Saturday Reading

Giants

QB

Schwartz NYP: Dwayne Haskins dreaming of a Giants future — even if it starts behind Eli
https://nypost.com/2019/02/01/dwayne-haskins-dreaming-of-a-giants-future-even-if-it-starts-behind-eli/amp/#click=https://t.co/3D9J4gUg8K

Politi NJ.com: Dwayne Haskins is ready for a Giant spotlight as quarterback’s NFL Draft stock rises
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/02/dwayne-haskins-is-ready-for-a-giant-spotlight-as-quarterbacks-nfl-draft-stock-rises-politi.html

S

Eisen Giants.com: Walter Payton nominee Michael Thomas continues to make a difference off the field
https://www.giants.com/news/walter-payton-nominee-michael-thomas-continues-to-make-a-difference-off-the-fiel

NFL

Slater NJ.com: NFL free agents 2019: Breaking down latest salary cap situation (and needs) for all 32 teams | Who has most room? Where do Giants, Eagles, Jets rank?

18. Giants
Salary cap space: $24,402,094 
Team needs: QB, DL, OT

https://www.nj.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/02/2f6ea99df17974/nfl-free-agents-2019-breaking-down-latest-salary-cap-situation-and-needs-for-all-32-teams-who-has-most-room-where-do-giants-eagles-jets-rank.html

Branch SF Chronicle: Bay Area QBs Jared Goff and Tom Brady in Super Bowl LIII spotlight
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Bay-Area-QBs-Jared-Goff-and-Tom-Brady-in-Super-13581500.php

Politi NJ.com: We asked hungry 300-pounders in Super Bowl 53 to order from world's largest drive-in | (And yes, the Rams and Patriots want fries with that!)
https://www.nj.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/02/a062265e4d7637/i-asked-18-300pounders-in-super-bowl-53-to-order-off-menu-of-worlds-largest-drivein-restuarant-rams-patriots-dish-.html

Belsen NYT: For N.F.L. Retirees, Opioids Bring More Pain
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/02/sports/nfl-opioids-.amp.html

ARIZONA
McManaman AZ Central: Source: Cardinals are retaining Chris Achuff, who will be promoted to defensive line coach
https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/2744731002

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Rams enjoying the Falcons’ facilities
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/rams-enjoying-the-falcons-facilities/rKyZ7FxX8oqB2daGKph5zH/amp.html

Frye Falcons.com: Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan On Rams' Super Bowl Chances, Postseason Mindset
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyfrye/2019/02/01/falcons-qb-matt-ryan-on-rams-super-bowl-chances-postseason-mindset/amp/

BALTIMORE
Brown Ravens.com: Ravens Believe Lamar Jackson’s Presence Is a Plus to Attract Free Agents
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-believe-lamar-jackson-s-presence-is-a-plus-to-attract-free-agents

Shaffer Baltimore Sun: Ravens promote Matt Weiss to running backs coach, filling final staff vacancy
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-matt-weiss-running-backs-coach-20190201-story.html

CAROLINA
Fowler Charlotte Observer: Julius Peppers: An appreciation of an extraordinary career
https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article225405230.html

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: Don't fall for the 'Today' show smoke screen with Cody Parkey. For the Bears, it's all about his misses
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-cody-parkey-today-show-special-teams-biggs-20190201-story.html

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns WR Rashard Higgins to John Dorsey on extension talks: ‘Let’s do it’
https://www.cleveland.com//browns/2019/02/browns-rashard-higgins-to-john-dorsey-on-extension-talks-lets-do-it.html

DALLAS
Hill Fort Worth Star Telegram: It’s time the Cowboys learn from the Rams’ Super Bowl blueprint and act on these changes
https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article225407515.html

DENVER
O’Halloran Denver Post: NFL Journal: Vic Fangio led only defense to completely contain Rams in 2018
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/02/01/nfl-journal-vic-fangio-led-only-defense-to-completely-contain-rams-in-2018/amp/

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Barry Sanders: Calvin Johnson-Lions rift will be mended 'eventually'
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/02/01/calvin-johnson-detroit-lions-barry-sanders/2747228002/

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Lions showed Super Bowl LIII teams blueprint how to beat each other
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2745917002

Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions LB Devon Kennard: Why I'm confident a turnaround is coming in 2019 (Video)
https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2019/02/01/detroit-lions-lb-devon-kennard-why-im-confident-turnaround-coming-2019/2747390002/

GREEN BAY
Owaczarski Mil JS: Packers name Shawn Mennenga special teams coordinator, retain assistant Maurice Drayton
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2019/02/01/packers-officially-name-shawn-mennenga-special-teams-coordinator/2744591002/

