Tuesday Reading

Giants

Traina SI.com: Perspectives: Why the Giants Hope for Better Results Despite Duplicating Last Year's Free Agency Approach
https://www.si.com/.amp-nygiants/nfl/giants/news/perspectives-why-the-giants-hope-for-better-results-despite-duplicating-last-years-free-agency-approach

GM

Phillips The Big Lead: Jay Glazer: Dave Gettleman Has One Year to Turn Around the Giants

“Jay Glazer claims New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has one season to turn the franchise around or he'll be gone, as reported in his weekly NFL mailbag column for The Athletic.
Here's what he said when asked a question about Gettleman's future with the Giants and how close he was to retiring before this offseason:

I don’t know if he’ll end up retiring but yeah, I think he was close this year. He made a case to ownership to come back. He presented a plan for how he’ll turn it around in a year. That needs to happen. If it doesn’t happen, he’ll be gone and rightfully so. If he doesn’t follow through, it’s time to go. I would hope that Gettleman has also learned a bit about himself and his interactions with people during this process. Anytime you’re on the hot seat, you have to look inside yourself and say, “What’s my responsibility in this?” and make changes.
- Jay Glazer”

https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/jay-glazer-dave-gettleman-giants-fired-one-year-01e4pnnxnvt5

DT

Falato BBV: Film study: What should the Giants expect from DT Austin Johnson?
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/3/31/21198536/film-study-austin-johnson-ny-giants-nfl-free-agency-sean-spencer

ILB
Eisen Giants.com: Giants D gets a tackling machine in Blake Martinez
https://www.giants.com/news/blake-martinez-tackling-machine-patrick-graham-green-bay-packers

Schmeelk Giants.com: Film Study: How LB Blake Martinez fits Giants
https://www.giants.com/news/blake-martinez-green-bay-packers-giants-scheme-nfl-free-agency-2020

Salomone Giants.com: 5 things to know about LB Blake Martinez
https://www.giants.com/news/blake-martinez-nfl-bio-green-bay-packers-stanford-cardinal-machinez

Leonard NYDN: New Giants LB Blake Martinez seeks to set record straight on his Packers days
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-blake-martinez-packers-criticism-free-agency-signing-20200330-q2bgua6txvderdvrunfx6jkuu4-story.html

Rosenblatt NJ.com: Why Giants’ Blake Martinez says his weakness with Packers was a ‘misconception’, had more to do with Green Bay
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/03/why-giants-blake-martinez-says-his-weakness-with-packers-was-a-misconception-had-more-to-do-with-green-bay.html==

Schwartz NYP: Blake Martinez sings praises of ‘smart’ Giants defensive coordinator
https://nypost.com/2020/03/31/blake-martinez-sings-praises-of-smart-giants-defensive-coordinator/amp/

CB

Raanan ESPN NY: How cornerback James Bradberry landed with the New York Giants

“Bradberry, who had been a four-year starter for Rivera with the Carolina Panthers, knew a reunion wasn't happening. He, somewhat characteristically, decided to keep quiet. The Redskins valued Bradberry similarly to the Panthers, and his representatives found out at the NFL scouting combine that he wouldn't be returning...”

“But now he has the big contract and the expectations that come with it. The doubts that have followed him since high school have not changed. He played primarily off the line of scrimmage in zone coverage in Carolina. The Giants are expected to play a lot of press-man coverages under Judge and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
"I don't know if he's a pure man-to-man cover corner," one personnel evaluator said after the signing.
Why is that?
"Lacks speed," the evaluator said.
It's nothing Bradberry hasn't heard before. In fact, it's the same critique he heard from power-conference schools coming out of high school in Pleasant Grove, Alabama, before landing at Samford. Bradberry remembers two schools telling him he was too slow.
That didn't stop him from being drafted No. 62 overall. From becoming a starter. From getting that coveted and lucrative second contract. And from making the move from Carolina to New York, where he can prove all over again to the Panthers, the Redskins and all the doubters that he is worth the hefty investment that the Giants ultimately made.”

https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-giants/post/_/id/60568/how-cornerback-james-bradberry-landed-with-the-new-york-giants?

SS

Narang Chicago Tribune: Julian Love finishing degree online at Notre Dame after successful first NFL season
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/western-springs/sports/ct-dws-football-julian-love-new-york-giants-tl-0402-20200330-3pkmpktspnclla65c5mkvdar5i-story.html

NFL

Glazer The Athletic: Glazer’s NFL mailbag: What’s the market for Jadeveon Clowney?
https://theathletic.com/1710367/2020/03/30/glazers-nfl-mailbag-whats-the-market-for-jadeveon-clowney/

Leonard NYDN: Why are Jadeveon Clowney, Cam Newton, Jameis Winston still free agents?
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-jadeveon-clowney-cam-newton-jameis-winston-free-agents-unsigned-20200331-7zodmpzuxfbmzomjzyv7x32gri-story.html

ESPN: How 2019 NFL first-round draft picks fared, what's in store in 2020

“6. New York Giants
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Analysis: Here's what we know with certainty about Jones: He is at least an average starter. That is something considering that draft busts at quarterback, even in the first round, aren't uncommon. Jones flashed enough to provide hope he can become much more than an average starter. He threw 24 touchdown passes with 12 interceptions in 12 starts. It's simply a matter of whether Jones can cut down on the turnovers (23). Some of that can be attributed to rookie mistakes, but there are NFL talent evaluators who believe it's an innate trait and his weakness. He should only get better in Year 2.
Rating: He's a starter.” -- Jordan Raanan

To be honest, I was waffling between He’s a Starter and On his Way. But right now all I know is he will be a decent starter. Need to see more before being convinced he’s on his way to becoming Top 10 QB. Has the potential but needs to improve in some key areas.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28946190/how-2019-nfl-first-round-draft-picks-fared-store-2020

CHICAGO
Kane Chicago Tribune: Quarantine reading: What Nick Foles’ ‘Believe It’ book tells us about the new Bears quarterback and his wild 8-year NFL career
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-nick-foles-book-20200330-pmggeyblzjd33l3oqvuggpkwya-story.html

Finley Chicago Sun Times: Between 2 QBs: Nick Foles’ chat with Chase Daniel yields little Bears clarity
https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2020/3/30/21200563/bears-free-agency-2020-nick-foles-chase-daniel-chats-quarterback-trade-lions-mitch-trubisky-eagles

CLEVELAND
Labbe Cleveland Plain Dealer: 4 questions still facing the Cleveland Browns’ roster
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/03/4-questions-still-facing-the-cleveland-browns-roster.html

DALLAS
Archer ESPN Dallas: With additions of Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Cowboys' D gains new look
https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4771189/with-additions-of-gerald-mccoy-dontari-poe-cowboys-d-gains-new-look?

