Giants
Giants.com: Fact or Fiction: Options for draft, free agency
https://www.giants.com/news/fact-or-fiction-options-for-draft-free-agency
QB
Pizzuta BBV: Podcast: Mark Schofield joins to break down Giants’ quarterback options (Audio)
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/2/8/18216959/podcast-mark-schofield-joins-to-break-down-ny-giants-quarterback-options-dwayne-haskins-eli-manning
RB
Dunleavy NJ.com: How can Giants' Saquon Barkley improve after winning Rookie of the Year? Pass protection? Insticts? | Ask the experts
https://www.nj.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/02/c3b9e3d79f7090/how-can-giants-saquon-barkley-improve-after-winning-rookie-of-the-year-pass-protection-insticts-ask-the-experts.html
CB
Giants Mobile: Inside the Film Room: Grant Haley (Video)
https://www.giants.com/video/inside-the-film-room-grant-haley
NFL
ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Blank counting on co-team builders to lead a turnaround
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/blank-counting-team-builders-lead-turnaround/7eysOXEdUrxAq2pIsfTiBJ/?
BALTIMORE
Shaffer Baltimore Sun: As Lamar Jackson, Le'Veon Bell connect on social media, an NFL pairing with Ravens remains unlikely
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-lamar-jackson-leveon-bell-20190208-story.html
BUFFALO
Carucci Buffalo News: One-on-One Coverage: Bill Polian on starting new league, direction of Bills and Josh Allen
https://buffalonews.com/2019/02/08/buffalo-bills-bill-polian-alliance-of-american-football-nfl-football-one-on-one-coverage-vic-carucci/
CAROLINA
Rodrigue Charlotte Observer: Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he must evolve — and that the process has started
https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article225934655.html
CLEVELAND
McManaman ESPN Cleveland: Baker Mayfield raising expectations and attracting respected coordinators
http://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/26730/baker-mayfield-raising-expectations-and-attracting-respected-coordinators
DENVER
O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos trading for top-3 pick in NFL draft could change the franchise
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/02/08/broncos-trade-quarterback-nfl-draft/amp/
DETROIT
Twentyman Lions.com: Kennard: Harrison's attitude a great addition to Lions' defense
https://www.detroitlions.com/news/kennard-harrison-s-attitude-a-great-addition-to-lions-defense
GREEN BAY
Wood Mil JS: Packers grades: Aggressive approach could be in store for rebuilding offensive line
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2019/02/08/packers-grades-aggressive-rebuild-could-loom-offensive-line/2782580002/
HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans TE Ryan Griffin 'really excited' about new OC Tim Kelly
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-Ryan-Griffin-excited-new-OC-Tim-Kelly-13602352.php
INDIANAPOLIS
Walker Colts.com: Quenton Nelson: Left Guard AND Point Guard?
https://www.colts.com/news/quenton-nelson-left-guard-and-point-guard
JACKSONVILLE
Frenette Florida Times Union: Coughlin's HOF case could be as long a wait as Boselli
“The significant impediment for Coughlin is three others who won two Super Bowls as head coaches – Jimmy Johnson, George Seifert and Tom Flores – have been eligible for over a decade, with only Flores and Johnson making it as a finalist. Another, former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is tied with Coughlin at 170 wins and didn't make the finals this year.
Also, Coughlin's win percentage of .531 (170-150) is lower than any Hall of Fame coach except the .502 mark (130-129-7) of Weeb Eubank, who earned his bust largely by guiding the New York Jets' historic upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.
It would help Coughlin's case immensely if the Hall of Fame changed its rules and moved the coaches into a separate category with contributors, instead of putting them in the same pool with the players. The idea is starting to gain more traction among the 48-member voting body, but that decision will be up to the HOF Board of Directors.
"Until they put the coaches in the contributor category, all of them are going to be long shots," said longtime voter Rick Gosselin, a Dallas-based writer with the Talk of Fame network.”
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190208/gene-frenette-coughlins-hof-case-could-be-as-long-wait-as-boselli
Reid Florida Times Union: NFL, Jags see decrease in concussions in 2018
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190206/nfl-jags-see-decrease-in-concussions-in-2018
KANSAS CITY
Kerkhoff KC Star: Two with Spagnuolo connections could soon be added to Chiefs’ defensive coaching staff
https://amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article226000950.html
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Dennis Rams.com: Longest-tenured Ram Rodger Saffold on upcoming free agency: “I don’t think it’s any surprise that I want to be back.”
