January 4, 2012
by Eric from BigBlueInteractive.com
Quarterbacks:
The unquestioned centerpiece of the Giants’ offense, Eli Manning had a mixed season in 2010. For the second season in a row, he threw for over 4,000 yards, the first Giants’ quarterback to ever perform that feat twice. He also threw for a career-high 31 touchdown passes, something no Giants’ quarterback has done since Y.A. Tittle in 1962 and 1963. And for the third season in a row, Manning improved his completion percentage, finishing at almost 63 percent in 2010 in an offense that does not dump the ball off all that much to the backs and tight ends. The problem for Manning has remained turnovers, with 25 interceptions and 7 fumbles (5 of which were lost) in 2010. While some of the interceptions in 2010 were the fault of the receivers, others were the result of bad decisions, poor throws, or Eli trying to do too much. Manning needs to develop a better sense of when it is time to become more of a game-manager and less of a gunslinger. Sometimes it is OK to throw the football away or take a sack. He is also still guilty of missing a big play deep with an inaccurate throw. Nevertheless, many football fans still under-appreciate Manning. Though he doesn’t look it, Manning is very tough – he has never missed a game. He has the perfect temperament for playing in the New York metropolitan area as the intense media spotlight does not seem to faze him. He is also very good in pressure-packed situations on the football field, demonstrating an instinctive ability to lead his team on scoring drives late in contests. Manning’s accuracy has steadily improved since 2007. He is smart, works very hard off the field, and generally reads opposing defenses very well. The coaching staff tasks him to make complicated pre-snap reads for both the running and passing games. He does not take many sacks, has a strong arm, and can make all of the different kinds of throws. Manning was named Super Bowl MVP in 2007 and selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008.
David Carr was signed by the Giants in August 2011 after he was released by the San Francisco 49ers. Carr was originally drafted as the very first pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. The Texans waived Carr in March 2007. He was then signed by the Carolina Panthers, but the Panthers released him in February 2008. In 2008-09, Carr served as the Giants’ primary back-up and played well in limited mop-up action. Carr signed with the 49ers after the 2009 season. He only played in one game with the 49ers. In nine seasons, Carr has started 79 games with 65 touchdowns and 71 interceptions, completing almost 60 percent of his passes. Carr has all of the tools (size, athletic, strong arm), but he was a disappointment in Houston, Carolina, and San Francisco. Carr can appear indecisive at times and hold onto the ball too long. He can surprise teams with his ability to run with the ball.
Halfbacks:
It was an up-and-down year for Ahmad Bradshaw in 2010 who took over the starting halfback job in training camp and held it until Week 12 when he lost it due to fumbling issues. Bradshaw finished the season with 1,235 rushing yards on 276 carries (4.5 yards per carry) and 314 receiving yards on 47 receptions (6.7 yards per reception). Bradshaw had eight rushing touchdowns. However, he fumbled the ball 7 times (losing 6) and only twice in his last nine games did he average more than 4 yards per carry in a contest. The 323 touches was a huge increase in Bradshaw’s regular-season workload as he had 281 touches in his first three seasons combined. He underwent ankle surgery after the season to remove a bone spur in his left ankle. Bradshaw was drafted by the Giants in the 7th round of the 2007 NFL Draft, slipping despite a very productive collegiate career due to character concerns. While Bradshaw lacks ideal size, he runs with good power for his size and is elusive runner with good vision, quickness, and speed. Bradshaw can catch the ball and return kickoffs and punts. There are durability concerns with Bradshaw due to ankle/feet issues that have plagued him and that have required multiple surgeries. He needs to do a better job of protecting the football.
It was a strange year for Brandon Jacobs in 2010, who lost his starting job in camp, only to regain it in Week 12. Jacobs saw action in all 16 games, starting five, and finished the season with 823 yards on 147 carries and 9 touchdowns. He remained an afterthought in the passing game with only seven catches for 59 yards. He fumbled the football twice, losing both. Jacobs ran the football with more authority in 2010, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. This was after the big dip in his yards-per-carry productivity in 2009 (3.7) from 2007-08 (5.0). Jacobs was hampered by knee issues in 2007, 2008, and 2009, but because he received far fewer touches in 2010 as a backup, he remained fresher and healthier. The Giants selected Jacobs in the 4th round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Jacobs is an enormous running back with surprising speed, agility, and balance for his size. Jacobs runs with good power, but he has just enough wiggle in his game to occasionally make a man miss. Still, he’s more of a punishing runner than a creative one. Tall, Jacobs runs with an upright style. Not terribly quick to the line, Jacobs usually will have problems if the blocking up front breaks down. He also gets tripped up around the ankles more than he probably should. While he is better suited to inside runs, Jacobs does have enough athleticism to run outside on occasion. Jacobs is very competitive and brings toughness to the offensive team. He has improved his pass receiving skills and he is very good in pass protection. Because of his punishing style and previous knee issues, there are long-term wear-and-tear concerns with Jacobs. In addition, he is a bit of a loose cannon, both on and off the field.
D.J. Ware was surprisingly underutilized in 2010. Ware played in 14 games, but only had 20 carries for 73 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and seven receptions for 67 yards. Ware was expected to be much more of a contributor in 2009 as well, but injuries (dislocated elbow and a concussion) caused him to miss half that season. Ware was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Tennessee Titans after the 2007 NFL Draft. After the Titans waived him before training camp that year, the Jets claimed him. Ware was signed by the Giants off of the Jets’ Practice Squad in December 2007. Ware has a nice combination of size and athleticism, and has flashed an ability to run with vision and power. Ware has improved his blitz pick-ups and he can catch the football. He can also return kickoffs.
