Jul 222014
 
David Wilson, New York Giants (July 22, 2014)

David Wilson – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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BigBlueInteractive.com (BBI) Updates: In case you missed it, original-content articles from BBI today:

July 22, 2014 New York Giants Injury Report: LB Jon Beason (foot – PUP) did not practice. “We were obviously disappointed about Jon (Beason) when he got hurt, but we are really excited about the fact that he seems to be doing really well,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “I watched his treatment the other day, and boy, if he has a tender foot, he’s hiding it well. I think he is making really good progress.”

LB Jameel McClain was carted off of the field with a foot issue. “He thought it was a shoe issue, an irritation in his foot, but it was over one of the metatarsals, so (the medical staff) brought him in to look at that,” said Coughlin. “I’m hoping that this is just a matter of a sore foot with Jameel, so we’ll see.”

According to subsequent press reports, x-rays on McClain’s foot were negative. The New York Daily News is reporting that the Giants “are proceeding cautiously, however, and if his foot is sore on Wednesday they will likely send him for an MRI.”

OG Brandon Mosley left practice early due to an upset stomach. LT Charles Brown, TE Xavier Grimble, and LB Spencer Adkins left the field with heat-related issues.

OG John Jerry was limited in practice. “He was hurt all spring and was sick all summer,” said Coughlin. “He’s out, he’s lost some weight and he’s trying to get back in it, so it will take a while.”

July 22, 2014 Tom Coughlin Press Conference: The video from Tuesday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin is available at Giants.com.

July 22, 2014 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video clips of Tuesday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

7 takeaways from Player Interviews by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Article on the New York Giants 2014 Team Motto: Coughlin taps battlefield legends in message to Big Blue by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Article on Team President/CEO John Mara and the 2014 New York Giants: NY Giants owner John Mara looks for bounce back year, NFC East title by Gary Myers of The New York Daily News

Article on the New York Giants Offense: The sure sign you’re looking at a new Giants offense now by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on QB Eli Manning: How the Giants plan to restore Eli Manning to elite level by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Articles on WR Victor Cruz:

Articles on the New York Giants Offensive Line:

Articles on Former Giant OG Chris Snee:

Jul 152014
 
Jim Herrmann, New York Giants (October 28, 2012)

Jim Herrmann – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Giants.com Q&A with Linebackers Coach Jim Herrmann: The video of a Giants.com Q&A with Linebackers Coach Jim Herrmann is available at Giants.com.

Inside Football Player Q&As: Transcripts of Q&A sessions with the following New York Giants players are available at InsideFootball.com:

Article on New York Giants Training Camp Battles: Giants have plenty of jobs up for grabs as training camp nears by Ebenezer Samuel of The New York Daily News

Article on QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham, Jr.: Eli Manning works with NY Giants rookie receiver Odell Beckham at Manning Passing Academy by Kevin Armstrong of The New York Daily News

Articles on the New York Giants Offensive Line:

Article on DT Mike Patterson: 10 Giants you should know when training camp begins: Mike Patterson by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Articles on the New York Giants Linebackers:

Articles on the New York Giants Defensive Backs:

Article on PK Brandon McManus: North Penn grad Brandon McManus eyes opportunity to kick for Giants by Tom Layberger of The Reporter

Jul 072014
 
Larry Donnell, New York Giants (June 18, 2014)

Larry Donnell – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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With the New York Giants reporting to camp in less than a month, BigBlueInteractive.com is breaking down each of the team’s positional groups from now until July 21.

FIND A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL BREAKDOWNS HERE

POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: Tight Ends

2013 YEAR IN REVIEW: During the 2013 offseason, the New York Giants decided not to pay big bucks in order to retain Martellus Bennett who signed with the Chicago Bears. To replace Bennett, the Giants signed free agent Brandon Myers from the Oakland Raiders. The undersized, slow, and not overly athletic Myers was a significant step down as a blocker and receiver. He finished 2013 with 47 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns. The #2 tight end was again the hard-working, but physically unimpressive, Bear Pascoe, who had a grand total of 12 catches for 81 yards and no touchdowns. Much was expected of the physically-talented duo of Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell. Neither developed and long-time tight end coach Mike Pope was fired at the end of the season. Robinson, who was drafted in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, was only active for two games as a rookie. He missed virtually all of the 2013 season with a foot injury he suffered in the preseason. When he did return in Week 16, he immediately sprained his knee. In two seasons, Robinson has played in three games and he has no career receptions. Donnell went undrafted and unsigned in 2011. The Giants signed him as a street free agent in March 2012 and Donnell spent 2012 on the team’s Practice Squad. Donnell made the 53-man roster in 2013 and was active for all 16 games, starting one contest. He finished the season with only three catches for 31 yards.

