Sunday Reading

Giants

Williamson SB Nation: Are the Giants really stuck in the past?
Maybe their approach isn’t quite as old-fashioned as it appears on the surface
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2019/5/26/18640384/are-ny-giants-really-stuck-in-the-past-dave-gettleman

Dunleavy NJ.com: Giants salary cap: After Eli Manning, which players have biggest hits? Is a cut coming to free space?
https://expo.nj.com/sports/g66l-2019/05/c49b4acb689585/giants-salary-cap-after-eli-manning-which-players-have-biggest-hits-is-a-cut-coming-to-free-space.html

Raanan ESPN NY: Breaking Big Blue Podcast:
ESPN Giants reporter Jordan Raanan breaks down the OTAs and brings in Geoff Schwartz to see if Landon Collin's complaints are warranted (Audio)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-big-blue-with-jordan-raanan/id1300714083?i=1000439174367

OL

Traina Football Maven: Giants offensive line looks to get things right in 2019
https://footballmaven.io/nygiants/api/amp/nygiants/news/giants-offensive-line-looks-to-get-things-right-in-2019-od5-ytJiMEKBLPXLHhYGww/

RG

Leonard NYDN: Kevin Zeitler can change the way everybody thinks about the Giants O-line
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-kevin-zeitler-leonard-20190525-nzg2ja5gdjbehkrljylkrubkna-story.html

Defense

Schneier 247Sports: Giants depth chart (defense) breakdown after three OTA practices
https://247sports.com/nfl/new-york-giants/LongFormArticle/New-York-Giants-depth-chart-2019-defense-OTAs-131934483/Amp/

OLB

Schwartz NYP: Markus Golden out to return Giants mean streak: ‘I’m gonna hunt’
https://nypost.com/2019/05/25/markus-golden-out-to-return-giants-mean-streak-im-gonna-hunt/amp/

Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21)
5/25/19, 8:13 AM
The Giants drafted two other players who played in the Senior Bowl. Here's Jim Nagy's take on third-round pick Oshane Ximines:

“I really thought in terms of upside in that edge class, being kind of mid-major type of player, I thought he had a really high ceiling. I think the last thing he’s got to do to get is a little more power and I think he’ll get that. But he has the things you can’t really coach and you can’t coach the kids ability to bend and his body control and his length and his get-off. Those are really hard things to coach. I think you can get a guy more powerful, so if he’s lacking something, I think that’s one area where you can say. “ We’ll we can get him stronger. We can add power and more mass to
this guy’s body. For where they got him. I thought that was great value. I really thought Oshane had a chance to go in the second, so to get him almost in the fourth, I thought was really good value. At a minimum, I think he gets on the field this year and helps them on sub downs. Even if he’s not an every-down starter, you’re getting a guy that’s going to get on the field and help you on Sundays.”

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
5/25/19, 9:30 AM
Like & #8294;& #8234;Jim Nagy on the x-man here, I only saw 1 game was not as high on his bend, and would just add he was super proficient w/2-3 moves w/his hands. Think it's better for a player to have a range of moves he wins with in CFB, vs 1 move that's REALLY good

ILB

Valentine BBV: Giants’ 90-man roster: A bigger role in store for LB Tae Davis?
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2019/5/25/18637633/ny-giants-90-man-roster-a-bigger-role-in-store-for-lb-tae-davis#click=https://t.co/VSmJ9I8e12

CB

Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21)
5/25/19, 8:13 AM
Here's Nagy on sixth-round pick Corey Ballentine:

“He has really nice feet and hips, and then he can hom up and get the football-just his body control when he leaves the ground and goes and plays the football. Really a cool athlete. The calls we started to get really around the end of September, early October on Corey is when we went and saw him play in the middle of October. The league really liked him because they said, ‘This guy is getting drafted and he’s making a team just off his special teams ability because he’s a good-sized kid whose really going to run well and he’s really tough. He will knock you out.’ You’re really not going to plug in a kid from Washburn and feel great about him starting at corner in year 1 for you, but you know he’s going to line up and dress on Sundays because he is going to play in all four phases of the kicking game. It’s hard to find corners that have some innate physicality to them. A lot of those guys just like to cover people and Corey really is an innately physical guy. I think he’s got the potential down the road. I think he’s got the physical tools to become a starter over time, but to me, at a minimum you’re left with a depth-level corner that’s really going to be a good special teams player. To me, that’s an awesome sixth-round pick. You know he’s making your team and you know he’s lining up on Sundays. I really like that pick.”

