Saturday Reading

Giants

QB

Schwartz NYP: Eli Manning’s retirement is like no other: ‘Only a Giant’
https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/eli-mannings-retirement-is-like-no-other-only-a-giant/

Schwartz NYP: John Mara: When my dad knew Eli Manning was the answer
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/john-mara-when-my-dad-knew-eli-manning-was-the-answer/

Serby NYP: Eli Manning’s true greatness through Tom Coughlin’s eyes
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/eli-mannings-true-greatness-through-tom-coughlins-eyes/

Schwartz NYP: Giants’ Eli Manning and Michael Strahan will have numbers retired
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/giants-eli-manning-and-michael-strahan-will-have-numbers-retired/

Terranova NYP: Peyton Manning has mixed emotions over Eli Manning’s retirement
https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/peyton-manning-has-mixed-emotions-over-eli-mannings-retirement/

Serby NYP: Plaxico Burress: Giants’ Eli Manning a ‘first ballot’ Hall of Famer
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/plaxico-burress-giants-eli-manning-a-first-ballot-hall-of-famer/

Dunleavy NYP: What kept Eli Manning from bailing on his Giants ending
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/what-kept-eli-manning-from-bailing-on-his-giants-ending/

Dunleavy NYP: Eli Manning thinking about a new role with the Giants
https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/eli-manning-thinking-about-a-new-role-with-the-giants/

Schwartz NYP: Joe Judge’s Giants staff gets first and last Eli Manning viewing
https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/joe-judges-giants-staff-gets-first-and-last-eli-manning-viewing/

Duggan The Athletic: After 16 years of showing up for them, Eli Manning heads into retirement swarmed by former teammates
https://theathletic.com/1560203/2020/01/24/after-16-years-of-showing-up-for-them-eli-manning-heads-into-retirement-swarmed-by-former-teammates/

Leonard NYDN: Eli Manning always will be family to John Mara, Giants
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-eli-manning-jersey-retirement-20200124-nvsfnjdfljconbbbw44g5rq5g4-story.html

Lombardo NJ.com: Giants to induct Eli Manning into Ring of Honor, retire No. 10 next season | John Mara is making right move to buck precedent
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/01/giants-to-induct-eli-manning-retire-no-10-next-season-why-john-mara-is-making-the-right-move-to-buck-precedent.html

Politi NJ.com: Eli Manning’s next chapter: Family? TV? Acting? Even his friends await the answer
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/01/eli-mannings-next-chapter-family-tv-acting-even-his-friends-await-the-answer-politi.html

Slater NJ.com: Why one of Tom Coughlin’s favorite Eli Manning moments happened long before Giants’ glory (and what does Coughlin want to do next?)
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/01/why-one-of-tom-coughlins-favorite-eli-manning-moments-happened-long-before-giants-glory-and-what-does-coughlin-want-to-do-next.html

Rock Newsday: Giants retire Eli Manning's No. 10 as he steps away from the sport
https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/eli-manning-retires-1.40958234

Best Newsday: 'The Education of Eli'? He got his share of A's and stayed pretty much the same person
https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/neil-best/eli-manning-retirement-1.40949489

RV SNY: Eli Manning was able to handle the New York media flawlessly -- by being himself
https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/eli-manning-was-able-to-handle-the-new-york-media-flawlessly----by-being-himself/312541372

Eisen Giants.com: Eli thanks fans, teammates, and coaches in emotional retirement speech
https://www.giants.com/news/eli-thanks-fans-teammates-and-coaches-in-emotional-retirement-speech

Schmeelk Giants.com: The Eli Manning you never saw on TV
https://www.giants.com/news/the-eli-manning-you-never-saw-on-tv

Wilner AP: Appreciate Eli for how he met major challenges
https://apnews.com/e54400e6f4e253d31993a63f934c95c4?

