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Interesting article on new Giant G Austin Droogsma

YANKEE28 : 5/15/2019 11:17 pm
The article is from the Tallahasee Democrat newspaper in Florida.

Droogsma's path from shot putter to Giants guard started with the Giants calling Droogsma's college shot put coach.

Droogsma was not even considering the NFL until he got the call from the Giants, in which the Giants asked him to attend the Rookie Camp a few weeks ago.

Whether or not Droogsma makes it in the NFL, Gettleman and his staff deserve a lot of credit in the search for hog mollies.

Droogsma makes an interesting point in that he doesn't have any bad traits in his football game, since he didn't play in college and is welcoming starting with a clean slate and the Giants molding his size, strength, and athleticism into the type of guard they need.

I am sure that Giants coaches and fans alike will be very interested to see what happens once the pads and the hitting start.
Link - ( New Window )
A project but was 3star at 290 HS weight  
V.I.G. : 5/15/2019 11:26 pm : link
Austin Droogsma is a 6-3, 290-pound Offensive Guard from Gulf Breeze, FL. He is ranked No. 930 in the country by 247Sports.

Droogsma is the No. 124 recruit in Florida (FL) and is the No. 40 Offensive Guard in the nation.

Droogsma has a 247Sports rating of 82, making him a 3-star prospect.
345 pound former wrestler + T&F star  
Eric on Li : 5/15/2019 11:35 pm : link
pretty interesting pickup.
I'd like to see him battle  
Bill in UT : 5/16/2019 1:01 am : link
our other wrestler, is it O'Hagan?
He is the type of guy  
Deejboy : 5/16/2019 1:11 am : link
the Patriots would turn into a pro bowl OL out of nowhere.
Thanks for these gems Y28.  
BlueLou'sBack : 5/16/2019 1:15 am : link
The kid's odds of making it as a starter in the NFl must be 1:100, or maybe even less. So I guess you were the kind of kid who brought home baby birds with broken wings?

But I do love the info about Droogsma's drive to succeed, about his realization that it's totally out of the blue, or that his fellow try-out players at camp thought his story was "hilarious". Among the vast majority of those try-outs who were cut, I wonder how funny they think it is now that Droogsma is still among the 90?

Physically, he appears to be a match with Hernandez, so I guess DG like his OGs seriously bulky. Best line of the article is about how, once the Giants contacted him (out of the blue) it became clear to Droogsma that "[the Giants] have a plan."

Maybe, he should tell Dan Graziano about that...
RE: I'd like to see him battle  
BlueLou'sBack : 5/16/2019 1:17 am : link
In comment 14445707 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
our other wrestler, is it O'Hagan?


Also Dalvin Tomlinson was a wrestling stud in HS. And he's a starter, not a maybe make the PS guy like O'Hagan.
If they got him some hair gel and shades  
St. Jimmy : 5/16/2019 5:53 am : link
he could pull off a young Ben MacAdoo.
Granted that Droogsma is a long shot (no pun intended) at G  
Marty in Albany : 5/16/2019 5:59 am : link
But I think that you have a better chance of converting a shot putter to G than converting a 220 pound QB (Eric Dungey) to TE.
St. Jimmy. Yeah, I noticed the resemblance, too.  
Marty in Albany : 5/16/2019 6:00 am : link
.
I think BJ Hill was also a wrestler  
Milton : 5/16/2019 6:06 am : link
p.s.--Are we allowed to link the Tallahassee Democrat?
RE: A project but was 3star at 290 HS weight  
short lease : 5/16/2019 6:49 am : link
In comment 14445685 V.I.G. said:
Quote:
Austin Droogsma is a 6-3, 290-pound Offensive Guard from Gulf Breeze, FL. He is ranked No. 930 in the country by 247Sports.

Droogsma is the No. 124 recruit in Florida (FL) and is the No. 40 Offensive Guard in the nation.

Droogsma has a 247Sports rating of 82, making him a 3-star prospect.



930 in the country? ... so there is a chance then. Go get them Austin.
I don't  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/16/2019 7:36 am : link
get this signing at all. He hasn't played football in six years. Even Eric Swann played in a semi-pro league.
RE: I don't  
short lease : 5/16/2019 7:50 am : link
In comment 14445764 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
get this signing at all. He hasn't played football in six years. Even Eric Swann played in a semi-pro league.


Eric Swann ....dam - remember that guy? All the hype had him as the next Reggie White.

I think Arizona took him early in the first round - then nothing. Did he play 1 game?
RE: I don't  
cjac : 5/16/2019 7:52 am : link
In comment 14445764 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
get this signing at all. He hasn't played football in six years. Even Eric Swann played in a semi-pro league.


You're going from 90 down to 53. i dont see why not, you give this guy a chance. he's 340 lbs, you never know...
short lease  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/16/2019 7:52 am : link
Yeah, he actually had a long career.
cjac  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/16/2019 7:53 am : link
There's got to be another undrafted free agent out there with a better shot.
RE: short lease  
short lease : 5/16/2019 7:57 am : link
In comment 14445782 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
Yeah, he actually had a long career.


