Sunday Reading

Giants

Lombardo NJ.com: NFL Combine 2020 preview: Giants should prioritize these 10 players in Indianapolis | Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, Georgia’s Andre Thomas, more
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/02/nfl-combine-2020-preview-giants-should-prioritize-these-10-players-in-indianapolis-clemsons-isaiah-simmons-ohio-states-jeff-okudah-georgias-andre-thomas-more.html

DT/DE

Scout Kelley (@ScoutKelley)
2/22/20, 8:13 AM
Tuesday, February 25th is the first day that teams can exercise their franchise and transition tags.

I fully expect the Giants to exercise the franchise tag on Leonard Williams with a view to giving him a long term contract in 2021. (1/3)

Exercising the transition tag is a pointless exercise. If they went down this route, it is almost certain that a team would offer him a multi-year deal which the Giants would need to match, or lose him for no compensation. (2/3)

Given that Williams hasn’t yet done enough to warrant a multi-year deal, letting him play under the 1-year franchise tag is the best option for the team in 2020. If he plays well, then they should sign him long-term in 2021. (3/3)

Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina)
2/22/20, 3:58 PM
I’m thinking transition tag.

Tag applies as a DE or DT?

Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina)
2/22/20, 5:20 PM
⁦‬⁩DT

CB

Traina Giantsmaven SI.com: Why Reuniting with Cornerback Prince Amukamara Makes Sense for the Giants
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/why-reuniting-with-cornerback-prince-amukamara-makes-sense-for-the-giants

NFL

Volin Boston Globe: Sunday Football Notes: The clock is ticking on the deadline for the NFL's new CBA and players are wondering if this current offer is the best deal they can get
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2020/02/22/nfl-owners-proposal-for-new-cba-puts-players-under-gun/LFGPvOrX1xuk4LtStsRImN/story.html

Leonard NYDN: NFL players need to be united and ready for a fight if owners won’t accept latest rebuttal
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-nfl-nflpa-cba-20200222-fox666jjnfctbg7wqionfqfspe-story.html

Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)
2/22/20, 8:02 PM
Absent a new collective bargaining agreement, teams can still apply both tags, which is big for teams such as the Cowboys and Titans. If players vote to approve the proposed CBA, as owners already did, it’d go back to one tag per team. The sides meet Tuesday in Indianapolis

Clark The Ringer: The Pros and Cons of the NFL’s New Scheduling Proposal
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2020/2/20/21145464/nfl-cba-new-scheduling-proposal-pros-con

Maske Washington Post: NFL coaches could renew their push for a "sky judge." It's on the agenda for the meeting in Indy of the coaches subcommittee of the competition committee, although the league and officials remain wary
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/02/22/nfl-coaches-may-renew-push-sky-judge-who-could-overturn-erroneous-on-field-calls/?outputType=amp#click=https://t.co/LqPlhF89ht

BALTIMORE
Eisenberg Ravens.com: Why Improving at Wide Receiver Is So Important This Offseason
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/eisenberg-why-improving-at-wide-receiver-is-so-important-this-offseason

CHICAGO
Finley Chicago Sun Times: Here are 20 quarterback options for the Bears
https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2020/2/22/21145988/bears-quarterback-20-options-matt-nagy-mitch-trubisky-ryan-pace-derek-carr-marcus-mariota-trade-sign

Mayer Bears.com: Getting to know new OL coach Juan Castillo
https://www.chicagobears.com/news/getting-to-know-new-ol-coach-juan-castillo

Mayer Bears.com: Roster move: Bears re-sign LB Devante Bond
https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-re-sign-lb-devante-bond

CLEVELAND
Williams Cleveland Plain Dealer: What can the Browns learn from Greg Robinson that helps at the NFL combine? This Week in the Cleveland Browns
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/02/what-can-the-browns-learn-from-greg-robinson-that-helps-at-the-nfl-combine-this-week-in-the-cleveland-browns.html

Williams Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns shouldn’t let Kareem Hunt go, because Kevin Stefanski can rejuvenate his career -- Film Review
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/02/browns-shouldnt-let-kareem-hunt-go-because-kevin-stefanski-can-rejuvenate-his-career-film-review.html

