Giants Daily Blitz Blog » NFL Draft

Daily Blitz: 5 Takeaways from Spring Meeting

Dan Salomone — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:41 +0000

Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the media yesterday at the NFL Spring Meeting in Boston. In addition to the news that San Francisco and Houston were awarded Super Bowls L and LI, the topics ranged from moving the NFL Draft back in the calendar to playoff expansion and the future of the Pro Bowl.

Here are five things to take away from the NFL Spring Meeting:

On the possible changes to the date of the NFL Draft and the offseason calendar:

GOODELL: For clarity purposes, there are really in some ways two distinct issues. The draft is something – within certain parameters – that is the decision of the commissioner as far as the date. Next year, Radio City Music Hall, which is the host of our draft, is bringing on a spring event, which I think the focus is on Easter. It extends to a much later date and interferes with the date when we normally hold the draft. At this late stage for us to do it the right way, we don’t see having any choice but to move the date. We are looking at whether we can do it as early as May 8, 9 or 10 to the 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th of May. We really don’t – and we talked about this with the membership – see any choice, at least for 2014, but to select one of those two dates. We will be doing that sometime in the next week. Beyond that, if we want to move the draft back into the April period, we are going to have to look at other alternatives which mean other cities, other venues. We will begin that process also.

On having the draft at other venues:

GOODELL: We did that and we have done that. To date, the experience we have had, particularly with the event growing as popular, the sites we have been in the past, I am not sure we would look at again. We think we have found a location in New York that meets our requirements and where we think we can continue to grow the event. If we do, that will be one of the alternatives. One of the things we will have to do, at some point, is to look at other cities.

On playoff expansion:

GOODELL: We asked the Competition Committee to look at it. There was a lot of discussion. We had a report briefly at the March meeting. We are going to continue to have more dialogue with the Players Association, which is a big part of that discussion, and the second is with broadcast partners. Yes, we are continuing discussions on that but not today.

On the future of the Pro Bowl, including the site:

GOODELL: We committed to Hawaii, as you know, for the 2014 [Pro Bowl] game. It will be the week before the Super Bowl. Our intention is to keep it in that time period. We think that it works well from a season standpoint and finishing the season on a high note with the Super Bowl. There is interest in potentially bringing it back to the mainland in multiple sites as early as the following year.

The big focus we have had now is how to make the game more exciting from a fan’s perspective. One of the concepts that was discussed today is the idea that the players are selected as they are now with a vote from players, coaches and fans but the actual teams are drafted by captains. That is an idea that came from our players. We are continuing to have dialogue with the players on that idea. We think it is exciting. It could have some fun attached to it. It is something we may do this season.

On the options to modify the structure of the NFL season:

GOODELL: [The options] are all on the table. As I have said before, I think the structure of the season is something that we consistently reevaluate. I have been quite open about [indicating that] we have to address the quality of the preseason. I hear from fans consistently that they want to make every NFL event more valuable. They see the preseason as being less valuable to them because they don’t see the best players and the games do not count. We have to address that, whether we are looking at 18 [regular-season games] and two [preseason games] or 16-and-two and expanded playoffs. They are all on the table and things we are going to evaluate.

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» Fact or Fiction: NFC East Predictions

» Aaron Curry optimistic about Giants career

» Cooper Taylor has high regard for Coughlin

» WATCH OTA Preview

QB Ryan Nassib the best pick of 2013 Draft?

Dan Salomone — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:00:56 +0000

When Ryan Nassib was still available after 109 picks in this year’s draft, Jerry Reese and the Giants traded up for the Syracuse quarterback and took him with the 110^th overall selection. After the draft, Reese, the Giants’ general manager, said the value was too high to pass up, and Bill Polian agreed.

The former six-time NFL Executive of the Year and current ESPN analyst placed the decision to draft Nassib at the top of his list of best moves from the weekend. Here’s his analysis:

As I mentioned before the draft, there were no quarterbacks that I believed warranted an early selection. But that doesn’t mean the position is devoid of talent. Just that these prospects need time to develop and make use of some of their tools and ability. With Nassib, he’s going to get precisely that.

