Thursday Reading

Giants

Salomone Giants.com: 5 things we learned at Giants Training Camp (8/14)
https://www.giants.com/news/5-things-we-learned-at-giants-training-camp-8-14

Benoit MMQB: Giants’ Saquon Barkley Poised to Become NFL’s Top Overall Running Back
The 2019 NFL season is just a few weeks away, so Andy Benoit makes a few predictions for each NFL team. Today he analyzes the New York Giants, who finished 5-11 and last in the NFC East last year.

“Saquon Barkley becomes football’s best tailback. On run designs, Barkley is not quite as efficient or disciplined as Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott, but he has an unparalleled ability to create his own space. Having incredible east-west fluidity and the thick thighs to break tackles and burst downhill from any angle, the second-year star draws history’s first legitimate comparisons to Barry Sanders. And remember, Sanders never dominated as a multi-tooled receiver like Barkley. 
The Eli Manning-Daniel Jones controversy gains more life. With X-receiver Corey Coleman injured (ACL) and Golden Tate suspended four games, the Giants have the NFL’s worst receiving corps. They also have offensive tackles who lack the anchor strength (Nate Solder) or quickness (Mike Remmers) to secure the edges. Manning’s struggles with accuracy and messy-pocket decision-making worsen. However, head coach Pat Shurmur understands that Manning’s high football IQ allows New York to check in and out of any play at the line of scrimmage, which is critical in an offense built entirely around leveraging its mismatch-making pieces, Barkley and receiving tight end Evan Engram. It’s the Giants’ only lifeline, and they’d lose it by tapping Jones, who is liable to have the same difficulties as Manning anyway. 

The defense attacks. After employing safe zone coverage to survive the growing pains of young defensive backs last year, coordinator James Bettcher dips into the bag of blitzes that defined his defensive play-calling in Arizona. He can because he is more comfortable with the coverage behind his pressures now that veteran Antoine Bethea is at free safety. Bettcher also trusts the strong route jumping prowess of cornerback Janoris Jenkins and is more confident in the starter opposite him, be it first-round rookie DeAndre Baker or a now-healthy 2018 supplemental third-rounder Sam Beal. The blitzes yield highs and lows, but they’re Bettcher’s best option, as the Giants, aside from what they hope is a now-healthy Markus Golden, have no proven edge rushers.
The run D dominates. B.J. Hill and Dalvin Tomlinson, already one of football’s best young defensive linemen tandems, are bolstered by the arrival of first-round rookie Dexter Lawrence. The Giants align in condensed defensive fronts, leaving opponents with no option other than to run outside, where they must contest with speedy linebacker Alec Ogletree. 
BOTTOM LINE: With iffy tackles and bad wideouts on offense, the Giants are reliant on getting big plays from a defense that is, at best, good but not great.”

https://amp.si.com/nfl/2019/08/14/new-york-giants-2019-preview-saquon-barkley-daniel-jones-eli-manning

Stapleton The Record: NY Giants: 5 things to watch heading into second preseason game against the Bears
https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2019/08/15/ny-giants-5-things-watch-second-preseason-game-vs-bears/2012498001/

QB

Leonard NYDN: If John Mara wants progress, he can’t force Eli Manning on the team
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-john-mara-eli-manning-daniel-jones-20190815-ot6rc46pajcopfjxv6ao3mmnii-story.html

Walker NYP: Daniel Jones responds to Giants owner’s curious wish
https://nypost.com/2019/08/14/daniel-jones-responds-to-giants-owners-curious-wish/amp/

RB

Nick Turchyn (@Tmanic21)
8/14/19, 1:45 PM
Random Thought: Think Shurmur/Shula will want to run plays like this(From PSU in '17) early in the season .

