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Defenderdawg : 7/14/2018 7:55 am
Giants

Dunleavy NJ.com: 8 reasons Giants will return to playoffs in 2018 | More than just an explosive offense
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/07/8_reasons_giants_will_return_to_playoffs_in_2018_m.html

Stapleton The Record: Ben McAdoo sounds off in first public comments since being fired as NY Giants head coach

Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton)
7/13/18, 12:45 PM
Ben McAdoo not worried about what anyone thinks. He's free to give opinions.
Being too stubborn to listen to others, unwilling to realize impact of that, part of why he was fired as Giants HC.
More takeaways on his Post interview here:

“It's hard to imagine lending much credence to what McAdoo has to say without hearing some sort of contrition regarding the numerous missteps and misfortunes that led to his dismissal. Perhaps that comes Monday in Peter King's debut column for NBC Sports, which will feature McAdoo in a segment dubbed, "What I Learned." We'll see about that.
Yet, if McAdoo was using his forum with the Post as the chance to impress for a future as an analyst, he offered plenty of tweaks to go around. Not sure if he did much to repair the public image of a coach who appeared in over his head by the time his tenure came to an abrupt halt despite a debut season that included 11 wins and playoff berth.”
https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2018/07/13/5-takeaways-what-fired-ben-mcadoo-had-say-ny-giants/782000002/

TE

Giants.com: Giants Insider: TE Evan Engram
Tight End Evan Engram talks goals for his sophomore season (Video)
https://www.giants.com/video/giants-insider-te-evan-engram

Defense

Pizzuta BBV: Summer School: How James Bettcher uses pre-snap movement to confuse the offense
https://www.bigblueview.com/2018/7/13/17565456/summer-school-how-james-bettcher-uses-pre-snap-movement-to-confuse-the-offense

DL

Pflum BBV: Position preview: The Giants’ new-look defensive line
https://www.bigblueview.com/2018/7/14/17568604/2018-ny-giants-training-camp-preview-defensive-line-damon-harrison-hill-tomlinson

NFL

Brooks NFL.com: Ranking top 5 play-caller tandems; Pats SHOULD NOT trade Gronk
“5) Pat Shurmur and James Bettcher, New York Giants: Despite being dismissed as an afterthought in the NFC East, observers should pay close attention to the Giants due to the coaches' collective ability to elevate the performance of their players. Shurmur is a superb tactician with a solid reputation for simplifying the game for his quarterback and elevating the play of his team's primary playmakers through his play designs. Last season, he helped Case Keenum play at an MVP level and made Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen the league's most feared 1-2 punch on the perimeter as the primary play designer in Minnesota. With Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, at quarterback and a star-studded supporting cast that includes one of the most explosive playmakers in the game (Odell Beckham, Jr.) and three emerging stars (Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard and Saquon Barkley), we could see Shurmur put together the NFL's top offense in his first season on the job. Defensively, Bettcher doesn't get enough credit for his exceptional work as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals from 2015 to '17. He not only presided over a defense that finished no lower than sixth overall in each of his three seasons at the helm, but he did it utilizing a blitz-heavy scheme that befuddled opponents with exotic five- and six-man pressures from every angle. Considering the success guys like Chandler Jones (NFL sack leader in 2017), Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson enjoyed in the system, it is easy to envision the Giants' top players -- Olivier Vernon, Landon Collins and Janoris Jenkins -- stepping up their respective games in a scheme that sets them up to make more splash plays in 2018. With that in mind, the Giants' coordinators snag a spot on this list in anticipation of a remarkable turnaround this season.”
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000940360/article/nfls-top-five-playcaller-tandems-patriots-shouldnt-trade-gronk?

