Added 4/12/2007
By David Oliver
for BigBlueInteractive.com
Guiseppe de Lampedusa once said that if we want things to stay the same, they must change. At the age of 25 I didn’t have a clue as to what he meant. At the age of 63, he has become for me a wise sage. And so, as one journey has ended for me, another begins. Clichés become reality and the thought that life is lived as an epic comes sharply into focus.
It has been two years, give or take a game, since I have stepped onto a football field, actually, since I have had any desire to do so. The Giants, for me, were a passion. I was consumed from the age of 8. But passion can become obsession, obsession can become compulsion, and if that happens, enjoyment can be lost. So it was for me. But the circumstances surrounding the crash of passion are a tale for another article. It is enough to know that the lodestar of my interest for 54 years was the NY Football Giants.
Serendipity brought me to the sidelines and the sidelines were the sun to my living the fable of Daedulus and Icarus. But for those who think the term photographer defines me, or that the Giants were the only object of my lens, I need to reiterate that I have been a lawyer for many years. I worked for the Government as a regulator, litigator, administrator, diplomat and a few other things. One day I walked in and said I was taking early retirement - so long, good-bye, adios. I was fortunate in my career to work with many fine people, a few scoundrels and a rogue or two. I breakfasted with the likes of the eminence grise behind Pinochet, lunched with Puerto Rican nationalists and Zapatistas, supped with Russian Generals and the leaders of the Common Market, appeared before Congress and many State legislatures; in the end there was a lot of clucking when I took my departure When people asked each other why I was leaving, the most frequent answer was, “Oh, he’s going to photograph the NY Giants.” Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? A lot of people say they would love to do it, they would trade places with me, that it sounded really neat. Not many could, fewer would.
This is by way of necessary preface for what comes next. I’m old fashioned. I pitch from a windup stance, a very wordy windup. Some here tell me that they don’t like how I write; some don’t like what I write; others don’t like the photos. Let’s get this out of the way. Your feelings are noted. You don’t have to read, you don’t have to look, and you aren’t paying me anything - so let’s just get over it and move on. I’ll do it my way. That’s meant for Eddie “molly” Dodd, a cheap shot coward, and I’m sorry to say, a member of the Giants. Eddie - anytime, anyplace - all you have to do is own up to who you are.
See, I don’t forget, ever. Were it not for the insults, I would have passed on my merry way and not looked back. But that one throwaway shot, followed up by one a little more cutting has necessitated at least this short-term return. When the BBI credentials were cut off, the membership reacted loudly. On one of the threads a comment was made that the fans would be getting more information than any “part-time hobbyist” could provide. I guess I am the part-time hobbyist. The person who used the term was iterating a conversation he had with someone in the Giants’ offices. Now that person relaying that term is a long-time Giants fan, a fairly gentle person, someone who has never met me and so I could not imagine him referring to me like that. Logic, although sometimes in error, leads me to believe that he heard it from someone working for the Giants. Coincidentally there is one person, at least, who has been known to use such terms. This is my answer.
I have been covering sports events, for money, for over 20 years. I am a motorsports photographer, but I have covered every type of racing, including horses, cars, boats, hydroplanes, bicycles, motorcycles and track & field. I have been published in many major venues. I have been accredited to cover several Indy 500 races, 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 hours of Sebring, CART, IRL and ALMS events and many NASCAR races. I have covered professional football, starting with the Baltimore Stallions (CFL) the year they won the Grey Cup, the Giants for 9+ years, the Jets, and the XFL NY/NJ Hitmen. (For most of my years covering the Giants, it was a 20-24 week a year proposition, with all but the Redskins game being on the road - away from my home). The list goes on and on but that’s enough patting myself on the back. It is my answer to the Giants. If they want to find part-time hobbyists, I suggest they look again at their sidelines, at their regulars - many of whom are great photographers. But, they cover only the Giants and the Jets, they don’t leave home to cover the team on the road, they don’t attend mini-camps, they don’t attend summer camps, and that is the extent of their sports photography. There are also a number of “point and shoot” cameras on the sidelines every week. Let’s call these shooters FOT. There is a rule in law arising out of equity practice - come to the table with clean hands. I do not accept insults, particularly those made by imbeciles.
