Wednesday Reading

Giants

Schmeelk Giants.com: Practice Report: Peppers grabs INT as preseason prep continues
https://www.giants.com/news/practice-report-giants-gear-up-for-2nd-preseason-game

Salomone Giants.com: 5 things we learned at Giants Training Camp (8/13)
https://www.giants.com/news/5-things-we-learned-at-giants-training-camp-8-13

Schwartz NYP: Highlights from the Giants practice on Tuesday:
Jabrill Peppers keeps showing Giants his defensive importance
https://nypost.com/2019/08/13/jabrill-peppers-keeps-showing-giants-his-defensive-importance/amp/

Traina Locked on Giants Podcast: his episode includes thoughts on the Tate appeal denial, John Mara's comments on the quarterbacks and a one-on-one interview with defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh (Audio)
http://traffic.megaphone.fm/LKN3747337385.mp3

Owner

Duggan The Athletic: John Mara’s comments showcase Giants’ internal struggle to commit to a direction
https://theathletic.com/1136812/2019/08/14/duggan-john-maras-comments-showcase-giants-internal-struggle-to-commit-to-a-direction/?

Willis NYP: Giants’ John Mara already noticing life without Odell Beckham
https://nypost.com/2019/08/13/giants-john-mara-already-noticing-life-without-odell-beckham/amp/

Schwartz NYP: John Mara explains why Dave Gettleman is the Giants’ answer
https://nypost.com/2019/08/13/john-mara-explains-why-dave-gettleman-is-the-giants-answer/amp/

Bondy NYDN: John Mara thinks Gettleman, Shurmur have Giants heading in the right direction
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-mara-gettleman-shurmur-20190813-gqniuhhx6bc3hfskfqsg5l67mi-story.html

Bondy NYDN: Giants owner John Mara’s wish for season is that Daniel Jones ‘never sees the field’
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-john-mara-daniel-jones-eli-manning-20190813-hpka522mrbhsno3kuazs7ypynu-story.html

Traina Forbes.com: Why John Mara Thinks The Giants Are Heading In The Right Direction
https://www.forbes.com/sites/patriciatraina/2019/08/13/why-john-mara-thinks-the-giants-are-heading-in-the-right-direction/amp/

QB

PFF: Time to move on from Eli Manning?
PFF Steve takes a look at the QB's recent years of PFF data to help determine what his level of play will be in the 2019 NFL season (Video)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-IHDGGRHMC4

Dunleavy NJ.com: The 1st question Giants owner John Mara asked Daniel Jones before NFL Draft | How rookie QB answered
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/the-1st-question-giants-owner-john-mara-asked-daniel-jones-before-nfl-draft-how-rookie-qb-answered.html

Giglio NJ.com: Guessing when Giants’ Daniel Jones will take Eli Manning’s job
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/guessing-when-giants-daniel-jones-will-take-eli-mannings-job.html

Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL)
8/13/19, 8:23 PM
Chopped it up w/ Tony Romo at the “NFL on CBS Media Day” and we talked Giants future with Daniel Jones.
“With some of the stuff they do in the run game, the actions a mobile QB does off of that can really get you to reset the pocket and effectively help the offensive line.”

“Your ability to recreate the pocket and find more time to help other people is more important than running the ball for first downs.”
We also talked about the RPO game becoming a staple w/ Jones and why it will be successful for nyg

“RPO can only be as dangerous as your running play. If the defense isn’t going to account for the run, then you’re really not going to get the big plays it can create.”
Made it clear NYG has to “live in it” for it to work

Side note: Romo thinks Eli Manning will succeed in 2019 if the Giants OLine can improve.
He thinks they will also be a surprise team.
I asked about the division:
“I think the Giants are going to be better than people know.”
He also thinks the NFC East will be much better

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
8/13/19, 12:05 PM
Jones has shown the ability to locate the intermediate Corner routes in both practice and preseason game with touch and timing

RB

Leonard NYDN: For Giants RB Saquon Barkley, retweets do equal endorsements
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-saquon-barkley-twitter-colin-kaepernick-ezekiel-elliott-20190813-tky3asotenfpbdt3pz5nght5ka-story.html

WR

Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling)
8/13/19, 7:06 PM
Daniel Jones’ receivers averaged just 1.4 yards of separation on his 5 attempts (which resulted in 5 completions) — the second-lowest separation for any NFL passer in preseason week 1, per Next Gen Stats

Schwartz NYP: Golden Tate’s four-game suspension upheld by NFL
https://nypost.com/2019/08/13/golden-tates-four-game-suspension-upheld-by-nfl/amp/

Stapleton The Record: NY Giants: Golden Tate's suspension appeal denied, will miss first four games

“As I wrote here and previously, the worst part about Golden Tate's suspension is that he has been everything they thought he'd be when they signed him. He's played a significant role this summer, and now he won't play until October.”

