Wednesday Reading

Giants

Duggan The Athletic: The scouting report on every Giants free-agent signing
https://theathletic.com/1731882/2020/04/08/the-scouting-report-on-every-giants-free-agent-signing/

Raanan ESPN NY: Offensive tackle, center atop Giants' positions of NFL draft interest
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-giants/post/_/id/60625/offensive-tackle-center-atop-giants-positions-of-nfl-draft-interest?

Traina SI.com: Position U | Where the Giants Have Found Their Key Players
Ever wonder about the various college programs and if a specific school is a factory for a particular position in the NFL?SI.com’s Reid Foster and Gary Gramling did, and in doing so, they put together ten years of data in developing a scoring system to arrive at final grades for each school at each un
https://www.si.com/.amp-nygiants/nfl/giants/news/position-u-where-the-giants-have-found-their-key-players

RV SNY: Giants seven-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Dave Gettleman gets more picks with this trade

“First round (5th overall in trade from Miami Dolphins) - Alabama OT Jedrick Wills
Keeping the focus on offensive linemen, which still seems like the way the Giants will go at 4, many scouts think Iowa's Tristan Wirfs, Louisville's Mekhi Becton and Alabama's Jedrick Wills are interchangeable and the order is a matter of preference. All figure to be Top 10 picks.
And while Becton has the size advantage and Wirfs is the most athletic, the 6-4, 312-pound Wills might be the most pro-ready and could step in immediately as the Giants' starting right tackle. He also comes with the strong recommendation of Alabama coach Nick Saban, and don't underestimate the connection between Saban and new Giants coach Joe Judge. Saban's recommendation could have a lot of sway.
The Giants do still love Wirfs, and Becton's size will be enticing. But Wills will be in that conversation if they pick an offensive lineman in the first round, and he definitely can't be ruled out.”

“Second round (36th overall) - LSU C Lloyd Cushenberry
There are some who believe the 6-3, 312-pounder is the best center prospect in the draft, and if either he or Michigan's Cesar Ruiz are still on the board, it's hard to see how the Giants could pass them up. They need a center, especially with Jon Halapio's return from a torn Achilles uncertain. Even if he does recover in time for the season and to challenge Spencer Pulley, the Giants still need a long-term option at the position.
Cushenberry has the size, power, and tools to compete to be a Day 1 starter. He can also move over to guard, if needed.”

https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/giants-seven-round-2020-nfl-mock-draft-dave-gettleman-gets-more-picks-with-this-trade/313227462

GM

Leonard NYDN: Virtual NFL Draft setup makes Dave Gettleman draft-day trade back even less likely
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-nfl-draft-giants-20200407-lk76mbdq4zej3finkewckisdp4-story.html

WR

Traina SU.com: Where Giants Stand Ahead of Draft at Receiver
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/where-giants-stand-ahead-of-draft-at-receiver

LB

Schwartz NYP: NFL Draft 2020: Giants may snare linebacker early despite additions
https://nypost.com/2020/04/08/nfl-draft-2020-giants-may-snare-linebacker-early-despite-additions/amp/

OLB

Bobby Skinner@BobbySkinner: Oshane Ximines
25 tackles 4.5 sacks
5 TFL 9 QB hits

Markus Golden
72 tackles 10 sacks
13 TFL 27 QB hits

If you gave Oshane Ximines the same snaps as Golden, his stat rate would’ve been:

46 tackles 8 sacks
9 TFL 16 QB hits

Excited for Oshane but Golden’s production is real!

PFF NY Giants: Lorenzo Carter finished 2019 with three consecutive 70+ overall graded games.

Carter’s overall grade jumped from 65.8 to 70.3 in his second year, ~ 50th percentile among qualified edge defenders last season.

ILB

Giants.com: Inside the Film Room: Carl Banks analyzes LB Blake Martinez
Carl Banks, a two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker, looks at the tape of free-agent addition Blake Martinez (Video)
https://www.giants.com/video/inside-the-film-room-carl-banks-analyzes-lb-blake-martinez

Rosenblatt NJ.com: Man of Steel: Inside Blake Martinez’s Giants decision, and how he helped build his own workout facility
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/04/man-of-steel-how-giants-blake-martinez-is-handling-coronavirus-pandemic-in-a-unique-facility-he-helped-build.html

Lombardo NJ.com: NFL Draft 2020: What taking Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons would bring to Giants’ run-defense | Another step to solidifying Dave Gettleman’s obsession
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/04/nfl-draft-2020-what-taking-clemsons-isaiah-simmons-would-bring-to-giants-run-defense-another-step-to-solidifying-dave-gettlemans-obsession.html

NFL

Maske Washington Post: From yesterday on the possibility the "sky judge" will end up only as a preseason experiment, meaning there's a growing likelihood the NFL will scrap the rule making interference reviewable by replay without a replay mechanism to immediately replace it....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/04/06/nfl-appears-poised-scrap-rule-that-made-pass-interference-reviewable-by-replay/

NFL.com: Casserly: Each general manager's best draft pick

“New York Giants: Dave Gettleman

Year hired: 2018 (2013-17 with Carolina Panthers) 
Number of players drafted: 16 (28 with Panthers) 
List of Pro Bowlers: 4 total. Giants: RB Saquon Barkley; Panthers: DT Kawann Short, G Trai Turner, RB Christian McCaffrey.
BEST PICK: RB Christian McCaffrey, 2017 (Round 1, No. 8 overall). His size was a concern coming out of the draft but that hasn't been an issue in his first three seasons. McCaffrey is equally effective as a runner and versatile receiver who can line up in the slot or out wide. He's become the center of Carolina's offense and embraces that role.
BEST VALUE PICK: G Trai Turner, 2014 (Round 3, No. 92). Turner uses his excellent size as a strong anchor vs. the pass rush, and he's been a key part of the Panthers' offensive success over the last half-decade.
DEFINITIVE TRAIT/STYLE: In analyzing the Giants' vision for this year's draft, I am merging Gettleman's philosophies and how first-year head coach Joe Judge, formerly an offensive coach for the Patriots, might approach it. For years, the Giants' philosophy has been to take the best player available and as Gettleman says, "Don't draft hungry." That should easily fit into this year's draft as they need an offensive tackle, and there will be a good one available when they pick fourth overall. This first pick will set the tone for the kind of player the new-era Giants want to have going forward.
Gettleman has always believed in size up front to build strong offensive and defensive lines. A few points to look at from Judge's history with New England are putting an emphasis on special teams on Days 2 and 3 and drafting to fill specific needs (a player who can match up with an opponent). We may not see this this year since the Giants have so many needs to fill.”

https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001108562/article/nfl-draft-guide-each-gms-best-pick-top-value-pick-tendencies?