Freeman B/R: NFL Can't Escape Unusually Chaotic Offseason
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2785648-nfl-cant-escape-unusually-chaotic-offseason.amp.html

Garrett Spotrac.com: Dollars & Sense: Diluted Veterans, Guaranteed Contracts, & Young QBs
http://www.spotrac.com/research/NFL/dollars-sense-diluted-veterans-guaranteed-contracts-young-qbs-761/

Chichester PFF: Top NFL WRs on crossing routes
“3. Sterling Shepard, New York Giants – 125.1 WR Rating
The Giants offense may have endured a relatively disappointing season, but Shepard’s promising performance was definitely a bright spot for the team. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall forced to miss significant time through injury, Shepard stepped up as the team’s impromptu No. 1 and saw 83 targets throughout the year, the most among Giants receivers. 17 of those targets came via the crossing route, where he tallied 11 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown – all good for a WR rating of 125.1. More impressively, however, is the fact that Shepard averaged a whopping 11.5 yards after the catch per reception on those targets, which was not only the best mark recorded in 2017, but the best mark ever recorded by a wide receiver in the PFF era.”
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-top-nfl-wrs-on-crossing-routes

ARIZONA
Pro Football Journal (@NFL_Journal)
7/14/18, 6:07 AM
Chandler Jones should have gotten more support for Defensive Player of the Year. Had 17 of team's 37 sacks (46%), 11 run/pass stuff, led NFL w/ 33 QB hits (source NFLGSIS) on defense that allowed less than 90 rushing a game and 3.5 yards a rush, both among NFL's best.

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Falcons’ defense, special teams look to improve in 2018
https://www.myajc.com/sports/football/falcons-defense-special-teams-look-improve-2018/ImdLQXbDzcdOWudCQvWkdN/amp.html

BALTIMORE
Schwab Yahoo Sports: 2018 NFL Preview: Maybe the dull Ravens can get a jolt from Lamar Jackson
https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/2018-nfl-preview-maybe-dull-ravens-can-get-jolt-lamar-jackson-141526740.html

Lee Baltimore Sun: Ravens 2018 position-by-position breakdown: offensive line
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-training-camp-preview-offensive-line-20180712-story.html

CAROLINA
Fowler Charlotte Observer: 10 questions (and answers) about the future of the Carolina Panthers under David Tepper
http://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article214823610.html

CHICAGO
Campbell Chicago Tribune: Had to be 'U': Tight end Trey Burton's transformative position in the Bears offense
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-trey-burton-tight-ends-20180713-story.html

Wiederer Chicago Tribune: Will Pat O'Donnell respond to competition in fight to stick with Bears?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-pat-odonnell-cody-parkey-20180713-story.html

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Cleveland Browns 2018 Training Camp: Defensive tackle preview
https://www.cleveland.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/07/4a6be782e03816/cleveland-browns-2018-training.html

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions 2018 Most Important: No. 4 Ziggy Ansah's health is key
https://amp.freep.com/amp/784075002

GREEN BAY
Spofford Packers.com: Versatility a nice bonus for Valdes-Scantling
https://www.packers.com/news/versatility-a-nice-bonus-for-valdes-scantling

Packers.com: Packers claim G Ethan Cooper
https://www.packers.com/news/packers-claim-g-ethan-cooper

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans release Jeff Allen from PUP list
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-release-Jeff-Allen-from-PUP-list-13073562.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Walker Colts.com: Jordan Wilkins’ Vision, Patience Adds Another Dimension To Colts’ Backfield
https://www.colts.com/news/jordan-wilkins-vision-patience-adds-another-dimension-to-colts-backfield

JACKSONVILLE
Frenette Florida Times Union: Dareus baggage may get too heavy for Jaguars to handle
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20180713/gene-frenette-dareus-baggage-may-get-too-heavy-for-jaguars-to-handle?

Kaye WTLV Jacksonville: JAGUARS TRAINING CAMP POSITION PREVIEW: THE LOCKS, THE LIKELY AND THE LONG SHOTS AT GUARD AND CENTER
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/jaguars-training-camp-position-preview-the-locks-the-likely-and-the-long-shots-at-guard-and-center/77-571788707

Reid Florida Times Union: Jaguars Position Preview: Bouye, Ramsey aiming for another breakout season
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20180713/jaguars-position-preview-bouye-ramsey-aiming-for-another-breakout-season?

