Friday Reading

Giants

GM

Schwartz NYP: Dave Gettleman may finally be on other side of Giants mess

“I don’t know why people have so much hate for Dave,’’ a former Giants player told The Post. “He got a franchise quarterback, a generational running back and a top, cornerstone-franchise left tackle in three straight drafts, and he didn’t give up a single draft pick to get any of them. There’s not a lot of franchises that can say that.’’

https://nypost.com/2020/05/28/dave-gettleman-may-finally-be-on-other-side-of-giants-mess/

QB

Rosenblatt NJ.com: Why this ex-NFL quarterback thinks Giants’ Daniel Jones was ‘phenomenal’ in 2019 and how he can take next step to stardom
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/05/why-this-ex-nfl-quarterback-thinks-giants-daniel-jones-was-phenomenal-in-2019-and-how-he-can-take-next-step-to-stardom.html

WR

Valentine BBV: New York Giants give speedy WR Derrick Dillon an opportunity
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2020/5/28/21270663/new-york-giants-wr-derrick-dillon-90-man-roster-profile

TE

Valentine BBV: New York Giants’ tight end Garrett Dickerson still trying to establish himself
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2020/5/28/21270597/new-york-giants-tight-end-garrett-dickerson-still-trying-to-establish-himself

T

Dan Duggan The Athletic: There are a lot of factors involved in the Giants' decision about where to play Andrew Thomas as a rookie. The Giants' offensive coordinator once played a top pick at RT before shifting him to LT after his rookie season. That turned out pretty well

Dan Schneier CBS Sports: I think there's an outside chance Thomas starts left tackle, but more likely he kicks off his #Giants career as the starting RT.
He won't be on the bench for Week 1, though.
However, if Nate Solder struggles as mightily as he did in 2019, I can see Thomas shifting over to LT

Vincent Rapisardi: I’ll stick to what I said after the draft:
Don’t rush Andrew Thomas.
If he proves from day 1 that he should start at LT, then fine, start him.
But playing him at RT first seems more logical.
Considering the difficulty of LT and the expectations of being the 4th overall pick

It’s only fair to allow Thomas to compete for the LT spot.
Starting spots should always be based on merit.
But unless he wows coaches during camp to the point where they have no choice but to start him at LT, I don’t see the reason to rush him.
Day 1 RT makes the most sense

Defense

Falato BBV: Summer School 2020: Glossary of defensive football terms
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/5/28/21272433/2020-nfl-ny-giants-summer-school-defensive-football-terminology

OLB

Falato BBV: Giants Player Profile: Lorenzo Carter, EDGE
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/giants-player-profile-lorenzo-carter-edge

Vincent Rapisardi: Kyler Fackrell was top 5 among LBs last season in QB hit %, Knockdown %, and Hurry % (150+ pass rush snaps).
Here’s an example of the hidden value that he brings to the Giants.

NFL

Belson NYT: N.F.L. Aims to Expand Reopening as Soon As Next Week
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/28/sports/football/nfl-rules-onside-kicks.html

Jones CBS Sports: NFL continues to misunderstand the data and analytics by tabling onside kick rule change proposal
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-continues-to-misunderstand-the-data-and-analytics-by-tabling-onside-kick-rule-change-proposal/

Breech CBS Sports: 2020 NFL schedule: Ranking the five most difficult stretches that any team will face this year
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2020-nfl-schedule-ranking-the-five-most-difficult-stretches-that-any-team-will-face-this-year/

Graziano ESPN: Ranking NFL QB commitment in 2020: How married all 32 teams are to their starters

“13. New York Giants
Starter: Daniel Jones | Signed through: 2022
Tier: Youngster on rookie deal | Ranking in tier: No. 2
Contract: Four-year, $25.6 million fully guaranteed contract signed in July 2019. It includes a team option for a fifth year in 2023.

Jones opens his second NFL season as the Giants' starter after a promising rookie year. He has a new coaching staff, and the general manager who drafted him isn't on the league's coolest seat. But the Giants used the No. 6 pick in the 2019 draft on him, and he'd have to play poorly for an extended period of time in order for them to consider giving up. He has about $4 million in guaranteed salary due in 2022 alone.”