Cowlishaw Dallas Morning News: Questionable addition of Greg Zuerlein fills Cowboys’ need at kicker they didn’t actually have
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/03/30/questionable-addition-of-greg-zuerlein-fills-cowboys-need-at-kicker-they-didnt-actually-have/

DENVER
Klis 9News Denver: Lindsay on Gordon: 'I’m not going to give somebody the job'
https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/lindsay-on-gordon-im-not-going-to-give-somebody-the-job/73-00ae24c2-8f4e-49b6-a9fd-0112b8fa5e19

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions should land rookie starter at No. 35, but don't expect a future star
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/03/31/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-second-round-pick-35-historical/5086610002/

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans don't lead NFL in salary-cap space, here's why
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/Texans-don-t-lead-NFL-in-salary-cap-space-here-s-15166190.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans, Laremy Tunsil in active contract talks
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/Texans-Laremy-Tunsil-in-active-contract-talks-15166876.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Tomasson Twincities.com: Xavier Rhodes calls Vikings release an ‘eye-opener,’ cites injuries as a factor
https://www.twincities.com/2020/03/30/xavier-rhodes-calls-vikings-release-an-eye-opener-cites-injuries-as-a-factor/

Ayello Indianapolis Star: Colts sign versatile T.J. Carrie, adding depth at cornerback
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/5089970002

JACKSONVILLE
Reid Florida Times Union: Jaguars address defensive needs in free agency with hopes of Todd Wash leading turnaround
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20200330/jaguars-address-defensive-needs-in-free-agency-with-hopes-of-todd-wash-leading-turnaround

The Jaguars have heard from multiple interested teams about a possible trade for DE Yannick Ngakoue, who turns 25 today. The Jags value him and won’t give him away for little return but it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out as we draw closer to the draft
Mike Garafolo
⁦‪@MikeGarafolo‬⁩

KANSAS CITY
Goldman Chiefswire USA Today: Chiefs have recently used FaceTime to meet with several draft prospects
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/03/31/kansas-city-chiefs-facetime-2020-nfl-draft-prospects-damien-lewis-antoine-winfield-jr/

Keysor The Athletic: The Chris Jones contract conversation: Myths vs. reality
https://theathletic.com/1705211/2020/03/30/chris-jones-contract-conversation-myths-vs-reality/

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Rams re-sign cornerback Donte’ Deayon
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2020-03-30/rams-re-sign-cornerback-donte-deayon?

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Even after Tom Brady's departure, new-look Patriots 'have a great opportunity,' Matthew Slater says
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28972256/even-tom-brady-departure-new-look-patriots-great-opportunity-matthew-slater-says?

Reiss ESPN Boston: Among Patriots' biggest needs in 2020: Finding a tight end
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4819654/among-patriots-biggest-needs-2020-finding-tight-end

NEW YORK JETS
Mehta NYDN: Were the Jets cheap or smart in free agency?
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-free-agency-spending-joe-douglas-20200330-hzkmjkf4vnhhbhbesazhsx5tka-story.html

Cimini ESPN NY: Jets would spark fireworks by drafting Jerry Jeudy, as Todd McShay predicts
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/82710/jets-would-spark-fireworks-by-drafting-jerry-jeudy-as-todd-mcshay-predicts

PHILADELPHIA
Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Can Eagles build for the future around Carson Wentz and still contend for a Super Bowl now?
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-carson-wentz-saints-drew-brees-malcolm-jenkins-20200330.html

PITTSBURGH
Rutter Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers announce 3 signings, including former Pitt DE Dewayne Hendrix
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-announce-3-signings-including-former-pitt-de-dewayne-hendrix/

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: The 49ers and wide receivers: A draft tradition with no end in sight
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/The-49ers-and-wide-receivers-A-draft-tradition-15167501.php

SEATTLE
Calkins Seattle Times: Seahawks’ offseason additions may not excite fans, but history shows there’s reason to have faith
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-offseason-additions-may-not-excite-fans-but-history-shows-theres-reason-to-have-faith/?

My best friend ⁦‪BradyHenderson‬⁩ ESPN tells ⁦‪710ESPNSeattle‬⁩ the number he's heard Jadeveon Clowney is looking for is $21M, but Henderson has never gotten the impression Seattle is willing to break the bank. "I don't know if you can continue to wait on him forever."
Stacy Jo Rost
⁦‪@StacyRost‬⁩

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Jason Licht says the Bucs had Tom Brady at hello
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2020/03/30/jason-licht-says-the-bucs-had-tom-brady-at-hello/

WASHINGTON
Carpenter Washington Post: The Redskins’ defense appears close to finished. The offense remains a work in progress.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/03/30/redskins-defense-appears-close-finished-offense-remains-work-progress/?

Lingebach WFAN Washington: Redskins 'in love' with Isaiah Simmons, considering trading back

"The more people I talk to, the more I strongly believe that Washington is open to moving out of this pick, and maybe even slightly motivated," La Canfora said Monday morning on CBS Sports HQ. "And that's not a slight on Chase Young, but I continue to hear they've fallen in love with Isaiah Simmons."
"They're looking at their draft boards, and they're looking at the breakdown of their roster and they're seeing holes all over the place," he continued. "And Ron Rivera knows he doesn't need just quality, he needs quantity as well."
The Redskins are in a unique position with the No. 2 overall selection, picking after Cincinnati who's expected to take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Sandwiched between Washington and Miami at No. 5 are the Lions and Giants, respectively. The Giants just drafted Daniel Jones last year and the Lions are expected to stick with Matthew Stafford at quarterback.
Which leaves Miami, who covets Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, in a pre-draft standoff with Washington, who could pick just about anybody at No. 2.
"They've put so many assets into that defensive line, into that front seven already recently in the draft before (Rivera) got there, and they're holding onto Ryan Kerrigan for another year," La Canfora continued. "And they look at Simmons as a guy who could be incredibly impactful for them. They can move him around, do different things with him.
"And you might be able to get him at five, if they were to trade down and Miami moves up here for Tua. If Washington stays at two, I think they probably just go ahead and take Chase Young, because there's that hope that he could be a generational pass rusher. But a trade here would not surprise me at all."
"I would put my best guess on Miami, but it could be somebody jumping up to get ahead of Miami as well for Tua," he said. "The more we see of Tua looking like himself and looking spry, and able to swing his hips and do some of the drills we've seen, that's only good news for the Redskins because that continues to get other organizations talking about Tua."

https://thefandc.radio.com/redskins-love-isaiah-simmons-consider-trading-back

I saw ⁦‪JasonLaCanfora‬⁩ report about Skins having increased interest in trading down. It makes sense. This team needs a ton. But trade requires a trade partner willing to pay enough to not take Chase Young. That’s the hard part and best I can tell doesn’t exist right now
JP Finlay
⁦‪@JPFinlayNBCS‬⁩

Colleges/Draft

Kaye/Lombardo NJ.com: NFL Draft 2020: How coronavirus impacts prospects, scouts, GMs | ‘It’s uncharted water for everybody’
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/03/nfl-draft-2020-how-coronavirus-impacts-prospects-scouts-gms-phone-calls-replace-pro-days-handshakes.html

Miller B/R: NFL Draft 400: Matt Miller's Latest 2020 Big Board with 1 Month to Go

“Offensive Tackles

Best Run-Blocker: Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Best Pass-Blocker: Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
Best Zone Blocker: Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Best Day 1 Starter: Wills
Biggest Riser: Ben Bartch, Saint John's
Biggest Sleeper: Saahdiq Charles, LSU
Injury Wildcard: Trey Adams, Washington (back)
              
1. Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama (94/100)
2. Tristan Wirfs, Iowa (93)
3. Mekhi Becton, Louisville (91)
4. Andrew Thomas, Georgia (91)
5. Josh Jones, Houston (88)
6. Austin Jackson, USC (87)
7. Isaiah Wilson, Georgia (81)
8. Lucas Niang, TCU (76)
9. Ezra Cleveland, Boise State (72)
10. Ben Bartch, Saint John's (72)”

“Edge-Rushers

Best 4-3 End: Chase Young, Ohio State
Best 3-4 Linebacker: K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Best Speed: Young
Best Power: Bradlee Anae, Utah
Best Day 1 Starter: Young
Biggest Riser: Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Biggest Sleeper: Trevis Gipson, Tulsa
Injury Wild Card: Darrell Taylor, Tennessee (foot)
              
