Sunday Reading

Giants

Schwartz NYP: All eyes are on these Giants heading into training camp
https://nypost.com/2018/07/21/all-eyes-are-on-these-giants-heading-into-training-camp/amp/

Schwartz NYP: Giants facing challenge to get back to top of NFC East
https://nypost.com/2018/07/21/giants-facing-challenge-to-get-back-to-top-of-nfc-east/amp/

Leonard NYDN: 5 key questions for Giants as training camp set to open
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-sports-giants-camp-preview-20180719-story.html

Lombardo NJ.com: Giants training camp preview: Scouting reports for every rookie | Saquon Barkley, Will Hernandez, Sam Beal
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/07/giants_training_camp_preview_scouting_reports_for.html

Dunleavy NJ.com: Where are they now? Locating former Giants as NFL training camps open
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/07/where_are_they_now_locating_ex-giants_as_nfl_camps.html

Blount PFF: Training Camp Preview: New York Giants
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-pff-training-camp-preview-giants

QB

Schwartz NYP: Eli Manning now has everything — except an excuse
https://nypost.com/2018/07/21/eli-manning-now-has-everything-except-an-excuse/amp/

RB

Serby NYP: Saquon Barkley will put in work for this explosive Giants offense
https://nypost.com/2018/07/21/saquon-barkley-will-put-in-work-for-this-explosive-giants-offense/amp/

Thompson SNY: Giants' Barkley takes first step to silencing naysayers on Sunday
https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/giants-barkley-takes-first-step-to-silencing-naysayers-on-sunday/286727688

C

Traina UPI: New York Giants: Top summer battle -- who gives Eli Manning the ball?
https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2018/07/21/New-York-Giants-Top-summer-battle-who-gives-Eli-Manning-the-ball/1741532199249/?

DT

Schmeelk Giants.com: Rookie Preview Report: DT B.J. Hill
https://www.giants.com/news/rookie-preview-report-dt-b-j-hill

Giants.com:
B.J. Hill Highlights from spring practices (Video)
https://www.giants.com/video/b-j-hill-highlights-from-spring-practices

CB

Pflum BBV: Position Preview: Cornerback might be the Giants’ biggest question
https://www.bigblueview.com/2018/7/21/17595314/2018-ny-giants-training-camp-position-preview-cornerback-eli-apple-janoris-jenkins


NFL

Volin Boston Globe: Sunday Football Notes: Sebastian Vollmer, Wes Welker, Rob Ninkovich, and what life’s been like after football
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/07/21/sebastian-vollmer-wes-welker-rob-ninkovich-and-what-life-been-like-after-football/EoW8DeFrHEswhhDazA6UCL/story.html

Paylor Yahoo Sports: This is how NFL can untangle itself from anthem fiasco and other problems
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-can-untangle-anthem-fiasco-problems-191507263.html

Stuart Football Perspective: Playing Time, Roster Spots, and the Current CBA, Part II
http://www.footballperspective.com/playing-time-roster-spots-and-the-current-cba-part-ii/

Serby NYP: Rookie quarterback class intrigues as NFL camps begin
https://nypost.com/2018/07/21/rookie-quarterback-class-intrigues-as-nfl-camps-begin/amp/

BALTIMORE
Lee Baltimore Sun: Ravens notes: Rescheduling of stadium practice 'not yet discussed'; Guard Cameron Lee signed
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-notebook-future-for-cancelled-stadium-practice-unclear-20180721-story.html

Eisenberg Ravens.com: Here’s How the Ravens Plan to Improve Their Passing Game
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/eisenberg-here-s-how-the-ravens-plan-to-improve-their-passing-game

BUFFALO
Maiorana Rochester Democrat: Signing with the Bills gave A.J. McCarron his first real chance to win a starting job
https://amp.democratandchronicle.com/amp/808469002

CHICAGO
Kane Chicago Tribune: Aaron Lynch sits out, Kevin Toliver shines again in Bears’ first public practice
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-training-camp-practice-updates-20180721-story.html

Campbell Chicago Tribune: Kyle Long's return to health as important as any addition to Bears offense
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-kyle-long-healthy-20180721-story.html