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29224081/ranking-nfl-qb-commitment-2020-how-married-all-32-teams-their-starters?

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Falcons set to receive June salary-cap relief
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/falcons-set-receive-their-post-june-stimulus-check/7cMIGDcNA36pmDBWbpVz0J/

Ledbetter AJC: Alex Mack elated about Falcons’ return to the outside-zone scheme 
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/mack-elated-about-the-return-the-outside-zone-scheme/T4sYiaqfg3XHCIZClV8ruN/amp.html

BALTIMORE
Hensley ESPN Baltimore: Ravens' Harbaugh: No conventional offense for Lamar Jackson
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29237011/ravens-john-harbaugh-wants-lamar-jackson-improve-deep-balls?

Walker Baltimore Sun: Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon signs franchise tag tender
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-fbn-judon-franchise-tag-20200529-6enxkxwadrhy7jiu3g64ufsnni-story.html

Tom Pelissero NFL.com: With a dispute looming over position designation, the Ravens and Matt Judon agreed to meet in the middle: The one-year franchise tender he signed Thursday is worth $16.808 million, per source. That’s the midpoint between the DE and LB numbers. A rare compromise.

CAROLINA
Newton ESPN Charlotte: Panthers bolster secondary with deal for Apple
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29236675/carolina-panthers-agree-deal-cb-eli-apple

Mike Triplett ESPN NO: Had several Saints fans in my timeline make fun of the word "bolster." I don't get the hate for Eli Apple. Sure, he may not be elite. But he provided a lot more good than bad. Since Saints added him midseason 2018, they've had NFL's best record and top-11 D in yards and points

As I mentioned with Fred Thomas the other night, I don't think I could let my kids grow up to be CBs. So easy to dwell on the bad. I just did a film study of Saints' two games vs TB last year and Apple was very solid. Excellent against Perriman in Week 11 while Lattimore was ou

This is a fair description of Apple. Really felt like his star was rising before he struggled in back-to-back games vs. Atl and SF last year. But overall, he was a net plus for the Saints for a year and a half

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: NFL owners table a proposal to offer a 4th-and-15 play as an alternative to an onside kick
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-nfl-rules-changes-onside-kick-20200528-bsq2xrgypnhnjencf23powzmka-story.html

CLEVELAND
Trotter ESPN Cleveland: Even from a distance, Kevin Stefanski making strong early impression on Browns
https://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/27760/even-from-a-distance-kevin-stefanski-making-strong-early-impression-on-browns?

Labbe Cleveland Plain Dealer: ’Moving in silence’ is the best approach for Browns as they try to leave 2019 behind
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/05/moving-in-silence-is-the-best-approach-for-browns-as-they-try-to-leave-2019-behind.html

Poisal Browns.com: Joe Woods confident Browns defense will 'cause problems' for opponents
https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/joe-woods-confident-browns-defense-will-cause-problems-for-opponents

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns still interested in Jadeveon Clowney, source says; report says he’s balked at the ‘most money’ from them

“The Browns are still interested in Jadeveon Clowney, a source tells cleveland.com, but a report says he’s balked at their offer.”

“Here are a few other things to know about Clowney:
* He underwent core muscle surgery in February and should soon be fully recovered. It’s the same surgery Odell Beckham Jr. had in January, and that was expected to be about an eight-week recovery. It’s akin to the sports hernia surgery Kareem Hunt had before last season.
* Clowney’s three sacks in his 11 starts last year were seven fewer than Garrett’s 10 sacks in 10 starts. Clowney, 27, has never had more than 9.5 sacks, and has averaged 6.4 in his five seasons. His best two seasons were 9.5 sacks in 2017 and nine in 2018 in Houston.
* Critics say he doesn’t go hard on every play, but Clowney ranked No. 10 among edge-rushers by profootballfocus.com last season. Garrett was ranked No. 13.”

