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Defenderdawg : 7/30/2020 9:23 am
Giants

Schwartz NYP: Evan Engram, Ryan Connelly avoid PUP list in major Giants boost
https://nypost.com/2020/07/29/evan-engram-ryan-connelly-avoid-pup-list-in-major-giants-boost/amp/

Rosenblatt NJ.com: How Nate Solder’s opt-out impacts Giants’ salary cap, and what they can do with that extra money (Sign Logan Ryan?)
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/07/how-nate-solders-opt-out-impacts-giants-salary-cap-and-what-they-can-do-with-that-extra-money-sign-logan-ryan.html

QB

Giants.com: Giants 2020 Position Preview: Quarterback
A detailed look at the Giants' quarterback room. (Video)
https://www.giants.com/video/daniel-jones-colt-mccoy-cooper-rush-alex-tanney-jason-garrett-jerry-schuplinski

WR

Art Stapleton The Record: Mentioned Evan Engram and Ryan Connelly avoiding PUP earlier. Another promising rehabber is back healthy: WR Corey Coleman, who tore his ACL on the first day of 2019 training camp.

Coleman as a role player in this offense is intriguing.

LT

Dunleavy NYP: Nate Solder opts out of Giants season amid son’s cancer fight
https://nypost.com/2020/07/29/nate-solder-opts-out-of-giants-season-amid-sons-cancer-fight/amp/

Schwartz NYP: Nate Solder’s gut-wrenching Giants decision should be applauded
https://nypost.com/2020/07/29/nate-solders-gut-wrenching-giants-decision-should-be-applauded/

Slater NJ.com: As Andrew Thomas replaces Nate Solder, here’s why Giants should be nervous about Daniel Jones’ protection | Opinion
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/07/as-andrew-thomas-replaces-nate-solder-heres-why-giants-should-be-nervous-about-daniel-jones-protection-opinion.html

Lombardo NJ.com: Projecting Giants’ offensive line after Nate Solder opts out of 2020 season | Could OT be an upgrade?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/07/projecting-giants-offensive-line-after-nate-solder-opts-out-of-2020-season-could-ot-be-an-upgrade.html

RV SNY: Domino effects of Giants' Nate Solder opting out of 2020 season
Solder's decision frees up cap space, but leaves Giants with questions
https://www.sny.tv/articles/domino-effects-of-giants-nate-solder-opting-out-of-2020-season

Traina SI.com: What's Next for the Giants After Nate Solder's Opt-out?
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/whats-next-for-the-giants-after-nate-solders-opt-out

Traina SI.com: Explaining the NFL Opt-out and the Salary Cap Impact
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/explaining-the-nfl-opt-out-options-and-the-salary-cap-impact

Duggan The Athletic: What Nate Solder’s opt out means for the Giants
https://theathletic.com/1961103/2020/07/29/what-nate-solders-opt-out-means-for-the-giants/

PFF: Will Andrew Thomas be starting at LT for the Giants?

He was PFF's OT1 in the 2020 draft w/ a 92.7 grade last season, 3rd best among all tackles in college football

Defense

Thompson SI.com: Key Opponent Matchup: Giants Pass Rush vs. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/key-opponent-matchup-giants-pass-rush-vs-cowboys-qb-dak-prescott

Falato BBV: Better or worse? Giants’ defensive line
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/7/30/21346145/better-or-worse-giants-defensive-line-dextrer-lawrence-leonard-williams-dalvin-tomlinson-bj-hill

CB

Falato BBV: Giants positional battles: How will the Giants split slot cornerback snaps?
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/7/29/21345897/giants-positional-battles-slot-cornerback-darnay-holmes-grant-haley-julian-love

Valentine BBV: Can DeAndre Baker win Commissioner’s Exempt List appeal?
Experts don’t think so
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/7/29/21345998/can-deandre-baker-win-commissioners-exempt-list-appeal-ny-giants-nfl

PFF NYG: The Giants added 2nd year CB Shakial Taylor yesterday who played in 5 games with the Colts last season.
Taylor was undrafted out of Kansas and picked off Kyler Murray and Sam Ehlinger in his final two collegiate games in 2018.

NFL

Breer MMQB: Mailbag: The Patriots’ Success Makes it Easier for Their Players to Opt Out
A rash of opt-outs in New England could partly be because the players have already achieved so much. Plus, how the opt-outs work contractually, an under-the-radar Super Bowl sleeper, moving the Super Bowl and how the draft would be affected if they cancel the season.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/07/29/mailbag-patriots-opt-outs-move-super-bowl

Albert Breer MMQB: Updated list of the highest paid non-QBs in football, by APY ..