NFL

Volin Boston Globe: Sunday Football Notes: NFL exploring painkilling alternatives — including marijuana

“The thinking is that Kraft’s incident is just a little too fresh to turn around and elect him to the Hall of Fame, even if the charges are dropped. And with next year’s Hall of Fame class being included in the NFL 100 celebration, the Hall doesn’t want any story lines to distract from it. Kraft has the best credentials of any “contributor” left, but former Giants executive George Young is a close No. 2 and may get the call now instead.
Assuming the Hall still elects a “contributor” this year — an issue that is still being decided — the nomination likely comes in August, when Kraft’s legal case may still be open.
“I wouldn’t rule [Kraft] out, but George would be my guess to be the candidate. People feel like he’s fallen through the cracks,” the voter said.”

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/05/25/nfl-exploring-painkilling-alternatives-including-marijuana/XVEsWFDMK7tKB29ZZWdWeO/story.html

Bell USA Today: List of issues for NFL's next collective bargaining agreement overshadowed by one thing
https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/1234982001

Farrar Touchdownwire USA Today: Nine NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidates
https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2019/05/25/nine-nfl-comeback-player-of-the-year-candidates/

ARIZONA
McManaman AZ Central: Don't expect Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray under center much
https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/1222842001#click=https://t.co/33OhzapqdP

BALTIMORE
Eisenberg Ravens.com: Prepare Yourself. There Is a Whole Lot of Change
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/eisenberg-prepare-yourself-there-is-a-whole-lot-of-change

Schmuck Baltimore Sun: The folly of expecting too much of a quarterback as young as the Ravens' Lamar Jackson
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-lamar-jackson-has-a-tough-act-to-follow-20190524-story.html

BUFFALO
Wolf Buffalo News: Bills linebacker Matt Milano – man of few possessions and much promise
https://buffalonews.com/2019/05/25/buffalo-bills-matt-milano-few-possessions-much-promise/

CAROLINA
Jacques Charlotte Observer: In a league known for second chances, Panthers rookie Jordan Scarlett earned his
https://amp.heraldonline.com/sports/article230805544.html

CINCINNATI
LaPaca Bengals.com: Mr. Positive: Ross Focused on Having the Right Mindset
https://www.bengals.com/news/mr-positive-ross-focused-on-having-the-right-mindset

DALLAS
Moore Dallas Morning News: The intense technician and a QB reminiscent of Warren Moon: Inside Jon Kitna and Dak Prescott's budding relationship
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2019/05/25/how-the-developing-relationship-between-dak-prescott-and-jon-kitna-is-sparked-by-remarkable-similarities-and-a-desire-for-improvement

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: Tytus Howard’s versatility a plus for Texans
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/mcclain/amp/McClain-Tytus-Howard-s-versatility-a-plus-for-13896387.php#click=https://t.co/08KamQ7Nup

JACKSONVILLE
Smits Florida Times Union: Oliver, Swaim giving Jaguars hope for more production at tight end
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190525/oliver-swaim-giving-jaguars-hope-for-more-production-at-tight-end?

