Last day of camp for Gidie and I. Cloudy, comfortable temperature with some rain towards the end of practice.
-K Mike Nugent missed a couple FGs from 40ish today. Rosas
OFFENSE NOTES
-Good to see RB Shaun Draughn out there today. He didn’t get involved in the team/full speed drills but he caught some balls and showed his burst up field. I wouldn’t expect to see him on the field in Cleveland Monday night.
-Also good to see WR Tavarres King participating in the group drills. He, too, stayed out of live action. I’ve grown to appreciate having him as the #4/5 WR on this team, as some of the other guys struggled to separate over the past week. King brings some confidence and security to the position behind the top 3 guys.
-We got to watch WR vs. CB drills near the end zone. Offense had the ball on the 5 yard line and the CB was left on an island, no help in any direction. A tough task to say the least. CB Eli Apple had a physical beat on WR Keeon Johnson, a physical guy in his own right, on an inside slant. WR Brandon Marshall toyed with CB Valentino Blake a couple times, something I have gotten used to seeing. Good to see WR Odell Beckham and CB Janoris Jenkins go head to head a couple times. They split. Those two are at the top of their games already. CB Donte Deayon got beat every time from what I saw, his lack of physical presence in that spot shows up.
-The first play of 7 on 7 with half the line going live offered the play of the day. QB Eli Manning threw a lob-ish type pass to WR Brandon Marshall, CB Apple was all over him but Marshall fended him off and trapped the ball against his body with one arm while on the move. Even more impressive ball by Eli.
-TE Evan Engram beat…DT Jay Bromley….for a nice TD catch where he showed top tier footwork in the back of the end zone.
-The gap between John Jerry’s pass blocking and run blocking has been discussed, and it is definitely credible. He handled the bull rush of DT Bromley with ease all day, , but doesn’t get the movement off the line as a run blocker.
-The Jarron Jones experiment at OT has not be a pleasant one to watch. Again, a very difficult move to make. However Jones has been getting beat all day every day by anyone that lines up across from him.
-The running game is very hard to gauge right now. My initial thought is RB Pail Perskins has had zero room to run anywhere. The inside lanes are non-existent and he just seems lost. He can’t find any creases to sneak through and it may be because they don’t exist.
DEFENSE NOTES
-DE Avery Moss seems to be getting more and more comfortable out there. I don’t expect him to be active on game days unless injuries arise, however it is easy to see why this team liked him. He has a frame that is going to easily handle 15-20 more pounds. He made a freakishly athletic pass deflection when dropping in to coverage against QB Davis Webb.
-This is a repeat statement, but CB Janoris Jenkins out-physicaled WR Marshall a couple times. And he moved well with WR Beckham on slant routes. He can do it all.
-CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is like an extra coach out there. He takes the young guys under his wings after they make mistakes as much as anyone. You can tell they are limiting him in practice, as he is showing signs of being fragile. But he is a crucial part of this defense.
-The new LB, Steven Daniels, earned a draftable grade from me in 2016. I like those 3-4 thumpers. He saw time on specials today but nothing on live defense.
-S Darian Thompson looks like he is in the right place usually, a good start. He failed to intcercept a pass that Manning basically threw right to him. Still very unsure about him.
-As I have said before, I think the top 4 CBs on this defense are better than any top 4 in the NFL, and I am very confident in that statement. What they have after that, however, is pretty much what we see around the league. An underachieving veteran (Blake) and young guys trying to stick despite glaring weaknesses that starting WRs will eat up (Deayon, Amos, Tribune). If you had to take 2 of those on the 53 man, I am going Amos and Tribune.
-S Landon Collins had an illness, thus did not practice. Good for Nat Berhe and Eric Pinkins to get a few more snaps. Pinkins was late to the sideline because, as we have said, he struggles to quickly read and react. He takes too many steps to change direction and get going.
3 STANDOUTS
-LB Calvin Munson: Coincidentally Munson got some snaps with the first string today with Goodson getting nicked up (which didn’t look too serious). He broke through the line twice for quick TFL’s. Not good for the OL but very good for Munson, whom is getting more comfortable with the playbook. He is going to make this team.
-WR Sterling Shepard: He was all out today, fully involved with the offense. Good for him and this passing game, as the options are plentiful. Shepard is a guy that can really do well in the short passing game, which we are going to see a lot of.
-OG Justin Pugh: All the negative talk about the OL, we can’t overlook Pugh. He is a very consistent, reliable guy inside that does the little things right. I put the eyeball on him as he single teamed DT Damon Harrison a couple times. Stayed low with knee bend, chopping his feet and knees, and constantly adjusting his hands to keep them inside. I am very curious to see how they handle his upcoming contract situation.
*All, thanks for the feedback on the reports….I appreciate the criticisms more than anything. We will see where all of this goes, but I hope you enjoyed the camp reports.
Below is today’s video report and interview with Calvin Munson (we had to be brief)
August 15 Video
Enjoy your free time now, although I suspect you'd like to stay on the sidelines to observe.
The others...Blake, Deayon, Amos, etc. are just god awful. If they have to play with the game in doubt, they are just going to be human bulls-eyes.
Unfortunately, none of our Free Safeties really can play CB if needed. That would have been a nice add if we picked one up in the draft this past year as there were plenty....
would the OL be better with Pugh at LT?
