Saturday Reading

Giants

QB

Schwartz NYP: How Giants, Eli Manning could come together on money front
https://nypost.com/2019/01/04/how-giants-eli-manning-could-come-together-on-money-front/amp/

Schneier 247 Sports: Breaking down every Pro/Con: Giants keeping Eli Manning in 2019
https://247sports.com/nfl/new-york-giants/LongFormArticle/Eli-Manning-New-York-Giants-should-keep-or-release-2019-debate-127275653/

Dunleavy NJ.com: Giants after Eli Manning: How last 10 Hall of Fame QBs were replaced | From Joe Montana to Peyton Manning
https://www.nj.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/01/96664180b6271/giants-after-eli-manning-how-l.html

RV SNY: Here's where Eli Manning could land if he leaves Giants next season
https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/heres-where-eli-manning-could-land-if-he-leaves-giants-next-season/302403678

Defense

Leonard NYDN: Dave Gettleman can talk all he wants about defense as root of Giants' deficiencies, but it's a false narrative
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-sports-leonard-dave-gettleman-giants-20190104-story.html

PK

Leonard NYDN: Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas named second-team All Pro in major bounce back year
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-sports-aldrick-rosas-all-pro-20190104-story.html

NFL

ARIZONA
McManaman AZ Central: As Cardinals 'absolutely' prioritize offensive line, tackle Joe Barksdale could be a wild card
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2019/01/04/joe-barksdale-arizona-cardinals-offseason/2479928002/

Odegard Cardinals.com: Defensive Scheme Change Proved Difficult For Cardinals
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/defensive-scheme-change-proved-difficult-for-cardinals

ATLANTA
Winklejohn AJC: Falcons look forward with youth
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/falcons-look-forward-with-youth/RgP0GEhFrjHNOQMUSLr4iI/

BALTIMORE
Walker Baltimore Sun: Ravens aim to give general manager Ozzie Newsome a fitting finale with playoff run
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-ozzie-newsome-0106-story.html

Walker Baltimore Sun: Beyond speed and confidence, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson succeeds with the power of nice
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-lamar-jackson-nice-0106-story.html

Hensley ESPN Baltimore: Ravens view their run-option offense like a Jordan fadeaway jumper
http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/291635/ravens-view-their-run-option-offense-like-a-jordan-fadeaway-jumper?

Shaffer Baltimore Sun: The Ravens offense is unique for a reason: 'After a while, these guys don't want to run'
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-lamar-jackson-rushing-offense-20190104-story.html

Walker Baltimore Sun: For Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, it's 'not the most fun' to enter playoffs as backup
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-joe-flacco-playoffs-0106-story.html

BUFFALO
Carruci Buffalo News: Bills’ offseason to-do list: Challenges abound with much fixing needed
https://buffalonews.com/2019/01/04/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-sean-mcdermott-lesean-mccoy-lorenzo-alexander/

CAROLINA
Taranto 247 Sports: Daryl Williams: Re-signing with Panthers would 'mean a lot'

“Now four months into what he estimated to be a six month recovery process, Williams stated Friday on WFNZ's Wilson & Parcell that he should be ready to return to football activities come March, and that his knee feels "good".

"It would mean a lot (to re-sign to the Panthers). I've gotten really comfortable here in Charlotte, very comfortable with the team," said Williams. "But at the end of the day, I've got to do what's best for me and my family. So we'll see what happens."

https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/Article/Daryl-Williams-injury-recovery-update-2019-127325034/Amp/

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: Protecting the ball and stopping the run are NFL cliches for a reason — they're a winning formula
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/ct-spt-nfl-playoffs-statistics-biggs-20190104-story.html

Hayes Phil.com: Will former Eagles kicker Cody Parkey be the difference for the Bears on Sunday?
http://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-bears-playoffs-cody-parkey-kicker-contract-jake-elliott-nfl-20190105.html

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Why the Saints’ Dan Campbell should be a leading contender for the Browns head coach job
https://www.cleveland.com//browns/2019/01/why-saints-dan-campbell-should-be-a-leading-contender-for-the-browns-head-coach-job-mary-kay-cabot.html

DALLAS
Machota Dallas Morning News: Cowboys DC Rod Marinelli not worried about Seahawks stealing hand signals: 'I really don't care what they know'
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2019/01/04/cowboys-dc-rod-marinelli-not-worried-seahawks-stealing-hand-signals-really-dont-care-know