Is that all there is? No. Throughout my career, I was known as a person who reacted very negatively to two things; stupidity and incompetence. Every time the issue of BBI’s credentials arises, the name Sabia is mentioned in rejoinder. I am not Sabia, and to the best of my knowledge, Eric is not Sabia. Sabia was, allegedly, a fraud. I never told the Giants I was anything but what I was - first, the photographer for the GIANTS INSIDER, then for three games on my own and then with BBI. No lies, no shading and no fraud. NO connection whatsoever with Sabia. I would not go around continually emphasizing the incompetence of my staff by mentioning how we had been hoodwinked by a fraud. And whoever was responsible would get one royal ass-kicking. To further the point, the last year I received credentials, they weren’t even for BBI. I rarely looked at the Creds, but for some reason, about game 4 of the year, I looked on its face and was dumbstruck - the creds listed my organization as _______ well, why insert them here. The issuer was clueless - I mean clueless. So, whomsoever called me a “part-time hobbyist”, inside or outside the organization, “KISS MY ASS!”
Finally, Mr. Dodd took BBI to task for not saying Thank You. Let the record show that I, and Eric after we linked up, repeated our thanks to Pat Hanlon, many, many times. Pat has been generous to BBI participants and he was very generous to me over the years; without being an a__k, I said thank you to Pat in every way I could. That includes the game he allowed me to work after the passing of Wellington Mara. Wellington was an iconic figure, a constant in my life, our lives, as Giants’ fans. I remember him from mornings at camp at FD, walking the sidelines before anyone was there; and at camp at Albany; and at mini camps. What he may have lacked in football acumen, he more than made up for by his presence as the father figure of the team we loved. So I thanked Pat for that short reprieve as well. More than that, I like Pat Hanlon. He has a little of the rogue in him and I often traveled with such folks. But no one should expect thanks for an unceremonious booting. I spent a career fashioning win-win propositions and this one could very easily have been.
As I said earlier, I really had no desire to work football for almost two years. I have friends around the League, some pretty high up in front offices. I could have worked games for other teams. I just did not want to go on a field. You hear the term blood, sweat and tears. I left them all on the sidelines of the Meadowlands. But there is a danger that comes with contentment. When I first linked with Eric I wrote that I was on a journey, and I invited the BBI readers to come along. That journey has ended; it took a while for another to emerge from the chrysalis. I continue with NASCAR and my other events. Recently, I received an opportunity to cover the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. It just so happens that the NFL Euro was in Tampa once again preparing for their season. As I was preparing for the Grand Prix, the old adage that the “less there is, the more important it all is” came to mind. And the siren song of football called again.
I have often told you that football for me is a primal reality of masculinity. It is an atavistic throwback to the days when men were as physical as intellectual. And in this era of political correctness, being in touch with the feminine side, young men being raised by only women, football has become a tribal preserve. The closer I got to the game, the more the players took on form. Phil in LA once said that no one should pay attention to me because I buy into the players’ stories. I confess. I do. I have watched progress over the past dozen years through the eyes of the players. I like talking to them about their dreams, the meaning of their lives, their backgrounds and the game - it all comes together in the game.
I enjoy talking to the guys who others don’t give a second thought. I look for the overachievers, the marginal talents, the guys in the locker room who the regular media walk past on their way to the super stars, and to those who may well one day be stars. Each of these young men possesses a talent that few of us has ever had or will have. They run faster, they hit harder or can take a harder hit, they have the courage to give it up for a chance to realize their dreams in ways that the guys who call them scrubs or fodder could not even imagine. Many of them come from circumstances that most of us read about but have never encountered up close. Life, as the commercial says, comes at you fast. In response, I have adopted the credo that life must shape itself; that joy is an essential to survive and that each of us must define what makes us happy. Then, we must set up and out on a plan. It all comes together on the field of dreams.
With all this in mind, I extended my trip to Florida to take in a day of joint workouts and at least one practice. The Giants assigned only five players to four teams. I concentrated on them at the workouts. The following day, I attended camp with a team without any Giants players assigned (Centurions). I did this because I wanted to look at their QBs and also because they practiced in St. Pete, about four blocks from my base of operations. On my visit, in addition to the five Giants players, I also bumped into an ex-Giant still trying to make it in the League.