KANSAS CITY
Kerkhoff KC Star: Sammy Watkins had an offseason acquisition: Leadership he intends to share with Chiefs
https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article230763154.html

MIAMI
Furones Sun Sentinel: Don’t ask Dolphins’ Kenyan Drake about his workload in new offense
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-separate-20190522-hh6hii6ucvcpzcqgdvt5u3phwy-story.html

NEW ENGLAND
Guregian Boston Herald: NFL Notes: Patriots value fit over flash
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/25/nfl-notes-patriots-value-fit-over-flash/amp/

Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (Chris Hogan on his time in NE; early impressions from Patriots practice -- left tackle, N'Keal Harry, diverse corner crop, eyes on QBs; Ninko on Chris Long; what it means to play for "3 hots and a cot."
http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/297512/chris-hogan-looks-back-fondly-on-his-time-with-patriots?

Daniels Providence Journal: Patriots' Inman will have to be a quick study again
https://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20190525/patriots-inman-will-have-to-be-quick-study-again?

NEW ORLEANS
Walker NO Advocate: Can Jared Cook return Saints' tight end production to former glory? It's early, but team has high hopes
https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_174cdc44-7f20-11e9-81db-638e7d248e64.amp.html

NEW YORK JETS
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
5/26/19, 7:23 AM
The Jets have added two more names to their GM request list: Vikings assistant GM George Paton and Seahawks Co-Director of Player Personnel Scott Fitterer were requested, source said. They join Joe Douglas (Eagles) and Champ Kelly (Bears) on NYJ’s list so far.

Costello NYP: Sam Darnold is the cure to all Jets mayhem
https://nypost.com/2019/05/25/sam-darnold-is-the-cure-to-all-the-jets-mayhem/

OAKLAND
Bair NBC Bay Area: Doug Martin ready, willing to mentor Raiders first-round pick Josh Jacobs
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/doug-martin-ready-willing-mentor-raiders-first-round-pick-josh-jacobs

Bair NBC Bay Area: Raiders impressed with receiver Tyrell Williams' speed, route-running
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/raiders-impressed-receiver-tyrell-williams-speed-route-running

PHILADELPHIA
Bowen Phil.com: Cre’Von LeBlanc made his own luck last season with the Eagles and has to do it again
https://www.philly.com/eagles/crevon-leblanc-eagles-jim-schwartz-florida-atlantic-belle-glade-20190524.html

Kaye NJ.com: Could Eagles’ Tre Sullivan emerge as Corey Graham’s replacement? Here’s why he’s ready for bigger role
https://www.nj.com/eagles/2019/05/could-eagles-tre-sullivan-emerge-as-corey-grahams-replacement-heres-why-hes-ready-for-bigger-role.html

TAMPA BAY
Laine ESPN TB: 'They're just coaches': Bucs female assistants make early impression
http://tv5.espn.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/22524/theyre-just-coaches-bucs-female-assistants-make-early-impression

Stroud TB Times: Browns made good impression on Gerald McCoy, who will visit Ravens Tuesday
Ten teams have expressed interest in Gerald McCoy, with offers as high as $11 million per year
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/05/24/browns-made-good-impression-on-gerald-mccoy-who-will-visit-ravens-tuesday/

Media

Stuart Football Prespective: The NFL Likes The Giants On Monday Night Football — On the Road

“The Dolphins have played a whopping 56 home games on Monday Night Football. No other team has played more than 40.

Meanwhile, the Giants have played 47 road MNF games and 28 more road than home MNF games; no other team has played 18+ more road than home”

http://www.footballperspective.com/the-nfl-likes-the-giants-on-monday-night-football-on-the-road/

History

Turney PFJ: Memorial Day—Al Blozis
https://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2019/05/memorial-dayal-blozis.html

Turney PFJ: Top Running Backs in NFL History—T-Formation Era

“29. Tiki Barber
Rushing black ink = 0
Total yards black ink = 3
0 titles
1 All-Pro (consensus)
3 Pro Bowls (Plus one more All-NFC)

Began as a third-down back and worked his way into a three-down back. Among backs who played 65 games or more, he's 14th in yards from scrimmage per game. Yes, fourteenth. And we rank him at 29th. 