Mayer Bears.com: Continuity 'huge' for talented Bears defense
https://www.chicagobears.com/news/continuity-huge-for-talented-bears-defense

Potash Chicago Sun Times: It’s early but … Bears rookie CB Kevin Toliver off to a fast start
https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/its-early-but-bears-rookie-cb-kevin-toliver-off-to-a-fast-start/amp/

CINCINNATI
Dehner Cin Enquirer: 5 pressing questions the Cincinnati Bengals must answer in camp
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/807050002

DALLAS
George Dallas Morning News: Cowboys camp preview: Who steps up to fill the void left behind by Jason Witten?
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2018/07/21/cowboys-camp-preview-steps-fill-void-left-behind-jason-witten

DENVER
Kaye WTLV Denver: BRONCOS TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW: DEFENSIVE LINE HAS DEPTH, IFS
https://www.9news.com/amp/article?section=sports& headline=broncos-training-camp-preview-defensive-line-has-depth-ifs& contentId=73-576221654

O’Halloran Denver Post: Denver Broncos position preview: Bradley Chubb joins productive group of veteran linebackers
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/07/21/denver-broncos-linebackers-preview-2018/

DETROIT
Meinke Michigan Live: Detroit Lions training camp preview: Receivers could be among NFL's best
https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_pr_32.html

Meinke Michigan Live: Detroit Lions training camp preview: Things are looking up on the offensive line
https://articles.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/07/detroit_lions_training_camp_pr_31.amp

GREEN BAY
Silverstein Mil JS: Packers' defensive line could spearhead pass-rush attack under Mike Pettine
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/07/21/packers-defensive-line-pass-rush-attack/784786002/

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans: 10 things to watch heading into training camp
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-10-things-to-watch-heading-into-training-13094014.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Keep an eye on these Texans free agents
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/Keep-an-eye-on-these-Texans-free-agents-13089632.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans RB D'Onta Foreman: 'I want to be better'
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-RB-D-Onta-Foreman-I-want-to-be-better-13093950.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans' Jadeveon Clowney: 'I'm ready'
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-Jadeveon-Clowney-I-m-ready-13094243.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Keefer Indianapolis Star: Insider: 15 vital revelations from the Colts' wild offseason
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/796021002

Wells ESPN Indianapolis: Kemoko Turay's path to NFL began with father's blessing
http://tv5.espn.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/23340/kemoko-turays-path-to-nfl-began-with-fathers-blessing

JACKSONVILLE
Reid Florida Times Union: Marrone's training camp will be the same as last season — physically challenging for players
http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20180722/marrones-training-camp-will-be-same-as-last-season---physically-challenging-for-players?

Reid Florida Times Union: Calais Campbell reacts to Dante Fowler's suspension for opener
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20180721/calais-campbell-reacts-to-dante-fowlers-suspension-for-opener?

KANSAS CITY
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
7/21/18, 10:16 AM
Former Steelers’ WR Eli Rogers, who tore his ACL in January during the postseason and has made a strong and quicker-than-expected comeback from his injury, is scheduled to work out Sunday for the KC Chiefs, per source.

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Florio PFT: Sean McVay’s dad didn’t have faith that he’d get an NFL job so soon
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/07/21/sean-mcvays-dad-didnt-have-faith-that-hed-get-an-nfl-job-so-soon/amp/

Kartje OC Register: For Todd Gurley and other top NFL backs, there are no guarantees
https://www.ocregister.com/2018/07/21/kartje-for-todd-gurley-and-other-top-nfl-running-backs-there-are-no-guarantees/

MIAMI
Kelly Sun Sentinel: Countdown to camp: Will Dolphins' first-round picks take their game to the next level?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-countdown7-20180722-story.html

Perkins Sun Sentinel: Countdown to camp: Dolphins' defense struggled with Suh, so does it really matter who replaces him?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-countdown6-20180721-story.html

MINNESOTA
Goessling Minn Star Tribune: Kirk Cousins is well aware of the expectations that come with his massive contract. But if he doesn’t seem particularly fazed by them, it’s because of the perspective he gained growing up. Get to know the Vikings’ new QB through the eyes of his hometown
http://m.startribune.com/vikings-kirk-cousins-foundation-formed-in-michigan-hometown/488283381/

NEW ENGLAND
Guregian Boston Herald: NFL Notes: Tom Brady-Bill Belichick relationship beside the point
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2018/07/nfl_notes_tom_brady_bill_belichick_relationship_beside_the_point?

