys at these positions that you feel would be a really good fit for what NYG is trying to do schematically?
Thank you for doing this for us. Much appreciated and enjoyed.
...every time I saw this guy play, he looked stiff to me running down the field.
Not robotic-stiff, but just a little tight in his stride and overall movement.
I guess I have two questions;
1) Am I full of it and just seeing things wrong?
2) If he is a little stiff, does it really matter?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Decades-long fan of your draft insights. And so very sorry to hear about your loss.
I see college RB that are highly touted with great strength/speed ratios and stats....But their success comes from wide open runs..that concerns me. YAC is very different running through tight interiors vs an arm tackle from a diving corner.
Is it just watching tape to find the truth behind the numbers. I know we try to say the draft is a science but it really seems to be an art.....Eye of the beholder.
Thanks in advance, and once again it's great to see you back here posting again.
Looking forward to scouting reports/writeups on this year's players.
JOE WILLIAMS-love the kid, perfect to compliment Perkins as as Day 3 guy. Teams say he "quit" on the team earlier last year, but the real story was a family secret tragedy.
SAUBERT-see my TE post...Have him as my second-best small college guy - lots of Kevin Boss in him
OT & OG, both - rounds 1-4.
They seem to prefer Cam Robinson over Ramczyk & Bolles for obvious experience reasons, but they keep looking at film of a mid rounder I like, Adam Bisnowaty. Here’s an excerpt;
Run Blocking 8.7 Bisnowaty has the strength and quickness you look for in a trap blocker, as he consistently creates space and finish blocks for the ground game (see 2015 Youngstown State, Syracuse and Miami; 2014 Delaware, FIU and Georgia Tech games). He has the hand usage to initiate contact, lock on and drive off the defender, along with the leg drive to control multiple opponents or assist his center and tackle on combo blocks/double teams. He is equally effective in space and working in-line, as he can get movement and widen the rush lanes between the tackles, along with demonstrating the valid speed to enter the second level and stalk linebackers. His lower body strength lets him flash into the defender and drive his opponent quickly off the ball.
The Panthers left tackle blocks with a flat back and locks on to the defender quickly to move his man out of level one. His ability to keep his pad level low and play with leverage lets him control the action with his quick initial step. He has made great strides in this area due to his ability to bend at the knees and drive to get movement when working in-line. He rarely loses his base at the X’s and excels at walling off and screening, especially when he rolls his hips on contact. Working his way in-line or on combos, he drives off the snap hard, as he demonstrates the leg drive and feet to stay on his blocks and sustain. He brings power to his game when driving for movement and will generally finish, as he possesses good footwork to stay on his feet on the move and can handle the switch-off well when working in combination with his guard.
Pass Blocking 8.7 Bisnowaty stays square and balanced when shuffling and sliding. Even when he gets over-extended, he is quick to recover, thanks to his above average athletic ability. He could use more bulk, but is strong with his anchor, and has the speed to make a run on the edge rushers. As a left tackle he demonstrates more than enough foot quickness to slide, good knee bend and hip flexibility, patience and a strong hand punch. With that crushing punch and anchoring ability, he is very consistent when attempting to shock the bull rushers, doing a very nice job of extending his arms while sliding his feet to maintain the integrity of the pocket. He stays square vs. movement and when challenged by multiple defenders, he uses his solid punch on the way to anchoring and stopping the charge. He is a smart performer that understands the importance of protections and communicates well with the other blockers, especially his guard and tight ends (team utilizes a three-tight end set often).
Bisnowaty plays flat-footed and can sink his hips to mirror, and it is very rare to see him drop his head at the X’s. Earlier in his career, he used to get a little straight-legged trying to adjust and recover, but he showed improved flexibility and balance as a junior and even more as a senior. If he generates proper knee bend, he can anchor and slide when trying to set and base. He is conscious of picking up defenders to his outside shoulder, as well as working in unison with the tight end in taking care of any edge blitzers. His vision is very good to anchor and hold at the point of attack. It is very rare to see him “out-quicked” when taking on quick edge rushers, as he is never late in recognizing and positioning vs. the stunts. He has that strong body base and positioning strength in pass protection, as that anchor allows him to slide, mirror and change direction to stay in front of his opponent.
At guard, Dan Feeney, Pat Elflein & Dion Dawkins are all solid day two guys, but they really have been drawn to a versatile blocker with LOT/ROT experience that could challenge at guard, Western Michigan’s Taylor Moton. ONE LATE ROUND FIND-This kid I just worked out at UConn, Denmark import Andreas Knappe, a Nate Solder clone, who could be had in Round 6/7.
