Sunday Reading

Giants

QB

Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez)
1/23/20, 9:30 PM
DukeFOOTBALL HC David Cutcliffe told me on SiriusXMNFL that he already has planned some offseason workouts with one of his proteges -- QB Daniel Jones. Plan is to work on "fundamentals" that may include drills related to better ball-protection in the pocket

Vaccaro NYP: Eli Manning’s Giants career forever changed in just 70 days
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/eli-mannings-giants-career-forever-changed-in-just-70-days/amp/

Myers SI.com: It's Only Right for Eli Manning to be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer
https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/01/25/eli-manning-retirement-giants-hall-of-fame

Traina Giantsmaven SI.com: After 16 Years, Eli Manning Leaves the Giants With the Gift That Will Keep on Giving
https://www.si.com/.amp-nygiants/nfl/giants/news/after-16-years-eli-manning-leaves-the-giants-with-the-gift-that-will-keep-on-giving

Balsamini NYP: Joe Namath: Eli Manning has ‘done far more than I ever did
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/joe-namath-eli-manning-has-done-far-more-than-i-ever-did/

LB

Schwartz NYP: Joe Judge set to hire another Giants assistant coach
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/joe-judge-set-to-hire-another-giants-assistant-coach/

Traina Giantsmaven SI.com: Report: Giants Adding Tennessee ILB Coach Kevin Sherrer to Joe Judge's Staff
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/report-giants-adding-tennessee-ilb-coach-kevin-sherrer-to-joe-judges-staff

Brown 247 Sports: Vols expected to lose assistant coach to NFL

“Inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Kevin Sherrer is expected to leave the Vols to join the staff of the NFL's New York Giants for new coach Joe Judge, sources told GoVols247 on Saturday night.

Sherrer, who came over from Georgia to be part of the initial staff Jeremy Pruitt hired when he became the head coach at Tennessee a little more than two years ago, coached the inside linebackers the past two seasons he's handled a couple of different other roles, first as the defensive coordinator in 2018 before the hire of Derrick Ansley prompted the Vols to shift Sherrer over to special teams duties.
He was one of the highest earners on Tennessee's staff with a $700,000 salary and still had another year to run on his contract, which was set to run through the end of January 2021.

Tennessee's special teams were a strength under Sherrer's watch in 2019. The Vols had one of the best kickers in the country in Brent Cimaglia, and they blocked two punts for touchdowns, returned one for a third score and ranked third in the SEC in punt coverage and fourth in the conference in kickoff coverage. Tennessee also ranked second in the SEC in punt-return average and fifth in the league in the kick-return average.”

https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/Article/Tennessee-Vols-football-coach-staff-Kevin-Sherrer-assistant-coach-leaves-NFL-New-York-Giants-142373422/

NFL

Volin Boston Globe: Sunday Football Notes:
If Eli Manning gets into the Hall of Fame, that should help the case of former Patriots like Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, and Willie McGinest

“Eli Manning retired this past week after 16 NFL seasons, and Patriots fans should be rooting hard for him to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
No, really. Hear me out.
Manning isn’t eligible for enshrinement until 2025, but his candidacy was the No. 1 sports topic by the end of the week, because there is no middle ground — you are either dead set for his induction, or dead set against it.
That’s because Manning’s candidacy is almost entirely built around his postseason success. His regular-season numbers were decidedly average, exemplified by a 117-117 won-loss record. Manning also made only four Pro Bowls, and led the NFL in interceptions three times.

But those two Super Bowl wins over the Patriots, the culmination of two magical playoff runs, are what could (will) eventually get Manning into the Hall.
“Assuming I’m still on the panel, I’m definitely going to vote for him on the first ballot,” said Hall of Fame voter Gary Myers, a longtime New York sportswriter. “I just look at it like, what else do you want for a quarterback, who played his best at the biggest time?”
There aren’t many candidates with this type of résumé — Joe Namath, Terrell Davis, and Kurt Warner are the three top examples of players who got in more for their postseason success than their regular-season body of work.
“This is such a unique circumstance,” Myers said. “Eli had a .500 record in the regular season, he never won a playoff game in any other season other than the two Super Bowl runs, but those two Super Bowl runs were just so amazing.”
But if Manning gets in because of postseason success, it should only bolster the Hall candidacies of a number of 2000s-era Patriots who won a lot more than Manning did — guys such as Richard Seymour, Willie McGinest, Tedy Bruschi, and, one day, Julian Edelman.