https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2019/08/13/ny-giants-golden-tate-loses-appeal-4-game-ped-suspension/1966687001/

Dunleavy NJ.com: How Giants’ Golden Tate’s PEDs suspension changes his contract | Could he be 1-and-done here?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/how-giants-wr-golden-tates-peds-suspension-changes-terms-of-contract-could-be-1-and-done-here.html

Traina Football Maven: What the Giants stand to miss during Golden Tate’s suspension
https://mavensports.io/nygiants/api/amp/nygiants/news/what-the-giants-stand-to-miss-during-golden-tate-s-suspension-KVGqUo8e2EGXZWIo9O2ZxQ/#click=https://t.co/eh4qzK9X9G

CB

Fonseca NJ.com: Giants rookie DeAndre Baker feeling no discomfort in sprained knee: When does he expect to be back?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/giants-rookie-deandre-baker-feeling-no-discomfort-in-sprained-knee-when-does-he-expect-to-be-back.html

WFAN: Corey Ballentine: I Think About Shooting Every Day (Audio)
https://wfan.radio.com/articles/corey-ballentine-i-think-about-shooting-every-day

NFL

Breer MMQB: What We Have Learned So Far From NFC West Training Camps
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/13/nfc-west-training-camps-cardinals-rams-49ers-seahawks

Fortier Washington Post: Why aren’t there any left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL?
https://beta.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/13/why-arent-there-any-left-handed-quarterbacks-nfl/?

ARIZONA
Mays The Ringer: Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray Are Testing the Limits of the Offensive Revolution
https://www.theringer.com/platform/amp/nfl-preview/2019/8/14/20804948/arizona-cardinals-kliff-kingsbury-kyler-murray-nfl-trends

Odegard Cardinals.com: A.Q. Shipley Never Accepted Career Could Be Over
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/a-q-shipley-never-accepted-career-could-be-over

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Ryan ready for his exhibition-season debut 
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/ryan-ready-for-his-exhibition-season-debut/wXh2DEi5MLVN795dQeHQcP/

Conway Falcons.com: A humbled, hungry Brian Hill making most of second chance with Falcons
https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/a-humbled-hungry-brian-hill-making-most-of-second-chance-with-falcons

BALTIMORE
Mink Ravens.com: Comfortable in Ravens Offense, Lamar Jackson Expects a Big Jump in Year 2
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/comfortable-in-ravens-offense-lamar-jackson-expects-a-big-jump-in-year-2

Shaffer Baltimore Sun: As training camp ends, Ravens happy with growth of young receivers; CB Jimmy Smith given day off to rest
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-training-camp-receivers-20190813-pc2vkbyvjrh45let3a4s7vjmva-story.html

Preston Baltimore Sun: Ravens still trying to find consistent pass rush, the last piece of a complete defense
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/analysis/preston/bs-sp-pass-rush-20190813-bep423xdhnarthg7rdrbsvjd7m-story.html

Walker Baltimore Sun: Nothing comes easily for an NFL rookie, and Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson wouldn’t have it any other way
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-jaylon-ferguson-20190813-3co5uhs3z5b2noffwbnnolqjjm-story.html

BUFFALO
Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer)
8/13/19, 4:52 PM
Didn't get to see the Bills practice. But spent some time over there with them in Spartanburg last night. So here are 5 takeaways from their camp for you ...

1) Sense I got is that the guy they're highest on is second-year MLB Tremaine Edmunds. He's seeing everything faster than he was before, settling into his position off the ball, and he's just 21 years old. Could be in for a monster sophomore season

2) Ed Oliver's come as advertised -- bringing high energy and an edge to the practice field. Because he's smaller, the coaches are going to have to be strategic in getting the most out of him. But they're aware of that. It'll be interesting to see how he's deployed as a rookie

3) Devin Singletary's picked up enough to be a three-down back right away, even if the Bills, based on their own depth, don't need him to be. Really, the only weakness to his game is that he's not a home-run hitter. The rest is there. I'd expect Buffalo to get trade calls on RBs

4) The biggest loose end will be figuring out who plays where on an improved OL. Mitch Morse's injury has led to some tinkering. The moveable piece here is second-rounder Cody Ford, who can play RT or guard, versatility that opens up some possibilities in who'll play where

5) As for Josh Allen, I'd tell you the biggest jump to look for is in his willingness to take easy money. The pass-catching ability of Buffalo's backs, and the presence of Cole Beasley should help there, and open things up downfield for a guy with a huge arm

CAROLINA
Bonnell Charlotte Observer: Josh Allen debriefed Panthers’ Luke Kuechly on plays; Brian Burns ankle injury
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article233797587.html

CHICAGO
Kane Chicago Tribune: Are the Bears OK if Mitch Trubisky doesn’t throw a preseason pass? ‘We’re in a phenomenal spot right now.’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-bears-mitch-trubisky-giants-20190813-zsfolw3rxfdtzdk6emn2yknteq-story.html