That’s how I found my way to the sidelines once again. I got to the playing field early as the first two teams were just warming up. No fans were there yet; later a handful showed up, mostly relatives of the players with a few stragglers. The only other photographers were the League fotogs and a couple of Japanese fotogs. There is a sprinkling of Japanese players, mostly wide receivers. The other players refer to them as the Japanese Mafia. Anywhere there are Japanese sportsmen, there are Japanese photographers. One of the really nice things about Euro is that I am allowed virtually everywhere. I walk the sidelines, stand among the players, talk to anyone who will talk - in short, the access is unparalleled. This is probably because I am the only outsider there. It has been that way since the days when they were based in Orlando, when Al Davis, Ernie Accorsi and other top front office guys showed up. First thing I did was look up Giants’ players.
Halfback Decori Birmingham plays for the Galaxy, so I introduced myself and asked him for a few minutes after the workout. If any of these players has even a remote chance of making the squad, Decori is the most likely. He is a smaller running back, maybe a little too small for Tom Coughlin’s game. But he is quick, has quick feet, and is instinctive about following his blocking and finding the hole. He knows how to tuck the football to avoid strips but at times he drops his arm and exposes the ball. He is listed at 5′10″ but looks smaller although he is solidly built with upper leg bulk. I have several pics of him hitting the hole, both in the Giants’ players section and in the Galaxy workout section.
Decori got nicked up during the workout and had an ice pack (yes, they had ice packs on the sidelines - grin) on his shoulder. He told me it was minor and that he would be ready for Saturday, which he apparently was as he played in the scrimmage. When we talked afterwards, I found him to be a likeable kid with a ready smile. He told me he was having a good camp, He said there was a lot of focus, a lot of intensity. With this being the final week, guys were picking up their game. I asked him if he felt confident that he would be going over to Europe, and he told me that he was. He said he “was working hard and trying to do what I have to do to make it.” I asked him about being a NY Giant and he said,” I’m excited about it. I see a lot of opportunity there, with Tiki retiring.” He said Brandon Jacobs had told him there was a wide-open field and that he “had to come in ready to play.” I told him I was here looking for the new Tiki and he burst into a spontaneous laugh, saying, “I don’t know if there will ever be another Tiki. Tiki Barber is a great running back and all you can do is play in the same fashion and work hard to establish yourself. I don’t think there will ever be another Tiki Barber, but somebody can come in and fill his shoes.”
I asked if he was in touch with any Giants and he said he was with a couple of players. He said Brandon Jacobs had been telling him to stay focused and to stay on top of things, so that when he gets to camp he’ll be ready to work. I asked him if Jerry Reese signed him and he said yes, that he “is a cool guy, a cool guy.” I told him that I had never heard a player say anything but good about Jerry and he said, “No, he is a really cool guy. He told me that when I come over here what to expect and what they expect out of me. I’m just going to do what I have to do to make it and to make it on this team and come into NY ready to go.” We talked about playing a full schedule in Europe then getting into camp with the Giants. He said a month in between “should give him enough time to get his body relaxed and to get refocused and ready to go.” He said it is important to have a couple of days off to recover from a long season. We talked about Amsterdam as one of the cities he would visit, and I told him about Bashir Levingston’s experience there. He said that he had heard a lot of stories about Amsterdam, but his attitude is that there will be a lot of opportunity, “and that to play the sport you love playing and to see the sights, I am looking forward to it.” I asked if he had any words for the fans and he said to tell you “to keep a lookout and hopefully he’ll do some great things and give you something to talk about.”
Decori has some competition in the backfield. Another running back, about the same size as he, Charles Anthony #22, caught my eye as he broke containment a couple of times and had nice runs. Also keep an eye on a QB, #10 Bruce Eugene from Grambling (Bucs listed at 6′1″, 245 pounds) if he gets any playing time. He is a strong-looking kid with a live arm. The Galaxy’s other QB is J.T. O’Sullivan from Cal-Davis (Bears). On defense for the Galaxy, look for Zarnell Fitch (DT Jets) and Kenny King (DE Ravens).
The Centurions have no Giants players allocated. But they have an interesting brace of QBs, including Gino Guidugli, Erik Meyer, Paul Pinegar, and Quinton Porter. Pinegar has since been released, which surprised me a little. I saw him in action a couple of times at Fresno State. He is a big kid who managed a game well, but apparently has not developed. Only Porter is an NFL allocation, but Guidugli is the guy to watch. Listed at 6′3+” and 225, he has the size, and he had his moments at Cincinnati. During the workouts there was some bird-dogging and with the QBs protected it was difficult to make an assessment on anything but timing and arm strength. It was interesting to watch the Centurions at practice. As usual, I was the only non-team member at the practice, and as usual, the team could not have been more accommodating. I was allowed run of the field without question. The coaches nodded or said hello, and the players were friendly. I walked around with the units, spending a lot of time with the lines and some with the running backs. I was actually standing in the end zone photographing the workouts and moving among the players.