1. Chase Young, Ohio State (99/100)
2. K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU (93)
3. Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State (89)
4. Josh Uche, Michigan (83)
5. Terrell Lewis, Alabama (82)
6. Julian Okwara, Notre Dame (80)
7. Bradlee Anae, Utah (79)
8. Alton Robinson, Syracuse (78)
9. Jabari Zuniga, Florida (78)
10. Jason Strowbridge, North Carolina (74)”

“Linebackers

Best in Coverage: Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Best Middle Linebacker: Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Best Outside Linebacker: Simmons
Best Day 1 Starter: Simmons
Biggest Riser: Logan Wilson, Wyoming
Biggest Sleeper: Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State
Injury Wild Card: Markus Bailey, Purdue
                
1. Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (95/100)
2. Patrick Queen, LSU (91)
3. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma (90)
4. Zack Baun, Wisconsin (88)
5. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech (84)
6. Malik Harrison, Ohio State (81)
7. Logan Wilson, Wyoming (81)
8. Jacob Phillips, LSU (80)
9. Anfernee Jennings, Alabama (75)
10. Troy Dye, Oregon (70)”

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2883386-nfl-draft-400-matt-millers-latest-2020-big-board-with-1-month-to-go

QB
Edholm Yahoo Sports: Tua Tagovailoa’s doctor ‘extremely pleased’ with hip injury recovery. Could it still affect his NFL draft fate?
https://sports.yahoo.com/tua-tagovailoas-doctor-extremely-pleased-with-hip-injury-but-could-it-still-affect-his-nfl-draft-fate-203909843.html

WR
Edholm Yahoo Sports: 35. Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk
6-foot, 205 pounds 
Yahoo Sports draft grade: 5.98
TL;DR scouting report: “Vertical receiver with eye-opening wingspan who can tilt the field once he adds polish to his game.

The skinny: Aiyuk was a 2-star junior-college recruit out of Sierra College in 2018, receiving his one Pac-12 offer from the Sun Devils and choosing them over mostly West Coast, Group of Five schools — many of whom recruited him as a defensive back. At Sierra, he totaled 2,499 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns over two seasons that included four 200-yard receiving games, plus punt-return TDs of 76 and 80 yards and a 76-yard kickoff.
As a junior, Aiyuk was the team’s primary punt returner (11 returns, 67 yards) and kick returner (14 returns, 314 yards, 22.4 average), as well as the team’s third receiver (33 catches, 474 yards, three touchdowns) in 13 games (three starts).
Aiyuk then took the reins as the Sun Devils’ No. 1 receiver from 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry. In 12 games in 2019, Aiyuk caught 65 passes for 1,192 yards (18.3-yard average) with eight TDs, earning third-team AP All-America and first-team all-conference mention. He also returned 14 punts for 226 yards (16.1-yard average) with one touchdown and ran back 14 kickoffs for 446 yards (31.9-yard average). 
Aiyuk, who turned 22 years old in March, attended the Senior Bowl but was medically red-flagged for a hip injury and was not cleared to participate. He attended the NFL scouting combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash (4.5 seconds), competed in the bench press (11 reps) and jumped in both the vertical (40 inches) and broad jumps (10-foot-8), as well as participating in the positional work.
Upside: Nickname is “Ai-YAC” and for good reason — nearly 60 percent of his yards came after the catch. True three-level threat who can take a slant 50 yards just as easily as he can high-point a deep ball. Underrated working the middle of the field — gains quick separation and has good toughness and vision in the open field.
Plays faster than combine 40 time would indicate — routinely seen blowing by cornerbacks, especially in off-man coverage. Was expected to run in the low 4.4s or even high 4.3s. Excellent explosion displayed in outstanding jumping numbers — tested in 88th and 92nd percentile among combine receivers since 1999. Shoots off the line and gets into his routes with urgency — can cross the face of corners with that burst.
Watch this play against Washington State where Aiyuk (bottom of your screen) puts on a subtle shoulder dip at the stem, builds up steam on his route and roasts the corner and safety — despite the corner grabbing Aiyuk — for a 40-yard score:

Caught an 86-yard TD later in that same game — also hauled in passes of 77 and 81 yards in 2019. Had at least one pass of 25 yards or longer in eight of 12 games last season. Has build-up speed to test corners and threaten safeties. Also possesses make-you-miss qualities that extend beyond the speed. 
Insane wingspan for a sub 6-foot receiver — 80 inches, which was even longer than a handful of combine offensive tackles. Gives him the length you’d normally see in a pass catcher who is 6-3 or 6-4. Nice-sized hands (9 3/4 inches) for his frame.
Can impact special-teams units as punt and kick returner — uses same good vision as short-screen receiver to navigate cracks in the coverage team and break long runbacks. Also a candidate for “hands” team for onsides kicks and could be tried as a gunner or jammer, even though he didn’t do that at ASU.
Ascending player with fascinating upside. Could be an excellent project for a patient WR coach to mold and develop over a few seasons.
Downside: One-year wonder to date. Development as receiver required and will need to expand his repertoire. Admittedly still honing his ability to identify coverages and get off press-man. ASU offense was slimmed down to accommodate freshman quarterback, keeping concepts simple.
Bigger, more physical corners had success getting their hands into him in press. Timing sometimes gets thrown off with downfield contact. Could use more core and upper-body strength and play stronger. Didn’t always maximize his length and leaping ability on 50-50 balls — still learning how to use his gifts in the air. Limited slot experience — mostly used out wide. Lined up almost exclusively on the left side of the formation out wide.
Hands suddenly got shaky late last season — five drops in final five games (on 53 targets) after only three drops in his first 20 college games (93 targets). Drops some short and intermediate balls that he definitely should have hauled in — seemed to struggle with the bullets (see Oregon State game) and the touch throws (see key drop late in Michigan State game) alike. Staff wanted to move him to cornerback at one point — still not a natural receiver yet.
Best-suited destination: Aiyuk should be able to step in immediately as a Day 1 punt and kick returner and will compete for a role as a big-play generator at receiver. There might be an adjustment period that limits his offensive duties, but Aiyuk has a chance to develop as a quality “X” or slot receiver with game-breaking abilities in time.
Among the teams we believe could have interest: Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.

Did you know: Prior to last season, the ASU coaches — among them, several former NFL coaches and players — were hard on Aiyuk, pushing him to be great.
One of his mentors was LB coach Antonio Pierce, a longtime linebacker for the New York Giants and a rising star in the coaching ranks. Pierce was a source of tough love for Aiyuk, who admittedly didn’t know what it took to be a great college player, much less a great NFL player.
“Twice a week, I would sit in AP’s office and just talk about the other side of football, that people don’t get to talk about a lot,” Aiyuk said at the combine. “There are a lot of things I didn’t understand, didn’t know, that were very helpful.”
Some of that had to do with protecting his assets and the responsibilities and trappings of fame. But a lot of what Pierce and the other coaches harped on was Aiyuk’s need to pay more attention to details in everything he did.
The staff implemented a new diet for Aiyuk, forcing him to stop his favorite food (fried chicken) and emphasized the importance of taking care of his body in other ways, such as stretching and therapy after practice. 
There also were extra tutorials on the finer points of playing wide receiver, which helped Aiyuk break out last season. His time spent with former NFL cornerback and head coach Herm Edwards proved to be valuable, Aiyuk said.
“He was someone I could talk to,” Aiyuk said. “I’m like, ‘All right, Coach, when you’re playing press-coverage, what’s the first thing you’re thinking?’ He can answer just because he has that background in the NFL. 
“And if he sees something in my release, he tells me, ‘As a DB, I can pick up on that. Your arms are going dead so I know you’re going to break.’ Stuff like that.”
They said it: “He’s just more gifted an athlete than [N’Keal] Harry was. Harry was bigger and played a little bigger. But this kid [Aiyuk] has a shot to be real good. That staff, they wished they could have had him for four years, just to see what he could have become.” 
— NFC South area scout
Player comp: Physically, he reminds us of Pittsburgh Steelers 2018 second-rounder James Washington. But in our eyes, Aiyuk has a chance to mirror the NFL career of Chris Godwin, who started a bit slowly but has developed into a Pro Bowl-level receiver by the end of his third season.
Expected draft range: Late first to early second round.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/yahoo-sports-top-2020-nfl-draft-prospects-no-35-arizona-state-wr-brandon-aiyuk-234936080.html