Jenkins Washington Post: For 16 NFL seasons, Eli Manning never worried, even as everyone else did

It’s a remarkable achievement really, the individuality that No. 10 won for himself given that the jerseys of old No. 8 and No. 18 were always being waved at his head, writes columnist Sally Jenkins

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/for-16-nfl-seasons-eli-manning-never-worried-even-as-everyone-else-did/2020/01/24/b4aa4c0a-3eb6-11ea-baca-eb7ace0a3455_story.html

Tom Brady (@TomBrady)
1/24/20, 11:00 AM
Congratulations on your retirement, and a great career Eli! Not going to lie though, I wish you hadn’t won any Super Bowls.

Schwartz NYP: Eli Manning prepared for Daniel Jones to carry on his Giants legacy
https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/eli-manning-prepared-for-daniel-jones-to-carry-on-his-giants-legacy/

Rosenblatt NJ.com: Why Eli Manning thinks Giants’ Daniel Jones has ‘bright future’ and how the young QB made it easier to grasp being a backup
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/01/why-eli-manning-thinks-future-is-bright-for-giants-daniel-jones-and-how-young-qb-made-it-easier-for-him-to-be-a-backup.html

Vasquez The Record: Why Eli Manning feels NY Giants have a 'bright, bright future' with Daniel Jones
https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2020/01/24/why-eli-manning-sees-bright-ny-giants-future-daniel-jones/4566129002/

DB

Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN)
1/24/20, 4:04 PM
Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn is staying with New Orleans after discussing an enhanced role with the Giants, per source. Saints ranked eighth in pass defense last yea

Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21)
1/25/20, 7:21 AM
Glenn interviewed with the Giants on Wednesday. Was hard to figure what role could be considered an upgrade with Patrick Graham as DC and Jerome Henderson as DBs coach


NFL

Glazer The Athletic: Glazer’s NFL Mailbag: On an early surprise team candidate, Eli Manning, and a favorite Super Bowl memory
https://theathletic.com/1559530/2020/01/24/glazers-nfl-mailbag-on-an-early-surprise-team-candidate-eli-manning-and-a-favorite-super-bowl-memory/

Maske Washington Post: According to injury data released Thursday by the league, players suffered 224 concussions during this preseason and regular season. That was up from the 214 suffered by players during the 2018.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/23/nfl-concussions-were-slightly-up-this-season-after-significant-drop-year-before/

Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield)
1/24/20, 3:00 PM
Which teams used pre-snap motion/shifts most often in 2019? [via PFF]

1. SF (79%)
2. BAL (71%)
3. NE (64%)
T4. KC (61%)
T4. TEN (61%)
6. DAL (60%)
7. CAR (58%)
T8. DEN (55%)
T8 LAC (55%)
10. PIT (50%)
...
T28. MIA (35%)
T28. ARI (35%)
30. NYJ (32%)
31. BUF (31%)
32. JAX (25%)

Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield)
1/24/20, 3:03 PM
Motion/shift percentage over the last three seasons:

San Francisco 49ers
2019 — 79% (1st)
2018 — 70% (1st)
2017 — 66% (1st)

Jacksonville Jaguars
2019 — 25% (32nd)
2018 — 23% (32nd)
2017 — 17% (32nd)


ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Falcons putting off key decisions until after Super Bowl
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/falcons-putting-off-key-decisions-until-after-super-bowl-xliv/lXfV0QKYfzpFQme7nNahcJ/amp.html

BALTIMORE
Doon Baltimore Sun: 15 potential Ravens targets to watch at the 2020 Senior Bowl
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-senior-bowl-prospects-20200124-m5il7gfww5e57g3tyywh2wx4x4-story.html

Kasinitz Penn Live: Baltimore Ravens position review: Free agents on defensive line leave front office with work ahead
https://www.pennlive.com/baltimore-ravens/2020/01/baltimore-ravens-position-review-free-agents-on-defensive-line-leave-front-office-with-work-ahead.html

BUFFALO
Maiorana Rochester Democrat: Bills need a wide receiver, edge rusher. Here's who they may consider from Senior Bowl
https://amp.democratandchronicle.com/amp/4565922002

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the Bears’ offseason priorities and the buzz at the Senior Bowl