The Centurions have a hard-running RB worth watching, #21 Antwaun Carter (Boise State), another small spark plug with a burst of speed, and a larger back, A.J. Harris from Northern Illinois. Neither is an allocated player. The lineman who caught my eye in the drills is Greg Eslinger, #53 - a center, 6′3″, 292 pounds. He doesn’t look big, but he uses his body well, engages his man and knows how to use his hands. Greg played at Minnesota and is on allocation from the Broncos. Werner Hippler is a big tight end, a German National, who has been in the League forever. He is older than some of the coaches, but he still plays with enthusiasm and is always fun to watch. Kili Lofotu at 6′4+ and 315 pounds is a guard, allocated by the Redskins. He is a big, tough kid. Stephon Wheeler is a huge tackle, 6′5″ and 339 pounds who played at Michigan State, but is not on allocation. Keep an eye on him. If he develops, he could be a find.
The kid who could come out of the pack is Gino Guidugli. The QBs were talking and Gino was telling them how the coaches who recruited him at Cincinnati were telling him that his time there would be the best times of his life. But he said he hated it. One of the coaches was always messing with his head and he was glad to be gone. I told him forget those years because he was truly about to enter the best years of his life and that he should use them wisely. Sage that I am, that remark drew nods of affirmation all around. (grin). Similarly, I watched the kickers for a while as Nick Novak played at Maryland. I was telling Nick about my buddy on the Stallions and his experience at an NFL camp and why he didn’t make the team. Before I knew it, all three kickers had their ears up and were around me sucking it all in. One of the things about these kids is that they are like experience sponges - no bad attitudes or know it alls. They want to learn and if you or the coaches have anything that will give them an edge, they are eager to learn. The one part that is noticeable is the learning factor. There are players on every team who are asking teammates what the play is and where they should be. They always get an answer, but sometimes you can hear an edge in it, like dude, where have you been, camp is almost over and you don’t have the book down yet. All the skill in the world won’t save you from the Turk if you don’t have the book down. My morning with the Centurions was time well spent.
The Fire and the Admirals were up next. The Admirals have a Giants allocatee, halfback Cedric Humes from Virginia Tech. CH is a big back, 6′1″ and 233 pounds. He practiced with an attitude, but the most noticeable thing about him is that, like most big backs, he tends to run too upright. He is known as a power back, but he showed some moves and speed to the outside. Although he is not on the full team, look for him to make an appearance sometime during the year.
Cedric apparently was around last year as he mentioned to me that he had met a lot of the Giants’ staff when he was at the Meadowlands for a week before the season last year. He said he loved it, “loved the people, the program, the coaches, everybody’s nice, it’s a good program.” As I said, he’s a big kid with a fierce demeanor, but when he speaks, he’s soft spoken with a soft Virginia accent (Virginia Beach). We talked about his objectives and he told me it was to get better and better every day and trying to “make this League and also going back to the NFL.” We talked about his speed and he told me “when I was at Tech a lot of people tried to make me out as a power back; of course I have power, but people have not recognized a lot of my quickness. That’s one thing I’m trying to come out here and show I’m a complete back, that I can do it all.” We talked about Tom Coughlin liking big power runners and he said, “I know and I hope they like me from that aspect.” When I asked him if he had any words for the fans, he said “just keep your eyes open and stay on my side. I’ll be out there trying to make it to the Giants program.”
The Admirals have some other players to watch. Their QBs are Corey Bramlet, Drew Olson, and Matt Bohnet. Olson is the best known of the group. Although listed at 6′1″ and 223 pounds, he looks smaller, but stockier than most of the QBs here in camp. Olson appears more polished than the other QBs on the team, throws a decent ball, but other than that did nothing to distinguish himself in the workouts.