1) DE Joey Bosa, LAC, $27.0M
2) DE Myles Garrett, CLE, $25.0M
3) OLB Khalil Mack, CHI, $23.5M
4) DT Aaron Donald, LAR, $22.5M
t-5) WR Julio Jones, ATL, $22.0M
t-5) OT Laremy Tunsil, HOU, $22.0M
t-7) DT DeForest Buckner, IND, $21.0M
t-7) DE DeMarcus Lawrence, DAL, $21.0M
9) DE Frank Clark, KC, $20.8M
t-10) WR Amari Cooper, DAL, $20.0M
t-10) DT Chris Jones, KC, $20.0M
12) WR Michael Thomas, NO, $19.3M
13) OLB Von Miller, DEN, $19.0M

Jason OTC: The Impact of the Covid Rules on the Salary Cap and NFL Contracts
https://overthecap.com/the-impact-of-the-covid-rules-on-the-salary-cap-and-nfl-contracts/

Corry CBS Sports: Agent's Take: Consequences of a lower 2021 salary cap, including the three teams who'll be hurt most
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-consequences-of-a-lower-2021-salary-cap-including-the-three-teams-wholl-be-hurt-most/

Bucky Brooks NFL.com: Notice how CBs aren’t cracking the top of the market.. There’s a belief in coaching circles that it’s hard to find a legit “shutdown” CB. Many believe the pass rush impacts the game far more than coverage. That’s why the investment skews heavily toward pass rushers (DE and DT)

Verhei Football Outsiders: Quarterbacks and Pressure 2019

“The highest pressure rate belonged to Sam Darnold of the New York Jets at 39.6% -- or, more accurately, 39.59%, just barely surpassing the 39.55% of Daniel Jones of the New York Giants. The Big Apple youngsters were followed by a trio of veterans: Russell Wilson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Deshaun Watson. For Wilson and Watson, this is nothing new. Wilson has never finished outside the bottom four, while Watson was last in this category in both 2017 and 2018. Fitzpatrick has usually been fairly average in this department, but when you trade away your best offensive lineman right before the season, pressures are going to happen.”

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2020/quarterbacks-and-pressure-2019

Wyshynski ESPN: How sports, coronavirus and hygiene mix: Spit, snot rockets and licking during return to play
https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/29547813/how-sports-coronavirus-hygiene-mix-spit-snot-rockets-licking-return-play

Mike Triplett ESPN NO: For this story, Drew Brees told me he has been trying to cut down on his longtime habit of licking his hands before every snap. “Trying to avoid it, but it has been so habitual for so long. You don’t realize how much you touch your face and lick your fingers until COVID hit.”

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Matt Ryan: ‘We’re uniquely built to kind of handle this’
https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/tom-bradys-absence-already-being-felt-patriots-opt-out-decisions?

BALTIMORE
Shaffer Baltimore Sun: Ravens star Lamar Jackson is an unprecedented quarterback approaching an unpredictable season
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-lamar-jackson-20200730-2u5e2onoonfz5kpysndlmuwj2i-story.html

BUFFALO
Gaughan Buffalo News: Duke Williams, Vincent Taylor go on Covid list, Cole Beasley on injured list
https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/duke-williams-vincent-taylor-go-on-covid-list-cole-beasley-on-injured-list/article_3fe8e010-d1e2-11ea-af85-a3a36904c9da.html

Maiorana Rochester Democrat: Buffalo Bills under-the-radar players for 2020: No. 10, FB Reggie Gilliam
https://amp.democratandchronicle.com/amp/5539983002

CAROLINA
Simmons Panthers.com: Matt Rhule making no complaints at start of unusual training camp
https://www.panthers.com/news/matt-rhule-first-carolina-training-camp

David Newton ESPN Charlotte: Panthers coach Matt Rhule on why he is beginning camp with 90 players instead of 80: “We had worked hard to take it to 90 guys we wanted to go camp with. Those guys worked hard all offseason. The rules say we can go down to 80 at any time (till Aug. 16). We thought we’d start off at 90 and see how things progressed

Joe Person The Athletic Charlotte: Rhule says Graham Gano looks great, healthy. "I haven't seen him kick, obviously. But I know the medical staff" is pleased.

Art Stapleton The Record: The Gano vs. Joey Slye kicking competition in Carolina is one to watch for the Giants.