“The Saints have done as good a job as any team in mining the draft for offensive line talent in the middle and late rounds.
The Saints drafted Jermon Bushrod out of Towson in the fourth round in 2007. He was a very good left tackle and had some fine seasons with the Bears. Terron Armstead, a Cahokia, Ill., native, was a third-round pick from Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2013. He became a starter in the final month of his rookie season and has developed into one of the better left tackles in the league. Then there were guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks and right tackle Zach Strief (Northwestern).
Bears general manager Ryan Pace and director of player personnel Josh Lucas came to Chicago from New Orleans after the Saints made those picks. They’ve had a hand in selecting really good linemen later in the draft. All but Strief and Nicks (Nebraska) came from small programs. That’s why they lasted in the draft. They had really good traits and measurables, but there was a question about how they would adapt at the professional level. I imagine the Bears are putting an extra emphasis on evaluating linemen after deeming a coaching change necessary at the position. Who they find, we’ll have to wait and see.
10a. Houston left tackle Josh Jones is an intriguing prospect here. He’s not from a small program and he’s not going to last until Day 3. He’s quite athletic for being 6-foot-7, 310 pounds. He will need to get stronger, and it remains to be seen if he can play left tackle in the NFL, but Jones might be a possibility in the middle of Round 2, if he’s still available.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-10-thoughts-senior-bowl-brad-biggs-20200124-7roj2a5alnezniu4s3oc4wfeq4-story.html

Lieser Chicago Sun Times: 2020 NFL free agents: Five big-name Bears who could be gone this offseason
With a tight salary cap situation and roster improvements needed, the Bears will likely need to part with some recognizable names this spring

OLB Leonard Floyd
Rescinding Floyd’s 2020 option, which is protected only for injury, would be the easiest money saver for the Bears on paper, but it would ask a lot from Pace to part with a player he drafted No. 9 overall in 2016. But the Bears are on the hook for $13.2 million to keep Floyd, which currently slots him as the third-highest-paid player on the 2020 roster. Pace didn’t sound like someone who would consider moving on from Floyd when his name came up a few weeks ago.
“We’re happy with Leonard,” Pace said. “I know the stats don’t always say that, but Leonard does a lot of things that I think may be a little bit undervalued. I think the versatility that he provides, the things he can do in coverage — there aren’t a lot of outside linebackers [with] the versatility that he provides.

Again, it is incredibly hard for a general manager to give up on a player he chose in the first round.
What the rest of the world sees, though, is a pass rusher who 18.5 sacks over four years and had a career-low three this season. With Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks in the picture, they should be able to find an affordable replacement.

LB Nick Kwiatkoski
This one is going to hurt.
Drafting and developing talent is difficult, and it’s brutal to foster all that progress only to see a young player leave in free agency. With Kwiatkoski, it’s a case of prioritizing the immediate instead of the long-term. While the Bears surely want to re-sign a promising 26-year-old, they’d be better off trying to reach a short-term deal to keep 29-year-old Danny Trevathan.

Defensively, the Bears already have Mack under contract for $129.1 million through 2024, Jackson for $60.7 million through ’24, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman for $41.5 through ’22 and cornerback Kyle Fuller for $31.5 million through ’21. They also must prepare to pay inside linebacker Roquan Smith a massive salary in his 2022 option or sign him to a big extension.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/platform/amp/bears/2020/1/25/21078942/2020-nfl-free-agents-five-big-name-bears-who-could-be-gone-this-offseason

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: George Paton takes himself out of running for Browns GM, source says; Andrew Berry the leading candidate
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/01/george-paton-takes-himself-out-of-running-for-browns-gm-source-says-andrew-berry-the-leading-candidate.html

Bielik Cleveland Plain Dealer: What football analytics tools could the Browns use to help influence their decisions on and off the field?
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/01/what-football-analytics-tools-could-the-browns-use-to-help-influence-their-decisions-on-and-off-the-field.html

Patsko Cleveland Plain Dealer: Kevin Stefanski could have less use for a No. 3 receiver than the Browns did in 2019
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/01/kevin-stefanski-could-have-less-use-for-a-no-3-receiver-than-the-browns-did-in-2019.html