DENVER
Klis 9News Denver: BRONCOS HEAD COACH SEARCH MOVES TO 'HOT' CANDIDATE BRIAN FLORES
https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/broncos-head-coach-search-moves-to-hot-candidate-brian-flores/73-6e50cd0a-6902-46b2-80e3-3a305c1f9553

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Bob Quinn explains what Detroit Lions want in next offensive coordinator
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2484292002

Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Bob Quinn: Made run at tight ends, nothing worked out
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/01/04/detroit-lions-bob-quinn-made-run-tes-nothing-worked-out/2485521002/

GREEN BAY
Jack Wepfer (@jackwepfer)
1/4/19, 5:13 PM
According to McGinn’s polling of NFL execs on which candidate for Packers new HC is best, the top 5 are as follows:

1. Mike Munchak
2. Jim Caldwell
3. Dan Campbell
4. Chuck Pagano
5. Pat Fitzgerald
.....
8. Josh McDaniel

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: Texans vs. Colts: John McClain's playoff scouting report
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/Texans-vs-Colts-John-McClain-s-playoff-scouting-13508848.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans see progress from rookie punter Trevor Daniel
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-see-progress-punter-Trevor-Daniel-13508528.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Marot AP: Colts Nelson, Leonard become first All-Pro rookie teammates since 1965
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/2482645002

JACKSONVILLE
Frenette Florida Times Union: AwFFul sums up Jaguars' final grades for 2018 season
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190104/awfful-sums-up-jaguars-final-grades-for-2018-season?

Reid Florida Times Union: Jags making right decision keeping Calais Campbell for 2019
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190104/john-reid-jags-making-right-decision-keeping-calais-campbell-for-2019

KANSAS CITY
McDowell KC Star: Who the Chiefs could see in the playoffs ... and who they might want to see
https://amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article223925125.html

Mellinger KC Star: Examining the blissful football marriage of Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid
https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article223920130.html

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
DiGiovanna LA Times: Chargers-Ravens rematch in AFC wild-card game is survival of the fittest
https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/la-sp-chargers-ravens-20190104-story.html

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Rams have some super experience to rely on as they prepare for the NFC divisional playoffs
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-report-20190104-story.html

Thiry ESPN LA: Rams receiver Robert Woods has reached potential in return to L.A.
http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/39569/rams-receiver-robert-woods-has-reached-potential-in-return-to-l-a

MIAMI
Beasley Miami Herald: Dolphins have compiled a diverse list of candidates, but all share a common trait
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article223921405.html#click=https://t.co/J5Vl3nggMF

Deen Sun Sentinel: Dolphins to interview Saints assistant Dennis Allen on Saturday in coach search
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-saints-dennis-allen-20190104-story.html

MINNESOTA
Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings enter the offseason expected to have about $7 million in salary-cap room, 30th among 32 NFL teams. But they still have some flexibility to create cap room and they've got enough talent that analysts can see them bouncing back in 2019.
https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/04/vikings-head-into-offseason-with-little-salary-cap-room-but-some-flexibility/

NEW ENGLAND
Benbow Boston Globe: Phillip Dorsett’s role changed, but his preparation never did
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/01/04/phillip-dorsett-role-changed-but-his-preparation-never-did/UMqqN2I0OOt5Y0vFW762BK/amp.html

Thompson Boston Herald: Jason McCourty excited about being in the NFL playoffs
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/01/04/jason-mccourty-excited-about-being-in-the-nfl-playoffs/amp/

NEW ORLEANS
Katzenstein Nola.com: Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone feeling built to last after injury-shortened rookie season
https://www.nola.com//saints/2019/01/saints-linebacker-alex-anzalone-feeling-built-to-last-after-injury-shortened-rookie-season.html

Triplett ESPN NO: Newcomers no more: Eli Apple, Marcus Davenport key to Saints' playoffs

Apple, who is only 23 years old and in his third season since he was selected with the 10th pick in the 2016 draft, has played nearly every snap since joining the Saints. And he has experienced plenty of highs and lows along the way.
The long and physical 6-foot-1, 203-pounder was especially good in Weeks 14 and 15 at Tampa Bay and Carolina -- highlighted by his interception in the end zone before halftime against the Panthers. He has two interceptions and nine pass defenses in 10 games played with the Saints.
But Apple had rough games in Week 13 at Dallas, in Week 16 against Pittsburgh and in Week 17 against Carolina. And even though he has played in only 10 games with New Orleans, he leads the Saints for the entire season with 10 penalties (two declined), including seven pass interference calls.
One interesting trend that has emerged with Apple -- for better and for worse -- is that most of his struggles have come early in games. He appears to play more effectively as he makes in-game adjustments.
That has also been true of the Saints' defense as a whole. That unit has allowed fewer than six points per game in the second half over the past eight games.
"I feel like as the game goes on, we can always get better," Apple said. "I just try to learn things and get more comfortable. I think everybody makes great adjustments, and the communication's always great around here. And we just gotta keep it going."

http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/291712/newcomers-no-more-eli-apple-marcus-davenport-key-to-saints-playoffs?