DALLAS
Gehlken Dallas Morning News: The Cowboys just got more time to negotiate with Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/02/20/cowboys-may-lose-option-with-amari-cooper-as-cba-moves-forward/

Watkins Dallas Morning News: Cowboys position preview: While the offensive line is a strength for Dallas, there is still room for improvement
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/02/22/cowboys-position-preview-while-the-offensive-line-is-a-strength-for-dallas-there-is-still-room-for-improvement/

Tuls The Draft Network: 2020 FREE AGENT PROFILE: CORNERBACK BYRON JONES
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/byron-jones-free-agency-nfl-team-fits

DETROIT
Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Matt Patricia and the greatest engineering challenge of his career
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/02/23/detroit-lions-matt-patricia-rpi/4832546002/

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions re-sign WR Danny Amendola, who had one of his best seasons ever in 2019
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/02/22/detroit-lions-wide-receiver-danny-amendola-contract/4842440002/

Raven Michigan Live: NFL combine 2020: Lions have invested heavily in TEs without much production in return
https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/02/nfl-combine-2020-lions-have-invested-heavily-in-tes-without-much-production-in-return.html

Rogers Detroit News: Jeff Okudah over Derrick Brown? Analyst believes Lions building defense like Patriots
https://amp.detroitnews.com/amp/4832682002

GREEN BAY
Demovsky ESPN GB: Kicker Mason Crosby, Packers reach 3-year deal, agent says
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28759435/kicker-mason-crosby-packers-reach-3-year-deal-agent-says?

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: Don’t forget receiver in Texans’ offseason plans
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/john-mcclain/amp/McClain-Don-t-forget-receiver-in-Texans-15074905.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Arthur Colts.com: Colts At The 2020 Combine: Connecting Dots At Each Position
https://www.colts.com/news/nfl-scouting-combine-2020-connecting-dots-position-draft

MIAMI
Schad Palm Beach Post: NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Miami Dolphins must examine Tua and these 20 players
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20200222/nfl-scouting-combine-preview-miami-dolphins-must-examine-tua-and-these-20-players

Deen Sun Sentinel: Dolphins lose top assistant Karl Dorrell to University of Colorado
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-karl-dorrell-colorado-20200222-haf57c2n2jhyxbevihg5xnfrua-story.html

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (Benjamin Watson on his executive committee role/view in CBA talks; how a new CBA could be a factor in Patriots-Brady negotiation; Brady and team culture; Day 1 notable for Patriots at combine etc.)
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4819351/retiring-patriots-te-ben-watson-shares-players-view-of-critical-cba-talks

Crabbs The Draft Network: 2020 FREE AGENT PROFILE: LINEBACKER KYLE VAN NOY
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/kyle-van-noy-free-agency-nfl-team-fits

NEW ORLEANS
Underhill NO Football: Why the Saints can win the Super Bowl with Drew Brees back
https://neworleans.football/why-the-saints-can-win-the-super-bowl-with-drew-brees-back/

Underhill NO Football: What was the reason for Drew Brees’ lack of deep passes last season?
https://neworleans.football/what-is-the-reason-for-drew-brees-lack-of-deep-passes-last-season/

Underhill NO Football: How often does Drew Brees change plays? We found out
https://neworleans.football/how-often-does-drew-brees-change-plays-we-found-out/

Underhill NO Football: We determined how much separation Michael Thomas creates with his route running
https://neworleans.football/we-determined-how-much-separation-michael-thomas-creates-with-his-route-running/

NEW YORK JETS
Fischer NYP: Jets sign Josh Doctson for wide receiver depth
https://nypost.com/2020/02/22/jets-sign-josh-doctson-for-wide-receiver-depth/amp/

Cimini ESPN NY: Newly-signed WR Josh Doctson is another body at a position that could see major change. Right now, the only certainty is Jamison Crowder. Robby Anderson is headed to free agency (and likely out the door). So is Demaryius Thomas. So the Jets' top receivers under contract are Crowder, Quincy Enunwa (injured), Vyncint Smith and Braxton Berrios. Doctson, a first-round disappointment for Washington, is a no-risk flyer. There will be bigger moves at WR before this offseason is over. Count on it