Williams Cleveland Plain Dealer: How the Cleveland Browns attack the 2020 NFL Draft if they take an offensive lineman at No. 10

“Projecting the first nine picks
For this exercise, I ran 50 simulations of the first nine picks using the Draft Network’s mock draft machine. With those results, this mock draft was constructed by taking the average draft position for each of the nine spots.
Based on 50 simulations, here is how the first nine picks of the 2020 NFL play out.
1) Bengals -- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2) Washington -- Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
3) Lions -- Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4) Giants -- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
5) Dolphins -- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6) Chargers -- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
7) Panthers -- Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
8) Cardinals -- Isaiah Simmons, LB, LSU
9) Jaguars -- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

At No.10, the Browns select
For the most part, the first five picks of the draft seem predictable. Since it’s only Senior Bowl Week, a lot can happen before April. But for now, Burrow is the unquestioned top pick. Even if Young doesn’t go No.2, he won’t fall out of the top four.
The Lions are in a position to draft the best player available. Based on the simulations, Detroit seems the most unpredictable team among the top five. If the Lions want to get quarterback Matt Stafford another weapon, then Jeudy could be in play. But it seems Okudah is a can’t miss prospect. The OSU cornerback follows a long line of productive Buckeye defensive backs already in the league.
At No. 4, the Giants seem as desperate for offensive line help as the Browns. Meaning New York can choose from the big three of Wills, Thomas and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. The Dolphins should be locked in on Tagovailoa. Which means one more lineman likely goes to either the Chargers at No. 6 or to Arizona at No. 8.

Like Detroit, the Jaguars are looking for talent. Perhaps they go wide receiver. But if Simmons -- seemingly a can’t-miss hybrid linebacker/safety -- falls to them at No. 9, Jacksonville would rejoice.
That leaves the Browns at No. 10, with a no-brainer selection if Kevin Stefanski and his new regime want to select the best offensive lineman available. With Thomas and Wills gone, Iowa right tackle Tristan Wirfs would be the pick.
Wirfs wouldn’t satisfy the Browns need for a left tackle. But since Cleveland needs help on both sides of the line, it shouldn’t really matter where Wirfs plays.
Regardless, he seems like a safe Week 1 starter.”

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/01/how-the-cleveland-browns-attack-the-2020-nfl-draft-if-they-take-an-offensive-lineman-at-no-10.html

DALLAS
Hill Fort Worth Star Telegram: Why you should like Mike McCarthy’s Dallas Cowboys staff that has added George Edwards
https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article239608273.html

Watkins Dallas Morning News: Cowboys WR Amari Cooper on possibility of being franchise tagged: ‘Nothing would surprise me.’
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/01/24/cowboys-wr-amari-cooper-on-possibility-of-being-franchise-tagged-nothing-would-surprise-me/

Watkins Dallas Morning News: Jaylon Smith reaches the Pro Bowl. It’s something that almost didn’t happen due to his health. Now he’s here.
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/01/25/doesnt-matter-if-its-hawaii-or-florida-after-everything-it-took-to-get-here-making-the-pro-bowl-is-a-dream-come-true-for-cowboys-jaylon-smith/

DENVER
O’Halloran Denver Post: Extra draft picks give Broncos GM John Elway plenty of options
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/01/25/john-elway-nfl-draft-picks-broncos-options/amp/

GREEN BAY
Demovsky Dallas Morning News: Worth the money: Smiths, Adrian Amos made Packers' investment count
https://www.espn.com/blog/green-bay-packers/post/_/id/48604/worth-the-money-smiths-adrian-amos-made-packers-investment-count

INDIANAPOLIS
Ayello Indianapolis Star: Justin Herbert shows at Senior Bowl that if Colts want him, they'll have to go get him
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2020/01/23/insider-if-colts-want-justin-herbert-theyll-have-go-get-him/4556491002/

Erickson Indianapolis Star: Colts might not have to go too far up the road to find a replacement for Eric Ebron
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/4563052002

JACKSONVILLE
Reid Florida Times Union: Jaguars WR DJ Chark plans to set bar high to emerge in Jay Gruden’s offensive system
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20200124/jaguars-wr-dj-chark-plans-to-set-bar-high-to-emerge-in-jay-grudenrsquos-offensive-system