At linebacker, #54 Sam McGrew was a demon in the drills. He covered the field and laid on some pretty good licks. However, he seemed to disappear in the team-on-team planned number-of-plays workout. But he should get a good look during the season because of his intensity. And they have Lynn McGruder, a DT, #98, 6′2″ and 315 pounds (Seahawks). Lynn was one of the nicest kids in camp. I spent some time talking to him and another of his fellow defensive linemen. We talked about backgrounds and dreams. I emphasized to them the opportunity they had here and not to get down or look dejected at any time. This was a chance and they had to believe in themselves or they wouldn’t get to the next level. Lynn asked why I was there and I told him. He then asked me why I wasn’t working the Giants anymore and I told him, “I was waived.” These kids understand that language. Lynn just shuffled his feet and said to me “their loss, not yours.” I told him it wasn’t a problem, that I had all I wanted out of life, that I had come pretty far for the son of a man who worked in the mines and factories all his life to provide me with opportunities. Lynn nodded and told me “just like my mother and grandmother worked in factories.” At the end of the workout as the team was leaving the field, Lynn called me over and asked if I had a card. I gave him one and he wished me luck. I laughed and told him that I was the one wishing him luck. He said that he hoped we would cross paths again, and then as he was walking away, he turned and said, “No, I know we will cross paths again.”
These are the conversations that keep me coming. Several players after the workouts came up to me and thanked me for showing up, thanked me for “coaching them up.” I walk up and down the sidelines encouraging them, exhorting them, asking to show a little more, and they respond. It’s hot, it’s tough work, they lay it on the line and they are thirsty for someone to tell them they look good, that the goal is worth the effort. Several years ago, I bumped into an ex-Giant player who was playing in the League, and may now be coaching. We talked and I told him I remembered him. He looked up to the heavens and blurted out “hallelujah, thank you Lord, someone remembers, someone remembers.” I met another such player in the next workout.
The Admirals also have a couple of coaches that I didn’t have a chance to interview. Kanavis McGhee is the defensive line coach, Chester McGlockton was a Training Camp Intern Coach, and Gary Downs is the Running Backs Coach. The Admirals look like a pretty decent squad, but the coaches ended this workout early because the teams were a little chippy.
The Fire has no assigned Giants, but they have a decent looking RB, Taurean Henderson, another smallish, bruising runner. Taurean is listed at 5′9″, 204 pounds, played for Texas Tech and is on allocation from the Falcons. P.K. Sam is one of their receivers and they have a tackle, Tavares Washington, 6′4″, 314 pounds out of Florida by way of the 49ers, who bears watching. Their best QB is Cody Pickett out of Washington and he looked crisp in the workouts.
As I walk up and down the sidelines, taking pictures and jabbering like a magpie, I run into scouts and other team officials visiting the workouts and taking notes. During this scrimmage I bumped into a Panthers rep. We started talking and he asked me why I was so interested in Giants players. I told him about BBI and what I had been doing for a while. He asked why I wasn’t still doing it and I told him I had caught a case of Coughlinitis. He looked puzzled and I told him it was nothing, just me, and that I didn’t care for the coach - nothing else worth talking about. He said something to the effect that he understood, then said yes, we hear things. We moved on to Coach Fox and I told him how much I enjoyed his stay in NY. He responded by telling me how much they appreciated Coach Fox. We had a little love-fest and I asked him to give my regards to the coach, that he didn’t have to remember my name, just tell him the guy with the pony tail. I also bumped into a pair of reps from the Bucs. I brought up Luke and they told me that he was in town, working out, working hard and how they think they have a solid player in Luke. I next mentioned Lance Legree and how he had energy but seemed a little small for the D-Line. They almost knocked me over when they told me that his playing the nose position in SF impressed them. Lance didn’t last long as he has been released so I guess they aren’t planning on using a nose tackle in Tampa this year. I also brought up the Duck and they smiled and said Wes Mallard. I said yes. They smiled again and said nothing.
Next up were the Sea Devils and Thunder. The Thunder has a Giants player, Charles Davis, a 6′5″, 263-pound TE out of Purdue. Davis is huge and he is a prototype TE. I have only two questions about him: can he block and can he catch? He didn’t show the same intensity as Darnell Dinkins, for example, but his build is suited towards pushing. He has long arms and he moves fluidly if not with blinding speed. We talked for a little bit but I think I caught him by surprise so I have no particular insights to add. He seemed to get a kick out of a photographer following him throughout the warm ups as he pointed me out to several other players. Rather than become a distraction, I told them that I was Davis’ paparazzo, which broke the ice. They all laughed and got back to work.
