Monday Reading

Giants

RB

Schmeelk Giants.com: 2018 Position Preview: Running Backs
https://www.giants.com/news/2018-position-preview-running-backs

TE

Cohen Giants.com: Evan Engram eyes leadership role in Year 2
https://www.giants.com/news/evan-engram-eyes-leadership-role-in-year-2

DL

Lombardo NJ.com: How does Giants' defensive line grade heading into training camp?
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/07/how_does_giants_defensive_line_grade_heading_into.html

NFL

King PFT NBC: Aaron Rodgers Isn’t Scared: Of Aging, New Contracts or Sharks (Anymore)

What I Learned: Ben McAdoo

“The first thing I learned about getting fired? People don’t know what to say to you. They still don’t, seven months after I was let go as Giants coach.
I was at a family wedding in Washington last month, and one of the guests said to me: “I feel so sorry for you.” Well, it’s tough, going from 11 wins in 2016 to Super Bowl aspirations in 2017 to being fired, exposed for all to see … I see how it’s hard to find the right words. But don’t feel sorry for me. I’m blessed. I’m the son of a coal miner from southwestern Pennsylvania, and growing up, I thought I’d probably be a coal miner too. But I ascended in the football business to be the head coach of the New York Football Giants! I’m one of the most fortunate people in the world.
I do understand the reality of this business I chose. You’ve got to win, and I didn’t win enough in my two years. So from the moment I got fired last December, I started compiling a book on myself. I’ve asked lots of people—coaches, former coaches, smart football people—how I could improve. It’s my manifesto. It’s up to 209 pages now. What I’ve learned so far (and it’s not over):
I learned I need to handle players, and work with players, better. Take Odell Beckham Jr. I needed to be better for him personally, as a coordinator and head coach. I was too busy trying to scheme ways to get him the ball, especially early in my time in New York, that I didn’t step back and see the big picture the way I should have. Odell’s so passionate, and cares so much, and that emotion hurts him at times on game day. I should have seen my job with Odell was more than simply X’s and O’s; it was also helping Odell the person. He is not only a generational talent, but also bright and well-read, and I let him down early in his career. I will not make that mistake again.
I learned that I was born for this, which is one of the big reasons why I want to improve and get another shot. Andrew Jackson said, “I was born for the storm, and calm does not suit me.” I learned I have the broad shoulders to live with my decisions. I need that pressure; it brings me to life. Stress makes my nerve endings tingle. I learned that I’m not afraid of making the tough decision.
I learned the hard way how not to handle success. I failed to convince the players and coaching staff that nothing carries over in the NFL after we won 11 games in 2016. The most important message after finishing any season is to hit the reset button. You have to have the willingness to put your body and mind through everything that it takes to play team-oriented winning football year after year. High expectations mean nothing. When you start listening to the prognosticators, it’s poison. We had too much of that around our team in 2017. That will not happen to a team I coach again.
I learned that my “survive and advance” philosophy of handling the media needs to be overhauled. I grew up in this business seeing media as the enemy. To me, press conferences became the only thing where I was not in it to win it; I just wanted them to be over. I asked one of my friends in the game about it, and he said, “You’re smart. But when you answer questions from the press, you sound like an oaf.” I’ve studied how some coaches handle the press, and I’ve learned how smart it would be for me, for the media and for the fans if I expand on my answers without giving away any secrets. That way, I can teach people interesting things about this great game. That investment of my time won’t be natural for me, but I think it’s important.
Finally, I learned there’s no easy way to make the truly tough decisions. Right or wrong, I am at peace with how I handled the decision to play quarterbacks other than Eli Manning down the stretch of last season. At the time, we were 2-9, beat up, and I told Eli we wanted to see the other quarterbacks on the roster—including our promising rookie, Davis Webb. I was not ending Eli’s career with the Giants; I was making sure we knew what we had behind him with a high draft choice prior to a big quarterback draft. I gave him the option to start the games to keep his streak alive. I understand why he said no, and he was a true pro about it. My bedside manner hurt me that week. I’m working on that. I do think it was special how his former teammates and the fans rallied around him that week. But if there’s one thing I want fans of the Giants to know, it’s that I made this call to try to make the Giants stronger for the future. It probably got me fired, but I believe I did the right thing for the right reasons.
One more thing: It hurt to watch the impact on the families of the men who lost their jobs because of my firing, but I will not be a disgruntled former employee of the New York Giants. The logo and the people will always hold a special place in my heart. In this year out of football, I’ll continue to add to my manifesto. I’ll continue to learn. I’m sure after how it ended in New York people think I’m down and out. It’s just the opposite. I’m improving every day, and I believe my best days are ahead of me. My vision hasn’t changed one bit: I still see myself standing on stage on Super Bowl Sunday, handing the Lombardi Trophy to a proud owner of a team.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/07/15/aaron-rodgers-contract-sharks-peter-king-fmia/