3x2 Empty Set, Barkley in the Left Slot
1-High probable Man Coverage look from D
Slot/Y run Picks in the middle, RB Breaks underneath

Young NYDN: Saquon Barkley’s fantasy god status doesn’t mean the Giants will be good
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-saquon-barkley-fantasy-giants-season-preview-20190815-fblgaqfvg5hzpabaapm5khcuoq-story.html

WR

Serby NYP: Giants’ Golden Tate deserves empathy and punishment
https://nypost.com/2019/08/15/giants-golden-tate-deserves-empathy-and-punishment/amp/

Eisen Giants.com: TJ Jones making most of opportunity at receiver
https://www.giants.com/news/wide-receiver-tj-jones-making-most-of-opportunity

Fonseca NJ.com: Giants rookie Darius Slayton ‘excited’ to be back on practice field, reinforces crumbling receiver room
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/giants-rookie-darius-slayton-excited-to-be-back-on-practice-field-reinforces-crumbling-receiver-room.html

TE

Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21)
8/14/19, 5:55 PM
To clarify the Scott Simonson "bookkeeping matter." Essentially, it's an accounting issue. Here's the explanation, per source: Simonson re-signed in February, so that technically qualified as an extension and therefore he wasn't eligible for a Minimum Salary Benefit contract

MSBs allow for players with four or more credited seasons to carry the same cap hit as the minimum salary for players with two credited seasons

Simonson signed a one-year, $895K contract with a base salary of $805K, a $65K signing bonus and a $25K workout bonus. The full $895K counted against the cap. The Giants are releasing him and re-signing him to an MSB contract. He still gets $895K but cap charge drops to $735K

tl:dr Simonson isn't going anywhere and the Giants will save $160K against the cap.

T

Dunleavy NJ.com: Meet Giants newcomer with Texans’ J.J. Watt (and more) to thank for being in position to steal a roster spot
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/meet-giants-newcomer-with-texans-jj-watt-and-more-to-thank-for-being-in-position-to-steal-a-roster-spot.html

CB

Raanan ESPN NY: Why CB Deandre Baker's knee strain is 'big relief' for Giants
https://www.espn.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/83420/why-cb-deandre-bakers-knee-strain-is-big-relief-for-giants?

PK

Pennington NYT: For N.F.L. Kickers, Near Perfect Isn’t Close Enough

“Kicker Aldrick Rosas was one of three Giants who made the Pro Bowl last year; the star running back Saquon Barkley and safety Landon Collins were the others. Rosas, in just his second year in the N.F.L., was nearly perfect in 2018, converting 32 of 33 field-goal attempts and missing only one of 32 extra-point attempts.
It’s now Rosas’s job to improve on that, and he knows it. But is that realistic?
“Yes,” Rosas, 24, said after the Giants training camp practice Monday. “It has to be.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/sports/football/nfl-kickers-chandler-catanzaro-aldrick-rosas.amp.html

P

Eisen Giants.com: Giants claim punter Johnny Townsend off waivers
https://www.giants.com/news/giants-awarded-punter-johnny-townsend-off-waivers

Hays Orlando Sentinel: One day after being waived by Raiders, Boone and UF product Johnny Townsend is a Giant
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-recruiting/os-sp-johnny-townsend-waivers-giants-20190815-gu4fs3osgba75nilxfg5wdnd2u-story.html

NFL

Freeman B/R: Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Antonio Brown-Raiders Marriage Destined to Fail
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2849262-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-antonio-brown-raiders-marriage-destined-to-fail

Pizzuta Sharp Football Analysis: How the Raiders, Bengals, & Others Can Escape QB Purgatory
https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/how-the-raiders-bengals-others-can-escape-qb-purgatory/

ATLANTA
Winklejohn AJC: Grace is making noise rather than being graceful
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/grace-making-noise-rather-than-being-graceful/QdAkfrF9cPa0AmfSKDLjKK/

BALTIMORE
Shaffer Baltimore Sun: Rising and falling: Eight Ravens on the move entering preseason game vs. Packers
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-packers-20190815-fq24uw3oe5fkbkemjzqm3szngm-story.html

BUFFALO
Jacques ESPN Buffalo: Why Bills keep returning to their 'Panthers North' pipeline
https://www.espn.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/33416/why-bills-keep-returning-to-their-panthers-north-pipeline?

