May 8, 2008
by Eric from BigBlueInteractive.com
Quarterbacks:
Eli Manning “arrived” as one of the game’s best quarterbacks during the 2007 post-season. He completed 60 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and only one turnover during a 4-0 playoff run that culminated with an NFL Championship and a Super Bowl MVP award. This was after an inconsistent regular season where Manning completed 56 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns and 27 turnovers (20 interceptions and 7 fumbles). In three regular seasons as a full-time starter, Manning has averaged 24 touchdowns and 18 interceptions per season with a completion percentage above 55 percent. The 27-year old Manning now sports a Super Bowl ring and a 4-2 playoff record. He is firmly entrenched as the team’s true “franchise quarterback” for the foreseeable future. Manning is a smart quarterback who reads defenses well and who is called upon to make complicated pre-snap adjustments at the line of scrimmage for the entire team on both passing and running plays. While his quiet, undemonstrative demeanor has been criticized in the past, it has become increasingly obvious that his even-keeled approach is actually a positive attribute. Calm and poised even in the most tension-packed situations, Manning has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to lead his team down the field for a game-winning score late in a game. Manning has a strong arm and can make all of the different kinds of throws. He is able to get rid of the ball quickly and will throw it away when necessary. Manning has improved his pocket presence and toughness in the pocket. He still will force too many footballs and could still improve his overall accuracy. Manning is not a top athlete and does not threaten defenses with his feet. Manning is now the offense’s unquestioned leader.
David Carr was signed by the Giants in March 2008. 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 six seasons, he has started 79 games with 62 touchdowns and 70 interceptions and completed almost 60 percent of his passes. Carr has all of the tools, but he has been a major disappointment in the NFL. He combines good size and athleticism with a strong arm. However, he appears to have lost his confidence and his leadership skills have been questioned. Inconsistent. Carr needs to do a better job of feeling pressure and getting rid of the ball quicker. He also needs to improve his decision making.
Anthony Wright was signed by the Giants in April 2007 and became the primary back-up behind Eli Manning early during the 2007 regular season. Wright was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 1999 NFL Draft. Since that time, he has played with the Dallas Cowboys (2000-2001), Baltimore Ravens (2002-2005), and Cincinnati Bengals (2006). In nine NFL seasons, he has started a total 19 games, completing 54.9 percent of his passes for 3,590 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. Wright lacks ideal height, but he is a good athlete who can make plays with his feet. Wright has a strong arm, but he is not overly accurate and he will force the football into coverage. Wright needs to do a better job of reading coverages.
Jared Lorenzen was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Giants after the 2004 NFL Draft. Lorenzen failed to report to training camp his rookie season. The Giants put him on the Reserve/Did-Not-Report List and he spent no time with the Giants for the remainder of that season. Lorenzen returned to the team in 2005 and made the squad as the Giants’ third quarterback. In the 2006 preseason, Lorenzen played well and was promoted to the primary back-up behind Manning. However, Anthony Wright beat him out for that spot in 2007 and Lorenzen was demoted to the #3 back-up. Lorenzen has a very strong arm. He has improved his accuracy and will surprise you with his mobility. However, Lorenzen is very fat and has at times weighed over 300 pounds, raising questions about his work ethic and commitment to the game.
Andre’ Woodson was drafted by the Giants in the 6th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Woodson was a three-year starter at the University of Kentucky. In 2007, Woodson completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,709 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He has ideal size and a very strong arm. He is a pocket passer - not much of a scrambler. Inconsistent accuracy. Woodson has an unusual delivery and a bit of a slow windup on his deep ball. Cool, calm, and poised. Woodson will stand in the pocket and take the hit. However, he will hold onto the ball and take too many sacks - needs to throw the ball away more. He will force the ball at times. Good play action passer. Woodson will bird dog his primary receiver. Not a vocal leader.
Halfbacks:
Brandon Jacobs replaced Tiki Barber as the team’s primary running back in 2007. He started nine games, missing five and the bulk of another due to knee and hamstring injuries. Despite missing so much time, Jacobs still gained 1,011 yards and four touchdowns on 201 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He also caught 23 passes for 174 yards and two more scores. The Giants selected Jacobs in the 4th round of the 2005 NFL Draft. As a rookie in 2005, the Giants used Jacobs exclusively as a short-yardage back. In 2006, he became Tiki Barber’s primary backup and saw his role expand, carrying the football 96 times for 423 yards and nine touchdowns. Jacobs is an enormous running back with surprising speed, agility, and balance for his size. Jacobs runs hard and can pound the football between the tackles, but he has enough athleticism to bounce the football outside as well. Jacobs is super-competitive and must be careful not to lose his cool on the playing field. He also has to do a better job of holding onto the football. He fumbled five times in 2007, losing four.
Ahmad Bradshaw served primarily as a special teams player in 2007 until he exploded with a 17-carry, 151-yard performance against the Bills in Week 16. He was then a major contributor in the Giants’ post-season Super Bowl run with 208 yards on 48 carries. 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 is a very powerful and elusive runner with good quickness and speed. Instinctive. Bradshaw can catch the ball. He also averaged 24.2 yards per kick return on 38 returns in 2007.
Derrick Ward was placed on Injured Reserve in early December 2007 with a fractured fibula. Despite missing four games with groin and hamstring injuries, Ward rushed for 602 yards and three touchdowns on 125 carries (4.8 yards per carry) in 2007. The injury-prone Ward was also placed on Injured Reserve in December 2006 after he re-fractured a bone in his right foot. Ward had originally fractured the foot during training camp and missed the first six games of the 2006 season because of the injury. The Giants added Ward to the roster in 2004 when they signed him off of the Jets’ Practice Squad. The Jets drafted Ward in the 7th round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Ward has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He runs with power, but also is a decent cutback runner with good feet and some elusiveness. Ward can also catch the football. He does well covering kicks on special teams.