TE
Wood Mil JS: Tight end Cole Kmet provides huge target in middle of field
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2020/03/31/tight-end-cole-kmet-provides-huge-target-middle-field/2928103001/

Edge
Trapasso CBS Sports: 2020 NFL Draft: Examining Chase Young, K'Lavon Chaisson and rest of the edge-rusher class by type
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-examining-chase-young-klavon-chaisson-and-rest-of-the-edge-rusher-class-by-type/amp/

History

Klis 9News Denver: Former Bronco, longtime Applewood-resident Goldie Sellers dies at 78

“ Born January 9, 1942 in Winnsboro, La., Goldie Sellers played football for legendary coach Eddie Robinson and ran track (clocked at 9.4 second in the 100 yard dash) at Grambling State University where as a freshman he was a teammate of future Pro Football Hall of Famers Buck Buchanan and Willie Brown.

Sellers was a sophomore when he started dating one of the school’s cheerleaders. Two years later, on New Year’s Eve, 1965, Goldie and “Peaches” were married.

Denver’s 8th round draft choice in 1966 (he was also drafted by the NFL Chicago Bears), Sellers had three interceptions as a cornerback but where he really made his mark in his rookie season was a kickoff returner, scoring touchdowns of 88 and 100 yards while leading the American Football League with a 28.4-yard return average.

In his second year, Sellers had 7 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. After the 1967 season, Broncos’ head coach and general manager Lou Saban traded Sellers to the Chiefs, where in his first season of 1968 he had three more interceptions and a punt return for a touchdown... Sellers also played on the Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV team in 1969, which turned out to be his final season of playing.

“After Super Bowl IV, we were able to start building our home in January 1970 that we still live in today,” Vasa said.

Sellers suffered a thigh injury in training camp of 1970 and spent the entire season on the Chiefs’ injured reserve list. He was then traded to Houston, where he balked at a position switch to receiver. Released and picked up by the Boston Patriots, Sellers decided to come home to his family in Applewood...”

https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/former-bronco-longtime-applewood-resident-goldie-sellers-dies-at-78/73-3cc66a7a-a669-431e-80f6-2edc798f4d6c

Giants Birthdays 3-31

Bob Anderson HB D9-Army 1960 NYG 1963 3-31-1938

Space Coast HOF: If doctors knew then what they know now, Bob Anderson might have had a professional football career similar to his college football career (2014)

“He surely was one of the best to ever play football for the Black Knights of Army.
Several injuries to his right knee slowed him during his senior season for Army in 1959 and prevented him from playing more than one game for the New York Giants in 1963 after he finished his duties in the Army.
That’s what slowed Anderson and might have prevented him from winning the Heisman Trophy during his tenure with Army.
Anderson, who was born on March 31, 1938 in Elizabeth, N.J., moved to Florida with his family when he was 11-years-old. He had been diagnosed with rheumatic fever and doctors recommended the warmer climate.
He wasn’t sickly for long, growing to 6-foot-2 and 196 pounds by his senior year at Cocoa High. Anderson starred in football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He was Brevard County’s leading rusher and scorer in football three times.

Anderson also was all-county and all-conference in basketball and baseball three times. Anderson set school, county and conference records in the 100-yard dash and the shot put.

As a freshman, Cocoa football coach Chuck Klein named Anderson the starting quarterback. This was back in the days of segregation when Brevard County had just three high schools for white students: Cocoa High, Titusville High and Melbourne High.
It also was a time period before the space program and before the Space Coast became the Space Coast.
Anderson was good enough to play professional baseball, but the college football coaches of the Deep South knew who he was. He gave legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd a verbal commitment.
But when Army and another legendary coach, Earl ‘Red’ Blaik, showed interest, Anderson told his parents he wanted to go to West Point. To this day, Anderson wonders what it would have been like to play for Dodd and the Yellow Jackets.
Freshmen weren’t eligible to play college football back in those days, but Anderson did play as an outfielder and occasional pitcher for the baseball team before joining the football team. He also played one year of basketball.

As a sophomore, Anderson was one of the finest players in the country. He rushed for 983 yards and 12 touchdowns on 153 carries for a 6.4 average. He caught six passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Anderson also completed 6 of 11 passes for 30 yards and one touchdown.
Army’s offense was designed to move only between the tackles, so Anderson was forced to run in crowded traffic. College football hadn’t implemented a two-platoon system at that time, and Anderson added four interceptions as a standout player on defense.
Army finished 7-2 and ranked No. 13 in the country. Anderson was a consensus selection for the 1957 College Football America Team with Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow of Texas A& M.

During his junior year, Anderson gained 564 yards on 126 carries. He also caught 14 passes for 138 yards, completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and returned four punts for 78 yards.
Anderson added three interceptions as Army finished 8-0-1 and was ranked No. 3 in the country. Its lone blemish was a 14-14 tie against Pittsburgh. He was named to the All-America team.

After graduation Anderson served as a lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division for three years before signing a contract with the Giants. In 2004, Anderson was named to the College Football Hall of Fame.”

http://spacecoastdaily.com/2014/02/anderson-consensus-all-american-at-west-point/