Reid Florida Times Union: Jaguars DE Calais Campbell says his production warrants salary
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20200124/jaguars-de-calais-campbell-says-his-production-warrants-salary

KANSAS CITY
Dunleavy NYP: Steve Spagnuolo a difference-maker for Super Bowl-bound Chiefs
https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/steve-spagnuolo-a-difference-maker-for-super-bowl-bound-chiefs/amp/

LOS ANGELES
Klein LA Times: Rams senior assistant coach takes job with Patriots
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2020-01-24/rams-senior-assistant-coach-takes-job-with-patriots?

NEW ENGLAND
Callahan Boston Herald: Patriots add Jedd Fisch to offensive staff
https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/01/24/patriots-add-jedd-fisch-to-offensive-staff-per-report/

NEW ORLEANS
Just Nola.com: Terron Armstead reflects on Saints' season, injuries: 'Things are starting to feel better'
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_f27f2024-3ee7-11ea-8bb8-9b3807bf0d69.html

NEW YORK JETS
Mehta NYDN: Jets assistant coach Shawn Jefferson has an unbreakable bond with son, Van, who’s part of a deep wide receiver draft class
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-shawn-jefferson-senior-bowl-wide-receivers-20200125-qubfg4wvhrgrff74mn76ufc2ha-story.html

Mehta NYDN: How Gregg Williams led Jets to defensive success is a blueprint for smart teams

“When we have guys that are multi-faceted players, you have to find out what do they do well and how they fit what you do,” said Lions head coach Matt Patricia, whose staff is coaching the North Team in Mobile, Ala., this week. “And then put them in those roles… and [find out if they] can be productive.”

“I think that’s really a more important part of evaluating those guys as opposed to, ‘Hey this guy’s just a really good athlete. We should put them on the team,’” Patricia continued. “Because that just doesn’t give them a defined role. Then maybe they bounce around from position to position, room to room and it doesn’t really identify what they can do to help the team. So, it’s more important to [identify], ‘What do they do well?’ And then how do you see that role fitting on your team.’

The trick is identifying the special traits in a given player. Those traits could enable him to fulfill a number of different jobs on your team. Williams made it a point last offseason to cross-train everyone on his defense to get a better handle of which players could be an asset in different roles if called upon. Unfortunately, the defensive coordinator had to do more mixing and matching than anticipated due to circumstance (aka – injuries).

Williams also moved around healthy bodies for the greater good. His deployment of Jamal Adams as a hybrid safety-linebacker-edge rusher was one of the best coaching decisions of Gang Green’s season.
Players who diversify their portfolios are invaluable.”

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-gregg-williams-players-senior-bowl-defense-20200124-crp36ryoyre2rglpknydvzdpvi-story.html

PHILADELPHIA
Bowen Phil Inquirer: Senior Bowl rosters show the depth of this wide receiver class, which ought to benefit the Eagles
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-senior-bowl-nfl-draft-denzel-mims-wide-receivers-temple-matt-hennessy-20200124.html

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ rapid rebuild came with its whiffs: ‘We’re not going to play scared’

“Consider their first two draft picks: In 2017, they used the No. 3 selection on Solomon Thomas, now a backup defensive tackle, and traded up to No. 31 to select inside linebacker Reuben Foster, who was waived in November 2018 following his third arrest in a 10-month span.
“We got two of our top three players,” Lynch said on their draft night. “We’re thrilled. We’re ecstatic.”
That same season, the 49ers signed Brian Hoyer to be their bridge quarterback. He was benched after six starts.
And they signed inside linebacker Malcolm Smith to a big-money contract. He was waived in November after playing 12 games in two seasons.
In 2018, they signed running back Jerick McKinnon to a hefty free-agent deal. He hasn’t played a snap because of a knee injury.
And they also traded a third-round pick to move up in the second round that year and select Dante Pettis. That hasn’t worked.
Still, the 49ers have kept taking their hacks.
And they’ve had enough hits to make everyone forget about Williams and some other whiffs.
“We’re not going to play scared,” Lynch said to the team website in 2018. “But you’ve also got to know not every one of them is going to work. But we learn from each and every instance.”