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/05/browns-still-interested-in-jadeveon-clowney-source-says-report-says-hes-balked-at-the-most-money-from-them.html

DALLAS
Dixon AP: McCarthy prepping for Cowboys job from old home of Green Bay
https://apnews.com/77365119f8722b83687f2e2bd8217641?utm_campaign=SocialFlow& utm_source=Twitter& utm_medium=AP_NFL

Michael Gehlken Dallas Morning News: Mike McCarthy on his communication level with Dak Prescott: "He's involved in a business situation, and I have full confidence he will be ready to go. There has been communication. This is the way these business situations go sometimes, and you respect that."

Mays The Ringer: Dallas’s CeeDee Lamb Pick Was More Than Just Another Flashy Move

“One of the basic principles that’s come from Football Outsiders’ research through the years is that offensive success is more consistent and more predictable from year to year than defense. A team committed to building a top-10 offense is more likely to be an annual contender than a team committed to building a top-10 defense. Even franchises with elite quarterbacks have benefited from adding quality offensive pieces whenever possible. Take a look at how the Chiefs have built around Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City is set to spend 51.8 percent of its 2020 salary cap on offense. That’s the 13th-highest rate in the league—but it’s the third-highest mark among teams with starting quarterbacks still on their rookie deals. The two teams ahead of the Chiefs with rookie-contract QBs—the Giants and Texans—are also carrying bloated salaries for guys like Nate Solder and David Johnson, which artificially inflate those numbers. The Chiefs are one of only two teams with five non-QBs each slated to take up at least 4.9 percent of their 2020 cap. You could argue that even with the league’s best QB on the roster, no franchise in the NFL has devoted more cap resources to its supporting cast than Kansas City.

Like the Cowboys, the Chiefs also spent their first-round pick on a seemingly superfluous skill-position player—LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. There are established drawbacks to taking a running back that high, but multiple people have told me that Kansas City was also targeting some of the draft’s top receivers with that pick. The Chiefs are dedicated to giving their superstar quarterback every chance to succeed and are relying on their offense to fuel their annual playoff chances. Dallas may be in a slightly different position now that Prescott is set to make more than $30 million a year (either on the tag or a future extension), but the mind-set is the same. Lamb’s cap hit in 2020 will likely land somewhere around $2.5 million; he will cost less on this year’s cap than a forgettable free-agent option would have, and his potential gives this Dallas offense a considerably higher ceiling—both this season and in the future. The best comparison for the Cowboys and Lamb might actually be the 2014 Packers, who took Davante Adams in the second round despite already having Cobb and Jordy Nelson at receiver. Green Bay threw Adams into the mix as a rookie and finished no. 1 in offensive DVOA en route to Aaron Rodgers’s second MVP award. As Nelson entered the final phase of his career and ultimately moved on, Adams was there to take over as the Packers’ top receiver.
Lamb’s real price tag isn’t rooted in finances or cap space. It’s about opportunity cost. By adding a third receiver rather than a pass rusher or defensive back (a spot Dallas eventually addressed in the second round with cornerback Trevon Diggs), the Cowboys ignored an immediate weakness to bolster a current strength. That risk may leave Dallas vulnerable, but that framing also ignores how the concept of “need” shifts in the NFL. A player like LSU pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson would have filled a more obvious hole on the Cowboys’ roster than Lamb does, but it may not take long for those circumstances to change.
Gallup has two years remaining on his rookie contract. When his deal expires following the 2021 season, Cooper will be taking up about 8.7 percent of the cap. And if other high-priced stars like Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Zack Martin are still on the roster, Dallas likely won’t have the financial wiggle room to retain Gallup. With Lamb now in place, the Cowboys will have a starting-caliber outside receiver ready to take over in the event they have to move on. Lamb’s deal will likely pay him about $3.5 million in 2022, which could look like a bargain if he develops into the player the Cowboys envision. By adding Lamb to the offense now, the Cowboys are eliminating a potential need before it ever arises. That decision may have left Dallas thin along the defensive line, but after adding Gerald McCoy at defensive tackle and signing reclamation project Aldon Smith to play on the edge, the Cowboys seem to believe they can piece a pass rush together by committee.