Da’Rel Scott was drafted in the 7th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. Though Scott lacks ideal size, he has outstanding speed for the position and can take it the distance. There are conflicting scouting reports on his elusiveness, power, and ability to gain yardage after contact. Scott’s overall instincts for the game have been questioned. In college, he had some fumbling issues. Scott has good hands in the receiving game, but he needs work in pass protection.
Andre Brown is currently on the team’s Practice Squad. Brown was signed by the Giants in August 2011 after he was waived by the Washington Redskins. Brown was originally drafted by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Brown missed all of 2009 with a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered in training camp. The Giants waived Brown in September 2010 before the season started. Since then, Brown has spent time with the Broncos, Colts, Panthers, and Redskins, but he has only played in four NFL games. Brown played surprisingly well for the Giants in the 2011 preseason. Brown has good size. He is more of a north-south slasher who runs with some power. Brown has good hands.
Fullbacks:
Henry Hynoski was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2011 NFL Draft. Hynoski has excellent size, but he’s an average athlete. He’s a physical run blocker and sound pass protector. Hynoski is a good receiver with soft hands. He’s a bit stiff and straight-linish. He is not much of a runner.
Wide Receivers:
Before injuries set in, Hakeem Nicks was having a super-productive season in 2010. A compartment syndrome injury to his leg required surgery and Nicks broke his toe late in the season. In all, Nicks played in 13 games, starting 12, and finished the season with 79 catches for 1,052 yards (13.3 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns. Nicks’ rookie season was also plagued by injuries (foot, hamstring, wrist), but he became a starter in the second half of the season. In 2009, Nicks played in 14 games, starting six. He finished the year with 47 catches for 790 yards and six touchdowns, averaging almost 17 yards per reception. Nicks was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Giants. Nicks has a nice combination of size, strength, and athletic ability. He has long arms and big hands. While not a burner, Nicks plays faster than he times and can make big plays down the field. Nicks still needs to improve his route running. Nicks adjusts well to the football and attacks the ball when it is in the air. Although guilty of some drops, Nicks is a natural pass-catcher and he can make the circus catch. He is not afraid to run over the middle and he is elusive after the catch. A confident player, Nicks has the ability to become a Pro Bowler if he can improve his routes and stay healthy.
Mario Manningham began the 2010 season as the Giants’ third receiver but ended up starting eight games. Manningham played in all 16 games and finished the season with 60 catches for 944 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns. In 2009, Manningham began the season as a starter, but lost his starting job to Nicks. He finished that season with 57 catches for 822 yards and five touchdowns. Manningham was selected by the Giants in the 3rd round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Manningham lacks ideal size. However, he is a very good athlete with good speed, quickness, and fluidity. Manningham has good body control and adjusts well to the football. Although he has good hands, he is guilty of the occasional drop. Manningham runs well after the catch. Manningham needs to continue to improve his route running and work ethic.
As an undrafted rookie free agent, Victor Cruz was placed on Injured Reserve in October 2010 with a torn hamstring. He played in three games but did not have a reception. Cruz has average size and athletic ability, but he seems to have a knack for getting open and making plays. He needs to become a more consistent receiver in running routes and catching the football, though he is capable of making the highlight reel-type grab.
Ramses Barden was on the Reserve/Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) list until November 2011 while he was recovering from the ligament damage and a fracture to his left ankle that he suffered in November 2010. Barden was selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Giants, but he has not played much. In his first two years in the NFL, Barden has only played in 9 games and has only 6 receptions. Barden is a huge wide receiver with long arms and big hands. Because he is such a big receiver, Barden lacks ideal speed and quickness and may have difficulty separating from pro-level defenders. He still needs a lot of work on his route running. Barden adjusts well to the football. He has demonstrated the ability to come up with the circus catch but drop an easy pass.
The Giants claimed Devin Thomas off of waivers from the Carolina Panthers in November 2010. He played in four games for the Giants but did not have a reception. Thomas was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. In a little over two seasons with the Redskins, Thomas played in 34 games with 11 starts, catching 40 passes for 445 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Redskins waived him October 2010 and he was then claimed by the Panthers. Thomas has a very good combination of size and athletic ability. However, he did not impress the Redskins with his work ethic and focus. During the 2011 preseason, Thomas flashed as a receiver and kickoff returner for the Giants.
Jerrel Jernigan was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. Jernigan lacks size, but he is a quick, fluid athlete who was extremely productive in college. Jernigan adjusts well to the football and is dangerous after the catch. Due to his size, Jernigan projects best as a slot receiver. He can return punts though he had some serious ball security issues on punt returns during the 2011 preseason.
Dan DePalma is currently on the Giants’ Practice Squad. DePalma was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New York Jets after the 2011 NFL Draft. DePalma was waived by the Jets in their final cuts in early September. Collegiately, DePalma played at Division II West Chester University. He has average size and athleticism for the position. DePalma is a good special teams player and can return punts and kicks. DePalma worked out with QB Eli Manning during Manning’s informal passing camp during the lockout.
Isaiah Stanback was signed to the Practice Squad in late November 2011. Stanback was originally a 4th round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Cowboys cut him in September 2009 and spent the rest of that season with the New England Patriots. The Patriots waived him May 2010 and he was then claimed by the Seattle Seahawks off of waivers. The Seahawks waived him in August 2010, re-signed him January 2011, and then placed him on Injured Reserve in September with a hamstring injury (he was later waived/injured). Stanback has played in 16 regular season games with two starts with the Patriots. However, he has only caught 5 passes for 46 yards. He also has returned 14 kickoffs. Stanback is a good athlete with decent size.
