Indoor practice today not open to the public. I liked being in there, simply to switch things up a little and it kept everyone on one field. So for the most part, we got to see everyone, as no one was a field away.
Sorry but no proofreading again, in a rush.
OFFENSE NOTES
-WR Sterling Shepard was out there for the beginning of practice, he was moving aggressively. I think it’s safe to say he is ready to rock within a week.
-QB Geno Smith is on a little run. He is making some really nice throws on all levels and it appears his timing with receivers in addition to understanding the scheme is coming along. Geno is more gifted than Johnson and if he continues to improve at this rate, he has a very good shot at winning the backup job.
-Good to see QB Davis Webb out there after practice again. You can tell this kid is a worker.
-The QB’s were airing it out a little more today than what we’ve seen, as it looked like some deep passing was a focus. This was equally beneficial for WRs, DBs, and QBs. Manning threw a deep ball (40+ yards) to Marshall up the right sideline. I had a good vantage point and right after the ball reached it’s apex, I immediately assumed 5-6 yard overthrow. Then Marshall accelerated and showed off his reach, tipping the ball to himself a couple times and eventually coming down with it. Very impressive pitch and catch and it looks like 10 to 15 chemistry is coming along. They hooked up a few times today in tight windows.
-Still unsure where WR Roger Lewis is on this depth chart. He worked as the team’s #3 guy with King and Shepard out of action in team drills. He is an impressive athlete but doesn’t quite seem to have the body control and consistent hands. He dropped a deep pass today and then didn’t locate another one but responded with a deep TD catch a few plays later.
-WR Darius Powe may have an inside track at winning the final WR spot. He is big and physical and I think this team needs another one of those guys if Marshall were to ever go down. He had a couple of really nice catches today including one where he burned Janoris Jenkns. WR Travis Rudolph, we’ve discussed a few times, does so many things well but I think it is a legit concern if he can separate and/or catch passes in traffic at his size/speed combo.
-I got to watch a lot of OT Bisnowaty vs. DE Moss today, the two rookies. Bisnowaty won most, if not all of the one on one fights. He anchored well, maintained good position and accuracy with hands, and adjusted to the double moves. Moss was winning the leverage battle but didn’t seem to have the power to get a consistent push.
-OC Brett Jones had an impressive day. I have to think he is the primary OC backup and a definite for the 53 man roster. One thing that stands out with him, he does NOT get pushed back when he anchors those feet in.
-We may need to get used to TE Evan Engram making plays on a daily basis now. His speed jumps out at me every time he goes after the ball and makes a move north after the catch. He burned S Landon Collins a couple times. Collins also had a hard time sticking with TE Rhett Ellison on an out cut. Ellison is a better short area athlete than I thought.
-OL Michael Bowie is likely on the outside looking in at this point, but he has some extra pop about him today. He appears to have overwhelming power when he has things lined up correctly.
-A practice squad candidate a WR has had 2-3 really good days in a row. UDFA Jerome Lane from Akron 6’3/225 and has been making some tough catches in traffic. Very strong presence when he attacks the ball. He is #6 if you guys watch Friday night.
DEFENSE NOTES
-DT Robert Thomas didn’t practice today which meant more looks for Jay Bromley. I’m not sure we have seen enough out of him to warrant excitement, but he still shows flashes. He is a big, big dude with some solid straight line burst. He just needs to show more consistent pad level.
-CB Donte Deayon is a fun kid to watch and I think everyone is rooting for him, including his teammates. At his size, it’s unlikely he will make the team but he continues to make plays. I’ve been wanting to see him matchup against Beckham because they are both elite movers. Deayon got his shot once today and stuck with him on an in cut. The negative, however, is that he gets tossed around by receivers when they block. WR Shepard and WR Harris just owned him on WR blocking driils. He did intercept QB Josh Johnson during team drills though. He is making his case.
-BJ Goodson got beat in coverage a couple times today. He was close though. We know it won’t be his strength as a LB, but this team needs to make sure they don’t get beat up the middle yet again this year.
-I am having a hard time figuring out how this team will figure out the LB depth chart behind the top 5. Deonte Skinner and Curtis Grant are excellent straight line athletes. Skinner made a couple plays in coverage today, that could be an avenue for him to make his impact.
-Eric Pinkins, whom we talked to after practice, is a physical gem. Tall, long, strong, and fast. He is high hipped and struggles to make quick breaks and change direction laterally, but I think this kid has to make the team. He may be one of the more versatile defenders on the team. Experience at S, LB, and CB in addition to a defensive weapon on special teams. He is pumped to start his endeavor to make the roster Friday night. Look for him.
-CB Valentino Blake is the team’s #5 CB I think, as of now. We will see what happens in the games but he has been playing better each day. He has the game experience that some others do not and there is a physical style about him. This defense wants to be nasty and that fits in to the way Blake approaches things. If I had to decide Blake or Deayon right now, I think NYG would lean towards Blake.