The Giants traded WR Tim Carter to the Cleveland Browns for Reuben Droughns in March 2007. Droughns was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 3rd round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He barely played in Detroit and was signed by the Broncos in 2002. Droughns did not see the ball much his first two seasons in Denver, but in 2004, he rushed for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns. In 2005, Droughns was traded to the Browns, where he rushed for 1,232 yards and two touchdowns in 2005 and 758 yards and four touchdowns in 2006. Droughns is a big, tough, physical back who runs hard. He is not elusive or explosive, lacking quickness and speed. Droughns catches the ball well and is a good special teams player.
Danny Ware was signed by the Giants off of the Jets’ Practice Squad in early December 2007. As a junior, Ware was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Tennessee Titans after the 2007 NFL Draft. The Titans waived him in June and the Jets claimed him a few days later. The Jets released him before the 2007 season started and signed him to their Practice Squad. Ware was a highly recruited running back coming out of high school and he started as a freshman at Georgia. However, Ware was not overly productive in college and shared time with other backs. Ware is a big back with decent athleticism, power, and vision. Not elusive or fast. He catches the ball well. Ware has had fumbling and confidence issues.
Kay-Jay Harris was signed to the Practice Squad in November 2007. Harris was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2005 NFL Draft. The Dolphins released him in October 2006 and he spent some time with the Rams before St. Louis waived him in August 2007. Harris is a big back and a good athlete for his size. He has some power, instincts, and vision. Smooth and fluid, Harris does lack speed and elusiveness. Harris is strictly a “between-the-tackles”-type runner. He can catch the ball.
Fullbacks:
Madison Hedgecock was claimed by the Giants off of waivers from the Rams in September 2007 and rapidly became the Giants’ primary blocking fullback. Hedgecock was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL Draft by St. Louis. In his three years with the Rams, Hedgecock played in all 33 games, with 16 starts. In college at North Carolina, Hedgecock played both fullback (as a freshman and senior) and defensive end (as a sophomore and junior). Hedgecock has very good size. He is a so-so athlete - on the stiff side. He plays hard and is aggressive and tough. Hedgecock is a good lead blocker for the running game and he can drive linebackers backwards. He can catch the ball, but he has only 23 career receptions, including six with the Giants in 2007.
The Giants signed Robert Douglas to the 53-man roster off of the Houston Texans’ Practice Squad in December 2006. Douglas was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Tennessee Titans after the 2005 NFL Draft and spent time on the Practice Squads of the Titans and Texans that year. The Buccaneers signed him in early 2006 before releasing him in July 2006. He then spent time on the Texans’ Practice Squad in both September and December before the Giants signed him. In college, at the University of Memphis, Douglas was switched from linebacker to fullback midway through his junior season. He is still learning the fullback position. Douglas is athletic and aggressive. He flashes as a pass receiver out of the backfield.
Tight Ends/H-Backs:
Jeremy Shockey was placed on Injured Reserve in December 2007 after suffering injuries to his left leg (fractured fibula) and ankle, requiring surgery. In 14 games in 2007, Shockey caught 57 passes for 619 yards and three touchdowns. Shockey is one of the foundation players on the Giants’ offensive football team and is under contract through the 2011 season. He made the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in five seasons in 2006. When healthy, Shockey can be a difference-maker. He is big, physical, and competitive with wide receiver-type receiving skills. An inconsistent route runner, Shockey adjusts well to the football and can make the circus catch. He also runs well after the catch and will punish tacklers. However, Shockey is not very durable. He has not been able to play one full 16-game season since he was drafted, plagued in each of his six seasons with foot/ankle problems. Though still a weapon that must be accounted for, Shockey does not look as explosive as he did when he was a rookie. In 2006, Shockey’s longest reception of the season was 25 yards and he averaged less than 10 yards per catch; in 2007, his longest catch was 29 yards. Shockey can also be guilty of the occasional dropped pass. He is a very good blocker. A passionate player, he is a tone-setter for the offense. However, he does have a bad habit of sulking if he does not get the ball or his offensive team is not playing well.
Kevin Boss performed very well late in the season after Jeremy Shockey was lost. Boss caught nine passes in the regular season and another five in the playoffs, including a big 45-yarder in Super Bowl XLII. Boss was drafted by the Giants in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL Draft out Western Oregon University (Division-II). Boss is still maturing both physically and mentally as a football player. Boss is very tall and has the frame to carry more weight. He needs to continue to get stronger. He is a very good athlete for his size. Boss is a better receiver than blocker. As a receiver, Boss adjusts well to the football and has good hands. He has decent speed and can run after the catch. While Boss’ blocking did improve in 2007, he is more of a position-blocker than mauler. Smart and a hard worker.
Michael Matthews was signed by the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2007 NFL Draft. Matthews split tight end duties at Georgia Tech in 2005 and 2006, being used primarily as a blocker. He also played some fullback. Matthews finished his collegiate career with only nine catches. As a rookie with the Giants, Matthews served primarily as reserve blocking tight end, though he did start six games in two-tight end set-ups with Jeremy Shockey. Matthews finished 2007 with six receptions for 28 yards. Tough, Matthews continued to play despite a dislocated shoulder injury.
Darcy Johnson was the leading candidate to be the Giants’ #2 (blocking) tight end before he partially tore the ACL in his right knee in training camp in August 2007. He was placed on Injured Reserve soon after. Johnson was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Giants out of Central Florida after the 2006 NFL Draft and spent most of that season on the Practice Squad. Johnson has a nice combination of size and athleticism.
Jerome Collins was signed to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad in December 2007 when Jeremy Shockey was lost for the season. Collins was drafted by the Rams in the 5th round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played in three games for the Rams in 2005, but the Rams released him before the 2006 season. In 2006, Collins spent time on the Cowboys’ Practice Squad before the Colts signed him to their active roster. Collins did not play in a single game for the Colts and ruptured his Achilles tendon in practice in December and was placed on Injured Reserve. The Colts waived him in February 2007. Collins combines good size and athletic ability. He tested very well at the NFL Combine in 2005. However, he does not look quite as athletic or fast on the football field. Better receiver than blocker. Collins adjusts well to the football and runs well after the catch. He needs to improve his route running. He also needs to improve his ability as a blocker. Collins is still on the raw side as he only played tight end one year in college.