https://www.therams.com/news/longest-tenured-ram-rodger-saffold-on-upcoming-free-agency-i-don-t-think-it-s-an
MIAMI
Salguero Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins rebuild? Here’s a plan for an aggressive tear-down to start
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article225952960.html
Deen Sun Sentinel: For new Dolphins coach Brian Flores, charity event hits close to home
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-brian-flores-golf-tournament-20190208-story.html
Kelly Sun Sentinel: Brian Flores hires first time playcallers as Dolphins' coordinators
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-coaches-20190208-story.html
Beasley Miami Herald: Dolphins’ Grant provides health update, explains why he got emotional over Gase firing
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article225981575.html
Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly)
2/9/19, 5:11 AM
I’ll say this about the Parcells era, it took me YEARS to understand the 3-4 and what makes it work. Very complicated scheme that requires unique individuals. This won’t be easy for the Dolphins to infuse
Beasley Miami Herald: The Dolphins’ Jones gets operation for second time in 3 years because of shoulder injury
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article225982720.html
Kelly Sun Sentinel: Miami Dolphins re-sign veteran long snapper John Denney
[url]https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-sign-john-denney-20190208-story,amp.html[/url]
NEW ENGLAND
Duffy Boston Herald: Patriots lose three assistant coaches to Brian Flores’ Dolphins staff
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/02/08/patriots-lose-three-assistant-coaches-to-brian-flores-dolphins-staff/amp/
Princiotti Boston Globe: Patriots didn’t need a perfect balance between offense and defense to win
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/02/08/patriots-didn-need-perfect-balance-between-offense-and-defense-win/VBj2oMepJIekeBKhgxVTiK/amp.html
NEW ORLEANS
Underhill NO Advocate: Saints rookie review: Tre'Quan Smith had flashes, but looks to improve with deeper understanding
https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_3fd7611c-2bd7-11e9-94b2-8fdb262a6f89.amp.html
Katzenstein Nola.com: Keith Kirkwood hopes to be a key contributor for Saints in 2019
https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/02/keith-kirkwood-hopes-to-be-a-key-contributor-for-saints-in-2019.html
Underhill NO Advocate: Source: Saints DE Alex Okafor's final year of contract to void in March due to sack bonus
https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_55faf0c0-2bec-11e9-8472-7713c33a5325.amp.html
OAKLAND
Gehlken LV Review Journal: Lease deal for Raiders to play in Oakland next season still on table
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders-nfl/lease-deal-for-raiders-to-play-in-oakland-next-season-still-on-table-1590861/
PHILADELPHIA
McLqne Phil.com: Eagles promote assistants Phillip Daniels and Carson Walch as DL and WRs coaches
https://www.philly.com/eagles/phillip-daniels-carson-walch-promotions-philadelphia-eagles-coaching-staff-20190208.html
McLane Phil.com: The X’s and O’s behind Carson Wentz’s ‘healthy’ involvement (or otherwise) in the Eagles’ offense
https://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-carson-wentz-offense-doug-pederson-mike-groh-20190208.html
Corry CBS Sports: Agent's Take: If Eagles use the franchise tag on Nick Foles, here are the possible risks and rewards
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-if-eagles-use-the-franchise-tag-on-nick-foles-heres-a-look-at-possible-risks-rewards/amp/
PITTSBURGH
Adamski Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Mason Rudolph reflects on rookie season on Steelers' bench
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/14592120-74/qb-mason-rudolph-reflects-what-he-learned-from-rookie-season-on-steelers
Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Steelers sign LB Robert Spillane and RB Malik Williams
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/02/08/Steelers-sign-linebacker-Robert-Spillane-and-running-back-Malik-Williams/stories/201902080119
SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, Rams’ Sean McVay add heft to colleagues’ resumes
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/49ers-Kyle-Shanahan-Rams-Sean-McVay-add-13602613.php
SEATTLE
Bell News Tribune: Seahawks Guarantee Friday: Cash for Kam Chancellor, four other veterans--and a snowcam for us
https://amp.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article226009360.html
TAMPA BAY
Vitali Buccaneers.com: Buccaneers Coordinator Q& A: Byron Leftwich
https://www.buccaneers.com/news/buccaneers-coordinator-q-a-byron-leftwich
Auman The Athletic: ‘Something I’m never going to see again’: An oral history of how Marshall’s Byron Leftwich played on a broken leg
https://theathletic.com/805783/2019/02/08/something-im-never-going-to-see-again-an-oral-history-of-how-marshalls-byron-leftwich-played-on-a-broken-leg/
WASHINGTON
Carpenter Washington Post: Redskins hire Tim Rattay as quarterbacks coach
https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/sports/2019/02/08/redskins-hire-tim-rattay-quarterbacks-coach/
Colleges/Draft
T
Pflum BBV: 2019 NFL Draft prospect profile: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/2/8/18216811/2019-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-jawaan-taylor-ot-florida-scouting-report-ny-giants
LB
Fran Duffy (@fduffy3)
2/9/19, 5:39 AM
Up early studying LB Devin Bush. Explosive, powerful kid with a throwback mentality. You don’t see many linebackers these days who can play sideline to sideline but also come downhill and do this..
S
The Draft Network: 2019 NFL DRAFT PLAYER PROFILE: TAYLOR RAPP
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/02/08/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-taylor-rapp/
AAF
Heifetz The Ringer: The AAF Is Your Fun-As-Hell, Empty-Calorie Cure for the Super Bowl Hangover
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/2/8/18216486/aaf-new-football-league-christian-hackenberg-alliance-american
Schrontenboer USA Today: How new pro football leagues could change the NFL and college game
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/02/08/pro-football-new-leagues-aaf-xfl-change-nfl-college-game/2800945002/
History
Varley Steelers.com: The Steelers first ever pick. February 8, 1936...Back William Shakespeare selected in the first round of the NFL Draft
https://www.steelers.com/news/the-steelers-first-ever-pick
Giants Birthdays 2-09
Saquon Barkley RB D1-Penn State 2018 NYG 2018 2-09-1997
Giants.com: SAQUON'S ROOKIE RUN
https://www.giants.com/saquon
Brad Maynard P D3-Ball State 1997 NYG 1997-2000 2-09-1974
NYP (2001) Maynard leaves Giants for Bears bucks
“Four years ago, the Giants selected Brad Maynard out of Ball State with a third-round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft – the highest they’ve ever used on a punter. At the time, the Giants believed Maynard was an outstanding prospect and that they had taken care of their punting situation for a decade.
It never quite turned out that way and yesterday Maynard became the first defection from the 2000 NFC champions. Believing the Giants merely had lukewarm interest in re-signing him, Maynard traveled to Chicago and did not leave before striking a five-year, $5.25 million deal with the Bears, according to Maynard’s agent, Richard De Luca. The deal also includes a signing bonus of $1 million, making Maynard the third highest-paid punter in the league, trailing only Craig Hentrich and Mitch Berger, both of whom also handle kickoff duties. For pure punters, Maynard is the highest paid, according to De Luca.
“The Giants let us know they wanted Brad back, but they never put an offer on the table,” De Luca said last night. “We got into the situation where we couldn’t count on the Giants. In free agency you strike while the iron is hot.”
Maynard’s gross average of 40.6 yards this past season was the lowest of his four-year stay with the Giants. In his last game with the team, Maynard set a Super Bowl record by punting 11 times, but he averaged only 38.4 yards, showing the inconsistency that convinced the Giants they probably could get similar results at a cheaper price.
For Maynard, who did not always agree with the directional kicking style preferred by special teams coach Larry MacDuff, this is a chance to play closer to home, as he is from Sheridan, Ind. The Bears last season used youngster Brent Bartholomew and veteran Louis Aguiar as their punters and both were awful...”
https://nypost.com/2001/03/04/maynard-leaves-giants-for-bears-bucks/
Dave Young TE D2-Purdue 1981 NYG 1981 2-09-1959
NYT: Young Finds Making Giants Is Not Easy (7-28-1981)
“When the Giants selected Dave Young, the Purdue tight end, on the second round of last April's National Football League draft, many football people were shocked.
They did not figure that Young, though a unanimous all-American, would be selected so high. They questioned his concentration when catching passes. They wondered why his blocking was so erratic, when he blocked at all. Some criticized his attitude. Some called him lazy.
Now, almost halfway through training camp, the report cards are cautious. ''He is showing good, steady improvement,'' said Coach Ray Perkins today at the Giants' training camp. ''It's a learning process,'' said Pat Hodgson, the receiver coach. ''His catching is not great, but he has jammed thumbs. He is doing a pretty good job blocking.''
''I'm learning,'' Young said. ''My blocking is improving. I have a problem catching passes now because of my thumbs. I dropped that pass in practice this morning because I couldn't squeeze the ball.'' Size and Speed
But a healthy Dave Young can be a different story. He is 6 feet 6 inches, 240 pounds, and has run 40 yards in 4.62 seconds. His moves are good enough to free him from pass defenders. The Giants thought enough of him to sign him to a series of five one-year contracts worth $565,000.
He is sure to make the 45-man team, although Gary Shirk or Tom Mullady, both veterans, will probably start. But the questions remain.
''In college,'' said the player personnel director of another N.F.L. team, ''his minuses canceled his pluses. He was a 50-50 player. Bennie Cunningham of the Steelers was the same way. So is Benjie Pryor, the Bengals' rookie. Young has the skills to make it. It's up to his coaches to turn him on -if he wants to be turned on.''
Young said he wanted to succeed, but there were new problems. ''Right now,'' he said, ''I'm banged up. My thumbs are throbbing from pain, and I have to ice them four times a day. My right shoulder is bruised. My right knee has a little tendinitis. My left hamstring is tight. We've been going for two weeks straight. I'm not tired, but my body is just not as fluid as when I'm rested.'' Blocking Questions
What about his blocking? ''At Purdue,'' he said, ''we didn't run that much. We passed maybe 60 percent of the time, and when we ran, we ran a lot of stuff to the weak side. So I didn't have to do a lot of blocking on the line. That's one reason my blocking was not as good as it could have been. And maybe I had poor blocking technique because I lacked concentration.''
''His college blocking was not very good,'' Perkins said. ''He kind of zinged it two out of 3 downs. Just how good he'll be depends on him.''
One problem for Young has been trying to make the grade in pro football and keep his 22-year-old body together. ''When you get up in the morning,'' he said, ''you're aching. Sometimes, you don't know if you'll make it. Your body doesn't want to move. Mainly you're trying to survive and get to the point where you feel good.
''You'll try anything. You go to bed early, maybe 9:30 or 10 P.M. In the morning, you get up and you feel worse. I guess that's what training camp is all about.''
https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/28/sports/young-finds-making-giants-is-not-easy.html
Chicago Tribune: TIGHT ENDS ARE RARE, BUT BEARS KEEP LOOKING (1987)
“Maybe it is all Kellen Winslow`s fault.
In 1979, the San Diego Chargers drafted Missouri`s Winslow in the first round. The Bears passed him up twice to take defensive linemen Dan Hampton and Al Harris. Winslow was so highly regarded that fans, who then were allowed into a hotel ballroom when the Bears made their announcement, booed the failure to take him.
Winslow revolutionized the position in San Diego`s innovative attack. He was a big man who could block, but more importantly, he had the speed to get downfield and catch passes.
Everybody wanted a Kellen Winslow...
In 1981, Kansas City drafted South Carolina`s Willie Scott No. 1, and in the second round, the Giants took Purdue`s Dave Young, Green Bay took Texas-Arlington`s Gary Lewis and Denver took Brigham Young`s Clay Brown.
Little was heard from any of them after draft day...
''Some colleges strictly throw the ball to kids,'' Ditka said. ''We need people who can block.''
If the colleges run, many use the wishbone attack with an extra tackle instead of a traditional tight end who can block, run and catch.
''When you get a big one who can run, he doesn`t block; when you get a big one who can block, he doesn`t run,'' Tobin said. ''They are very difficult to find.''
According to Sanders, they are also difficult to scout.
''What do you look for?'' Sanders asked. ''When they go out in a pass pattern, it`s always play-action, so it`s easy to get open. They don`t have to use skill to get open. You can send a tackle out on play-action.''
In looking for the next Winslow, scouts did more wishing and missing.
''All those high draft choices had the size and speed you look for, but they weren`t great players. They missed something else,'' Tobin said. ''You picked them, but you were all holding your breath hoping somebody else took them...”
In Memoriam
Tommy Myers B UDFA-Fordham 1925 NYG 1925 Born 2-09-1901 Died 7-01-1944
The New York Giants' NFL Legacy Began With a Game Played in New Britain
The high school team receives the most attention, and its legacy defines Willow Brook Park. But the city park’s history includes another remarkable footnote — it played host to the New York Giants’ inaugural game on Oct. 4, 1925.
When Hinkey Haines returned a punt 57 yards for another touchdown, the Giants took a 20-0 lead into halftime. Thorpe didn’t play in the second half, and the last two quarters were quiet, save for Paul Jappe’s 35-yard touchdown catch from New Britain native Tommy Myers to cap New York’s scoring. (Myers, a halfback and quarterback at Fordham, played two NFL seasons, for the Giants in 1925 and the Brooklyn Lions in their only season in 1926.)
http://www.connecticutmag.com/the-connecticut-story/the-new-york-giants-nfl-legacy-began-with-a-game/article_d4b74f24-7000-11e8-8baf-4711e13593bf.html
Dom Principe B D9-Fordham 1940 NYG 1940-1942 Born 2-09-1917 Died 4-09-2010
Fordham University:
“A rugged back who was a major part of Fordham’s offense, Dominic Alfred Principe was also a member of both the Football Giants (1940-42) and the A.A.F.C. Brooklyn Dodgers (1946). At Fordham, he played both ways but was primarily a fullback tough to stop in short-yardage situations. Principe led the 1939 Rams in scoring with seven touchdowns for a 6-2 team that scored only 124 points that season. Though basically a short-yardage runner, he was capable of the occasional long run, such as the 63-yard scoring run against South Carolina in 1938 and a 37-yard run against Waynesburg the same year. His younger brother, Joe, was a reserve back on the 1939 team when Dominic was a senior.”
