New York Giants

Weston Richburg Is Preparing to Sign With New Team, Should Giants Match?

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Well, it seems like New York Giants free agent Weston Richburg might be taking his talents to a new team, but not a new city.

Richburg is in extensive talks with the New York Jets to become their new center. With the Giants unwilling to pay top dollar for their lineman, letting him go became the consensus after the 2017 season.

Richburg played well in 2017, but after being diagnosed with a concussions he never made it back to the playing field, despite advocating for his return.

The Jets would acquire a “B” graded center to add to their offense, who will likely have a new starting quarterback by the end of the 2018 NFL Draft as well. The Giants on the other hand have the opportunity to try and re-sign Richburg, or find value elsewhere.

I assume the Giants will vote to keep reserve lineman Brett Jones and make him their starting center for a steal of a price. Richburg will likely be earning upwards of $7 million per-season, where as Jones would be earning in the $2-3 million range.

Can Jones hold down the center of the line?

The big question is: Can Jones play well for an entire season as the starting center?

After Richburg went down with a concussion, Jones filled his role valiantly, performing well and earning high marks. Per PFF, Jones graded out with a 63.9, ranking 18th in the league. We can give him some leg-room with these number considering he didn’t play the entire season, and didn’t have any help around him (thanks Bobby Hart).

If the Giants decide to address the position elsewhere, it will have to be low-cost and great value, something that the current market for centers is lacking.

Here’s What Pat Shurmur Looks For In A Starting Running Back

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New York Giants, Dave Gettleman

The New York Giants are preparing to begin their evaluation of college players at the annual NFL Combine. Coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman offered various answers in regard to their wants and needs from the incoming college class.

Coach Shurmur was asked about his preference at running back, and was hinted towards a potential Saquon Barkley pick at No. 2 overall.

Here’s Shurmur’s response:

The former Vikings offensive coordinator had Latavius Murray and Jerrick McKinnon to work with last season. One was a bruiser and the other a change-of-pace back with work-horse capabilities.

Ideally, the Giants would have an all-around back that would open up a roster spot for another position of need.

Is drafting a running back at No. 2 a bad idea?

The argument against drafting a running back in the top-10 picks is nonsense.

The more frequent argument I hear is: Running backs have a short shelf life, making them expendable sooner than most players.

That argument is irrelevant, since the average playing career of an NFL player is 3.3 years, where as running backs can be effective for up to 7-8 years. Now, I’m not saying drafting Saquon Barkley is the right move, but it surely does make a lot of sense for a team that hasn’t had a big-time back since the days of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

What the Giants’ staff spewed out into the media could have been a smokecreen, but we must take it at face-value for now.

 

New York Giants Likely Preparing To Release Veteran Linebacker

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As the New York Giants begin to address the mess of a team Jerry Reese and Ben McAdoo left behind, several players are fearing for their jobs in the wake of the staff overhaul.

Veteran linebacker Jonathan Casillas was known as a leader on the team, but after injuring his neck and wrist in 2017, his durability is in question.

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Casillas thinks his time in New York might be coming to an end:

“I’ve spoken to (the Giants) briefly. I didn’t have a formal conversation with them about any contract or getting me back there or anything like that,” Casillas said, via Alex Marvez of the Sporting News. “It doesn’t seem like they love me as much as the old staff did.”

There’s no doubt that Casillas brings a sense of professionalism and leadership to the team and locker room, but after last season’s melt-down, the new regime seems keen on gutting the team of aging veterans.

Finding young players that are obsessed with winning is the new standard for the Giants (OBJ anyone?), meaning Casillas might catch the short end of the stick this time around.

Casillas was allocated $3.6 million in 2017, but could find his way back onto the roster if he takes a steep pay-cut. The Giants are in dire need of linebackers and signing Casillas to a team-friendly deal ($1.5-2 million) might be a solid option. His leadership and wisdom could go a long way in helping to develop young players Gettleman may select in the NFL Draft.

“I’ve been around enough to understand the game,” Casillas said. “I might not be as hot a commodity as I used to be. But whoever gets me, if it’s somebody else and not the Giants, they’re going to get a great player and a great leader in the locker room.”