ATLANTA
McClure ESPN Atlanta: Falcons GM confident Todd Gurley's knee will stand up to scrutiny of physical
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29007557/falcons-gm-confident-todd-gurley-knee-stand-scrutiny-physical?

BALTIMORE
Shaffer Baltimore Sun: Eric DeCosta hopes this Ravens draft won’t be too different, but the coronavirus has already warped it
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-draft-coronavirus-20200407-ow3ydrfsdbgetb4zvju7fo3spi-story.html

Preston Baltimore Sun: The Ravens enter the draft in an envious position. Now they want to become ‘undefendable.’
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/analysis/preston/bs-sp-college-draft-20200407-x75dt5dwabg6fnvevn4hx5cexi-story.html

BUFFALO
Giab Bills.com: Bills Today | GM Brandon Beane's initial thoughts on a virtual draft
https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-today-gm-brandon-beane-s-initial-thoughts-on-a-virtual-draft

DALLAS
Brock Cowboyswire USA Today: Wisconsin LB Zack Baun interviews with Cowboys ahead of 2020 NFL Draft
https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/07/wisconsin-lb-linebacker-zack-baun-interview-2020-nfl-draft/

Gehlken Dallas Morning News: Pre-draft position preview: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix gives Cowboys a needed element, but they must do more at safety
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/04/07/pre-draft-position-preview-ha-ha-clinton-dix-gives-the-cowboys-needed-playmaking-but-they-still-need-to-do-more-at-safety/?

DENVER
Klis 9News Denver: 9 candidates for Broncos' No. 15 overall pick in 2020 NFL Draft
https://www.9news.com/mobile/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/9-candidates-for-broncos-no-15-overall-draft-pick/73-054e9d76-4740-458e-86f6-2dc7bededdeb

O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos Draft Board: Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell would bring versatility to secondary that needs it
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/07/broncos-draft-board-aj-terrell-clemson/amp/

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: NFL mock draft 4.0: Predicting the Detroit Lions' first- and second-round picks

“3. Detroit Lions
CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State: Four-for-four when it comes to Okudah and the Lions in my mock drafts. Young would be a no-brainer if he’s there. Derrick Brown and Isaiah Simmons would be fine choices. But Okudah is the best blend of positional value, need and fit.

4. New York Giants
LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson: I’m going away from offensive line because as an NFL scout reminded me the other day, Giants GM Dave Gettleman is a scout at heart, which means his instinct is to take the highest-ranked player regardless of position.

35. Detroit Lions
OLB Zack Baun, Wisconsin: The Lions need a starting right guard, but the value on the interior line is later in the draft. I could see a running back — J.K. Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor or Clyde Edwards-Helaire — or even a defensive lineman here. But Matt Patricia loves his linebackers, Baun can rush the passer, and the Lions spent time with him at the Senior Bowl”

https://amp.freep.com/amp/5106715002

GREEN BAY
Silverstein Mil JS: Packers likely won't be done shopping for receivers even after the draft is over
https://amp.packersnews.com/amp/2947792001

INDIANAPOLIS
Erickson Indianapolis Star: Colts counting on Philip Rivers, DeForest Buckner, rest of free agents to add leadership
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2020/04/08/colts-counting-philip-rivers-deforest-buckner-take-leadership-roles/2962438001/

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Whicker LA Times: Can Linval Joseph help power-lift the Chargers into contention?
https://www.ocregister.com/2020/04/07/whicker-can-linval-joseph-help-power-lift-the-chargers-into-contention/amp/

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: With Todd Gurley gone, Jared Goff must deliver under pressure for Rams
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2020-04-07/todd-gurley-gone-jared-goff-must-deliver-rams-nfl-sean-mcvay?

Jackson Rams.com: Rams confident in Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown, but could add another RB via draft
https://www.therams.com/news/darrell-henderson-malcolm-brown-draft-rb

MIAMI
Kelly Sun Sentinel: Giants could be willing to deal with teams jockeying to get ahead of Dolphins in draft
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-draft-trade-kelly-column-20200407-aobcfyht6jdopatu6gyxtz6ora-story.html

Salguero Miami Herald: The Miami Dolphins need to upgrade at RB: Fake GM Mando’s best value at the position
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article241848611.html

NEW ENGLAND
Goss NBC Soorts Boston: Patriots fans should be encouraged by these scouts' takes on Jarrett Stidham
https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/patriots-fans-should-be-encouraged-these-scouts-takes-jarrett-stidham?

NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: Why Jets don’t need to snag a linebacker in NFL Draft 2020
https://nypost.com/2020/04/08/nfl-draft-2020-why-jets-dont-need-to-snag-a-linebacker/

Football Perspective: The Jets have finished in the bottom 10 of the NFL in points scored in 7 of the last 8 seasons. New York is in the bottom 3 in points scored over that time period, covering all of the Maccagnan and Idzik eras, and 3 head coaches (Ryan, Bowles, Gase).

PHILADELPHIA
Domowitch Phil Inquirer: In NFL draft, teams looking for running backs who can contribute in the pass game as well as run game
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/nfl-draft-2020-running-backs-quarterbacks-ben-fennell-versatile-dandre-swift-clyde-edwards-helaire-joe-burrow-jake-fromm-20200406.html

McLane Phil Inquirer: Eagles’ attempts to trade Alshon Jeffery extend to last season
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/alshon-jeffery-trade-eagles-howie-roseman-20200406.html

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Tough year to be looking for another Zach Ertz or Dallas Goedert in the draft
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/nfl-draft-tight-end-ben-fennell-analysis-zach-ertz-20200407.html

Gallen Penn Live: Hassan Ridgeway knows what his role is in return to Philadelphia Eagles
https://www.pennlive.com/philadelphiaeagles/2020/04/hassan-ridgeway-knows-what-his-role-is-in-return-to-philadelphia-eagles.html

PITTSBURGH
Zeise Pittsburgh Post Gazette: NFL's all-decade team speaks volumes about the Steelers' past 10 years
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/paul-zeise/2020/04/07/The-NFL-s-All-Decade-Team-speaks-volumes-about-the-Steelers-last-ten-years/stories/202004070121

SAN FRANCISCO
Lombardi The Athletic: How the 49ers spend their cap dollars and how that might impact their draft
https://theathletic.com/1703677/2020/04/07/how-the-49ers-spend-their-cap-dollars-and-how-that-might-impact-their-draft/

David Lombardi The Athletic: Mullens and Beathard are only one cheap deals for one more season. There will be movement in the 49ers’ QB room within the next calendar year. So if Shanahan likes a QB this year, he can take him. Doesn’t mean that pick would have anything to do with Garoppolo. QBs are assets

Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Raheem Mostert was quick to realize coronavirus would change everything
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/49ers-Raheem-Mostert-was-quick-to-realize-15180749.php

Barrows The Athletic: 49ers’ D.J. Jones hoping — and training — for bigger role on the defensive line
https://theathletic.com/1731163/2020/04/07/49ers-d-j-jones-hoping-and-training-for-bigger-role-on-the-defensive-line/?