PHILADELPHIA
Shorr-Parks WIP Radio Philadelphia: Zach Ertz deserves No. 1 WR money from Eagles
https://94wip.radio.com/blogs/eliot-shorr-parks/zach-ertz-deserves-no-1-wr-money-from-eagles

PITTSBURGH
Rutter Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers head to NFL Combine ‘very comfortable’ with no 1st-round pick
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-head-to-nfl-combine-very-comfortable-with-no-1st-round-pick/

Dulac Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Ben Roethlisberger throws a football; Steelers optimistic on recovery
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/02/22/ben-roethlisberger-throwing-video-elbow-injury-update/stories/202002220065

SEATTLE
Getzenberg Charlotte Observer: Greg Olsen on Charlotte being “home,” his charity and why he’s joining the Seahawks
https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article240544591.html

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Previewing the Bucs’ to-do list for the NFL scouting combine
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2020/02/22/previewing-the-bucs-to-do-list-for-the-nfl-scouting-combine/?

TENNESSEE
Bacharach The Tennessean: At NFL Combine, Titans GM Jon Robinson is looking for same characteristics he developed as boy working on a farm
https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/4598603002

Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL)
2/20/20, 7:27 PM
Titans‬⁩ ⁦‪Jack Conklin is a free agent that I would desperately want if I was trying to rebuild or reload my offensive line. Durable, tough, smart and a bunch of nasty is a good anchor for any offensive line. Just gotta pay the freight

WASHINGTON
Copeland Washington Post: Chase Young is a ‘generational talent’ and clear choice for Redskins, draft expert says
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/02/22/chase-young-is-generational-talent-clear-choice-redskins-draft-expert-says/?

XFL

Wyatt Houston Chronicle: Roughnecks keep rolling, hold off Vipers to remain unbeaten
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Roughnecks-keep-rolling-hold-off-Vipers-to-15076956.php

Encina TB Times: Vipers’ rotating quarterback plan produces first TD, but not victory
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/vipers/2020/02/22/vipers-rotating-quarterback-plan-produces-first-td-but-not-victory/

Encina TB Times: The unique paths that brought these Vipers to the XFL
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/vipers/2020/02/21/the-unique-paths-that-brought-these-vipers-to-the-xfl/

Vorel Seattle Times: Defensive theatrics aren’t enough for Seattle Dragons in loss to the Dallas Renegades
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seattle-dragons/defensive-theatrics-arent-enough-for-seattle-dragons-in-loss-to-the-dallas-renegades/

Vorel Seattle Times: XFL instant analysis: Three impressions from the Dragons’ home loss to the Dallas Renegades
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-instant-analysis-three-impressions-from-the-dragons-home-loss-to-the-dallas-renegades/

CFL

Vanstone Regina Leader Post: Proposed CFL playoff revisions nearly 40 years overdue
https://leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders/rob-vanstone-proposed-cfl-playoff-revisions-nearly-40-years-overdue

Colleges:Draft

Kiszla Denver Post: As CU football coach, best thing about Karl Dorrell is he’s safe, boring and the anti-Mel
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/02/22/karl-dorrell-cu-buffs-safe-boring-kiszla/

Reid The Draft Network: BIGGEST 2020 NFL COMBINE SNUBS
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/tyler-huntley-kevin-dotson-levonta-taylor-nfl-combine-snubs-2020

QB
Eager PFF: 2020 NFL Draft: WSU's Anthony Gordon is a quality option at QB
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2020-nfl-draft-wsus-anthony-gordon-is-a-quality-option-at-qb

RB
Farrar Touchdownwire USA Today: The next Marshawn Lynch? Watching tape with Utah RB Zack Moss
https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2020/02/22/the-next-marshawn-lynch-watching-tape-with-utah-rb-zack-moss/

WR
Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso)
2/22/20, 11:19 AM
Bryan Edwards *probably* goes on Day 3 now due to the broken foot and this loaded WR class. If he fully recovers, he can be a stud in the NFL. Will just have more of an uphill climb to get playing time being a late pick