Biggs Chicago Tribune: Tempers flare as Javon Wims and Prince Amukamara fight at Bears practice: ‘Sometimes the juices get flowing’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-bears-javon-wims-prince-amukamara-fight-20190813-7gqc6kv6e5dmnni3hsw2el27hq-story.html

CINCINNATI
Fay Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals' new wide receiver? Jeff Driskel (but he's still in QB mix as well)
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/2000749001

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Baker Mayfield: ‘People want to see us lose just because the hype is so real’
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/baker-mayfield-people-want-to-see-us-lose-just-because-the-hype-is-so-real.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Jarvis Landry on Antonio Callaway: ‘As players, we stand behind Antonio’
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/jarvis-landry-on-antonio-callaway-as-players-we-stand-behind-antonio.html

DENVER
Klis 9News Denver: Bronco notes: Fangio helps Von send off camp crowds
https://www.9news.com/article/news/bronco-notes-fangio-helps-von-send-off-camp-crowds/73-5648d281-0854-4526-bd9c-ef7be8026334

Fredrickson Denver Post: George Aston takes hold of Broncos’ fullback role with Andy Janovich injured
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/13/broncos-george-aston-andy-janovich-injury/amp/

Legwold ESPN Denver: Ready or not, Broncos need rookie Noah Fant to lift his game
https://www.espn.com/blog/denver-broncos/post/_/id/33481/ready-or-not-broncos-need-rookie-noah-fant-to-lift-his-game?

Keeler Denver Post: Broncos S Will Parks: “I want a Super Bowl. Super Bowls. Plural.”
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/13/will-parks-vic-fangio-broncos-super-bowl-prediction/

DETROIT
Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford looks sharp, throws TDs in return to practice
https://amp.freep.com/amp/1997347001

Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions eager to practice against Texans dual-threat QB Deshaun Watson
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2002035001

Schoch Detroit News: Old Dominion teammates Travis Fulgham, Jonathan Duhart vying for spot with Lions
https://amp.detroitnews.com/amp/1994014001

GREEN BAY
Hodkiewicz Packers.com: There’s more than meets the eye with Allen Lazard
https://www.packers.com/news/there-s-more-than-meets-the-eye-with-allen-lazard

Wilde State Journal: Packers: Defensive end Montravius Adams aiming for consistency this season
https://journaltimes.com/sports/football/packers-defensive-end-montravius-adams-aiming-for-consistency-this-season/article_abca0a9c-b1ad-5fec-87cb-067716f2cbe2.html

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans rookie Tyron Johnson has 'dangerous' speed
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-rookie-Tyron-Johnson-has-dangerous-speed-14300474.php

McClain Houston Chronicle: Texans have a left tackle problem
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/mcclain/amp/McClain-Texans-have-a-left-tackle-problem-14301641.php

Smith Houston Chronicle: If Texans were shrewd, Jadeveon Clowney would be dealt
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/smith/article/Smith-If-Texans-were-like-Patriots-Jadeveon-14302025.php

Jason OTC: The Texans Options with Jadeveon Clowney
https://overthecap.com/the-texans-options-with-jadeveon-clowney/

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans impressed with rookie linebacker Jamal Davis
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-impressed-rookie-linebacker-Jamal-Davis-14300424.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans see improvement from Aaron Colvin after rough year
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/Texans-improvement-Aaron-Colvin-after-rough-year-14300559.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Wells ESPN Indianapolis: Colts GM says Luck now has high-ankle problem
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27382204/colts-gm-says-luck-now-high-ankle-problem?

JACKSONVILLE
Smits Florida Times Union: Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew bounces back in practice from rough debut
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190813/jaguars-qb-gardner-minshew-bounces-back-in-practice-from-rough-debut?

DiRocco ESPN Jacksonville: Positive signs that Leonard Fournette ready for bounce-back season
https://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/27187/positive-signs-that-leonard-fournette-ready-for-bounce-back-season?

Reid Florida Times Union: Jaguars LB Nagee Goode's film study includes Telvin Smith's best games
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190813/jaguars-lb-najee-goodes-film-study-includes-telvin-smiths-best-games

KANSAS CITY
Kerkhoff KC Star: Chiefs WRs coach Greg Lewis likes all his guys, but don’t ask about ‘Legion of Zoom’
https://amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article233967057.html

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Miller LA Times: Artavis Scott’s grueling journey from Clemson stardom to Chargers may finally pay off
https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2019-08-13/artavis-scott-is-trying-to-win-receiver-spot-with-chargers?

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Todd Gurley’s Hawaiian weekend likely will have to wait as Rams prep for Cowboys
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-08-13/todd-gurley-hawaii-rams-cowboys-nfl-preseason?