Sal Maiorana (@salmaiorana)
8/14/19, 9:35 AM
Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson with the best line of the day so far. Tells his guys when the linebacker comes in to “violently eject their ass back.” Works for me

CHICAGO
Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer)
8/14/19, 10:12 PM
Matt Nagy has zero intent on playing any of his key players Friday night against the Giants. That was a major part of the intent Wed. night in holding the under-the-lights mock game. Nagy: "They got a lot of reps out here tonight. I like that they got a lot of reps."

Biggs Chicago Tribune: Bears Q& A: How did the Browns get more for Duke Johnson than the Bears did for Jordan Howard? Is Taylor Gabriel still the fastest Bear? Will Javon Wims make the 53-man roster?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-bears-mailbag-emanuel-hall-taylor-gabriel-biggs-20190814-iylm6lzbyfeqbpju2dt2ugeqti-story.html

CLEVELAND
Labbe Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns’ Freddie Kitchens following joint practice scuffle: ‘At some point, you’ve got to stand up for yourself’
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/browns-head-coach-freddie-kitchens-following-joint-practice-scuffle-at-some-point-youve-got-to-stand-up-for-yourself.html

Lesmerises Cleveland Plain Dealer: Can Joel Bitonio convince you that the Browns’ offensive line will be good enough?
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/can-joel-bitonio-convince-you-that-the-browns-offensive-line-will-be-good-enough-doug-lesmerises.html

Labbe Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns new-look defensive line whole again in joint practices
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/browns-new-look-defensive-line-whole-again-in-joint-practices.html

Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar)
8/14/19, 10:18 AM
And... he's behind Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon in the depth chart now, but Genard Avery can get pressure going for the Browns. Fifth-round guy with the skill set to start for a lot of teams

DALLAS
Mays The Ringer: The Cowboys’ 2019 Hopes Lie in the Hands of the NFL’s Youngest Play-caller
https://www.theringer.com/platform/amp/nfl-preview/2019/8/15/20806357/dallas-cowboys-new-offense-dak-prescott-ezekiel-elliott-kellen-moore

DETROIT
Rogers Detroit News: Lions' Stafford trying to take smart approach with veteran rest days
https://amp.detroitnews.com/amp/2009970001

Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions rookie TE Isaac Nauta still working to catch on in camp
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2014102001

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Kevin Strong inspired by father's lung cancer battle
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2012966001

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans camp: Day 14 updates
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Texans-camp-Day-14-updates-14303219.php

Smith Houston Chronicle: DeAndre Hopkins rises above Texans’ changes
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/smith/amp/Smith-DeAndre-Hopkins-rises-above-Texans-14304990.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Erickson Indianapolis Star: Colts-Browns observations: Baker Mayfield provides excellent test for defense
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2019/08/14/indianapolis-colts-cleveland-browns-baker-mayfield-provides-test-defense/1985476001/

Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar)
8/14/19, 10:16 AM
Also, watch out for Colts edge-rusher Kemoko Turay. Had two sacks vs. the Eagles--one in which he beat Jason Peters around the edge, and one where he diagnosed and moved inside after the snap. Ideal player to pick up surprise sacks in Matt Eberflus' defense

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Rams quarterback Blake Bortles expected to make start again in Hawaii against the Cowboys
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-08-14/rams-blake-bortles-expected-to-start-against-cowboys?

Plaschke LA Times: Is Rams’ Jared Goff a championship-caliber quarterback? No one seems to know
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-08-14/jared-goff-must-be-difference-rams-super-bowl?

Jackson Rams.com: “It’s just football": No jitters for Darrell Henderson in first Rams game
https://www.therams.com/news/no-jitters-for-darrell-henderson-in-first-rams-game

MIAMI
Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer)
8/14/19, 9:17 PM
And the 20th team was the Dolphins. So here are 5 takeaways from Miami ...