-CB Eli Apple may have had his best day. He stuck with Marshall for the most part in his limited opportunities. He is showing the blend of size and speed you want, but he also did a nice job of sniffing out routes and throws ahead of time. That is huge for him.
-DT Corbin Bryant is a really impressive looking guy. He has a short area burst and violence about him that can be a weapon. Does he have the ability to eat up double teams? Can he be a pass rusher here? Not sure but he deserves a look in these games coming up.
3 STANDOUTS
-QB Eli Manning: I think this was Eli’s “rust is off” day. He threw a bunch of really pretty looking balls downfield. He also stepped up in the pocket and fit some passes in to really right windows. He is making the effort to build up that chemistry with Marshall and Engram, two new weapons that offer him things he didn’t have last year. That is one of the more important parts to this preseason process.
-TE Will Tye: Another day, another TE looks to be stepping up and making his case. Part of me thinks the Rhett Ellison signing is the kick that will put Tye on the street at the end of preseason. They are similar styled players and Ellison isn’t going anywhere. Tye made a couple of really tough catches over the middle on the move. Outstretched arms with defenders bearing down. As I said last week, he looks quicker than a year ago.
-CB Nigel Tribune – A guy I haven’t mentioned at all in these reports yet. He is a body-control corner that went undrafted out of Iowa State. He showed a physical side last week when he beat up WR Kevin Snead at the point of attack multiple times, and today he showed great balance and ball skills when covering WR Rudolph. He made a great play on the ball on 4th and Goal on a pass from Smith to Rudolph. That fifth CB spot is up for grabs and if they wan a quicker slot type corner, Tribune is in the mix as much as anyone.
August 7 Interview and Highlights
Glad to see he is doing well. I think Lewis, if he makes it is specials teams based. However, if Blake makes the team, do they need both as special teams aces in addition to Harris. I can't see all making it.
I think if the so far uncharted territory of Eli having to miss a handful of games presents itself, Geno might be the type of guy who can preserve the season until he's back.
Also have you had a chance seeing Deayon returning kicks?
I think if the so far uncharted territory of Eli having to miss a handful of games presents itself, Geno might be the type of guy who can preserve the season until he's back.
Next year's draft is good for QBs, but I could picture a team signing Geno to a two-or-three year deal with $5M+ guaranteed and then drafting a QB in round one (similar to what Chicago did with Glennon and Trubitsky). Such a deal could mean a 4th or 5th round pick for Big Blue in compensation. Maybe even a 3rd round pick, because sometimes these contracts include a lot of fake, never-to-be-earned money that counts in the comp formula but means very little in reality (i.e., the deal includes only $6M in year one, but averages $12M over the length of the contract).
Because John Jerry is the #1 guard with D.J. Fluker the #2 right guard.
Jones also lacks the size of a classic right guard.
Not hearing about Flowers or Hart having a bad day is really a good sign. I'm certain that with reps against our DEs, if Flowers keeps with proper technique it will overtake his bad techniques.
I love to see them in action against another team.
I love to see them in action against another team.
FYI, in the two July BBI podcasts, Sy covered both the strengths and weaknesses of the team.
The thing that really impresses me about him is his confidence and intelligence. Hopefully that will convert to quickly learning the playbook and a more rapid reaction time in coverage. Big guys like him are seldom agile enough to recover from mistakes as the 200 pounders, so they better play smart.
Hopefully he will learn to co-exist with Jackrabbit.
I saw an interview with Huesmann who admits himself that he is going to struggle with the physical aspect of blocking as a FB. But Shane Smith had very limited touches at San Jose St. (something like 3 carries and 25 catches in 4 years) and would love to know how they both look. You mentioned them a couple of reports ago, but would really appreciate some more insight into these two.
I would love to see a beast FB who can blow open a hole or even catch a dump off inside the 10.
Thanks for your input.
I saw an interview with Huesmann who admits himself that he is going to struggle with the physical aspect of blocking as a FB. But Shane Smith had very limited touches at San Jose St. (something like 3 carries and 25 catches in 4 years) and would love to know how they both look. You mentioned them a couple of reports ago, but would really appreciate some more insight into these two.
I would love to see a beast FB who can blow open a hole or even catch a dump off inside the 10.
Thanks for your input.
Sy has written about Shane Smith a bunch in his reports.
Not rooting for Bromley. I thing Thomas and Bryant make the team
Tye is a goner
Interesting competition with Grant Skinner and Munson at LB
Any news on Ishaq Williams ?
Not rooting for Bromley. I thing Thomas and Bryant make the team
Tye is a goner
Interesting competition with Grant Skinner and Munson at LB
Any news on Ishaq Williams ?
Ishaq Williams is on IR.
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Info on the FBs, Smith and Huesmann. You seemed to indicate that Huesmann is the better athlete but Smith is the classic power FB. Not to mention this could be a huge shift in what we see offensively this year if one of thwm is the goods.