For What They Gave: Bob Anderson

“Following Army’s successful 1958 campaign, a preseason ranking of number two was widely publicized. Illinois, in our second game, scored early with an offense previously unseen. But Army came back after being down 14-0. Bob fielded a punt, and started up the field. Illinois’ great linebacker, Bill Burrell, zeroed in on Bob, and Bob set him up. With the balance of Burrell to his left, Bob could easily cut back to his left and beat the tackle. When Bob set his foot, something bad happened in his right knee and he was unable to cut. He took a hard hit, but the damage had been done before the hit. Bob played the rest of the game, but it was his injury that cost Army the game. Late in the contest, trying to receive a punt, Bob suddenly collapsed when his knee locked, and the ball inadvertently hit him. Illinois recovered and won the game, 20-14.
The diagnosis on Bob’s knee was a torn cartilage (medial meniscus), and the treatment at that time was an open surgery that was season-ending. The alternative was just running on it and grinding it up. Bob elected the latter. He missed just one game, Penn State, but was back again for Duke, where he was instrumental in the win with his solid all-round play.
Bob finished the year playing with incredible pain and injuries that would sideline most players. But he was more than effective even though he was hurt. Deprived of a third All-American berth, Bob nonetheless played in the North-South Shrine game in Miami with his teammates Joe Caldwell and Bill Carpenter “Army’s Lonely End.” He returned to West Point for a knee operation, and then a second before graduation.
If you were going to build a great running back from scratch, you might want to start with Bob Anderson. He was 6- 2 and 220 lbs., with a bull neck, big shoulders, slim hips, and powerful legs. Those slightly bowed legs meant the boy could run.
In the autumn of 1960, Bob was preparing to start Ranger school at Ft. Benning, when he met a sergeant who was a member of the cadre, and they made a bet on the World Series. When Bill Mazerowski hit a home run for the Pirates, Bob was out ten bucks. The following day, during testing to see who would be admitted to Ranger school, the same sergeant demonstrated the dodge, run and jump, and did it within the qualifying time. He then asked Bob if he wanted to get his money back. Answering in the affirmative, the sergeant said, @Then, beat my time.” Bob dodged the first obstacles and leaped over the six foot ditch to the obstacles on the other side. When his right foot hit the ground at the end of his leap, his right knee collapsed, and he was through for the day. Told by the Ranger School Commandant that he would have to join the next class, Bob said if he couldn’t go through the class with his classmates, he would forget about Ranger School. The Commandant offered a deal. Just successfully complete the mile run the next day, and he could proceed to ranger training with his class. Running at the back of the formation, Bob completed the run in spite of the pain, then passed the rigorous training and got his Ranger tab.
In the summer of 1962, Bob was with his Rifle Company from Ft. Campbell, helping to train cadets at Camp Buckner. The Commandant of Cadets, BG Richard Stilwell approached Bob and asked him how his knee was doing. Bob told him it wasn’t doing very well, although he had been to the docs at Ft. Campbell six times and they could find no problem. That afternoon, Bob got a call from General Stilwell’s aide who said that Bob had an appointment at the West Point hospital as soon as he could get there. Diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Gen. Stilwell had Bob reassigned to West Point. Bob had been jumping out of airplanes, training in the field and functioning well as a junior officer for two years with a torn ACL Following the surgery, Bob was assigned to the football team under Coach Paul Dietzel, helping to coach, and doing his rehab along the way.
On one occasion, Dietzel sent Bob to a high school in Haverstraw to speak. Also speaking was Frank Gifford. Gifford asked Bob if he was interested in playing for the New York Giants. Bob had not heard from the Giants since graduation three years before. Receiving a call from the Giant’s owner, Wellington Mara, they planned to meet at the Giant’s office after Bob’s duty on Saturday. Bob and Mara were the only ones there, and Bob expressed his doubts about playing, because he had been out of the game for almost four years, and had had three knee operations since he last played. Also, Bob didn’t know if he could get out of the Army, and he was expecting orders for an airborne brigade in Germany any day. After a crude and comical negotiation, Bob signed a one year, no-cut contract for more than six times his Army pay. Mara assured Bob that the contract would be torn up if Bob’s resignation was not accepted, but it was accepted and Bob was a New York Giant.
Training camp went well for Bob, and he scored a touchdown in an exhibition game against the Rams. Still, he wasn’t getting as much playing time as he had hoped. Then, he read in the newspaper that the Giants had traded for Hugh McElhenny, an aging former great running back. That night after practice, Coach Allie Sherman met with Bob and assured him that he was “still their guy.” Relieved by Sherman’s assurance, Bob practiced hard all week and was released at the end of it. He was no longer a Giant. His years away from football and his knee problems had been too much to overcome.”

https://forwhattheygave.com/2007/09/20/bob-anderson/amp/

Derek Brown TE D1-Notre Dame 1992 NYG 1992-1994 3-31-1970

Hasty Hartford Courant: GIANTS: A DEFENSIVE PLAN? (4-29-1992)

“It's pretty obvious what the Giants should do with the 14th pick today in the NFL draft at the Marriott Marquis in New York.
The decline in performance during an 8-8 season, advancing age of the front seven and dispersal of talent in the draft suggest the Giants should strengthen their defense with the first pick. There is always a "but" when it comes to the draft and the Giants might be tempted to supplement an offense that needs only one or two pieces to solidify it the next five years.

There are only two players who fit that requirement: Houston quarterback David Klingler (6 foot 2, 205 pounds), and Notre Dame tight end Derek Brown. Klingler, the top-rated quarterback, who holds the Southwest Conference passing record (9,430 yards), could be the replacement for Jeff Hostetler, 31. Brown (6-5, 252 pounds), could give the Giants a Mark Bavaro-type player.
Will they be available? Maybe, but probably not.

The Patriots could take Klingler with the eighth pick and Brown might go to the Cleveland Browns with the ninth pick. Some experts say both will be there for the Giants.
The two most intriguing defensive players expected to last until the 14th pick are Clemson defensive tackle Chester McGlockton (6-4, 337 pounds, 56 tackles, 43 solo) and Michigan State defensive end Bill Johnson (6-4, 302 pounds). Johnson had 50 tackles, 31 solo, and three sacks. Texas A& M; cornerback Kevin Smith, (5-11, 173 pounds), who had 20 career interceptions, also could draw the Giants' attention. "Who are you going to believe?," asked Giants general manager George Young. "I'm not going to come out and tell you who we're going to pick. One of the reasons is I don't even know." Everybody on the Giants' draft team admits it is time to begin restocking the defense.
The Giants haven't used a No. 1 pick on a defensive player since 1986, a draft that produced four starters (Eric Dorsey, Mark Collins, Erik Howard and Pepper Johnson) and one backup (John Washington). Since only six players have been added to the defense via the past five drafts and three were rookies last season. Safeties Greg Jackson and Myron Guyton -- both drafted in 1990 --
are the only starters.
That's why eight of the 11 starters on defense are 28 or older and five are 30 or older.
"We need to bring in some young people on defense and I am looking to the draft to do that for us," coach Ray Handley said.
The offense, which has gotten 14 players and eight starters from the past five drafts, is in good shape and has been supplemented by four Plan B signings of Greg Amsler fills the backup fullback role, wide receivers Millard Hamilton and Chris Colloway add depth to that position and Jeff Carlson, 25, can be the third-string quarterback.
"It takes a little pressure off of you in the draft," Young said. "You don't have to reach."

But this draft -- because it's deep at defensive line and defensive back -- gives the Giants the freedom to take Klingler or Brown.
Some scouts wonder how Klingler will adjust to being a drop-back quarterback after running Houston's run-and-shoot offense. He didn't look good in practice or play well in the Senior Bowl. But Klingler has talent and the Giants, who worked him out last week, aren't worried about his mechanics.
Brown wasn't the focus at Notre Dame, catching only 22 passes as a senior, but is considered the best tight end prospect since Pittsburgh's Eric Green came into the league in 1990. The Giants love to throw to their tight ends and Howard Cross (20 catches in 1991) hasn't gained the confidence of Hostetler.
Even if Klingler and Brown are gone, the Giants won't feel bad about choosing between McGlockton, Johnson and perhaps Smith.
McGlockton has had trouble with his weight and sometimes lacks intensity, but scouts were impressed with his performance at the combine and in workouts. Johnson may be better suited for the Giants' 3-4 scheme, but was bothered by a knee injury as a senior and isn't as good a pass-rusher as McGlockton. The Giants had only 34 sacks last season.
Smith, who runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, would help a secondary that allowed 17 touchdown passes and made only 12 interceptions.
However, quality defensive linemen are scarce and the Giants may have to act quickly to get one.
"You usually get the dance of the elephants," Young said. "When the big guys start going everybody says `I've got to get my big guy while they're there.' That could happen very easily.”