https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-rapid-rebuild-came-with-its-whiffs-15000369.php

Kawahara SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan: ‘If we had to play Sunday, we’d be ready’
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-Kyle-Shanahan-If-we-had-to-play-15002835.php

Kroichick SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Richard Sherman on Garoppolo and his doubters: ‘He’s responded well’
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-Richard-Sherman-on-Garoppolo-and-15002756.php

Chan NBC Bay Area: Richard Sherman believes chemistry will help 49ers in Super Bowl LIV
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/richard-sherman-believes-chemistry-will-help-49ers-super-bowl-liv

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: As the Seahawks scout NFL draft prospects at the Senior Bowl, here are 8 players to keep an eye on
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/as-the-seahawks-scout-nfl-draft-prospects-at-the-senior-bowl-here-are-8-players-to-keep-an-eye-on/?

Colleges/Draft

Miller Bleacher Report: Matt Miller's Scouting Notebook: Senior Bowl Wide Receivers Climb the Board

“The Big Board
1. Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
2. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
3. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
5. Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
6. Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
7. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
8. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama”

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2872824-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-senior-bowl-wide-receivers-climb-the-board.amp.html

Brooks NFL.com: Senior Bowl risers: Who won the week?
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001098956/article/senior-bowl-risers-javon-kinlaw-won-the-week-two-qbs-flashed?

Wilson CBS Sports.com: 2020 Senior Bowl: 10 players whose great week of practice will only improve their NFL Draft stock
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2020-senior-bowl-10-players-whose-great-week-of-practice-will-only-improve-their-nfl-draft-stock/amp/

Renner PFF: Biggest takeaways from a week of Senior Bowl practices
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-senior-bowl-takeaways-2020

Gayle PFF: Biggest risers and fallers at the 2020 Senior Bowl
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-senior-bowl-risers-fallers-2020

CB
Lombardo NJ.com: Meet the other Lamar Jackson ... who’s coming for Lamar Jackson’s MVP, and interceptions
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/01/meet-the-other-lamar-jackson-whos-coming-for-lamar-jacksons-mvp-and-interceptions.html

S
Vitale Montgomery Advertiser: Brian Cole's goal: From 'Last Chance U' to Mississippi State to NFL
https://amp.clarionledger.com/amp/4568626002

History

Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab)
1/24/20, 3:09 PM
Just one way the Super Bowl has changed. Watching Super Bowl IV, Summerall on the broadcast: "We've seen a lot of halftime shows, and do we have a dandy for you today. The Southern University marching band!"

Florio PFT: New England Patriots nearly became the St. Louis Stallions
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/01/21/new-england-patriots-nearly-became-the-st-louis-stallions/

Odegard Cardinals.com: Fading From View: The Challenges Of NFL Retirement
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/fading-from-view-the-challenges-of-nfl-retirement

Gosselin Football Maven: Suddenly, the Hall of Fame values the safety position
https://mavensports.io/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/suddenly-the-hall-of-fame-values-the-safety-position-yBjqadEm30OZiep3pvjfeg

Editorial note:

Not in the HOF; not in the Giants Ring of Honor

5x All Pro 1st team
5x Pro Bowl
52 career interceptions (26th all time)
6 seasons in the top 10 in interceptions
Led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 1958
49th all time in interception return yards

Was featured in Time as the safetyman, a feature article about the nuances of the safety position in pro football

32nd on the PFR DB HOF monitor AV, Pro Bowls, All-Pros, championships, and various stat milestones. 21 of the 31 before him are in the HOF others Charles Woodson, Troy Polamalu, Darrelle Revis, Steve Atwater will be in soon...