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Seahawks’ Pete Carroll on changes to NFL draft and offseason due to coronavirus: ‘We’ll figure it out’
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-coach-pete-carroll-on-changes-to-nfl-draft-and-offseason-well-figure-it-out-well-get-it-done/?

Benjamin CBS Sports.com: Jadeveon Clowney unlikely to return to Seahawks as team explores other options, per report

“According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the chances are "slim to none" that Clowney re-signs with Seattle for a second season with the team.
Joining Seattle's 950 KJR on Tuesday, Garafolo warned to "never say never" regarding a reunion between the two sides, but he added that the Seahawks are potentially already "moving on to Plan B, C and D" and "aren't actively chasing Clowney right now."
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero previously reported that Seattle hadn't closed the door on re-signing Clowney but "couldn't wait any longer to start adding potential replacements," hence the team's recent addition of journeyman pass rusher Benson Mayowa. The Seahawks have also been linked to longtime Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, who also remains unsigned.”

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jadeveon-clowney-unlikely-to-return-to-seahawks-as-team-explores-other-options-per-report/amp/

Henderson ESPN Seattle: Seahawks hope Quinton Dunbar sparks return of cornerback interceptions
https://www.espn.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/33911/seahawks-hope-acquiring-quinton-dunbar-sparks-return-of-cornerback-interceptions?

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Back in prime: Bucs hope new uniforms provide blast from the past
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2020/04/07/back-in-prime-bucs-hoping-new-uniforms-provide-a-blast-from-the-past/

WASHINGTON
Keim ESPN Washington: Ron Rivera: Would only deal No. 2 pick if a 'high impact' player is available with return in trade

"If you're going to make a trade and you're going to go back," Rivera said on a video conference call, "that guy you take at that spot has to be able to make the kind of impact you need to validate missing an opportunity to take a player that's a high-impact guy."
Many draft analysts, including ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr., consider Young the most talented player available. He recorded 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 12 games last season. He has drawn favorable comparisons to his former college teammate Nick Bosa, the pass-rusher drafted No. 2 overall by San Francisco last season.
Bosa recorded nine sacks for San Francisco as a rookie. In 2018, the 49ers ranked 23rd in sacks per pass attempt, but improved to third last season. And they went from 21st on third-down defense to a second-place tie.
"If Player A is going to play for you for 10 years and Player B may not, then did you really get value or just a whole bunch of picks?" Rivera said. "So you've got to be able to sit there and say the next guy I'm going to take is that high-impact guy."
With months to prepare, and by picking second, the Redskins' plans have crystalized - at least for them.
"I'd like to believe in the back of my mind, I know what we want to do," Rivera said.
Miami has been rumored as a possible trade partner, depending on whether or not the Dolphins wanted to move up for a quarterback. The Dolphins have three first-round picks and the Redskins would be unlikely to consider a trade unless it's for the highest of their two picks -- the fifth and 18th -- in addition to more, one league source said.
But while Young would fulfill their desire to add an impact player, Rivera said he's not the only one who could do so. Rivera didn't mention anyone by name, but other possible impact defenders include Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah and Clemson's Isaiah Simmons. It's possible neither one falls to the fifth pick if Washington traded with Miami.
The Redskins have done their homework on the quarterbacks, notably Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa. With an unprecedented offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic preventing prospects from visiting teams -- and getting checked out by medical staffs -- it could reduce a team's desire to make a bold trade, one league source said. But if there is one, Rivera knows what he wants.
"We need a guy that's going to come in and really change our team," Rivera said. "To me there are a few guys on that board that are those kind of players."

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29007906/redskins-need-lot-trade-no-2-pick-pass-impact-player

Bullock The Athletic: Big part of Scott Turner’s offense is the versatility with positionless players. We saw in Carolina how he liked to move TEs, RBs and WRs all over the place. Manipulate defensive personnel with versatility and spread them out to create match up issues

Selby Redskins.com: J.D. McKissic Will Rely on His Receiving Ability In A Competitive Redskins RB Room
https://www.redskins.com/news/j-d-mckissic-will-rely-on-his-receiving-ability-in-a-competitive-redskins-rb-roo

Colleges/Draft

Nick Korte OTC: 12 largest estimated 2020 rookie pools, as of April 7:
1. MIA: $18.27M
2. JAX: $14.05M
3. NYG: $12.91M
4. DET: $12.87M
5. MIN: $11.99M
6. CIN: $11.87M
7. WAS: $10.69M
8. CAR: $10.17M
9. NE: $10.15M
10. LAC: $10.02M
11. DEN: $9.98M
12. LV: $9.50M

Jim Nagy: One thing we haven’t seen addressed on here are the challenges of conducting undrafted free agency “virtually”. Every team’s process is slightly different but here is a general example of what happens behind-the-scenes of the chaotic hour immediately following the draft...

The draft room is the control center. GM, head coach, salary cap manager, and director level guys are located here.

Scouts are dispatched to various assistant coaches offices to make recruiting calls and then report back to the draft room once they get a player committed...

In this example, your team finished the draft with 78 roster players, which means you need to sign 12 UDFA to reach 90-man limit. Those 12 spots will be broken down by positional need (ex. 2 RB, 3 WR, 3 OL, 1 LB, 2 CB, 1 PK).

The staff has already ranked UDFA by position.

If you need 2 RB then scouts/ass’t coaches will start calling the top 4-5 ranked players AND their agents. If the top 4-5 RBs all come from different parts of the country that will require all the various area scouts from those assigned regions to be involved in those calls.

