Giants Add Myles!

Right after the draft last night, the Giants signed Moutaineer WR Brandon Myles. This kid has a HUGE ceiling. His game was hidden and his development slowed by playing in a run first, second and third offense at WVU. Brandon Myles will remind Giant fans of Ron Dixon, but without any of the knee problems. Drew Boylhart compares him to Chad Johnson. And yes, he is that kind of talent. He is also a willing blocker in the running game (what choice did he have). The Giants now have 3 pretty exciting young receivers under contract in Moss, Smith and Myles, and three others are also pretty interesting: Anthony Mix, Brandon London (`07 UDFA) and Marco Thomas (`07 UDFA).

Giants About to Add a Tackle?

Talk is hot and heavy right now that the Giants will add displaced Cleveland Left Tackle Kevin Shaffer to their left tackle competition. I think this would be an excellent move making us deep at tackle with McKenzie, Shaffer, Whimper and Koets and would restore David Diehl to his left guard spot, where he's been excellent. What's more the loser of the LT competition becomes 3rd T and Koets gets a year to develop. Since we wouldn't be responsible for Shaffer's bonus, just his salary, we could trade him again, or just cut him when Whimper and Koets are ready.

Shaffer was a good player for Atlanta and really took to Alex Gibbs' system. He was not as effective in Cleveland where they wanted him to play a more straight ahead smashmouth system. When Luke was with the Giants, they let him play McNally technique while everyone else played the new technique, and they'd probably be willing to let Shaffer do the same with this Gibbs technique if he's able to beat out Whimper.

In all, I'd rather have a new tackle holding the spot or losing it to Whimper, than David Diehl, a terrific guard who gets better every year. I'd rather not disrupt his career by moving him to LT to keep the spot warm for Whimper.

Come to Think of It: We Met All of Our Needs

Some time today I realized that if I took all the names off the picks and just looked at their numbers and their film, I would have been very impressed by the way the Giants attacked their needs this weekend. I think yestderday I was annoyed that they had passed on Jarrett at 20. Well, they needed a corner and if you'll notice after the Giants took Aaron Ross at 20, no other corner was chosen for quite some time. The Giants did try to trade up to pick Jarrett as he fell, but the price was too steep.

They took Steve Smith in the second and this pick is looking better and better. Not only is Steve now faster than he was at USC, but his mentor these days is Jerry Rice. Those of us who are USC fans, always really liked Steve but saw him as more quick than fast and a third or fourth round guy. People who saw him blow the doors off the combine, saw him as a first round guy, now that he's found that extra gear, you gotta love the pick.

In the 3rd the Giants took Jay Alford, a lifelong Giants fan who likes to hang out at the Hooters in Wayne, NJ. He's also a passrushing, penetrating, high motor defensive tackle, that will give us sacks and TFL's. He has a first step to rival Osi, Tuck and Kiwi. Nice pick.

In the 4th we got Zak DeOssie. Zak's a big and gifted athlete from a lower level of competition. He projects as a SAM but should raise hell on specials till he's ready. He's a bigger, faster version of Chase Blackburn, both are highly instinctive guys who are murder on specials. Zak is also a long snapper.

In round 5 the Giants snagged freakish TE Kevin Boss from Western Oregon. This guy has a lot of basketball to go with the football in his background. Had he not torn a labrum and missed a lot of time this past season, he would have gone much higher. He was a great value pick in round 5.

Round 6 brought the offensive tackle many were clamoring for. This one is called Adam Koets from Oregon State and he is a polished pass blocker with excellent feet. He needs to add some strength and improve his run blocking, but he's got the great feet you look for in a left tackle, and he and Whimper will now compete to see who's ready first. This was also a great value pick.

In the 7th, we got Michael Johnson a ballhawking safety from Arizona who was projected to go on day 1. He was fabulous value there and he is not a maxed out athlete at all. He still has lots of upside. And finally in the 7th, we took the pass catching running back I have been asking for since early in the week. Ahmad Bradshaw will remind you of Tiki and Meggett when you watch tape and that's just the kind of pass catching back the Giants have always done well with.