Judge Football Maven: State Your Case: Why have we forgotten former Giants' star Jimmy Patton? (5-07-2019)

“Over the course of 46 consecutive starts – from the second game of 1958 through the first 12 of 1961 – Jimmy Patton had 30 interceptions, and maybe that doesn’t impress you. But this should: Only six others prior to the league merger had 30 interceptions in four straight seasons, including Tunnell, Jack Christiansen and Dick “Night Train" Lane – all Hall of Famers.”

https://mavensports.io/nfl/talkoffame/api/amp/talkoffame/state-your-case/state-your-case-why-have-we-forgotten-former-giants-star-jimmy-patton-Pm6v1LuEj0S768XPU3tPRw

Giants Birthdays 1-25

Rich Buzin RT D2-Penn State 1968 NYG 1968-1970 1-25-1946

Drafted in the second round out of Penn State in 1968, Buzin backed up newly acquired Steve Wright at RT his first season. When Wright’s recovery from a knee injury and his free spirited nature led the Giants to release him in 1969, Buzin became the starter and showed progress:

NYT: 11-30-1969
“One of the Giants looking forward to the meeting is offensive tackle Rich Buzin. "When we played them in the opening exhibition game I was pretty nervous," recalls the 250-pounder. "It was my first start in the pros and going against Willie Davis left me not knowing what to expect." Buzin played a good game and has been a regular ever since. "The exhibition season was a great place to learn. After Davis I faced Jerry Philbin, Tim Rossovich and Carl Eller. It was sort of an education going up against some of the best in the business." Now Buzin will face Davis again: "This time I feel a lot more confident in going against him because of the experience I've had. But he's so smart I won't be able to rest. He seems to be relying more on his experience these days, looking to come up with the big play." Last Sunday Buzin had very little trouble blocking out Cleveland's Ron Snidow and drew the raves of coach Alex Webster: "Rich has the size and speed to be a really top lineman. He played one of his best games against the Browns."

Buzin also started at tight tackle for the 9-5 Giants team in 1970. However in 1971 he was traded to the Rams for another RT Joe Taffoni.

Taffoni promptly walked out of Giants camp not to be heard from until 1972. That forced the Giants to make a disastrous trade with the Bears send their 1972 first round draft selection to the Bears for OL Bob Hyland and veteran CB Bennie McRae. Hyland was a center who the Giants tried to make a tackle and McRae lasted one season.

From Norm Miller NYDN: “Rich Buzin, a holdover from last season who started there, was traded to the Rams, largely because of his habit of collecting holding penalties. Joe Taffoni obtained in the swap for Buzin, quit football. Tom Bailey, a 29-year-old rookie, couldn't handle the job. DURING THE SECOND half of the 20-3 Sunday loss to the Steelers, Charlie Harper, recovered from an ankle injury, did an 'adequate job’. Webster would prefer to keep him for a utility backup at both guard and tackle spots. While Hyland was drafted as a center and played there last year for the Bears, he was used at both guard and tackle during his 1967, '68 and '69 seasons at Green Bay, the first under Vince Lombardi. He is considered unusually fast for a man of his size, having been timed in 10.1 seconds for the 100. Hyland played last season's finale against New Orleans with a broken foot.”

Buzin’s son would play for Penn State in the 90’s.

“"At the age when I was getting recruited, that's the age when you rebel from your parents," Buzin said. "I was like, 'I'm not going to Penn State, Dad. I'm going to Notre Dame or Michigan.' "
For Rich Buzin, Mike Buzin's dad and a former Nittany Lion football player, statements like that can be hard to swallow.
A starting tackle on Penn State's offensive line in 1966 and 1967, Rich Buzin was one of the first players Joe Paterno guided as a head coach.
Following his college career, Rich Buzin spent several seasons in the National Football League with the New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears.

Rich Buzin bleeds blue and white.
Mike Buzin, though, wanted to form his own football identity -- away from the shadows and the inevitable comparisons.
When the time came to pick a college, Mike Buzin decided to shop around -- without luck.
"I went to (high) school in downtown Cleveland, and I didn't want to go to another downtown-type area," he said. "That's why Ohio State, I didn't particularly like. Even Michigan, that was a little too big for me. (Penn State) was just about perfect, because there was more to do here than at Notre Dame."
So much for a rebellion.

