Stapleton: Giants to sign Ross Cockrell

about. This still should not put a big our cap space for the crowd that wants to preserve our cap space for next year. This should be viewed as a positive for those that felt we needed another CB on the roster that is reliable. This also should be viewed as a positive for those that want to allow the young kids to play. If someone like Ballentine steps up then Cockrell should not be blocking (pun intended) him from playing. Same for Holmes.

I also like that article I posted that states how Belichick doesn't view DBs as starters. He looks at them as players. We have heard Judge and Graham say they will be multiple and part of that means matching up on the backend. It'll be like remember the Titans when the DB couldn't keep up with the WR and they changed players.

actually played pretty darn well for us in 2017.

In comment 14946289 robbieballs2003 said:

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Quote: Daniel Jones and Ross Cockrell both attended Charlotte Latin High School. Daniel Jones & Ross Cockrell both are Duke Blue Devils. Yes - definitely a noteworthy factoid. Daniel Jones & Ross Cockrell are both New York Giants now.

was this kid on the street? Everyone needs CB help.

Ross Cockrell continues to show he deserves a long term spot on this team, meaning he needs to be on this team in 2018. He brought in 2 interceptions, both of which he showed excellent body control and ball skills, 1 of which was in the end zone. This will be one of the major positives that comes out of the 2017 season; he has played exceptionally well and has steadily improved with the more playing time he got.

In all honesty with no bias, Ross Cockrell may have played the CB position better than anyone in the NFL over the past 4 weeks. While he hasn’t been overly tested when it comes to quality of his opponent, Cockrell has been dominant. He broke up 4 passes and intercepted another one. He is in the running for a starting job next year and it would be a help when it comes to their approach in FA and the draft if they know he is gonna be the guy.

Agree he was one of the few bright spots that 2017 season and its not like the pass defense had too much talent.

and both had an immense number of DB's on the field each week.

Both had 11-12 DBs on the 53 with almost all of them being active each game. Both also had like 8 different players playing significant snaps each game (30-40%+). Graham was playing 5 guys defined as safeties that many snaps each game.

So for this roster, before any injuries hit, we are probably looking at:

1. Bradberry (every snap he's healthy for)
2. Peppers (every snap he's healthy for)
3. McKinney (even as a rookie probably every snap he's healthy for)
4. Love (a lot of snaps in some kind of safety role)
5. Holmes (as many CB snaps as he can handle - likely primary nickel)
6. Cockerill (whatever outside or inside snaps 4 & 5 can't handle)
7. Balentine (depth outside snaps)
8. Williamson (depth snaps wherever he fits best)
9. Hartage (seems like a Graham guy so I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up playing more than 7 & 8)
10. Haley (I really hope someone knocks him off the roster)
11. Askew (who knows)
12. Ebner (STs)

I think there was room for another DB before Baker + Beal went out of the picture since there's always an injury or 2, so once they did a signing like Cockerill was necessary. Had they signed Logan Ryan he'd have had the upside to slot in at #2 or 3 and played every snap he was healthy for. I doubt they go for Ryan after adding Cockerill but another pickup may be necessary depending on their feelings on some of the young guys they've signed. They'd also tried to claim the CB who played with Graham in Miami a few weeks ago so I suspect we will continue to see a little bit of churn with those last couple DB spots.

In comment 14946644 LBH15 said:

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Agree he was one of the few bright spots that 2017 season and its not like the pass defense had too much talent.

I believe he signed as a UFA for more money than the Giants were comfortable paying him.

why didn’t they hold onto the guy? Apple being here shouldn’t have been a deterrent.

press man system. Haha. If we only knew we'd barely be pressing anyway.

In comment 14946676 robbieballs2003 said:

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press man system. Haha. If we only knew we'd barely be pressing anyway.

Bettcher’s system wasn’t a good fit for the Giants. Unfortunately the last few guys in here haven’t either.

at least Shurmur had some positive contribution towards the future the remains with Jones. Bettcher was a turd from beginning to end and literally every guy he brought over from AZ sucked except Golden.

In comment 14946667 Mike in NY said:

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In comment 14946644 LBH15 said: Quote: Agree he was one of the few bright spots that 2017 season and its not like the pass defense had too much talent. I believe he signed as a UFA for more money than the Giants were comfortable paying him.

Guys like Jonathan Stewart were the priority back then I guess.

In comment 14946738 LBH15 said:

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In comment 14946676 robbieballs2003 said: Quote: press man system. Haha. If we only knew we'd barely be pressing anyway. Bettcher’s system wasn’t a good fit for the Giants. Unfortunately the last few guys in here haven’t either.

I didn't realize Bettcher had a system

real riches to rags story.