Domenik Hixon was placed on Injured Reserve in September 2011 after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee. Hixon tore the same ACL in June 2010 during a mini-camp. The knee injuries and his pending free agent status in 2012 put his future with the team in doubt. In 2009, Hixon fell on the depth chart with the development of Mario Manningham and the arrival of Hakeem Nicks. In 2009, Hixon played in 14 games, starting two, but finished the season with only 15 catches for 187 yards and one touchdown. That season, he was the Giants’ primary returner on punts (15.1 yards per return) and kickoffs (22.6 yards per return). In 2008, Hixon started seven games and caught 43 passes for 596 yards. Hixon was originally drafted by the Broncos in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. The Broncos cut him in October 2007 and the Giants immediately claimed him off of waivers. Hixon has good size. He is a fast and smooth athlete with good hands. Hixon is a dangerous punt and kickoff returner. He has five 40+ yard kickoff returns, including one touchdown, and three 40+ yard punt returns, including one touchdown, in his career already.
Michael Clayton was placed on Injured Reserve in late November 2011 with meniscus cartilage in his knee. The Giants originally signed Clayton in November 2010. Clayton played in six games for the Giants that season, but only had two receptions. The Giants then re-signed him as a free agent in August 2011, cut him in early September, and re-signed him in late September when Domenik Hixon was lost for the season. In 2011, Clayton played in five games for the Giants but had no receptions. Clayton was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers waived him in September 2010 before the season started. He then played for the UFL’s Omaha Nighthawks. In six seasons in Tampa, Clayton started 56 of the 84 games he played in, catching 221 passes for 2,936 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, after a stellar rookie season in 2004 (80 catches for 1,193 yards and 7 touchdowns), Clayton regularly disappointed in Tampa. He started 11 games in 2009, yet only caught 16 passes all season. Clayton has excellent size, but is not overly fast or quick. In Tampa, he did not play with much confidence and had inconsistent hands. Clayton is a very good blocker for a receiver and special teams player.
Tight Ends/H-Backs:
Bear Pascoe has become a bit of a tight end/fullback hybrid for the Giants. Pascoe was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 6th round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The 49ers waived him before the season started and the Giants then signed him to their Practice Squad and later to the 53-man roster. In 2010, Pascoe played in 15 games, starting 11, and finished the season with nine catches for 72 yards. Pascoe has excellent size. He is a try-hard guy who lacks overall athletic ability. He is an inconsistent blocker who does better when blocking on the move rather than from a down, in-line position. Pascoe lacks the speed and quickness to seriously threaten a defense as a receiver.
Travis Beckum was selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Giants but he has not done much in his first two seasons in the NFL. Injuries (hamstring, groin, neck) caused him to miss most of training camp and the preseason in 2010, setting his development back. Beckum did play in all 16 games, starting two. But he only had 13 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He was even more unproductive his rookie season with eight catches for 55 yards. Lacking size and looking more like a big wide receiver than tight end, Beckum is more of an H-Back. He is a very good athlete for the position. Agile and fast, Beckum can separate from linebackers and get down the field and threaten a defense vertically. He adjusts well to the football and has good hands. However, he still needs a lot of technique work, especially in running routes. Because of his size, Beckum is a position-blocker, and he needs to become consistently more aggressive, physical, and technically-sound in that department.
Jake Ballard was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent time both on the Practice Squad and the 53-man roster his rookie year. Ballard has excellent size, but seems to lack ideal athleticism for the position. He appears to be developing into a solid blocker. As a receiver, he has good hands but it remains to be seen if he has enough speed and quickness to become a factor in the passing game.
Christian Hopkins is currently on the Practice Squad. The Giants signed Hopkins as a street free agent in July 2011. In 2009 and 2010, he played in the UFL for the New York Sentinels and Omaha Nighthawks. Hopkins has excellent size, but he did not play much in the 2011 preseason.
Offensive Tackles:
Kareem McKenzie rebounded in 2010 with a strong season after suffering through an injury-plagued (both knees, groin, concussion) in 2009. In six seasons with the Giants, McKenzie has missed only seven games. McKenzie is one of the better right tackles in football. McKenzie joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent from the Jets in 2005. He was originally drafted by the Jets in the 3rd round of the 2001 NFL Draft. McKenzie is a huge, strong lineman with a very large wingspan. As a run blocker, McKenzie has good strength and power to maul defenders at the point-of-attack. He has decent feet and his long arms help him in pass protection, though he does have problems with outside speed and quickness at times.
David Diehl, the Giants’ versatile iron-man who had never missed a game in his first seven seasons with the team, was finally sidelined with an injury in 2010 when a torn hamstring caused him to miss four games. In the 12 games that he did play, Diehl saw time at both left tackle and left guard after playing the previous three seasons at left tackle. Earlier in his career, Diehl played at both right guard and right tackle. In 2009, he was voted first-alternate to the Pro Bowl and actually went to his first Pro Bowl when another lineman dropped out of the game. In 2008, Diehl was elected second-team All-Pro and third-alternate to the Pro Bowl. Diehl is a big, smart, aggressive lineman with long arms and a good athlete for his size. Diehl is a solid all-around player. He is a good run blocker and usually does a fine job protecting the quarterback although very quick pass rushers can give him problems at times.
James Brewer was drafted in the 4th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. Brewer combines excellent size, arm length, and overall athleticism. He is a raw player who has not played much football. He started 12 games as a junior and 9 games as a senior at right tackle (missing three games with an ankle injury). Brewer is very light on his feet and has the tools to develop into a good pass blocker. However, he needs a lot of work on his pass protection technique. There are conflicting scouting reports on his ability as a run blocker and his ability to play with leverage. The negative reports say he needs to get nastier and stronger. The positive reports say he has a strong lower base and gets movement in his run blocks. He has the athletic ability to engage defenders at the second level in the run game.