The draft requires a delicate balance between drafting for need and taking the best player available. Most executives know they’re working on borrowed time, and that urgency often pushes them to make decisions for the here and now while ignoring the long-term implications. The Cowboys’ front-office structure leaves them somewhat impervious to that issue. As the team owner and ultimate decision-maker, Jones has a unique opportunity to run his team with no outside pressure. He doesn’t always make the most of it, but he is constantly in a position to choose the long-term health of his franchise over the shortsighted whims that hold other teams back. Adding Lamb to an explosive offense may seem like a showy move that indulges the worst impulses of a franchise with a flair for the spectacular, but it’s actually a shrewd, forward-thinking choice. Picking Lamb was the rare chance for Jones to have his cake and eat it too, and it’s set up the Cowboys to thrive this season and beyond.

https://www.theringer.com/platform/amp/nfl/2020/5/28/21272608/ceedee-lamb-dallas-cowboys-team-building-jerry-jones

DENVER
Legwold ESPN Denver: Breaking down Broncos' four biggest positional overhauls
https://www.espn.com/blog/denver-broncos/post/_/id/35745/breaking-down-broncos-four-biggest-positional-overhauls?

DETROIT
Rogers Detroit News: There's plenty more on Taylor Decker's mind than an extension with Lions
https://amp.detroitnews.com/amp/5277453002

GREEN BAY
Wilde State Journal: Packers coach Matt LaFleur won’t miss the NFL’s foolhardy pass-interference reviews
https://madison.com/sports/football/professional/packers-coach-matt-lafleur-won-t-miss-the-nfl-s-foolhardy-pass-interference-reviews/article_9269745e-2093-5784-91b1-3d0d96c7f67c.amp.html

HOUSTON
Smith Houston Chronicle: Texans haven’t won enough with J.J. Watt
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/brian-t-smith/article/Smith-Texans-haven-t-won-enough-with-J-J-Watt-15299011.php

JACKSONVILLE
Reid Florida Times Union: Jaguars’ Gardner Minshew already showing why he’s the undisputed leader, franchise QB
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20200528/jaguarsrsquo-gardner-minshew-already-showing-why-hersquos-undisputed-leader-franchise-qb

LAS VEGAS
Raiders.com: Raiders re-sign tight end Paul Butler
https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-re-sign-tight-end-paul-butler

MIAMI
Jackson Miami Herald: Here’s the skinny on several intriguing Dolphins players from the man who’s training them
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article242937301.html

NEW ENGLAND
McInerney Boston Globe: The NFL banned Bill Belichick’s dead-ball ‘loophole’ to drain time off the clock
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/05/28/sports/nfl-banned-bill-belichicks-dead-ball-loophole-drain-time-off-clock/?

Kyed NBC Sports Boston: Jarrett Stidham’s College Coaches Give Intel On Patriots QB’s Mentality
https://nesn.com/2020/05/jarrett-stidhams-college-coaches-give-intel-on-patriots-qbs-mentality/amp/

Princiotti Boston Globe: During shutdown, Jason McCourty says, the ‘weird’ is becoming normal
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/05/27/sports/during-shutdown-jason-mccourty-says-weird-is-becoming-normal/

NEW ORLEANS
Just Nola.com: 13,000 fans in Superdome for Saints games? That's just one of many scenarios considered
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_20e866e8-a115-11ea-a910-dfe4b06e0a4a.amp.html

Just Nola.com: Versatile Saints OL James Hurst likely to line up at tackle, using upcoming suspension as motivation
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_e1012cde-a12f-11ea-a678-778a0818ce91.amp.html

NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: The Jets are Joe Douglas’ team now
https://nypost.com/2020/05/28/the-jets-are-offically-joe-douglas-team-now/

PHILADELPHIA
Hayes Phil Inquirer: ‘Well-behaving’ Eagles, NFL fans could make it ‘relatively safe’ to return to games, says virologist
https://www.inquirer.com/sports/eagles-philadelphia-nfl-sixers-nba-nhl-fox-chase-20200529.html

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Gadget guy or legitimate NFL quarterback? A look at what Jalen Hurts can do for the Eagles
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/jalen-hurts-eagles-oklahoma-nfl-draft-20200527.html

Murphy Phil Inquirer: The case for Devonta Freeman over LeSean McCoy for the Eagles
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-devonta-freeman-lesean-mccoy-running-back-options-20200528.html