Playing behind Eli Manning, there will be no rush in his development. He can sit back, watch and learn, all while providing the Giants with a terrific safety net in the event of an injury to Eli and perhaps even proving to be Manning’s successor.

By Nassib’s third year in the pros, Manning will be 35, an age at which statistics have shown QBs usually start to break down physically. Their skills may not have diminished, but the accumulation of the punishment they’ve endured starts to take its toll and injury becomes far more common. By the time that starts to impact Eli, Nassib should be experienced to the point where the Giants will feel comfortable inserting him into a game and still feeling they have better than a 50-percent chance to win.

It may have seemed like a strange pick because quarterback isn’t an immediate need for the Giants. But this pick was made with the long view in mind. And I think it was a very savvy selection.

QUICK HITS

» Photos of the Giants 2013 Draft Class

» Eli Manning can relate to new QB Nassib

» Ex-’Cuse Coach Marrone talks Pugh, Nassib

» WATCH: Giants Draft Picks at NFL Combine

» Experts grade Giants’ 2013 Draft Picks

» Experts grade Giants Day Three selections

» Giants trade up for Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib

» Giants’ late-round picks ready to compete

» Front Office reacts to Day Three picks

Players welcome new draft picks

Dan Salomone — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:17:14 +0000

Welcome Mr. Pugh. And good night Twitfam—
Justin Tuck (@JustinTuckNYG91) April 26, 2013

Welcome to Big Blue @JustinPugh67—
Andre Brown (@drebrown35) April 26, 2013

Welcome to the squad Justin Pugh! #NYG—
Spencer Paysinger (@SpittyP) April 26, 2013

From Syracuse to NYC, keeping it in state! Lets go G-men! Can't wait to get this thing started!!!! Best day of my life!!!—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 26, 2013

“@davediehl66: Congrats @JustinPugh67 and welcome to the Giants O Line room.” Thanks ready to learn from the best. See you soon.—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 26, 2013

See how many new followers my newest teammate gets after joining the greatest franchise in the NFL!!! Welcome to the family @JustinPugh67—
Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) April 26, 2013

Best of luck to all the players in this years draft…wish you all the best in your upcoming NFL careers!—
Henry Hynoski (@HenryHynoski) April 25, 2013

Me and @Ryan_Nassib are the newest New York Giants. Lets go! http://t.co/0g3psaGhk7—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 27, 2013

Welcome @Ryan_Nassib I'm freaking!!!—
Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh67) April 27, 2013

Ok Ryan Nassib! Welcome to #NYG you get to learn from one of the best in the game—
Spencer Paysinger (@SpittyP) April 27, 2013

Congrats to all the gators drafted this week!! And watch out for all those gators that were signed as UDFA's!!!! Don't sleep on em!—
Justin Trattou (@Justin_Trattou) April 28, 2013

To all those UDFA out there…stay the course…im living proof that everyone will get a chance if they work hard and want it enough!—
Henry Hynoski (@HenryHynoski) April 27, 2013

List of 23 top prospects to attend NFL Draft

Dan Salomone — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:00:07 +0000

Time to get out the No. 1 jerseys and make sure the suits are tailored. The NFL Draft attendees list is officially in.

Twenty-three top prospects are confirmed to attend the annual selection show beginning April 25 at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. That includes a 2013-best four players from BCS National Champion Alabama and four players from Florida State.

Following are the players confirmed to attend this year’s NFL Draft:

PHOTOS: GIANTS DRAFT DAY MOMENTS

1) Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Brigham Young
2) Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
3) Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
4) Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan
5) Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

6) D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama
7) Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M
8) Lane Johnson, T, Oklahoma
9) Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
10) Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

11) E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
12) Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
13) Barkevious Mingo, DE, Louisiana State
14) Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
15) Eric Reid, S, Louisiana State

16) Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
17) Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
18) Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
19) Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
20) Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

21) Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
22) Menelik Watson, T, Florida State
23) Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

A record 26 players attended last year’s draft, which also included the most by one school with BCS National Champion Alabama sending five. The Giants hold eight total picks in the upcoming draft, beginning with the 19th overall selection.