CHICAGO
Chicago Tribune: Live tackling in training camp practices. The need for ‘laser focus.’ 4 things we learned from Bears coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-training-camp-ryan-pace-matt-nagy-20200729-oeux4trfanbflfftlgjcezofjm-story.html

Biggs Chicago Tribune: Factors outside the Bears’ control altered the quarterback competition. But Matt Nagy remains confident the right result will emerge from the camp battle.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-matt-nagy-mitch-trubisky-nick-foles-quarterback-20200729-j4fg3dmsifgqlhlmw5zplg5psm-story.html

CINCINNATI
Baby ESPN Cincinnati: Joe Burrow to get every opportunity to start for Bengals, coach Zac Taylor says
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29559515/joe-burrow-get-every-opportunity-start-bengals-coach-zac-taylor-says?

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Cleveland Browns team physician remains ’cautiously optimistic’ the NFL season will be played amid coronavirus
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/07/cleveland-browns-team-physician-remains-cautiously-optimistic-the-nfl-season-will-be-played-amid-coronavirus.html

Dan Schneier CBS Sports.com: Great OBJ thread from MattHarmon BYB the WR guru (or at least I'm calling him that).

Tough Q to answer: Will 2020 be a bounce back or beginning of the end.

When CoachNTurchyn and I watched OBJ on All-22 in 2018, we didn't exactly see the same player pre-2017 injury, TBH.

Matt Harmon Yahoo Sports: Odell Beckham's career success rate vs. man coverage scores in #ReceptionPerception:

2014 - 80.1%
2015 - 76%
2016 - 76.3%
2017 - (n/a)
2018 - 79.8%
2019 - 68.3%

Some context on this:

Odell Beckham's 80.1% and 79.8% from 2014 and 2018 are the second and third-best success rate vs. man coverage scores in #ReceptionPerception history (2014-2019).

His 2019 68.3% is 126th out of over 250 WRs in the database. Unreal fall.

Before 2019, Odell Beckham never recored a success rate vs. press coverage score below the *98th percentile* in any season charted for #ReceptionPerception. That's legendary type play, no one else is close.

Last year, he checked in at 64%, falling below the 43rd percentile.

Right away when charting 2019, he just didn't look right. My only conclusion to account for this kind of dramatic fall-off is that he was indeed playing through a debilitating sports hernia all year.

Doesn't leave all questions answered. Easy to say, "that was an outlier, he'll rebound." But what if it was the beginning of a decline due to mounting injuries? Impossible to know.

Personally, I'm leaving the candle lit for a bounce-back by a legendary talent. But, who knows?

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns guard Drew Forbes and tackle Drake Dorbeck opt out for the 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/07/browns-guard-drew-forbes-and-tackle-drake-dorbeck-opt-out-for-the-2020-season-because-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic.html

DALLAS
Schwab Yahoo Sports: 2020 NFL Preview: Just imagine Dak Prescott's price for Cowboys if he wins MVP (and he could)
https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/2020-nfl-preview-just-imagine-dak-prescotts-price-for-cowboys-if-he-wins-mvp-and-he-could-130024185.html

DENVER
Legwold ESPN Denver: Phillip Lindsay or Melvin Gordon? Broncos contend: 'You need two good backs'
https://www.espn.com/blog/denver-broncos/post/_/id/36059/phillip-lindsay-or-melvin-gordon-denver-broncos-contend-you-need-two-good-backs?

O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos Position Preview: New punter, long snapper join kicker Brandon McManus on special teams
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/07/29/broncos-special-teams-brandon-mcmanus-sam-martin/amp/

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions GM Bob Quinn explains why he's keeping 90-man roster to start training camp
https://amp.freep.com/amp/5534707002

Rothstein ESPN Detroit: A dining app, binder thicker than a playbook and Clorox packs: How the Lions got back to work
https://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/36695/a-dining-app-a-binder-thicker-than-a-playbook-and-clorox-packs-how-the-lions-got-back-to-work?

