New York Giants Draft Wrap

The NFL draft is over until next year.  Right now, teams are trying to sign enough undrafted free agents to fill up their offseason 90 man roster limit.  Unsigned draft picks now count toward that limit, so, unless they cut someone, the Giants can only add 6 players.   But as you know, between now and the season, the bottom of the roster is always fluid.

So what do we make of the Giants draft?  They took some players I was on the record as liking, and they took some others that fit the way they draft.   For some reason, this draft felt a little subdued.   That's probably because the value of the draft was primarily in offensive and defensive linemen,  rather than QB's, WR's and RB's.  Let's take a look back.

In the first, the Giants took Justin Pugh.  If he is what they think he is - a guy who can plug all 5 spots on the OL, it was a home run pick.   Here's why - and Giants fans know this - you can't win without good line play.   Now, in 2011, the Giants did indeed win with a declining OL, but that was the last hurrah for that group.  In fact, the Giants haven't gotten really dominant line play since the 2010 season, when, swamped with injuries. Coach Flats was able to get production out of any five guys he ran out there.   Many of those guys are now retired, the Giants had to do something.

First, they re-signed Will Beatty, who was the last prime pick they spent on an OL, and who really did seem to be coming on this past year.   Next, they took Pugh and it was the first time they spent a 1 on an OL since 1999.  In fact, the Giants have tried to get by with late round picks and UDFA's like David Diehl and Rich Seubert for a decade plus, but guys like Jeff Hatch, (who was a third!)  Guy Whimper, and Mitch Petrus never took the next step and never became one of the top 5.  Last year's OL picks, Mosely and McCants, can't be discarded quite yet, but neither looked like "a guy" last year.

Pugh definitely looks like a guy.  In fact, he is reminiscent of most of the guys we've been successful with over the years, like Luke, Seubert and Snee.  So, if he can come in and be an 8-10 year guy like those guys, the pick was a home run.

In the second, the Giants took a planet theory, run stuffing, blocker occupying load named Johnathan Hankins, out of Ohio State.   At OSU, Hankins was heroic, playing many more downs per game than most of these run stuffers can handle.   He won't have to do that with the Giants.  Hopefully, he won't get a rookie red shirt, like Linval and Austin did, but he could.  If he doesn't he will both help against the run (where we were gashed last year!) and help the pass rushers by occupying blockers so they can do their thing.  He's also insurance against Linval leaving as a free agent next offseason.   He was downgraded because he's not a pass rush threat, but the Giants have have pass rushers, in fact they got one more in the third!

DaMontre Moore could turn out to be the best pick in this draft - not just the best Giant pick - but the best value pick.  This is true because the Giants got him in the middle of the third round, and there's at least a 50-50 shot he will be better than one or two of the pass rushers that were taken in the first.   Here's why that is very possible.  First, he was the youngest player in this draft, thus he has more time.  Second, though he is young, he was massively productive in college.   Third, he's been doing it all with god given talent, because no one has taught him any pass rush moves!   Now he is coming to Pass Rush Central.

With the Giants, DaMontre will have an opportunity to learn from Tuck and Kiwi, and they had an opportunity to learn from Michael Strahan.  And Michael had an opportunity to learn from LAWRENCE TAYLOR.   So DaMontre will join the true lineage.  And I'm not kidding. Those teachings have turned out of a lot of great players.  So combining his youth, his talent, and his teammates, I think there's a really good chance he turns into a star, much like Justin Tuck did years ago when he was our third rounder.

In the Fourth round RGIII got us a back-up quarterback.   What?  In any of the past few years, Ryan Nassib would have been somebody's first round pick.  At Syracuse he was better than Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder and some of the other guys who were getting picked in the first pre RGIII.   This year, the only QB picked in the first was EJ Manuel, a projection out of Florida State.  Have the teams come to their senses or lost their minds?  We'll see.  What we did see yesterday was the Giants seeing a player whose value was just too great, so they moved up and grabbed him.   I was ready for them to take another position player so I was a little surprised by the move, but I like it.