Klemko MMQB: Richard Sherman and the Cornerback Summit
The All-Pro DB, starting fresh with the 49ers after seven stellar seasons in Seattle, summoned the best at his position to study film and share trade secrets. Plus, unexpected fan reaction to a week of really bad NFL news, a shot at a preseason power ranking and more with training camps on the horizon
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/07/16/richard-sherman-aqib-talib-malcolm-butler-nfl-cornerback-summit-2018-power-rankings-mmqb

Sullivan Boston Globe: When will the NFL figure out how to stop getting so much wrong?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/07/15/nfl-offseason-problems-will-linger-into-training-camp/KpT1GxgFREdds5MaaSVwkO/amp.html

Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
7/16/18, 6:19 AM
Could today be a rare deadline day with no franchise tag deals? The Rams and S Lamarcus Joyner could not agree on a long or short-term deal and one isn’t expected today, source says. Add him to Ziggy Ansah and DeMarcus Lawrence and that’s three players slated to play on the tag.

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Atlanta Falcons’ 90-man roster analysis: Quarterbacks
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/atlanta-falcons-man-roster-analysis-quarterbacks/fFqYmzie9MYwJAuxEgSCyO/

CAROLINA
Schwab Yahoo Sports: 2018 NFL Preview: The Cam Newton-Norv Turner marriage is crucial for Panthers
https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/2018-nfl-preview-cam-newton-norv-turner-marriage-crucial-panthers-041924911.html

Rodrigue Charlotte Observer: Panthers running backs have a new plan to bounce back from underwhelming 2017 season
http://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article214716510.html

CHICAGO
Finley Chicago Sun Times: Who makes the team? Handicapping the Bears’ roster on the eve of training camp
https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/who-makes-the-team-handicapping-the-bears-roster-on-the-eve-of-training-camp/amp/

CINCINNATI
Sheeran Cincy Jungle: It’s time to accept Geno Atkins as a future Hall of Fame player
https://www.cincyjungle.com/platform/amp/2018/7/15/17569690/its-time-to-accept-geno-atkins-as-a-future-hall-of-fame-player

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: If Baker Mayfield looks good, why not trade Tyrod Taylor? Hey, Mary Kay!
https://www.cleveland.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/07/5fb825c6b51982/if-baker-mayfield-looks-good-w.html

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions 2018 most important: No. 2 Matt Patricia's new era
https://amp.freep.com/amp/786547002

GREEN BAY
Reischel Forbes.com: Green Bay Packers Have Received Solid Returns On Offensive Line Investments
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robreischel/2018/07/15/green-bay-packers-expect-big-return-on-offensive-line-investments/amp/

INDIANAPOLIS
Bremer Herald Bulletin: Under Construction: Defensive evolution critical to Colts' hopes
http://www.heraldbulletin.com/sports/under-construction-defensive-evolution-critical-to-colts-hopes/article_f59e359c-8863-11e8-a805-23ecc9766617.html

JACKSONVILLE
Heilman Florida Times Union: Jaguars Position Preview: Offensive line has new standard to uphold
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20180715/jaguars-position-preview-offensive-line-has-new-standard-to-uphold?