KANSAS CITY
Boytim Alltoona Mirror: McGloin happy to be headed to Chiefs’ camp
http://www.altoonamirror.com/sports/psu/2018/07/mcgloin-happy-to-be-headed-to-chiefs-camp/

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Simmons Rams.com: Countdown to Camp: Rams Will Have Changes at Inside Linebacker
https://www.therams.com/news/countdown-to-camp-rams-will-have-changes-at-inside-linebacker

MINNESOTA
Vikings.com:
Training Camp Preview: Defensive Line
vikings.com's Mike Wobschall sat down with Vikings Defensive Line Coach Andre Patterson to discuss his approach to teaching his players, Danielle Hunter's progression, how Linval Joseph's athleticism puts him over the top, the addition of Sheldon Richardson and his coachability, the late add of David Parry, and how some of the young players are progressing.(Video)
https://www.vikings.com/video/training-camp-preview-defensive-line

NEW ENGLAND
Pence Boston Globe: With Patriots training camp on the horizon, some key battles to watch
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/07/13/with-patriots-training-camp-horizon-some-key-battles-watch/s9H8kXcLTSKOVxZtlkx8pM/amp.html

Duffy Boston Herald: Patriots guard Shaq Mason can wait for payday
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2018/07/patriots_guard_shaq_mason_can_wait_for_payday?

Dodd CBS Sports: Bret Bielema is enjoying the NFL so much, he may never go back to college football
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bret-bielema-is-enjoying-the-nfl-so-much-he-may-never-go-back-to-college-football/amp/

NEW ORLEANS
Holder Nola.com: New Orleans Saints 2018 roster rankings: No. 6 Max Unger
https://articles.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/07/new_orleans_saints_2018_roster_14.amp

PHILADELPHIA
Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles training camp preview: Quarterback
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-training-camp-preview-quarterback-2018/amp/

PITTSBURGH
Benz Pittsburgh Tribune Review: James Washington could be the No. 3 WR the Steelers need
https://triblive.com/sports/columnists/timbenz/breakfastwithbenz/13862268-74/tim-benz-james-washington-could-be-the-no-3-wr-the-steelers

Rutter Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers training camp preview: Is it Tuitt's turn for a breakout season?
https://triblive.com/sports/-topstories/13864420-85/steelers-training-camp-preview-is-it-tuitts-turn-for-a-breakout-season

WASHINGTON
Raggs Washington Post: Redskins pick was playing Fortnite with an old teammate when they again became teammates
https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/football-insider/wp/2018/07/13/redskins-pick-was-playing-fortnite-with-an-old-teammate-when-they-again-became-teammates/

Meister Redskins.com: Redskins Add 'Another Ball Hawking Defender' In Adonis Alexander
https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-add-another-ball-hawking-defender-in-adonis-alexander

Draft

Orr MMQB: An NFL Fan’s Viewing Guide to the 2019 College Football Season
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/07/13/2019-draft-college-football-season-jarrett-stidham-nick-bosa-drew-lock-trace-mcsorley-clemson

Trapasso CBS Sports: 2019 NFL Draft: Five under-the-radar prospects who could rise into the first round
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2019-nfl-draft-five-under-the-radar-prospects-who-could-rise-into-the-first-round/amp/

History

Ostler SF Chronicle: Steve Young’s secrets to success for Jimmy Garappolo, golf and staying fit
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/amp/Steve-Young-s-secrets-to-success-for-Jimmy-13073918.php

Miller UTSD: Former Chargers GM Bobby Beathard could be most special NFL Hall inductee of all
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/columnists/bryce-miller/sd-sp-miller-beathard-20180714-story.html

Auman TB Times: Flashback: 1979 Bucs defense had ‘Mount Crushmore’
https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/2018/07/13/flashback-1979-bucs-defense-had-mount-crushmore/

Giants Birthdays 7-14

Rosey Grier RDT D3-Penn State 1955 NYG 1955-1962 7-14-1932

Robustelli on Grier:

“Roosevelt Grier: “Rosey had a great amount of ability but weight always was a problem for him,” says Robustelli. “Sometimes it ballooned over 300 pounds. He spent every summer in training camp at the ‘fat man’s table,’ where overweight players were rationed with salads and gelatin. Rosie went through all of that without saying a word, but we knew he went out at night after our meetings and loaded up with a plateful of goodies that undid all that he had achieved from two-a-days and three sparse meals. During the season his stamina suffered when his weight went above 300 pounds and he couldn’t get into a play quick enough. He was always looking for timeouts on the field. ‘We can’t, Ro, we can’t,’ I’d tell him. ‘We have to save them for the offense.’ One time we got one, and when it ended, he wanted another. We almost strangled him.