Eric Butler was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. In 2007 at Mississippi State, Butler played in 13 games with five starts and had eight receptions for 71 yards. Overall, in four seasons in college, Butler caught 50 passes for 635 yards and eight touchdowns.
Wide Receivers:
Plaxico Burress is arguably the most talented receiver the Giants have had since Homer Jones in the late 1960’s. The Giants signed Burress as an unrestricted free agent in 2005. He was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Steelers. In three seasons with the Giants, Burress has caught 209 passes for 3,227 yards and 29 touchdowns in 47 regular-season games. In 2007, Burress managed one of his best seasons despite playing virtually the entire season with torn ligaments in his right ankle and a torn tendon in his left pinky. Burress actually originally hurt the ankle in training camp, missed most of camp and the preseason and rarely practiced all year. He sprained the MCL in his left knee before the Super Bowl. Burress’ combination of superb size and athleticism makes him a down-field receiving threat, forcing teams to often double-cover him. While not a blazer, he is a long strider who eats up yardage and can glide past defenders. His size, athleticism, and ability to adjust to the football allow him to make difficult catches even when well covered. Burress regularly makes highlight reel-type receptions. And he is capable of taking a short pass and turning it into a long touchdown. Burress does need to continue to work on his route running and he is guilty of the occasional dropped pass. Burress is an outstanding blocker for the running game. Very competitive.
The Giants’ all-time leading receiver, Amani Toomer completed his 12th season with the Giants by catching 59 passes for 760 yards (12.9 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. He also was the Giants’ leading receiver in the playoffs with 21 catches and three touchdowns. Toomer was moved from split end to flanker in 2005 when the Giants signed Plaxico Burress. He was placed on Injured Reserve in November 2006 with a torn ACL in his left knee, finishing that season with only 32 receptions for 360 yards. Toomer is a big receiver with good hands (though he dropped more than he usually does in 2007). Toomer is particularly adept at catching the ball near the sidelines while doing a marvelous job of keeping his feet in bounds. He is very experienced and an excellent route runner. Quarterbacks trust him. However, never a consistent deep threat, Toomer now rarely pressures defenses deep and lacks the quickness to create consistent separation on shorter routes.
Although Steve Smith missed the bulk of the 2007 season with a fractured scapula and a hamstring pull, he quickly gained the trust of the coaching staff and quarterback when he was healthy enough to play. Smith only played in five regular-season games, catching eight passes. But he was a major contributor in the playoffs with 14 pass receptions. Smith was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He has average size and he is not a blazer. However, Smith is a tough, productive receiver who knows how to change speeds and set up defenders. Quick and smooth. He reads defenses well, runs good routes, and has a feel for getting open. Smith can create separation on shorter routes with his burst out of cuts. He will go over the middle and work back to the quarterback. Smith adjusts well to the football and has good hands. Clutch player who is confident and dependable.
Sinorice Moss’ first two seasons with the Giants have been a disappointment. Moss’ rookie season was a virtual wash. A quad strain/tear that he suffered at the NFL Combine in February 2006 caused him to miss all of training camp, the preseason, and most of the regular season. With all of that missed time, it was no surprise that Moss only caught five passes in the six games that he played. In 2007, Moss was given every opportunity to win the third receiver position but could not do so when Steve Smith was healthy. Moss also had some injury issues with his back. In the playoffs, Moss was kept inactive. In 13 regular season games in 2007, including two starts, Moss caught 21 passes for 225 yards. Moss was selected in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Giants. Moss stood out at the Senior Bowl and was named game MVP. Sinorice is the brother of Redskins’ receiver Santana Moss. Moss is short, but he is a muscular, well-built receiver. He is fast and quick with excellent acceleration.
While David Tyree has made a few flashy plays at wide receiver in his first five seasons in the NFL (including the Super Bowl), he has made his pro career as one of the premier special teams players in the NFL, and was voted to the Pro Bowl for his special teams play in 2005. Tyree fractured his wrist during the 2007 preseason and missed the early part of the regular season. He finished the year with only four catches. In five seasons, despite quite a bit of playing time, he has only 54 catches, with his best season being 2006 when he had 19 catches and two touchdowns. Tyree has ordinary size, speed, quickness, and hands as a receiver. But he scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XLII and his other catch on the last-minute drive will go down as the greatest in Super Bowl history.
Mario Manningham was selected by the Giants in the 3rd round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was a two-year starter at Michigan. In 2007, Manningham caught 72 passes for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns. Manningham lacks ideal size - he needs to get bigger and stronger. He is a play-maker who makes plays in the clutch. He runs faster than he times and separates from defenders. Manningham is a smooth athlete who is quick in and out of his cuts. He runs good routes. Manningham has great body control and adjusts well to the football. Good hands. He runs well after the catch. Tough and competitive. He sometimes loses focus. Manningham was considered a first-round talent, but his Combine workout, past drug issues, and poor interviews (lied about previous drug use) caused his stock to drop. Some reports say he is moody and immature.
Domenik Hixon was claimed off of waivers from the Broncos by the Giants in October 2007. He only caught one pass for the Giants in 2007 but did return one kickoff for a 74-yard score. Hixon was originally drafted by the Broncos in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. In college at Akron, Hixon played free safety his first two seasons and then wide receiver his last two seasons. He spent the 2006 season on Denver’s Injured/Non-Football Injury List with a left foot injury that he suffered before the draft. In four regular season games for Denver in 2007, Hixon struggled as a returner, averaging 22.8 yards per kickoff return and 4.6 yards per punt return. He did not catch a pass for the Broncos. Hixon has good size and is very fast, quick, and elusive. He is still raw and needs a lot of technique work. Hard worker.
