I just watched Roster Breakdown | Big Blue Kickoff Live | New York Giants with Paul Dottino and Howard Cross. Dottino had two interesting opinions:
1. That Boogie Basham,2021 2nd round pick from Wake Forest, traded to the Giants for a 7th round 2025 pick, was misused in Buffalo as an edge rusher "which he doesn't have the skills for." Dottino says his college tape at Wake Forest indicates he has 3 technique skills as an inside rusher. [My take, maybe Schoen and Dabbol wanted to trade for him, Wink was not on board and kept him on the bench, this year will tell the tale as to his talent.]
6. 6th round draft choice, UCLA linebacker Darius Muasau, at 6'0" and 220 lbs. (reportedly 230 per draft sources) is not just a fine special teams player, especially in light of the new kick-off rules, but overlooked is the fact that he is about the same size as the Tennessee Titans' linebackers often used when Shane Bowen was the Defensive Coordinator there and used at times smaller, quicker and/or multiple LB at the same time. So, he may see the field at times with the 2024 defense, not just special teams.
My final thought: the defensive players may be trending to those who tackle better and are more physical than recent "softer" but skilled Giants defenders (e.g. coverage ace Adoree' Jackson, the talented Xavier McKinney), so Bowen may be pushing for these traits consistent with his reputation for wanting more physical play.
FYI, this is for discussion. I am not going to defend Dottino's opinions.
Roster Breakdown | Big Blue Kickoff Live | New York Giants - (
New Window )
Grade: 80
Summary: Fifth year senior from Roanoke, Virginia. Four-year starter that got into the lineup toward the ends of his freshman season and never looked back. 1st Team All ACC in 2019, 3rd Team in 2020. Basham saw a dip in week-to-week production in his final season. He still accrued 36.5 TFL and 20.5 sacks over his accomplished career. While he isn’t going to win the runway model contests, Basham has the ideal body for an inside-outside versatile lineman that can change his style at the snap of a finger. His power and hand striking are both elite. At the very least, the defense can rely on him to control one or two gaps against the run. Where Basham will surprise from time to time is the ability to reach the passer from any and all angles. His upfield burst won’t win a lot of battles up the edge but what he can do once engaged with a blocker one on one will make an impact. Even if Basham does not end up near the league leaders in traditional production, he is a dirty-work lineman that will make players around him better.
*If NYG wants another crash end (hybrid 3-4/4-3 DE) early in the draft (day 2), I bet Basham is on their list. I’m not sure I see that though, as they like to put Williams there in some looks and Odenigbo will likely be the depth there. There is also an unusual amount of solid crash ends in this class that can be had day 3. Basham is a really good football player though, one that will find a bunch of ways to make an impact for a long time.
Howard started talking about Nabers without mentioning his name and Paul inserted "Malik Nabers."
HC: Yeah, Im not going to say their name each time.
Howard started talking about Nabers without mentioning his name and Paul inserted "Malik Nabers."
HC: Yeah, Im not going to say their name each time.
I get the sense Cross "tolerates" Paul.
Hasn't worked out yet but we'll see.
That sounds pretty impressive to me…..not only didn’t the Giants reach, but they were smart enough and did their homework enough to pick guys very highly rated at their draft number.
Also nice to hear guys call in wishing Jones well and cutting him slack for the beating he took in those games without Thomas, with Ezeudu supposedly protecting his blind side. lol. Jones was sacked I believe 10 times and took 22 QB hits that game…and you wonder why he wanted to unload quickly. I THINK MAYBE ANDREW THOMAS’S ABSENCE DID MAKE THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE .