Sunday Reading

Giants

RV SNY: Here's the Giants' path to actually being competitive this season
https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/heres-the-giants-path-to-actually-being-competitive-this-season/305296950

Sobkeski B/R: What the Hell Are the New York Giants Trying To Do?
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2825903-what-the-hell-are-the-new-york-giants-trying-to-do.amp.html

PFT: Giants wanted second overall pick from the 49ers for Odell Beckham
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/03/16/giants-wanted-second-overall-pick-from-the-49ers-for-odell-beckham/amp/

Lombardo NJ.com: NFL Draft 2019: 10 players the Giants could target with pick No. 17 acquired in Odell Beckham trade | Montez Sweat, Ed Oliver, Devin White, more
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/03/nfl-draft-2019-10-players-the-giants-could-target-with-pick-no-17-acquired-in-odell-beckham-trade-montez-sweat-ed-oliver-devin-white-more.html

Dunleavy NJ.com: Giants have NFL-high $33.6M in dead salary cap | Here are 2019 free agents and best team you can buy for that price
https://expo.nj.com/sports/g66l-2019/03/be92f95e852279/giants-have-nflhigh-336m-in-dead-salary-cap-here-are-2019-free-agents-and-best-team-you-can-buy-for-that-price.html

GM

Rock Newsday: Time will tell whether or not Dave Gettleman's offseason moves work
https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/dave-gettleman-odell-beckham-jr-landon-collins-1.28591186

QB

Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan)
3/16/19, 5:01 PM
By being on the roster at 4 p.m. (EST) on Saturday Eli Manning will collect his $5M roster bonus and it all but assures him of being a New York Giant for another season. Players have to be terminated by 4 pm Saturday in order not to collect their 5th day of league year bonuses

Dunleavy NJ.com: Eli Manning gets $5M bonus from Giants and surest sign yet he is 2019 starter | What it means
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/03/eli-manning-gets-5m-bonus-from-giants-and-surest-sign-yet-he-is-2019-starter-what-it-means.html

WR

Clayton NYDN: Giants WR Sterling Shepard needed time to 'process' Odell Beckham trade
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-sports-odell-beckham-shepard-20190316-story.html

OLB

Markus Golden (@markusgolden)
3/16/19, 2:02 PM
Thank you to the Bidwill family, the entire AZCardinals organization, my teammates and last but not least the amazing BirdGang fans! We enjoyed the last four years here, and are grateful for all the love and support we received! Were excited about the next Chapter!

Darren Urban (@Cardschatter)
3/16/19, 4:38 PM
Markus is the kind of guy you root for regardless of the uniform

SS

Schwartz NYP: Why Jabrill Peppers can be dream addition to Giants’ defense
https://nypost.com/2019/03/16/why-jabrill-peppers-can-be-dream-addition-to-the-giants-defense/amp/

NFL

Heifetz The Ringer: When a Guarantee Isn’t Guaranteed
NFL free agency is in full swing, which means big multiyear deals are flying around. Most savvy fans know that those contracts aren’t set in stone. But just how fluid are they? We analyzed five years’ worth of free-agent agreements to see how long they really last—and how much they really pay
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/3/15/18266458/free-agent-contracts-guaranteed-money-how-long-do-deals-last

ARIZONA
McManaman AZ Central: Surprise visit home turned into even bigger surprise for Brett Hundley, Cardinals' newest QB
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2019/03/16/brett-hundleys-surprise-visit-home-ends-even-greater-surprise/3187727002/

BALTIMORE
Eisenberg Ravens.com: New Era, But Still in Win-Now Mode
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/eisenberg-new-era-but-still-in-win-now-mode

BUFFALO
Roth Rochester Democrat: 10 free agents later, Bills prove they aren't NFL's Siberia after all
https://amp.democratandchronicle.com/amp/3173796002

Skurski Buffalo News: Bills sign former Patriots offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle
https://buffalonews.com/2019/03/16/buffalo-bills-laadrian-waddle-new-england-patriots/

Gaughan Buffalo News: Well-traveled Ty Nsekhe paid his dues to hit jackpot with Bills
https://buffalonews.com/2019/03/16/ty-nsekhe-buffalo-bills-tackle-nfl-free-agent-arena-league-redskins/

Gaughan Buffalo News: Mitch Morse eager to step in as Josh Allen's new protector
https://buffalonews.com/2019/03/14/mitch-morse-buffalo-bills-center-free-agent-nfl-josh-allen-brandon-beane/

CHICAGO
Campbell Chicago Tribune: Bears' restrained approach to free agency affirms their bet on quarterback Mitch Trubisky
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-free-agency-mitch-trubisky-20190316-story.html

CINCINNATI
Cosenza CincyJungle: Are the Bengals being disingenuous in their approach with Andy Dalton?
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/3/17/18266060/bengals-andy-dalton-nfl-free-agency-2019-john-miller-tyler-efiert

Page Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals re-sign free agent tight end Tyler Eifert
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/3185614002

Dehner Cincinnati Enquirer: How the Cincinnati Bengals moved to B.W. Webb from Darqueze Dennard

“He did bounce around the league for six seasons, but found stability and a home last year in New York while playing for new Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, then Giants DB coach. 
That home was in the slot. For the first time since his rookie season, he took significant snaps inside. When there, he showed extremely well for Arunumo. Undoubtedly, better than anybody could have expected of a pickup with his background in the league. 
In the four years prior he took 67 snaps in the slot. Last year he totaled 266. He may have stumbled into his niche...”

https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/3174584002

CLEVELAND
Lesmerises Cleveland Plain Dealer: Cleveland Browns, after years of blowing first-round picks, will win by maximizing them
https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2019/03/db70ccd7bb692/cleveland-browns-after-years-of-blowing-firstround-picks-will-win-by-maximizing-them-doug-lesmerises-3rd-short.html

Doershuck Columbus Dispatch: Browns' John Dorsey discovered new TE Demetrius Harris when he was in Green Bay
https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20190316/browns-john-dorsey-discovered-new-te-demetrius-harris-when-he-was-in-green-bay?

DALLAS
Moore Dallas Morning News: Why the Cowboys' current approach to free agency is actually crucial to their team-building philosophy
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2019/03/16/cowboys-current-approach-free-agency-actually-crucial-team-building-philosophy

DENVER
Fredrickson Denver Post: World Cup 2026 is one step closer to Denver’s Broncos Stadium with new LED lights
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/16/world-cup-soccer-to-denver-broncos-stadium/

Fredrickson Denver Post: Shaquil Barrett leaves Broncos for Buccaneers; Denver re-signs TE Jeff Heuerman to 2-year contract
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/15/broncos-jeff-heuerman-shaquil-barrett-buccaneers/

O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos re-sign defensive end Zach Kerr to two-year contract
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/16/zach-kerr-resigns-denver-broncos/

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: To understand Trey Flowers' path to Detroit Lions, start with his heart
https://amp.freep.com/amp/3185260002

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions, cornerback Marcus Cooper agree to one-year deal
https://amp.freep.com/amp/3186834002

JACKSONVILLE
Reid Florida Times Union: Jaguars sign former Cincinnati Bengals OT Cedric Ogbuehi
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190316/jaguars-fill-offensive-needs-with-signing-of-ot-cedric-ogbuehi-wr-chris-conley?

Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo)
3/16/19, 1:37 PM
Source: Jaguars are signing LB Jake Ryan, former Packers fourth-rounder who is coming off a torn ACL that knocked him out for all of 2018. Ryan was an emerging player before then. Looking to reestablish himself in Jacksonville

MINNESOTA
Tomasson Twincities.com: With little room left under salary cap, Vikings still have missing pieces on offense, special teams
https://www.twincities.com/2019/03/16/vikings-still-have-needs-on-offense-special-teams-but-have-little-cap-room/amp/#click=https://t.co/hbMBSDtQVE

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
Patriots influence across NFL creates challenge for team in free agency

“With the Giants trading Beckham, and then signing Tate to a four-year, $37 million deal, it sparks a question as to their future plans with receiver Sterling Shepard, who enters the final year of his contract. Shepard is a Patriots-type receiver. Perhaps the Patriots could entice the Giants with a second-round draft pick, and then take the money they were going to invest in Humphries and direct it to a Shepard extension one year before he hits the market. Just thinking out loud on a potential win-win-win scenario for the two teams and player involved.”

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4817112/patriots-influence-across-nfl-creates-challenge-for-team-in-free-agency?

Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss)
3/16/19, 4:13 PM
Patriots OTs currently under contract for 2019:

Left: Isaiah Wynn, Cole Croston

Right: Marcus Cannon, Dan Skipper, Ryker Mathews

ANALYSIS: Losing Trent Brown (Raiders) and LaAdrian Waddle (Bills) in free agency makes this more of a need position. Wynn coming off torn Achilles

NEW ORLEANS
Johnson Nola.com: Why did Teddy Bridgewater turn down a starting job to stay with the Saints?
https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/03/why-did-teddy-bridgewater-turn-down-a-starting-job-to-stay-with-the-saints.html

Johnson Nola.com: Saints Pro Bowl center Max Unger retires
https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/03/saints-pro-bowl-center-max-unger-retires-report.html

Duncan Nola.com: The only thing good about Max Unger’s retirement is the timing
https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/03/the-only-thing-good-about-max-ungers-retirement-is-the-timing.html

Underhill NO Advocate: Max Unger was so solid for the Saints that he somehow made the Jimmy Graham trade look OK
https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_a778c4b6-4836-11e9-991b-73b76a5ae2c4.amp.html

OAKLAND
Bair NBC Bay Area: After Five Seasons Raiders, Donald Penn, Mutually Agreed to Part Ways
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/csn/raiders/After_five_seasons_Raiders__Donald_Penn__mutually_agreed_to_part_ways_BAY-507253852.html

PHILADELPHIA
McLane Phil.com: Has DeSean Jackson, the Eagles’ prodigal receiver, changed his diva ways?
https://www.philly.com/eagles/desean-jackson-eagles-signing-wide-receiver-nfl-howie-roseman-20190316.html

PITTSBURGH
Gorman Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers need Ben Roethlisberger to be better leader
https://triblive.com/sports/kevin-gorman-steelers-need-big-ben-to-be-a-better-leader/

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Contract talk: 49ers protected if Dee Ford’s breakout season was a blip
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Contract-talk-49ers-protected-if-Dee-Ford-s-13693730.php

Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ signing of CB Jason Verrett gives Ahkello Witherspoon competition
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/49ers-signing-of-CB-Jason-Verrett-gives-13694274.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Russell Wilson on if he’ll be the highest-paid player in the NFL: ‘There’s a great potential of that’
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/russell-wilson-on-if-hell-be-the-highest-paid-player-in-the-nfl-theres-a-great-potential-of-that/?

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Bucs strategy in free agency could finally net compensatory draft picks
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/03/16/bucs-strategy-in-free-agency-could-finally-net-compensatory-draft-picks/?

Stroud TB Times: Guard Earl Watford is the latest former Cardinals player headed to Bucs
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/03/16/guard-earl-watford-is-the-latest-former-cardinals-player-headed-to-bucs/?

TENNESSEE
Davenport ESPN Nashville: Titans add Ryan Tannehill as No. 2 QB, but could he push Marcus Mariota?
http://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/28012/titans-add-qb-ryan-tannehill-as-no-2-but-could-he-push-marcus-mariota?

WASHINGTON
Fowler Redskins.com: Case Keenum's Journey To The NFL Has Been Anything But Linear
https://www.redskins.com/news/case-keenum-s-journey-to-the-nfl-has-been-anything-but-linear

Colleges/Draft

Serby NYP: NFL mock draft 3.0: New No. 1 pick as Jets and Giants upgrade lines
https://nypost.com/2019/03/16/nfl-mock-draft-3-0-new-no-1-pick-as-jets-and-giants-upgrade-lines/amp/

QB
Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Through 2 games of OU, watching Kyler Murray. Thought Id put some raw notes out. Was cool to contrast OU's offense year/year between Baker and Murray. Riley may be the best at adjusting his play-calling based on unit personnel. Oh, & the OLC is legit

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Footwork
Very quick active feet w/strong connection to ground, rarely lost balance(occasionally on toes, -placement). Helped w/pocket presence/awareness, able to secure throwing lanes consistently
Throws off platform w/ease. At times think it can hurt vs. resetting (debatable)

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Anticipation
Best when throwing intermediate out concepts, weakest in shorter routes that terminate in space. Think his “weakness” here is way overblown bc he does not rely on zip for timing. As motion becomes even more efficient, think this becomes more consistent

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Placement
Overall solid, struggles at times to crossing routes when he is moving. On throws 40 yards+ can throw guys open & also has aggressive mindset throw to a spot to give his WRs a chance to make a play. Teammates will love that

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Reads
Very good ability to ID pre-snap and understand the answers his play has for the D. In pocket can isolate/eliminate & send quickly even if eyes not tied to feet. Few instances of swapping backside read w/pocket exit, but way overblown in media

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Reads (2)
To expand, think highlight reel scouting will lead some to think he takes off all the time but simply is not the case. Think in sprint out and boot structures his legs should be a weapon

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Body Control
Near elite when coupled with speed in both open field and tight space. Rare to see same sized defenders square for hit. Active feet & spatial awareness in screen game good examples. Not a lot of concern for his frame

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
3/16/19, 3:36 PM
Arm Talent
Throws a very catchable ball to all levels. Effortless power down the field. Does not rely on zip into tight windows. Believe scary part is it can get even better (consistent shorter stride w/plant foot, etc)

Speight Detroit News: Wilton Speight has 'hill to climb' to NFL; no hard feelings for Michigan
https://amp.detroitnews.com/amp/3185352002

Skurski Buffalo News: If you don't know QB prospect Jake Dolegala, here's why you should
https://buffalonews.com/2019/03/17/jake-dolegala-nfl-draft-central-connecticut-state-s-francis/

RB
Sikkema The Draft Network: DON'T BE SHOCKED IF RBS FALL IN 2019 NFL DRAFT
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/don-t-be-shocked-if-rbs-fall-in-2019-nfl-draft

WR
Crabbs The Draft Network: MEET THE TOP-5 WIDE RECEIVERS OF THE 2019 DRAFT
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/meet-the-top-5-wide-receivers-of-the-2019-draft

Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL)
3/16/19, 2:15 PM
Iowa State Hakeem Butler

Strength/Agility to Beat Press
Size/Speed Problem
Catch Radius/Length
Aggressive YAC
Contested Catches
Attacks the Ball (downhill/across middle)

6 Plays of 50+ in 2017
10 Plays of 40+ in 2018

Watch his 2017 tape if you question if he can run routes

TE
Matter St.Louis Post Dispatch: Mizzou's Okwuegbunam driven to fulfill potential
https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/mizzou-s-okwuegbunam-driven-to-fulfill-potential/article_fa1ce25b-d226-58c3-b7a7-81d435eaba1c.amp.html

DE
Batten Fayetteville Observer: ECU’s AAC Defensive Player of the Year Nate Harvey denied extra year by NCAA

“We will alert the NFL this afternoon that he will be eligible for the draft.& #8243;
Harvey had been a reserve running back after coming to ECU as a walk-on from Georgia Military Academy. But he made the move to defensive end last season and went on to record 25.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.”

https://www.fayobserver.com/sports/20190316/ecus-aac-defensive-player-of-year-nate-harvey-denied-extra-year-by-ncaa

Redd Charleston Gazette Mail: Kahzin Daniels won't let partial blindness block his view of the NFL
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/columnists/derek_redd/derek-redd-kahzin-daniels-won-t-let-partial-blindness-block/article_562fd557-07a6-57a9-a345-74d3b2faa228.html

CB
McMann Michigan Live: Michigan’s David Long avoids NFL draft chatter
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2019/03/michigans-david-long-avoids-nfl-draft-chatter.html

History

McPherson Eagles.com: Eagles mourn the passing of former DB Nate Ramsey

“Selected by the Eagles in the 14th round out of Indiana University, Ramsey is one of just five defensive backs in franchise history to play at least 10 seasons. He ranks sixth among defensive backs in team history with 134 regular-season games played and 13th overall with 21 interceptions.
Ramsey led the Eagles in interceptions in consecutive seasons from 1964-65. On November 28, 1965, Ramsey picked off three passes against the St. Louis Cardinals. Only one player has ever had more in a single game for the Eagles. Two weeks later, Ramsey notched an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of nine that day for the Eagles to set a team record that still stands to this day. He retired from the NFL following a season with the New Orleans Saints in 1973.”

https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-mourn-the-passing-of-former-db-nate-ramsey

Giants Birthdays 3-17

Dan Fox LB UDFA-Notre Dame 2014 NYG 2014 3-17-1991

Dwayne Hendricks DT UDFA-MIAMI 2011 NYG 2011 3-17-1986

Eric Lane RB UDFA-Tennessee 1997 NYG 1997 3-17-1974

Kyle Lauletta QB D4-Richmond 2018 NYG 2018 3-17-1995

Michael Thomas SS FA-Miami 2018 NYG 2018 3-17-1990

In Memoriam

Willie Banks G W-WAS 1970 NYG 1970 Born 3-17-1946 Died 7-02-1989

Obituary

“Willie Banks, 43, a former Washington Redskins guard and a civilian personnel officer with the Navy at U.S. Naval facility at Anacostia, died July 2 of arteriosclerosis at his home in Brentwood. Mr. Banks, whose six years in the National Football League included two with the Redskins, was the eighth-round draft pick of the Redskins in 1968. He was traded to the New York Giants in 1970, and played with the New England Patriots from 1971 through 1973. During the off-season, Mr. Banks was a substitute teacher with the D.C. public schools. During the mid-1970s, he received a master's degree in counseling psychology from Bowie State College and was an assistant football coach at the University of the District of Columbia. He became a counselor in the Juvenile Restitution Program in Washington in 1976, and joined the D.C. Department of Corrections as a counselor around 1980. He went to the Navy Department in 1982, and was a civilian recruitment officer in Crystal City before going to the Anacostia facility. Mr. Banks was a native of Greenville, Miss. He graduated from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. Over the years, he had been a volunteer with the NFL Players Association, and was cited this year as the 1989 Outstanding Celebrity volunteer by the Northern Virginia Special Olympics...”

Ray Beck LG/MB D2-Georgia Tech 1952 NYG 1952, 1955-1957 Born 3-17-1931 Died 1-09-2007

GA HOF

“Born in Cedartown, Georgia...Second draft choice by the N.Y. Giants in 1951...Played with the Giants in 1952 and 1955 through 1957...Played on the N.Y. Giants 1956 World Championship team which defeated the Chicago Bears 56 to 7...(1953): All Army and All Service selection...(1952) Member of the 1952 Rookie All Pro squad...Collegiate Career (Georgia Tech 1951): Had an outstanding senior season at Georgia Tech...All American (AP, NEA, FWAA, Colliers)...First team All SEC (AP & UPI)...Most Valuable SEC Lineman (Birmingham Touchdown Club)...Played in the Senior Bowl and College All Star Game...Member of the All Time Georgia Tech team and Georgia Tech Hall of Fame...Selected as a guard on the Bobby Dodd Era Team (1945-1966)...Prep Career: Attended Cedartown High School from 1944 to 1948...From a scrappy 125 ;pound freshman guard, Beck became one of Cedartown's all time great football players...Played guard and ended his senior year calling all offensive and defensive signals...A great leader on and off the field...Maintained a 93.2 scholastic average during his four year high school career..."In 1956, he filled in at three or four positions on offense and defense both. Fast, quick, strong, can play any line position on offense and defense, as well as linebacker." New York Giants 1957 press guide on Beck.”