Admittedly, he had some decent talent in AZ, but still his Giant tenure - lot of confusion, blown coverages, questionable schemes

failed to retain a talented player in Cockrell and didn't develop the players he retained. I'd love to hear from the players what went on with that defense

He had one in Arizona

In comment 14946743 LBH15 said:

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Guys like Jonathan Stewart were the priority back then I guess.

If you take a spin in the time machine, there is a fabulous quote in a Jonathan Stewart thread on the relative value of Cockrell vs. Stewart.

In comment 14946752 christian said:

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In comment 14946743 LBH15 said: Quote: Guys like Jonathan Stewart were the priority back then I guess. If you take a spin in the time machine, there is a fabulous quote in a Jonathan Stewart thread on the relative value of Cockrell vs. Stewart.

Fill us in

Panthers signed him as UFA to 2-Years, $6.8 million contract.

Has started and played well on the outside, but there idiots here to despute facts, BBI is becoming a breading ground for sport no nothings with no desire to look for facts, when you can bitch and try to sound like you know something by reading other idiots nonsense, Logan Ryan is a slot corner who has played on the outside some, Cockrell an outside corner who has played plenty of slot also, but we are in trouble if he has to play outside, ok then, brilliant, don't let the stats get into your way, follow it up with some Gettleman bashing, must be smart if he is bashing Gettleman.

In comment 14946754 LBH15 said:

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If you take a spin in the time machine, there is a fabulous quote in a Jonathan Stewart thread on the relative value of Cockrell vs. Stewart. Fill us in

The names have been removed to protect the innocent. As noted Stewart and Cockrell signed nearly identical contracts that offseason. Both guys ended up on IR for most/all of '18, Cockrell was able to book a respectable year as a part time starter in '19. I think Stewart might be a rapper now?

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Ross Cockerell -------- : 7/10/2018 4:39 pm : link : reply signed for the exact same money 2/6.8 million I don't see how anyone can seriously argue that Giants are better off with JS than RC. Are you kidding me??? ------ -- --------- : 7/11/2018 8:20 am : link Ross Cockrell makes us a better team? Stewart at least fills a need we've sorely been lacking - a goal line/short yardage runner. Exactly what role does Cockrell fill? 4th or 5th CB??

Didnt see a link posted for this film study yet, so if it was posted already I apologize.
Cockrell Film Study from BigBlueView - ( New Window )

In comment 14946803 christian said:

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In comment 14946754 LBH15 said: Quote: If you take a spin in the time machine, there is a fabulous quote in a Jonathan Stewart thread on the relative value of Cockrell vs. Stewart. Fill us in The names have been removed to protect the innocent. As noted Stewart and Cockrell signed nearly identical contracts that offseason. Both guys ended up on IR for most/all of '18, Cockrell was able to book a respectable year as a part time starter in '19. I think Stewart might be a rapper now? Quote: Ross Cockerell -------- : 7/10/2018 4:39 pm : link : reply signed for the exact same money 2/6.8 million I don't see how anyone can seriously argue that Giants are better off with JS than RC. Are you kidding me??? ------ -- --------- : 7/11/2018 8:20 am : link Ross Cockrell makes us a better team? Stewart at least fills a need we've sorely been lacking - a goal line/short yardage runner. Exactly what role does Cockrell fill? 4th or 5th CB??

The team sorely needed a short yardage runner? I think the Giants lead the league in short runs each year.

both got hurt that particular year so any game of gotcha isn't really all that revealing. Stewart's shelf life expired earlier because he plays RB and had a lot more tread on the tires, but he was not much different than Dion Lewis now (Lewis has less wear and tear). As Cockrell now isn't that much different than RW McQuarters (07) or Deon Grant ('10) or Keith Bullock ('10), or Leon Hall (16) or Antoine Bethea (18). Some vets towards the end of the road work out and some don't.

Right now in the present without the benefit of hindsight I don't think there's a wildly different value between Cockrell or Lewis either - as the league doesn't since their $ is likely similar. They are depth players we are hoping don't have to see significant time - and that's how all of the above were paid too, with some contributing more than expected and others contributing less.

Perhaps DG gets desperate soon, but not seeing a Logan Ryan in the cards otherwise.

In comment 14946743 LBH15 said:

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In comment 14946667 Mike in NY said: Quote: In comment 14946644 LBH15 said: Quote: Agree he was one of the few bright spots that 2017 season and its not like the pass defense had too much talent. I believe he signed as a UFA for more money than the Giants were comfortable paying him. Guys like Jonathan Stewart were the priority back then I guess.

I see that handles may change but that fixations stay the same....