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1992-04-26-0000202688-story.html

1992 NFL Draft

IND Steve Emtman DE Washington
IND Quentin Coryatt ILB Texas A& M
LA Sean Gilbert DT Pittsburgh
WAS Desmond Howard WR Michigan
GB Terrell Buckley CB Florida State
CIN David Klingler QB Houston
MIA Troy Vincent CB Wisconsin
ATL Bob Whitfield T Stanford
CLE Tommy Vardell FB Stanford
SEA Ray Roberts T Virginia
PIT Leon Searcy T Miami (Fla.)
MIA Marco Coleman DE Georgia Tech
NE Eugene Chung T Virginia Tech

NYG Derek Brown TE Notre Dame

NYJ Johnny Mitchell TE Nebraska
OAK Chester McGlockton DT Clemson
DAL Kevin Smith CB Texas A& M
SF Dana Hall FS Washington
ATL Tony Smith RB Southern Mississippi
KC Dale Carter CB Tennessee
NO Vaughn Dunbar RB Indiana
CHI Alonzo Spellman DE Ohio State
LAC Chris Mims DE Tennessee
DAL Robert Jones MLB East Carolina
DEN Tommy Maddox QB UCLA
DET Robert Porcher DE South Carolina State
BUF John Fina T Arizona
CIN Darryl Williams FS Miami

Where are they now? Derek Brown 8-04-2013

Q: What is it like to be one of the few players to have 1.) Won a National Championship (1988), been 1st Team All-America (1991) and 1st Round NFL Draft Pick (1992 New York Giants Pick #14). What did being on that 1988 national title team mean to you?
A: “When you are in the middle of the kind of successes you don’t really think about it. But looking back at everything, it is truly amazing. No disrespect to the 2012 team but when I played college ball you couldn’t compare our team to anyone else, we were that much better. There were 63 combined guys from the Fighting Irish and Hurricane teams that went pro after that (1988) season. The most amazing thing about that Notre Dame team was how deep our lineup was. In front of me was Frank Jacobs. My backup was Irv Smith. His backup was Oscar McBride. Any of us could have stepped in at any moment and been good to go. And it was like that at every position, not just tight end. Coach Lou Holtz and his recruiting staff did an amazing job of keeping the talent rolling in.”

What is your favorite Lou Holtz memory/story?
A: “My favorite Lou Holtz memory was when he was getting us ready for the 1988 ‘One Shining Moment’ game against Miami, that we won 31-30. This has to be the best Lou Holtz quote ever.”
“In Lou’s pregame pep talk he told us, “You have an afternoon to play, a lifetime to remember. But I want you to do one thing: You save Jimmy Johnson’s ass for me.'”
“Of course it sounded great and we were all about delivering Johnson to Coach Holtz, but honestly, there is no way Coach Holtz could have taken Jimmy Johnson (laughs).”

What are your memories of the day you were drafted?
A: “I was in Florida on my draft day. I had a hotel suite in Cocoa Beach with a large group of my family and friends. I had been invited to come to New York City to be at the NFL Draft but I didn’t want all of those cameras in my face just in case something went wrong. I was expecting to go to Cleveland in the number nine spot, but when they took Tommy Vardell I know it would be a bit more of a wait. Then I got a call from Ray Handley, the head coach of the New York Giants saying that they were going to select me as the next pick (14) to play for the Giants. I remember walking out to the hotel balcony and reflecting on everything that had just happened.”

What were the highs and the lows of playing in the NFL? What was the highlight of your NFL career? A: “Just the exclusivity of it all. being a part of something that very few people have to opportunity to do was one of the biggest highs for me. Being in that NFL locker room, in the huddle, is something that I’ll never forget.”

“As far as the lows go, I didn’t think that my NFL career panned out the way that I thought it would. If I had played in different systems, had different opportunities, maybe it would have turned out differently. I wanted to be a 10-year pro bowler and to play for 12 seasons. I played for nine seasons, and didn’t make the pro bowl, but I am still happy with all that I accomplished during my football career.”
“The highlight would have to be getting to the AFC championship game in 1996 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was their second year of existence (the franchise had just started in 1995) and we had a players-only meeting and had told each other we have got to start making plays. If we were going to accomplish anything, it was up to us. We had been 3-6 after nine games and then from there we really came on strong. We beat Buffalo at home (30-27) in the Wild Card game and knocked legendary quarterback Jim Kelly out of the playoffs. Then we beat Denver (30-27) at their place in the Divisional playoff game (Denver’s regular season record was 14-2), but then we lost to New England 20-6 in the AFC championship game. Even though we lost that game, we were really only a blocked punt and fumble from going to the show. It was quite a run for a team that was only in its second year of existence.”
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the hit you took from Denver Broncos safety Tim Hauck during preseason? What was rehab like?
Brown missed the entire 1995 season as the result of a hit from Denver Broncos safety Tim Hauck during a preseason game. He suffered bruised ribs, a collapsed lung and damage to his spleen and kidney. He was in the hospital for 10 days and in a wheelchair a few weeks after that.
A: “Steve Beuerlein was Jacksonville’s quarterback in 1995 and this was the last game of the preseason. It was supposed to be my coming out game. This was going to be my year because in the first year of an expansion team our quarterback did not have much protection and I was sure as the tight end I was going to get a lot of balls thrown to me. I had three receptions and a touchdown in that game and Beuerlein had thrown to me two or three other times as well. Then in the second quarter the pass to me was tipped and I was making an attempt to come down with it when I got hit hard right in the back. When I came down I heard a clicking sound every time I took a breath and I knew something was not right. I was able to get up and jog off the field. They took me into the locker room to have x-rays done and I had a broken rib. I took a shower and then the first time I went to the bathroom I peed blood. Our trainer had seen a similar accident in a baseball game and decided that I needed to go to the hospital for further examination. My girlfriend (now wife) took me to the hospital and once I was admitted my condition worsened with every passing hour.”
“I went from having a broken rib, to a collapsed lung, to a cracked spleen, to having air bubbles around my heart. I was in intensive care for six days and then four more days just in a regular hospital room. In those ten days I went from 262 pounds to 247 pounds When I was released from the hospital I was confined to a wheelchair for several weeks because I still had so much internal bleeding that needed to clot. After ten weeks of recovery I started to work out when I developed a pseudo-cyst around my pancreas. Then I had to go in for scans every week to monitor my progress. They had to put a catheter between my ribs to take care of the bleeding in my pancreas. At that point they put me on Injured Reserve and I was out for the remainder of the season. Despite all that I went through that year I played for five more seasons after that. My girlfriend was such a huge support to me that year.”

https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2013/04/04/where-are-they-now-derek-brown/

In Memoriam

Bob Trocolor QB UDFA-Alabama/Paterson Panthers 1942 NYG 1942-1944 Born 3-31-1917 Died 7-27-1984

NYT 8-08-1974
“William Paterson College has a short and undistinguished football tradition. In its only two varsity seasons, 1972 and 1973, it won a total of six games and lost 14 under a part-time coach and with no athletic scholarships.
A former New York Giant from Hackensack wants to do something about that, and at the same time he wants to stop whatever it is that has been gnawing inside him.
“I've been away from coaching a long time (20 years),” said Bob Trocolor Sr., William Paterson's first full-time coach, “but this is my first love and it's something I want to do very much. I took a big cut in salary to take this job.@
So, armed with a “beautiful letter” from Paul (Bear) Bryant of Alabama, Trocolor has been knocking on doors in New Jersey looking for football players. @The only cholarships here are based on need,” he said, “so I just tell a boy who I am and what I've done and what I'm going to do. Then I show him the letter from Coach Bryant and ask him to come play for me.”
Trocolor played at Alabama in 1938 when Bryant was freshman coach there. “I wrote him after I took this job.” Trocolor said, “and said that after all these years of knowing him and working with him that I was still depending on him. So he wrote back a beautiful letter and sent me all his defenses. You never know when you might need your old coach.”