Essentially, teams would be paying for his presence in the locker room and leadership on the field, because his talent has surely seen a drop-off since his days in New England.

Pat Shurmur Says The Giants Need A Franchise Changing Player At No. 2

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The New York Giants recently let out reports that they would be sending out false-information into the public, ensuring that media members and fans are completely lost in the NFL Draft process.

The latest news comes from head coach Pat Shurmur, who according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, is keen on finding a franchise changing player at No. 2. Franchise changing could be a quarterback, running back, offensive lineman, you name it.

Shurmur referred to high-picks spent on Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks in the past, which is absolutely a deterrent from their actual plans. It’s quite obvious the Giants will address the offensive side of the ball in the first-round, and throwing out two defense-men shouldn’t sway our opinions.

What did Shurmur say about Eli Manning?

The Giants are surely sticking with their old stead in Manning for at least one-more season, but we can’t rule out a potential quarterback being drafted in two months. If that’s the case, New York may decide to opt-out of Manning’s 2019 season, saving the team nearly $20 million in cap-space.

Saquon Barkley?

Dave Gettleman made it apparent that they would be evaluating Saquon Barkley’s abilities and worth at the No. 2 overall pick. Taking a running back in the first five picks is a rarity, but when a talent such as Barkley comes across your desk, you must consider the possibility that he might be worth the risk.

Davis Webb?

Coach Shurmur isn’t going to say anything negative about his second-year quarterback, but it’s encouraging to see his want to give him an opportunity. Webb spent the entire 2017 season learning from Manning and developing a pro-style skill set.

If the Giants choose to avoid the quarterback position in the upcoming draft, we can safely assume Webb has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL.

New York Giants Will Carry Over Less Than $1 Million In Cap Space Into 2018

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With the New York Giants currently sitting at about $22 million in cap space, they will have to be cautious with the amount of money they spend in the offseason.

The Giants will roll over only $365,321 in additional salary cap from 2017, according to the NFL Player’s Association.

What will the Giants do?

When the start of free agency begins on March 14th, we should expect to see the Giants move quickly; both releasing players and signing them. Several players the Giants should consider releasing are wide receiver Brandon Marshall (save $5 million), kick returner Dwayne Harris ($2.4 million), and linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong ($1.24 million).

General manager Dave Gettleman could get the salary-cap up to about $35 million by cutting these players and adjusting a few contracts (DRC and Eli Manning).  If signing Andrew Norwell and another offensive lineman is a priority for Gettleman, we can assume several players will be cut during free agency.

 

Would You Be Happy With This Offensive Line For The New York Giants?

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As we approach the 2018 NFL Draft, speculation is at an all-time high, and the most important thing to consider is how realistic some of these scenarios are for the New York Giants.

General manager Dave Gettleman’s top priority will be solving the puzzle that’s the offensive line for the Giants, and providing Eli Manning with the protection and time to run his offense properly.

So, when considering a realistic point of view, here’s what the offensive line could look like in 2018:

Left Tackle: Nate Solder

The New England Patriots inked Solder to a two-year, $20 million deal in 2015. They guaranteed him all $20 million at signing and he accounted for $10 million (2016) and $11 million (2017) of their cap space respectively.

If the Giants want to sign Solder, they’re going to have to splash the cash, but for a player of his quality paying $11 million per-season might be a good deal. If Gettleman decided to sign Solder on a four-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed, it would certainly pay off in the long-run. As long as he’s guaranteed his money, especially at 29-years old, Solder might decide to take security over risk.

Money allocated to the line per-season: $11 million

Left Guard: Andrew Norwell

Rumors have bubbled to the service in regard to Gettleman wanting to make Andrew Norwell the highest paid guard in the history of the game. The stud lineman recorded First-Team All-Pro accolades in 2017, in addition to First-Team All-Pro honors from Pro Football Focus.

Norwell was the only guard (guards who played 500 snaps or more) to not commit a penalty throughout the entire season. He also didn’t allow a sack, which elevates his stock exponentially.

There’s no doubt that Norwell would improve the Giants’ offensive line, but the question is: How much will he cost?

We should expect to see Norwell make anywhere from $13-15 million per-season if Gettleman decides to pay top-dollar for that type of quality. With Eli Manning preparing to move on from New York in the next few seasons, his massive contract could fit, but it would be tight.