The Manning supporters are all quick to highlight his postseason success. And the Super Bowl runs of 2007 and 2011 were certainly impressive. The Giants went 4-0 in both years, while only playing one game at home (five on the road, two on neutral fields). Manning knocked off the 18-0 Patriots with a two-minute drill for the ages, then defeated the Patriots again four years later, including that unbelievable throw to Mario Manningham.
Manning is one of five players with multiple Super Bowl MVPs — Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, and Bart Starr are in the Hall of Fame, and Tom Brady will be. Manning also was durable, never missing a game because of injury.

“I learned very early that you evaluate quarterbacks on their ability to win championships, and to do it late in a game when the game is on the line,” former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said in a statement. “The second thing is to know that over a period of years he’s always going to be there. Those kinds of quarterbacks always give you a chance to win, and for 16 years he did that for this franchise. He won championships and he was always there giving us a chance to win. I don’t know how you can ask more from a quarterback.”
That is certainly all well taken. But if Manning gets in because of his postseason success, how can the voters deny Seymour, who was instrumental in helping the Patriots win three Super Bowls? Seymour is a finalist for the third straight year, with the announcement of the five-person class coming the night before the Super Bowl.

Last year, Hall voter John McClain told the Globe it was “ridiculous” that the Patriots don’t have more players in the Hall from the early part of the dynasty, and voter Sal Paolantonio called it a “total injustice” that players such as McGinest and Bruschi, the leaders of a three-time Super Bowl-winning defense, haven’t been Hall of Fame finalists yet.
And if Manning gets in, how can voters deny Edelman, whose résumé is similar? His regular-season numbers don’t add up to Hall of Fame levels, but he is an all-time great playoff performer — No. 2 in NFL history behind Jerry Rice in postseason receptions (118) and receiving yards (1,442), and a key part of three Super Bowl-winning teams. And Edelman, like Manning, has several signature postseason moments. He caught the winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, made a circus catch to keep a miracle comeback alive against the Falcons, then won Super Bowl MVP honors against the Rams.
“I don’t know if [Edelman] would be a lock, because Eli is a quarterback, and there’s so much more put on that position,” one Hall of Fame voter told me this past week. “But I think it would certainly strengthen Edelman’s case for someone who wanted to compare the two.”

So root hard for Manning to get into the Hall of Fame, Patriots fans. It will force Hall of Fame voters to reconsider the candidacies of Bruschi, McGinest, Edelman, and other Patriots who helped bring six Lombardi Trophies to Foxborough.”

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2020/01/25/eli-manning-someday-getting-into-hall-fame-should-help-patriots/UZgwtNLy48xTHLzc5kPRML/story.html

DiRocco/Laine ESPN: NFL Pro Bowlers cite safety issues as deterrent to 17th regular-season game
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28562515/nfl-pro-bowlers-cite-safety-issues-deterrent-17th-regular-season-game

Corry CBS Sports: Agent's Take: 15 notable players under contract who could be in different uniforms next season
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-15-notable-players-under-contract-who-could-be-in-different-uniforms-next-season/

ATLANTA
D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC)
1/25/20, 4:09 PM
The offensive linemen are struggling in the seniorbowl, Jim Nagy told me TWICE this group was not as good as last years’ group. If #Falcons reach for an offensive linemen at 16, there’s going to be a riot in Flowery Branch

BALTIMORE
Eisenberg Ravens.com: Lamar Jackson's Star Power Will Help Recruit
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/eisenberg-lamar-jackson-s-star-power-will-help-recruit

CINCINNATI
Berry ESPN Cincinnati: Bengals' best option for A.J. Green might also be riskiest
https://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/31966/bengals-best-option-for-a-j-green-might-also-be-riskiest?