OAKLAND
Bair NBC Bay Area: With no playoffs for Raiders, a timeline of how the 2018 season fell apart
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/no-playoffs-raiders-timeline-how-2018-season-fell-apart

Gehlken LV Review Journal: Raiders’ Mike Mayock now ‘made man,’ NFL Network co-worker says
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders-nfl/raiders-mike-mayock-now-made-man-nfl-network-co-worker-says-1564365/

Gehlken LV Review Journal: Raiders went without an All-Pro or Pro Bowl selection in same season for first time since 1970 NFL-AFL merger. WR Dwayne Harris and C Rodney Hudson runner-ups for former
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders-nfl/no-raiders-players-selected-to-ap-all-pro-team-1565746/

PHILADELPHIA
Sielski Phil.com: The Eagles weren’t great this season, but they can still prove to be good enough
http://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-nick-foles-nfc-wild-card-playoffs-super-bowl-champions-chicago-bears-philadelphia-20190104.html

Kempski Phillyvoice: Silver lining to Eagles' long injury list is that they may have found long-term role players
https://www.phillyvoice.com/silver-lining-eagles-long-injury-list-they-may-have-found-long-term-role-players/

What type of contract do you anticipate Nick Foles getting? (and who would you expect to target him?)
Peter King (@peter_king)
1/4/19, 7:18 PM
Very interesting. Nick’s a unique guy, a smart guy. He’s not going to chase the last dollar. I really wonder if he might—MIGHT—agree to be the Eagles’ ace relief pitcher for the next couple of years. Don’t know if he will. Maybe a smart franchise (Giants?) will offer him mor

Domowitch Phil.com: Eagles could have changing of the guard against Bears, replacing Stefen Wisniewski with Isaac Seumalo
http://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-offensive-line-stefen-wisniewski-isaac-seumalo-left-guard-20190104.html

Bowen Phil.com: Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks is finally healthy for a playoff game, and he’s pretty excited about it
http://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-jordan-hicks-injury-playoffs-jason-kelce-fletcher-cox-all-pro-20190104.html

PITTSBURGH
Bouchette Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Antonio Brown is the biggest decision of many as Steelers turn to 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/01/04/Antonio-Brown-biggest-decision-of-many-as-Steelers-turn-to-2019-Ben-Roethlisberger-James-Conner-Le-Veon-Bell-Mike-Tomlin-JuJu-Smith-Schuster-T-J-Watt-Bud-Dupree/stories/201901030130

Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Steelers fire outside linebackers coach Joey Porter
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/01/04/joey-porter-fired-steelers-mike-tomlin/stories/201901040112

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Injury riddled 49ers fire strength coach Ray Wright
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Injury-riddled-49ers-fire-strength-coach-Ray-13508752.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Analysis: The Cowboys have changed a lot since their first meeting, but so have the Seahawks
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/nfl-extra-column-seahawks-got-season-started-against-cowboys-but-arent-going-to-want-to-finish-it-in-dallas/?

Cotterill News Tribune: D.J. Fluker has found what he and Seahawks hope is home

“He signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Giants in 2017, when he teamed up with current Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari there and began converting from tackle to guard. It didn’t go well at first there, either

“When I first played guard, I wasn’t sure what I was doing,” Fluker said. “You throw a guy from tackle to guard and say he’s going to do great, but that’s what people think. You got to give them time to grow into that position and understand it.”
Fluker said it took him until about his third game there to feel comfortable.
“I had time to grow into it and understand what the hell I was actually doing,” he laughed. “I took a while. But I finally started picking it up and it wasn’t as hard as I was at first thinking.
“Plus, I’m a big dude. So I take up a whole lot of space and I use my size to my advantage now. And being here with Coach Solari, a second year going through his system, that helped me play faster and understand better the concepts.”