The Giants signed Tony Ugoh in early Demcember 2011. Ugoh was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts liked Ugoh so much they actually gave up their 2008 1st round draft pick in order to move up in the draft to select him. From 2007-2009, Ugoh played in 37 regular-season games with the Colts with 27 starts, mostly at left tackle. Ugoh only started four games his last season with the Colts in 2009 and was demoted from the starting lineup. The Colts waived him in September 2010. The Lions signed him in December 2010, but waived him in August 2011. Ugoh played for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League in 2011. A very good athlete, Ugoh was a disappointment in Indianapolis. He was injury-prone and not regarded as a mentally-tough player.
Selvish Capers is currently on the Practice Squad. Capers was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He spent his rookie season on the Redskins’ Practice Squad. The Redskins cut him in the last round of cuts in early September 2011. Capers is an athletic lineman with good quickness. He can pull and block at the second level. On the raw side, Capers still needs a lot of technique work. Capers needs to get bigger and stronger.
Will Beatty was placed on Injured Reserve in late November 2011 after having surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye. Beatty became the new starter at left tackle in 2011 and played fairly well, starting 10 games before the eye injury sidelined him. Beatty was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Giants. In 2009, Beatty started four games at right tackle for the injured Kareem McKenzie. Beatty saw his sophomore year with the Giants in 2010 set back with a foot fracture that caused him to miss half the season. Beatty did start two back-to-back games at left tackle when Shawn Andrews. Beatty is a big, athletic player with quick feet and long arms.
Stacy Andrews was placed on Injured Reserve in December 2011 with blood clots in both of his lungs. Andrews was signed by the Giants in August 2011. Andrews was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2009, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles traded Andrews to the Seattle Seahawks in September 2010. The Seahawks released him in July 2011. In eight NFL seasons, Andrews has played in 94 regular-seasons games with 49 starts. He played in nine games with the Giants in 2011. Andrews is a huge man with some power to his game. Versatile, he can play either tackle or guard and was used by the Giants as a blocking tight end. Andrews played very well at right tackle for the Bengals from 2004-08, but did not stand out at guard for the Eagles or tackle or guard for the Seahawks.
Offensive Guards:
In 2010, Chris Snee started all 16 games at right guard for the sixth season in a row and was voted to his third Pro Bowl appearance. Snee is a strong, physical run blocker who gets movement at the point-of-attack. Snee is also athletic enough to pull and engage linebackers at the second level. He is a very solid pass protector, but he occasionally will get beat by quickness. Snee is very competitive and plays with an attitude. He is also durable, not missing a game in the past six seasons
Kevin Boothe tore his pectoral muscle in a weight-lifting accident in May 2010, missed all of training camp and the preseason, and started the first eight games of the regular season on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List. But when Boothe returned, despite his rustiness, he was surprisingly effective in five straight starts at left guard. Boothe was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Raiders and started 14 games for Oakland at right guard as a rookie. The Raiders cut him in September 2007 and the Giants immediately claimed him off of waivers. Before 2010, in his first three years with the Giants, Boothe only started two games. Boothe is a big, powerful player with long arms who can create movement at the point-of-attack. Not overly agile or quick, Boothe is not as adept when pulling. In pass protection, he struggles at times with speed and quickness. A versatile player, Boothe can play both guard spots, right tackle, and even center – the latter being something he did in the regular-season finale against the Redskins and during the 2011 preseason.
The Giants drafted Mitch Petrus in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Petrus was active for 11 games, but did not start. He saw some limited mop-up action. Petrus is a versatile player. In college, he played some tight end and fullback and the Giants not only see him as a guard, but also a potential center. Petrus is a strong, athletic player. While not a powerful mauler in the run game, he plays with good leverage and intensity when run blocking. He is agile and good puller. Petrus appears to have the necessary footwork and agility to be a solid pass protector. Petrus has an upside but he needs more technique work and experience.
Offensive Centers:
The Giants signed David Baas as an unrestricted free agent from the San Francisco 49ers in July 2011. Baas was originally drafted by the 49ers in the 2nd round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Baas was a highly regarded collegiate center at Michigan. After an inconsistent, injury-plagued start to his career, Baas began to improve dramatically at left guard in 2009 and center in 2010 for the 49ers. In both 2009 and 2010, he was named the 49ers’ top offensive lineman, starting all 32 games. Baas has excellent size and strength. He’s a good athlete and can pull and block at the second level. Baas is tough, smart, competitive, and plays with a nasty attitude.
Jim Cordle spent all of 2010 on the Giants’ Practice Squad. Cordle was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2010 NFL Draft. Cordle is a versatile lineman who played four different offensive line positions in college. Cordle has good size.
Defensive Ends:
Justin Tuck had a strong 2010 season, starting all 16 games and finishing with 76 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 4 pass defenses, 6 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries. He was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. Tuck also went to the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season when he had 12 sacks, but his sack total was cut in half during a disappointing 2009 season when he suffered a torn labrum/shoulder injury. Tuck has an excellent combination of size, strength, and athleticism. Against the run, Tuck plays with leverage and can be disruptive with his ability to penetrate. He is a good pass rusher who can pressure the edge or inside with his quickness, speed, and strength. Tuck is athletic enough to drop into coverage on zone blitzes. Despite not missing a game since 2006, the biggest negative on Tuck is it seems he is often banged up with an injury that affects his play.