NYDN November 1956

“Jack Lavelle, the humorist, is secretly a spy. Each Sunday afternoon Jack tucks his 300-pound girth into a hidden corner of the enemy stadium and looks for offensive or defensive weaknesses. His scouting reports have been responsible for dozens of victories for the football Giants down through the years. - As official scout of the Giants he knows their strengths and weaknesses as well as those of, say, the Cardinals, whom the Giants meet Sunday at Yankee Stadium in a struggle for the Eastern Division lead. Here's Lavelle's report of Giant personnel:

“Hard to say who is key man for our Giants, Conerly at quarterback or Gifford and Webster at the halves. They complement each other so perfectly it's difficult to telL "Conerly is a great long passer. Whatever weakness he may have, missing the receiver in the open is not one of them. He has thrown more touchdown passes than any active quarterback. Only Baugh and Luckman in the NFL have thrown more, and they played longer. As Jim Lee Howell said last week, Conerly also excels at passing with tacklers hanging on him. "Last year Webster was the Giants most dangerous runner. This year I'd have to say Gifford is. Webster runs harder, but the defense must play Gifford loose because of the threat that he may pass. This opens them up to long runs. Gifford also runs lower. "Wrebster runs as hard as any fullback and is possibly the best broken field runner yi football. He and Gifford are top receivers also. Gifford is faster. Triplet t Hardest Rnnner Since Nagurski "Mel Triplett at fullback has been called the hardest straight ahead runner since Nagurski. This may be an exaggeration, but not by much. Mel hits them pretty good as a blocker, too. "At left end Kyle Rote is probably the toughest pass receiver to stop in football. The best defenders come into the dressing room muttering to themselves after trying to cover Rote. I notice that most teams put two men on him -lately, which limits his catches. "Ken MacAfee at right end is the fastest Giant on offense. He has good moves and is a pretty good blocker too, but his greatest asset is speed. "In my opinion, the Giants have the best left tackle, right guard and center in football in Roosevelt Brown, Jack Stroud and Ray Wietecha. Brown loves to block. Blocking is like putting your head in a meat chopper but Brown loves it. He'll block in the line, then pick himself up and block again downf ield. "Stroud is big, strong and fast for a guard. Great straight ahead power. I've seen him knock defensive halfbacks five feet backward when leading wide plays. He and Brown both were Pro Bowl selections last year. Wietecha is an extremely agile blocker taking the middle guard out on running plays. This is a tough block because the middle guard is always moving to the play. Also he is very accurate at passing the ball to the kickers. "Dick Yelvington at right tackle is the quickest lineman off the mark, always first across the line of scrimmage. ! Has a sort of deadly grace. - Good team man. His sense of humor relaxes the others when they get too tense. , ' "Bill Austin at left guard has been injured and is not at full strength. Ray Beck, his repIacement,also has had a bad ankle. But Austin was a Pro Bowl player in '55 and Beck has the class you'd expect in a man who made 14 All-Americas at Georgia Tech. "On defense Herb Rich calls signals. He's a practicing attorney in Nashville in the off-season. He brings to his football duties just the type shrewdness you'd expect. Fast, good tackier. "Defensive halfbacks are Dick Nolan and E. Hughes. Not much to choose from here. Both are very fast, very game and experienced. Their job is to stop the short passes. Em Tunnell, safety man with Rich, is trje real hallhawk of .the team, an All-Time old pro who is quicker and harder-hitting now at 31 than most rookies. Holds league record for interceptions. Svoboda and Svare Rugged Linebackers "Linebackers are the tongue-twisting duo Bill Svoboda and Harland Svare. Svoboda, who once played for the Cards, will be after them extra hard Sunday. He's only 210, but great at diving through the interference to fetop end runs. Tied with Tunnell this season for most interceptions. Svare is almost the duplicate of Svoboda, though Bill's experience makes him defensive captain. "Middle guard Sam Huff is the only starting rookie. From West Virginia, he has been the real find. He's big, at 230 pounds but as fast as the smaller linebackers, which means he can chase down quarterbacks who decide to run instead of pass. "The lone- and short of it at tackle are Roosevelt Grier (6' 5")
and Modzelewski (5' 11"). Grier, 270 pounds, is immovable and is big enough to bat down many passes. The 260-pound Little" Mo has uncanny balance.
"Walt Yowarsky is a solid defensive end. Andy Robustelli at the other end is a really great football player. Always makes the big play.”