Area scouts are the ones with boots on the ground so the recruiting efforts they put in all spring are critical. Keep in mind, top UDFA will have 20+ teams trying to call them so recruiting matters when it comes to whose phone call the player (and agent) accepts/ignores.

Scouts are usually given a set negotiating range/limit for each particular player’s signing bonus, which is the most critical piece of these negotiations. Once a scout/player/agent come to an agreement and get a commitment, the scout goes back to draft room to report it...

The scout announces the deal and the salary cap guy deducts that figure from the available UDFA signing bonus pool (assigned by NFL league office). HERE IS WHERE THE CHAOS OCCURS...

Because your team is recruiting/negotiating with 4 RBs for only 2 spots, many times multiple scouts will consummate deals in different offices at the same time. In that scenario, teams find themselves in situations where they have overcommitted and have to drop a player.

Another common pitfall is that sometimes players and agents aren’t on the same page and independently commit to different teams, which adds to the chaos. Usually in that scenario the head coach or GM will jump on a call to persuade the player or agent to sign with their team.

Apologies for long thread but this is just one scenario that creates chaos in UDFA. All parties are in competitive time crunch to make deals and you’re dealing with players/agents who are emotional after not getting drafted.

This post doesn’t do the adrenaline/stress/chaos of the UDFA process justice, as anyone that has been thru it on the team, player, or agent side will attest. Simply do not see how this process is conducted virtually.

Letourneau SF Chronicle: Derailed by the coronavirus, NFL hopefuls go to Plan Bs to receive attention
https://www.sfchronicle.com/collegesports/amp/Derailed-by-the-coronavirus-NFL-hopefuls-go-to-15185634.php

Bucky Brooks NFL.com: Top 5 Prospects

1. Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
2. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
3. Isaiah Simmons, S/LB, Clemson
4. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
5. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Gil Brandt Twitter Q& A

[QB Tua as a generational player] I think he'll be OK, not a generational player. He'll get your team to the playoffs provided he has a supporting cast. Left-handed QBs don't always set the world on fire (Steve Young was an exception)

[QB]Depends on what kind of ice cream you like. Close between Fromm and Eason. Fromm, you worry about the hand size. Eason, it's the foot movement. Someone might see something in Gordon and jump those two, which could happen.

[RB] It's a position being devalued as offenses have changed last 5, 10, 15 years. Picking Dorsett when we did at No. 1 made sense then. With that said I think Jonathan Taylor is way undervalued in this draft. Here's another I'll throw out there: Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Like Cowboys' Pollard

[Ranking big-bodied wideouts] Putting them in my order: Mims, Pittman, Higgins, Claypool, just like you have them. I think you might be able to put Shenault in there too. He has a RB body more than WR. Mims for me is the best of that group.

[TE’s worth higher than a 3d round pick]
Three actually: Kmet, Bryant, and Bryant (that's not a law firm). The Missouri kid I'd take him over all of them. You're betting on upside with him but payoff is much bigger. A lot like Chris Jones. No one was talking about him but he went in Round 2 and Chiefs hit big.

[T available at 11] I think one of them will be there. Fairly certain. Most likely it will be Bechton. If not, USC's Jackson, Ezra Cleveland and Josh Jones are all worthy at that spot. Could create a trade-back if you absolutely need an OT.

[Edge] Chase Young is the surest pick in the first round. The one who plays the skill position with lowest bust potential: for me it's Jeudy.

[S] My No. 1 safety is Delpit, too. He's such a good athlete with good speed. Not the best tackler. One weakness that can be worked on. Winfield and Chinn are pretty good players too. Maybe 6-7 in this draft who are worthy picks.

[ST players on draft boards] The Slater pick tells you everything you need to know about the genius of Belichick. He once drafted a guy in 3rd round who was strictly a ST player. One of the things that hurt Garrett last year with Cowboys was he didn't have much on ST. Special teams can put you over the top

Jeremiah NFL.com: Jeremiah mock draft 3.0: Dolphins pass on Tua

4 NYG Tristan Wirfs T Iowa

School: Iowa | Year: Junior

“The Giants have needs all over their defense, but I still believe protecting Daniel Jones is the top priority”

https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001108489/article/daniel-jeremiah-2020-nfl-mock-draft-30-packers-pick-a-qb?

John Clayton Washington Post: John Clayton’s three-round NFL mock draft: Wide receivers fly off the board

“4. New York Giants: Mekhi Becton, T, Louisville
A lot of people think the Giants will go for defensive tackle Derrick Brown, but I still believe they will take care of offensive tackle with Becton, a massive blocker who is a great athlete.

36. New York Giants: Julian Okwara, Edge, Notre Dame
The Giants have needed another edge rusher since letting Marcus Golden leave in free agency.

99. New York Giants: J.R. Reed, S, Georgia
The Giants need help at safety beyond Jabrill Peppers.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/04/08/nfl-mock-draft-3-rounds/?

RB
Matt Bowen ESPN: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor — Has the traits to develop as a three-down back in the NFL.
Angles, wheels, flats, swings. Can flex outside. Expect to see more screen game targets as a pro.
Straight-line speed + power after the catch

WR
MG NFL.com: Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk, a possible first-round pick, underwent a core-muscle surgery today performed by noted surgeon William Meyers, sources say. Aiyuk has been dealing with the issue the last few months. Ran 4.50 at the Combine. Decided to fix now with no OTAs in sight.

T
Vitale Montgomery Advertiser: The COVID-19 shutdown cost him his NFL workout, but Auburn’s Prince Tega Wanogho is undeterred
https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/auburn/2020/04/07/coronavirus-shutdown-cost-prince-tega-wanogho-private-nfl-draft-workout-auburn-offensive-line-knee/2952256001/

Edge
Braziller NYP: NFL Draft 2020: Zack Baun slated to be high pick after position change
https://nypost.com/2020/04/07/nfl-draft-2020-zack-baun-slated-to-be-high-pick-after-position-change/

Bobby Skinner@BobbySkinner: Penn St. DE Yetur Gross-Marks
6’5” 266 lbs.
2018-19: 24 games played
94 tackles 17 sacks 34.5 TFL
He’s got a good inside hand swipe but needs to get stronger at the point of attack in pass rush. He’s a productive DE v. both pass & run so he fits any system. Lots of potential!

Nick Falato@NickFalato: NotreDame EDGE Julian Okwara could be a target for the #Giants at 36. Good twitch/bend. A Sudden player with pop in his hands too. Needs to get stronger setting the edge, but he can generate power while moving forward. Interesting player Giants‘ fans should know
Certainly hasn't reached his ceiling. Needs more experience and development to become an all around EDGE player. Given his athletic traits I'd say he has a high ceiling.