In all, they met all their needs with strong prospects, and that's what drafts should do for you. Good job, Jerry.

Day 2

The Giants have historically done well on day 2, with this exception of a few years when Boisture had been given too much power in the mid-90's. There are lots of players I still like, and we still need to hit scatback, TE, safety and maybe LB. I feel a lot better today than I did yesterday about our picks. Reese did what he always does and got very productive players with outstanding measurables. Alford isn't a workout warrior, but on tape he shows an explosive first step and will remind you of Tommie Harris of the Bears.

So let's pick 5 or more great prospects today!

Bad Day at the Office

Jerry Reese completed a completely unimpressive first day of the draft by selecting an undersized DT from PSU named Jay Alford. Alford had 8 QB sacks this past season and I guess that was the grabber cause he had a cruddy combine. Apparently new DC Steve Spagnulo has had a huge hand in the proceeedings today, and it really makes me wonder if Reese is a boss or a follower. Every pick they made seemed, on the face of things, to be a reach. Ross gave up tons of completions in college. Steve Smith's upside is an average NFL #2 or #3 and Jay Alford isn't even a very good athlete. When Jerry has made picks in the past they have at least met certain athletic minimuns. Not so with Alford who might have been a second day pick or a post draft signing if Reese at the behest of Spags hadn't flagged him down in the third, when there were still MANY better players on the board. I've been a Reese fan for years, but I find that I am not much of one today.

Reese's First Pick

With Dwayne Jarret, Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meachem, Brandon Meriweather, Reggie Nelson, Eric Wright and Marcus McCauley still on the board, Jerry Reese with his first pick as Giant GM selected overage CB/RS prospect Aaron Ross. Ross couldn't start at Texas till he was 24 years old and is still primitive in coverage. He is a good return man, but that's not worth all we passed up to get him.

UPDATE: Like every Giant fan, I have now learned more than I ever thought I would about Aaron Ross. Turns out, he's an older prospect because he moved in High School and the NCAA lost some of his records. He ended up having to retake a high school class that he had already gotten and A in. He got an A the second time, too.

I still wish we had gone WR or S or at least traded down some, but I''ve cooled off a little and hope we do better over the rest of the draft.

Make Us Proud, Jerry

With the Yankees and Rangers doing nothing but embarrassing their fans this week, we need you to bail us out over the weekend by putting together a brilliant draft class. We need a WR, a Pass Catching Back, a TE, a S, a LB, a CB, a DT and maybe some OL. Make it happen, Jerry!

Yanks on Their Way to Losing Again

This is the man who keeps putting Mientkiewicz in the Yankee line-up. I wonder how many in a row they would have to lose in a row before the Yanks would finally make a change. We're on 6 and 7 is looming.

Rangers Dress Rachunek, Isbister, Automatically Lose

What an idiot this guy is when it comes to who to dress. We're down 2-0 now and I don't see him putting the right guys out there to change our luck.

Rangers Tonight

At Buffalo, 7pm again. Hopefully they'll be play just the Sabres and not the Sabres, the refs and the scum in Toronto again tonight.

Keep Him Up

It was not perfection by any stretch of the imagination, but there was a lot to like about what the Ace of the fucha showed in his major league debut. Most importantly, he didn't walk the park, which I've seen in so many debuts, that it's become more trite than worrisome to me. No, Phil posted a 5/1 strikeout to walk ratio in 4.1 ip. I think it would have been even more impressive if a) the ump wasn't squeezing the kid a bit and b) Po wasn't calling fastballs in fastball counts to people like Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas. The ability of Hughes and Posada to set up hitters will come, but I think their unfamiliarity lead to more hits than we'll generally see for Hughes tonight.

Anyway, the Yanks should keep him up. He's better than Karstens, Rasner, Wright and Igawa and it won't be much longer before he's better than all of them. He's that good, and he doesn't even have his plus/plus fastball yet. At this stage their's nothing to be gained or learned from him doing to AAA what he did to AA. In fact, he's better spending the next several months in a pennant race with Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Mo Rivera, Ron Guidry and just maybe Roger Clemens. Mussina's already done some mentoring with him and it's time for the lessons to continue, in the majors where Hughes belongs.