Michael Jennings tore his Achilles’ tendon in the second preseason game of 2007 and was added to Injured Reserve after clearing waivers. Before the injury, Jennings saw a lot of reps with the first team and looked to be a much improved player. He had finally made the Giants’ active roster in 2006 after spending time on the Giants’ Practice Squad in 2004 and 2005. Jennings finished the 2006 season with five catches for 49 yards and two rushes for 12 yards. Jennings, a track star at Florida State, did not play college football. He was originally signed by the 49ers as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2002 NFL Draft. In 2004, he spent time on the Practice Squads of the Patriots and Ravens (in addition to the Giants). While Jennings lacks ideal size, he is extremely fast and quick. He also has experience in the return game and scored on a punt return against the Ravens during the 2006 preseason.
Brandon London was signed by the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2007 NFL Draft and spent the 2007 season on the team’s Practice Squad. London was an All-Atlantic 10 performer in 2006 as he led UMass in receiving with 50 catches for 781 yards (15.6 yards per catch) and 9 touchdowns. London has a lot to learn as he comes from a small-school program, but he has a very nice combination of size and speed. London also has good hands.
Todd Lowber spent two stints on the Giants’ Practice Squad in 2007. He was originally signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie free agent after the 2007 NFL Draft. The Vikings waived him in late August. Lowber did not play football in college (Ramapo College) or high school. He is a very good athlete with excellent size and exceptional speed.
D.J. Hall was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Hall was a four-year starter at the University of Alabama. Productive, Hall finished the 2007 season with 67 receptions for 1,005 yards and 6 touchdowns. Hall combines excellent size and athleticism. He plays faster than he times and can separate and get deep. Not physical, he has some issues with press coverage. He needs to improve his route running. Hall adjusts well to the football and has good hands. Elusive after the catch. He makes plays in the clutch. Hall has a reputation for not being a great worker. Gives a good effort as a blocker.
Offensive Tackles:
Kareem McKenzie is one of the best 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 played well in his first season at left tackle despite playing most of the year with torn ligaments in one of his thumbs. Diehl has not missed a game since he was drafted in 2003 and has started in every game since that time (86 straight starts including six playoff games). In those five seasons, he has played right guard, right tackle, left guard, and left tackle. Diehl is a big, smart, aggressive lineman with long arms and a good athlete for his size. He’s not really a true mauler, but he has become a technically-sound run and pass blocker. He is also adept at pulling.
Guy Whimper was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Giants. Whimper is an athletic player who was used at linebacker, defensive end, and tight end in college. He was moved to right tackle his senior year, but he also started one game at left tackle. Whimper has good size and is a very good athlete with quick feet. Whimper is still learning to play the position, but has improved each preseason. He saw some limited playing time in the playoff game against the Buccaneers and performed well.
Adam Koets was drafted by the Giants in the 6th round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Koets is more experienced than most young linemen as he started 37 games at left tackle at Oregon State. Koets is a better pass blocker than run blocker. He is a good athlete with decent feet and natural knee bend. Koets needs to get bigger and stronger and play a more physical game in order to succeed at the next level. He struggled some in the 2007 preseason.
Na’Shan Goddard was signed by the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2006 NFL Draft. He made the team, but was inactive for the first seven games of the season. He was then waived, and claimed off of waivers by the Jets. The Jets waived him early September 2007 and the Giants quickly signed him to their Practice Squad. Goddard is big, physical lineman who played both tackle spots in the 2006 preseason for the Giants and performed fairly well.
Dylan Thiry was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. He was a three-year started at left tackle for Northwestern, but most likely projects to right tackle in the pros. Thiry has very good height and growth potential. Lacks ideal athleticism.
Offensive Guards:
Chris Snee has developed into one of the NFL’s best guards. He 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 who anchors well and who has improved his pass protection against quick defensive linemen. Snee is very competitive and plays with an attitude.
Rich Seubert was developing into one of the better guards in the NFL until his leg was shattered in October 2003 against the Eagles. The leg fractures were career-threatening, but Seubert has fought a long and difficult road back. In 2007, he once again became the full-time starter at left guard. Seubert is a fireplug who plays the game with a lot of intensity and toughness. He is a good run blocker at the point-of-attack, and he is mobile enough to pull and get out on linebackers. Quickness sometimes gives him trouble in pass protection, but he is generally solid in that department as well.
Kevin Boothe was claimed off of waivers by the Giants from the Oakland Raiders in September 2007. 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. In college at Cornell, Boothe played at right guard and both tackle spots. Boothe is a big, powerful player who can create movement at the point-of-attack. He is smart, tough, and plays with an attitude. He has long arms, but Boothe lacks the athletic ability to play left tackle and perhaps right tackle at the NFL level. He struggles with speed and quickness in pass protection. Still raw, Boothe needs to improve his overall technique and footwork.
Brandon Torrey was signed to the Practice Squad in January 2008. Torrey was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to a futures contract in February 2006. The Steelers waived him before the season started but signed him to their Practice Squad. Torrey was signed by the Steelers again in January 2007, but waived before the season started. The Cardinals signed him to their Practice Squad in November.
Andrew Bain was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Bain started all 13 games as a junior for the University of Miami but was only a part-time starter his senior season. He has very good size, but lacks athleticism and agility. He does not get a lot of movement in his run blocks. Bain struggles blocking in space at times. Plays hard. Could project to center.
Carnell Stewart was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Stewart is a converted defensive lineman who was moved the offensive line in 2006 for LSU. He started 14 games at right tackle in 2007. Stewart has very good size, but looks stiff and not very agile. Very raw.
Offensive Centers:
Shaun O’Hara has held down the fort at center since coming to the Giants in 2004 as a free agent from the Browns. While center is his most natural position, O’Hara is a versatile lineman who has experience at both guard positions. He can also long snap. Smart and a team leader, O’Hara is a decent athlete who can block at the second level and pull. He is not a powerful run blocker, but he plays with good technique and intensity. O’Hara is a good pass blocker who sometimes has problems with the bull rush.