1) WR Preston Williams has been the talk of camp, and may push someone off the roster. He's big, fast, competitive, and has even been a force on special teams. He went undrafted for off-field reasons. Thus far, he's been good there -- doing what's asked -- and great on the field

2) Another pleasant surprise had been the team's front-line RBs. Both Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage have been great, flashing their speed and versatility. They've pushed each other. They've gotten along with one another. The problem? Drake got hurt Tuesday, will be out a while

3) LB Jerome Baker is a breakthrough candidate. He'll wear the green dot on his helmet -- significant for a second-year linebacker and a sign of how the new staff is counting on him. They feel like he's a true every-down 'backer. Those are hard to find in today's NFL

4) It's no secret that the OL needs to takes steps. One thing that should help is the emergence of rookie G Michael Dieter. He's a typical Wisconsin lineman -- tough, smart, competitive, and doesn't repeat mistakes. Dieter has a chance to have a long career in Miami

5) We'll have more on the QBs tomorrow. What I'd say here is Ryan Fitzpatrick was the clear cut 1 coming out of the spring, and maintained that lead the first week-and-a-half of camp. Josh Rosen has closed the gap in the last week. We'll see if he can keep coming

Poupart Dolphins.com: Preston Williams' Impressive NFL Debut Continues In Tampa
https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/preston-williams-impressive-nfl-debut-continues-in-tampa

Beasley Miami Herald: Is Dolphins do-it-all defender Fitzpatrick playing out of position? Mom had this to say
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article233985932.html

NEW ENGLAND
Duffy Boston Herald: Patriots defense dominates Titans in joint practice
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/14/patriots-defense-dominates-titans-in-joint-practice/amp/

Volin Boston Globe: Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL? Few people are taking it seriously
So what would it take for him to get back, and would he be the same player?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/14/rob-gronkowski-retired-from-nfl-few-people-are-taking-seriously/B1WP4wDkf3v9Qb8VA14R7N/story.html

NEW ORLEANS
Johnson Lafayette Daily Advertiser: How the Saints bring new players up to speed in an offense that has been in place 13 years
https://amp.theadvertiser.com/amp/2010453001

Walker Nola.com: Ronald Curry, 2-sport legend 20 years ago, now making his mark as Saints' receivers coach
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_53d6b3ea-bece-11e9-a715-6f2834838d13.amp.html

Just Nola.com: Saints receiver Austin Carr is sweating details, hoping he can make the team — and make it bette
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_6cb45a60-bec0-11e9-8e16-9bcde4868720.amp.html

NEW YORK JETS
Cannizzaro NYP: Ryan Griffin isn’t wasting Jets chance after troubling spring
https://nypost.com/2019/08/14/ryan-griffin-isnt-wasting-jets-chance-after-troubling-spring/amp/

Mehta NYDN: Jets’ kicker job is Taylor Bertolet’s to lose
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-taylor-bertolet-jets-kicker-falcons-20190814-6sum4p2gfjfarbidpohcog2vba-story.html

OAKLAND
Kawahara SF Chronicle: Raiders’ Arden Key pursues finishing touch in second season
https://www.sfchronicle.com/raiders/amp/Raiders-Arden-Key-pursues-finishing-touch-14298999.php

PHILADELPHIA
Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles appear to be shutting down Carson Wentz for their preseason games, as they should
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-appear-be-shutting-down-carson-wentz-preseason-games-they-should/amp/

Berkowitz Phil Inquirer: Eagles WR Marken Michel wants to keep making a name for himself in camp
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/marken-michel-eagles-training-camp-titans-touchdown-20190813.html

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: With Fletcher Cox about to return, Eagles might have best defensive tackle rotation in NFL
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/fletcher-cox-eagles-foot-injury-malik-jackson-best-defensive-tackle-rotation-pressure-quarterbacks-tim-jernigan-20190814.html

PITTSBURGH
Batko Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Steelers defense — starters and backups — upends offense in 'spirited' practice
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/14/steelers-training-camp-2019-ben-roethlisberger-josh-dobbs-cam-sutton-bj-finney/stories/201908140116

Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Alejandro Villanueva hopes teammates honor Darryl Drake by playing for him
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/14/Steelers-offensive-lineman-Alejandro-Villanueva-receivers-coach-Darryl-Drake-Army-Ranger-death/stories/201908140084

Benz Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Key to more Steelers turnovers may come from defensive front
https://triblive.com/sports/tim-benz-key-to-more-steelers-turnovers-may-come-from-defensive-front/

Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Cameron Sutton shows off his versatility in Steelers’ secondary
https://triblive.com/sports/cameron-sutton-shows-off-versatility-in-steelers-secondary-carving-out-role-in-year-3/