CINCINNATI
Minich CincyJungle: Young quarterbacks struggle to turn around bad teams, and that’s okay
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2020/1/26/21031285/nfl-draft-quarterbacks-struggle-to-turn-around-bad-teams-and-thats-okay

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Without a GM in place, will the Browns have enough time to prepare for the NFL draft? Hey, Mary Kay!
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/01/without-a-gm-in-place-will-the-browns-have-enough-time-to-prepare-for-the-nfl-draft-hey-mary-kay.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ex-Giants head coach Ben McAdoo is at the Browns facility Friday interviewing for an offensive position, source says
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/01/ex-giants-head-coach-ben-mcadoo-is-at-the-browns-facility-interviewing-for-an-offensive-position-source-says.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns’ Kareem Hunt back on the NFL’s radar as police find a small amount of weed in his car when stopped for speeding
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/01/browns-gathering-more-info-on-kareem-hunt-being-found-with-a-small-amount-of-weed-in-his-car-nfl-is-aware-of-the-incident.html

DALLAS
Demovsky ESPN GB: Rob Davis has not only joined Mike McCarthy's coaching staff in Dallas but his title is assistant head coach, sources said. A surprise considering he's never actually been on a coaching staff. He was director of player development with the Packers, which was under the football operations department

DENVER
Kiszla Denver Post: Why Kyle Shanahan was wrong coach for Broncos, but right man to beat Chiefs in Super Bowl
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/01/25/kyle-shanahan-wrong-broncos-coach-kiszla/

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Ex-Lions GM Martin Mayhew knows he blew it: 'I wish I would have taken Aaron Donald'
https://amp.freep.com/amp/4574131002

GREEN BAY
Kerr CBS Sports.com: Packers GM expects to face restrictions in free agency as team looks to retain talent
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/packers-gm-expects-to-face-restrictions-in-free-agency-as-team-looks-to-retain-talent/amp/

KANSAS CITY
Dunleavy NYP: Why NFL once doubted Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes
https://nypost.com/2020/01/26/why-nfl-once-doubted-chiefs-patrick-mahomes/amp/

Goldman Chiefswire USA Today: Report: Former Chiefs safety Eric Berry plans to play in 2020
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/25/former-kansas-city-chiefs-safety-eric-berry-intentionally-sat-out-2019-plans-to-return-to-nfl-2020/

MIAMI
Kelly Sun Sentinel: Lions will control 2020 NFL draft — and might try to leverage Dolphins to get more picks

“There will be plenty of teams weighing whether they want the often-injured quarterback bad enough to leapfrog Miami, and Lions general manager Bob Quinn will seemingly be the gatekeeper.

That was the buzz in Mobile among NFL executives, coaches and scouts during the Senior Bowl’s week of practices.

Even though Bengals coach Zac Taylor said nothing is decided, Cincinnati will likely go the safe and smart route and use the No 1 pick to select on LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, the Heisman Trophy winner who just had the best single season in the history of college football.
With the No. 2 pick the Washington Redskins will likely select Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young, who is viewed as the best overall talent in the draft.
That leaves pick No. 3, which is owned by Detroit, as the hot spot.

Based on the talk at the Senior Bowl, don’t rule out the Lions trading Matthew Stafford this offseason to a team willing to offer up a first-round pick, and selecting Tagovailoa.
That’s likely a long shot considering how hot the seats their GM and coach, Matt Patricia, are sitting on have gotten following two straight losing campaigns, but it’s certainly something that needs to be monitored.
A major factor in the equation is whether Stafford wants to continue playing for Patricia, which some in the NFL are wondering about.
Based on the Senior Bowl chatter, Oakland quarterback Derek Carr is also available for first-round pick. This comes after rumors of him being available last year too.”

https://www.theeagle.com/omar-kelly-lions-will-control-nfl-draft-and-might-try/article_8b070888-04b5-5cfe-9d22-887b96ac36b6.html

MINNESOTA
Walters Twincities.com: Wilfs must decide whether to keep spending or rebuild
https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/25/charley-walters-wilfs-must-decide-whether-to-spend-or-rebuild/amp/

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (Wes Welker - 0-3 in Super Bowls - gets another chance for 1st ring; Jimmy G; Stephon Gilmore SB pick; Patriots effect in ratings; New England connections in SB54; Eli-to-Manningham; Yodny Cajuste etc.)

