Shane Smith has done everything that needs to be done to win a spot so far -- and he looks damn good out there -- it's going to be ridiculously hard for Coach to put a bubble player on the roster over him -- he's been that good.
Looks more and more likely to win a spot on the roster.
Appears to be the "Goodson treatment" - the job is yours unless you blow it.
The problem for Shane is that he has two hurdles:
- he has to be the best Fullback
- he has to prove that a dedicated Fullback is more valuable than any of the TEs at H-back or Ellison playing part time Fullback
Just like a PKer, he's on a razor thin bubble; be the best at your role or you're gone.
Looks more and more likely to win a spot on the roster.
Instead of who? folks see this as good news but given how tight the roster is I don't think this is necessarily good news. Someone else has to be cut. LaCrosse, Taylor, Powe? Be careful what you wish for.
backup QB competition thus far from the two chuckleheads.
Give the kid a chance...
If I were HC (and there are 90 players and many fans very glad I'm not) I'd put Johnson on a VERY short leash; maybe even just the next game.
If he comes up short again, he'd be an early cut and the backup reps from then on would be shared between Gino at #2 and Davis at #3. That at least allows for the possibility of a miracle.
If Prescott can be an adequate #1, why can't Webb vie for disaster back up. I get the luxury of learning as a redshirt for a year, but that practice is fading in the new NFL. Repetitions are also very important.
BillT, Think you are a good and interesting contributor
but your last comment while true is also questionable. Don't you think when the Giants have been at their best we have had an effective FB? If Shane can make our running game better, can pass block and catch the outlet pass he will prove to be more valuable than the last possible TE on our roster. Without counting roster spots, I can see us carrying 4 TEs and one FB. Bill, What do you think?
Looks more and more likely to win a spot on the roster.
Instead of who? folks see this as good news but given how tight the roster is I don't think this is necessarily good news. Someone else has to be cut. LaCrosse, Taylor, Powe? Be careful what you wish for.
I can't imagine anyone is sweating the loss of LaCosse. He's never done anything, and essentially he cuts himself every preseason with how often he gets hurt. You can't miss what you never had to begin with.
I like LaCosse and think he can be a very good player. But I like Taylor and all our potential cuts.
I think it's going to come down to specials.
BTW Smith's measurables are off the charts and he darn near benched as many times as Flowers just a few years ago.
You want a run game, put Ellison and Smith in at the same time. That might be invaluable with a lead and something I bet we see.
The problem for Shane is that he has two hurdles:
- he has to be the best Fullback
- he has to prove that a dedicated Fullback is more valuable than any of the TEs at H-back or Ellison playing part time Fullback
Just like a PKer, he's on a razor thin bubble; be the best at your role or you're gone.
I disagree with your second hurdle
Shane Smith has to prove that he's a great special teamer.
He's already shown that he's at least equal to Tye or LaCosse because he has very good hands - can run after the catch with power - he can line up as RB and run with the ball - and he can block (even if Casillas says he won "most" of those contests)
What makes Smith appealing is that he's been doing it all consistently at a pretty high level which is not something Tye or LaCosse can say
I happen to like Tye - and think he's pretty reliable -- I'm not completely sold on LaCosse -- but frankly - of the three of them - I'd rather see Smith blocking or with the ball in his hands -- and I'd rather see him on special teams than either of them as well -- he is a much more confident presence out there
this is what is going to win him a roster spot imo
Shane Smith has to prove that he's a great special teamer.
Exactly. Coach Quinn has Smith on every possible unit. That's Step 1. Step 2 is to perform there, at a level close to a Herzlich, Thomas, Skinner, Pinkins or Ihenacho - let alone a LaCosse or Tye.
I like our chances with Smith over either Adams, Lacosse or Tye. I see Ellison and Engram as the #1 and #2 then it will be between Adams, Lacosse and Tye for the #3. The Giants could keep 4 TEs and use them lining up in the backfield or they could keep 3 and Smith as the FB (heck they may even keep 4 TEs and a FB I dunno for sure). But as I see it. Smith (depending on how he performs on special teams units) can potentially give this team 5 contributions where as ALL (yes I did say ALL) of our TEs can only contribute in 4 areas as TEs are normally utilized.
Smith can 1. Run Block, 2. Pass Block, 3. Catch Passes, 4. Play Special Teams, 5. Run The Football...
Tight Ends can 1. Run Block, 2. Pass Block, 3. Catch Passes, 4. Play Special Teams
I don't see the Giants handing the ball off to ANY of the tight ends to be honest. But at least Smith provides that option.
Yes I'm aware that may happen once, maybe twice a game but if you compare it with the once or twice a game they will line up Lacosse, Tye or Adams in the backfield per game to block and the ZERO times they will be handed the ball to run it...ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL, I like our options with a traditional fullback rather than a 4th Tight End.