When Sam Huff was selected in the 1956 draft, he was initially tried on both offense and defense before being assigned to the defensive unit later that summer. Tom Landry now full-time as the Giants defensive coach had designed his 4-3 defense with Beck in mind to play the middle linebacker slot. Beck’s understanding of the game and mobility made him a strong candidate to achieve what Landry wanted from that position.

That exhibition season Huff was hobbled by a bad knee and Beck by a bad ankle. Late in the pre-season Landry asked Huff if he had ever played middle linebacker. Huff hadn’t as he had been a middle guard on the defensive line at West Virginia. Now standing up for the first time and able to see the whole field, he had a strong exhibition performance against the Cardinals in Memphis.

But being a rookie Huff didn’t get the start in the season opener at San Francisco. It went to Beck until he was injured again and Huff took his place for a few plays.

The next week in Chicago with Beck out, Landry still reluctant to start the rookie Huff, moved veteran outside linebacker Harland Svare to the middle. The Cards with the great Marion Motley in the backfield, came out in a split T formation and ran wild on the Giants.

The next week against Cleveland it was Beck at middle linebacker. However during the game he was injured yet again, and Huff came in to play middle linebacker. When Coach Paul Brown tried to take advantage of the rookie Huff by running big fullback Ed Modzelewski at him, it was Huff’s time to not give an inch. That day the job became Huff’s to lose.

Joe Scott LH/RH D2-San Francisco 1948 NYG 1948-1953 Born 3-17-1926 Died 6-30-2016

Obituary

“Sports, especially football would influence Joe's career. He was an all-state High school football player for Athens High School. He went on to be a star college football player at Texas A& M and the University of San Francisco. He was the second round draft pick of the New York Giants and played for seven years. He led the NFL in kickoff returns his rookie season and was also the leading rusher. After playing football, he began coaching. He coached a couple of years at East Texas State University before realizing that he could be more of a mentor to younger high school athletes. He served as head football coach at Cooper, Clarksville, Hondo, Breckenridge, and Seagoville High Schools were his players were taught much more than football.”

He was drafted in the second round of the 1948 draft out of San Francisco Community College, he rushed for over 1200 yards in his Giants career, was known as productive receiver averaging 15.2 yards per catch and a dangerous kick returner with 1,467 yards and a 27.2 average on KO returns.

In 1948 he had a 99 yard kick return for a touchdown. In that same game against the Rams he had two other touchdowns one by reception and one by rushing. His total yardage total for that game totaled a then Giants record of 279 yards.

His Giants' record for most yards in a game was broken in 2009, by Domenick Hixon against the Saints with 230 yards on kickoff returns, two punts for 51 yards and 22 yards on three receptions for a cumulative total of 303 yards. According to Giants.com, that distance of more than three football fields broke the franchise record of 279 yards set in 1948 by Joe Scott against the Los Angeles Rams.

His Giants' records for highest kick return average in a game with three or more returns was broken by David Wilson vs the Saints in 2012...from Giants.com:

"The stat Wilson seemed most impressed with was his 56.8-yards kickoff return average, the highest total ever by a Giant with at least three returns in a game. The previous record of 51.8 yards was set by Joe Scott on four returns vs. the Rams on Nov. 14, 1948. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, in that game Scott was the last Giant before Wilson to have a kickoff return touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the same game."

Scott's backfield teammates:

1948
QB Conerly
LH Scott 198yds
RH Minsi 160yds
FB Roberts 491yds

1949
QB Conerly
LH Roberts 634yds
RH Scott 224yds 6TD's
FB Greenhalgh 162yds

1950
QB Conerly
LH Roberts 483yds
RH Clay 254yds Scott 322yds
FB Price 703yds

1951
QB Conerly
LH Griffith 115yds
RH Scott 367yds
FB Price 971yds

1952
QB Conerly
LH Rote 421yds
RH Scott 107yds Gifford 116yds
FB Price 748yds