RB, short yardage back, rounds 3-6
I love the cancer survivor James Conner, but think a more all-around type is needed like BYU’s Joe Williams
TE, to attack the seam, forcing the FS or SS toward him - rounds 1-4
Not really as a TE, but as a motion TE or flanker-Bucky Hodges-Virginia Tech
LB, to cover those seams covering the TE, rounds 1-5
The BEST won’t be there-Hasaan Reddick, but I am more convinced that Florida’s Jarrad Davis is in play for Big Blue in Round One
Later round WR and CB
At CB? I don’t think that will be an area they address, but if they do on day three, you have Shaq Griffin-Central Florida (4.38 speed), Houston’s Brandon Wilson (4.38) and Ole Miss Derrick Jones, BUT I am a big fan of Utah’s Brian Allen, a 6:03, 220-pound fierce hitter who recently turned a 4.48
As for receivers, they need to go big, as Marshall to me is a mental relapse waiting to happen. The best value guy, but no later than Round 4 is Kenny Golladay-Northern Illinois, but if they wait until the end, Robert Davis-Georgia State (4.44), Chad Williams-Grambling State (4.43) & Rodney Adams-South Florida (4.44) are three big guys who could sneak to the practice squad while continuing to develop.
Who replaces Hankins, and what round?
Who needed him. I fould Waldo quicker than I found him last year. The only time he moved fast was to cash that 30 mil check from the Colts – see DT answer to another reader up this post
Hodges has very good foot work coming off the snap, showing quickness getting into his routes. He shows good agility and balance navigating through a crowd and fluid flexibility, which allows him to make quick and decisive moves when changing direction. He demonstrates good acceleration throughout the route’s progression and is a normal strider who has the body control and arm extension to catch away from his frame.
Hodges is a much better athlete than even his impressive receiving production indicates (hopefully the new staff recognizes him as a valid deep threat), as he is just as happy at throwing a crunching second level block as he is coming up with the big grab. He runs with a normal stride and has more than enough acceleration to easily get behind second level defenders and most safeties. He shows agility, balance, body control and hand/eye coordination looking the ball in over his outside shoulder, along with the quickness to get down field and separate underneath. He shows very good flexibility as an in-line blocker, doing a nice job of making adjustments to mirror edge rushers. While most of his drops are due to the learning process (was a quarterback recruit in 2013 with no prior tight end experience), he displays very good hands and solid extension skills to reach and pluck the ball at its high point. What you see from Hodges is that he is a fluid mover with very good hand/eye coordination extending for the ball outside his frame.
2016 Season Report… Hodges has the size that makes him an imposing presence when he challenges a deep secondary. He is taller than most tight ends and certainly has elite explosion and burst to get to the top of the route. He has the frame to add more bulk without it affecting his quickness. He is a much better receiver than his statistics indicate and he has potential to be a quality pass catcher in the Gronkowski/Graham mold. Until this season, he never had the opportunity of working with a quality quarterback. He is the type that opponents need to game plan, as he is equally effective going over the middle or running up the seam. His has a knack for consistently getting open and making the tough catches (see 2016 Syracuse, Miami, Pittsburgh games).
Athletic Ability 8.3 The first thing you notice about Myrick running the field is his exceptional body control, as he is so flexible, he could probably do “back flips” and still maintain his recovery quickness to get back on the play. He has excellent agility and footwork in his back-pedal, showing the balance and outstanding change of direction agility, along with the range to make plays at the opposite side of the field. With his burst and acceleration, he easily comes up to plug rush lanes or make tackles in backside pursuit (see 2015 Kent State, Ohio University and Nebraska games). He has very quick hands and feet, along with the ability to maintain balance in transition, where it is very rare to see him take extra steps. He is very alert to plays developing in front of him, showing the strong leg drive to maintain position when challenged by lead blockers in the second level when providing run support. He runs with an easy stride, yet has that sudden second gear that makes it hard for even the speediest of receivers to get behind him when they challenge the deep secondary. He has the smooth body adjustment moves to go up and compete for the thrown ball at its high point, along with the hand/eye coordination to look the ball in and secure it well before turning up field with a return. With his natural hands, hip flexibility and burst coming off the snap, he could also prove to be a valuable asset on fake field goal situations (see 2013 Indiana game) or even be utilized as a receiver on various offensive formations.
2016 Season Update… Myrick shows above average body control. He has exceptional quickness and keeps his feet on the move. He shows the agility and balance to redirect and the change of direction skills to work his way quickly to the perimeter. He has smooth hips and shows explosion out of his plant. He is smooth in his movements and runs with ease staying on the hip of the receiver working up field.
Named one of three defensive captains for the 2016 season, Graham was selected to The NFL Draft Report’s All-American Super Sleeper Team, as that scouting service has favorably compared him to former San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots safety, Rodney Harrison. While he does not have Harrison’s reputation for “dirty play,” (Harrison was voted the NFL’s dirtiest player multiple times), he does perform with a consummate team-first attitude, combining that with excellent range, a nose for the football and a “take no prisoners” approach.