David Carr is a text book example of why expansion teams should not be allowed to draft a franchise QB until they have a working OL.   Anyway, Carr was abused early in his career, and has never really gotten over it.   So, it is time to bring in someone who can do more than place hold the back up spot, and Nassib is that guy and he got a 41 on his Wonderlic!

In the Fifth, the Giants did what they've done best.   They took a freak.  Cooper Taylor was all ACC as a Freshman at GA Tech, before coming down with a rare, but thankfully treatable disorder.  Healthy again, he went up to Richmond and resumed his career. Now he's a 6'4" 230 lbs safety, who runs sub 4.5 and busts out sub 7's on the three cone.  Watch his tape.  He will remind you a bit of Sehorn.    Taylor gives the Giants a big, hybrid S who looks like a perfect fit and perhaps even an upgrade for their 3 safety look.

The Giants used their 6th in the Nassib trade.

In the Seventh, the Giants had two picks.  First they took Eric Herman a big guard from the ascendant Ohio U program.   Herman dominated his lower level and that is absolutely crucial for lower level picks.  We'll see if he's another guy.   Then, with the second to last pick of the draft, the Giants took Mike Cox, a running back who didn't play much at Michigan, then transferred to UMass and didn't produce much.  Anyway, the Giants had him in and he apparently blew the doors of his workout.   We'll see if he can help.

Overall, the Giants did what they usually do and got a bunch of Giant-type players.  Let's hope they pan out.

Giants Grab Jumbo Safety Cooper Taylor

In the fifth, the Giants went back to their athletic freak tendencies and picked 6'4" 230 lbs, S Cooper Taylor out of Richmond.  Sub 4.5 guy, who can still rock a sub- 7.0 3 cone at his size.  Really interesting athlete with some S/LB versatility  Should boost specials right away.  Nice pick.   They ended up using their 6th to trade up for Nassib, so unless they trade back in, no more picks till the 7th.  Go Giants!

The Giants Trade Up for a Back Up

The Giants just stunned their fan base by trading up in the 4th round to take Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib.   I actually like this player, a lot, too.  He's a good bad weather QB, and will only need to be a back up QB for the next few years.    Should make the preseason games more interesting.  Good pick.  I hope we didn't send more than our 7th.  Go Giants!

Knicks Take a 3-0 Lead

The Knicks went to Boston and took care of business.  It was their first playoff win in 12 years and they got it by once again playing old school Knick D, and not letting up.  JR Smith got tossed, but hopefully he won't be suspended for a ticky tack toss.   Let's complete the sweep on Sunday!  Go Knicks!

Giants Get Moore Pass Rush!

Wow!   The Giants did what they do best in the third and picked another freakish pass rusher in Texas A+M superfreak Damontre Moore.  Like 3rd rounders  Manningham and Holsey before him, Damontre tumbled out of first round consideration on questions about his commitment.  But make no mistake, he was a big part of the Texas A+M team that beat Alabama this year, and is heading to the right situation to get coached up and the right room to get taught how to be a pro.  Just a great pick for the Giants, who finish day 2 having really upgraded the OL and DL.   Nice first three rounds and first two days.   Let's find 5 more great picks tomorrow.   Go Giants!

The Giants did what I thought and took Johnathan Hankins with their second round pick.  He is an executive run stuffer, and when 100% healthy, a lot like Linval Joseph, who he may have to replace if they can't retain him in free agency.  The Giants have gotten bigger and stronger on both lines so far and still have 5 more picks, including one more tonight.   There I expect them to get a back 7 defender or another OL.   Go Giants!

Giants Draft Day 2

Found this great picture of Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins over at the great miamidolphinsdraft.com site.  Anyway, the reason I was looking for it, is that I think there's a pretty good chance that this Linval Joseph clone will be the Giant pick at 49.   Either him, a linebacker like Arthur Brown, a CB like Jamar Taylor or maybe even a DE like Margus Hunt or even another OL!  In general, I believe the two picks today will come from those areas, not because of need, but because I think that's where the value is today.   Now let's get better!