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: Brian Hoyer says Bill O’Brien should keep calling plays for Texans
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/mcclain/amp/Brian-Hoyer-says-Bill-O-Brien-should-keep-13581330.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Walker Colts.com: Colts Want To Continue To Add Offensive Line Depth
https://www.colts.com/news/colts-want-to-continue-to-add-offensive-line-depth

Erickson Indianapolis Star: Darius Leonard soaking up Super Bowl with Defensive Rookie of the Year decision looming
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2019/02/01/defensive-rookie-year-darius-leonard-super-bowl-antonio-gates-indianapolis-colts/2745598002/

KANSAS CITY
Pryor KC Star: Clark Hunt recounts Chiefs’ season, lobbies for evaluation of NFL overtime rules
https://amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article225441710.html

Pryor KC Star: Anonymous no more, Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes causes stir at Friday’s NFL Experience
https://amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article225438700.html

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Manzano OC Register: Chargers’ Philip Rivers fights back tears in heartfelt speech to San Diego
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/01/chargers-philip-rivers-fights-back-tears-in-heartfelt-speech-to-san-diego/

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Farmer LA Times: Rams owner Stan Kroenke brought the NFL back to L.A.; maybe a Super Bowl title is next
https://www.latimes.com/sports/super-bowl/la-sp-super-bowl-rams-kroenke-20190201-story.html

Clark The Ringer: Inside Sean McVay’s Beautiful Mind
In a rapidly changing NFL, the Rams offense remains ahead of the curve. McVay’s master plan has been to maximize every advantage, constantly keep teams guessing, and give Jared Goff easy options on every play
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/2/1/18206647/sean-mcvay-jared-goff-rams-super-bowl-offense

Stapleton The Record: Inside Rams assistant coach Jedd Fisch's amazing journey from NJ to Super Bowl LIII
https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/02/01/inside-los-angeles-rams-coach-jedd-fischs-wild-journey-nj-super-bowl-liii/2732322002/

Klein LA Times: Rams’ Cooper Kupp explains his silence since season-ending knee injury
https://www.latimes.com/sports/super-bowl/la-sp-rams-cooper-kupp-20190131-story.html

Spratling LA Times: Andrew Whitworth wants Rams to be stubborn vs. Patriots in Super Bowl
https://www.latimes.com/sports/super-bowl/whitworth-want-rams-stubborn-20190201-story.html?outputType=amp

Klein LA Times: Aaron Donald looks to follow in the footsteps of Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt
https://www.latimes.com/sports/super-bowl/la-sp-super-bowl-notes-20190201-story.html

Spratling LA Times: Ndamukong Suh says Rams focused on stopping run first, getting to Tom Brady second
https://www.latimes.com/sports/super-bowl/rams-are-not-kansas-city-20190201-story.html

Dunleavy NJ.com: Rams rookie Sebastian Joseph-Day, of Rutgers doesn’t need Super Bowl to make name for his Haitian family ... but he wants it!
https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2019/02/rams-rookie-sebastian-joseph-day-of-rutgers-doesnt-need-super-bowl-to-make-name-for-his-haitian-family-but-he-wants-it.html

Rock Newsday: Greg Zuerlein's unique journey to the Super Bowl
https://www.newsday.com/amp/sports/football/super-bowl/super-bowl-53-rams-greg-zuerlein-1.26718431#click=https://t.co/A3ayDIUAFT

MIAMI
Salguero Miami Herald: Patriots coaches coming to Miami Dolphins. Will they bring the Patriot Way with them?
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article225386655.html

NEW ENGLAND
Heifetz The Ringer: The Lessons Sean McVay Can Learn From Each of the Brady-Belichick Super Bowls

“Super Bowl XLII: New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
The Score: Giants 17, Patriots 14
The Lesson: *Kevin Garnett voice* ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLEEEE (if you confuse Tom Brady).
The narrative around this game is that the Giants slayed the Patriots by using a four-man pass rush to get to Brady, but this belies the complexity of how the Giants defense held the greatest offense in NFL history to two scoring drives. First, the Giants blitzed in this game far more often than people remember—a third of the time by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s estimation. The blitzes they tried were exotic, effective, and unpredictable. Take this play in the middle of the second quarter in which two linebackers stand over the center, threatening a six-man blitz up the middle. At the snap, both linebackers drop into pass coverage, showing they were faking. It’s a four-man rush!