Williams OC Register: The Rams’ Taylor Rapp making the most of his first NFL preseason experience
https://www.https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/13/vikings-tashawn-bower-optimistic-about-returning-this-season-after-suffering-torn-achilles-in-march/amp/.com/2019/08/13/the-rams-taylor-rapp-making-the-most-of-his-first-nfl-preseason-experience/amp/

MIAMI
Deen Sun Sentinel: Josh Rosen grows comfortable, strives to show how ‘special’ he could be leading Dolphins offense
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-josh-rosen-tues-20190813-terehyyttttytodcpnrc57ngvtomcbhexg6qb7i-story.html

Stroud TB Times: Ryan Fitzpatrick is back in Tampa Bay, and all about playing
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/08/13/ryan-fitzpatrick-is-back-in-tampa-bay-and-all-about-playing/?


Salguero Miami Herald: Where the Dolphins stand amid the Jadeveon Clowney rumors and how it affects team’s future

“The Dolphins are not looking at adding Clowney because they are interested in finding a quarterback in next year’s draft. And not just any quarterback, by the way, but the best one they can find in the first round.”

https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article233952712.html

MINNESOTA
Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings’ Tashawn Bower optimistic about returning this season after suffering torn Achilles in March
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/13/vikings-tashawn-bower-optimistic-about-returning-this-season-after-suffering-torn-achilles-in-march/amp/

Chris Tomasson (@t)
8/13/19, 5:31 PM
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on LBs: "The best group I have had since I’ve been here depth wise. There’s a possibility of 7 guys, a possibility of all of them being up on game day." He singled out Wilson, Cliett stepping up. Said draftee Smith “doing good’’ but “still learning."

Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings safety Anthony Harris ready to make leap to Pro Bowl player
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/13/vikings-anthony-harris-keeps-getting-better-says-he-has-ability-to-be-a-pro-bowl-caliber-player/amp/

Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings’ Dan Bailey, Kaare Vedvik look good in practice, but injured Matt Wile mostly watches
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/13/vikings-dan-bailey-kaare-vedvik-look-good-in-practice-while-injured-matt-wile-mostly-watches/

NEW ENGLAND
Kelly Boston Globe: Patriots release QB/WR Danny Etling
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/13/patriots-danny-etling/fwkLsY7r9JM30XVPb9AXPP/story.html

Keegan Boston Herald: Patriots veteran Michael Bennett sounds like an eager rookie
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/13/patriots-veteran-michael-bennett-sounds-like-an-eager-rookie/amp/

Hewitt Boston Herald: John Simon happy to find home with Patriots after crazy year
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/13/john-simon-happy-to-find-home-with-patriots-after-crazy-year/amp/

NEW YORK JETS
Serby NYP: Jets’ surprise fill-in Arthur Maulet went through hell to get here
https://nypost.com/2019/08/13/jets-surprise-fill-in-arthur-maulet-went-through-hell-to-get-here/

Cannizzaro NYP: Gregg Williams has retort for Jets defensive doubters
https://nypost.com/2019/08/13/gregg-williams-has-retort-for-jets-defensive-doubters/amp/#click=https://t.co/qITsMzxCeP

OAKLAND
Kawahara SF Chronicle: Raiders on ‘Hard Knocks’: Focus on Antonio Brown - and his feet
https://www.sfchronicle.com/raiders/amp/Raiders-on-Hard-Knocks-Focus-on-Antonio-14302587.php#click=https://t.co/5SrUcJjTvh

Gehlken LV Review Journal: Raiders choose A.J. Cole as punter, cut Johnny Townsend
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders/raiders-choose-a-j-cole-as-punter-cut-johnny-townsend-1825761/amp/

PHILADELPHIA
Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles training camp practice notes, Day 15: Nelson Agholor's hands are no longer a weakness
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-training-camp-practice-notes-day-15nelson-agholor-hands-weakness/

Sielski Phil Inquirer: Nick Foles shaped how we look at Carson Wentz. Now Wentz must stand on his own as the Eagles’ QB
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/carson-wentz-nick-foles-eagles-jaguars-super-bowl-20190813.html

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Why Zach Ertz is turning to Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley for help
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/zach-ertz-eagles-tight-ends-duce-staley-20190813.html

Kempski Phillyvoice: Emergency post! Will Golden Tate's suspension affect the Eagles' compensatory pick haul?
https://www.phillyvoice.com/emergency-post-will-golden-tates-suspension-affect-eagles-compensatory-pick-haul/

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Eagles interested in former Army offensive tackle seeking waiver to play in NFL
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-sign-brett-toth-army-donald-trump-waiver-alejandro-villanueva-chip-kelly-military-service-offensive-tackle-20190813.html

McManus ESPN Phil: Eagles' Sidney Jones has health, swagger back entering Year 3
https://www.espn.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/27934/eagles-sidney-jones-has-health-swagger-back-entering-year-3?