Despite being limited by a hip flexor injury that required offseason surgery in January 2011 and a knee injury that limited his practice reps throughout the year, Osi Umenyiora rebounded with a strong season in 2010. Umenyiora started all 16 games and finished with 48 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 2 pass defenses, 10 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. However, 8 of Umenyiora’s sacks came in the first 6 games of the season and his sack productivity fell off after that. Nevertheless, Umenyiora gets high marks playing through injuries and showing a marked improvement in his attitude after a 2009 season where he sulked and was eventually benched. Umenyiora is a two-time Pro Bowler (2005, 2007). He is a very good athlete who runs extremely well. When committed and focused, as he was in 2010, he is an underrated run defender who can control the edge. Umenyiora is a quality pass rusher who can disrupt a quarterback’s rhythm even when he does not get the sack. He does tend to favor the outside rush and would probably help his own cause if became more of a consistent threat to beat a tackle to the inside.
As expected, Jason Pierre-Paul was used exclusively as a reserve in 2010, as the talented but very raw defensive end was acclimated to the NFL. Pierre-Paul played in all 16 games, finishing the season with 30 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. The coaching staff admitted to having to spoon-feed Pierre-Paul given his limited football background, but Pierre-Paul flashed a great deal of talent. Pierre-Paul was drafted by the Giants in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Pierre-Paul did not begin playing football until his junior year in high school and he only started seven games at South Florida before being drafted after his junior season. Pierre-Paul has a superb combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He is fast, quick, and agile. Pierre-Paul flashes explosiveness and an ability to disrupt, but he is not consistently productive. He should improve dramatically with experience if he remains focused and dedicated to the game.
Dave Tollefson performed decently as a valuable reserve in the Giants’ defensive line rotation in 2010. Before a knee injury sidelined him in December, he had played in 13 games and finished the season with 20 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3 pass defenses, and 2 forced fumbles. Tollefson was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. The Oakland Raiders signed Tollefson in January 2007 and the Giants signed him off of the Raiders’ Practice Squad in October 2007. In four seasons with the Giants, Tollefson has played in 47 games (with no starts). While Tollefson is a decent athlete, he is not terribly explosive or disruptive on the football field. He’s more of a try-hard, back-up-type who will give you a solid day’s work. While he occasionally flashes, he is an ordinary run defender and pass rusher. Tollefson has good character and he plays well on special teams.
Justin Trattou was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2011 NFL Draft. Trattou needs to add more bulk and strength, but he is a decent athlete with good quickness. Trattou flashed at times during the 2011 preseason and was on the 53-man roster for the season opener.
Defensive Tackles:
Chris Canty rebounded with a good season in 2010 after a disappointing, injury-plagued 2009 campaign. Hamstring, calf, and knee injuries in 2009 not only caused him to miss most of training camp and all of the preseason, but half of the regular season, hurting his adjustment to the 4-3 defense. But in 2010, Canty started all 16 games and finished the season with 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 pass defenses, and 1 forced fumble. That said, Canty was stronger in the first half of the 2010 season as chest and neck injuries seemed to affect his play down the stretch. Canty was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. After four productive seasons in Dallas in the 3-4 defense, he signed with the Giants in 2009. Canty is a very tall player with long legs and arms. Strong and tough, Canty is a stout run defender who is able to hold the point-of-attack against the run. He often draws double-team attention from opposing offenses. Canty has not proven to be much of a pass rusher with only 12 sacks in six seasons.
Linval Joseph was selected by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft. However, because the Giants usually only activate three defensive tackles on game day, Joseph was only activated for six contests and he finished the season with only 8 tackles. Despite that, Joseph earned a starting job heading into the 2011 season after his strong preseason performance. Joseph has a very good combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He is very strong and difficult to move off the line of scrimmage on running plays. Joseph has decent quickness for a big man and could develop as a pass rusher. He is still raw and should improve with experience.
Rocky Bernard improved as the Giants’ primary reserve defensive tackle in 2010 after a very disappointing inaugural season with the team in 2009. In 14 games (with no starts), Bernard finished 2010 with 18 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 pass defenses. A disruptive player with the Seahawks (2002-2008), Bernard now is a steady, veteran presence who occasionally makes plays against the run and rushing the passer. Bernard has ordinary size for the position and he does not appear as quick and as athletic as he did earlier in his career.
Jimmy Kennedy was signed by the Giants in August 2011. He was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He has also spent time with the Broncos (2007), Bears (2007), Jaguars (2008), and Vikings (2008-10). The Vikings waived him July 2011. Kennedy combines good size and athleticism, but he has never lived up to his pre-draft hype. In eight NFL seasons, he has played in 86 games and accrued 125 tackles and 8.5 sacks. In 2010 with the Vikings, as a reserve, he had 8 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
Dwayne Hendricks is currently on the Practice Squad after being on the 53-man roster for five games. This is the third season Hendricks has been with the Giants, spending 2009 and 2010 on the team’s Practice Squad. The Giants originally signed him as a rookie free agent after the 2009 NFL Draft. Hendricks lacks ideal size, but he is a good athlete. He flashed in the 2011 preseason finale against the Patriots.
Marvin Austin was placed on Injured Reserve in August 2011 with a torn left pectoral muscle that required surgery. Austin was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. Austin did not play football in 2010 as he was kicked off of UNC after being ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA for illegally dealing with an agent. Austin lacks ideal height but he has an outstanding combination of strength, power, and athleticism. He moves very well for a big man and has a touch of explosiveness to his game. Austin needs to play with with better leverage and tenacity as a run defender at the point-of-attack, but he can be disruptive with his quickness. At times, he is blocked too easily. He has all the tools to become a good pass rusher.