“If Grier, who was a big loveable guy, had kept himself in some semblance of shape, he would be in the Hall of Fame,” Robustelli went on. “In those times when he was around 280 pounds, no offensive lineman in the league could handle him one-on-one. There never has been a quicker inside lineman. He had great agility and an amazing ability to spin off a block and catch a running back before he barely reached the hole. When he spent the 1957 season in the military, his absence was part of the reason why we didn’t repeat as champions.”
http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/14-05-484.pdf

From Cuthbert, Georgia to Roselle, New Jersey to Penn State

“Certainly enough, shaking peanuts and cutting sugar cane on his daddy's farm instilled a work ethic and helped him mature quickly. He was getting paid a dollar a day, just like the men, when he was 6 years old.
But Grier only had time for school three days a week. The cotton and the cane came first. What seemingly saved him was a family move to New Jersey a few years later.
He says he knew then that he would spend his life serving others.
He chose Penn State because it offered a track and field scholarship and wasn't too far from his new home. He tried to study music but became frustrated and dropped it. Instead, he simply sang his way into people's good graces. Even more, he showed a stunning potential in football where, at 240 pounds, he actually was larger than most everyone, which combined exquisitely with his quickness and agility.
Being forced to prove himself only fueled him more.
"They tried to test me. A young man, a center, hit me in the chin and I didn't like that very much," Grier said, remembering back to early Penn State practices. "So they couldn't run on my side no more because I wouldn't let them. Before the year was over, I was playing both ways."
Penn State is where he constructed that gentle giant aura with a dab of showbiz flair mixed with genuine country kindness. It made made him appeal to most everyone, to easily cut across racial, political and demographic lines.
"He was a big human being," teammate Lenny Moore said, "but just as nice and truthful as you could be."
https://amp.ydr.com/amp/85281030

“Grier was one of 12 children, and by his teenage years, had moved to Roselle to attend Abraham Clark High School. He spent his youth staying active, and it was at Abraham Clark that his athletic talents became apparent; he was a top player in several high school football championship games. After graduating from high school in 1951, his athletic abilities enabled him to play on the defensive line at Penn State University, where he quickly became captain of the football team.”
https://bestofnj.com/black-history-nj-rosey-grier/amp

09-17-1955

Drafted in the third round by the Giants out of Penn State, Grier was moved to RDE in the Giants 5 man front.

1956

After the Giants failed experiment with MG Stan West acquired from the Rams at great cost, the Giants move to a 4-3 front with LDT Ray Krause being sent to Pittsburgh for Dick Modzelewski. Modzelewski at LDT and Grier at RDT would remain the Giants interior combo through the 1962 season.

Defensive coach Tom Landry had his 4-3, what he needed was a MLB to make his defense work. The move of rookie Sam Huff from offensive guard to MLB was the key, giving the Giants defensive coach an agile, tough, aggressive tackler who capitalize on a scheme were the DL would not fight through blocks but use angles to direct the blockers to one side, when the play went to the other, the ball carrier being left alone for the MLB.

Here what was once the MG would drop back, the DT’s would tighten with a inside rush to protect him. The ends would line up inside the other linebackers to protect them. What was once the MG became the MLB and his play would make the system work. In this system if a inside run was expected, Grier and Modzelewski would be the ones taking the inside routes. On a outside run was expected the two tackles went outside the OG’s and the MLB would follow the back outside.

The Giants won the championship and Grier became first team All-Pro.