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» Where does it rank? Victor Cruz jersey sales

» Experts predict Giants draft pick (4/9)

» Giants President John Mara on rule changes

» WATCH Eisen’s Mailbag: Analyzing the DE’s

19 top prospects to attend upcoming NFL Draft

Dan Salomone — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:53:33 +0000

Time to get out the No. 1 jerseys and make sure the suits are tailored. The NFL Draft attendees list is in.

At least 19 top prospects are scheduled to attend the annual selection show beginning April 25 at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. This is according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who released the names this morning:

PHOTOS: RELIVE GIANTS DRAFT DAY MOMENTS

» Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
» Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
» EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
» Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
» Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

» Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
» Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
» Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
» Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU
» Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

» DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama
» Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
» Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
» Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
» Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

» Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
» Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
» Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
» Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

A record 26 players attended last year’s draft, which also included the most by one school with BCS National Champion Alabama sending five. The Giants hold eight total picks in the upcoming draft, beginning with the 19th overall selection.

NFL Draft comes into focus for Giants

Dan Salomone — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:00:45 +0000

As the Giants and teams across the NFL continue to plug holes through free agency, the football world is rapidly moving toward the offseason’s biggest event: the 2013 NFL Draft.

We are officially less than a month away from the three-day extravaganza, which begins with the first round on Thursday, April 25 at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.

The Giants, who recently received an additional seventh-round compensatory draft choice, will have eight total picks beginning with the 19^th overall selection.

Here is a look at their order:

Round Pick Overall

1              19           19
2              19           49
3              19           81
4              19           116
5              19           152
6              19           187
7              19           225
7              47           253

Stay tuned to Giants.com for the latest offseason news and analysis, including:

» Complete 2013 NFL Draft selection order

» Experts predict Giants draft pick

» Guard Kevin Boothe returns to offensive line

» Latest updates on the 2013 Free Agents

» Fact or Fiction: Improved secondary in 2013?

» GM Jerry Reese talks Free Agent Strategy

» Giants.com hosts ‘Draft Class Challenge’

NFL Scouting Combine draws record numbers

Giants.com — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:00:47 +0000

NFL coaches, scouts, executives and a few lucky fans may have been the only ones allowed inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to witness the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine Presented by Under Armour, but NFL Media delivered the event to a record audience around the world.

A record high total of 7.25 million viewers watched coverage of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine Presented by Under Armour on NFL Network over the four days (Saturday, Feb. 23 –Tuesday, Feb. 26, live and re-air telecasts) – topping last year’s 6.51 million total viewers by +11%, according to The Nielsen Company.

Additionally, the average minute audience of 268,000 viewers for NFL Network’s live coverage of the Combine shattered the previous high of 244,000 from 2012 (+10%). Individually, NFL Network set viewership records for three of the four days of the Combine (Sat., Mon., & Tue.).

The NFL Scouting Combine is part of NFL Network’s “Path to Primetime” programming leading into the 2013 NFL Draft April 25-27. NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft” airs Monday-Friday at 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM ET.

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» Read Coach Tom Coughlin’s new book

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Pro days helped Victor Cruz, Osi Umenyiora

Dan Salomone — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:34:15 +0000

For NFL hopefuls that either performed poorly at the scouting combine or didn’t participate at all, there are always college pro-day workouts to showcase their talents. With the combine having wrapped up in Indianapolis this week, coaches and scouts now hit the road and visit colleges around the country for the next round of evaluations.

For lower-profile players, these workouts could boost their stock in the upcoming draft. Just take a look back at Osi Umenyiora and Victor Cruz, writes NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt, to see how their professional careers were boosted by their pro days coming out of Troy and UMass, respectively.