Money allocated to the line per-season: $25 million

Center: Brett Jones

With the Giants already investing $25 million in the offensive line in this scenario, it’s time to locate value. Brett Jones took over for Weston Richburg in 2017 at center, showcasing his abilities and proving to be more than capable at holding down the fort.

Jones would likely only cost the Giants a measly $2-3 million per-season, which is a great price for a player that will be receiving help from Norwell and another big-time guard.

Money allocated to the line per-season: $27 million

Right Guard: Quenton Nelson

To add even more stellar talent to the offensive line, the Giants should heavily consider drafting Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson (Learn More About Him Here!).

Nelson is a bull, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 329-pounds. His immense power and agility is premier-level, offering potential that could even surpass that of Norwell’s.

If drafted, it would make the Giants’ line one of the best in the league on paper, and would certainly provide Manning with all of the time he could ever need to sling the football.

Money allocated to the line per-season: $30 million

Right Tackle: Ereck Flowers

Surrounding Ereck Flowers with talent might be the only way to drag his potential out from the depths of first-round busts. Finding a way to utilize the top-10 pick from the 2015 draft will be a tough task for Gettleman, but giving him the reigns to the right tackle position might be his best bet at salvaging anything.

Flowers has the build to be a tackle in the NFL, but forcing him to protect Manning’s blind-side is a whole different story. Placing him at right tackle would offer him a second-chance at life in the NFL, and would ultimately give him the opportunity to show what he’s really capable of. At the very least, the Giants can continue to develop Chad Wheeler and place him at right tackle.

Money allocated to the line per-season: $34.5 million

When considering the price for the offensive line, it’s less than two Eli Manning’s, which is a solid deal if you ask me. Paying less than $35 million for one of the best offensive lines in the league should be an enticing option for any fan.

 

 

 

 

 

Check Out How Much Davis Webb’s Footwork Has Improved Since College

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If you’re one of the fans that think Davis Webb can’t be the next quarterback of the New York Giants, you’re going to want to check out his latest workout clips.

Here’s a clip of Webb from one specific game against Washington; where he struggles with his footwork and overall had a poor game.

In this play, Webb is hopping and his footwork seems sloppy, as he doesn’t provide any leg strength into his throw, or plant his feet. His decision to throw into near triple coverage is also questionable, and his vision due to lack of movement is a problem.

Now, let’s check out a video taken recently of his footwork:

Watch how Webb drops back and plants his back foot, using his hips to provide zip and power into his throw. That’s a VASTLY different throw when it comes to his old mechanics in college.

The hesitation right before he throws to ensure his foot is stabilized and his receiver is open is exactly what you want to see at the next level. Identify a target, stabilize quickly, and release with power and accuracy.

Here’s another example of his refined mechanics; as he drops back with quick steps and resets at the point of release. Compared to the first video, you can see a major difference in terms of length of steps backwards and his ready position to throw to a receiver.

Here’s a short play-action clip, where Webb steps back smoothly and delivers a strike with power. His transition from the ready position through his hips and into his delivery is flawless. There is no doubt he has improved since his days at college.

Here’s a clip from college to use as a comparison:

Just look how poor Webb’s drop-back was in this game against Washington… If you compare that to the clips above, there is almost no comparison to be made. Two completely different quarterbacks in terms of mechanics (footwork & throwing motion).

The bottom line, Webb is showing major improvements since being drafted in the third-round last year. If the new regime believes they have their future quarterback already on the roster, they can address other needs on the team which would put the Giants in great position moving forward.

It’s also important to mention Pat Shurmur’s success with quarterbacks, and how beneficial he could be to a player like Webb moving forward.

Here’s A Linebacker That Could Take The Giants’ Defense To The Next Level

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Remember when former New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese decided to neglect the linebacker position nearly every year? Well, this year Dave Gettleman will surely fill a hole that has been empty for some time now on the defense.

If only he could fill it with a guy like Landon Collins, a second-round pick out of Alabama. But what if I told you he could, and the potential of this linebacker is Collins-high…

Would that interest you? Having a guy like Collins manning not only the safety position, but the linebacker position as well. That’s exactly what Alabama inside linebacker Rashaan Evans can be for the Giants.