Reiss ESPN Boston: With Devin McCourty, Patriots have familiar look at safety
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4814041/with-devin-mccourty-patriots-have-familiar-look-at-safety

OAKLAND
Schneidman Sac Bee: 'The Chucky spirit is back': Inside Jon Gruden’s raucous Raiders party
http://amp.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/oakland-raiders/article215309635.html

Gehlken LV Review Journal: Logjam looms for Raiders on offensive line as training camp nears
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders-nfl/raiders/logjam-looms-for-raiders-on-offensive-line-as-training-camp-nears/amp/

Galaviz Fresno Bee: Raiders’ Rashaan Melvin is excited to be with the Raiders and he tells
http://amp.fresnobee.com/sports/nfl/article215208970.html

Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky)
7/21/18, 4:07 PM
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland is visiting the Raiders on Sunday and Monday then headed to the Chiefs on Tuesday, a source said. He’s the one who signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Panthers that was voided after he failed a physical. He’s healthy and ready to go

PHILADELPHIA
Rosenblatt NJ.com: Eagles 2018 schedule: Game by game preview, analysis | Did Giants improve? How do Falcons, Vikings match up?
https://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2018/07/eagles_2018_schedule_breakdown_which_opponents_improved_game.html

PITTSBURGH
Rutter Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers ready to turn the page when camp opens
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13889010-74/steelers-ready-to-turn-the-page-when-camp-opens

Rutter Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers training camp preview: Offense, specialists carry few question marks
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13888732-74/steelers-training-camp-preview-offense-specialists-carry-few-question-marks

Gorman Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers' Super Bowl hopes rest with Killer D
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13889229-74/kevin-gorman-steelers-super-bowl-hopes-rest-with-killer-d

Rutter Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers training camp preview: New faces join veterans on defense
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13888762-85/steelers-training-camp-preview-new-faces-join-veterans-on-defense

SAN FRANCISCO
Killion SF Chronicle: 49ers coach Katie Sowers breaks new ground, fulfills her NFL dream
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/49ers-coach-Katie-Sowers-breaks-new-ground-13094505.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Ranking the Seahawks’ roster: Can these top draft picks fill the shoes of the big names they’re replacing?
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/ranking-the-seahawks-roster-lots-of-young-players-who-are-being-asked-to-step-in-for-big-names-as-the-rankings-continue/

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Bucs training camp questions: How to split the QB reps, position battles and more
https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/2018/07/21/bucs-training-camp-questions-how-to-split-the-qb-reps-position-battles-and-more/

WASHINGTON
Martin Washington Post: Alex Smith comes to the Redskins with self-assurance as his strong suit
https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/sports/wp/2018/07/21/feature/alex-smith-comes-to-the-redskins-with-self-assurance-as-his-strong-suit/

Cohen Redskins.com: 2018 Redskins In Richmond: Inside Linebackers
https://www.redskins.com/news/2018-redskins-in-richmond-inside-linebackers

History

Chatelain WFAN: Ernie Palladino, Former Giants Beat Writer And WFAN Columnist, Dies
https://wfan.radio.com/articles/news/ernie-palladino-former-giants-beat-writer-and-wfan-columnist-dies

Traina Inside Football: Remembering Ernie Palladino
https://insidefootball.com/remembering-ernie-palladino/

Kirst Buffalo News: 'Football has taken these memories,' so ex-Bills linebacker looks to fans
https://buffalonews.com/2018/07/21/sean-kirst-bills-linebacker-memory-fading-turns-to-fans-football-has-taken-these-memories/

Saccomano Broncos.com: Sacco Sez: Remembering the Broncos' first trade
https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/sacco-sez-remembering-the-broncos-first-trade

Pitre Daily Comet: Football remains big part of former Saints QB's life
http://www.dailycomet.com/sports/20180721/football-remains-big-part-of-former-saints-qbs-life?