Trocolor played three seasons at Alabama, then finished his college career under Clair Bee at Long Island University, playing at Ebbets Field. Then he served in the Marines during World War II, played a time with the Paterson Panthers and then four years with the New York Giants as quarterback and halfback.
“After my fourth season with the Giants, “he said, “ they traded me for a cross-eyed guard, so I figured that was it for me. I had been coaching some in New Jersey while I was playing, so I went full time into coaching.”
He coached at St. Mary's in Rutherford, then moved to Bergen College (now Fairleigh Dickenson) and won a national junior college championship (“We beat Arnold College of Connecticut the year Andy Robustelli took them to the Pineapple Bowl in Hawaii.”)
He coached two years at Stetson in Florida and went to the Tangerine Bowl and then moved to New York Military Academy. His last coaching job was with the Paterson Panthers.
When he left the Panthers to become a baseball scout for the New York Giants, he had never clad a rising seasonanywhere. He stayed with the Giants until they moved San Francisco, then sold Cadillacs.
“I was the leading Cadillac salesman in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for three years and I was making more than a lot of head coaches in the National Football League,” he said. “But I've been wanting to get back into coaching ever since I left it. I've made all the money I want to make. Now, I'm doing something I really want to do. This is a big, beautiful campus on top of the Ramapo mountains, and the atmosphere is beautiful. Now I'm anxious to meet the players.”

https://www.nytimes.com/1974/08/09/archives/coach-sees-shift-new-jersey-sports.html

Who were the Paterson Panthers?

Gill PFR: Nothing minor about it
The American Association/AFL of 1936-50

“The AA was formed in June 1936, in response to a proposal by Edwin (Piggy) Simandl, manager of the Orange Tornadoes. Charter members were Brooklyn, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, Orange, Passaic, Paterson, Staten Island and White Plains. Several of these cities had been represented in two earlier leagues, the 1932 Eastern League and the 1933 Interstate League, both of which failed after a single season.
However, those leagues didn’t have Joe Rosentover as president. Despite the early demise of his own Passaic club, Rosentover remained at the helm of the league for its whole existence.
The AA’ s first season was somewhat like that of its main rival, the Dixie League, which also opened for business in 1936. No team established any clear superiority, and at the end of November Rosentover announced a playoff series matching the top four teams, two each from what the newspapers sometimes called the New York group and the New Jersey group.
Brooklyn topped New Rochelle 18-0 in the first round of the playoffs, while Paterson was beating Orange 10-0. The title game was set for a week later, but Paterson withdrew, citing four injured players and a couple more who had already gone home. Probably more important was the fact that the game with Orange had drawn only 3,500, the worst crowd of the season in Paterson.
It may be hard to understand the Panthers’ position today, but in 1936 the championship of a fledgling minor league just didn’t mean that much. Two victories in three games with arch-rival Passaic carried a lot more weight with Paterson fans. The Panthers weren’ t alone, either: Mt. Vernon, with the league’s fourth-best record, was replaced by Orange in the playoffs after simply declining to participate. (And in the Dixie League, Portsmouth bypassed the playoffs to schedule another game with their arch rivals from Norfolk.)
Paterson’ s withdrawal gave the title to Brooklyn, and the Bay Parkways traveled to Richmond Jan. 1 to represent the AA against the Washington Pros, Dixie League champs, in a sort of minor league Super Bowl, which Washington won 13.6. Despite a number of exhibition games between the two leagues in succeeding years, it was the last time a Dixie League team ever beat a member of the AA.
The standings given here list the teams in their unofficial divisions, which became official in 1937. The two playoff games are included, as they ultimately were by the league.
New York Division

Brooklyn Bay Parkways
New Rochelle Bulldogs
Mt. Vernon Cardinals
White Plains Bears

New Jersey Division
Paterson Panthers
Orange Tornadoes
Passaic Red Devils

Unable to line up a stadium, Passaic dropped out during the offseason, but the Red Devils were replaced by two teams: the Brooklyn Bushwicks and the Danbury Trojans. Danbury was one of the two best teams in Connecticut, along with the Bristol West Ends, who didn’t join the league but did play several games with AA teams in 1937.
Technically, there was another new team in Brooklyn, where some behind-the-scenes maneuvering resulted in the Bay Parkways being replaced by the Brooklyn Eagles, though still under the direction of 1936 manager Harold Lippman and featuring most of the same players. In addition, the Orange Tornadoes moved down the road to Newark, and the Stapleton Buffaloes left Staten Island for Manhattan and became the New York Tigers, playing a schedule of only road games. Actually, that should read only a road game, because the team disbanded in October with an 0-1 record.
Though at this time the NFL had an “unofficial” but strictly observed ban on black players, the AA employed three blacks in 1937. Clarence Lee, an end with Mt. Vernon in 1936, played only two games this time around; but he was joined by halfback George Burgwin, who split the season between the Bushwicks and Newark, and Ozzie Simmons, a great college star from Iowa who made the league’s all- star second team as a halfback with Paterson.
On the administrative level, Rosentover awarded three forfeits in 1937, all in cases where one team refused to play even though there were already fans in the stands. Though it caused some hard feelings, this policy helped to end the practice of last-minute cancellations.
The league lined up officially in two divisions this season, with the winners to match up for the championship, an arrangement that almost had historic consequences.
Newark and White Plains took the division titles and fought to a 3-3 tie in the title game, at the end of which Newark offered to play an unprecedented fifth period. This was not to be sudden-death, just an extra 15 minutes more like a tenth inning in baseball. Rosentover approved the idea, provided that White Plains agreed. But the underdog Bears refused, passing up a chance to make history 21 years before the so-called Greatest Game Ever Played. Instead, White Plains and Newark were declared co- champions.
The season was over, but Rosentover’s problems were just beginning.
The most serious dispute involved Paterson. The Panthers and the Tornadoes, clearly the league’s two best teams, were both in the Southern Division. Their first meeting ended in a scoreless tie, but Newark took a 7-2 decision in the second game to win the division title. Paterson protested the game, arguing that an official’s call had deprived them of a chance at a game-winning touchdown. The Panthers threatened to pull out of the league and Paterson was the AA’ s best franchise, drawing such good crowds (nearly 8,000 per game) that they were allowed to play their entire 1936 and 37 schedules at home.
Rosentover turned the matter over to an impartial panel, which decided in favor of Paterson. That decision, some fast talking by Rosentover, and postseason exhibition wins over Newark and White Plains proved sufficient to smooth the Panthers’ ruffled feathers or uh, fur.
But New Rochelle coach Art Schiebel wasn’t so easily put off (if you call the Paterson affair easy, that is). He told reporters that the confusion resulting from Paterson’s protest was a disgrace, that Rosentover was letting himself be manipulated by those New Jersey teams. He suggested that Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle and White Plains leave the AA and form their own Westchester County league. Since Schiebel had also coached in Mt. Vernon, he had many supporters there, too. And folks in White Plains were still stewing over Rosentover’s refusal to make Newark replay the tie game for the championship apparently forgetting that they had refused Newark’s more practical offer of an overtime period.
It may have been the worst of times, but it was about to get better.