Bobby Skinner@BobbySkinner: Miami DE Jonathan Garvin
6’4” 263 lbs.
•Doesn’t let OL move him
•Good finish in his tackles, scrambling QB’s won’t lose him
•Needs an inside move
Could be a target if he’s slips to day 3 for the Giants.

CB
Pflum BBV: 2020 NFL Draft prospect profile: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2020/4/7/21208049/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-damon-arnette-cb-ohio-state-scouting-report-ny-giants

S
Edholm Yahoo Sports: 25. Alabama S Xavier McKinney
6-foot, 201 pounds 
Yahoo Sports draft grade: 6.01

“TL;DR scouting report: Versatile, hard-nosed safety who might not be a master of one thing but projects as a 10-year pro
The skinny: A 4-star Rivals recruit, McKinney picked the Crimson Tide over Clemson and Ohio State. As a true freshman in 2017, he played in 13 of the team’s 14 games as a special teamer and a defensive backup. Earning a startling role at safety in 2018, McKinney made 73 tackles (six for losses), three sacks, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 15 starts.
As a junior, McKinney started all 13 games and was named third-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC. He led Alabama with 95 tackles (5.5 for loss), three sacks, four forced fumbles, three interceptions, five passes defended and a blocked extra-point try against LSU.
McKinney, who turns 22 years old in August, declared early for the 2020 NFL draft. He attended the NFL scouting combine and participated in the field drills and all the testing except the 3-cone and shuttle drills.

Upside: Extremely versatile. Listed as starting free safety last season but lined up with almost equal frequency there as he did as a box defender and covering the slot. Often asked to defend tight ends and backs and did a respectable job in most assignments. Can interchange and alternate based on matchup or package. 
Very talented blitzer — 10 pressures on 34 pass-rush snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Disguises his intentions and times up his pass rushes very well.
This incredibly well-timed blitz against LSU by McKinney starts with him lurking at the line but not tipping his hand, and it ends with a strip sack of Joe Burrow and a crucial turnover:

Playmaker — five sacks, five interceptions, 11 passes defended and five forced fumbles past two seasons combined. Averaged more than 20 yards per INT return in career and had a pick-six each of the past two seasons. Nice job reading quarterbacks’ eyes in zone coverage. Also good peripheral vision to see routes develop around him.
Great positional instincts and able to break down plays from multiple spots and angles. Will come in and strike the ball with quick hands to make surprising strips. Drives and closes quickly on routes. Good finisher — hard hitter for his size. Cleaned up some tackling issues last season that had cropped up in the 2018 season.
Asked to do a lot by Nick Saban and his staff — earned rare high-level trust for an underclassman. Considered a coach on the field who also had to mentor and help line up Bama’s young linebackers. Good back-end communicator. Staff said he had strong work ethic, excellent practice mentality and great tape-study habits. 
Tough and reliable — a pro in the making. Resets his focus quickly after poor plays. Showed up in big games. Willing to take on any role in a defense. Profiles as core special teamer. Fierce competitor.
Downside: Average size — ordinary height and weight, small hands and short arms. Could limit him a bit in terms of press-coverage ability, playmaking ability and matchups with bigger players. Tended to struggle against bigger targets he matched up against. Physical but has his limitations vs. length.
Not an elite athlete. Ran a pedestrian 40 (4.63 seconds), and his 10-yard split (1.65 seconds) puts him in the bottom 10th percentile among safeties (but did suffer from cramping during his first 40). Marginal short-area quickness — can’t be asked to match up with speed receivers or quick slot guys. 
Interceptions tended to come against lesser teams and less-talented quarterbacks, often on fluttery or mistimed passes — might not be a supreme playmaker on the ball vs. precise NFL QBs. A tad stiff — can’t flip hips, plant and drive at highest level.
Can overplay routes and take poor angles to the ball at times. Will sink too far in coverage and test his range. Still getting a feel for spacing, which is why some NFL teams don’t believe he’s a free safety. Still has room to improve as a tackler. 
Here’s one of those tackling-in-space issues that showed up against LSU last season, as McKinney (No. 15) can’t bring down Ja’Marr Chase in the open field:

Best-suited destination: McKinney can fill a number of roles on an NFL defense, but we assume that he will have his assignments a bit streamlined until it’s clear where his strengths lie. He also figures to be a Day 1 contributor on special teams.
Among the teams we feel could be fits for McKinney include the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills.
Did you know: McKinney originally committed to Bama but decided to open up his recruiting. The Tide were not swayed and continued to covet him hard. Then during the second quarter of the Under Armour All-America Game in 2017, McKinney announced his intentions to recommit to Bama live on ESPN.
“I just feel like that will be the best place for me to strive as a player and a person,” McKinney said.

— McKinney at the combine on how he handled such diverse assignments

Player comp: Patrick Chung.

Expected draft range: Late first round to early second“

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/yahoo-sports-top-2020-nfl-draft-prospects-no-25-alabama-s-xavier-mc-kinney-175603178.html

History

Bowen Phil Inquirer: 1960s Eagles great Timmy Brown dies at 82

“Timmy Brown was one of six children and spent time in an orphanage and in foster care before going to Ball State University with the intention of becoming a teacher, his son said. The Green Bay Packers drafted him in 1959′s 27th round and cut him after one game. He was picked up by the Eagles and took special pride in being part of the 1960 NFL championship team that defeated the Packers in the title game.
Brown, 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, led the NFL in all-purpose yardage in 1962 and ’63. In 1966, he became the first player in the league to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game, as the Eagles upset Dallas, 24-23, at Franklin Field.
The next time he faced the Cowboys, Lee Roy Jordan hit Brown in the face with an elbow, after a pass to Brown fell incomplete. Brown lost nine teeth and suffered a concussion; he later called it the dirtiest hit he ever took.
Sean Brown said the family assumes Brown’s football career led to his dementia, which developed over the past decade.

In 1968, the Eagles traded Brown to the Colts. He retired after their loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III.

Brown went to Hollywood and enjoyed a solid acting career, including roles in the Robert Altman films M*A*S*H and Nashville, and briefly, the ensuing M*A*S*H TV series. His son said that though he aspired to be a serious actor and was respectful of the craft, he greatly enjoyed action roles in 1970s “Blaxploitation” films. He was reported to have dated Diana Ross.
He later became a Los Angeles parole officer.”