NEW ORLEANS
Dabe Nola.com: Sean Payton's daughter asks dad tough question about Saints' playoff loss to Vikings
https://articles.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/07/sean_payton_daughter_nfl_netwo.amp

PHILADELPHIA
Hayes Phil.com: Is Ben McAdoo right about the Eagles' inability to handle success? He might be
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/ben-mcadoo-eagles-response-giants-super-bowl-20180716.html

McPherson Eagles.com: Darren Sproles Declares 2018 Will Be Final Season
https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/darren-sproles-declares-2018-will-be-final-season

Kempski Philadelphia: Eagles training camp preview: Wide receiver
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-training-camp-preview-wide-receiver-2018/amp/

PITTSBURGH
RG Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers training camp preview: Will Tyler Matakevich or Jon Bostic start at ILB?
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13869682-74/steelers-training-camp-preview-will-tyler-matakevich-or-jon-bostic-start-at

TENNESSEE
Wyatt Titans.com: Titans RT Jack Conklin, Humbled by Last Season’s Injury, Aims to Come Back “Stronger Than Ever”
https://www.titansonline.com/news/titans-tackle-jack-conklin-humbled-by-last-season-s-injury-aims-to-come-back-str

WASHINGTON
Keim ESPN Washington: Derrius Guice, healthy OL can solve Redskins' run-game woes
http://www.espn.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/36777/derrius-guice-healthy-ol-can-solve-redskins-run-game-woes

History

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Barry Sanders at 50: Here are 20 tales about No. 20 you might not know
https://amp.freep.com/amp/777711002

Detroit Free Press: Barry Sanders at 50: Celebrating Detroit Lions great (Video)
https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2018/07/15/barry-sanders-50-celebrating-detroit-lions-great/36888319/

Saccomano Broncos.com: Visiting with Lionel Taylor
https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/sacco-sez-visiting-with-lionel-taylor

Gregorian KC Star: Amid Hall of Fame campaign, Chiefs great Johnny Robinson stands for something more
http://www.hastingstribune.com/sports/amid-hall-of-fame-campaign-chiefs-great-johnny-robinson-stands/article_12a09812-4225-54c5-853f-a038950b1b06.html

Giants Ring of Honor: Of Missing Persons
Part 2: Joe Morris

Who is in the Giants Ring of Honor
https://www.bigblueinteractive.com/information-pages/new-york-giants-ring-of-honor/

Candidates to consider:

Joe Morris 1982-1988

Giants third all time leading rusher:

Barber 154G 104449YDS
Hampton 104G 6897YDS
Morris 94G 5296YDS

3 1,000 yard rushing seasons

1985 1336
1986 1516
1988 1083

1 First Team All Pro
2 Pro Bowls
1 SB Champion
21 rushing TD’s In 1985 (led league)

100 yard games

12-09-1984 STL 16-107-0
10-27-1985 NOR 20-104-2
11-03-1985 TBY 26-132-1
11-18-1985 WAS 17-118-3
12-01-1985 CLE 22-131-3
12-08-1985 HOU 25-129-3
12-21-1985 PIT 38-202-3

12-28-1985 Wash Post: Morris Fills Tall Order for Giants

He is short and good, a combination not often found in this league. He also is good and popular, a combination found all the time in New York. But he'd just rather be short, good -- and unknown. “I could labor in obscurity as long as I got the job done," Morris said today before practice. “Sometimes people say, 'Joe's gotta play well for us to win.' I understand that. But if I could just blend in, I'd be just as happy."
Watching game films, Morris has noticed opponents' linebackers occasionally standing on their tiptoes, trying to find him behind his offensive line. Sooner or later -- usually later -- they always see him.
In his fourth NFL season, Morris has blossomed. A second-round draft pick out of Syracuse in 1982, he gained a total of 703 yards in his first three years.
Perhaps his truest test comes Sunday, when the two 10-6 NFC wild-card teams play. The 49ers have gone nine games without allowing a rushing touchdown or a 100-yard game by a running back.
In those same nine weeks, Morris has averaged 111 yards per game and scored 18 touchdowns.
Something has to give. There are those who are figuring it won't be Morris...”