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions place Kenny Golladay, T.J. Hockenson, three others on COVID-19 list
https://amp.freep.com/amp/5540712002

Birkett Detroit Free Press: John Atkins becomes first Detroit Lions player to opt out of NFL season amid pandemic
https://amp.freep.com/amp/5540011002

GREEN BAY
Hodkiewicz Packers.com: Countdown to Camp: Za'Darius and Preston Smith have brought new life to Packers' defense
https://www.packers.com/news/countdown-to-camp-za-darius-and-preston-smith-have-brought-new-life-to-packers-d

INDIANAPOLIS
Colts.com: Chris Ballard On Start Of Training Camp, Potential Roster Cuts, Intriguing Position Battles
https://www.colts.com/news/chris-ballard-training-camp-roster-cuts-position-battles-covid-19

Ayello Indianapolis Star: Insider: Philip Rivers 'buying in' to Colts way of doing things
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/5536837002

Ayello Indianapolis Star: Colts: Vinatieri era in Indy seemingly over; McLaughlin, Blankenship to battle for job
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/5536851002

JACKSONVILLE
Eugene Frenette: Florida Times Union: Every player pretty much gets paid by what the market says he should get paid. It's like what Parcells said about a team being what their record says they are. Value of YN will go up/down largely based on his production in 2020. He's not Bosa or he would have been paid as such.

Reid Florida Times Union: Will Joe Schobert be the answer at middle linebacker for Jaguars? Six questions as camp opens
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20200729/will-joe-schobert-be-answer-at-middle-linebacker-for-jaguars-six-questions-as-camp-opens?

KANSAS CITY
Teicher ESPN KC: Chiefs RB Damien Williams opting out of 2020 season
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29560047/chiefs-rb-damien-williams-opting-2020-season?

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Miller LA Times: Amid pandemic, Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert must be prepared to play at any time
https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2020-07-29/chargers-coach-anthony-lynn-speaks-for-first-time-from-camp?

MIAMI
Salguero Miami Herald: Flores charged with keeping Dolphins healthy in pandemic and, you know, making them good
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article244568457.html

MINNESOTA
Tomasson Twincities.com: Confident undrafted rookie Nevelle Clarke eager to show Vikings he’s a ‘top guy’
https://www.twincities.com/2020/07/29/confident-undrafted-rookie-nevelle-clarke-eager-to-show-vikings-hes-a-top-guy/amp/

NEW ENGLAND
Volin Boston Globe: Even with veteran players starting to opt out, undrafted rookies and other youngsters are going to have a hard time making an impact this training camp
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/29/sports/having-no-preseason-games-really-hurts-chances-undrafted-nfl-rookies/

Curran NBC Sports Boston: Is Tom Brady's absence already being felt in Patriots' opt-out decisions?
https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/tom-bradys-absence-already-being-felt-patriots-opt-out-decisions?

NEW ORLEANS
Just Nola.com: For Sean Payton, this isn't training camp. This preseason is the 'antithesis' of training camp.
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_2d00b1bc-d1d3-11ea-8b8a-6b373195e49b.amp.html

NEW YORK JETS
Mehta NYDN: Jets’ Joe Douglas should trade for Jaguars pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue with extra picks in Jamal Adams trade
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-yannick-ngakoue-joe-douglas-jamal-adams-trade-draft-picks-20200730-ff7g657qb5c25o4izywhf64c64-story.html

Cimini ESPN NY: 'Boring' Sam Darnold not taking any health risks as Jets' camp begins
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/83655/boring-sam-darnold-not-taking-any-health-risks-as-jets-camp-begins

PHILADELPHIA
Smith Phil Inquirer: Eagles rookie K’Von Wallace says he takes coronavirus seriously: ‘I have a family back home that’s counting on me’
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/ealges-coronavirus-kvon-wallace-rookies-nfl-training-camp-20200729.html

Jimmy Kempski Phillyvoice: With Marquise Goodwin opting out, and not including Alshon Jeffery (who is unlikely you be ready for Week 1), all the remaining non-DeSean receivers on the Eagles’ roster have a combined 52 career catches for 631 yards and 2 TDs.

PITTSBURGH
Graves AP: Roethlisberger’s return raises expectations in Pittsburgh
https://apnews.com/4bcea16603052179aa4c0a89db5510d0?utm_campaign=SocialFlow& utm_source=Twitter& utm_medium=AP_NFL

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Bucs’ Cameron Brate recovered from the coronavirus, promotes plasma donations
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2020/07/29/bucs-cameron-brate-recovered-from-the-coronavirus-promotes-plasma-donations/

TENNESSEE
Bacharach The Tennessean: As Titans open training camp, one big question emerges: Where is Vic Beasley?
https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/5536281002

WASHINGTON
Carpenter Washington Post: Washington’s NFL team is engulfed in chaos. Ron Rivera has a history of thriving in it.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/29/washingtons-nfl-team-is-engulfed-chaos-ron-rivera-has-history-thriving-it/

Colleges/Draft

Scarborough ESPN: College football players skipping the season for the NFL draft: Is this the start of a new trend?
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29560378/college-football-players-skipping-season-nfl-draft-start-new-trend?