BTW, he was sensationally self possessed in his postgame interview. Good show, even if it was a bad result.

The Phil Hughes Era Begins!

Here he comes, people! Well, I hope he gives us a quality start, but I would understand if he's a little overwhelmed. He's gonna be great eventually, though.

Sadly, Derek Jeter won't be in there backing him up cause he's still to hurt from that pitch that put him out in the first inning on Tuesday. It's a shame teams have no fear whatsoever about hurting Yankees with pitched balls. Here's hoping our next manager isn't on estrogen therapy.

Rangers Screw The Pooch

Lundqvist lost it for a few minutes in the second and a 0-0 game became a 3-0 game. He obviously got no help from his D and Malik and Mara both made incredibly bad plays on successive goals. But the big problem tonight was all of the penalties the refs called against the Rangers. They first goal came on the 6th pp advantage that the Sabres had. It hasn't looked like the refs are calling things evenly.

Two Change of Pace Backs I Have Reservations About

Darius Walker RB Notre Dame

Garrett Wolfe RB Norther Illinois

Two change of pace backs I have sort of mixed feelings on are Darius Walker and Garrett Wolfe. I was more down on them before the Giants made the Ruben Droughns deal (before that I was looking for someone who could split some carries with Jake, but we got him). Anyway, both Walker and Wolfe have since worked out a little bit better than I thought they would and I am reconsidering both as change of pace back is on my get list this coming weekend.

Darius Walker has great hand and run vision. He's also very shifty with the ball. My concern with him is that he made big plays for first down, but he rarely if ever made the kind of big play where he scored from way out. I kind of want the Giant 3rd down back to be able to score from anywhere. Having said all that, he's a very good player and since Droughns is in the fold, I would gladly accept him as a Giant in the middle rounds.

Garrett Wolfe is tiny. But he is a great and explosive player. But he's tiny. Like Meggett. I worry about his size and the fact that he never did much while I was watching, but the #'s are so outstanding, it's clear I missed a lot. This is another player I would gladly accept on day 2 as the Giants change of pace back.

The 5 Round and Beyond

Okay, it has been almost impossible to find pictures of some of my favorites second days prospects, like scatbacks Alonzo Coleman of Hampton, Marcus Mason of Youngstown State and Arkie Whitlock of SIU. There are also some intriguing DB's and big ol' Louis Leonard a running stuffing DT from Fresno State. They're all in my mix for our 4 picks between round 5 and and the end of round 7. One guy who has really taken a tumble who I would be interested in is Kyle Young a big C/G/T from Fresno State. He's a good football player, and I'd love to get him in the 5th or 6th. So ultimately, lack of usable pictures is gonna cut my picks feature short, but I want to come out of the draft with at least 8 quality athletes and I want at least one to be a WR that can be Eli's go to guy, and one running back who can catch passes out of the backfield. On D, I want a linebacker and some DB's and maybe a DT. I also expect Reese to geet us some good players from amongst the ranks of the undrafteds. Do it, Jerry!

Rangers Tonight!

The Rangers start their second round playofff series in Buffalo at 7pm. The Sabres are in for a surprise: this is a much more physical Ranger team than the one who they last met in December. If the Rangers play physically they will negate a lot of the Sabres' speed.

Yanks Lose Again, More Lousy Overmanaging

First off, Scott Kazmir hit Derek Jeter in the thigh in the top of the first with a fastball and Jeter had to leave the game. Did any Devil Ray get hit? No. So guess what? You don't have to be the least bit careful about hitting Yankees. I hope Jeter's back tomorrow.

Secondly, Chien Ming Wang returned tonight and was great, though his final numbers won't show that.

Third, Torre blew this one. The Yanks had taken a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. Wang got a quick out, then gave up a hit and a double so there were men on 2nd and third with 1 out. This is where it gets inexplicably weird. Wang had only thrown 81 pitches. So Joe lifts Wang for Vizcaino and has Viz walk the bases loaded to set up the double play. Now, who is the best double play inducer on the Yanks? That's right kiddies, it's Wang and he had only thrown 81 pitches. Why not leave him in have him walk the guy and see if he can't get a DP. Now Viz goes to a full count on the second guy before getting a scary line-out. And then it got weirder, need 1 out any way we could get it, Joe decided soft tossing Mike Myers was the guy to get Carl Crawford, who was 3-3 already. Not Bruney, not Henn, not Farnsworth, but Mike Myers, who promptly gave up a grand slam. Why is this guy even on the roster?