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/timmy-brown-death-eagles-1960s-20200407.html

Vs Giants

11-12-1961 PHI rush 1-3-0 rec 1-16-1 KR 4-130-0 PR 1-17-0
12-10-61 PHI rush 7-64-0 rec 2-25-0 PR 3-22-0
09-23-1962 PHI rush 4-11-0 rec 9-160-1 KR 3-97-0 PR 2-16-0
11-18-1962 PHI rush 8-65-1 rec 1-11-0 KR 4-117-0
09-29-1963 PHI Pass 1-1-11-1 rush 13-57-0 rec 3-19-0 KR 2-42-0 PR 1-7-0
11-10-1963 PHI rush 5-7-0 KR 4-118-0 PR 1-8-0
09-13-1964 PHI rush 17-34-1 rec 2-3-1 KR 2-92-0 PR 2-13-0
10-18-1964 PHI DNP
09-26-1965 PHI rush 11-45-0 rec 8-106-0 PR 1-7-0
10-17-1965 PHI 9-50-0 rec 6-87-2
09-25-1966 PHI rush 16-40-1 rec 2-18-1 KR 1-49-0
10-23-1966 PHI 21-100-0 rec 5-66-1 KR 1-25-0 PR 1-0-0
11-26-1967 PHI rush 9-23-1 rec 2-[13]-0 KR 3-94-0

Boswell Washington Post: If you saw Bobby Mitchell run with a football, it’s hard to remember anything else

As 4-way threat — running, receiving, returning kickoffs & punts — he is unique. No NFL player has been among the very best in all 4 areas. Mitchell is a group photo of one.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/04/07/if-you-saw-bobby-mitchell-run-with-football-its-hard-remember-anything-else/

Pluto Cleveland Plain Dealer: Remembering Bobby Mitchell and the battle between Paul Brown and Art Modell

“When it came to football, Paul Brown didn’t have partners. He was the coach. He was the general manager. He was the ultimate and only decision maker. That was how it had always been since he took over the franchise in 1946.
It was a shock to the coach when Modell showed up to watch practice in the owner’s first season. Brown said nothing, but he seethed inside. When Modell went into the locker room to hear Brown speak, he sat in the back.
Brown didn’t say anything in front of the team about Modell. But when the talk was over, Brown told the owner, “I’d appreciate it if you never came in here again. You don’t belong here. It’s a private time between myself and the players."
I interviewed Modell about 30 years after that happened. He still seemed hurt as he recalled the conversation.

In that 1961 season, the Browns finished 8-5-1. In the last three seasons, they had a combined record of 23-13-2.
Still good, but not championship caliber. Brown had won seven titles in Cleveland: Four in the old AAFC and then three in the NFL.
Their last title was 1955. Modell was hanging around with the players. He was hearing the coach had become too conservative, too dictatorial.
The players didn’t like Brown very much, and Modell could understand why, based on his relationship with the coach.

Brown not only was the coach, he had the title of general manager. He had always made trades and draft picks, then informed ownership later of what deals were done.
Remember, Modell wanted to be a partner.
After the season, Brown traded Mitchell and the team’s first-round pick in the 1962 draft for the rights to pick Davis.
“You know how I found out about that deal?" Modell once told me. “I got a call from (Washington owner) George Marshall asking me about the deal.”
According to Modell, the conversation went like this:
“What trade?" asked Modell.
“Mitchell and your No. 1 pick for our No. 1 pick," said Marshall.
Modell said nothing.
“Art,” said Marshall. “Aren’t you running that franchise?”
“George... well... I don’t know,” said Modell.
“Art, never let that happen again,” said Marshall. “You are the owner. You own the franchise. It’s yours.”
Modell said he later confronted Brown, and the coach had no idea why his owner was upset.
“He was used to owners like Mickey McBride,” said Modell. “They just paid the bills. They wouldn’t know who Bobby Mitchell was or if he should be traded for Ernie Davis.”

With Marshall’s challenge to Modell to take over the franchise, the owner did just that.
Rather than allow Brown to negotiate the contract for Davis – Brown always did the contracts – Modell did it. He paid Davis $80,000.
Paul Brown was livid. That was $30,000 more than star running back Jim Brown.
Modell then began promising the Browns would win the 1962 NFL title during some public speaking events.
Paul Brown hated that. The last thing a coach needed was his owner making bold predictions.
The coach knew his time with the Browns was soon coming to an end.

Not long after Davis was traded to the Browns, he was diagnosed with leukemia as training camp opened. He later went into remission.
That led to another duel between Brown and Modell.
Davis wanted to play in a regular-season game. Modell liked the idea and had found a doctor to clear the running back. Brown was against it.
I interviewed former Plain Dealer sports writer Hal Lebovitz about Brown and Modell when researching my book. Lebovitz’s account matches what I’ve written here.
Lebovitz said his friend was the doctor who gave the green light for Davis to play. But Lebovitz also said, “Ernie wanted to play. I understand why Paul refused... if I had a player and he had leukemia, I don’t think I’d have played him either.”
Davis never did play. Soon, his condition became worse. He died on May 18, 1963.
The Browns finished that 1962 season with a 7-6-1 record. Modell continued to hear negative things about the coach.
Brown became even more impatient with the owner.
On Jan. 9, 1963, Brown was fired by Modell. The owner did it during the Cleveland newspaper strike, which infuriated Brown’s supporters. They believe Modell did it intentionally to keep the public heat off himself. This was 1963 when newspapers were the main source of news.”

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/04/remembering-bobby-mitchell-and-the-battle-between-paul-brown-and-art-modell.html

Mallard Sentinel and Enterprise: Before booming kicks in the NFL, Dempsey was in the Merrimack Valley

“Not long before Dempsey became famous in the NFL for his kicking prowess, despite being born without toes on his right foot and fingers on his right hand, he set down roots in Dracut for a time in the late 1960s. His football career began in Encinitas, Calif., before staying in state collegiately to play at Palomar College.