Serious Eric? Well he was no Reggie White though. I know that much. I thought I remember he had back problems? ... or some injury with Arizona that shortened his career? They took him really early too - If I remember right. I want to say 4th pick of the first round?

short lease  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 5/16/2019 7:58 am : link
6th overall...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Swann - ( New Window )
RE: cjac  
Milton : 5/16/2019 8:04 am : link
In comment 14445783 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
There's got to be another undrafted free agent out there with a better shot.
There are probably several who would have a better shot at making the 53, because Droogsma has no shot at that; but when it comes to the practice squad and taking the long view, they like his upside better.
It would be a great story  
Gman11 : 5/16/2019 8:11 am : link
but he's had no training or experience with college level football how is he do against pro level players?

I'm pulling for him, but wouldn't be surprised if he's one of the first players to be cut.
Practice squad canidate  
George from PA : 5/16/2019 8:38 am : link
.
He doesn't effect the 53 as he will be a practice squad player.  
Diver_Down : 5/16/2019 8:50 am : link
The benefit of the massive, athletic man is that he has no bad habits and is a ball of clay that can be molded. While he has no experience playing against college players, the athleticism shouldn't be discounted. Large, athletic men with nimble feet is a great attribute. Having to dance/rotate in a 7' circle at 340 lbs while focusing on not tripping/falling on your face and then completing the maneuver by tossing a steel ball takes more athleticism than they are given credit for. He also hasn't been corrupted by bad coaching and learned habits. We've been down that road with Flowers where after 4 years, he still couldn't lift his head.
Since I hold a grudge with the best of them....  
Greg from LI : 5/16/2019 9:05 am : link
....I hope he doesn't make it.
RE: short lease  
short lease : 5/16/2019 9:24 am : link
In comment 14445790 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
6th overall... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Swann - ( New Window )


Wow ... I was wrong about everything. I knew he had injuries early on but it was his knees (not back). All-pro in 95 and 96 !!!??? I guess I just don't remember him. 9 years ain't to bad ..... thought it was a lot shorter than that.

Maybe it was his position? What do the say about linemen .... if you don't hear their name called they are doing good? : )

Thanks Eric.
Swann was a really good player for mostly terrible teams  
Greg from LI : 5/16/2019 9:29 am : link
DT isn't a glamour position and the Cards generally stunk. He also had a career shortened by injuries.
Shot Putter  
Archer : 5/16/2019 9:41 am : link
One of my best friends growing up followed a similar path as Droogsma

He was a High School football player (DL) and wrestler who went to Miami on a scholarship to throw the shot.

He had a good but unremarkable career at Miami as a track athlete. He grew from 6'-3" 255 in high school to 305 in college.

After graduating he was recruited by a number of NFL teams to sign as a free agent.

However, his career in the NFL was cut short due to a back injury.

He always contended that his training for the shot prepared him for well for the NFL and if he did not injure himself that he would have played.
The shot gave him explosive power and great feet. Lets hope that Droogsma shows he belongs









Well he has no wear and tear.  
larryflower37 : 5/16/2019 9:50 am : link
This move doesn't make any sense.
The NFL blocking schemes are light-years ahead of any HS program. It will take him 6 months to figure out what is going on around him.
I guess Gettleman ran out of CB's to sign.
RE: Well he has no wear and tear.  
Klaatu : 5/16/2019 9:59 am : link
In comment 14445926 larryflower37 said:
Quote:
This move doesn't make any sense.
The NFL blocking schemes are light-years ahead of any HS program. It will take him 6 months to figure out what is going on around him.
I guess Gettleman ran out of CB's to sign.


What's the downside of putting this huge, athletic guy on the Practice Squad and seeing if you can make a football player out of him in a year or two? It's not like he's going to be pressed into service right away. It makes a lot of sense if you're looking for an investment that won't pay dividends in the short-term, but might pay off down the road.
Back in the 17 round draft days....  
since1925 : 5/16/2019 10:10 am : link
Shot putters and track guys would actually get drafted in the late rounds. They had the unteachable traits teams desired.
RE: Well he has no wear and tear.  
DavidinBMNY : 5/16/2019 10:10 am : link
In comment 14445926 larryflower37 said:
Quote:
This move doesn't make any sense.
The NFL blocking schemes are light-years ahead of any HS program. It will take him 6 months to figure out what is going on around him.
I guess Gettleman ran out of CB's to sign.
The move makes a slight amount of sense. If he shows well, he will be destined for the practice squad, most likely for 2 years. He is a huge man, and a good athlete. It's a very, very, very long shot, unlikely to pan out and chances are he doesn't make that. But if he does, then he is a low cost mauling OL. Lots of Basketball players have become TE's. #Innovation.
I can still remember  
Fast Eddie : 5/16/2019 10:17 am : link
All the sumo wrestler discussions here. Hope this kid turns into a player
I would think that shot putting and wrestling especially  
short lease : 5/16/2019 10:17 am : link
would serve OL very well in the NFL? Takes a lot of arm push to move the lead ball and the wrestling part speaks for itself.