Giants Stay Put for Pugh

The Giants just surprised me.  With both of their top OL targets off the board, they appear to have reached by taking OT/OG Justin Pugh out of Syracuse.   Now I really like Justin Pugh, but when they  measured him at the combine, his arms were very short for a tackle.   That said, he has great feet and was able to compensate for his short arms in college.   But will he be able to in the pro's where he might now have to play guard.  Anyway, because of his short arms I saw him as a really good second round pick, but not a first rounder.  Yet, the Giants took him at 19, ahead of Tyler Eifert among others.  So I'm in a weird position.  I love the player, but can't justify  where we picked him and don't know how hard the Giants tried to trade down.  The Cowboys were able to do that one pick ahead of them.   So that's my instant reaction.   I hope we get great value with our two picks tomorrow.  I'll be interested to see what the Giants have to say about this one.

Rangers Win and Now They're In!

After falling behind 3-2 in a game they had lead 2-0 in the first, the Rangers got a lucky bounce to tie the game and force OT.  Then Cally scored.   Rangers won and now they're in the playoffs.    Crazy game!  LGR!

I think the Giants may end up trading down.

Knicks Go Up 2-0!

Following the successful formula the Knicks used in game one: keep it close in the first half and LOCK IT DOWN in the second half.   And Carmelo had a similar game, absolutely going off during the beat down.  JR Smith, as JR Smith, and now, that's a great thing.   The only time the second half D let up while it was still a game was when Novak was in.  He's not getting the ball or doing anything of value in this series, so it would probably be better if others played.  He finally scored in garbage time and that's when he should be playing.   Oh, and QRich made his Knick return during garbage time.   Okay, it's over now, and the Knicks held the Celts to 24 second half points.  An all-time post season low by the Celts.   Nice.   Now let's win the next two in Boston.   Go Knicks!

More Draft Stuff

It's looking like there might be a "run" on OL's before the Giants even get a shot at Fluker or Warmack.    They should still get a good player as DE's like Ansah  and Jones,  CB's like Trufant and Rhodes and Notre Dame's TE, Tyler Eifert could still be there.  First of all, they just haven;t missed on DE picks under Jerry, so if they pick one, he'll be good.  Secondly, they've done a good job developing Prince, and they might have a chance to grab his long term partner.   Finally, Eifert is both a big play WR type DE and a contentious inline blocker.  Mike Pope fantasizes about such persons.   Also, there's been some chatter about Ogletree and Te'o.  I'm not sure either is a real fit.  The one LB I really like who's being projected into the second round, but I think will prove to be a first run value is Arthur Brown.   We'll see what happens.   It's getting close.

Rangers Eliminate Devils

Ryan Callahan scored 2 goals, Derek Stepan added another and Taylor Pyatt even potted one as the Rangers won again inching ever closer to the playoffs.  After having a down month when he was probably banged up, Ryan Callahan has been on fire again and just in time.  And Derek Stepan has become a star this year.  Since finally recovering from the Orpick hit, he has scored more than a point a game and turned into an elite C.  Nice development.   Oh, and by the way, we are now 6-0-0 when Brian Boyle doesn't play.  Just one of him or Pyatt is more than enough.  Go Rangers.

Rangers Crush Sabres

Wow.  The Rangers scored three goals in lightning fashion to end the first.  Then again to open the second.  By the end of the game Brad Richards had recorded his first career hat trick by scoring the Rangers 8th goal.  Other goals were scored by Hagelin, Nash, Callahan, Clowe, and Stralman.   Just a nutty game as the Sabres, themselves scored 2 goals in a span of 6 seconds to make it 6-2 in the second.   Kreider is back up, but Torts is still not playing him with offensive players.  So while this was a blowout, the Kreider business is still ponderous.   They have to beat the Devils Sunday.  LGR.