PITTSBURGH
Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Former Steelers offensive coordinator Ray Sherman fills in as receivers coach after Darryl Drake's passing
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/13/Former-Steelers-offensive-coordinator-Ray-Sherman-fills-in-as-receivers-coach-Darryl-Drake-Blaine-Stewart-Mike-Tomlin/stories/201908130158

Bouchette The Athletic: Former Steelers dealt with death during training camp. They could help this group grieve
https://theathletic.com/1133409/2019/08/13/former-steelers-dealt-with-death-during-training-camp-they-could-help-this-group-grieve/

Adamski Pittsburgh Tribune Review: NFL preseason debut ‘looked a little big’ for Steelers CB Justin Layne, who vows to adjust
https://triblive.com/sports/nfl-preseason-debut-looked-a-little-big-for-steelers-cb-justin-layne-who-vows-to-adjust/

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Continuity concerns? 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has a few
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/Continuity-concerns-49ers-Saleh-has-a-few-14301695.php#click=https://t.co/eRyY8vzgIV

SEATTLE
Calkins Seattle Times: ‘It’s not football anymore’: Are NFL safety measures going too far? Some Seahawks believe so
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/calkins-column-on-nfl-rule-changes-aimed-at-improving-safety/?

TAMPA BAY
Kelly Sun Sentinel: Buccaneers DT Ndamukong Suh teaches Dolphins’ rookie guards tough lessons during joint practice
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-sidebar-tues-20190813-izyjaw5dvzhtzbnrrnqzh765me-story.html

TENNESSEE
Davenport ESPN Nashville: How Derrick Henry can carry last year's fantastic finish over to 2
https://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/28485/how-derrick-henry-can-carry-last-years-fantastic-finish-over-to-2019?

WASHINGTON
Snider Washington Post: Case Keenum is probably the Redskins’ starting quarterback — for now
https://beta.washingtonpost.com/express/2019/08/13/case-keenum-is-probably-redskins-starting-quarterback-now/?

Carpenter Washington Post: The Redskins are still refusing to budge in Trent Williams standoff
https://beta.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/13/redskins-are-still-refusing-budge-trent-williams-standoff/?

Keim ESPN Washington: Secrets of a Redskins ironman: 300 ounces of water, cold tubs, float pods
https://www.espn.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/38815/secrets-of-a-redskins-ironman-300-ounces-of-water-colt-tubs-float-pods

Colleges/Draft

Wilson CBS Sports: SEC Preview of 2020 NFL Draft: Top prospects loaded with Alabama players, starting with Tua Tagovailoa
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/sec-preview-of-2020-nfl-draft-top-prospects-loaded-with-alabama-players-starting-with-tua-tagovailoa/amp/

QB
Sikkema The Draft Network: 5-PLAY PROSPECT: HAWAII QB COLE MCDONALD
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/5-play-prospect--hawaii-qb-cole-mcdonald

Kartje LA Times: USC quarterback Matt Fink happy to be welcomed back into the fold
https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2019-08-13/usc-football-clay-helton-matt-fink

Hyde Sun Sentinel: A good arm, a changed mind and one hot scrimmage made Jarren Williams the next Miami QB
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-hurricanes/fl-sp-hyde-jarren-williams-um-20190813-pl54we3ycfgqrktplsj5xfxnmi-story.html

K
Bolch LA Times: J.J. Molson could join Bruin company that’s as elite as his family’s brewing company
https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2019-08-13/ucla-football-jj-molson-kicking-legacy

History

Stuart Pro Football Journal: Best Players in Pro Football History: 1-10, by Brad Oremland