McLane Phil Inquirer: Eagles positional reviews: Wide receiver
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-receivers-desean-jackson-alshon-jeffery-jalen-reagor-jj-arcega-whiteside-20200528.html

Duffy Eagles.com: Eagle Eye in the Sky: QB Progressions With Press Taylor and Quincy Avery
What does a quarterback do when he's dropping back to pass? How does he decide who to throw to? Eagles Passing Game Coordinator / QB Coach Press Taylor joins Fran Duffy to break down the mental side while renowned quarterback trainer Quincy Avery breaks it down from a mechanical side on the latest Eagle Eye In The Sky Podcast (Audio)
https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/audio/eagle-eye-in-the-sky-qb-progressions-with-press-taylor-and-quincy-avery

Duffy Eagles.com: Fran Duffy jumps inside the scouting process for the XFL with Eric Galko before looking back at the draft hauls for all of the teams in the NFC and AFC East Divisions on the latest Journey To The Draft Podcast

Eric Galko: This was a lot of fun.
I talked about how we use our unique analytics heavily (and why analytics shouldn’t be taboo in scouting), my process for watching players (background first!) and what makes our process unique. And of course, what happened in the XFL

(Audio)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jttd-229-inside-scouting-for-xfl-nfc-afc-east-draft/id1012581127?i=1000475884896

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Report: 49ers tweak Trent Williams’ contract
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Report-49ers-tweak-Trent-Williams-contract-15301273.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Seahawks mailbag: Is Jadeveon Clowney still on Seattle’s radar? And which veteran could be a cap casualty?

“: On Clowney, there’s no real specific news other than a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter this week that he turned down a contract offer from the Browns. That’s not a huge surprise because Cleveland’s interest has been known, and because Clowney hasn’t signed so he obviously has turned down every offer he has received.
The report leaves it unclear when Clowney turned down this offer (or what the offer was, other than to say it was the richest he has received). Cleveland.com reported Thursday that the Browns remain interested in Clowney and he is weighing his options, so the door may not be closed on the Browns.

Seattle remains interested in Clowney, too, but — say it with me now — only at the right price. And the Seahawks don’t have as much money to spend as they did in March — they would have to make a serious cut or two from the roster to create salary-cap space for Clowney. The Seahawks are listed as having $15.9 million in cap space as of Thursday by OvertheCap.com, but that does not include the contract of running back Carlos Hyde. His signing was announced Thursday, but his contract details are not yet available. The Seahawks also will need to pay bonuses for draft picks and keep some in reserve...”

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-mailbag-is-jadeveon-clowney-still-on-seattles-radar-and-which-veteran-could-be-a-cap-casualty/?

Henderson ESPN Seattle: How Carlos Hyde fits with Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny in Seahawks' backfield
https://www.espn.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/34066/how-carlos-hyde-fits-with-chris-carson-rashaad-penny-in-seahawks-backfield?

TENNESSEE
Gallagher Nashville Post: Former All-Pro RB calls Henry ‘situationally amazing’
Ex-New York Giants tailback Tiki Barber raves about star Titans' big-play potential
https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/tennessee-titans/article/21135488/former-allpro-rb-calls-henry-situationally-amazing

Davenport ESPN Nashville: How 2019 breakout rookie A.J. Brown can avoid sophomore slump for Titans
https://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/29814/how-2019-breakout-rookie-a-j-brown-can-avoid-sophomore-slump-for-titans?

WASHINGTON
The John Keim Report: WR guru David Robinson has been working with Steven Sims and sees him as the next Tyreek Hill. Plus an update on the future of Dez Bryant, Jordan Reed and Antonio Brown (Audio)
https://johnkeimreport.libsyn.com/steven-sims-is-going-to-break-out

Colleges/Draft

Sabin Detroit Free Press: If he thinks Michigan football has been close to a national title, Jim Harbaugh is delusional
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2020/05/28/michigan-football-jim-harbaugh-national-title/5271784002/

QB
Weiszer ABH: Southern Cal QB JT Daniels transferring to Georgia football
https://www.onlineathens.com/sports/20200528/southern-cal-qb-jt-daniels-transferring-to-georgia-football