His team-first approach has been his “badge of honor” ever since the once 175-pound wide receiver arrived on campus as a freshman. He understudied at the position while a member of the scout team in 2012, but saw some early season action at that position earlier in the 2013 campaign before becoming a wedge-busting special team coverage standout.
The 2014 campaign saw him shift to the defensive backfield, starting nine contests at his new position while compiling a team-high 97 tackles, the seventh-highest figure in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. He gained national attention while wreaking havoc in the backfield and harassing eventual Heisman Trophy quarterback, Marcus Mariota, in the season opener vs. the Oregon University Ducks. He also broke up seven passes and intercepted another.
The 2015 campaign saw Graham become the vital cog on defense, playing a variety of both free and strong safety. He received All-MVFC recognition, finishing second in the league with a quartet of interceptions. He delivered 71 tackles to rank second on the team, breaking up three passes while again enticing professional scouts with a standout performance vs. another major college team – Kansas State (caused a fumble that USD recovered at the goal-line).
The 2016 season again brought about several changes for the senior. He opened his final campaign at free safety, but injuries to the second unit forced the coaches to switch the talented defender to outside linebacker, where he roamed the field while performing at both the weak- and strong-side slots – depending on the opponent’s formation. His season was cut short by an injury, but he still managed to register 60 tackles that included a trio of sacks and five stops behind the line of scrimmage.
What was truly remarkable was his ability to defend vs. the pass in 2016, despite the constant shifting of positions. All told, there were 46 passes targeted into his area, allowing just eight receptions in man coverage and thirteen catches total (.2826 pass completion percentage allowed). That performance would earn him an invitation to play in the 2017 College Gridiron Showcase.
While Graham shows impressive ability to possibly enter the professional ranks as a Cover-2 linebacker, most scouts are impressed with his coverage skills as a free safety, but see his size, field vision and ability to keep plays in front of him as a better fit on the strong side.
The free safety position is much different than the strong safety position. With strong safety, you really need a particular style of player who is rugged and rough – much like Graham demonstrated before his injury in 2016. At free safety, the player normally needs to be great at coverage and understanding the angles to get to the ball – another trait that Graham has demonstrated, evident by the fact that team’s averaged just an overall 3.07 yards per pass attempt (1.91 yards in man coverage) vs. the hybrid linebacker/safety last season.
It helps that Graham is tall and strong and is a great jumper as well. He has shown that he will not hesitate to make a big hit, but he also demonstrated perfect ability to his hit the right way to jar the ball loose and not get a penalty. He is the guy that makes the wide receivers scared to go over the middle, as he enjoys being the performer who is tasked with locating the ball and meeting it at the point of attack, whether that point is an interception, deflection, or that big hit.
Graham has also been tasked with "playing the field" and assisting the cornerbacks and he often plays zone when others around him are playing man coverage. When he does play man defense, it's often because there may be a blitz package or a run style defense they are in. At that point, he has the duties of a corner in coming up more to pick up a wide-out.
As the weak-side linebacker, he normally acted much more like the strong-side linebacker does with the tight end and has the footwork needed to drop in coverage with the wide receiver for a few yards until the free safety picks him up. Even his own coaches were surprised how quickly Graham adapted and played with the flexibility needed as a linebacker, as he proved to be a solid blitzer and run stopper (on 43 plays vs. the run last season, opponents managed just 76 yards, an average of 1.77 yards per attempt vs. the newly installed linebacker).
Versatility has always been Graham’s trademark. While attending Highlands Christian Academy, the Florida native was named one of the top fifty players in Broward County, while earning Defensive Player of the Year honors and all-conference honors as a senior. That year, he was selected for the Palm Beach vs. Broward All-Star Game after he led the team in tackles as a free safety with 96.
On offense, Graham recorded ten total touchdowns and 500 receiving yards, along with five touch-downs and three interceptions as a senior. He also competed in track, earning second place finishes in the 100 meters (12.12 at the South Atlantic Coast Conference Championship) and 200 meters (23.88 at the Pine Crest Meet), in addition to helping his prep team capture the Florida Christian Patriot Invitational 4x100 relay (45.66). He also competed in the shot put and was a member of the basket-ball team.
CAREER NOTES
Graham has started 41-of-44 contests for the Coyotes – three at receiver, twenty-two as a safety and six as a linebacker, recording 238 tackles (123 solos) with three sacks for minus 13 yards, 8.5 stops for losses of 25 yards and eleven quarterback pressures, as he caused two fumbles and recovered another, deflecting twelve passes and intercepting five others…Also caught one pass for 37 yards.