From there, his football journey took him east and he landed with the semi-pro Lowell Giants of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL), playing games at Cawley Stadium. And while doing that, he was an assistant with the Middies football team under legendary coach Ed Murphy, who led the program for 48 years.
“He was an assistant for Ed Murphy and he was quite a character. He was a really nice guy,” recalled Andy Graham, who played on the teams Dempsey coached and is now the Dracut school system’s Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. “Guys playing in the ACFL, a lot of them were far from home, so they’d stay with different families and have jobs since they weren’t being paid all that much to play football.
“We saw him every day. He was at practice every day and was a substitute teacher at the school.”
Only a few years older than the high school players, Dempsey was easy to relate to, Graham recalled, regaling in stories of the kicker asking to borrow players’ cars to court women.
“It was a very different time,” Graham said with a laugh. “He just passed away at 73; I’ll be 70 pretty soon. We were all around the same age.”
Graham, a receiver and defensive back as well as a holder for kicks while in high school, noted that teams rarely kicked at the time, but Dempsey’s influence led to field goals being practiced pretty consistently. He also held for the future American Football Association’s Semi-Pro Football Hall of Famer after practices and was amazed at the velocity with which the ball left Dempsey’s foot.
“He had that special shoe, having no toes, and the ball would come off his foot like a rocket,” Graham said. “You could feel how hard the ball was coming off his foot. We knew he was capable of really kicking the ball.”
It didn’t take long for Dempsey to become well known after his time with Dracut and the Lowell Giants. He signed on with the New Orleans Saints in 1969 and set the league record for longest field goal the following season, booming a 63-yarder with his straight-ahead kicking style, which was in favor then, rather than the soccer-style kicks primarily seen in the NFL today.
Dempsey went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills before hanging up the kicking shoe following the 1979 season.
“He was just a minor league kicker when we knew him, but we got attached to him,” Graham said. “We kept up with what he was doing in the NFL and were very aware when he hit the one from 63 yards.”
Graham says in the days following Dempsey’s death, he’s been in touch with a handful of former teammates, rehashing memories of their high school glory days. And among them are the laughs with a coach who was nearly a peer and went on to be a famed NFL kicker.
“He was easy to relate to, for us. Just a really personable guy,” Graham said. “We had a lot of fun with him on the coaching staff.”

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2020/04/07/before-his-booming-kicks-in-the-nfl-demspey-was-in-the-merrimack-valley/amp/

Borges Talk of Fame: State Your Case: Jim Katcavage should have sacked his way into the Hall of Fame

“Jim Katcavage should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The only reason he isn’t has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the fact his New York Giants teams of the late 1950s and early 1960s went to the NFL championship game six times but won only once, in his rookie season.
Dynasties are teams that win championship games, not lose them. The reason the Hall has so many Browns, Packers, Steelers, 49ers and Cowboys is when they were in dynasty-mode they won the final game. Katcavage’s Giants were a near dynasty because they did not, and so he was a near Hall of Famer, although that wasn’t his doing.
Jim Katcavage was one of the NFL’s most dominant pass rushers from 1956, his rookie season, until he retired 13 years later. Although sacks were not yet an official statistic in the NFL, film study done of players from that era reveals that Katcavage had 96 ½ sacks during his time at left defensive end for the Giants, which would rank him third all-time among its pass rushers.
He was named first team All-Pro three times (1961, 1962 and 1963) and twice second-team All-Pro (1964, 1966). He would have led the NFL in sacks in 1962 and 1963 had they kept track in those days because he piled up 17 in ’62 and a mind-boggling 20 ½ in 1963. He would have been fourth in the league in 1964 as well with another 13 ½.

Those numbers would be fantastic in today’s pass-happy game, but in the early ‘60s they were astronomical figures because teams were throwing on average less than half the time they had the ball. They threw less when Katcavage was opposing them because it’s hard to throw a pass while on your back.
Katcavage was a rookie in 1956 when the Giants pummeled the Chicago Bears, 47-7, to win the NFL title, but he was already an impact player. That impact would only grow playing on one of the league’s best defenses of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
That defense led the NFL in fewest points allowed three times (1958, 1959, and 1961) with Katcavage as a pass-rushing steamroller and edge holding rush defender. In 1959 it allowed the fewest rushing yards and fewest passing yards in the league but lost the title game to Johnny Unitas’ Baltimore Colts for the second straight year.
The Giants also lost to the Colts in overtime in 1958 and to the 1963 Bears by four points, 14-10. They held Vince Lombardi’s 1962 Green Bay Packers to 96 passing yards and one touchdown in the title game but still managed to lose the NFL championship, 16-7.
Largely because of that only Andy Robustelli and Sam Huff became Hall of Famers off that Giants’ defense. Win another title or two, and Katcavage would seem likely to have joined them in Canton with the mountain of sacks he piled up.
Katcavage was also always available and, as Tony Dungy once put it, “A big part of ability is availability.’’ He had both. Few players were more available than Katcavage, who missed only four starts in the final 10 years of his career and none in the final eight.

If you are of a certain age and spent Sunday afternoons watching the New York Giants’ defense mug opposing offenses week after week for nearly a decade, you know what kind of football player Jim Katcavage was.
He was a Hall of Famer.
If you didn’t watch him just know this – if Jim Katcavage’s team had won the NFL championship game once or twice more when it appeared in it six times in an eight-year stretch between 1956 and 1963 you’d be looking at his bust in Canton.”

https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/state-your-case/state-your-case-jim-katcavage-should-have-sacked-his-way-into-the-hall-of-fame-4yk1uZvx60iogAugAc1XpA

Giants Birthdays 4-08

TJ Hollowell LB UDFA-Nebraska 2004 NYG 2004 4-08-1981

In Memoriam

Les Borden E UDFA-Fordham 1935 NYG 1935 Born 4-08-1910 Died 5-19-1981

Fordham HOF: “A three-year letterman in both football and track, Les Borden was an All-American end and football team captain in 1934. He played in the 1934 East-West Shrine Game and the 1935 All-Star Game. Later, he played in professional ranks with the New York Giants.”

10-28-1935 KEYS OVERWHELM NEW ROCHELLE GRIDDERS

“Lester Borden, Fordham's All America end of last season, also came up to expectations and played a bang up game at right end. The New York Giants' rookie, farmed out to New Rochelle, was a streak getting down on punts and spent a busy afternoon In the Keys backfleld. Les also snagged several of Scalzi's passes and only the alert play of the Reading secondary kept him from going places.”