Evans has a unique blend of speed, agility and power, similar to that of the Giants’ star safety.

His power is unparalleled, but there’s a very high chance Evans won’t find his way out of the second-round. If the Giants cant trade up to grab him, they must make the move, unless of course they trade down in the first-round and stockpile another second-round pick.

Evan stands tall at 6’3″, 234-pounds, built purely of muscle; and let’s not forget this is only in college. Once a professional, Evans will have access to top-of-the-line coaches that will help him elevate his speed and power.

The senior linebacker for Alabama sat behind Reuben Foster for several years before taking over as the starter. This gave him ample time to refine his technique and learn behind one of the top defenders in college football.

For the Giants, filling the hole at linebacker should be a priority, as it would solidify the defense and allow the remaining picks to be spent on the offensive side of the ball — hopefully solving the jigsaw puzzle that’s the offensive line.

Here’s A Cornerback the Giants Can Draft To Replace DRC

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With Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie nearing the end of his contract with the New York Giants, and him supposedly being moved to safety, a new cornerback must be on the mind of Dave Gettleman in the NFL Draft.

With corners being in high-demand in the draft, the Giants must look for value in the third-round if they want to solidify the boundaries.

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TEAMS

A solid option would be Wisconsin cornerback Nick Nelson:

Nelson recorded the highest amount of pass breakups in the country, all while being tasked to over opponents’ top receivers on a weekly basis. His ability to play man-coverage is his top skill; as he doesn’t often require safety help over the top which is usually the case for most corners going up against the best receiver on any given team.

The fact that his man-coverage ability is superior to most corners allowed the Badgers to draw up aggressive schemes, enabling the linebackers to blitz and not drop back into coverage.

Nelson has received second-round marks from most draft experts (Walterfootball.com), but with a plethora of talent entering the draft, he could easily fall to the third. The Wisconsin product has good size  at 5’11”, 204-pounds, and has room for more muscle mass and speed.

He has been known to be an able tackler throughout his college career, and if he’s aggressive in the NFL, he shouldn’t have a problem maintaining that consensus.

With his 40-yard dash range between 4.48–4.52, he’s certainly not in elite level territory when it comes to speed. But with corners, it’s more about agility and being able to stick on your man on the intermediate routes.

Nelson could be a stellar option to replace DRC on the outside and complement Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple and Ross Cockrell. It’s always a good idea to add depth to a position of need, especially when the drop-off is as big as it is for the Giants.

A Potentially Great Trade-back Scenario For The New York Giants

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If the New York Giants decide to pass on taking a quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, there are several trade back options that should be considered, but which would be the most beneficial?

Ideally, New York would be looking to acquire several early-round picks and a potential player for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

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TEAMS

Rumors of the Buffalo Bills offering their first and second-rounder, along with left tackle Cordy Glenn have been bubbling to the surface. Here’s my issue with this trade-back: Glenn is set to count $14.5 million against the cap in 2018, far too much for the Giants to tack on to their allocated moneys. His base salary would be $9.25 million. Additionally, Glenn has missed 15 games in the past two-seasons due to injury.

The ideal trade-back situation:

No. 2 overall pick with the Denver Broncos No. 5 overall pick:

The Giants need value, and what better way to add value than to tack on the 40th overall pick in the second-round to complement the Giants’ No. 34 pick. Now, trading back from the No. 2 to the No. 5 will require the Broncos to give up a bit more than just a second-rounder. I would ask for guard Ronald Leary who starred with the Dallas Cowboys for the first five-years of his career, until signing with the Broncos last season on a 4-years, $36 million deal.

Additionally, I would take their third and fifth-round pick (potentially even more picks in 2019). If they want their franchise quarterback, they’re going to have to pay for him.

Getting a deal this sweet would take some serious negotiating from Dave Gettleman, but if the Jets swoop in and steal Kirk Cousins from under the Broncos, they might not have a choice but to listen to the Giants’ commands.

Of course, this is all a hypothetical, but acquiring these picks would open up the door for the Giants to address the offensive line, running back, and linebacker positions with first and second-round talent.  An influx of youth and skill that teams don’t normally see on a yearly basis.