“5. Manning-to-Manningham an all-time throw: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning's retirement on Friday naturally resonated in New England, as his clutch play in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI denied the Patriots two Super Bowl victories. While his escape of the pass rush to deliver a long bomb to David Tyree is most often replayed, with Tyree catching the football on his helmet, I think Manning's 38-yard hookup to Mario Manningham to kick-start the game-winning drive in XLVI was an even better play. It might have been the greatest throw by an opposing quarterback against the Patriots in the coach Bill Belichick era. How did he possibly fit the ball in that tight window?”

https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4819155/wes-welker-back-at-super-bowl-seeking-first-ring-this-time-as-a-coach

Guregian Boston Herald: Robert Kraft, Patriots still smiling on 20th anniversary of Bill Belichick trade
https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/01/25/robert-kraft-patriots-still-smiling-on-20th-anniversary-of-bill-belichick-trade/amp/

NEW ORLEANS
Just Nola.com: Drew Brees' decision to return or retire to come in 'a month or so', but he'll 'always be a Saint'
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_9dce587a-3fa9-11ea-bd97-7f4fbbbc0dff.html

NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: Joe Douglas effect is palpable as Jets overhaul gets underway
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/joe-douglas-effect-is-palatable-as-jets-overhaul-gets-underway/

PHILADELPHIA
Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles to hire Marquand Manuel to be their defensive backs coach
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-hire-marquand-manuel-defensive-backs-coach-falcons-seahawks-jim-schwartz/

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Ranking the 10 moves that transformed 49ers into a Super Bowl team
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Ranking-the-10-moves-that-transformed-49ers-into-15000347.php

Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz)
1/25/20, 6:04 PM
I'm sure I missed one or two, but here are all the run concepts the 49ers ran in the NFC title game:

Outside zone
OZ toss
OZ split
OZ RPO
Wind-back zone
Trap
Counter
Power
Sweep RPO
Inside zone
IZ split
Lead
Toss

Bair NBC Bay Area: Why DeForest Buckner-Arik Armstead partnership vital to 49ers' defense
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/why-deforest-buckner-arik-armstead-partnership-vital-49ers-defense

Kroichick SF Chronicle: Richard Sherman’s fiery leadership inspires 49ers’ title run
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-Richard-Sherman-traces-bravado-15003134.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Ahead of Pro Bowl, Russell Wilson says Seahawks need to add ‘superstars’ this offseason
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/as-russell-wilson-gets-set-to-play-in-pro-bowl-he-says-seahawks-need-to-add-superstarts-this-offseason/?

Colleges/Draft

Tuls The Draft Network: 2020 SENIOR BOWL: 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM SATURDAY'S GAME
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/2020-senior-bowl--five-takeaways-from-saturday-s-game

Goodbread NFL.com: Senior Bowl: Herbert top-15 lock after strong week?
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001099039/article/2020-senior-bowl-justin-herbert-solidifies-top15pick-standing?

Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread)
1/25/20, 7:34 PM
That's a wrap from Mobile.

Some names scouts floated my way throughout the week:
Stock up: Kinlaw, Herbert, V.Jefferson, Dugger, Bartch, Agim, Pittman, Strowbridge, J.Jones, Anae, Gandy-Golden.
Mixed reviews: A.Taylor, Weaver, Mayden.
Stock down: S.Patterson, Steele, Simpson.