“6. Lawrence Taylor
Rush Linebacker& #8232;New York Giants, 1981-93& #8232;142 sacks (132.5 official); 53 FF (unofficial), 11 FR, 34 yards; 9 INT, 134 yards, 2 TD& #8232;1 MVP, 3 DPOY, 6 consensus All-Pro, 10 AP All-Pro, 10 Pro Bowls, Rookie of the Year, 1980s All-Decade Team, 75th Anniversary Team, All-Century Team
In The New Thinking Man’s Guide to Pro Football, Paul Zimmerman described “the best defensive play I’ve ever seen,” from November 1983, two months before Washington played in Super Bowl XVIII:
Joe Theismann is back to pass and Taylor is blitzing from the Giants’ right side. Joe Jacoby, the 300-pound All-Pro tackle, slides over to block him . . . Taylor grabs Jacoby by the shoulder pads and throws him. He flushes Theismann out of the pocket, and Theismann’s off and running. George Starke, the 260-pound right tackle, peels back to pick up Taylor, who knocks him to the ground without breaking stride. Taylor catches up with Theismann 15 yards downfield. That’s 560 pounds of linemen he disposed of, and a 4.6 quarterback he’s run down.
Lawrence Taylor is challenging to describe. It is impossible to communicate, through words, his combination of size and power. He wasn’t known as a student of the game; he didn’t study more film than anyone else or anticipate what the other team was doing. He wrecked opposing game plans with sheer freakish athleticism: he was too fast and too strong. “A 245-pound linebacker isn’t supposed to throw 300-pounders aside,” concluded Zimmerman. Taylor himself acknowledged, “I’d get lots of sacks in different ways, but the best came from straight power, driving right into a guy and lifting him, because he didn’t expect it from someone who weighs 245.” Maybe it doesn’t sound impressive; it was stunning. Lawrence Taylor had the most unmistakeable physical talent I’ve ever seen from a defensive player. He was faster and stronger than everyone on the other side of the ball. You can’t understand his impact without seeing it. “He arrived in the NFL like an emissary from another planet,” explained Zimmerman.
Taylor probably changed American football more than any defensive player in history. The “Mel Blount Rule” wasn’t created solely in reaction to Mel Blount. Scoring in the 1970s was low across the league, not just in Steeler games. Deacon Jones wasn’t the only reason the head slap got banned; Night Train Lane wasn’t the only player to use clothesline tackles. And so on.
Even if you want to exaggerate the impact of individual players on rule changes, Taylor changed the strategy of both offensive and defensive football. His success, as Rookie of the Year in 1981, essentially created a new position: rush linebacker. “When God was creating pass-rushing linebackers,” declared Giants coach Bill Parcells, “he had Lawrence Taylor in mind.” In his first season, Taylor was named Defensive Rookie of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowler, first-team All-Pro, and Defensive Player of the Year. The Giants’ defense improved from 24th (out of 28) to 3rd, and allowed 65% fewer points than the previous season. “He could disrupt the other team’s offense so that they had to react to him,” wrote Matthew Silverman.
Before Taylor, running backs handled blitzing linebackers, or maybe tight ends would pick them up. Running backs absolutely could not handle Lawrence Taylor, and even the best tight ends would only slow him down on most plays. Washington coach Joe Gibbs replaced his fullback with an H-back10 or second TE to limit Taylor’s impact, double-teaming L.T. with a tackle and tight end. “He was the only defensive player I can remember who we had to design our game plan around,” marveled 1983 MVP Joe Theismann. One-back offenses like Washington’s proliferated to match the influx of pass-rushing linebackers inspired by Taylor’s success.
Most offenses eventually reverted to a two-back set, but the fullback position had evolved to fit the skills called for by Gibbs’ offense. “Even as full-time one-back offenses petered out in the late 1980s, the concept of a single feature back prevailed. Fullback became a block-and-catch position, just like H-back. The one-back offense’s legacy endured,” wrote Kevin Lamb in his essay “The Evolution of Strategy.” Lawrence Taylor was indirectly responsible for killing the decades-old two-back offense and re-shaping the fullback as a block-and-catch role player — beginning the trend toward effective extinction of the fullback position in recent seasons.11
“Lawrence Taylor, defensively, has had as big an impact as any player I’ve ever seen,” hailed John Madden. “He changed the way defense is played, the way pass-rushing is played, the way linebackers play and the way offenses block linebackers.”
Because he was so devastating a pass rusher, Taylor was seldom used in pass coverage, but he was such an incredible athlete and playmaker that he still pulled in 9 career interceptions,12 including one that he returned 97 yards for a touchdown in 1982. That was the famous Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions that Taylor won almost single-handedly. “There’s only one defensive player that can win a football game and that was you. I thought you won that game,” Madden told L.T.
Only slightly less famous was his 1988 Sunday night game against the Saints. “I think it’s his signature game,” proposed Parcells. Playing in a massive brace due to a torn shoulder muscle, Taylor had 10 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. The Giants won 13-12. “He won another game,” marveled Madden, “almost all by himself.” In enormous pain, Taylor admitted, “I don’t know how I ever got through that one.”
Taylor had three seasons of 15+ sacks, including a league-leading 20.5 in 1986. That season, Taylor was not only the league’s sack leader, but the Defensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and a Super Bowl champion. Taylor contributed a 34-yard pick-six against Joe Montana and the 49ers in the playoffs, followed by a shutout of Washington in the NFC Championship Game. In a wonderful feature on The Hogs, Washington’s offensive line in the 1980s, Bill Simmons reported that to a man, they identified Taylor as the greatest defensive player any of them had ever seen. “They discussed him reverentially.”
Other than the most dedicated football analysts, I think only NFC East fans really understood how dominant Lawrence Taylor was. Everyone knew he was great, of course, but I think you had to see him repeatedly dominate and dictate to his rivals to fully appreciate his impact. In his 10th season, Taylor ran down Randall Cunningham from behind. That was the year Cunningham rushed for 942 yards, and here’s a 31-year-old linebacker who’s too fast for him. “He came on a blitz one time,” remembered Eric Dickerson, “and I was just trying to beat him to the handoff.”
Taylor was chosen to 10 Pro Bowls and 10 Associated Press All-Pro teams, including eight first-team selections, most of any LB. He and J.J. Watt are the only players to win AP‘s Defensive Player of the Year three times, he is one of only two defensive players to be named AP‘s NFL MVP, and he was the only defensive player unanimously chosen to the 1980s All-Decade Team. Taylor was the first of his kind, maybe the only of his kind, a uniquely disruptive force on defense.”