“Umenyiora, who did not go to the combine, had a knockout performance at Troy’s pro day, running in the 4.65-second range and showing good athleticism and speed,” said Brandt, the former vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys from 1960-89. “Consequently, the New York Giants made him their second-round choice in the 2003 NFL Draft.”

Since his pro day in 2003, Umenyiora has been named All-Pro twice in his career to go along with two Super Bowl rings. Meanwhile, Cruz wouldn’t be drafted coming out of college in 2010, but he showed enough to the Giants that he was signed as a rookie free agent. The rest is history.

“A UMass product who was not invited to the combine, Cruz worked out at two different pro days ahead of the 2010 NFL Draft — once at his own school and once at Boston College,” Brandt continued. “He didn’t have great speed (running the 40 in 4.52 and 4.47 seconds at Boston College), but teams got to see what he could do as a route runner; they got to see that he had quickness and the ability to catch the ball. He went undrafted, but eventually stuck with the Giants, becoming a key figure for the team that won Super Bowl XLVI.”

As of Friday, the 2013 pro days are officially underway. Here is a look at the upcoming schedule:

March 1: Purdue, Texas-El Paso
March 4: Alabama-Birmingham, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota State, Troy
March 5: Auburn, Buffalo, Harding, Jackson State, Missouri Southern State, Northwestern, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Tuskegee, Youngstown State
March 6: Alabama A&M, Duquesne, Eastern Washington, Kent State, Mississippi State, North Alabama, Northern Arizona, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Texas Tech, Wisconsin
March 7: Arizona, Arkansas-Monticello, Clemson, Furman, Idaho, Illinois, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Syracuse, Washington State
March 8: Arizona State, Cornell, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Missouri State, Montana, Mount Union, Northern Illinois, Ohio State, Southern Mississippi, TCU, Texas A&M, Wofford
March 11: California (Pa.), Central Michigan, Penn State
March 12: Delaware State, Florida, Jacksonville State, Kansas State, Lehigh, Monmouth, Oklahoma State, Portland State, Toledo, Towson, Tulane, UCLA
March 13: Alabama, Central Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Colorado, Colorado State, Louisiana-Monroe, Marshall, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Washington
March 14: Arkansas State, California, Delaware, Fort Valley State, Georgia Tech, Grambling State, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tulsa, UNLV, West Alabama, West Virginia, Wyoming
March 15: Arkansas, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kansas, Oregon State, San Jose State
March 18: Air Force, Albany State (Ga.), Houston, Howard, Idaho State, Indiana, Memphis, Montana State, Valdosta State, Villanova, Virginia Union, Wake Forest
March 19: Florida A&M, Florida State, Louisville, Richmond (with Liberty), Sam Houston State, San Diego State, Virginia
March 20: Ball State, Baylor, Central Florida, Connecticut, North Carolina State, Ohio, Sacramento State, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky
March 21: Boise State, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), New Mexico State, Old Dominion, Stanford, Stony Brook, Temple, William & Mary
March 22: Missouri Western, Tennessee State, Vanderbilt
March 25: Duke, Iowa, Middle Tennessee State, Stephen F. Austin
March 26: Iowa State, Louisiana Tech, McNeese State, North Carolina, North Carolina Central, Notre Dame, Southeastern Louisiana, Texas
March 27: LSU, South Carolina, SMU, USC
March 28: BYU, Central Arkansas, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Louisiana-Lafayette, Yale
March 29: Southeast Missouri State
April 2: Columbia

GM Jerry Reese hopes 2012 class can develop

Dan Salomone — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:00:42 +0000

When the NFL Draft rolls around, teams want to be picking last. Having the final selection in late April means they finished first in early February.

The Giants, who had that “privilege” last year after winning their fourth Super Bowl, drafted seven players in 2012, three of which saw significant playing time as rookies while another was on his way before suffering a season-ending knee injury 10 games in.