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Garoppolo leads a pick parade, throws INTs on five straight attempts
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-Garoppolo-leads-a-pick-parade-throws-14304776.php

Kurtenbach SJ Mercury News: Jimmy Garoppolo’s nightmare practice highlights a big concern for the 49ers
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08/14/jimmy-garoppolo-san-francisco-49ers-practice-report-interceptions/amp/

Branch SF Chronicle: Brandon Wilds’ story: 49ers’ running back came through after coming off couch
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/Wilds-story-49ers-temp-RB-came-through-after-14305285.php

SEATTLE
Clayton 710 ESPN Seattle: 7 Seahawks who need to ‘step up’ in the preseason
https://sports.mynorthwest.com/684327/clayton-7-seahawks-who-need-to-step-up-in-the-preseason/amp/

Condotta Seattle Times: Seahawks snapper Tyler Ott considers new contract a mission accomplished
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-snapper-tyler-ott-considers-new-contract-a-mission-accomplished/?

TAMPA BAY
Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer)
8/14/19, 12:51 PM
Team 19 on my camp trip: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. My 5 takeaways from there ...

1) The WR group has a chance to be really good. Mike Evans has focused on his conditioning, so he can maintain his level in a downfield-focused offense, and that's showing up. Chris Godwin's a really good fit for Bruce Arians' scheme. And Breshad Perriman's been a nice surprise

2) The staff has worked hard to restore RB Ronald Jones' confidence, and RBs coach Todd McNair -- out of football since 2010 -- has been key there. Jones has had a good camp as a result. The feeling is last year, once Jones lost his confidence, the whole season got away from him

3) Likewise, CBs Vernon Hargreaves and Carlton Davis (who also have underachieved some) have turned in promising summers. The team spent two Top 100 picks on CBs (Sean Bunting, Jamel Dean), and it sure looks that might've lit a fire under Hargreaves and Davis

4) Fourth-year DE Carl Nassib is suddenly an important piece in Todd Bowles' new scheme, with uncertainty remaining on if/when Jason Pierre-Paul is going to be ready. The Hard Knocks star from last year's Browns has steadily improved since the Bucs claimed him off waivers

5) As is the case with a whole bunch of teams, offensive line is an area to watch for Tampa, particularly with how Arians likes to run his offense. The Bucs feel good about their starters. But I wouldn't be surprised to see them work the waiver wire this month to find more depth

Encina TB Times: Bucs’ Bruce Arians: ‘It would be easy to cut down to 60 right now’
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/08/14/bucs-bruce-arians-it-would-be-easy-to-cut-down-to-60-right-now/?

Stroud TB Times: Warren Sapp: Bucs owe Gerald McCoy nothing because he didn’t win2019/08/15/warren-sapp-bucs-owe-gerald-
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/mccoy-nothing-because-he-didnt-win/

Laine ESPN TB: Bucs' Mazzi Wilkins eager to forge new identity beyond devastating hi
https://www.espn.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/22708/bucs-mazzi-wilkins-eager-to-forge-new-identity-beyond-devastating-hit?

WASHINGTON
Snider Washington Post: Redskins’ offensive position battles could get settled against the Bengals
https://beta.washingtonpost.com/express/2019/08/14/redskins-real-offense-should-appear-against-bengals/?

Carpenter Washington Post: The Redskins seem to be closing in on picking a starting quarterback
https://beta.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/14/redskins-seem-be-closing-picking-starting-quarterback/?

Copeland Washington Post: Colt McCoy will miss second straight Redskins preseason game
https://beta.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/14/colt-mccoy-will-miss-second-straight-redskins-preseason-game/?

Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar)
8/14/19, 10:07 AM
Been reviewing Daron Payne's rookie tape this morning. Frightening combination of short-area speed and aggressive strength. Double-digit sack potential in a well-rounded overall package. He good

Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta)
8/14/19, 10:11 AM
Add in Matt Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen and identifying iDL might be the only competent part of the current Washington franchise

Colleges/Draft

Thamel Yahoo Sports: Searching for next Lincoln Riley? Contrary to latest hiring trend, college football likely headed in new direction
https://sports.yahoo.com/is-college-footballs-next-trend-searching-for-next-lincoln-riley-155512682.html

Grossman ESPN: Virtual reality and robotic tackling dummies -- how Dartmouth is shaping the future of football
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/27347621/virtual-reality-robotic-tackling-dummies-how-dartmouth-shaping-future-football

Trapasso CBS Sports: 2020 NFL Draft prospects from the ACC: Clemson players lead the way, starting with Tee Higgins and Travis Etienne
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-prospects-from-the-acc-clemson-players-lead-the-way-starting-with-tee-higgins-and-travis-etienne/amp/

QB
Mellor PFF: PFF Rankings: College starting quarterback rankings for 2019
https://www.pff.com/news/college-pff-rankings-starting-quarterback-rankings-for-2019

WR
Davison Fort Worth Star Telegram: No. 4 overall prospect? This preseason list should make TCU’s Jalen Reagor much happier
https://amp.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article233954102.html

T
Brugler The Athletic: NFL Draft Summer Scouting: Offensive tackle will be a potential juggernaut position next April
#Alabama LT Alex Leatherwood has yet to start a collegiate game at tackle, but he's one of the top prospects at the position that I have scouted so far.

An early look at a VERY promising OT draft class

https://theathletic.com/1133124/2019/08/13/nfl-draft-summer-scouting-offensive-tackle-will-be-a-potential-juggernaut-position-next-april/?

History

Dunleavy NJ.com: How Phil Simms would have handled Odell Beckham outbursts as Giants QB | Good luck, Baker Mayfield?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/how-phil-simms-would-have-handled-odell-beckham-outbursts-as-giants-qb-good-luck-baker-mayfield.html

Giants Birthdays 8-15

John Baker DE FA-Montreal CFL 1970 NYG 1970 8-15-1942

CFLapedia.com:
“John Baker played college football at Norfolk State College* in Virginia before coming to the CFL in 1964.  Baker was an All-Star defensive end who played six season in Montreal (1964-69) and after a year in the NFL with the New York Giants in 1970, played two seasons in Hamilton (1971-72).  Baker won two East All-Stars with Montreal in 1965 and 1967, and a CFL All-Star in 1967.  Besides being a dominant defensive end, Baker also handled kickoffs for Montreal, and filled in as a plakekicker when needed.  With an average of 60.5 yards per kickoff, Baker led the East in kickoff average in both 1965 and 1966.  Among Baker's defensive highlights are 13 career fumble recoveries, including 6 in his rookie season in 1964, and a surprising 5 interceptions - two of which were run back for touchdowns.”

J.T. Thomas LB FA-JAC 2015 NYG 2015-2017 8-15-1988

In Memoriam

Mike Klotovich WB FA-SF Clippers PCFL 1947 NYG 1947 Born 8-15-1917 Died 4-17-2008

Obituary: “Mr. Klotovich was a team captain and a standout halfback on the 1936 Mission High School football team that went undefeated and won the San Francisco city championship. They were known as the Mission Hoodlums because most of the players came from working-class backgrounds.

Mr. Klotovich was named all-city in both basketball and football, but it was in football that he excelled in high school.
"Mike could run like a deer, pass, catch, kick; he could do everything," said Bob Davis, who played with Mr. Klotovich at Mission. "Every school in the western United States wanted him at their university.
"We played 60 minutes in those days, there were no substitutes, and this was at the height of the depression, so people who lost their jobs would come back to school, so we were playing against men who were 20, 21 years old."
Mr. Klotovich then became a star at St. Mary's, which was a national power at the time under coach Slip Madigan. He was a sophomore when he helped the Gaels beat previously unbeaten Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl in '39.

Mr. Klotovich played for several seasons for the San Francisco Clippers, a semi-pro team, before playing in six games for the New York Giants of the NFL in 1945. He was eighth in the league in punting that season.
Mr. Klotovich was elected to the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in 1987.”

What was the PCFL?