http://www.footballperspective.com/best-players-in-pro-football-history-1-10-by-brad-oremland/

Encina TB Times: For Ronde Barber, entering the Bucs’ Ring of Honor is worth the wait
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/08/13/for-ronde-barber-entering-the-bucs-ring-of-honor-is-worth-the-wait/

Giants Birthdays 8-14

Tae Davis ILB UDFA-Tennessee Chattanooga 2018 NYG 2018 8-14-1996

Charlie Harper LG/RT D8-Oklahoma State 1966 NYG 1966-1972 8-14-1944

Laible Observer Dispatch: Only Happy Days For Harper With Football Giants (8-26-2016)

“"It always seemed like we were family," says Harper of his playing with with the Giants. I was a guy from Broken Arrow (OK), and I'm playing in New York City. When we arrived in the City, Ernie Koy (Giants teammate) showed us around. My wife and I had did and saw so much. Linda (Charlie's wife) even won a "bunch of prizes" on The Price Is Right."
As an eighth-round draft by the Giants in 1966 out of Oklahoma State, Harper was a young offensive guard/tackle who had seen but one professional game – on TV. The Giants-Colts NFL Championship meeting on December 28, 1958, dubbed "The Greatest Game Ever Played" is that pro game. The Johnny Unitas led Baltimore Colts took the Giants into overtime at the Stadium, winning 23-7. It would be eight years later when Harper would see his second NFL game, this one he would be playing in.
As a 22-year-old rookie, having Yankee Stadium as the Giants home field was, to put it mildly, daunting. Coming from the northeastern part of Oklahoma, Broken Arrow is the largest suburb of Tulsa. In the 1960's, the city's population totaled about 11,000. Being a Mickey Mantle fan, the first time he participated in a Giants practice in the famed Bronx ballpark, he thought of his idol from Commerce,OK.
"I get drafted, and my first day of training camp is in Yankee Stadium. I'm wide-eyed. I get brought over to his (Mantle's) locker. I see his name tag over the stall,"Harper remembers. "I had a cold, the flu, just feeling terrible. But I'm playing on THAT field. I get to one of the goal posts, and I'm standing with my roommate Phil Harris – dreaming of that Giants-Colts game that I saw on TV. It almost didn't seem real."
From growing up on a farm, to having 161 Street in the Bronx as a work address is something dreams are made of, in listening to Harper relive his days with Big Blue. Jim Lee Howell, first, a player with the Giants in 1937, later head coach in the 1950's, and from the 1960's through 1981 involved in scouting and the director of player personnel, he is the person responsible for bringing Harper to the NFL – literally.
"I get a call from Jim Lee Howell. I had already been drafted by New York (Rival AFL Kansas City Chiefs also were interested in Harper, but he never gave them a serious thought). We (Oklahoma State) were playing OU (Oklahoma University) at Norman, for our last game of the season. Back then, you had the draft before college football finished," Harper recalls. "We beat OU, and I drive back to New York with Howell. The next morning (Sunday), I'm a member of the New York Giants".
The Giants, and the majority of other NFL players, particularly offensive lineman like Harper, weren't making big bucks. They Just wanted to play the game. Harper's plan was simple and direct. "Our first season (1966) we were bad (1-12-1 8th in the eastern division/last). But, the fans were amazing. They were behind us all the way. First, my goal was to make the team. I did that. For my second year, I wanted to be among the top 22 players. That worked out. I was at guard, and sometimes tackle. I really didn't care where I was playing. It was just fun."
The fun part for Charlie Harper's introduction to the NFL and being a New York Giant surely had a little pain mixed with that welcome. The first game in his rookie season still is as clear as if he were watching a replay on film. The Giants and the Los Angeles Rams clashed. With Harper on the line, and Earl Morrall and Gary Wood calling the signals in the backfield, the famed Fearsome Foursome of the Rams kept him busy at the line of scrimmage.
Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy were a handful for veterans to contend with on any Sunday afternoon, and for a rookie such as Harper, it was an education to be had. "First quarter, I was lined up against Deacon. Second quarter, Merlin Olsen. Fourth quarter, Lamar Lundy. That was the best game that I ever had," Harper states. They weren't overpowering."
Being part of the NFL experience, and in New York City, was intimidating at first for Harper, but he settled down quicker than most people would think a farm boy could. Growing up in a county, six miles from town, no taxis, and plenty of dirt roads, Harper absorbed all that the big city had to offer. Riding the subway (Charlie's wife Linda witnessed a robery, as well), proudly recalling a walk up into the torch of the Statue of Liberty, and remembering seeing the Twin Towers being built, make Harper proclaim – "I am proud to say that I was a Giant."
"The highest things I saw before seeing the skyscrapers in New York, were in haylofts", Harper chuckles.
Where do an NFL rookie and his bride live, when coming to Gotham? Well, for the first season, the Harpers nested 15 miles north of midtown Manhattan in Bronxville. In the coming seasons, just a mile and a half from the Stadium, the Concourse Plaza Hotel was home for the Harpers. Then there was their home away from home set up in Glen Cove (NY), on the North Shore of Long Island's Nassau County.During his final season with the G-Men in 1972, Charlie and his wife lived in New Jersey. "I would ride with Doug Van Horn, Greg Larson, and Bob Lurtsema", Harper says of his car pooling teammates. "It would be a one hour drive from Long Island to Yankee Stadium."