JK, it’s a blitz. After linebacker Kawika Mitchell turns away from the line, he turns back to the line—he was faking the fake—and sacks Brady. In addition to the blitzes, the Giants would also rush four men, but not always the four men you’d expect. Here, defensive end Justin Tuck drops into coverage while cornerback Kevin Dockery blitzes the guard. Brady, who has much more time than he thinks, throws the ball away.

This is not to say the Giants defensive line did not physically dominate the Patriots offensive line. They did. But they were able to do so because the Giants confused Brady and his offensive line, and the defense then used the confusion to beat the hell out of them. Just like when the Pats defense slayed the Goliath Rams offense, the Giants had lost to the Patriots in the regular season, but in the rematch, New York was the more physical team sporting a superior game plan.”

“Super Bowl XLVI: New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
The Score: Giants 21, Patriots 17
The Lesson: Shrink the game, don’t make mistakes, and pray.
Underdogs benefit from small sample sizes. Just like an NBA team has better odds of beating the Warriors on one given night than in a best-of-seven series, a football team benefits by giving a superior team (the 2011 Patriots) as few chances as possible. Through a combination of discipline, luck, and prayer, the Giants shrunk the game. In Super Bowl XLII, the Giants had the ball for 30:27 and the Patriots had the ball for 29:33. In this game, the Giants had the ball for 37:05 and the Patriots had it for 22:55. The Giants shrunk the game, but they also got lucky: in a game where they did not turn the ball over, they fumbled on two scoring drives but recovered it each time.”

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/2/1/18206390/super-bowl-liii-tom-brady-bill-belichick-lessons

Pennington NYT: Hidden Gems: Do the Patriots Find Them or Create Them?
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/02/sports/new-england-patriots-belichick.amp.html

Duffy Boston Herald: Many Patriots share structured background

“All told, about one-fifth of the Patriots roster grew up with a military or law enforcement influence.
One former NFL general manager said the number “intuitively seems high” when compared with other teams, but acknowledged he’s never analyzed the topic. Patriots character coach Jack Easterby believes most teams would be lucky to have two or three players from this type of background.
“When I was in college, I wasn’t really around a lot of people that had mom or dad or whatnot in the military,” Roberts said. “Once I got here, I was like, ‘Oh wow.’”
Are the Patriots seeking out these players?
The short answer, according to Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, is no. They’re simply looking for characteristics that will translate to their program, which is famously rigorous and detail-oriented. As former Patriots like to say, New England isn’t for everyone.
The Patriots keep a tight draft board, deeming only about 50-75 players as draftable, Caserio once said. The profiles they develop on each player lists grades for 15-20 traits. Among the traits are intangibles such as “mental toughness,” which after exhaustive research are assigned a numerical value. As part of the research process, scouts dig deep to learn the players’ background stories, discover what influences they had. And then they observe.
“How do they handle adversity? How do they handle transition?” Caserio said. “You’re looking for patterns of behavior.”’

https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/02/01/many-patriots-share-structured-background/amp/

Paylor Yahoo Sports: Bill Belichick’s old-school method to developing coaches starts with pencils, papers and patience
https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichicks-old-school-method-developing-coaches-starts-pencils-papers-patience-144917817.html

Orr MMQB: The Wild Story of How Bill Belichick Discovered the Benefits of Sleep Floatation Tanks
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/01/patriots-sleep-float-tanks-bill-belichick-josh-mcdaniels-tom-brady

Erickson Indianapolis Star: No hard feelings for former Colts in Super Bowl: Dwayne Allen, Phillip Dorsett, John Simon
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2019/02/01/indianapolis-colts-super-bowl-dwayne-allen-phillip-dorsett-john-simon-new-england-patriots/2746664002/

Kryk Toronto Sun: Patriots' rookie runner Sony Michel already has learned 'rare' patience
https://torontosun.com/sports/football/nfl/patriots-rookie-runner-sony-michel-already-has-learned-rare-patience/amp#click=https://t.co/3T6fQv0vq4

Hewitt Boston Herald: Under the radar, James Develin continues to be critical for Patriots
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/02/01/under-the-radar-james-develin-continues-to-be-critical-for-patriots/amp/

Cannizzaro NYP: The Julian Edelman problem Rams must solve to win
https://nypost.com/2019/02/01/the-julian-edelman-problem-rams-must-solve-to-win/

Yang Boston Globe: At Berkeley, Jaylen Brown and Jared Goff were big friends on campus
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/02/01/berkeley-jaylen-brown-and-jared-goff-were-big-friends-campus/LLTcyGbyhx36bqMFSJqF5H/amp.html