Shuck BBV: Before the 49ers - San Francisco Packers and Clippers

“The origins of the PCPFL began with a club called the Los Angeles Bulldogs. They were formed in the 1930s and played regional games against basically any opponent. In 1937, they joined the AFL2 as pro football’s very first West Coast professional football team and promptly went 8-0-0 and taking the AFL2’s second championship. Their roster was comprised of former collegiate stars as well as former NFL players.

The Bulldogs averaged over 14,000 a game which at the time was higher than most NFL clubs. When the league folded, the Bulldogs tried to enter the NFL but was turned down mainly because of the travel logistic nightmare. So, the team stayed together and competed on the western seaboard for many years and were still popular. Every season they also played games against NFL squads such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers to round out those team’s schedules. By 1939 there were several teams playing regularly along the Pacific Rim that wanted to play the Bulldogs and share their gate proceeds.
The Bulldogs’ popularity developed into more clubs forming and staying together year-after-year until an organized league was necessary, so the PCPFL played its first season in 1940 with five teams, four of which were based in California. The following season, the San Francisco Bay Packers also joined the league. Like the other clubs (and unlike the Bulldogs), the Packers’ roster was full of policemen, laborers, miners, teachers, and firefighters. The Packers first campaign was shortened by the attack on Pearl Harbor to end their maiden season 1-5-0.
As World War II pressed on and with the USA now fully involved, many professional athletes in all sports were called to war service. The PCPFL decided to press on and played a partial schedule for 1942. The Packers finished in second place. The next two seasons saw a combined record of 5-7-0.

In 1944, the third American Football League (AFL) formed with eight teams and with it, the San Francisco Clippers were born. This league competed with the PCPFL but had branched out with clubs in Seattle and Portland instead of mainly California cities. The Clippers had at running back former UCLA star Kenny Washington who eventually would suit up for the Los Angeles Rams in 1946, the year they moved from Cleveland. Washington was a gifted runner in a time when the NFL had an unwritten rule about admitting black players into the league.

The AFL Clippers were very strong in 1944 and featured many former college athletes who had served time overseas and were now back at the conclusion of WWII. The club finished 7-3-0 and tied for second place in their league, with all three losses to the 11-0-0 Hollywood Rangers. The Packers went 4-3-0 and like the Clips finished in second place.
Before the conclusion of the inaugural 1944 season three AFL teams folded. The two leagues decided the best course of action would be to merge for the 1945 season. Washington was signed away by the Bulldogs. The Packers were no longer a team due to the fact that the Clippers had a better squad. However, most of their players would sign to play with other teams in the league as well as the AAFC, and the next three seasons the Clippers went 1-7-0, 6-4-0 and 4-4-0; the latter two shared with the existence of the 49ers of the AAFC.
While the Clippers went 1-7-1 in 1945, they played before minimal crowds as the 49ers and the AAFC had a foothold on the public’s attention and desire for pro football. At one point the Packers were the only game in town and just the previous season suddenly there were three teams. The AAFC had all the big names, too, and were considered major league status whereas the PCPFL and AFL were looked at as advanced semi-pro entities.

In 1946, the league was now in two divisions with the winners to play in a championship game. Going into the last week of the season, the Clippers and Tacoma Indians had identical 6-3-0 records. If the Clippers could get past the 8-2-1 Bulldogs, they would be named the division champs due to the fact that they had defeated Tacoma during the season. In a tough match, the Clippers ousted Los Angeles 24-19. This placed the Clippers in the championship game.
In the locker room afterward, Clippers’ team owner Frank Ciraolo recognized John Woudenberg, the starting offensive tackle for the 49ers, in a Clippers’ uniform and realized that he had played all game. Ciraolo reported his findings to the league and the end result for Ciraolo’s honesty was a 1-0 forfeit awarded to the Bulldogs. Instead of a division title and a shot at the Los Angeles in the championship game, San Francisco took home a second place 6-4-0 record good enough for second place.

With the Los Angeles Dons of the AAFC and the Rams of the NFL now in Southern California, the Bulldogs fell into obscurity and the PCPFL closed its doors in 1948, no longer relevant nor needed.”

https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2017/11/11/16631374/before-the-49ers-san-francisco-packers-and-clippers

Gene Rose E D4-Tennessee 1936 NYG 1936 Born 8-15-1913 Died 1-16-1986