Rangers Crush Panthers

The Rangers really needed a win and boy did they get a resounding one.   The final was 6-1, but it was a tight game till the final minutes of the third when the Rangers exploded.   MZA scored his second of the game, then Brassard scored his second of the game, then Brad Richards scored a wrap around!  Nash had the other Ranger goal.   And sweet skating new defenseman John Moore, surprised the crowd by not only fighting but beating the crap out of one of the Panthers.   They need to keep doing this.   LGR.

More NFL Draft Stuff

Behold Alabama Guard Chance Warmack and Alabama Tackle DJ Fluker.   They were two fifths of one of the greatest OLs in collegiate histrory. and one or the other might very well be the Giants first round pick.  Warmack is more football player than workout warrior, but what a football player.  The Giants could literally plug him into either guard spot (the left is more available than the right provided Snee bounces back post surgery) and he could start for 10 years.   That's what you want from a first round guard.   Now, normally I am against drafting guards in the first round, but with the new rookie compensation limits, as well as the Giants wide open SB window, I  wouldn't mind taking a great guard in the first, and Warmack is a great guard and would make a great Giant.

DJ Fluker is not as clearly defined, positionally.  He is an absolute monster, but may not have the feet for right tackle, and certainly doesn't seem to have them for left tackle.   Thus he may also be a guard in the longterm, though I happen to think he'd be a right tackle and soon for the Giants.   Again, I don't normally like taking right tackles in the first round of the draft, but the rules have changed and he has a chance to be great.

I think the two Alabama OL's are representative of the Giants desire to become much more physically dominating along the OL.   The Giants O has become more and more predicated on the "big play."  Early last season, Coach Coughlin was even bemoaning their absence.  The way to make big plays is to give Eli time to chuck it, and create holes and seems for David Wilson to fly through.   So you want a bigger more physical line that can not only spring Eli and Wilson, but end the era of 4th and one not being absolutely automatic.

I think the Giants are likely to signal this approach in the first round with one of these Bama blockers, then hit whichever position they didn't get and or big, mean C as the draft moves on.  If they don't do this in the first, I'd expect them to go with a passrusher.  If they do do it, I think they'll take a passrusher in the second.

MZA!

Jeeze, the Rangers played a bad first period, then a good second half of the second period, then a bad third period, but still won because MZA scored in the shootout.   Big win, but not a very imrpessive performance.  Hags and McDonagh had the regulation goals.  Stepan had another assist and has 6 game scoring streak.   Brad Richards... sheesh.   LGR!

Atlantic Division Champs!

Wow.  For the first time in 19 years, the New York Knicks are your Atlantic Division Champs.   What a long strange trip it's been.   When they put this team together - and it's been a work in progress since then - I thought they'd be a pretty good regular season team that would be dangerous in the playoffs.  And that was primarily because they had a rotation of bigs with 6 fouls each to use.  I didn't know that Carmelo Anthony would do what Bernard King did back in the `80s and just get better mid-career.   It does happen and we saw it again this year.  Also, I didn't see JR Smith becoming the great second scorer he's become.  Or Copleland becoming an effective bench guy.  Or Kenyon Martin coming in when other bigs were hurt and making the Knicks even better.  Because all of these things happened, the Knicks are now Division Champs.   And if they have health luck in the playoffs, they might surprise everyone with another championship.    There, I've said it.   They match up well with the Heat, and have a great record against the other top teams.   They've had weird trouble with the Bulls, but they're better now than when they had that trouble.  So let's enjoy this now, then go on a run we'll never forget!  Go Knicks!

Giants Draft Thoughts

So we're a few weeks away from the NFL draft, and the question running through the minds of Giants fans is: what will they do?    That remains to be seen, but one thing they won't do is draft of reach for need.   They just don't really do that.

So what I think the Giants will try to do in this one is really augment their talent base and not address presumptive needs.   Because of some defensive meltdowns during the season, the Giants who are still in their SuperBowl window, are picking 19th.   That's a prime position for a team that is still loaded and used to picking later in drafts.