The Thunder have some other players worth watching including Omar Jacobs, a 6′4″ 226-pound QB from Bowling Green and the Chiefs. Jacobs creates a huge presence in the pocket and has another rocket arm, hitting some deep outs and middle throws. He has the tools so it depends on how he develops. That brings up an interesting discussion point. The League is about development and playing time. When it first started, some big name players were assigned, but things apparently did not go the way the NFL teams desired. So it appears that QBs who are a year away from a roster are assigned and the rest is just a shot at a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. One of the team reps that I spoke with told me that there has been some concern lately about the quality of coaching these kids are receiving. If that is so, it seems to me that this would be an easy fix, well within NFL control. At any rate, I watch a lot of the technique and much of the coaching I see is top flight. There are some novice coaches sprinkled in with the old timers and the difference is notable - the younger coaches are more fiery, particularly former players, more active with their units. The older coaches are more hands-on instruction, emphasizing fundamentals, over and over. All in all, these prospects are getting playing time and when you are one step away, whether you are an inch too small or 10 pounds too light, playing time gives you an opportunity for presentation.
The Sea Devils have two Giants, Barry Robertson, LB, 6′0″, 243 pounds out of Louisiana Tech and Sir Henry Anderson, DT, 6′3″, 314 pounds out of Oregon State. Barry appears undersized for a LB and watching him in the drills he seems more suited for the cover game. I didn’t notice him around the ball on run plays but he was in the scrum. He was in mostly on passing plays and is adept at movement away from the line. In fact, he moved his hips fluidly for a LB (grin - for the BBI cognoscenti). He appears to be always thinking. LB is the most difficult position to assess in these workouts because the QB is protected and the receivers and backs are constantly rotating in and out of the workout. What you do notice is a LB who lays wood on a receiver or runner. Big hits stand out because they are so few.
Barry told me he came into camp “as second string, but after a few scrimmages and workouts he was moved to first team.” We talked about football in his life and how much it meant to him in terms of enjoyment and providing for his family. Barry told me “I love it (the game), I’ve been doing it for years.” When I asked him about the #56, I busted his chops a little and told him if he was going to wear that #, and be associated with the Giants at any level, he had better show something. I got an unexpected answer. He told me, “basically, all the numbers were gone when I got the #56. I wanted the #52.” He then expressed his respect for LT. I asked him if he had been given any expectations by the Giants and he said “I was told to go over to Europe and handle my business. That’s it. There’s nothing else to talk about. I just have to handle my business.” I asked if he had any final words for you. He smiled and said, “I love New York.”
The most whimsical moment of the workouts came when the drills began. Luck of the draw had Barry Robertson covering Charles Davis. They came running down the sidelines right in front of me, the smaller Robertson running step for step with Davis. Then Robertson tripped and fell leaving Davis loping downfield alone, reaching for a pass slightly overthrown and bouncing off his outreached hand. I started jazzing them, exhorting them, saying c’mon guys, you have to do better that that if you want to make the Giants. Two Giants on one play without a great photo to show for it. As I was goosing them on, one of the coaches was heading down the sidelines in my direction; he said “yeah, especially the NY Giants.” I ignored him for the moment but we were heading in the same direction. Next thing I hear is “are you from up there?” I said no, I was born in NJ but I lived in VA. He asked me where in VA. I said Reston and he said that he had lived in Leesburg. Then he stuck out his hand and said Brandon Noble, I played in this League and now I’m a coach. He never mentioned Cowboys or Redskins. I told him I had watched him as a player and apologized for not recognizing him. He was in great shape, not oversized at all. We talked a little about what I did and I told him about BBI and how I had been on the sidelines for almost 10 years. Again the question, why aren’t you still doing it? Again the answer, I was waived. He shrugged and said “it happens” in the usual understanding manner of all players and ex-players. It’s nice to not have to go into any long explanations or expressions of disappointment. They always look down or look away as if thinking about their own situations, as in hey, welcome to the business of football. That one statement, I was waived, provides an immediacy - for the moment I am one of them.