History

Citak Giants.com: Hakeem Nicks discusses magical 2011 title run
https://www.giants.com/news/hakeem-nicks-giants-super-bowl-xlvi-new-england-patriots-eli-manning

PFJ: [Best AFL players not in HOF] At their PEAK (not necessarily HOFer because longevity is a factor for some voters) according to our research
1 Tom Sestak/Rich Jackson
3 Art Powell
4 Jim Tyrer
5. Earl Faison
6. George Webster
7. Abner Haynes
8. Cookie Gilchrist/Jim Nance
10. Dave Grayson/Ike Lassiter

Otis Taylor: Just my opinion, but only 4 great years (2 great, 2 very good)---but he'd be in top 15. Lionel Taylor and Henigan would be ahead of him...but for career, he'd pass some of those short career guys like Webter---got hurt, Jackson got hurt, Sestak got hurt, Faison gut hurt, etc

Rich Jackson: Issue with TOmbsone is not dominant, he was. But longevity.
is 3 great seasons enough?
Was All-Pro level 1968-1969-1970.
1971-missed about 1/2 season, injured
1972 shell of himself,
1966 barely played,
1967 played RDE 4½ sacks, kind of just beginning to be "a player)

Christl Packers.com: Bill Lueck, Part I: Ray Nitschke was better than Butkus
Guard from initial post-Lombardi era was first-round pick in ‘68

On the reduction in salaries after the merger agreement: "You know what Donny Anderson got as a No. 1 draft choice? $750,000. Grabo (Jim Grabowski) got $450,000. I thought maybe I'll get $75,000, $100,000. Guess what I got my second year? $17,500. Then to $21,500. Then what year did the World Football League come in? (pre-1974). That was the first year I started making money. I was on one-year contracts and I was making like $25,500 and had started every game in Green Bay except my rookie year. So the World League offered me $45,000, $55,000, $75,000 on a three-year contract. When I told Green Bay what I was offered, they matched it. They said, 'Bill, we'll send you the paperwork and it will be done.' The Eagles paid me my last year. My parents kept telling me to come back and go in the dairy business because they were ready to retire and all three of my brothers were in it. They said, 'You'll make more in the dairy business.'"

On Lombardi's role as general manager and his dealings with him: "He was in the locker room. Sure. I was always scared to death of him. You know the first time I met Vince Lombardi, my wife met him at the College All-Star Game. I came out of the locker room and my wife is standing there, and this older gentleman has his arm around her. They had never met, but she recognized him and said, 'Hi, Coach Lombardi, I'm Bill Lueck's wife.' I was scared to death. Am I in trouble? Everybody loved (Lombardi). All the wives."

On other members of a defensive unit coming off a third straight NFL championship: "I'll tell you the guy who did the most damage to the head was Ray Nitschke. He always tried to intimidate offensive guys. He almost always went after Bob Hyland. (Ken) Bowman would put up with no crap from Ray. On Fridays, we'd go out stocking hats and no pads. The linebackers wore helmets. We'd run through the plays and Ray would always tee-off on Hyland. (Nitschke) would test guys. I think he tried to see how tough you were and if you were going to fight back. My second year, Gale Gillingham said, 'Bill, you're going to be the next guy who gets tested.' They called me a mezzanine rookie the second year – until you played in a certain number of games. Gillie took me under his wing and said Ray is going to mess with you."
On what happened next:  "(I'm a) mezzanine rookie, and I had seen (Nitschke) take his frustration out every Friday on Hyland. Knocking him in the head, blooding his nose, just because he was (bleeped) off every Friday. Gale said, 'Bill, it's coming up on your turn. You're a starter now.' So we ran the slip block where Bowman would block the defensive tackle and I'd slip and block the middle linebacker. It's supposed to be like a walk-through. We leave the huddle and Gale says, 'Watch out.' I'm thinking I'm not going to get what we called, 'punked,' like Hyland did every Friday. And Gale told me if you let him know he can't just get away with abusing you like he does with Hyland, you'll get his respect. So I go through and sure enough, Ray goes bam across my forehead. He's got a helmet on and I've got a stocking cap, but I learned at the University of Arizona, the first thing you do is get the helmet off if you're going to have a fight or you're going to just bust your hands. As soon as he forearmed me, I got my hand under his helmet and pulled it up, and yanked his chinstrap off and I've got it in my hand. I was scared to death, but I took his helmet and, 'bang!' Hit him on the head. I used to be a bouncer in a bar and so I knew you can't let a guy up. So I started beating him down and they didn't pull me off of him until I had him on the ground. Ray Wietecha was still the line coach and he had seen (Nitschke) do that to Hyland so he didn't pull me off. I hit him about three times. Finally, the coaches pulled me off of him and everybody was laughing."
On whether that was the end of it: "We go into the locker room and (Nitschke) lockered about four, five lockers away and I didn't want to get in a fight in the shower so I went into the training room. He went in and took his shower, and I'm still kind of looking around the door from the training room. So then I went in and showered and never turned my back on him. I'm drying off and he's four, five lockers away and he's drying off. He gets dressed. I get dressed. But he's still standing around, so I go in the training room again. I look out and see he's gone. So I go out and guess who's leaning against the driver's seat door to my car? I'm like, 'I guess I better get ready.' I walk up to the car and he says, 'Bill, I want to apologize. I've just had a rough day. My wife and I got in an argument this morning before I left home. She's bossing me around.' I said, 'I get it. I just want to get along.' Guess what? We became best friends after that. We shook hands. We played basketball together. The guy (Nitschke) was a talented basketball player."