Grey Ruegamer is a versatile lineman who has played center, guard, and even some tight end for the Giants. He was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL Draft, but did not play that season for Miami. Ruegamer signed with the Patriots in 2000 and started three games in three years with New England. In 2003, he signed with the Packers, starting 11 games in 2004 and two games in 2005. Ruegamer signed with the Giants in 2006. He played in all 16 regular season games and started at left guard in the regular-season finale. In 2007, Ruegamer filled in at center for the injured Shaun O’Hara in the regular season finale and started the playoff game against the Buccaneers. Ruegamer is a solid, dependable back-up-type who won’t embarrass you when called upon to start. He is smart and aggressive. Ruegamer is a solid technician - he is more of a position blocker than mauler. Ruegamer lacks quickness and range and thus can struggle when called upon to pull or block at the second level.
Glenn "Digger" Bujnoch was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Bujnoch has experience at both tackle spots at the University of Cincinnati. He lacks the ideal height and arm length to play tackle in the pros. He is a good athlete. Bujnoch obviously needs to get bigger and stronger. He struggles with power. Bujnoch is more of a finesse player than mauler. He is a better pass blocker than run blocker. Quick and understands angles. Good intangibles – smart and hardworking.
Defensive Ends:
Michael Strahan finished his 15th season in the NFL with 57 tackles and 9 sacks, one sack short of breaking Lawrence Taylor’s career 142-sack franchise record (Strahan has 141.5). Strahan was absent without leave for all of the Giants’ 2007 training camp and preseason. In 2006, Strahan suffered a serious foot (Lis Franc) injury and played in only nine games before finishing the season on Injured Reserve. In 2005, Strahan was voted to his seventh Pro Bowl. That year, Strahan reshaped his body, losing roughly 15-20 pounds. Doing so has increased his overall agility and quickness without appearing to significantly reduce his strength or power. Even at 36, Strahan is still one of the best strongside ends in football because he can effectively defend the run and rush the passer. Strahan is a good run defender, despite his lack of size (6-5, 255lbs), because he plays with such good leverage, strength, and technique. As a pass rusher, Strahan can beat a tackle both to the inside or outside, with quickness or power. The big question now is will Strahan retire?
Osi Umenyiora was the lone Giant to be voted to the Pro Bowl in 2007, his second appearance in three seasons. Umenyiora finished the season with 52 tackles and 13 sacks. In 2006, a serious hip flexor injury caused him to miss five games. The strength of Umenyiora’s game is his pass rushing ability, but he has steadily improved his play against the run since being drafted by the Giants in 2003. Umenyiora is exceptionally quick, fast, and athletic for a bigger defensive end. He can beat a tackle both to the inside or outside with his pass rush moves. He is also athletic enough for the Giants to drop him into space from time to time on zone blitzes.
Even though he was not a starter, a case can be made that Justin Tuck was the Giants’ most-valuable defensive player in 2007. Tuck was the top defensive line back-up at both defensive end and defensive tackle. He finished the season with 65 tackles and 10 sacks, a higher tackle count than both Strahan and Umenyiora and a higher sack count than Strahan. This despite coming off of a very serious Lis Franc injury in 2006 - an injury that caused him to miss 11 games that season and that required screws to be inserted into his foot. Tuck is a disruptive presence both at the end and tackle positions. He is a good pass rusher who can pressure the edge or inside with his quickness, speed, and strength. Against the run, Tuck plays with leverage and can be disruptive with his ability to penetrate. He flashes an ability to stack the point-of-attack, but needs to do so more consistently as well as be able to shed blockers more quickly.
Dave Tollefson was signed by the Giants off of the Oakland Raiders’ Practice Squad in October 2007. He was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. The Packers waived him before the 2006 season started, but signed him to their Practice Squad. The Oakland Raiders signed Tollefson in January 2007 and allocated him to the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe. In Europe, Tollefson started 10 games and accrued 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The Raiders waived him before the 2007 NFL season started and signed him to their Practice Squad. Tollefson was credited with 21 career sacks during his collegiate career at Northwest Missouri State. He was a two-time All-Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association pick and was the conference’s defensive MVP in 2005. Tollefson was plagued with foot and shoulder problems in college. He stood out at the Hula Bowl in 2006. Tollefson is a hard-working player. He has a nice combination of size and athleticism. Tollefson needs a lot of technique work, but he has a good upside.
Robert Henderson was selected by the Giants in the 6th round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Southern Mississippi. In 2007, in 13 games, Henderson accrued 64 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Henderson combines good size and athleticism. He runs well and can rush the passer. Henderson can also play some defensive tackle.
Wallace Gilberry was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Gilberry started all 13 games in 2007 for Alabama and finished the season with 80 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks. He ranked third nationally in tackles for a loss. Gilberry is a good run defender and tackler who sometimes struggles to get off blocks. He needs to get stronger. Gilberry is athletic and can rush the passer. He plays faster than his 40-time. Quick and fluid. Good intangibles – plays hard and hustles. Gilberry reportedly struggled at the Senior Bowl.
Antonio Reynolds was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Reynolds played all 14 games at right defensive end for the University of Tennessee in 2007, finishing with 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks. Reynolds has good size and long arms. Reynolds is a decent athlete with some quickness and agility to his game, but he is not overly fast. Reynolds is a better run defender than pass rusher. Flashes power, but he needs to get stronger. Inconsistent. His effort and passion for the game have been questioned. He has been labeled an underachiever.
Defensive Tackles:
Fred Robbins was shifted to nose tackle in 2007 by new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, lining up next to Michael Strahan on most plays. Robbins has played two strong seasons in a row with virtually identical statistics. In 2006, Robbins accrued 45 tackles and 5.5 sacks; in 2007, he accrused 42 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Robbins has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He is an above average run defender although he can have problems at times versus the double team. Robbins is a good pass rusher for a defensive tackle as he does have decent quickness for a big man.