This draft has a large red chip area, and the Giants have historically kicked ass in such drafts.   Take the 2005 draft.  They were missing their first and other picks from the Eli trade in `04.   So they picked Corey Webster in the second, Justin Tuck in the third and Brandon Jacobs in the 4th,.   That's sick and and a big reason why they went on two win 2 SuperBowls in the next several years.    This year, they have all their picks and one late comp pick.    They should be able to get a lot done.

While I don't believe in drafting for current needs, this draft seems to stack up nicely for the way the Giants like to build their rosters.   So, here's what I think they'll do:  First, I think they are going to add talent to the OL and DL.  I would't be surprised if they ended up with 2 or 3 OL's and 2 or 3 DL's once the draft is done.   They have to refurbish those groups and start winning up front again.  I also think one of two of the DL picks will be passrushers.   Don't discount what Osi meant to them, even though JPP looks like a mega stud when he's at his proper weight.   They like to bring wave after wave, I think they'll spend a first, second or third on a big time passrusher.  I think they'll also find a C/G or a G among their OL picks.

Beyond that,  I think they'd like another TE, maybe a new thunder back RB to supplement Wilson in short yardage,  maybe another big WR,  maybe an LB or two, and certainly a CB or S.   In other words, everything but a QB and FB,

From 19 they can always trade down and get more picks.   Or because they are still in their SB window, they could even trade up if there's a Guard or DE they're in love with.   While I don't like to use 1's on Guards when building a team, I don't mind doing that for a loaded team like the Giants.

Anyway, those are my early thoughts.

Rangers Lose in Regulation

Hank was just average tonight and the Defense made some unusual mistakes in front of him.   They were down 2-0, the Nash scored his first.  Then 3-1 and Nash scored his second.   Stepan then tied it up, but 39 seconds later, Hank gave up the game winner.   He cannot be giving up 4 goals a game now, he just can't.   Meanwhile, the refs were pro Toronto.  What a surprise.  They have to win the rematch Wednesday.

Hank!

The Rangers took care of business tonight and chocked up 2 more points, and a lot of the credit belongs to Hank.  He saved at least 48 of 49 shots, the most he's ever faced.  The one he didn't stop was the product of a terrible turnover from Brian Boyle, who had a terrible game, but still managed to pot an empty netter as time ran out.  Nash, Cally and Step had the other three goals, with Step's and Cally's coming within a minute of each other.   The new few looked good again, and it seems only a matter of time before MZA scores.   Brassard needs a better finisher on his wing than Brian Boyle, but boy, can that kid pass.   Big home and home coming up with Toronto.  Let's get 4 points.  LGR!

Rangers Get a Point

By all rights, the Rangers should have won this one in regulation, but Marc Andre Fluery stood on his head and robbed them all night.   Also, the refs missed a clear slash that would have given the Rangers a two man advantage late in the game when they were down 1-0.   Rick Nash tied it late, but the Rangers weren't able to score in the shoot out and lost.   Clowe had his first fight and did well.   They seem like a different team, and even though they only scored one goal,  they continued to generate great chances like they did the other night.


Down in Hartford, Chris Kreider had two assists in his first game back, Jesper Fast had a goal in his first game ever, Marek Hrivik scored a goal in his first game back from concussion, and Christian Thomas added an assist.

Holy ****!!!

I described the acquisition of Ryane Clowe as a curious move yesterday.  Now the only question to be curious about is how did the Ranger Scouts know he was ready to be his old power forwardy, goal scoring self again?  Well, he delivered a big forecheck on the opening shift of the night, and then he scored twice and added an assist as he and the new guys, kicked the living crap out of the Penguins tonight.   Seriously.  Brassard looked amazing, scoring a goal and assisting on three others.   John Moore scored a goal.   And something about the new guys woke up Brian Boyle who had  goal and 3 assists himself.   Ryan McDonagh had the other goal as the Rangers scored 6 goals for the first time this year.  Holy crap.

Clowe was a beast, and our scouts must have seen it was still there.   Brassard was amazing and the Ranger pursuit of him over the past few years showed that our scouts had always believed.  And John Moore was having an excellent defensive game before the wound up and one timed the his first goal in over two years.    Clowe was named first start, Brassard was second star, and Brad Richards who had two assists (and may have the Boyle goal given back to him later) got the third star.   What a win.