1957

Grier enters the military and misses the 1957 season

Grier related easily with the troops. He’d been drafted into the Army in 1957 after one of his best seasons in the NFL. “The Giants had just won the NFL championship game, beating the Chicago Bears 47-7, and I’d been picked to play in the Pro Bowl in Los Angeles that year,” he said. “The day I left for that game I received that letter we all know.”

Grier would miss the 1957 NFL season while serving eighteen months at Ft. Dix. “I had no objections to our system, and I believed I had a duty to perform as a citizen of the country I love. But I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed. I’d just gotten to the level where I could renegotiate my salary with the Giants for a little bit more pay.”
All in all, Grier said, “the rigors of Army life suited me: getting up early, the exercise, learning to make my bed the way the Army told me. As near as I could tell, I was not given any special treatment—good or bad. And best of all, the food was plentiful.”
http://vvaveteran.org/34-6/34-6_roseygrier.html

12-23-1958

With Grier back, the Giants make it to the championship game but Grier’s injury spells trouble.

Giants Start Practice Drills By JOE REICHLER Associated Press Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP)

“What new trick will the New York Giants come up with against the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League championship game next Sunday? Fans in this suddenly professional football crazy town still were buzzing about the razzle- dazzle double reverse lateral that produced the only touchdown in last Sunday’s spectacular 10-0 New York triumph over Cleveland for the Eastern division title. “That was the Brown special,“ Coach Jim Lor Howell confided today. “We called it 'the thing' all week but we finally decided on a better name.” If the Giants had a “Ewbank special” to throw at Coach Weeb Ewbank’s Colts next week, they weren’t saying. It’s a safe bet they'll practice any new play in private. Two Giant* Hurt Two Giants who undoubtedly will not participate in the work- j outs until late in the week are Rosey Grier and Sam Huff. Both suffered painful injuries last week but don’t bet against their appearing in the lineup against the Colts. Grier, the massive defensive tackle, is on crutches as a result of a leg injury sustained when he was blocked in a play. Huff, who did such a tremendous hawking job on Jimmy Brown (the Browns' fullback star was held to eight yards in seven rushes), may have a cracked rib...”

In the era of the 36 man roster an injury such as Grier’s would force a team to move a offensive guard to DT disrupting the OL as much as the DL. While Grier would start in spite of his injury by the time the game reached its now famous OT, he would be gone and the Colts offense took advantage of a tired defense.

7-08-1963

On July 8, 1963 the New York Giants traded away one of the stalwart members of their defensive line by dealing DT Roosevelt “Rosey” Grier to the Los Angeles Rams for DT John LoVetere and a future draft pick.

“At 31, Grier is about four years older than LoVetere,” explained New York’s Head Coach Allie Sherman. Sherman also expressed the desire to use the draft choice obtained from the Rams in dealing for a veteran running back, which failed to materialize (it ended up being a fourth-round choice in 1964 that was used to take Ohio State FB Matt Snell, who chose to sign with New York’s AFL club, the Jets).
https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2016/07/1963-giants-trade-rosey-grier-to-rams.html

Then it was on to the fearsome foursome:

NFL.com: Rosey Grier reflects on the fearsome foursome
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000355714/Rosey-Grier-reflects-on-the-Fearsome-Foursome

Tavarres King WR W-TB 2015 NYG PSQ 2015, NYG 2016-2017 7-14-1990

Ben Talley OLB D4-Tennessee 1995 NYG 1995 7-14-1972
Well done Defenderdawg  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 7/14/2018 8:50 am : link
I just saw the headline in the Stapleton piece before opening up BBI. You are truly aead of the game.
That Rosey Grier material  
ChicagoMarty : 7/14/2018 12:17 pm : link
Good Stuff!

thank you
That is ...  
BronxBob : 7/14/2018 5:04 pm : link
... terrific! Rosey was the one who took up needlepoint, isn't that right? What a great sense of humor that displays! He got some wotk in TV shows, also, didn't he? I was too young to realize that he and Huff were playing hurt in that "greatest game." The Giants held Jim Brown to 7 yards in a 10-0 win the week before!? Was Brown hurt?
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