Oh and not satisfied just having Cairo in for Jeter, Torre lifts Phelps for Melky as a pinch runner with the bases loaded in the 7th, then pulls then, leaves Melky in for Damon in the bottom of the 7th and puts Mienkiewicz in at first, so our 9,1 and 2 hitters to end the game went from Phelps, Damon and Jeter, to start things to Melky, Minky and Cairo to finish the game. The Yanks are now in last place. Part of that is health related and part of that is a reflection of absolutely terrible decisions by their manager.

6 Fourth Round Favorites

Antwan Barnes LB Florida International

Mike Walker WR Central Florida

Jacoby Jones WR Lane

C.J. Gaddis CB/S Clemson

Usama Young CB Kent State

Clark Harris TE Rutgers

I like Antwan Barnes at LB just about as much as Durant and Black. He's a great fit for the Giants and he'd be a STEAL right here.

If we haven't taken a WR by round three both Mike Walker and Jacoby Jones would be bargains in round 4. Walker is a go to guy who could eventually catch 80-100 passes a season from Eli. Jacoby Jones is a big receiver who doubles as a great return man. He has a huge upside and his development will depend on what coaches he gets.

Two d-backs I love are Clemson's CJ Gaddis and Usama Young of Kent State. Both fit the playmaker mold the Giants need. Gaddis might also be a plus safety so if they haven't added one by round 4, he's a possiblity (there's another S named Josh Gattis who I like a lot here, too). Usama Young is a playmaking cb with the size, speed, agility and hands you're looking for. He was a little inconsistent at Kent State, by that I mean he was amazing in some games and just solid in other games. He's a late riser, but he may still be available here.

Clark Harris is probably my second favorite TE in the draft. I think his production was really held down by crappy QB at Rutgers and it's left him a little underrated now. He's a big kid who can run and catch and block. He doesn't have the AA of former Giant TE Visanthe Shiancoe but I bet Pope can get him up to speed faster. BTW, he's had some plays that have reminding me of #89.

In the 4th round, it's hard to guess who'll be available, and this is a round where we have to have more options and a place where OL or DT would also make sense - as he we hit both positions with good players last year in the 4th. Tomorrow we'll try to have some 5th round faves, but it's getting tougher to figure out who'll be there.

Yanks Lose Again, Lousy Pitching and More Overmanaging

With the bases loaded and the Yanks down 4 in the 8th tonight, the svengali of the stupid switch, pinch hit an icecold Johnny Damon for Phelps who had gotten an RBI by drawing a bases loaded walk in his previous at bat. Damon has been hurting and slumping, but if you wanted to PH him why not do it one batter later for Melky? It was a really unnecessary switch and Damon ended up popping out. More absolute crap from Igawa, who may need to work it out in AAA if we ever get enough healthy starters back. Melky, who I've been a huge suporter of had another pretty terrible night. It seems like he's been spiking a lot of rallies lately as well has hitting a ton of balls to second. Maybe he should work it out at AAA. He's not getting anything done for the Yanks and he misplayed another flyball that he should have caught. Love the kid, but he needs to get his head out of his butt. Mo pitched a scoreless 8th and gave us a hint that he might be back.

Oh and ARod hit two more homers and scored 4 of the Yanks 8 runs. The Yanks shouldn't have to score more than 8 to win. We need pitching.

Rest in Peace, David Halberstam

I have just gotten the bracing news that David Halberstam, one of my favorite writers has died in a car accident. If you haven't pick up any book with his name on it and read it. He wrote insightfully about current events and baseball. He will be greatly missed by this reader.

Hughes to go Thursday for Yanks!