Martin Parker was placed on Injured Reserve in August. He originally signed with the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2011 NFL Draft. Parker was voted defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game. Martin lacks ideal height, but he is well-built with long arms. He is a good athlete with fine quickness and agility. He does need to play with better leverage and he can struggle with bigger linemen at the point-of-attack. Better pass rusher than run defender at this point. Martin was very productive in college at a smaller level of competition. Hard worker who competes and hustles.
Linebackers:
Mathias Kiwanuka started 2010 on fire until a serious neck injury (herniated cervical disc ) ended his season in September. In three games, playing a hybrid linebacker/defensive end “joker,” Kiwanuka accrued 11 tackles, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble. Kiwanuka’s tenure with the Giants has not been terribly smooth. Drafted by the Giants in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Kiwanuka was moved from defensive end to linebacker in 2007 in order to get him on the field more. However, his season was cut short when he suffered a fractured fibula and ligament damage in an ankle in November that year. In 2008, with Osi Umenyiora lost for the season, Kiwanuka started all 16 games at right end and finished with 51 tackles and 8 sacks. In 2009, with Umenyiora back, Kiwanuka was once again a reserve until the Giants benched Umenyiora for the last five games of the season. However, Kiwanuka only had 3 sacks that season. Kiwanuka combines excellent size and athleticism. He is tall with long arms and is quick, fast, and agile. Kiwanuka is a decent run defender. He flashes as a pass rusher, but has not generated the consistent pass rush or sack numbers that were expected of him. Kiwanuka is smart and hard working.
Michael Boley had a steady 2010 season after being moved to strongside linebacker in the Giants’ new defensive scheme. Boley played in all 16 games and finished the season with 86 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defense, and 1 forced fumble. He underwent surgery on his right shoulder after the season. Boley was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Falcons. The Giants signed him in free agency in 2009, but Boley’s inaugural season with New York was plagued by injuries (hip, knee) and he missed all of training camp and the preseason that year as well as five regular-season games. Boley lacks ideal size, but he is athletic, quick, and fast enough to play all three downs. Boley is not a strong run defender at the point-of-attack, but he has good range. The strength of his game is pass coverage, one of the reasons why the Giants moved him over the tight end. However, he did not make many plays on the football in the air. Boley is not a very productive blitzer with only two sacks in the last three seasons. Boley does not make many big plays and he does not seem to take much of a leadership role with the defense.
Greg Jones was drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. Jones lacks ideal size (height) and speed. However, he is a decent athlete and a very instinctive player. He is around the ball a lot and flashes as both a run defender and blitzer. He does need to improve his coverage. Jones is a vocal leader.
Jacquian Williams was drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. Raw – he only started one season in college. Williams is an undersized but very athletic linebacker. Fast. Due to his size, he can get mauled at the point-of-attack. Williams flashed as a blitzer in the 2011 preseason and he should develop into a fine coverage linebacker with added experience.
Mark Herzlich was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2011 NFL Draft. Herzlich was regarded as one of the better collegiate linebackers in the country before missing the 2009 season with bone cancer. Herzlich has very good size and is a decent athlete, though he is a bit on stiff side. He is a good run defender. Instinctive.
Spencer Paysinger was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2011 NFL Draft. Paysinger is an athletic, run-and-hit-type of linebacker who can struggle with blockers at the point-of-attack. He is fluid and quick and should develop into a fine coverage linebacker with experience. He flashed in the 2011 preseason for the Giants.
The Giants re-signed Chase Blackburn in late November 2011 after choosing not to re-sign him before the season started when he was an unrestricted free agent. Blackburn was originally signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent after the 2005 NFL Draft. In his six years with the Giants from 2005-2010, Blackburn played in 93 regular-season games with 17 starts, accruing 210 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. In 2010, Blackburn was strictly a special teams player, serving as the unit’s captain. Blackburn can play all three linebacker spots. A bit on the stiff side, Blackburn is not overly fast or quick. He’s a hard-working overachiever. Blackburn was elected first-alternate to the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster as a special teams player in 2008.
Adrian Tracy is currently on the Giants’ Practice Squad. Tracy was drafted by the Giants in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft, but missed all of his rookie season due to a preseason elbow injury. Tracy played defensive end in college but the Giants moved him to linebacker. Tracy has good size for linebacker and is a good athlete. The big question is can he make the conversion to an NFL-caliber linebacker, a move that requires him to become more adept in moving in reverse? He does flash as a pass rusher and the Giants may eventually use him in a “joker”-type DE/LB role.
Jonathan Goff was placed on Injured Reserve in September 2011 before the season started with an ACL tear to his right knee that he suffered in practice. Goff became the new full-time middle linebacker in 2010. He started all 16 games and finished with 80 tackles, 1 sack, 2 pass defenses, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Goff was selected by the Giants in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Goff’s rookie season was a wash as he was hurt early in the preseason with a fractured back and later suffered concussion and hamstring injuries. Goff did start the last four games at middle linebacker in 2009. Goff is a well-built player with decent athleticism. In 2010, Goff flashed at times against the run and in pass coverage. However, while his tackle total was respectable, the fact that it was not higher on a game-by-game basis raises questions about his instincts. Goff is smart and hardworking. He appears to be more of quiet type rather than a fiery leader.