TE
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Elk Rapids QB ate cold hamburgers every day. Now he plays TE like Rob Gronkowski
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/02/22/adam-trautman-2020-nfl-draft-rob-gronkowski/4825937002/

G
Pflum BBV: 2020 NFL Draft prospect profile: Damien Lewis, G, LSU
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2020/2/22/21148357/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-damien-lewis-g-lsu-scouting-report-ny-giants-news

Edge
Huber SI.com: Scouting Combine Edge Rushers: Unstoppable Epenesa
Part 1 of our four-part series is highlighted by Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa and fellow Big Ten standouts Zach Baun and Carter Coughlin, plus Utah star Bradlee Anae
https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/scouting-combine-edge-rushers-1

Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle)
2/22/20, 2:26 PM
AJ Epenesa's hands are stupid. His technique/strength/size combination is incredible, the reason why he should be considered the No. 2 edge defender in this class

Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle)
2/22/20, 2:37 PM
A.J. Epenesa is like a football-version of Tim Duncan, "The Big Fundamental." Super productive, not flashy.

Some NFL player comparisons for Epenesa:

Cameron Jordan/Trey Flowers and a shorter Calais Campbell

Erickson Indianapolis Star: Robert Mathis on Cathedral's Kendall Coleman: 'This kid is going to be the steal of the draft'
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/4672829002

LB
Simmons

Carl Banks (@CarlBanksGIII)
2/22/20, 9:21 PM
Here is what i know for a fact. The moment an NFL OC sees Simmons lined up on a WR i assure you it will be the #1 or #2 they send at him and it will be pitch and catch all day. He will be a great Linebacker and effective in many different packages

Carl Banks (@CarlBanksGIII)
2/22/20, 7:08 PM
⁦To be clear. I LOVE Simmons and I hope the NYG drafts him.. tremendous skillset that should make him an every down LB in multiple packages. He will not be a safety or CB at the NFL level

Carl Banks (@CarlBanksGIII)
2/22/20, 10:26 PM
⁦‪Let’s hope he is a awesome LB.. fyi teams are allowed to put #1's in the slot.. ask Grant Haley

Huber SI.com: Scouting Combine Linebackers: Murray’s a Real Lifesaver
Part 2 of our three-part series on the 31 off-the-ball linebackers includes Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray, Ohio State's Malik Harrison, Montana's tackling machine and Miami's dynamic duo
https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/scouting-combine-linebackers-2

S
La Canfora CBS Sports.com: Get to know Jeremy Chinn: The late-rising safety who could crack the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/get-to-know-jeremy-chinn-the-late-rising-safety-who-could-crack-the-first-round-of-the-2020-nfl-draft/

History

Canton Rep: The Chicago Cardinals' 1947 dream season sparked by ’Million Dollar Backfield’
https://www.cantonrep.com/sports/20200223/chicago-cardinals-1947-dream-season-sparked-by-million-dollar-backfield?

Giants Birthdays 2-23

Bear Pascoe TE W-SF 2009 NYG 2009-2013 2-23-1986

Gary Shirk TE FA-MEM WFL 1976 NYG 1976-1982 2-23-1950

NYT: ONCE AGAIN, GIANTS WILL RELY ON SHIRK (8-11-1982)

“Gary Shirk is starting his ninth season in pro football, and he has heard all the putdowns before. As a tight end, say the critics, he is too small, too slow and too old.
Every year, the Giants seem to find a new hope to dethrone him, among them Al Dixon, Cleveland Jackson, Loaird McCreary, Boyd Brown, Tom Mullady, Dave Young and Robert Hubble. Every year, when the sorting out is done, Gary Shirk is the tight end.
Here, at their Pace University training camp, the Giants have four tight ends. Mullady will start Saturday night against the Colts in Baltimore in the Giants' first exhibition game.
Mullady and Shirk seem sure to be the two tight ends when the Giants open the National Football League season Sept. 12 against the Atlanta Falcons at Giants Stadium. Young will be allowed back in camp only if he loses enough weight, but his chances of making the team seem slight.