Hartman Boston.com: Joe Thuney’s journey to the NFL proves a prospect’s development path is rarely clear
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2019/02/01/joe-thuney-nfl-patriots-prospect-development/amp

Yang Boston Globe: Patriots’ field goal unit knows how to take the pressure off
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/02/01/patriots-field-goal-unit-knows-how-take-pressure-off/zNqm1vgSx15QELNsIbf5qM/amp.html

NEW ORLEANS
Katzenstein Nola.com: 7 myths about the Saints-Rams no-call dispelled
https://www.nola.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/02/da33d29f385174/7-myths-about-the-saintsrams-nocall-dispelled.html

Walker NO Advocate: Saints WR Keith Kirkwood : "This is just another test for us and we'll be back"
https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_fa6a0f7a-2664-11e9-9873-47b06fd79c3f.amp.html

Katzenstein Nola.com: New Orleans Saints dismiss special teams coachesl
https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/02/saints-surprisingly-moving-on-from-special-teams-staff.html

PHILADELPHIA
Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles stay or go: Jim Schwartz and Mike Groh
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-stay-or-go-jim-schwartz-and-mike-groh/amp/

McLane Phil.com: Chris Long won’t return to Eagles or join another NFL team just to be a 'locker-room guy’
http://www.philly.com/eagles/chris-long-eagles-nfl-man-of-the-year-rams-patriots-super-bowl-locker-room-guy-20190201.html

Fierro Allentown Morning Call: Eagles evaluations: Specialists can be improved through competition
https://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/mc-spt-eagles-special-teams-evaluations-20190201-story.html

PITTSBURGH
Starkey Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Steelers offense would survive, maybe thrive, without Antonio Brown
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2019/01/31/Joe-Starkey-Steelers-offense-would-survive-maybe-thrive-without-Antonio-Brown/stories/201901310191

Bouchette Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Ryan Shazier: 'I definitely want to play again
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/02/01/ryan-shazier-injury-update-steelers-super-bowl-atlanta/stories/201902010098

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ George Kittle on recruiting Antonio Brown: Jimmy Garoppolo started it
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-George-Kittle-on-recruiting-Antonio-13580457.php

Branch SF Chronicle: Ex-49er Trent Brown playing for a Super Bowl ring with Patriots
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/Ex-49er-Trent-Brown-playing-for-a-Super-Bowl-ring-13581854.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Report: NFL found no evidence of tampering by Dallas Cowboys with Earl Thomas
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/report-nfl-found-no-evidence-of-tampering-by-dallas-cowboys-with-earl-thomas/?

TAMPA BAY
Laine ESPN TB: Bucs could take pages from Wade Phillips' book in switch to 3-4 defense
http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/293557/bucs-could-take-pages-from-wade-phillips-book-in-switch-to-3-4-defense?

TENNESSEE
Bacharach The Tennessean: 6 Titans story lines to keep tabs on this offseason
https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/2701005002

Davenport ESPN Nashville: Titans' Dennis Kelly to battle for starting role following tumultuous 2018 season
http://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/27770/titans-dennis-kelly-to-battle-for-starting-role-following-tumultuous-2018-season?

WASHINGTON
Dreyfuss Redskins.com: 2018 Redskins Season In Review: Offensive Line
https://www.redskins.com/news/2018-redskins-season-in-review-offensive-line

Colleges/Draft

QB
Sikkema The Draft Network: MURRAY’S TROUBLING UNCERTAINTY REFLECTS FATHER’S FATEFUL DECISION
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/02/01/murrays-troubling-uncertainty-reflects-fathers-fateful-decision/

WR
The Draft Network: 2019 NFL DRAFT PLAYER PROFILE: LIL’JORDAN HUMPHREY
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/01/31/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-liljordan-humphrey/

DE
Maiocco NBC Bay Area: Possible 49ers draft target Nick Bosa is healthy and ready for a full combine workout
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/possible-49ers-draft-target-nick-bosa-healthy-and-ready-full-combine-workout

The Draft Network: 2019 NFL DRAFT PLAYER PROFILE: CLELIN FERRELL
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/02/01/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-clelin-ferrell/

History

Gosselin Football Maven: Rick Gosselin's 50 Greatest Super Bowl Moments

“2. David Tyree catch. The biggest play in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. The Giants trailed the perfect Patriots 14-10 and found themselves in a third-and-5 from their own 44 with 75 seconds remaining. Eli Manning barely escaped a sack attempt by Richard Seymour, scrambling to keep the play alive, then launched a 32-yard pass to his fifth receiver who was being covered by a Pro Bowl safety. Tyree and Rodney Harrison both contested the jump ball -- with Tyree making a one-handed grab with the ball pinned to his helmet. Four plays later, the Giants were Super Bowl champs.