12-29-1985 SFO 28-141-0

Fansided 1-12-2016 VIDEO: All Joe Morris Rushing Touchdowns from 1985 Highlight 2016 Needs

“The 21 rushing touchdowns scored by Morris is a single season franchise record and also led the league that season, a season that had Super Bowl potential blown away at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears in January 1986. Joe’s 21 single season TDs on the ground in 1985 is tied for 6th all-time with the likes of Emmitt Smith, Priest Holmes, Terry Allen, and Terrell Davis. The only other players from the ’80s in the top 10 of that category was John Riggins of the Washington Redskins.”
https://gmenhq.com/2016/01/12/video-all-joe-morris-stats-1985-rushing-touchdowns/amp/

09-21-1986 RAID 18-110-0
10-19-1986 SEA 24-116-0
10-27-1986 WAS 31-181-2
11-02-1986 DAL 29-181-2
11-09-1986 PHI 29-111-2
11-23-1986 DEN 23-106-0
12-14-1986 STL 28-179-3
12-20-1986 GBY 22-115-1

01-04-1987 SFO 24-159-2

01-25-1987
Chicago Tribune: Little Joe Morris Makes It Big As Giant Powerhouse

“ As a youngster in Southern Pines, N.C., Joe Morris was convinced he had to beat up neighborhood kids for no other reason than that they were bigger.
``We had rock fights like you`ve never seen,`` Morris recalls. ``The object was to send a big kid home crying. The bigger the better.”
Even though he`s sensitive about being the ``little guy`` in the Giants`offense, Morris believes he has converted his diminutive stature into a positive.
``Defensive players see a runner 5-foot-7 and they expect to encounter 160 pounds,`` Morris says. ``I weigh 35 pounds more than that.
``That`s the first problem they have. My second advantage, in addition to speed, is my ability to cut back against the grain. It`s instinctive, like a sixth sense.
``Actually, I`m not a scatback guy,`` Morris points out, and fans who watched any of the Giants` two earlier playoff victories on television know what he is saying.
``I`m a power running back for the position I play. I`m a 6-2 guy in a 5-7 body. The only time I notice my size is when I watch game films. Then I notice how big those other guys are compared to me.``
Morris had another spectacular season, setting a team rushing record with 1,516 yards during the regular season. He scored 14 touchdowns, and also caught 21 passes for 233 yards. He eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark eight times in earning his second straight Pro Bowl nomination.
Morris was driven to excellence, like the son of the Great Santini, by his father, a career Army man who served in Vietnam as a master sergeant.
``Being raised by a military man,`` Morris says, ``you get used to discipline. My dad was very tough on me. Some people acquire confidence very late in life. I`ve had it from the time I was 2 or 3 years old.
``What Dad instilled in me was the knowledge that I could do things right if I just wanted to work hard enough. If I didn`t do something right the first time, I did it over and over. There weren`t a lot of pats on the back because he expected me to do well.
``He told me: `You`re my son and I want you to be a better man than I am. I want you to achieve something.` `
Almost everybody that Morris knew advised him against going to college at Syracuse because of his small size. But he enrolled there anyway and broke all of Larry Csonka`s rushing records.
The Giants made Morris their second-round draft choice in 1982. But the early Giant years were hard on Morris. The Giants kept drafting running backs such as Butch Woolfolk and George Adams. Clearly, they doubted that Morris was their back of the future. He carried the ball just 50 times for 193 yards his first two seasons.
Morris got his chance only after coach Bill Parcells became disenchanted with Woolfolk midway through the 1984 season.
``Parcells came to me and said, `Look, for so many years, people have been telling me to give you a chance,` `` Morris recalled. `` `We`re going to run the ball and you`re the man.` ``
Morris ran for a club-record three touchdowns in his starting debut against Washington.
``I`m not a star,`` Morris insists. ``A star is somebody who can do it on his own when nobody is blocking, like Walter Payton and Eric Dickerson. I`m a struggling running back.``

12-27-1987 NYJ 26-132-0

09-14-1988 DAL 28-107-0
12-04-1988 PHO 32-122-1
12-10-1988 KCY 31-140-0

Giants Birthdays 7-16

Casey Merrill DE W-GB 1983 NYG 1983-1985 7-16-1957

Whip Walton LB W-MIN 1980 NYG 1980 7-16-1955