After only one Hughesian start at AAA, Phil Hughes is apparently coming up from the minors to pitch against Toronto on Thursday night at the stadium. He's got the stuff to win, but let's hope he's ready. I would have liked to have seen a few more dominant starts in a row, but frankly once he's in his groove he tends to stay there, so look out Blue Jays, there's a new ace in town.

5 Third Round Favorites

Justin Durant LB Hampton

Quincy Black LB New Mexico

Tim Shaw LB Penn State

Paul Soliai DT Utah

Lorenzo Booker RB Florida State

The way it's looking to me right now, the third round is gonna be the place to get a very good linebacker. I think Justin Durant is probably the second best LB in the draft after Patrick Willis of Ole Miss. And I think it's close. Now I'd consider taking him in the second, but I got him in the 3rd in a mock draft I did with a bunch of guys who are smarter than your average football exec, so I'm hoping for him in the third.

Quincy Black is another LB I like. He was a great player in a hybrid role at New Mexico, but would be a Wil for the Giants. He's explosive like Willis, Durant and a choice I'm going to list tomorrow for the 4th round.

Tim Shaw is an outstanding football player who also projects to LB in the NFL. He's got great measurables and is a total team guy who'd be a very good value in the third, I just worry that he spent so much time at other positions at PSU it could take a season or two to get up to speed at LB in the NFL. By the same token, Bill Belichick has won 63 Superbowls drafting versatile guys like Tim Shaw.

Paul Soliai is a huge run stuffing DT that could be a core piece of our D and let Osi, Kiwi and Tuck do their thing for years to come. I haven't listed any DT's earlier because we picked up Mike Bell last week and now I'm not sure the Giants will draft another DT, but there are several I like. Soliai's the only one I'll list for a few rounds.

Lorenzo Booker is a change of pace back possibility we could draft if we don't go for the gold with Leonard in the second round. Booker has a chance to be a great player in the NFL, but he wasn't one in college. There are some second day choices I am just as high on.

Rookie Plunks ARod and Jeter and Gets Away With It

Rookie Red Sox pitcher Dice-K Matsuzaka hit Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter with pitches tonight, and the Yanks did nothing about it. That's the saddest thing about this April series. Sure the Yanks got swept, but they weren't exactly running out their top starters. What was encouraging was the fact that they were able to hit Schilling, Beckett and Matsuzaka very well. It's just a shame that the Sox were once again allowed to hit Yankee hitters without getting hit back.

Rangers Will Meet Sabres in Second Round

This will be a much tougher series, but the Rangers right now are a much better team than they were when the Sabres embarrassed them early in the season. And that's thanks to the Rangers kids! Go Blueshirts!

5 Round 2 Favorites

Brian Leonard RB/FB/TE/WR Rutgers

Eric Wright CB UNLV

Marcu McCauley CB Fresno State

Eric Weddle S Utah

Jason Hill WR Washington State

Brian Leonard is likely to be the BPA when the Giants pick in the second. It's possible that the DB's I have listed after him could go before him, but if he's there I really hope the Giants take him. He's an explosive athlete who could work in a split backfield with Brandon Jacobs and create nightmares for defensese around the league. His hands are as good as anyone's in the draft and he's fast enough to be split out at WR. He's also a willing blocker. Total team guy and a guy the Giants could really use.

I think Eric Wright is the best CB in the Draft but he's likely to fall on some off field concerns. Still I think he'll probably be gone before the Giants pick in the second. That's sort of okay, cause I think the Giants really got a steal with EJ Underwood last year.

Marcus McCauley had a weird senior year and ended up getting benched at one point. But he is still capable of being a lockdown corner in the NFL. He's everything you're looking for. Of course, he could also be gone, but I'd still be happy taking Leonard cause the Giants have Underwood.

Eric Weddle is a playmaking safety who reminds me a little bit of Sehorn. Not because he's white, but because he can actually cover the other team's best receiver, too and has really good ball skills. Like Sehorn, I think he'll keep improving as an athlete. If he's there, it'll be a tough choice, but I'd still take Leonard.

Jason Hill is another tough, good sized receiver who can become Eli's top target and catch 80-100 balls a year (that's the standard I'm looking for, Moss can specialize). He's got good speed and good hands and is courageous over the middle. He's also a threat to score from anywhere on the field - which is nice.