On playing against Dick Butkus vs. practicing against Nitschke: "Butkus was tough. He liked to forearm your head. But I didn't think he was as good as Nitschke. I thought (Nitschke) was more versatile, the way he could cover and everything. Coming up the middle or filling a hole on a running play, I thought Nitschke was better than Butkus."

https://www.packers.com/news/bill-lueck-part-i-ray-nitschke-was-better-than-butkus

Walker Colts.com: Howard Mudd Talks John Teerlinck, Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday
https://www.colts.com/news/howard-mudd-john-teerlinck-peyton-manning-jeff-saturday-one-on-one

Giants Birthdays 5-29

Ed Baker QB UDFA-Lafayette 1970 NYG 1970-1971 5-29-1948

Ed Baker Lafayette Journal: Cutting His Teeth in the NFL (2018)

“When I was 22, I came to a fork in the road. Do I endeavor to pursue my true vocational interest of dentistry or sign an NFL contract with the New York Giants in the hopes of making the team?
At Lafayette in the late ‘60s, I’d majored in biology and was also the Leopards quarterback for three seasons. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1968 season when we were 7-3—the best record in 30 years.

I never planned to play pro ball, but a couple NFL teams had expressed interest. Still, I was taken by surprise when I got a call from the Giants after the NFL draft concluded. I told Jim Trimble, personnel manager for the Giants, that I would come to camp if he would agree to pay me $3,500 to put toward dental school, and he did.
When I showed up for preseason camp, Y.A. Tittle was the quarterback coach. He felt I had the most potential of all the candidates, and soon the others were placed on waivers. During the first exhibition game against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 8, 1970, I heaved a 55-yard pass into the arms of receiver Rich Houston for a touchdown.
Y.A. told me that I’d made the team, but I was fearful to let the Giants know that I was supposed to get married that next weekend. I needed to report back to training camp at 7 a.m. on Monday!
I spent two seasons with the Giants.
In the off-season I decided to enroll at University of Tennessee Dental School, where they allowed NFL players to attend a six-month session from January to June. It was nice to have that break from football.
After the Giants, I had a year as a Houston Oiler where I played my only pro game outside exhibition season. That game was all it took for me to set an NFL record.
In the final game of the ’72 season, we were losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 40-10. I took over in the second half. I completed some nice passes, but, unfortunately, threw three interceptions (on two tipped passes) that were returned for touchdowns, an achievement I now share with the San Diego Chargers’ John Hadl and Giants’ Eli Manning. We ended the season 1-13.