Cockrell actually played pretty good ball and worked his way into the Panthers starting lineup for 11 games last year post injury. He had a really decent 55% completion against and 69 rating against on 67 targets. He’s a good bet to start opposite Bradberry. He’s also many years younger than all of the players you noted.

When the Panthers signed him, he was entering his 5th year in the NFL and 26-years-old. He was in a much different part of his career than Stewart. It’s no surprise he’s still a relevant NFL player and Stewart is, whatever Stewart is.

In comment 14946958 Jonesin 4 A Ship said:

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Didnt see a link posted for this film study yet, so if it was posted already I apologize. Cockrell Film Study from BigBlueView - ( New Window )

Cockrell is more than adequate to play in the Giant secondary. Read that he had a pretty brutal injury in the 2018 so 2019 year was a nice comeback.

In comment 14947008 chick310 said:

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In comment 14946958 Jonesin 4 A Ship said: Quote: Didnt see a link posted for this film study yet, so if it was posted already I apologize. Cockrell Film Study from BigBlueView - ( New Window ) Cockrell is more than adequate to play in the Giant secondary. Read that he had a pretty brutal injury in the 2018 so 2019 year was a nice comeback.

It’s a good signing. Gettleman is doing a nice job picking up one year deals for vets who should crack the lineup, contribute, and give the younger players time to develop.

In comment 14947007 christian said:

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Cockrell actually played pretty good ball and worked his way into the Panthers starting lineup for 11 games last year post injury. He had a really decent 55% completion against and 69 rating against on 67 targets. He’s a good bet to start opposite Bradberry. He’s also many years younger than all of the players you noted. When the Panthers signed him, he was entering his 5th year in the NFL and 26-years-old. He was in a much different part of his career than Stewart. It’s no surprise he’s still a relevant NFL player and Stewart is, whatever Stewart is.

He's 29. McQuarters was 30, Grant was 31, Leon Hall was 32. All were hanging on for their last few years and Cockerill is probably in that category now.

And going back 2 years I wouldn't blame any new regime for letting any player from the 2017 roster walk. If anything they tried too hard to salvage guys like Apple/Flowers (though there weren't too many alternatives). It is the same revisionist history some have with Devon Kennard. They may have had some moments here and since, and may have even been nice depth additions this past offseason, but neither was or will ever be more than that.

There’s nothing revisionist about the truth — both players went on to be unspectacular starters on other unspectacular teams — while the Giants are still struggling to man those positions. If healthy Cockrell and Kennard would have been starters on the 2018 and 2019 Giants. Cockrell has a shot to be the 2020 starter.

I think Cockrell has more tread than any of the players you listed — because he got a late start and missed the year with his knee he’s only got 5 years of wear and tear on his body, and looked fully recovered from his knee last year.

and most wanted it dynamited a lot more than it was. New regimes rarely retain previous regime's depth players in any sport. They turn over rosters and that's exactly what was needed in the case of 2017-2018.

And many (myself included) bought into some level of Bettcher hype. Only with hindsight of Bettcher's Arizona transplants (and really every aspect of what he did) not working out was it a mistake to not retain marginal depth players who left via FA.

If they believed he was a slot corner only.

but right now he might be the most proven CB behind Bradberry. Ballantine has the physical gifts, but needs reps and teaching, stat. Small school kids have a bigger leap to make it in the NFL.

The stats don't tell everything -- but Cockrell played a lot of snaps the last 3/4 of the season, and the vast majority were outside (87%).

He had respectable production numbers (8 PD, 2 INTs) and pretty decent coverage numbers (55% completion against, 69 rating against).

He's not the future, but he's a good get this late in the process.

...


NY Giants CB Ross Cockrell Highlights 2017-2019 - ( New Window )

didn't do a bad job here before. he's okay.

In comment 14947005 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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In comment 14946743 LBH15 said: Quote: In comment 14946667 Mike in NY said: Quote: In comment 14946644 LBH15 said: Quote: Agree he was one of the few bright spots that 2017 season and its not like the pass defense had too much talent. I believe he signed as a UFA for more money than the Giants were comfortable paying him. Guys like Jonathan Stewart were the priority back then I guess. I see that handles may change but that fixations stay the same....

Huh, what's bothering you now?

Let me ponder a guess, you defended the decision by DG to sign a washed-up Stewart?

In comment 14947081 JonC said:

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but right now he might be the most proven CB behind Bradberry. Ballantine has the physical gifts, but needs reps and teaching, stat. Small school kids have a bigger leap to make it in the NFL.

Cockrell went right to the top of the BBI Depth Chart at cornerback. Giants sound like they will have 3 new faces starting at CB when and if the season begins.