Barry Cofield was moved to the 3-technique tackle spot next to Osi Umenyiora in 2007. In his second season, Cofield finished the year with 34 tackles and a sack. In college, Cofield played both defensive end and defensive tackle, and he has the ability to play both the nose and under tackle positions. Cofield lacks ideal tackle size, but he is strong and flashes at times with his ability to penetrate and make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. He is smart, team-oriented, and consistent. Hustles and pursues. At times, he will get mauled by double-team blocks. Cofield is not much of a pass rusher with only 2.5 sacks in two seasons.
Jay Alford was drafted by the Giants in the 3rd round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He saw his playing time increase late in the regular season and the playoffs. Alford finished the regular season with only 1 tackle and 1 sack, but he had 4 tackles and another sack in the playoffs. Alford lacks ideal size, but he is a quick penetrator. One-gap-type. He is agile and has quick hands. Hardworking - Alford hustles and chases. He needs to get stronger. Alford can have problems at the point-of-attack on running plays. He needs to play with better leverage against the run on a more consistent basis. Alford can rush the passer. Alford was the Giants’ primary long snapper on field goals and extra points.
Rodney Leisle was signed by the Giants in January 2008 to a futures contract. Leisle was originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He only played in three games his first two years with the Saints. 2006 was his best season as he accrued 16 tackles in 14 games (with one start). The Saints released him in August 2007. Leisle is a blue-collar overachiever. Not very athletic, he lacks quickness and mobility. But he is a plugger who plays hard and plays with an attitude. Leisle is strong and anchors well in run defense. He is not much of a pass rusher.
Nate Robinson was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Robinson transferred to Akron from Rutgers after he was released from the team for an undisclosed team violation. He started 6-of-10 games at nose tackle in 2007, finishing the year with 26 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, and 2 sacks. Robinson missed time due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Robinson is well built and powerful. He is stout and can hold his ground in run defense. Not overly quick or explosive. His work ethic, competitiveness, commitment to the game, and intensity have been questioned. Robinson has been labeled an underachiever.
Josh Muse was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft out of Louisiana Tech. In 2007, Muse started all 12 games at defensive tackle and finished the season with 47 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He was named second team All-WAC.
Ogemdi Nwagbuo was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. Nwagbuo played in 13 games in 2007 at Michigan State, starting 12 at nose tackle, and finished the season with 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery. Nwagbuo has decent size and the frame to get bigger. Strong, he can push the pocket. Nwagbuo flashes quickness, but he not overly athletic or fast. He does not provide much of a pass rush. Smart. Very raw, he did not play football until his senior year in high school. Nwagbuo needs a lot of technique work.
Linebackers:
Antonio Pierce finished the 2007 regular season as the Giants’ leading tackler with 103 total tackles. He also had 1 sack, 8 pass defenses, and an interception. The Giants signed Pierce as an unrestricted free agent from the Washington Redskins in 2005. The Redskins originally signed him as an undrafted free agent after the 2001 NFL Draft. While Pierce lacks ideal size and athleticism, he is an instinctive, productive player. He is very smart and reads plays well. He is almost like having a coach on the football field. Good run defender and tackler. Pierce can get mauled by bigger offensive linemen and is not overly fast. He is a three-down linebacker although he can have problems with better athletes in coverage, particularly down the field.
Mathias Kiwanuka was placed on Injured Reserve in November 2007 due to a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his ankle. The Giants shifted Kiwanuka from defensive end to linebacker in 2007 due to the team’s wealth of talent at defensive end and the desire to get him on the field more. After a rough start, Kiwanuka steadily improved at the position though defensive end is still likely his most natural spot. In 10 games in 2007, Kiwanuka accrued 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 4 pass defenses. As a linebacker, Kiwanuka has improved his instincts for the position and his pass coverage skills, though both are still less than ideal. As a defensive end, Kiwanuka has excellent size with long arms. He is very athletic – fast, agile, and quick. As an end, he is a better pass rusher than run defender (needs to get stronger), but his run defense was decent at that position in 2006. Kiwanuka has very good intangibles – smart and a solid character.
Gerris Wilkinson missed most of the 2007 training camp and all of the preseason with a knee injury. He saw limited action in 13 games, receiving the most playing time in the regular season finale when Kawika Mitchell was hurt. He finished the season with 14 tackles and 1 pass defense. The Giants selected Wilkinson in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. In college at Georgia Tech, Wilkinson was very versatile, playing all three linebacker positions as well as defensive end. Wilkinson has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He runs well and has the athletic ability to stick with players in coverage. He needs to become a more consistent run defender and tackler. Wilkinson is still learning the position, but he has an upside.
Chase Blackburn has served primarily as a special teams player since he was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent after the 2005 NFL Draft. In college at Akron, he was a LB/DE hybrid who played both positions. Blackburn did start two games at middle linebacker in 2005 and was credited with 15 tackles and intercepted one pass for a touchdown before a very serious neck injury forced him on Injured Reserve. Blackburn has excellent size and is a decent athlete. He is not overly fast or quick. He plays hard, chases, and hustles.
Zak DeOssie was drafted by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft and he served exclusively on special teams his rookie year. He is the son of former Giants’ linebacker Steve DeOssie. He most likely projects to strongside linebacker but he also might be able to play inside at the pro level. Smart. DeOssie combines prototypical size with good speed. He is a bit on the stiff side. DeOssie is an aggressive player, but he needs to take on and shed blocks better. DeOssie is still a work in progress. He is raw given his collegiate level of competition (Brown University). DeOssie can also long snap.
Danny Clark was signed by the Giants in March 2008. Clark was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his eight seasons in the NFL, Clark has played for the Jaguars (2000-2003), Raiders (2004-2005), Saints (2006), and Texans (2007). He has 66 career starts and started eight games for the Texans in 2007, finishing the year with 51 tackles, 0 sacks, and 1 interception. Clark is a solid, but unspectacular football player. He has good size but is an average athlete. Good intangibles – physical, aggressive, intense, and smart. Will hit. He has experience on the strongside and middle. Clark is a good run defender who sometimes struggles in coverage. Not much of blitzer with only five career sacks. He is a good special teams player.