As for the other three, general manager Jerry Reese hopes their roles can increase in 2013.

“When you pick 32nd in the draft, you’re picking down low, so a lot of the guys you’re getting are developmental-type players,” Reese said over the weekend at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “It’s a privilege to do that and some of the guys you pick are developmental and we picked a tight end [Adrien Robinson] who we think will be a good player for us. We picked a couple offensive linemen [tackles Brandon Mosley and Matt McCants] who we think we can develop. Hopefully those guys will come along and develop for us and contribute this time.”

Mosley, the second of the Giants’ two fourth-round picks, spent the entire season on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and McCants learned the ropes on the practice squad. Meanwhile, Robinson dressed for only two games in 2012 – Weeks 1 and 5 – behind fellow tight ends Martellus Bennett and Bear Pascoe.

Reese was asked what Robinson needs to do to become a key player for the Giants.

“He flashed a lot of good things at practice,” he said of the Cincinnati product. “I just think he needs to get out there and play. I think it’s the number one thing you need to do with players – put them out there and let them play. Hopefully he’ll be able to get out there and play. That’s what’s most important for me – to get him out there.”

QUICK HITS

» GM Jerry Reese talks offseason changes

» Coach Coughlin meets media at combine

» Eisen’s Mailbag: Kicker competition

» The Syracuse Orange return to MetLife Stadium to face the Penn State Nittany Lions in New York’s College Classic on Saturday, August 31; game time TBD.

» WATCH: New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin speaks to the media at the NFL Combine

NFL turns attention to draft

Dan Salomone — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:00:14 +0000

As of last Sunday in New Orleans, the book has been officially closed on the 2012 NFL season. The league now turns its attention to the draft, but there are important steps along the way for front offices and the prospects themselves. First, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held in Indianapolis, where 333 prospects have been invited to showcase their athleticism.

Combine workout schedule:

Saturday, Feb. 23: Tight ends, offensive linemen, special teams

Sunday, Feb. 24: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers

Monday, Feb. 25: Defensive linemen, linebackers

Tuesday, Feb. 26: Defensive backs

After that, team executives hit the road and travel around the country to college campuses to check out this year’s talent pool.

March 1: Purdue, Texas-El Paso

March 4: Alabama-Birmingham, Alcorn, Minnesota, North Dakota State, Troy

March 5: Alabama State, Auburn, Buffalo, Jackson State, Northwestern, Southern Mississippi, Youngstown State

March 6: Alabama A&M, Mississippi State, North Alabama, South Florida, Wisconsin

March 7: Arizona, Central Arkansas, Clemson, Furman, Illinois, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Syracuse, Washington State

March 8: Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Montana, TCU, Texas A&M

March 11: California (Pa.), Penn State

March 12: Delaware State, Florida, Jacksonville State, Lehigh, Towson, Sacramento State, UCLA

March 13: Alabama, Colorado, Colorardo State, Louisiana-Monroe, Marshall, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Rutgers

March 14: Georgia Tech, Tulsa, UNLV, West Alabama

March 18: Air Force, Howard, Valdosta State

March 19: Florida A&M, Florida State, Louisville, Richmond (with Liberty), Virginia

March 20: Ball State, Central Florida, Connecticut, North Carolina State, Tennessee

March 21: Boise State, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia, Kentucky, Stanford

March 22: Missouri Western, Tennessee State, Vanderbilt

March 25: Middle Tennessee State

March 26: McNeese State, North Carolina Central, Texas

March 27: LSU, Louisiana Tech, SMU

March 28: BYU, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Louisiana-Lafayette, Yale

QUICK HITS

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» Giants.com breaks down the Giants’ running back situation

» Eisen’s Mailbag: Life after Bradshaw

» Best Of: RB Ahmad Bradshaw — Re-Live the best moments of RB Ahmad Bradshaw’s career with the Giants, including two Super Bowl championships.

» Giants Insider: DT Markus Kuhn chats with Giants.com in this exclusive Insider interview