Giants Ring of Honor: Of Missing Persons
Part 5: Del Shofner

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

Candidates to consider:

Del Shofner

All Pro 1961, 1962, 1963
Pro Bowl 1961, 1962, 1963
NFL All Decade Team 1960’s

1961 68-1125-11
1962 53-1133-11
1863 64-1181-9

Judge Talk of Fame:
Quick now, name the only two first-team wide receivers – and I mean split ends — from all-decade units of the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s not in the Hall of Fame. Here’s a hint: One of them is former Dallas standout Drew Pearson, whom we interviewed earlier this year on the Talk of Fame Network.
So who’s the other? Try Del Shofner.
Washington’s Charley Taylor was the other, and he’s in the Hall. Shofner is not, and it’s time to reconsider his credentials.
He was a five-time All-Pro. He was a five-time Pro Bowler. He was among the NFL’s top four in receiving yards all five times – leading the league with 1,097 yards in 1958 – and was in the top 10 in receptions and TDs all five times. Furthermore, for nearly 20 years (1963-81) he was the NFL’s only four-time 1,000-yard receiver before Steve Largent and Charlie Joiner tied him.
They’re in the Hall, too.

Unlike those two, however, Shofner was a deep threat. In fact, Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle once said that while former San Francisco great Billy Wilson had the best hands of his receivers and Hall-of-Famer Frank Gifford was the smartest, it was Shofner who was “the best and most dangerous of them all.”

Reason: He could stretch a defense – and the numbers prove it. He averaged 18.5 yards per reception for his career, including 21.5 yards in 1958 and 21.4 in 1962.

When he helped lead the New York Giants to three straight championship-game appearances from 1961-63, he caught more passes (185) for more yards (3,439) and more touchdowns (32) than any receiver in the NFL and once hauled down 11 passes for 269 yards in a 1962 defeat of Washington … and I know what you’re thinking: Yeah? Well, big deal.

As a matter of fact, it is. Fifty-four years later, those 269 yards are still a Giants’ record, and they’re 13th all-time among NFL receivers.

But that’s not all. Shofner could punt, too. In fact, he handled that job for the Los Angeles Rams from 1958-60, averaging 42 yards per kick and ranking sixth in the league in 1960 with a 42.6-yard average.

Yet, in the end, it is those numbers that betray Del Shofner. Injury and illness cut short his career and caused a decline in his performance after the ‘63 season, and it is career numbers that we often use to measure greatness for Canton. Shofner had five outstanding seasons, and while that’s enough to gain him all-decade recognition it’s not enough for the Hall’s board of selectors to commit to him.

And that’s unfortunate. Because as accomplished as he was, he was also a pioneer – one of the first legitimate deep threats in NFL history. League historian John Turney of the Pro Football Journal mentioned that on a recent Talk of Fame Network broadcast when we asked him to name five guys he’d put in Canton who aren’t there now.

Del Shofner was one of his five.

“(He) was the deep, deep threat who, pre-Bob Hayes caused defenses to roll the zone toward his side,” Turney said. “He was a split end and, as you know, on the one-receiver side usually they (defenses) don’t roll the zone that way. They did that for Shofner, and they did that for Bob Hayes.”bi
Hayes is in the Hall of Fame, too, though it took over three decades for him to get there. Del Shofner not only isn’t in Canton; he’s never been a finalist, and, yeah, I’d like to see that change. It only seems right and fair that someone who was ahead of his time … someone who dominated the league before injuries and illness cut short his career … should have his case heard.”

http://www.talkoffamenetwork.com/10906-2/

1961

SI: A SUCCESSFUL TRADER IN GIANTS

“The Tittle trade was not the only offensive success this fall. At about the same time Mara made a deal that brought End Del Shofner, Tittle's and Conerly's best target, from the Los Angeles Rams. "The Shofner deal came up very suddenly," Mara said the other day. "Some deals—like the one we made with the Redskins for Joe Walton and Jim Podoley—take months to work out."

But Shofner, for one reason or another, presented a real problem to the Giant trading committee, which consists of Mara, Jim Lee Howell, chief talent scout and former head coach of the Giants, and the Giant coaches.