I saw an interview with Huesmann who admits himself that he is going to struggle with the physical aspect of blocking as a FB. But Shane Smith had very limited touches at San Jose St. (something like 3 carries and 25 catches in 4 years) and would love to know how they both look. You mentioned them a couple of reports ago, but would really appreciate some more insight into these two.
I would love to see a beast FB who can blow open a hole or even catch a dump off inside the 10.
Thanks for your input.
Sy has written about Shane Smith a bunch in his reports.
Yea I saw the first one that said he hits aggressively. I was more curious about if Sy had seen him catching the ball, his turn up field, etc...
Oh no I did not! Thanks man. Sorry, I mustve forgotten to look at that one.
This team just signed Jerry to a long term deal. Nobody is passing him on the depth chart during preseason.
I saw an interview with Huesmann who admits himself that he is going to struggle with the physical aspect of blocking as a FB. But Shane Smith had very limited touches at San Jose St. (something like 3 carries and 25 catches in 4 years) and would love to know how they both look. You mentioned them a couple of reports ago, but would really appreciate some more insight into these two.
I would love to see a beast FB who can blow open a hole or even catch a dump off inside the 10.
Thanks for your input.
I'll get more on them tomorrow...but as I have said before, Smith is the power guy, Huesman is the versatlle guy. History tells me NYG wants the versatile guy.
Also have you had a chance seeing Deayon returning kicks?
Yes he has returned a few...
He has the quick twitch, but not sure he has the advanced route running just yet. I think he can improve there kind of like what NYG had in Amani Toomer, but will they keep him around long enough to watch him develop is the question.
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One of the knocks on Darius Powe has been that he has trouble getting separation. Are you seeing that?
He has the quick twitch, but not sure he has the advanced route running just yet. I think he can improve there kind of like what NYG had in Amani Toomer, but will they keep him around long enough to watch him develop is the question.
Well as I had intimated/hoped earlier, perhaps Marshall can be his Chris Carter
Quote:
Info on the FBs, Smith and Huesmann. You seemed to indicate that Huesmann is the better athlete but Smith is the classic power FB. Not to mention this could be a huge shift in what we see offensively this year if one of thwm is the goods.
I saw an interview with Huesmann who admits himself that he is going to struggle with the physical aspect of blocking as a FB. But Shane Smith had very limited touches at San Jose St. (something like 3 carries and 25 catches in 4 years) and would love to know how they both look. You mentioned them a couple of reports ago, but would really appreciate some more insight into these two.
I would love to see a beast FB who can blow open a hole or even catch a dump off inside the 10.
Thanks for your input.
I'll get more on them tomorrow...but as I have said before, Smith is the power guy, Huesman is the versatlle guy. History tells me NYG wants the versatile guy.
Wow. Is that you saying you think Huesman has a leg up? Because it seemed in that practice report like the nod was being given to Smith.
Very interested to see how this plays out. Would really like Smith to show off some hands so that we have a battering ram as well as a reliable receiver out of the backfield. Everything I have read about Huesman so far has been less than impressive.
Don't forget Munson was on the same Rocky Long defense. Those boys can hit. We had McFadden, too, for awhile...another Aztec.
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Jones in the mix for starting RG?
This team just signed Jerry to a long term deal. Nobody is passing him on the depth chart during preseason.
Jones filled in nicely at Guard for a game.
Many, many kudos and an equal number of thank yous.
who has replaced his role? has anyone step up. Can Eric P....the long/big safety handle that position well?
you are impressed by Goodson.....
The only situation we might use a FB as a better alternative is perhaps goalline, and I would bet that Jones or even Herzlich (if he has to make the team again) could handle that specialty block.
Needless to say, an injury to Engram should bias the team to a more conventional look.
This is just my observation, and I know he and Eli aren't in sync yet, but the guy looks like he's found his legs and is in much better shape than he was last year.
Sounds like we are going to have to cut some pretty solid players this year. I am wondering if we have some trade possibilities on the roster at TE, WR, QB, DB and maybe some other spots.
I like that - it's being conservative and allowing him to reach his full potential.
And the Giants are, without a doubt, one of the few teams in the league with a backup QB who could win games as a starter. Geno is an easy punchline but the guy can play, and has the mobility and ability to throw on the run you're looking for in a WCO. If Eli went down, the season would not be over with Geno stepping in. He could be a Hostetler IMO.
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Jones in the mix for starting RG?
This team just signed Jerry to a long term deal. Nobody is passing him on the depth chart during preseason.
I just not a big fan of Tye I mean the effort is there but
I think we have enough weapons let Adams and LaCosse benefit more upside with both of them .
I like that - it's being conservative and allowing him to reach his full potential.
And the Giants are, without a doubt, one of the few teams in the league with a backup QB who could win games as a starter. Geno is an easy punchline but the guy can play, and has the mobility and ability to throw on the run you're looking for in a WCO. If Eli went down, the season would not be over with Geno stepping in. He could be a Hostetler IMO.
I don't think Geno is as good as Jeff was, but you are right. With Geno, if healthy, they would have a fighting chance while Eli was out (knockwood).