So those are 5 for the second round, though there are a few more CB's, WR's and S's I'd find acceptable. NB: I don't think the Giants need to draft a Left Tackle. Diehl is sound there, and they were all excited when they drafted Guy Whimper last year, I think that's plenty of tackle. If they decide it's not, Tony Ugoh in the second or third would make the most sense.

The 5 Guys I'd Approve of at Pick #20 for the Giants

Dwayne Jarret WR USC

Dwayne Bowe WR LSU

Robert Meachem WR Tennessee

Reggie Nelson S Florida

Brandond Meriweather S Miami

The keyword here is Playmakers. Unless someone like Calvin Johnson or Patrick Willis falls to 20, I want one of these guys. I think Dwayne Jarrett is the second best WR in the draft and a future pro bowler. During his college career I never thought we'd have a shot at him, but now I think we will and hope we take it. Groin and hammy injuries have worked to slow his 40 times leading up to the draft, but I hope it doesn't slow the Giants on the way up there with their card. He is a great team guy who has amazing hands and redzone ability. He's a better version of Plax by virtue of his leaping ability and cool demeanor. He'd be a great help to Eli, who is used to throwing to a similar target in Plax.

Dwayne Bowe is another receiver I like. He's a physical tough guy who'd also help in the running game. Like Jarrett, he's a not a burner but he does get deep. He's had some issues with drops, and I worry about his weight, but he'd be my second choice behind Jarrett right now.

Robert Meachem has only had the one big year, but he has great tools and good hands. He's not as big, but more of a burner than the other two. There are some concerns about his ability to read coverages, which is crucial in the Giants O, and if the idea is to give Eli a great help out there.

I have Reggie Nelson and Brandon Meriweather about even, and really like both players. Meriweather can also play corner and has the AA to do it at a high level. Both of these safeties make plays and give and emotional lift to the D's they are a part of. In the early going, I was hoping the Meriweather might fall to the second because of the fight on the field against Florida International. Either guy would do the same job for us a really lift the D.

Tomorrow I will give you my list of second round players I think could be there for the Giants.

Wherefore Art Thou, Po?

While Po nurses a thumb injury that didn't stop him from doubling last night, Wil Nieves absolutely killed the Yanks with his PA's and work behind the plate today in their 7-5 loss to the Red Sox. Rub some dirt on it and come back, Po!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What The----?

Mariano Rivera had his second meltdown in as many appearances as he gave away a game that Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez had put away by the 5th. ARod had to more homers, and then doubled and scored another run, but it was for naught, as Myers, Vizcaino and Mo combined to give up 5 runs in the 8th. I thought our bullpen was gonna be the difference in the this series and it was. Just not in favor to the Yanks. They have to do better tomorrow. Pathetic.

And another thing, Joe Torre once again took out Jason Giambi for a pinch runner in the 8th. The game ended with Kevin Thompson, the pinch runner, striking out in Jason's spot in the order. This stupidity has got to stop!

Colter Bean is Back!

Colter Bean has been recalled from SWB and Rasner has been sent down. I wouldn't be surprised if Bean is sent down tomorrow to make room for Karstens.

NFL Draft Fever is Building

http://www.giants.com/player/ivideo-je.asp?file_300=http%3A%2F%2Fplay%2Erbn%2Ecom%2Fplay%2Easx%3Furl%3Dnfl%2Fnfl%2Fopen%2Fgiants%2Fwmdemand%2F07%5F0419%5FReese%2Ewmv%26proto%3Dmms%3Fmswmext%3D%2Easx

Yesterday, Jerry Reese spoke to the press about the upcoming draft. You'll start to get a good feel for the guy by watching his presser. Interestingly, he mentioned that the Giants don't make kids take that 400 question psych test at the combine anymore. They've switched to a test several other teams use.

Yanks/Sox Starts Again Tonight

Check listings, I think it will be on YES, NESN and ESPN, it may also be on HSN. Who knows? It's big. The starting pitching match-ups sure seem to favor the Red Sox, so I'll be looking for a Yankee sweep:) Go Spanks!