Tank Daniels was signed to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad in November 2007. He was a standout special teams player for New York the rest of the season. Daniels was originally signed by the Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2006 NFL Draft. Daniels spent time on the Eagles’ Practice Squad and active roster his rookie season. He was released by the Eagles in early September 2007 and the Giants added him to their Practice Squad later that month. Daniels has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He is an aggressive player. Still on the raw side, Daniels needs a lot of development but he has an upside.
Bryan Kehl was selected by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was a two-year starter at BYU. Kehl finished the 2007 season with 91 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 interceptions. Kehl combines good size and athleticism. He is a three-down linebacker with good speed and agility. Changes direction well. Strong. He is not overly aggressive and sometimes struggles to shed. He has very good intangibles - smart, instinctive, intense, and hard working.
Jonathan Goff was selected by the Giants in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was a three-year starter at Vanderbilt. Goff finished the 2007 season with 113 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions. Goff has good size and is well built. There are conflicting reports on his overall athleticism and range. A little on the stiff side and not overly agile. Active and productive. Strong. Goff takes on blocks well and plays strong at the point of attack. He is not strong in man coverage. Excellent intangibles - smart, hardworking, and plays with an attitude. Goff was twice voted team captain in college.
The Giants signed Rory Johnson to a futures contract in January 2008. He had spent a week on the Giants’ Practice Squad in late September 2007. As a junior, Johnson was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2007 NFL Draft. At his Mississippi Pro Day, Johnson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 and 4.63 seconds. Johnson lacks ideal height, but he is a good athlete. Plays hard. Johnson was productive in college, but scouting reports question his instincts. Raw – Johnson needs a lot of technique work and work in pass coverage. Johnson has had some off the field issues.
Keith O’Neil was signed by the Giants as a “street” free agent in February 2008. O’Neil was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2003 NFL Draft. The Cowboys waived him in early September 2005 and he was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts off of waivers. The Colts placed him on Injured Reserve in August 2007 with a chest injury. He also suffered from a hernia earlier during the 2007 training camp. O’Neil played in 31 games with the Cowboys (2003-2004) and 21 games for the Colts (2005-2006) with no starts for either team. He has 72 career tackles.
Cornerbacks:
Sam Madison started 15 regular season games for the Giants in 2007 and finished with 67 tackles, 1 sack, 14 pass defenses, and 4 interceptions. He missed two of the playoff games with an abdomen injury. Madison was signed by the Giants in March 2006 after he was waived by the Miami Dolphins. In 2006 for the Giants, he started 12 regular season games at right corner, missing four with a hamstring injury. Madison was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He was voted to four straight Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2002. While his skills and speed are declining due to his advancing age (34 in April), Madison is a smooth, natural cover corner who continued to play fairly well for the Giants in 2007. Madison is at his best in aggressive, tight man-to-man coverage. He does a good job of reading the opposing quarterback’s eyes and making plays on the football. Experienced, confident, and a team leader. Madison is an inconsistent run defender. He also has had some problems staying healthy the last couple of seasons.
As a rookie, Aaron Ross started nine games and finished 2007 with 42 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 9 pass defenses, and 3 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Ross was drafted by the Giants in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Ross combines very good size and athleticism. He has good speed and quickness, and he is fluid and smooth in coverage. Ross plays well in aggressive man coverage. He is not as strong when he plays off the receiver. Ross reacts and recovers quickly, and he has good hands. He is an aggressive hitter, but he needs to develop into a more consistent tackler (wrap up more). Ross is competitive, confident, and hardworking. Tough - he played with a dislocated shoulder in the playoffs. Ross was a very good punt returner in college.
Aside from Eli Manning, no Giant so dramatically improved his play during the playoff run than Corey Webster. Webster started the first three games of the season and then was demoted to third-string corner. He did not start another regular season game and was in fact inactive for two games. Coupled with a disappointing 2006 campaign, Webster looked to be a 2005 second-round bust. But when injuries hit the cornerback position hard late in the year, Webster was forced to start in all four playoff games. Not only did he play well, but he excelled against top-flight competition in the form of Joey Galloway, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss. Webster finished the regular season with 18 tackles, 3 pass defenses, and one interception that he returned for a touchdown. In the playoffs, he accrued 12 tackles, 5 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions, including a decisive interception of Brett Favre in overtime of the NFC Championship Game. Webster has good size and is a good athlete. While not a burner or overly quick, Webster has good speed and is smooth and fluid. He plays better in aggressive man coverage than he does in zone. Webster does need to become a more aggressive and physical tackler and player against the run. Webster was limited in 2006 with turf toe and hip injuries, the latter requiring offseason surgery.
Kevin Dockery has developed into a pleasant surprise as a nickel corner and occasional starter. Dockery started six games in 2007 and finished the season with 46 tackles and 8 pass defenses. He missed two regular season and two post-season games with a hip flexor injury. Dockery was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Mississippi State after the 2006 NFL Draft. Dockery lacks height, but he is a well-built player with good speed and quickness. Aggressive.
R.W. McQuarters has proven to be a valuable reserve with the versatility to play corner, nickel, and even safety in a pinch. McQuarters played in a 16 regular season games, starting twice at corner, and finished 2007 with 15 tackles and 1 pass defense. McQuarters was a major contributor in the playoffs with one start, 5 tackles, 3 pass defenses, and 3 interceptions, including game-icing picks against the Buccaneers and Cowboys. McQuarters was signed by the Giants in March 2006 from the Detroit Lions. While it was expected that he would serve as the team’s nickel back, he ended up starting 10 regular season games that season. McQuarters was originally drafted in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers traded McQuarters to the Chicago Bears in 2000. During the 2005 offseason, despite interest from the Giants, he signed with the Detroit Lions as an unrestricted free agent. McQuarters appears to prefer man to zone coverage. Tough and aggressive – he plays a physical game. McQuarters has slowed with age, but still gets by on instincts and experience. He served as the Giants’ primary punt returner in 2007, averaging 7.6 yards per return on 42 returns (with a long of 27 yards).