Sign whoever you decide to let go to the practice squad and keep 3 Tight Ends and a FB, if a TE gets hurt bring up the practice squader.
I like Lacosse but in my opinion he just hasn't done anything yet other than in preseason and training camp and then getting hurt. Granted Smith is in the same boat but I haven't seen him get hurt and miss a season yet so I'm going with that info. From what I've seen from Smith so far he's not afraid to stick his nose in there and mix it up and that's what we need. It's the same reason I was down on Kelvin Sheppard last year and high on Goodson this year (because Goodson isn't afraid to attack instead of backing up and letting the play come to him. Saw too much retreating from Sheppard last year and am glad he's gone-nothing personal against the man but as a player I think the Giants are better off without him)
That's exceptionally good news for his chances.
Give the kid a chance...
Appears to be the "Goodson treatment" - the job is yours unless you blow it.
The problem for Shane is that he has two hurdles:
- he has to be the best Fullback
- he has to prove that a dedicated Fullback is more valuable than any of the TEs at H-back or Ellison playing part time Fullback
Just like a PKer, he's on a razor thin bubble; be the best at your role or you're gone.
Instead of who? folks see this as good news but given how tight the roster is I don't think this is necessarily good news. Someone else has to be cut. LaCrosse, Taylor, Powe? Be careful what you wish for.
Give the kid a chance...
If I were HC (and there are 90 players and many fans very glad I'm not) I'd put Johnson on a VERY short leash; maybe even just the next game.
If he comes up short again, he'd be an early cut and the backup reps from then on would be shared between Gino at #2 and Davis at #3. That at least allows for the possibility of a miracle.
If Prescott can be an adequate #1, why can't Webb vie for disaster back up. I get the luxury of learning as a redshirt for a year, but that practice is fading in the new NFL. Repetitions are also very important.
Quote:
Looks more and more likely to win a spot on the roster.
Instead of who? folks see this as good news but given how tight the roster is I don't think this is necessarily good news. Someone else has to be cut. LaCrosse, Taylor, Powe? Be careful what you wish for.
I can't imagine anyone is sweating the loss of LaCosse. He's never done anything, and essentially he cuts himself every preseason with how often he gets hurt. You can't miss what you never had to begin with.
I think it's going to come down to specials.
BTW Smith's measurables are off the charts and he darn near benched as many times as Flowers just a few years ago.
You want a run game, put Ellison and Smith in at the same time. That might be invaluable with a lead and something I bet we see.
The problem for Shane is that he has two hurdles:
- he has to be the best Fullback
- he has to prove that a dedicated Fullback is more valuable than any of the TEs at H-back or Ellison playing part time Fullback
Just like a PKer, he's on a razor thin bubble; be the best at your role or you're gone.
I disagree with your second hurdle
Shane Smith has to prove that he's a great special teamer.
He's already shown that he's at least equal to Tye or LaCosse because he has very good hands - can run after the catch with power - he can line up as RB and run with the ball - and he can block (even if Casillas says he won "most" of those contests)
What makes Smith appealing is that he's been doing it all consistently at a pretty high level which is not something Tye or LaCosse can say
I happen to like Tye - and think he's pretty reliable -- I'm not completely sold on LaCosse -- but frankly - of the three of them - I'd rather see Smith blocking or with the ball in his hands -- and I'd rather see him on special teams than either of them as well -- he is a much more confident presence out there
this is what is going to win him a roster spot imo
Smith can 1. Run Block, 2. Pass Block, 3. Catch Passes, 4. Play Special Teams, 5. Run The Football...
Tight Ends can 1. Run Block, 2. Pass Block, 3. Catch Passes, 4. Play Special Teams
I don't see the Giants handing the ball off to ANY of the tight ends to be honest. But at least Smith provides that option.
Yes I'm aware that may happen once, maybe twice a game but if you compare it with the once or twice a game they will line up Lacosse, Tye or Adams in the backfield per game to block and the ZERO times they will be handed the ball to run it...ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL, I like our options with a traditional fullback rather than a 4th Tight End.
Sign whoever you decide to let go to the practice squad and keep 3 Tight Ends and a FB, if a TE gets hurt bring up the practice squader.
I like Lacosse but in my opinion he just hasn't done anything yet other than in preseason and training camp and then getting hurt. Granted Smith is in the same boat but I haven't seen him get hurt and miss a season yet so I'm going with that info. From what I've seen from Smith so far he's not afraid to stick his nose in there and mix it up and that's what we need. It's the same reason I was down on Kelvin Sheppard last year and high on Goodson this year (because Goodson isn't afraid to attack instead of backing up and letting the play come to him. Saw too much retreating from Sheppard last year and am glad he's gone-nothing personal against the man but as a player I think the Giants are better off without him)