CB
Adam Schefter ESPN: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley, a projected first-round pick, is the first college player to opt out of the coming season, a source tells ESPN. Farley will spend the year training for the NFL draft. He has seen NFL players opt out and is uncomfortable with playing this year.

Former Giants News

Queens Daily Eagle: Ex-Giant Kory Blackwell from Queens embraces role as NYC probation officer
https://queenseagle.com/all/ex-giant-from-queens-embraces-role-as-nyc-probation-officer

History

Johnson Hazlitt.com: Concerning the Many Legends of the Cyclone Named Jack Trice

“To whom it may concern,
My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life. The honor of my race, family, & self are at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will! My whole body & soul are to be thrown recklessly about on the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break thru the opponents line at stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference & fight low with your eyes open and toward the play. Roll block the interference. Watch out for cross bucks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good.
Jack”

“Trice was injured on one of the first few plays: a broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder. He stayed in the game. According to the rules, if he left, he couldn’t have returned until the second half.
At some point in the third quarter, Trice got hurt again. This time it was his abdomen, and this time he was unable to continue. Later, some reports would say doctors found lung hemorrhages and internal bleeding.
Trice likely downplayed what was happening inside his body. Multiple accounts say he protested to keep playing but was helped off the field by two teammates and taken immediately to a Minneapolis hospital. A doctor there said his condition was serious, but allowed him to go back to Ames. The injuries were not professionally diagnosed until after Trice rode home on a straw mattress in a train.
Perhaps that doctor failed Trice. But note this: We have no way of knowing whether anyone investigated it.
Trice arrived at Iowa State’s campus hospital. Sunday night, a specialist determined there was nothing they could do for his internal bleeding, not even emergency operation.
Cora Mae was in the campus cafeteria Monday afternoon when one of Trice’s fraternity brothers summoned her to the hospital.
“When I saw him, I said Hello Darling,” she later wrote. “He looked at me, but never spoke. I remember hearing the Campanile chime 3 o’clock. That was Oct 8th, 1923, and he was gone.”

“Jack Trice Stadium remains the only FBS stadium named after a Black man.”

https://hazlitt.net/longreads/concerning-many-legends-cyclone-named-jack-trice

Dan Daly: Late Night "Who am I?": I hold the NFL record in the obscure category of: Most TD Passes Thrown By A QB Who Threw The Exact Same Number Of Interceptions.

Answer: Jake Plummer runs away with this one: 161 TD passes, 161 interceptions. Distant 2nd place: Bob Berry with 64 of each.

Dan Daly: HOFers Jim Brown and Cliff Battles are the only #NFL RBs to pull off this trifecta. What is it? (If it helps any, Steve Van Buren, O.J. Simpson & Walter Payton got 2 legs of it.)

Answer: Battles (215/576/3,511) & Brown (237/1,863/12,312) both held, at one time or another, the NFL records for rushing yards in a game, season & career. Van Buren (1,146/5,860), Simpson (273/2,003) & Payton (275/16,726), were 2 out of 3.

Granted, Battles' season record is a cheap one. He did it the first year the NFL kept official records (1932). But when he walked away from the game after the '37 season, his 874 rushing yards that year were 2nd-best "all time" behind Beattie Feathers' 1,004 in '34.

Also, that 874 figure wouldn't be topped until Van Buren went for 1,008 in 1947. So Battles still had the No. 2 season rushing total a decade after he retired. Pretty damn good in those fast-changing times.

Dan Daly: Jim Brown was the 1st #NFL back to have 3 seasons with 1,000 rushing yards and a 5-yard average. (He had 5 total.) O.J. Simpson was 2nd. Who was the 3rd?

Answer: The Bengals' James Brooks was the 3rd #NFL RB to have 3 seasons with 1,000 rushing yards and a 5-yard average. Quite a productive back in his day.

Dan Daly: Who am I? 5 players in history have intercepted 6+ passes in a season with 3 different teams, but I'm the only one who did it across 2 leagues, starting in the NFL and ending in the AFL.

Answer: The inimitable Johnny Sample had 6+ interceptions in a season with the Steelers, Washington & AFL Jets. Had a pick-6 for the Colts in the 1959 NFL title game to break it open in the 4th quarter an INT near the goal line in Super Bowl III *vs.* the Colts.

Giants Birthdays 7-30

Levine Toilolo TE FA-SF 2020 NYG 2020 7-30-1991
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