Sir Henry Anderson is a DT, 6′3, and 314 pounds. In short he is a big, middle run stuffer. I was a little surprised when he didn’t make the starting unit. He was another enjoyable young man, who told me he was concentrating on “working on my technique so hopefully I can get better at my position. I hope to go back and make the NY Giants football team…one day at a time, try to get better.” He has the right attitude telling me that he was working “every down, every play, every day, that’s all it is, just about working on my technique.” I asked if he had anything for the fans and he said, “Look out for me, man, look out for me. That’s all I can say.” So we should look out for him. This conversation took place before the workout and I was impressed. He was not driven off the line, got penetration and acquitted himself well from what I saw. What appears to be holding him back is lack of explosiveness. He knows the way to the QB, keeps the ball carrier in sight, but he is more of a lateral move guy than a forward burst. After the workout I told him what he already knows, work on that first burst. If he can get off the line first, he will make a roster somewhere.
I also ran into Cliff Washburn who was briefly with the Giants as a defensive end. He was a tall, rangy end who was a definite project. He had raw speed with little technique. I lost sight of him for a while after he left the Giants, but he has been around. I forget which team signed him, but he was switched to the offensive line. He has played for the Argonauts and last year was with the Cowboys. Cliff told me until very recently he just had not gotten the game down, that he didn’t understand his position. Of course, switching from D-Line to O-Line has to be a major adjustment. He said he was now beginning to understand his role and was becoming more comfortable. I watched him for a while and I noticed something with his hands. He was aiming for the shoulders, up high. So I mentioned this to him and suggested that he might try bringing his arm in tight and going for the numbers. I told him to watch some film and not to be afraid of grabbing the jersey as long as he kept his hands inside. I told him use hand strength to control a rushing lineman, not to get turned. I watched his next two series and his hands came in and down, he was hitting the numbers and he wasn’t getting beaten. As an aside, the next day at the Centurions practice I observed the Coach telling his offensive linemen, aim for the numbers, hit the numbers, this way even if your man slides, your hand won’t go up to his shoulder. If you hit the numbers, he said, even with only one hand you can still control. At any rate, I wish Cliff the best of luck. He hasn’t and won’t give up on himself and is worth investing some coaching in his development. Some team could get lucky here.
There is another tackle on the squad, a behemoth of a man, over 300 pounds. Thomas Smith, DT, 6′3″, 300 pounds (but he told me he was 315) who bears watching. His teammates told me that when he played, he was explosive. From my observation, the problem is “when he plays.” He was struggling with the heat before the workouts and seemed sluggish, although he was joking about it with his coach. I got on him a little telling him to hydrate. When running short sprints, he would go one, then walk. I told him to show something, run 5 or 10. He looked at me and said “not at 315 pounds.” I told him he shouldn’t convince himself he couldn’t do it, he should convince himself that he could. I told him this was his opportunity; that if he ever went after something, the time was now. Later I saw him sitting with another player on the water buckets. I casually walked over and said, “Hot today, isn’t it?” They looked up, sweating and dog tired and said “yes sir.” Then I said, as I stood between them and the sidelines, “If you want to make the team, don’t let the coaches see you sitting on the water buckets.” They popped up as if there were springs on their butts and ran over to the sidelines.
I would be remiss if I didn’t briefly mention a couple of other players. Rod Rutherford, 6′2, 223 pounds was the best-looking QB of the day. He is an imposing figure with a rocket arm. He should make an NFL squad somewhere. Quentin Griffin, a smallish RB out of Oklahoma bears watching.
Next, I saw a couple of old timers on the sidelines, one wearing an Argonauts cap. I walked over and asked if he was with the Argos and he said yes. I told him I had covered the Stallions and the Giants and the XFL. He told me he had set up the XFL San Francisco team. We talked about Jim Skipper. Then I told him about Adriano Belli and that I saw he played with the Alouettes last season. (The Alouettes are the Stallions). He lit up and told me the Argos had picked up Belli in the offseason and that he had originally signed Adriano for the BC team when he was with them. We talked about some ex-Giants who played for the Argos. I told him I would like to come up and work a game and he invited me up anytime. Later I saw Cliff Washburn introducing another player to him.
Like I told Bashir Levingston on his last night as a Giant, there is always somewhere to play if you love the game. I guess, taking my own advice, there’s always game somewhere to photograph if you love the game. All five of these Giants are nice kids. They are soft spoken and well spoken. They are all projects and may never reach the NFL. But one or two of them may. Hard work deserves a reward. Sometimes hard work is its own reward. These kids deserve credit for working hard and each is proud, if only in the short run, to be a NY Giant.