The Oilers job ended at mini camp the following March when I met with Sid Gilman, general manager, and told him that I needed $15,000 for dental school or I would not be able to return. His reply was, “We don’t give dental scholarships.”
I played an exhibition season with the Raiders and was once again placed on waivers. I went back to dental school.
Two days into the new semester, New York Jets coach Weeb Ewbank called. Quarterback Joe Namath had separated his shoulder. I told Coach Ewbank that if he could make up his mind whether to place me on the team in a couple of days I would fly up. They brought in three other QBs, worked us out, cut the others, and signed me.
I had a Jets contract in hand for the 1974 season, but Joe was coming back. The best I could hope for was a third-string position, so I submitted a letter of resignation. It was the right decision not only for me but for my wife, who was completing her master’s degree at Memphis State.
A week or so later I got a call from Jim Garrett. You might know him as the dad of Lafayette head coach John Garrett and Dallas Cowboy coach Jason Garrett. Jim was the smartest coach I ever met in my professional career, and I met a lot of them. He was with the Giants during my stint in New York and was a booster of mine.
Jim had just become head coach of the Houston franchise in the new World Football League, and he offered me a two-year, no-cut contract. “Jim, I’m in dental school,” I told him. “I’m not coming down there.” He tried several times to change my mind, even calling me some names, but it was to no avail.
In 1975, I graduated from dental school and practiced until 2014, almost 40 years.
Looking back, I wore many jerseys, but the one that means the most is the one I wore as a Leopard.”

https://magazine.lafayette.edu/summer2018/2018/07/11/cutting-his-teeth-in-the-nfl/

Matt Bryant PK UDFA-Baylor 2002 NYG 2002-2003 5-29-1975

Sean Locklear RT FA-WAS 2012 NYG 2012 5-29-1981

The Robesonian: The pick is in: Looking back at Robeson County’s 4 NFL Draft picks (4-21-2020)

“With the 84th pick in the 2004 draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Sean Locklear, offensive lineman, from North Carolina State.
As the last person to have their named called on draft day from Robeson County, Locklear’s nine-year career took him to a Super Bowl.
Locklear started at right tackle for Seattle in 78 of the 97 games he appeared in from 2004 to 2010. During the 2005 season that included the Seahawks’ appearance in Super Bowl 40, Locklear did not miss a start in all 19 games. He helped clear the way for Shaun Alexander’s 1,880-yard season that included 27 touchdowns.
After his five-year deal with Seattle ended in 2010, Locklear signed with Washington for the 2011 season and then finished his career after the 2012 season with the New York Giants. He signed a one-year deal with Atlanta before the 2013 season, but did not play a snap.
Locklear’s career earning, according to Spotrac, is $24.8 million.”

https://www.robesonian.com/sports/133897/the-pick-is-in-looking-back-at-robeson-countys-4-nfl-draft-picks/amp

John Tautolo G UDFA-UCLA 1982 NYG 1982-1983 5-29-1959

Justin Tryon CB W-IND 2011 NYG 2011-2012 5-29-1984

Ted Watts CB TR-OAK 2005 NYG 2005 5-29-1958

Coffeyville CC: “Ted Watts, from Tarpon Springs, Florida, played defensive back for the 1977 Coffeyville Community College Red Raven Football team.  The 1977 team, coached by legendary Red Raven head coach Dick Foster, had an overall record of 7-3 with Watts being a major contributor to the team.  
 
After his one year at Coffeyville, Watts signed to play with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock, Texas. Watts was a two-time All-Southwest Conference first-team honoree during his time leading the Red Raider secondary from 1978-80.
 
Known for his speed and hard-hitting ability, from the safety position, Watts combined for 149 tackles and 19 pass breakups over his final two seasons. His final season in 1980 resulted in first-team All-America honors, making him just the second Red Raider defensive back in school history to garner the accolade at the time. 
 
Watts, who was the Pete Cawthon Memorial Team MVP in 1980 for Texas Tech, went on to be selected in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, beginning a six-year professional career that included stints with the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers.”

Pierson Chicago Tribune: GIANTS STAMPEDE PAST 49ERS (12-30-1985)

“Cornerback Ted Watts, who stepped in for injured Elvis Patterson after the opening kickoff and proved the Giants could do another thing the Bears have done: overcome injury.
Montana was unable to pick on Watts with the same success Simms and the Giants had against the battered 49er secondary...”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-12-30-8503300666-story.html