"They're two different types of people," Paterno said. "Mike's dad was the same kind of worker and had the same kind of character and loyalty. Mike's more enthusiastic and he's got more bubble and bounce than his dad had."

https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_8d594ac9-4ae3-51d3-b182-c76f27248880.html

Dan DeRose LB UDFA-Colorado State-Pueblo 1987 NYG 1987 1-25-1962

Don Maynard FL D9-UTEP 1957 NYG 1958 1-25-1935

From the Dave Anderson NYT 1972;

“In 1957 the Giants drafted Maynard in the ninth round. When he left to take a shot at pro football in 1958, his wife lived with his grandparents. Don made the team as a reserve halfback, competing against veterans like Frank Gifford, Kyle Rote, and Alex Webster.
In 12 games as a rookie, Don ran the ball 12 times for 45 yards, averaging 3.8 yards a carry. He also made five catches for 84 yards, a 16.8 yard average per catch. Mainly he played on special teams, and he ran back 24 punts, averaging 4.9 yards per return but fumbling three times. Reflecting on that season, he commented, “I ran second-string behind Frank Gifford, and to me that was like playing first string at a lot of places. I was running at halfback and flanker on the right side. I was split end behind Kyle Rote on the left side, and I was the fifth defensive back. I ran back some kicks. We had 33 guys on the ball club, and I played on the special teams. But it’s hard to beat out a guy like Gifford.
“In 1959 the Giants changed coaches. Vince Lombardi went to Green Bay, Tom Landry went to Dallas, and they brought in Jim Lee Howell and Allie Sherman. They took over the ball club, and for some reason they didn’t like me.” By then Maynard had acquired a reputation as a nonconformist. He wore cowboy boots, dressed in blue jeans and western shirts, and sported long, shaggy sideburns, but that was just Don. The Giants’ coaches told him to cut his sideburns, but he refused.
Interviewed by Arthur Daley of the New York Times on November 12, 1967, the Texan said, “No one seems to have forgotten two things about me on my season with the Giants. Jim Lee Howell told me to cut off my sideburns, and I didn’t. The other was that I dropped a punt against Cleveland. So what? We won, 10-0, and the fumble couldn’t have been such a big deal.
“In training camp the next year, Allie Sherman chewed me out because my stridin’ on a sweep was too long. ‘Run the play over,’ he says, ‘this isn’t a track meet.’ I told him I covered more ground with one step than most runners did with three. Allie and I didn’t hit it off. A couple of days later I was gone, cut from the squad.
I’m now real thankful it happened.”
Talking about those events in 2003, Don added, “They cut me, and I went to Canada, to Hamilton. We went to the Grey Cup, which is their championship, and we lost to Winnipeg. Twenty years later my son played for Winnipeg, and they won the Grey Cup. That’s a little bit of personal history that I’m proud of.”
Maynard did not smoke or drink, making him an unusual athlete. Lean and strong, he always did stretching exercises and stayed in top condition.
“They call me a character,” Don told Cooper Rollow of the Chicago Tribune on January 10, 1969, “but I don’t see there’s anything particularly odd about not drinking. When I see how some of the other guys feel in the
morning, I’m darn glad I’m a teetotaler.”
He played 1959 in the CFL on a one-year contract. Reflecting on that season in 2003, Don explained: “I could see all the writings on the wall that there was going to be an American Football League founded by Lamar Hunt and all the people behind it. I read that Sammy Baugh signed with the Titans, and I’d played against him as a college coach for three years. He’d coached me in the Blue-Grey Game. So I wrote to him and said, ‘Hey, I’d like to play for you.’ He knew me pretty good, so I ended up being the first Titan to sign, and I stayed in New York.

Tim Scott FS W-WAS 2017 NYG 2017 1-25-1993

Reggie Torbor OLB D4-Auburn 2004 NYG 2004-2007 1-25-1981

Rodney Young S D3-LSU 1995 NYG 1995-1998 1-25-1973

In Memoriam

Pop Ivey DC NYG 1965-1966 OL Aid-Coach 1971 Scout NYG 1974-1984 Born 1-25-1916 Died 5-17-2003

Frank Ivy is the only man to serve as head coach in the NFL. AFL and CFL