Not the Biggest or Fastest

Mullady is 6 feet 3 inches tall, Shirk 6-1. Mullady has run 40 yards in 4.7 seconds, Shirk in 4.8 or 4.9. Mullady is 25 years old, Shirk 32.

''All that criticism used to bother me,'' Shirk said today. ''There's nothing about me that hasn't been printed. My first three years here, I ran the 40 in 4.8. Bob Tucker used to run it in 5.1 and he was the best receiving tight end I've ever seen. Nobody said he couldn't get deep.
''The Giants would like a tight end with 4.6 speed who can run by the safety. I don't blame them. But I can get down there, even if it takes four days.
''You'll never convince me I'm too small or two slow. I've got too much heart. I've played against a lot of big guys, and I've blocked them. At 222 pounds, I'm not exactly light.''

Ron Erhardt, the former head coach of the New England Patriots, is the Giants' new offensive coordinator and is coaching the tight ends. Shirk has impressed him.
''He comes to camp in terrific condition with the attitude that someone's got to beat him out,'' Erhardt said. ''He knows what he has to do. He is getting everything out of his ability.''
Erhardt, like many others, regards Shirk as a classic overachiever. Shirk thinks of himself as simply someone who does what he has to do and enjoys doing it. For example, the Giants' tight ends have new priorities this year to utilize the added speed from Butch Woolfolk and Joe Morris at running back. More Attention to Blocking
''In the past,'' said Shirk, ''the tight ends worked mainly on pass receiving. Our offense didn't run outside the strong-side tackle too much. It wasn't that we couldn't do it, we just didn't do it. Now we're working a lot on blocking technique so we can run those sweeps.

''If we're going to compte with the big boys, we've got to run outside. If a team doesn't run outside the tackles, the defense will bunch up on you.''
Still, Shirk, like all tight ends, likes to catch passes. Last year, his 42 receptions included 11 in one game against the New Orleans Saints.
After Shirk won three football letters at Morehead (Ky.) State, he played two years for the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League. The Giants signed him in 1976 as a free agent, and until last year he played for the Giants through one losing season after another.
''I don't feel any strain in this camp,'' he said. ''I've been around long enough to know the cards are going to fall when they're going to fall. But I want to be part of this team for another year or two. We're starting to win. I think this year we're going to be real good. I've been on bad teams. Now I want to be on good ones.

''I've played eight years as a pro. A lot of guys don't get even that first year. A lot of guys who last this long do it with four different teams. I've been pretty lucky.''

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/11/sports/once-again-giants-will-rely-on-shirk.html

In Memoriam

Kevin Belcher C D6-UTEP 1983 NYG 1983-1984 Born 2-23-1961 Died 6-28-2003

Canavan AP: Drafting or acquiring a center has taken on added importance for Giants
(4-10-1985) “EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) _ Drafting or acquiring a center has taken on added importance for the New York Giants because an off-season automobile accident has placed the future of Kevin Belcher in limbo, General Manager George Young said Tuesday.

″He is still rehabilitating,″ said Young in an interveiw after the premier of the National Football League team’s 1984 highlight film. ″We have some interest in a center because of his uncertain status. We have a concern.″

Belcher was injured in mid January when the jeep he was driving overturned on a Pennsylvania road after he braked to avoid a jack-knifed tractor trailer. The former Texas El Paso player was not injured until a second truck hit the jeep and pushed it under the jack-knifed vehicle.

The 270-pound Belcher suffered crushed ribs, a broken jaw and nerve damage in one of his legs in the accident. He has been rehabilitating at Giants Stadium since leaving the hospital.”

Dennis Crane DT/T W-WAS 1970 NYG 1970’Born 2-23-1945 Died 11-30-2003

NYT (9-24-1970) “Webster also has a potential double‐duty performer in Crane, who played offensive and defensive tackle at the Uni versity of Southern California and who played 14 games for Washington last year, eight as an offensive tackle and the rest as a defensive tackle.”

Tiny Feather BB FA-1929, FA-1932 NYG 1929-1931, 1932 Born 2-23-1902 Died 7-15-1965

Ray Oldham FS W- 1979 NYG 1979 Born 2-23-1951 Died 7-23-2005