The future of Clint Sintim is in doubt as he suffered a very serious knee injury in the 2011 preseason finale and was placed on Injured Reserve. Sintim tore both his ACL and the patella tendon in his knee. He tore the same ACL in December 2010. Sintim played in 13 games in 2010 with one start, finishing with only 13 tackles. Sintim was practically handed a starting linebacker spot at the start of training camp in 2010, but was benched in favor of Keith Bulluck once the regular season arrived. Sintim was originally selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Giants. Sintim played in 11 games as a rookie, with no starts, and finished with 20 tackles and 1 sack. In college, Sintim played in a 3-4 defense and he does not seem overly comfortable with the Giants’ 4-3 scheme. Sintim is big, strong, and athletic for his size. However, questions remain about whether or not his has enough instincts, quickness, and range to be a 4-3 linebacker at the pro level. Sintim has the physical attributes you look for in a run defender. He needs to continue to improve in pass coverage. Sintim was a very good pass rusher at the collegiate level, but he has only one sack in two seasons with the Giants. Simply put, he has not made enough plays as a pro football player.
Cornerbacks:
Corey Webster had an up-and-down 2010 season. In most games, he did a very good job of covering his man and teams stayed away from him but there were a few games where he gave up a big play. He started 15 games (missing the finale with a rib injury), and finished with 52 tackles, 12 pass defenses, 4 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. This was the second somewhat inconsistent season in a row for Webster who had a stellar 2008 season. Webster was originally drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Webster has a nice combination of size and athleticism. While not a blazer, he has good speed and quickness. Smooth and fluid. Webster can play both man and zone coverage although he seems more comfortable in man.
Aaron Ross has regained his starting job at right corner with the season-ending injury to Terrell Thomas. Ross lost his starting job to Thomas in 2009 when a persistent hamstring injury ruined his season. Ross was also limited in 2010 by a foot injury (plantar fascia tear), but he did play in 15 games and started the season-finale. Ross finished the season with 36 tackles, 1 sack, and 4 pass defenses. Ross was drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Giants. He started nine games as a rookie and was a significant contributor in the Giants’ title run despite playing with a dislocated shoulder during the playoffs. Ross combines good size and athleticism. He has good speed and quickness, and he is fluid and smooth in coverage. Ross seems more comfortable in man coverage than zone. Though, he returned a pick for a touchdown in each of his first two seasons, Ross needs to make more plays on the ball in the air. Ross can return punts, but has not been used much as a returner by the Giants. He has proven to be somewhat injury prone.
Prince Amukamara was drafted in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants, but he missed virtually all of training camp and all of the preseason with a broken foot. Amukamara has good size and strength for cornerback. While not a blazer, he is a very fluid athlete with quick feet and good speed.
The Giants signed Will Blackmon in late November 2011. Blackmon was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Blackmon was waived by the Packers in 2010 after a couple of stints on Injured Reserve. The Giants signed him in October 2010 and he played in five games for New York before being placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. A decent punt returner, Blackmon has not impressed as a corner at the NFL level.
The Giants signed Brandon Bing to the Practice Squad in November 2011. Bing was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Denver Broncos after the 2011 NFL Draft. He was cut by the Broncos in early September and spent some time on the Practice Squad of the Buffalo Bills before the Bills terminated his contract in October. Bing lacks ideal size, but he has good speed and quickness.
Terrell Thomas was placed on Injured Reserve in August 2011 after suffering a torn ACL in his knee. Thomas looked primed for a strong season before suffering the season-ending injury in the preseason. Thomas became a full-time starter in 2009 due to Aaron Ross’ hamstring woes and remained the starter in 2010. Thomas made a lot of big plays, but also gave up a few. Most of the time, he played very well, but there were a few moments where he did not. Opposing teams tended to test him more than Corey Webster. Thomas finished the season with 101 tackles, 1 sack, 21 pass defenses, 5 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Thomas was selected by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Thomas has a very good combination of size and athleticism. While not a blazer, he has good speed and quickness for his size. Thomas plays both man and zone coverage. He is a physical player and a good blitzer.
The Giants signed Justin Tryon in October 2011. He was placed on Injured Reserve at the end of that month after having surgery on his fractured right arm. Tryon was originally drafted in in the 4th round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Tryon was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in September 2010. The Colts surprisingly waived him in late September 2011. Tryon has played in 47 regular season games (3 with the Giants) with 8 starts. In those games, he accrued 85 tackles, 1 sack, 11 pass defenses, and 1 interception. He also started in the 2010 AFC Wild Card game against the Jets and intercepted a pass in that game. Tryon lacks size, but he is an athletic corner with good quickness. He reacts well to the football and closes quickly. Tryon returned 14 kickoffs for the Colts in 2010 with a 21.4 yards per return average.
Michael Coe was placed on Injured Reserve in late November with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Coe was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He spent time on the Giants’ Practice Squad and the Jaguars’ 53-man roster in 2009. Coe also spent time on both the Giants’ Practice Squad and 53-man roster in 2010 after being waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coe has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He flashed at times in coverage in the 2011 preseason and regular season with the Giants. He is a good special teams player.
Brian Witherspoon was placed on Injured Reserve in August 2011 after suffering an ACL injury in a preseason game. Witherspoon originally signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. He played in 14 games his rookie season, primarily as a kickoff and punt returner. The Jaguars waived him in December 2009 and he was claimed off of waivers by the Detroit Lions. After the Lions waived him in April, he was then claimed by the Panthers, who waived him before the 2010 season started. Witherspoon was signed by the Giants in late December 2010. In 22 NFL games, Witherspoon has returned 80 kickoffs for 1,890 yards, a 23.6-yard average, with a long runback of 51 yards, and 26 punts for 280 yards, a 10.8-yard average, with a long of 42. Witherspoon lacks ideal size but he is athletic and fast. Though he did not impress at cornerback in the NFL before coming to the Giants, he played well at the position during the 2011 preseason before he was injured.
