Offense
TE C.J. Conrad
Simonson is a Gettleman/Shula guy & played over him but it will be interesting to see how long he can hold Conrad off. Conrad was the all time TE receiver in Kentucky history and he is big and physical enough to block too. They could decide to keep 4 TEs - you can never have too many blocking TE's.
WR Alonzo Russell
Gotta find a spot for this guy IMO. He's a playmaker and he has a role on this team as a big downfield target.
WR Alex Wesley
Looks like a classic slot WR. Looked to get oodles of separation easily with sticky hands. He is small as sh#t so I'm not surprised he went undrafted but this guy'd catch 120 balls w/the Pats.
Defense
NT Chris Slayton
I was like BS another rookie is looking good but Slayton looked like a player too. He is big and quick and seems to be a good fit in Bettcher's penetrating, up the field attack. Gettleman really has done a nice job getting players that fit the system - something Reese struggled with IMO.
OLB Jake Carlock
Obviously.
ILB Nate Stupar
I consider him a lock - he's taken a real vocal leadership role on this team and is an excellent core special teams player.
S Kenny Ladler
I kept seeing #33 all over the field. He hustles his a$$ off and likes to hit people. He made all the little football plays a hustler makes - check him out laying a block after Ballentine came down with the INT. He is into the game and has the skills to stick.
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I think all of the above guys make the team somehow - these are going to be homegrown role players.
**Special note - Ballentine isn't surprising anyone at this point but upon review I was very impressed with his special teams play as a KR and gunner. Great balance, acceleration and vision on the return. As a gunner, check out Dixon's short punt early. Ballentine uses a stiff arm to create natural separation, disengages, shows great COD & closing speed and makes the tackle. A somewhat nondescript play that demonstrated alot of his natural ability and I'm sure caught McGaughey's eye.
I think the Giants are going to have a nasty, top 5-type special teams this year. Lots of talented young athletes combined with some of the better special teams veterans (Rod Smith, Russell Shepard, Kareem Martin, Nate Stupar, Michael Thomas) in the league. Gotta win 2/3 phases every week and the Giants are well-positioned to do so. (Just find a damn punter.)
I think he also might have moved ahead of B.J. Goodson on the depth chart.
I think all the above make it with the possible exception of Carlock, who has to continue to make plays. We've seen a lot of 1-hit wonders and Rudy Ruddiger types come & go in preseason.
I think he also might have moved ahead of B.J. Goodson on the depth chart.
Peppers is a back of the roster player??
Connelly was drafted, not signed as a UDFA.
Quote:
Another excellent special teams player. And Jabrill Peppers somehow.
Peppers is a back of the roster player??
And... yeah.
My favorite back of the roster player didn't even play, but I still have a good feeling about Saquon Barkley.
‘65 I agree - but the backups will have to be special teamers and Stupar has become an important voice. Zero chance he gets cut IMO.
I’m also amazed at how many small school guys we have that are looking like players! That is impressive scouting. I like the energy and enthusiasm these young guys bring: Carlock, Ballentine, White Jr.
‘65 I agree - but the backups will have to be special teamers and Stupar has become an important voice. Zero chance he gets cut IMO.
I thought the thread was about guys on the back end of the roster, as in backups.
Agree, special teams is fine, but if he's playing on defense, he's a net negative
The Giants seem to be collecting good veteran special teams guys:
Rod Smith
Latimer
Russell Shepard
Martin
Stupar
Hamilton
Thomas
Peppers
Those are 8 proven commodities and outstanding special teams players. Great veteran core.
Then you pick and choose from athletes like
Ballentine
Beal
Love
Connelly
Tae Davis
Chandler
Fowler
Slayton
All the sudden there is a lot to choose from. Giants will be winning that phase of the game week in and week out this year. Although I'm still hoping they can pick up a better P somehow. They are a great P away from having a dominant group.
Carlock made a couple of nice plays, but he has to keep making plays to have a chance at a roster spot.
Conrad will definitely make the team. Coaches really like him.
I like Russell as well. There should be an extra receiver spot with Tate suspended.
Looks like the secondary is deep. Maybe they make a trade.
Wesley
Russell
Tate
Sterling Shepherd
?
?
The Giants seem to be collecting good veteran special teams guys:
Rod Smith
Latimer
Russell Shepard
Martin
Stupar
Hamilton
Thomas
Peppers
Those are 8 proven commodities and outstanding special teams players. Great veteran core.
Then you pick and choose from athletes like
Ballentine
Beal
Love
Connelly
Tae Davis
Chandler
Fowler
Slayton
All the sudden there is a lot to choose from. Giants will be winning that phase of the game week in and week out this year. Although I'm still hoping they can pick up a better P somehow. They are a great P away from having a dominant group.
I don't think Dixon is necessarily a truly great punter, but I don't think you can realistically upgrade at that spot with anyone else's castoff. He's in the top third of the league, IMO; the guys who are better than him aren't shaking loose anytime soon.