Terrell Thomas was selected by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Thomas was a two-year starter at USC. In 2007, Thomas started 13 games and accrued 45 tackles, 1 sack, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 7 pass defenses, and 4 interceptions. Thomas combines very good size and athletic ability for a bigger corner. Quick and agile for his size. Very long arms. He needs to become a more consistent run defender. Thomas has the ability to play cover-2 as well as man-to-man. He is physical with receivers and can press receivers at the line. Thomas has a good feel for zone coverage. He needs to improve his footwork technique. Thomas is instinctive and productive. He is very smart. Diagnoses well. Intense and competitive. Injury issues caused him to slide in the draft, including surgeries on both his shoulders and his right knee.
Geoffrey Pope was signed to the 53-man roster from the Practice Squad at the end of December 2007. Pope did not play in the regular season, but saw action in the playoff games against the Cowboys and Packers. The Miami Dolphins signed Pope as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2007 NFL Draft, but he was waived by the team in early September. While he lacks ideal size, Pope is a good athlete with excellent speed. Pope comes from a small-school background (Howard) and needs a lot of development.
The Giants signed Darren Barnett as a rookie free agent after the 2007 NFL Draft, waived him in June, re-signed him in August, and then waived him in early September before the season started. The team then signed him to the Practice Squad in October, where he spent the remainder of the season. Barnett lacks ideal size, but he is a very good athlete. He tested extremely well at Missouri State’s pro day workouts in 2007. Barnett has character concerns. After playing well for Michigan State as a sophomore in 2003, he was kicked off the team for testing positive for drugs. He transferred to Missouri State in 2004 and earned first-team All-Gateway honors after tying for the conference lead with 7 interceptions. Barnett was ruled academically ineligible in 2005, prematurely ending his college career. He did not play football in 2005 and 2006.
Safeties:
Sammy Knight has played 11 years in the NFL with four teams, including the Saints (1997-2002), Dolphins (2003-2004), Chiefs (2005-2006), and Jaguars (2007). He accrued 93 tackles, 11 pass defenses, and 4 interceptions in 2007. Knight has good size, but is nearing the end of his career and lacks the athleticism and range that most teams look for in a safety. Slow and lacks agility. His best assets are his intangibles – smart, experienced, instinctive, and a good leader. Quarterback of the secondary who makes sure everyone is lined up properly. A classic “in-the-box” safety who is a good run defender and tackler near the line of scrimmage, Knight will miss some open-field tackles. He’s strictly a zone coverage-type who you do not want locked up in man coverage against quality receivers.
James Butler beat out Will Demps for the starting strong safety spot in 2007. Butler missed three regular season games and was limited in another due to hamstring and ankle issues. The hamstring continued to bother him throughout the playoffs. Butler finished the regular season with 61 tackles, 7 pass defenses, and 1 interception. Butler has ideal size. He is a decent athlete but is not overly fast or quick. He is an inconsistent run defender, hitter, and tackler. In particular, Butler struggles at times tackling in the open field. Butler does make the defensive backfield calls and has been praised in this role by the defensive coordinator.
Michael Johnson saw more action than expected as a rookie, playing in all 16 regular season games with five starts. He finished the season with 25 tackles and 2 pass defenses. Johnson was drafted by the Giants in the 7th round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He combines nice size and athletic ability. Johnson is an aggressive run defender who will hit and tackle. He has decent speed and agility in pass defense, but is still learning coverage responsibilities.
Kenny Phillips was selected by the Giants in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft. A junior entry, Phillips was a three-year starter at Miami. He finished the 2007 season with 82 tackles, five pass breakups, and two interceptions. Phillips combines very good size with good athleticism, speed, and range. He is agile for a bigger defensive back. Phillips has solid coverage skills with experience in both zone and man coverage, including some experience at cornerback. He does not make a lot of plays on the football in the air. He is a physical, aggressive player and a good tackler. Good run defender. Hard worker and smart. He reads and reacts quickly - alert and quick to diagnose plays. Competitive, confident, and plays with a swagger.
Nehemiah Warrick was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. He was a two-year starter at Michigan State. Warrick finished the 2007 season with 61 tackles. Warrick combines good size and athleticism. He is quick, agile, and strong. Warrick has decent speed, but plays with a hesitation in his game that makes him look slower at times. Physical, tough, and competitive. He is a much better run defender than pass defender. Warrick is not overly instinctive in pass defense and struggles at times in coverage. He does not make plays on the football in the air.
Kickers:
Despite the fact that Jeff Feagles turns 42 in March, he is still one of the League’s best punters. He makes up for a lack of ideal leg strength with his directional-punting skills that often pin an opposing returner along the sidelines. Feagles is also excellent at helping his team to down punts inside the 20-yard line. In 2007, in his fifth season with the Giants, Feagles averaged 40.4 yards per punt (36.0 yard net). Over one-third of his punts landed inside the 20 with only five touchbacks. Feagles does have a degenerative arthritic knee.
The Giants acquired Lawrence Tynes in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs in May 2007 for a conditional 7th round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Tynes finished the season 23-of-27 (85 percent) on field goal attempts (with a long of 48 yards) and 40-of-42 on extra points. Tynes was also 5-of-7 in the playoffs. In three seasons with the Chiefs, from 2004-2006, Tynes was 68-of-87 (78 percent) on field goal attempts and 137-of-141 on extra point attempts. Tynes was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Chiefs after the 2001 NFL Draft. He was cut at the end of training camp and re-signed the following offseason and allocated to NFL Europe. Tynes was released again before the 2002 NFL season started. He spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons with the Ottawa Renegades (CFL), where he converted on 71-of-87 field goal attempts (81.6 percent). In 2004, Tynes was re-signed by the Chiefs and beat out Morten Andersen for the team’s place-kicking job.
Owen Tolson was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. In 2007, Tolson was 8-of-15 on field goal attempts (53 percent) and averaged 45 yards per punt on 73 punts (26 punts downed inside the 20 and a net average of 36.5 yards per punt). Tolson has a strong leg.
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