Thanks as always. Brightest spot of the day...
Thanks as always. Brightest spot of the day...
no -- Sy just said Rosas -- implying that he was going to win that battle -- if Rosas doesn't do himself in - he's a much more solid kicker than Nugent -- no doubt about it
Imagine having a kicker who is a virtual guarantee for a 60 yd Field goal -- that's a luxury weapon the Giants have never had -- that's Rosas. It also means that the Giants only need to get to the 50 yd line to score
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Was there more to that?
Thanks as always. Brightest spot of the day...
no -- Sy just said Rosas -- implying that he was going to win that battle -- if Rosas doesn't do himself in - he's a much more solid kicker than Nugent -- no doubt about it
Imagine having a kicker who is a virtual guarantee for a 60 yd Field goal -- that's a luxury weapon the Giants have never had -- that's Rosas. It also means that the Giants only need to get to the 50 yd line to score
Hopefully, Rosas is our equivalent to the Cowboys Bailey. There were many drives that stalled for Dallas where Bailey was automatic points for them.
Imagine having a kicker who is a virtual guarantee for a 60 yd Field goal -- that's a luxury weapon the Giants have never had -- that's Rosas.
Uhh...
Interesting comment about Moss being able to add 15-20lbs. Was staying in the same hotel as the team and saw him in person, my first impression was he was taller and thinner than listed, very long arms. Do you see him improving as a pass rusher or developing into a run stuffer as he grows?
Also, can't help but think of Strahan when I see a long armed DE who excels in hand control.
Quote:
Was there more to that?
Thanks as always. Brightest spot of the day...
no -- Sy just said Rosas -- implying that he was going to win that battle -- if Rosas doesn't do himself in - he's a much more solid kicker than Nugent -- no doubt about it
Imagine having a kicker who is a virtual guarantee for a 60 yd Field goal -- that's a luxury weapon the Giants have never had -- that's Rosas. It also means that the Giants only need to get to the 50 yd line to score
Thanks.
Glad to see Rosas pan out like it appeared he might. It would be so nice to give McAdoo another option from the 39 yard line rather than have Wing kick those (granted good) but ultimately not ideal punts late in the game.
Poor Eli.......the GM still doesn't get it.
Poor Eli.......the GM still doesn't get it.
And yet he'll get a pass by his defenders. It's also the primary motivation that I advocated for Eli holding out after the draft. Consider it an advancement of future roster bonuses as hazard pay. The holdout would last 30 minutes while Mara shakes Tisch down for an advance while telling Jerry to get his fucking shinebox.
This is one of the best off seasons on BBI...
Huge thanks to Eric as well...
Amazing job all the way around
I actually had a few notes on Grant from today.
He is really physical and big. Good downhill guy, plays the straight line game well. He doesnt seem to have the instincts or quick lateral twitch. I think there is a shot he makes it as a backup strong side guy.
would the OL be better with Pugh at LT?
Good question.
At this point...No. Have to sink or swim with what they have and hope the chemistry between these guys can improve their level of play. Pugh MIGHT be a better LT than Flowers, but I don't think there is an OG that can step in.
Interesting comment about Moss being able to add 15-20lbs. Was staying in the same hotel as the team and saw him in person, my first impression was he was taller and thinner than listed, very long arms. Do you see him improving as a pass rusher or developing into a run stuffer as he grows?
Also, can't help but think of Strahan when I see a long armed DE who excels in hand control.
There is an upside to Moss that neither Wynn or Okwara have, but not this year.
There was a time when Grantland Rice, Damon Ruyon and even the more modern Jerry Isenberg were writers - superb writers who happened to write about sports.
Sy might not have the same literacy, but he doesn't have to, what he's got is special in it's own right and efficent.
And then there's a special competency and background that only a scout should have. He's believable and convincing - much more so than all the experts and all the ex players on all the tv and radio show.
The guy is that damn good.
GREAT news about Shepard, so glad to hear he's playing well. With all of the weapons in this passing game, he could have a huge impact.
Did you notice any offensive formations in camp that we haven't seen much of in the McAdoo era? I noticed a trips right with Engram flexed at Y in one of the videos, for example.
Did you notice any offensive formations in camp that we haven't seen much of in the McAdoo era? I noticed a trips right with Engram flexed at Y in one of the videos, for example.
I didn't want to step on any toes by going too in-depth about their formations. But I will say the variety on BOTH sides of the ball is plentiful when it comes to pre snap looks. They are more versatile than they've ever been over the past 10 years. Both sides of the ball
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These camp reports are hugely appreciated.
Did you notice any offensive formations in camp that we haven't seen much of in the McAdoo era? I noticed a trips right with Engram flexed at Y in one of the videos, for example.
I didn't want to step on any toes by going too in-depth about their formations. But I will say the variety on BOTH sides of the ball is plentiful when it comes to pre snap looks. They are more versatile than they've ever been over the past 10 years. Both sides of the ball
Good deal, I get it, and good news, thanks!
Actually I remember it now, it was three on the left side with wider splits than I remembered; Engram went up the seam for a pretty TD against Goodson.
What about Bobby Richardson! Not the same as Munson with his tragic death, but he was a pretty good 2nd basemen in his own right. He was my favorite growing up, Beside Mantle and Berra.