Bruce Johnson was placed on Injured Reserve in August 2011 after tearing his Achilles’ tendon in training camp. Johnson was also placed on Injured Reserve in early November 2010 after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Johnson struggled in coverage during the 2010 preseason and did not play much on defense in the regular season before going on Injured Reserve. Johnson was originally signed by the Giants as a rookie free agent after the 2009 NFL Draft. He was a pleasant surprise as a rookie, playing in all 16 games with five starts, and finishing with 46 tackles, 1 sack, 8 pass defenses, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. Johnson lacks ideal size, but he is a fluid athlete with fine quickness.
Safeties:
While Antrel Rolle had a mostly positive 2010 season and was elected to his second Pro Bowl, he also had some down moments, especially in terms of giving up long touchdown passes in a few games. The Giants asked Rolle to play closer to the line of scrimmage than his former team – the Cardinals – did and Rolle unexpectedly excelled in attacking the line of scrimmage and making plays when moving forward. But his play on the backend suffered. Ironically, this had been the strength of his game in Arizona and it was expected that Rolle would make more plays on the football in the air. Starting all 16 games, Rolle finished the season with 87 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 pass defenses, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. Rolle was signed by the Giants in March 2010 after the Arizona Cardinals cut him in a salary-related move. Rolle was originally drafted as a cornerback in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. After three inconsistent seasons at corner, the Cardinals moved him to free safety in 2008. One of the better coverage safeties in the game, Rolle has good size, speed, and range. Due to his experience as a cornerback, unlike most safeties, Rolle can play man coverage. He is dangerous with the football after the interception – he has returned four interceptions for touchdowns. Rolle is a good run defender. However, Rolle talks too much off the field.
Entering 2010, the fear was that Kenny Phillips, who was coming off a serious, potentially career-threatening knee injury (patella femoral arthritis), would not be able to make it through an entire season. Phillips started all 16 games and finished the season with 77 tackles, 5 pass defenses, 1 interception, and 3 fumble recoveries. Phillips had a mostly positive season, but he did not make many big plays or plays on the football in the air. And Phillips had some rough moments in a few games. It is hoped that the knee injury has not permanently sabotaged some of his athletic ability. Phillips was drafted in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Giants. Phillips has good size. The knee injury appears to have reduced his once excellent range and overall coverage skills. Before the injury, Phillips was a physical and aggressive player against the run, but the Giants admittedly protected him more in 2010 by playing him at free safety. The plan is to move him back closer to the line in 2011.
In 2010, Deon Grant played more than the third linebacker and actually started eight games with Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips as the Giants heavily employed a three-safety package. Grant played in all 16 games and finished with 72 tackles, 1 sack, 10 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Grant was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. During free agency, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004 and the Seattle Seahawks in 2007. The Seahawks released him in March 2010 and the Giants signed him the following month. Older with declining athletic skills, Grant is a solid, dependable, and consistent player with good size. He brings good leadership skills to the team and is well liked in the locker room.
Tyler Sash was drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Giants. He is a strong safety-type who plays better closer to the line. Sash has good size. While he lacks ideal speed and agility, Sash is aggressive and instinctive. He is a good player against the run and can blitz. Sash is not as strong in coverage against very athletic receivers.
The Giants signed Derrick Martin as a street free agent in August 2011. Martin was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens traded Martin to the Green Bay Packers in September 2009. The Packers waived Martin in March 2011. Martin is a bit of safety/cornerback ‘tweener who struggled in coverage at times with the Packers. He did flash at times for the Giants during the 2011 preseason. Martin has been somewhat injury-prone, missing time with injuries to his shoulder (2008), ankle (2009), and knee (2010). Martin is a good special teams player who finished second on Packers in special teams tackles in 2009.
Chad Jones was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List in July 2010 after he suffered catastrophic, career-threatening leg injuries in a car accident in June. The Giants placed him on the NFI again in August 2011. (Pre-accident scouting report: Jones was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Giants. Junior entry. Jones has excellent size for a safety. He is a very good athlete – surprisingly fluid and agile for his size with nice quickness and decent range. Jones is a big hitter who can intimidate receivers. He is sometimes inconsistent in run support. Solid tackler. Jones needs to get stronger. There are conflicting scouting reports on his instincts against the pass. He has experience in both man and zone coverage. Jones is a good special teams player who has returned punts. Some have questioned his devotion to football since he also played baseball. Jones had the tools and had a big upside.)
Punters, Kickers, and Snappers:
The Giants signed Steve Weatherford in July 2011 as an unrestricted free agent from the New York Jets. Weatherford originally signed by the Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2006. In five NFL seasons, he has played for the Saints (2006-08), Chiefs (2008), Jaguars (2008), and Jets (2009-2010). In 2010, Weatherford tied an NFL regular-season record by placing 42 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. He averaged 42.6 yards per punt (38.1 yards net).
Lawrence Tynes had another decent season in 2010, making 19-of-23 field goal attempts (82.6 percent) and 43-of-43 extra point attempts. He also successfully tied his career-long attempt of 53 yards. The 82.6 conversion rate was slightly lower than his 84.4 percent of 2009 and 85.2 percent of 2007. Tynes missed virtually all of the 2008 season with a knee injury. Tynes is average-at-best on kickoffs, with only six touchbacks in each of the past two seasons. Tynes was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Chiefs after the 2001 NFL Draft. After spending time in NFL Europe and the CFL, he made the Chiefs’ roster in 2004. Tynes was traded to the Giants in 2007 for a conditional 7th round draft pick. Career-wise in the NFL, Tynes is an 81.2 percent field goal kicker.
In 2010, Zak DeOssie was selected to Pro Bowl for the second time in his four NFL seasons for his ability as a long snapper. DeOssie’s first Pro Bowl trip came after the 2008 season. DeOssie was drafted as a linebacker by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He is now strictly a special teams player.
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