30. Larry Csonka
Rushing black ink = 1
Total yards black ink = 0
HOF
Second-team All-1965-75 (PFJ mid-decade)
2 titles
2 All-Pro (2 consensus)
1 Second-team All-Pro
5 Pro Bowls 

Power personified. Excellent playoff runner, especially the 1973 playoffs. He played 12 years (one in the WFL) and was particularly effective early in his career.

Once, when talking Hall of Fame players, Will McDonough said, "Let me tell you about Csonka. His yards a carry ar first was 4.5, 5.4, 5. Then, after he came back to the league, it was 3.5, 3.6 . . . ". Essentially he was saying he didn't think Csonka was all that great.

We look at it as one of those 'tale of two careers'-type situations. Some players can still be great and have a front-loaded career. It was particularly true for tight ends like Mike Ditka, John Mackey, Mark Bavaro, and others and it's true of Csonka.

We loved Zonk's 1979 season when he scored 12 touchdowns, with only one being longer than seven yards. 

35. Frank Gifford
Rushing black ink =  0
Total yards black ink = 1
HOF
All-1950s
Second-team All-1955-65 (PFJ mid-decade)
MVP/POY—(1956*)
1 title
4 All-Pro (4 consensus)
2 Second-team All-Pro
8 Pro Bowls

A precursor to Hornung. He did all the same things but didn't kick. He played cornerback instead. After he was on the receiving end of Chuck Bednarik's hit he sat out a year then came back to the Giants as a flanker.

https://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2019/05/top-running-backs-in-nfl-historyt.html

Best of the rest

Ottis Anderson
Rushing black ink = 0
Total yards black ink = 0
NFC POY—(1979)
2 titles
1 All-Pro (consensus)
1 Second-team All-pro
2 Pro Bowls 

Two careers. One as an All-Pro back. Another as a plodder, a closer, powers teams away late in games.

Alex Webster
2 Second-team All-Pros
2 Pro Bowls

Rodney Hampton
1 title
2 Pro Bowls

Joe Morris

Ron Johnson
Rushing black ink = 2
1 All-Pro
2 Pro Bowls

In 1970 Johnson led the NFL in yards from scrimmage adding 487 yards to his 1,027 yards rushing. From 1970-73 he averaged 1,245 yards rushing per 16 games and 50 receptions and 14 touchdowns. All excellent for that era.

Tucker Fredrickson”

Giants Birthdays 5-26

Louis Guy CB TR-PHI 1963 NYG 1963 5-26-1941

Guy, was a University of Mississippi
wingback from 1960 to 1962, and co-captained the 1962 team which compiled a perfect 10-0 season and captured the Litkenhous Rating national championship. He earned third team All-SEC honors that year, leading Ole Miss in scoring with 48 points, while also being named to the Academic All-SEC team.
He shares the SEC record for longest interception return, a 100-yarder against Tennessee in 1962, and also shares the Ole Miss record for most touchdown passes caught in a game with three against Houston in 1962.
Guy participated in the 1963 Chicago All-Star Game and then spent two years in professional football as a defensive back, playing in 1963 with the New York Giants and in 1964 with the Oakland Raiders. He was inducted into Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
A native of McComb, Miss., Guy graduated from Ole Miss in 1963, then received his D.D.S. and M.S. in Orthodontics from the University of Tennessee Medical School. He became an orthodontist in Jackson.

1964 Giants Profile: Louis Guy

Cornerback-Flanker
No. 23
Mississippi
"Fleet as they come is Guy, who is one versatile guy. He plays flanker back on offense, cornerback on defense and runs back kickoffs as well. Used mainly as a reserve last season, Guy's main duty was with the kickoff return unit. He lugged back three, good for 44 yards, an average of 14.7 yards per return. His longest runback was for 25 yards.
A third round choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1962, Guy came to the Giants in exchange for halfback Paul Dudley. At Ole Miss, Louis was Glynn Griffing's favorite passing target, in addition to being a star sprinter on the track team."

-Complete Sports 1964 New York Giants

Robb White DE/NT W-WAS 1988 NYG 1988-1989 5-26-1965