Final standings released by the league ranked teams by awarding two points for each win, one for a tie, like the National Hockey League does today. That’s why White Plains is ahead of Danbury. These standings include Newark’s 7-2 win over Paterson, which remained on the books despite the protest. Point totals, that is, scoring totals, not the league’s points don’t include forfeits, which explains how Danbury had one loss. And no, the totals for White Plains are not misprints. No wonder the Bears didn’ t want to play another period with Newark.)
Though the Westchester County league didn’t materialize, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle and White Plains all pulled out of the AA during the offseason. The first two operated as independents in 1938, but White Plains dropped out of football altogether. The Clifton Wessingtons, a team that had been in existence for years but disappeared when the AA was formed, obtained the rights to White Plains’ 1937 players and joined the league in their place. Also, the Brooklyn Bushwicks franchise was transferred to Union City.
The most important change came when Tim Mara, owner of the New York Giants, bought the Stapleton franchise, moved it to Jersey City and set up pro football’s first full-fledged farm club. Bill Owen, brother of New York coach Steve, ran the Little Giants, as they were sometimes called. The team featured a number of former and future New York players, most prominent among them being fullback Ken Strong. Having jumped to the outlaw AFL in 1936, he was doing a year’s penance with the minor league team before returning to New York in 1939.
Strong led the league in scoring and kicked 13 field goals in only eight games as Jersey City rolled to the title and shattered league attendarce records in the process, averaging close to 14,000 fans for five home games. A 7-3 loss to Paterson was the only blot on their record. Originally the league planned to end the season with the champs playing an all-star team, but that idea fell by the wayside. Instead, the Giants took on Paterson in a rubber game and emerged with a 17-7 win before a record crowd of 17,643. (Earlier, a regular-season game with Brooklyn had drawn 15,657.)
Clarence Lee left the league with his Mt. Vernon team and Ozzie Simmons stayed home in Chicago, but the AA still employed two black players in 1938. George Burgwin returned with Newark, and the new Clifton team featured tailback Joe Lilliard, the last black NFL player before the inauguration of the color line.
Even more notable, from the vantage point of 1990, was Brooklyn guard Vince Lombardi, who came to the Eagles after a season with the independent Wilmington Clippers. And the second-place Danbury Trojans did their part to improve the league’s image when they shut out the Brooklyn Dodgers 13-0 in their opening game, the first time an AA team had beaten an NFL club.

For 1939 the league welcomed two new teams, the Wilmington Clippers and the Providence Steamroller (managed by PFRA member Pearce Johnson), both of whom had operated independently in 1937 and �38. And George Halas bought the Newark Tornadoes, renamed them the Bears and set up his own farm team as Tim Mara had done a year earlier. Former Chicago Bears Gene Ronzani and Joe Zeller were named to coach the team. No one missed the departed Clifton Wessingtons.

The league returned to a two-division alignment, but the better teams were concentrated In the Southern Division, which included the three best teams: Newark, Wilmington and Jersey City. Paterson, boosted by the return of Ozzie Simmons, won the Northern Division easily with a 7-5 record that would have placed them fourth in the South.
Jersey City stumbled to a 1-3-1 start and wound up third in the Southern Division despite finishing with six straight wins. Though Strong was back in New York, the Little Giants added speedy halfback Marty Glickman, a future guru for TV sportscasters, to an already impressive squad. Even more impressive were Newark and Wilmington, who finished the regular season tied for the division lead. The Bears won a playoff 13-6, with a little help from Sid Luckman, sent by Halas to Newark for the occasion and allowed to play despite Wilmington’s protests that he was ineligible since he’d been with Chicago all season.
Overshadowed by the Luckman controversy were other Newark stars like Rudy Choborda, the league’s leading rusher; Johnny Long, who led in touchdown passes; and Ray Otlowski, who picked off 12 passes. Wilmington had a great line that included guard Ed Michaels and a pair of NFL-caliber ends, Jack Ferrante and Tod Goodwin. Ferrante really stood out, catching eight touchdown passes and leading the league in scoring.
A week later Newark met Paterson for the championship. The teams had split two earlier meetings, but this time Newark posted an easy 27-7 win. Luckman wasn’t on hand, but no one in the Bears’ camp missed him. Newark also topped the league in attendance, drawing just over 70,000 fans for seven home games, including 15,635 who turned out for the title game.
Not everyone enjoyed that kind of success, though. Brooklyn and Danbury, two of the league’s better teams through 1938, found themselves unable to keep up with the improved caliber of play. Neither team won a single game in 1939, and both went belly-up before the next season began.

Union City also dropped out during the offseason, and was replaced by a Long Island franchise headed by William Shea, the man for whom the stadium was named. The new team, called the Indians, picked up several of the 1939 Rams’ top players. Unfortunately, the team lost four starters to the newly formed AFL before September was out and dropped from contention.
Though Long Island was hit hardest, all AA teams were subject to raids from AFL teams in Boston, Buffalo and New York. Boston, the worst offender, got nearly half its starting team from Long Island and Providence.
Jersey City struggled out of the gate again, but came to life with the addition of former New York stars Ed Danowski and Ken Strong. The latter was mainly a kicker by this time, but Danowski made a big difference, completing 62 percent of his passes as the Giants stormed to the finish line, slipping into first place on the last weekend of the season, just ahead of Paterson. The Panthers were led by player-coach Dale Burnett, another ex-New York Giant. Wilmington dropped its last three games and finished third, but the Clippers had one bright spot during the losing streak: a 16-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
For 1940 the AA had instituted a four-team “Shaughnessy” playoff to determine its champion. Newark and Long Island wound up tied for the final playoff spot, then played a scoreless tie Dec. 1 in a futile effort to break the deadlock. Snow forced the cancellation of a rematch four days later, and in desperation the league resorted to a best-three-of-five coin toss! Newark made the playoffs by winning the first three.

The Bears had the league’s leading rusher, Rudy Choborda (again), and its most prolific passer, Young Bussey, and they gave Jersey City a battle in the first round before falling by a 7-6 score. Meanwhile, Wilmington edged Paterson 11-8 in an unusual game that included safeties by both teams. A week later the Giants won their second championship with a workmanlike 17-7 verdict over the Clippers before a throng of 15,245.
All things considered, 1940 may have been the AA’s finest season. Jersey City had another stellar year at the gate, averaging well over 10,000 fans per home game. In fact, the Giants played to crowds of more than 10,000 in their last seven league games, home and away. The only negative note involved the Providence team, which dropped out of the league Nov. 12, forfeiting its last two games. (Oddly enough, the forfeit winners were Newark and Long Island, the two coin-toss participants.) But the move had been approved by the other owners, and Providence was expected back in 1941.

In the offseason Tim Mara sold the Jersey City franchise to a group that included Dan Reeves and Fred Levy Jr., owners of the Cleveland Rams. Rather than buy another farm team, Mara set up a working agreement with Paterson, where former Giant Dale Burnett was still the player-coach.
Also under new management were the Long Island Indians, with William Shea bringing in a new partner, Ted Collins, future owner of the Boston Yanks in the NFL. When the smoke had cleared, five of the six AA teams (all but Providence) had working relationships with NFL clubs:
Jersey City - Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit. Long IsIand - Green Bay, Washington.
Newark - Chicago Bears.
Paterson - New York.
Wilmington - Philadelphia.
Looking at it from the reverse angle, Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cardinals were the only NFL teams that had no official ties to the AA. But NFL ties offered little protection from AFL raids. Wilmington, for instance, lost three players, including 1940 all-star Tex Tolliver. Still, the Clippers’ losses paled in comparison to Providence, where the Steamroller lost seven players to the upstart league.
Then in early October the AA lost a whole team when Providence dropped out. Rather than forfeit the Steamroller’s remaining games, the league looked around for a replacement team, finally settling on an aggregation called the New York Yankees. Their owner, Douglas G. Hertz, had bought the AFL New York Yankees after the 1940 season, but had his franchise revoked by the league in August as a result of some questionable financial dealings. Retaining the Yankees name and four players from the 1940 roster, Hertz formed a new touring team and scheduled games against independent clubs in the Northeast.
Unfortunately, the Yankees quickly proved to be out of their element in the AA, losing six straight games, some by embarrassing scores.
Among the AA’s reputable teams, Long Island and Paterson were at the head of the class for most of the season. The Indians’ most recognizable name was rookie quarterback Dick Poillon, who led the league in touchdown passes. End Bill (Dolly) King, a black player, may have been better known, but not on the gridiron: He was a college basketball star from Long Island University. Paterson had the AA’s leading passer, Harry Mattos, and leading rusher, Bob Trocolor....”

http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/12-02-398.pdf