https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article223910630.html

TENNESSEE
Bacharach The Tennessean: Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees plans to return in 2019
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2019/01/04/tennessee-titans-dean-pees-defensive-coordinator-2019/2486132002/

Rexrode The Tennessean: Let's play Titans GM Jon Robinson — and make this defense great
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2019/01/04/titans-offseason-plan-defense-key-rexrode-vrabel-mariota-jurrell-casey/2465722002/

WASHINGTON
Carpenter Washington Post: Redskins Coach Jay Gruden to return in 2019
https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/sports/2019/01/04/redskins-coach-jay-gruden-return/#click=https://t.co/j3BFNLKaL8

Keim ESPN Washington: As Alex Smith recovers, Redskins' quest for QB begins anew
http://www.espn.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/38001/as-alex-smith-recovers-redskins-quest-for-qb-begins-anew?platform=amp#click=https://t.co/xYcDrtE1DG

Colleges/Draft

Miller B/R: Matt Miller's Scouting Notebook: Dwayne Haskins Emerges as the Draft's Top QB

“Due to that weakness in the 2019 draft (one scout told me it's "Bosa, Quinnen and then nothing"), expect teams in the top of the round on Day 1 to be sellers. Both the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets could benefit from sliding back and allowing a team like Jacksonville to come up and select a quarterback early in the round. With only five picks, the 49ers could definitely benefit from a trade back that refills their draft chest.”

“Here's my most recent top 32:
1. Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
2. Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
3. Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
4. Devin White, LB, LSU
5. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
6. Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
7. Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan
8. Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State
9. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
10. Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
11. Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
12. Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
13. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
14. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State”

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2813766-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-dwayne-haskins-emerges-as-the-drafts-top-qb.amp.html

Kahler MMQB: Which NFL Draft Prospects Caught Scouts’ Attention This Bowl Season?
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/04/bowl-season-draft-prospect-stocks

AP: Georgia's Riley Ridley, Mecole Hardman, Isaac Nauta, Elijah Holyfield to enter NFL draft
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2019/story/_/id/25685452/riley-ridley-mecole-hardman-isaac-nauta-elijah-holyfield-georgia-bulldogs-enter-nfl-draft?

RB
Kussoy NYP: Childhood Alabama fan is trying to run Clemson to a national title
https://nypost.com/2019/01/04/childhood-alabama-fan-is-trying-to-run-clemson-to-a-national-title/

WR
Ledyard The Draft Network: N.C. State wide receiver Kelvin Harmon is a tank, ladies and gentlemen.
I finished his formal evaluation and I am a big fan of his game. Polished and ready to make an impact early
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/01/04/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-kelvin-harmon/

C
Murphy ESPN: Buckeyes' center Michael Jordan to enter NFL draft
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25684393/ohio-state-buckeye-michael-jordan-enter-nfl-draft?

DE
Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks)
1/4/19, 10:21 PM
Three things I love about Miss State edge rusher Montez Sweat:
1) HS TE
2) Hoops background
3) outstanding production in SEC

NFL DL coaches love that combo when you’re discussing players in the draft room

History

Roberts SB Nation: A Date To Remember: A loss, a pledge, a Super Bowl run
Carl Banks looks back on a players-only meeting that drove the Giants’ to their 1986 Super Bowl run
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2019/1/4/18167617/ny-giants-history-1986-a-date-to-remember-the-giants-make-a-pledge

Bowen Phil.com: Hugh Douglas says his tone-setting hit in the last Eagles-Bears playoff game would get him banned now
http://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-hugh-douglas-jim-miller-bears-playoffs-nfc-20190104.html

Kenney Chicago Sun Times: Mike Ditka returns to golf after heart attack, excited for Bears playoff game
https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/mike-ditka-returns-to-golf-after-heart-attack-excited-for-bears-playoff-game/

Jenkins SF Chronicle: Whatever happened to Raiders great Warren Wells? A documentary tells the tale
https://www.sfchronicle.com/raiders/amp/Whatever-happened-to-Raiders-great-Warren-Wells-13509475.php

Giants Birthdays 1-05

Bill Currier SS TR-NE 1981 NYG 1981-1985 1-05-1955

In Memoriam

Al Blozis RT D5-Georgetown 1942 NYG 1942-1944 Born 1-05-2018 Died 1-31-1945

Paul Governali QB TR-BOS 1947 NYG 1947-1948 Born 1-05-1921 Died 2-15-1978