John McLaughry BB D3-Brown 1940 NYG 1940 Born 4-08-1917 Died 11-28-2007

Brown HOF: “John J. McLaughry '40, perhaps Brown's best blocking back and linebacker, led the Bears out of the football doldrums back to a place of football prestige in the late 1930's. An All-East football player, he was also on the All-American track squad in 1939, the year that he threw the 16-pound hammer 180-11 ¼, the fifth longest throw by an American at that time. McLaughry played quarterback and fullback for the Bruins, called the offensive and defensive signals, and could crack a line with the best of them when he elected to carry the ball. He was captain of the undefeated freshman team of 1936 and then captained the 1939 eleven coached by his dad, Tuss McLaughry. He played in the East-West Shrine game and later was captain of the College All-Stars when that team defeated the New York Giants, a team the 6-0, 190-pound McLaughry played for in 1940. A successful college coach, McLaughry had a 61-29-5 record at Union and Amherst and also coached at his Alma Mater from 1959 to 1966.”

Frei ESPN: Remembering the fallen heroes

“This is a story about football-playing Marines getting together on a
makeshift, coral-strewn parade ground on a Pacific island to play a spirited
football game in 1944...

John McLaughry, a former Brown University star and ex-New York Giant in the 4th Regiment, served as a playing assistant coach. He wrote to his
parents the day after the game, saying: "It was really a Lulu, and as rough
hitting and hard playing as I've ever seen. As you may guess, our knees and
elbows took an awful beating due to the rough field with coral stones here
and there, even though the 29th did its best to clean them all up. My
dungarees were torn to hell in no time, and by the game's end my knees and
elbows were a bloody mess."

http://www.espn.com/college-football/columns/story?

Mickey Murtaugh C UDFA Georgetown DC 1926 NYG 1926-1932 Born 4-08-1904 Died 2-10-1993

PFR: Giants on the Gridiron 1927

“Although the Giants were well-stocked in the backfield, their real strength was up front. Century Milstead returned from the AFL to pair at tackle with "Stout Steve" Owen, the future Giants coach. Dick Stahlman, a rugged 220-pounder who played for nearly everyone during his long career, was the number one tackle sub, though he could play anywhere on the line. The New York guards were big "Hec" Garvey, the ex-Notre Damer who'd been in the league since 1922, and Al Nesser, the last of the famous clan. Nesser had started playing professionally in 1910, but at age 34 he was still a reliable pro. On the bench were "Doc" Alexander, the coach in '26 and muscular Riley Biggs, another graduate of the AFL.

Regular center "Mickey" Murtagh was the smallest interior lineman at 190 pounds but very quick.”

http://www.profootballresearchers.org/articles/Giants_On_The_Gridiron.pdf

NJ.com: NJ Sports Heroes

“
George Augustus Murtagh was born April 8, 1904 in Jersey City. Nicknamed Mickey as a boy, he excelled in a number of sports, including baseball and football. He attended St. Peter’s Prep, where he starred for the Marauders as a baseball catcher and football end in the early 1920s. Mickey was a six-footer with great quickness and agility. He could play any position on the field, but was best as an undersized lineman.
In 1922, Mickey was admitted to Georgetown University and made the varsity a year later. Mickey was part of a squad that included Jack Hagerty, Claude Grigsby and Babe Connaughton, Mickey’s hulking linemate—three of the top players in the region. Lou Metzger, Ching Hammill, Fred Sheehan and Gene and Tom Golsen were also key players. In 1924, Lou Little became the Hoyas’ coach. He tightened up the defense and in 8 games the team gave up a mere 39 points. Mickey, a junior, was a crucial player on both sides of the line. Unfortunately, the offense lacked scoring punch and Georgetown finished the year a lackluster 4–4.
The story was different in 1925. The Hoyas blew out Drexel, Detroit and Lehigh by a combined score of 89–0. These were not national powers, so Georgetown’s November game against undefeated Fordham at the Polo Grounds in New York was seen as the true test of their talent. The Rams had surrendered a mere 12 points t that time and were heavy favorites. Mickey and his teammates shocked the crowd with a 27–0 victory. Georgetown’s only loss in 10 games during 1925 was to Bucknell, by a score of 3–2, in a rain-soaked defensive battle.
After graduation, Mickey decided to give pro ball a try. The NFL had expanded east in 1925, establishing a team in New York owned by Tim Mara, a wealthy sportsman (aka professional gambler). Mickey and Jack Hagerty tried out for the Giants in 1926 at their Pennsylvania training camp and made the club. The two had become great friends by this point; not only had they starred for the Hoya gridders, but Mickey caught for the baseball team and Hagerty was the center fielder.
The Giants went 8–4–1 and finished 6th in the league in Mickey's rookie season. In 1927, Cal Hubbard joined the line and New York held opponents scoreless in 10 of their 13 games, finishing 11–1–1 to take the NFL crown. Were it not for a loss and a scoreless tie to the Cleveland Bulldogs, the Giants would have had a flawless season.
After a disappointing season in 1928—during which Mickey missed several games with a broken hand—Mara fired almost his entire club and rebuilt around Mickey, Jack Hagerty, future coach Steve Owen, Hap Moran, Mule Wilson and Olympic decathlete Tony Plansky. Mara did so by purchasing the entire roster of the Detroit Wolverines in order to get quarterback Benny Friedman, whos forward passing was about to revolutionize the pro game. During training camp in Asbury Park, Friedman seized control of the team, becoming the de facto coach, and got the veterans and dozen-plus rookies on the roster to buy in to his vision of what an NFL offense should be.
The results were immediate and impressive. In 1929 and again in 1930, the Giants led the NFL with 13 victories, but the rules of the times gave the title to the Green Bay Packers, the team with the best winning percentage.
Mickey manned the center position on offense and played defensive end and tackle. He was considered one of the finest all-around interior linemen in the game despite his size. At 6’1” 190 pounds, he was the smallest of the New York linemen for most of his pro career. He occasionally played in the backfield as a blocking back. In 1929, Mickey scored his one and only NFL touchdown against the Frankford Yellowjackets on a pass from Moran. In 1932, Mickey was injured in the season's third game. Rookie Mel Hein replaced him at center and never relinquished the starting job. Mickey decided to retire prior to the 1933 season.
After his NFL days, Mickey got into coaching. He joined Jack Hagerty's staff at Georgetown and was in effect the team's defensive coordinator. Between 1938 and 1940, the Hoyas went on a 23-game unbeaten streak. Mickey also coached the school's baseball team. In 1948, Georgetown voted to scale down its football program and Mickey became head of the intramural sports program (where tackle football was still offered). In the early 1960s, enthusiasm began building to restart varsity football and a couple of years later this vision was realized, much to Mickey's satisfaction.
In 1964, Mickey's name came up for voting in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He didn't make it, and he faded from memory in the decades that followed. He passed away in 1993

http://www.njsportsheroes.com/mickeymurtaghfb.html