345 lbs - comes with it's own gravity field. He should be able to control his opposing DL?


RE: RE: short lease  
Milton : 5/16/2019 10:18 am : link
In comment 14445890 short lease said:
Quote:

Wow ... I was wrong about everything. I knew he had injuries early on but it was his knees (not back). All-pro in 95 and 96 !!!??? I guess I just don't remember him. 9 years ain't to bad ..... thought it was a lot shorter than that.

Maybe it was his position? What do the say about linemen .... if you don't hear their name called they are doing good? : )
He was a DL, so you want to hear his name.
Track and Field  
Archer : 5/16/2019 10:19 am : link
I would play in a competitive basketball league with my friend.

It was fun to see the expression on the other teams faces when Leo would play above the rim at 305 lbs.
He took up so much space that it was impossible for opponents to do anything in the paint.

This was a time when 300 lbs was big
WOW .... that guy looks huge  
short lease : 5/16/2019 10:20 am : link
even next to big guys. I thought I was going to see a GUT! He is a solid 345.

Good luck Austin ....
great story, thanks YANKEE28  
ColHowPepper : 5/16/2019 10:50 am : link
.
RE: RE: RE: short lease  
short lease : 5/16/2019 11:16 am : link
In comment 14445966 Milton said:
Quote:
In comment 14445890 short lease said:


Quote:



Wow ... I was wrong about everything. I knew he had injuries early on but it was his knees (not back). All-pro in 95 and 96 !!!??? I guess I just don't remember him. 9 years ain't to bad ..... thought it was a lot shorter than that.

Maybe it was his position? What do the say about linemen .... if you don't hear their name called they are doing good? : )


He was a DL, so you want to hear his name.


Tomatoes ... Tomaatos "Off sides ... #91", "Hands to the face", "Ruffing the passer".

I know some of those could be called on other positions Milton but, the DL are the closest to the LOS on a regular basis. ; )

"All linemen should play like a stealthy Ninja ..."
He also has Kevin Zeitler, a pro's pro at OG known  
BlueLou'sBack : 5/16/2019 11:56 am : link
for his exhaustive fastidious preparation, as a role model or even mentor for the next few years, if he sticks that long. Can't see the disadvantage of having him on the PS for a year if he shows the potential and work habits.

As for the "complexity of NFL blocking schemes", come on, it's not software engineering for Microsoft or Google. Yeah it takes some smarts and lots of effort, but plenty of very average brained people get it.

We had WRs with wonderlic scored around 10 succeed for the Giants with Nicks and Manningham, under Gilbride's and TC's complex system.
He's worth a look.  
Red Dog : 5/16/2019 1:20 pm : link
Obviously a PS candidate, but with a year or two there, he could definitely make it.
well, maybe, maybe not  
ColHowPepper : 5/16/2019 2:00 pm : link
Quote:
As for the "complexity of NFL blocking schemes", come on, it's not software engineering for Microsoft or Google. Yeah it takes some smarts and lots of effort, but plenty of very average brained people get it.
Conceptually, it's 'easy' to get it, the schemes, how to handle stunts and double teams, but this going to flash very fast in front of him. Five years out of football, it's going to look indecipherable for quite some time before it slows down enough for him to react with arms, feet, and balance once his brain starts picking what to process.
would imagine  
bc4life : 5/16/2019 3:46 pm : link
his punch should be pretty good
He hasn't developed  
Gman11 : 5/16/2019 6:49 pm : link
any bad habits, but he also hasn't developed any good ones either.
CHP - one would hope they put some effort into  
BlueLou'sBack : 5/16/2019 7:14 pm : link
vetting the kid's mental ability... but no doubt it will take him time to "get it."
Of course, he's bound to bear the  
BlueLou'sBack : 5/16/2019 7:14 pm : link
HMWG tag, too.
RE: Of course, he's bound to bear the  
Klaatu : 5/16/2019 7:17 pm : link
In comment 14446627 BlueLou'sBack said:
Quote:
HMWG tag, too.


In his case, it stands for Huge Motherlovin' White Guy.
Klaatu - Or rework the acronym to "high effort white guy"  
BlueLou'sBack : 5/16/2019 7:21 pm : link
HEWG!
Big strong dude ...  
Bluesbreaker : 5/16/2019 8:57 pm : link
Do they make helmets that big he has quite the noggin
on him like a battering ram .
Droogs -  
Del Shofner : 5/16/2019 9:58 pm : link
am I the only one here who remembers "Clockwork Orange"?

Talk about bad-ass.
The problem facing a guy like him  
Sneakers O'toole : 5/17/2019 12:31 pm : link
is that it's going to be difficult to get him caught up. What he will need is work in pads, and that is in very short supply under current rules. O line development is a huge challenge in this era. They simply can't get enough of the work they need.

And it shows league wide on the field.
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