Treash PFF: PFF College: Way-too-early 2020 top 25 rankings
https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pff-way-too-early-2020-top-25-rankings

QB
Thamel USA Today: What Justin Herbert has to do at the Senior Bowl to make 'Justin vs. Tua' a one-sided debate
https://sports.yahoo.com/what-justin-herbert-has-to-do-at-the-senior-bowl-to-make-justin-vs-tua-a-onesided-debate-212054825.html

WR
Pflum BBV: 2020 NFL Draft prospect profile: Michael Pittman Jr, WR, USC
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/1/25/21081410/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-michael-pittman-jr-wr-usc-scouting-report-ny-giants-news

T
Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL)
1/25/20, 3:42 PM
I don’t know if he’ll reach his ceiling, but I’ve seen enough from Becton, and enough of the NFL game, to know he’s the highest upside OT in this draft class. To be able to move laterally like this at 6-7 and 365 comes around once every decade, if that

Duarte Houston Chronicle: UH tackle Josh Jones generating plenty of buzz at Senior Bowl
https://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/UH-Josh-Jones-buzz-Senior-Bowl-15003923.php

History

Serby NYP: 49ers legend Ronnie Lott on Super Bowl 2020, battles with Giants (Q& A)

“Q: What is one anecdote from your battles with the Giants?
A: (Sings Mickey Mouse song) “Who’s the great-est NYC? LT, LT.” That’s what he would sing to me (laugh).
Q: When would he sing that to you?
A: When we were at the Pro Bowl, when we would see each other, and I started singing it to him every time I would see him. I love when I’m around him because he can really be the person he was when he was 20, 22 … he can just morph into being 22 again.
Q: What do you remember about the preparation before a game against LT?
A: The game was gonna be a fourth-quarter game. You want to try to beat ’em before you got into the fourth quarter. Coach [Bill] Parcells and his staff were really good at managing time in the fourth quarter. They were very disciplined about how to win games in the fourth quarter.

Q: Did you have any clue how good Bill Belichick was or would be as a head coach?
A: He was a coach that every time we would play, he would come over and say hello. He’s arguably the best coach ever, but I think a lot of that’s due to him coming over and saying hello and getting to know people, and learning people and learning what it’s like to coach and be around certain people. He nailed it eventually.
Q: When you think of Mark Bavaro, what do you think of?
A: I think of being pulled on a slip and slide. I had to redeem myself and had to hit him like George Foreman.
Q: Describe your Phil Simms confrontation.
A: [Ex-Giant] Jim Burt was the genesis of it. He decided that he wanted to drive with me to the stadium and tell me all the great things that Phil Simms thought about my skills of playing football.
Q: What did he tell you?
A: I’m not gonna repeat some of the things that he said that Phil felt about me.
Q: What was Simms screaming to you about on the field?
A: He didn’t understand why I decided to get so ballistic. I threw a tantrum towards him. I didn’t know that Phil felt that way about me, but as we all learned in life, Phil didn’t say that, it was Jim Burt being Jim Burt getting me fired up.
Q: What did Simms say back to you?
A: He looked at me, “What the heck are you doing (laugh)? Why are you acting like this?” But the great thing that I love is that after the whole incident, he comes into the locker room and said to me, “I never would have said anything.” For him to walk in our locker room, after that game, and then say what he said, showed me how great a human being he is.”

https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/49ers-legend-ronnie-lott-on-super-bowl-2020-battles-with-giants/

Izenberg NJ.com: ‘I’m old, not dead’: Columnist Jerry Izenberg’s historic streak of 53 Super Bowls comes to an end
https://www.nj.com/sports/2020/01/im-old-not-dead-columnist-jerry-izenbergs-historic-streak-of-53-super-bowls-comes-to-an-end.html

Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar)
1/25/20, 4:48 PM
Random football fact of the day: Eagles quarterback Adrian Burk threw seven touchdown passes against the Redskins in 1954. When Minnesota's Joe Kapp tied that mark against the Colts 15 years later, Burk was an official in that game

Turney PFJ: The NFL's First True 4-3 Middle Linebacker—Chuck Drazenovich
http://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-nfls-first-true-4-3-middle.html

Brink Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Friends and foes agree, 'there really weren't any players' like Troy Polamalu
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/01/26/troy-polamalu-hall-of-fame-2020-odds-steelers-ed-reed/stories/202001240071

Giants Birthdays 1-26

Len Johnson C/G NYG W-PHI 1970 NYG 1970 1-26-1946

In Memoriam

Carl Tomesello E D5-Scranton 1940 NYG 1940 Born 1-26-1917 Died 10-29-1991