School Season-Record List…Graham led the team with 99 tackles in 2014. Since the turn of the century (year 2000), only two other Coyotes recorded more tackles in a season – 106 by Jet Moreland in 2016 and 102 by Adam Broders in 2011.
Graham Statistical Breakdown…Graham made 148 plays vs. the pass, allowing 44 receptions (.2973 pass completion percentage) for 488 yards and twenty first downs, an average gain of 11.09 yards per pass completion and 3.30 yards per attempt…In addition to his five interceptions and eleven pass deflections, Graham rerouted/jammed his coverage assignments on sixty other pass plays (40.54% of passes targeted into his area) that were either intercepted or rules incompletions…He posted 42 third-down stops and eight more on fourth-down snaps vs. the aerial game…He also made 169 plays vs. the ground game, limiting those ball carriers to 468 yards (2.77 yards per attempt), producing 23 third-down stops…Delivered 8.5 stops-for-loss and took down fifteen ball carriers and two receivers at the line of scrimmage for no gain…Made 53 of his tackles inside the red zone, including twelve on goal-line snaps.
2016 SEASON
Graham earned All-American Super Sleeper Team and All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors from The NFL Draft Report, as that scouting information service regarded him as the most underrated player in the league and one of the most versatile in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision ranks…Named one of three defensive captains, Graham opened the season at free safety, but shifted to the linebacker unit after three contests…In all, he started nine times, but in addition to free safety, he lined up at strong safety, weak-side outside linebacker, on the strong-side and was also utilized as a pass rusher coming off the edge…Despite sitting out the Coyotes’ final two contests – vs. South Dakota State and North Dakota State, he finished fourth on the team with 60 tackles (28 solos) that included three sacks for minus 13 yards, five stops for losses of 16 yards and six quarterback pressures…Also deflected one pass and recovered one fumble.
Graham Statistical Breakdown…Graham made 43 plays vs. the running game, allowing 74 yards (1.72 ypc) with just two first downs. He made six touchdown-saving tackles vs. ball carriers, posting seven third-down hits and eighteen tackles inside the red zone, including three on goal-line snaps… He took down seven opponents for losses and four more at the line of scrimmage for no gain on running plays…In pass coverage, 46 were targeted into his area, breaking up one pass while he
Either rerouted or jammed his coverage assignments on sixteen incomplete throws, recording ten third-down stops, seven inside the red zone while allowing a total of thirteen receptions (28.26%), for 141 yards (10.85 yards per completion/3.07 yards per attempt) including eight catches for 89 yards when lined up man-on-man. He also produced two touchdown-saving tackles vs. the aerial game… Posted three special team tackles that included a crushing tackle on a punt return of one yard at the New Mexico 13-yard line, adding a kickoff return tackle at the UNM 15-yard marker in that contest.
I hate that word - Cancer.
I don't care about much anymore that I would like to experience before I'm done .... just would like to be alive when there is a REAL breakthrough in "the war" against that disease.
Thanks for your contributions to this site!
BOWSER-Jarrad Davis, Haasan Reddick & Bowser are my fave LBS. In fact, I prefer him way more than Cunningham or McKinley. I know for a fact that if the Pats get #32 back (possible deal with Butler going to the Saints), he's the instant replacement for Jamie Collins - same physical ability, much better team-concept intelligence (PS-getting the feeling he's going to Detroit in round one though)
PERINE-Has a lot of ability as a pass catcher & between-tackle runner, but for the life of me, I can not understand why such a capable back (Chuck Foreman like skills) will slip to Day 3, but I have yet to see a team board with a 1 or 2 on the guy. You won't find a better third-down guy in this class. Only reason I can see for his slip is what I dread the most - first time a coach saw him from an NFL team was in Indy & his 4.65 failed to impress.
I will say this again- look at Tavon Austin - runs 4.29 in underoos, 4.68 with equipment.
Perine ran 4.65 at Indy, but on April 10, 2016, with his equipment on, he ran a 4.66 for one of my scouts. Give me a guy that carries his equipment well. We don't play Full Monty in the NFL - you gotta wear gear!
Thank you for your generous offer. I am now really looking forward to your analysis of the Gmen's draft picks. BBI is very fortunate to have you and Sy contributing so much to the board.
I have a question. We are presently working on the 2017 BBI Mock Draft. I am the manager of the Green Bay Packers. I chose in the third round a guard from Utah who I think would look pretty nice in Giants' blue. HIs name is Isaac Asiata. What is your assessment of him? Do you think he would make a good fit for the Gmen? I read a quote about him that helped persuade me to select him for the Pack. I'm paraphrasing but it essentially was that he intimidates his opposition. Plays mean. I like the idea of an interior lineman who scares the defense. Thank you for any feedback you may provide.
Look for my report on Asiata in an hour on the site
Look for my report on Asiata in an hour on the site
I am at your service, good sir.