https://www.uticaod.com/blogs/20160826/only-happy-days-for-harper-with-football-giants?

Mike Mayock DB W-PIT 1982 NYG 1982-1983 8-24-1958

Leon Perry FB UDFA-Mississippi 1980 NYG 1980-1982 8-24-1957

Going back through the VCR archives, looking back at 25 years of Giants games on tape

1981 Giants v Cowboys

“Both offenses were sputtering, both punters getting a work out.  Leon Perry got things going though, with a run out to the 45.  Carpenter followed up by getting it into Dallas territory.  Brunner hit Young again, this time down the seam to the 39.  The next play was one of the strangest flea flickers I have ever seen, Carpenter flipped the ball back to Brunner, who was hit on the pass and the ball fluttered to Perry just beyond the line of scrimmage, and he took the ball out to the 23 for a first down.  A Carpenter run got the ball to the 20, and the Giants would finally break through...”

http://bigbluevcr.blogspot.com/2012/08/1981-giants-v-cowboys.html

In Memoriam

Rudy Comstock RG FA-Frankfort 1930 NYG 1930 Born 8-14-1899 Died 11-1975

“Rudolph S. Comstock, who was born in 1900 and died in 1975, played 11 professional seasons with five NFL franchises — including the Canton Bulldogs, New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. He also had been head coach of the Pittsburgh Americans pro team. Comstock was on four NFL champion squads and was an All-Pro selection in 1923, 1926 and 1930. In a legendary exhibition game played Dec. 26, 1927, at Pawhuska, where the semi-professional Hominy Indians defeated the New York Giants, Rudy Comstock suited up for the NFL reigning champions — even though he was technically a member of the Frankford Yellow Jackets.”

https://www.pawhuskajournalcapital.com/article/20160108/SPORTS/301089936?

“In 1927, Pepper Martin was off playing baseball when the Hominy team hit the big time with a shocking win over the New York Giants in a game played in Pawhuska, Okla. It was the day after Christmas, and the Giants rolled into town as the newly crowned NFL champions.
The game was a natural for prosperous, oil-booming Oklahoma. Football fans from across the country converged on Pawhuska and the betting was heavy, with most of the “smart” money riding on the Giants. This was the Hominy team’s first crack at a football club with the stature of the Giants. A year or so earlier, though, they had defeated the Buffalo Rangers, who finished ninth in the 22-team NFL that season with a 4-4-2 record. The Indians beat the Rangers first at Tulsa and again two weeks later in San Antonio.
Newspaper accounts of the Indians-Giants fray tell of outstanding plays made by Giant halfback Ben Hobson and tackle Rudy Comstock. Interestingly enough, neither of them played for the Giants in any league games that year (Comstock played for Frankford, Hobson for Buffalo), which suggests that this was a barnstorming team with a number of “ringers” filling in around a nucleus of players from the champs. Whoever their opponents were, it’s certain that John and George Levi, Joe Pappio and George Nix (the Eskimo) led the Indians to a 13-6 win.”

http://thislandpress.com/2012/09/12/they-might-be-giants/

Campbell PFR: JOHN ALEXANDER: PRO FOOTBALL PIONEER

“Rudy Comstock, a very rugged guard is another I remember from that team. I used to really puzzle him when I would leave the line and take that outside linebacker position. I'd line up at tackle, but before the ball was put in play, I'd jump back and outside the end. We played what was called a `seven-diamond' defense, and on many plays I was Comstock's man to block he had trouble finding me. After I'd make a tackle, he'd come up to me and say, `Alexander how the hell'd you make the tackle? Where were you? Where'd you go?' I'd just smile and say, `I was there all the time, Rudy.' I don't know if he ever figured it out. With no films of games to study, how could he?"

http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/16-02-558.pdf