"Del had had two great years with the Rams," Mara said. "And he fitted a need of ours precisely. We wanted an end who could go deep to catch passes, and for two years Del had been able to do that. But in 1960 he caught only 12 passes for the Rams and scored only one touchdown. In 1958 he caught 51 for 1,097 yards, and in 1959 he got 47 for 936. We had to know whether he would play back to his 1958 and 1959 form or would have another year like 1960."
Sounding board
As they always do when presented with a possible trade, Mara and the Giant coaches meticulously sounded out Giant players and coaches who had played against Shofner. Lynch, acquired from the Redskins, had faced Shofner three times. "I couldn't cover him man on man in 1958 or 1959," Lynch said. "I couldn't cover him in 1960 either. He's as good as he ever was."
Tittle, just in from the 49ers, had looked at Shofner three times in each previous season. He had also played with Shofner in Pro Bowl games. Said Tittle: "I talked to him at the Pro Bowl game and, as far as I know, he dropped a couple of passes against the 49ers early last year, and the club lost confidence in him. Then he lost confidence in himself and they put him on the bench. He had a series of muscle pulls, too. But he is as good as he ever was.
We were still doubtful," Mara says. "But you've got to take a chance. You can't think the guy I'm giving up may come back and beat me. If Shofner played back to his '58 and '59 form we wanted him badly. And we trust our people. So we traded the Rams a first and second draft choice—in different years—for Del."
So far this season Shofner has caught 46 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns. At 26, he appears capable of providing the Giants with a truly topflight offensive end for at least the next five years. It is very doubtful that the Rams, even with two high draft choices, can come up with as capable a pro football performer as Shofner.”
https://www.si.com/vault/1961/11/20/619082/a-successful-trader-in-giants

1961: Giants Obtain Del Shofner from Rams

“On August 28 the receiving corps was bolstered by the acquisition of split end Del Shofner from the Los Angeles Rams.
The Giants traded the 1962 first draft choice that they had obtained from the Vikings in the deal for Shaw to LA in order to get the lanky (6’3”, 186 pounds) four-year veteran (the Rams used the draft choice to pick QB Roman Gabriel from North Carolina State).
The arrival of Tittle and Shofner paid dividends for 1961 and beyond. Tittle supplanted Conerly as the starting quarterback and had a Pro Bowl year, throwing for 2272 yards and 17 touchdowns. Shofner caught 68 passes for 1125 yards and 11 TDs, also garnering a Pro Bowl selection as well as consensus first-team All-NFL honors. The revitalized Giants narrowly topped the Eastern Conference with a 10-3-1 record although they were blown out in the NFL title game by the Packers.
The combination of Tittle to Shofner remained effective in 1962 and ’63. In 1962 Shofner showed his toughness when, injured against the Steelers in the fifth game of the season, he was initially diagnosed with a broken shoulder that was expected to keep him out of action for six to eight weeks. Instead, he missed only one game and when he returned for a contest against the visiting Washington Redskins had one of the great receiving games in franchise history as he pulled in 11 passes for 269 yards and a TD. It was all part of a day in which Tittle threw for 505 yards and a record-tying seven touchdowns.
Shofner went on to accumulate 53 catches for 1133 yards (21.4 avg.) and 12 TDs. He again received consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors. It was the same in 1963 as he pulled in 64 passes for 1181 yards (18.5 avg.) and 9 touchdowns. In his first three seasons with the Giants, Shofner caught 185 passes for 3439 yards, averaging 18.6 yards per catch, and scored 32 TDs. Along the way he had 13 hundred-yard performances and on four occasions caught three touchdown passes in a game.”
https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2013/08/1961-giants-obtain-del-shofner-from-rams.html?m=1

Crippen NFP: HISTORICAL SCOUTING REPORT: DEL SHOFNER
https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/historical-scouting-report-del-shofner/

Giants Birthdays 7-22

Ian Allen LT/RT W-KC 2002 NYG 2002-2003 7-22-1978

Kenny Parker CB D16-Fordham 1968 NYG 1970 7-22-1946

Doug Riesenberg RT D6-California 1987 NYG 1987-1995 7-22-1965

Roger Wallace WR W-STL 1976 NYG 1976 7-22-1952