So perhaps there was method to their Tuesday madness, and their Wednesday move has already paid dividends.    The questions now are when will Clowe sign his extension?  And how are the Rangers going to find a first and/or second rounder for this year's draft?   They may have to trade their 14 pick.  Then in 14 trade their 15 pick, and on and on.   What a night!

Thanks, Gabby

Blog readers know that I was pretty sure Gaborik would be traded now or possibly by the draft.   Turns out it was now.    Today the Rangers traded Marian Gaborik and two non-prospect minor league D's with contracts, to the Columbus Blue Jackets for C Derick Brassard,  D  John Moore,   W Derek Dorsett and a 6th round pick.  Several weeks ago, I laid out the parameters of an acceptable return for Marian Gaborik as two young players (one C and one D, with either being a prospect) and a first round pick.    Well, the Rangers did get the young C, and a young puck moving D, but they didn't get a first rounder - in fact CBJ have their first rounder (and 2 others!) for this year and a great deal would have brought one of them back.    Now, we still don't have a first rounder or a second rounder for 2013 and our way of getting them is now a Blue Jacket.   So, on that side, I don't think they made the kind of great trade we'd gotten used to since the Gomez deal.  I'm also not a fan of trading for an injured player (in deals involving a Marian Gaborik type chip, there are times when it's a good idea).

But did they make a good deal?  I think it's a pretty good deal.   Brassard and Moore are young and potentially solve problems as a top 3 C, and a puck moving D who might be useful on the PP.   Everyone says Dorsett is like Prust, unfortunately he might be out for the rest of the season and playoffs with a busted clavicle.    That's suboptimal.   However; this trade does allow them to extend Clowe, and sign McDonagh, Stepan and others.    So the salary dump element looks strong, and let's be honest, it was needed, and even the trade structure I was pushing would have serviced that need.

In the bigger picture, these moves make it look like they believe in Tortorella, and I'm not sure he's done anything this year to earn such a vote of confidence.  Just today, he sent down Miller and Kreider, in yet another indication that he has not adapted at all to the 48 game schedule and he's blaming others. But this is where we are right now.   4 new players with 15 or fewer games left, and an additional 6th.   We still don't have a first or second this year, and as soon as Clowe signs his extension we won't have a  2nd next year.    Interesting times.

PS: Miller's been recalled and Jesper Fast was assigned to the Whale.

Rangers Make a Curious Move

The Rangers have apparently picked up Ryan Clowe for this year's second, one of their thirds and a conditional second next year if the re-sign him, or a 5th next year if they don't.   On the face of it, this seems insane.  They're only guaranteed to have him for 12 games if they don't make the playoffs, and now they don't pick until the 3rd round of this year's draft.  Their's got to be another move or two coming.  At one point Clowe might have been worth that haul, but this has not been that point.   There's got to be more.

Rangers Win!

The Rangers just beat the Jets 4-2 and Ryan Callahan had a short handed game tying goal, as well as assists on each of the other goals.  Two by Derek Stepan, and one Rick Nash.  Weirdly, Kreider and Miller didn't play after the second period.  Hopefully they were being subjected to Torts idiocy and neither has been traded for some over the hill vet who won't help.    Richards literally can't buy a goal at this point and his buyout is more a question of when it becomes legal rather than whether it will happen.   Now, let's not do anything dumb in the next 48 hours.   Let's go, Rangers!

PS:  They signed another interesting UDFA defenseman, Tommy Hughes from the London Nights.  He's a righty shot and his game reminds everyone of Dan Girardi's.   Nice.

Get Used To It

The Yanks got clocked in their opener 8-2, and I feel fine.   Seriously, I'm content with them getting embarrassed while the stars are out as long as the don't trade the kids.   Who knows, maybe Tyler Austin or Slade Heathcott will force his way into the lineup sooner than we thought.   The Yankee minors start later this week, and may be more fun to follow this season.   Go Farm!