10. Scott Norwood wide right. The Giants played keep-away from the NFL’s best offense in the 1991 Super Bowl. New York controlled the ball for more than 40 minutes, limiting the scoring opportunities of Jim Kelly and Buffalo’s K-Gun offense. But the Bills still had a chance to steal the game when Norwood lined up for a 47-yard field in the closing seconds. His kick sailed wide right and the Giants prevailed, 20-19.

17. Mario Manningham catch. Trailing New England 17-15 and pinned at their own 12 with 3:46 remaining in the 2012 Super Bowl, the Giants once again asked Eli Manning to lead a game-winning drive against the favored Patriots. Last time his back-breaking target was David Tyree. This time it was Manningham, who caught a 38-yard bomb on the sideline on the first play of the drive to set the stage for the game-winning field. That moved the ball to the 50 and held up under an instant-replay challenge by the Patriots. As they say, the rest is history.

19. Ray Lewis pre-game introduction. How was a quarterback with the modest skills of Trent Dilfer able to win a Super Bowl? Because he played with one of the NFL’s greatest defenses. Led by Lewis, the Ravens set an NFL record for a 16-game season by allowing only 165 points. The Baltimore defense was introduced before the game and Lewis was last out of the tunnel. As he danced onto the field, he bent down, plucked a few twigs of grass and flipped them into the air. “This is our turf,” he said. And it was. Had it not been for a kickoff return for a touchdown by Ron Dixon, the Ravens would have posted the only shutout in Super Bowl history, winning 34-7. Lewis was the game’s MVP.”

https://footballmaven.io/talkoffame/nfl/rick-gosselin-s-50-greatest-super-bowl-moments-nNy3xbMX5USc7i8mGNwrwg/

Salomone Giants.com: One Giant Victory: An oral history of the winning drive in Super Bowl XLII
https://www.giants.com/news/one-giant-victory-an-oral-history-of-the-winning-drive-in-super-bowl-lii

Somers AZ Republic: An oral history of the Steelers' final drive against Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2019/01/31/how-steelers-beat-cardinals-super-bowl-xliii-10-years-ago/2721891002/

SI.com: What Was the NFL Like During the Last Patriots-Rams Super Bowl?
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/25/super-bowl-tom-brady-bill-belichick-new-england-patriots

Pompei Bleacher Report: Where Are They Now? Super Bowl Hero Tracy Porter Putting His Life Back Together
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2817004-where-are-they-now-super-bowl-hero-tracy-porter-putting-his-life-back-together

AP Twincities.com: Former Vikings QB Wade Wilson dies on 60th birthday
https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/01/former-nfl-qb-and-assistant-coach-wade-wilson-dies-at-age-60/amp/

Pritchard Wausau Daily Herald: 50 years ago, Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch left Los Angeles Rams to come home to Wisconsin
https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/2019/02/01/elroy-crazy-legs-hirsch-left-los-angeles-rams-wisconsin-badgers/2742554002/

Giants Birthdays 2-02

Daryl Jones WR D7-Miami 2002 NYG 2002 2-02-1979

In Memoriam

Elmer Barbour BB/LB D1-Wake Forest 1945 NYG 1945 Born 2-02-1919 Died 2-10-1993

The military draft dominated the 1945 NFL draft, yet despite life during wartime the NFL draft somehow went on for 32 rounds. Few, if any of the players chosen made an impact in the NFL, those that did were special. Five Hall of Famers were selected: Charley Trippi, Crazy Legs Hirsch, Pete Pihos, Tom Fears, and Arnie Weinmeister. And one who should be in the Hall, Charlie Conerly...

But beyond that most everyone else’s career didn’t make it past 1949.

Elmer Barbour the Giants selection was from Wake Forest. A member of the school’s HOF his bio reads:

“Elmer Barbour was an outstanding football player for Wake Forest from 1941-44.
Barbour came to Wake Forest after earning all-state honors at Durham High School. He was switched to blocking back in the single-wing system and served as co-captain of the 1943 team and captain of the 1944 club.
He was named to the All-Southern Conference team in 1943 and 1944 and received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SoCon's best blocker in 1944. "Bullet" Barbour was also considered an outstanding linebacker.
As a senior, Barbour helped lead Wake Forest to an 8-1 record in 1944.”

His NFL career was short, 3 games for the
Giants in 1945. A hip injury forced him to stop playing. Other than a tryout with the Steelers that was it. He then went into coaching and had a much longer career in that field.