Xavier Grimble, USC Trojans (November 3, 2012)

Xavier Grimble – © USA TODAY Sports Images

ADDITIONS/SUBTRACTIONS: The Giants had no interest in bringing back Brandon Myers (now with Tampa Bay) and Bear Pascoe (now with Atlanta). Robinson and Donnell return. Publicly, the Giants said they wanted to add a tight end in the draft but there were only so many tight ends who they liked and they regarded Weston Richburg a better value in the second round. In the offseason, the Giants added free agent journeymen Daniel Fells (who has spent time with six other teams but didn’t play in 2013) and Kellen Davis (two other teams; 50 catches in six seasons), as well as undrafted rookie free agent Xavier Grimble (USC).

TRAINING CAMP STORY LINES: Is there a legitimate starting-caliber tight end currently on this roster? If so, who is it? The pressure is on new tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride, Jr., who failed as a wide receivers coach in 2012-13 and whose last and only previous tight end coaching experience was with Georgetown University in 2006. Can he help do what Mike Pope was unable to do and that is get Robinson and Donnell to play better?

General Manager Jerry Reese hasn’t given up on the two youngsters. “We expect those two young guys (Robinson and Donnell) to come on, and they can be dynamic if we can get them going,” said Reese in June.

“I think we have a nice group there,” said new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo about the five tight ends currently on the roster. “We have big men in the room, I like the way they think about the game, I like the way they’re moving around on the field. When we get the pads on that’s when we’ll really know where we are.”

ON THE BUBBLE: Everyone. Anyone can become the starter and anyone can be cut.

Adrien Robinson, New York Giants (July 27, 2013)

Adrien Robinson – © USA TODAY Sports Images

FROM THE POSITIONAL COACH: Kevin Gilbride, Jr. on Adrien Robinson:  “He’s working incredibly hard to learn. That’s something that, going in, just knowing him as a personality not as someone I’ve taught before, I didn’t know. He’s in there, he’s taking copious notes, he’s answering questions very well. What we need to do is we need to get him to be able to transition that onto the field. He’s made strides, there’s no doubt that he’s made strides but there needs to be a lot more. The more in detail we get with him, sometimes he loses some of the basics as far as the techniques are concerned and we’ve got to get some carry-over with it.”

PREDICTIONS:

Eric Kennedy – There isn’t anyone on this roster who currently will scare an opposing defense. But is there even another Jake Ballard type here?

Adrien Robinson has been a major disappointment, but some of that was outside of his control. A very green rookie on college team that rarely threw the football to the tight end, he was forced to miss OTAs his rookie season because of an NFL requirement prohibiting players from universities using trimesters from participating in those activities. Mike Pope said that really set him back. He flashed some last offseason before being sidelined for the entire season with injuries. But both Robinson and Donnell do have intriguing physical tools. They are both big, athletic, and can catch the football. If they have the necessary toughness and desire, and if they can be coached up with the proper technique (all big “ifs”), at the very least, they should become good blockers. Don’t discount Larry Donnell. He could really surprise.

Connor Hughes – Baring an injury, Adrien Robinson is set to have a big, big season in 2014. From what we’ve seen in the early goings from the Giants offense, the days of the tight end being a “safety valve” are far in the past. New coordinator Ben McAdoo wants to use them often and as a focal point of the offense, not an after thought. With that being said, Robinson’s skill set is one I believe perfectly suits what the team is attempting to accomplish. Robinson has size (6-4), speed and the athletic ability to stretch the field. Countless times throughout the Giants’ offseason conditioning program, the tight end flashed what he can do…he just needs to stay healthy. If he can’t? Larry Donnell will be waiting in the wings.

FINAL DEPTH CHART:

Eric KennedyAdrien Robinson (1), Larry Donnell (2), and Xavier Grimble (3), Kellen Davis (Cut), Daniel Fells (Cut)

Connor Hughes – Adrien Robinson (1), Larry Donnell (2), Kellen Davis (3), Xavier Grimble (PS), Daniel Fells (Cut)

Jun 252014
 
Rashad Jennings (23) and Kyle Sebetic (25), New York Giants (June 18, 2014)

Rashad Jennings and Kyle Sebetic – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Giants.com Q&A with Quarterbacks Coach Danny Langsdorf: The video of a Giants.com Q&A with Quarterbacks Coach Danny Langsdorf is available at Giants.com.

Giants.com Q&A with QB Ryan Nassib: The video of a Giants.com Q&A session with QB Ryan Nassib is available at Giants.com.

Inside Football Player Q&As:

Article on WR Rueben Randle: Giants see more focused Rueben Randle by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on the New York Giants Tight Ends: NY Giants GM Jerry Reese still high on Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell as Big Blue seeks answer at tight end by Ebenezer Samuel of The New York Daily News

Article on the New York Giants Offensive Line: Big Blue Morning: Offensive line health by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on the New York Giants Defensive Line: Big Blue Morning: Left defensive end by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on LB Dan Fox: Dan Fox could be surprise of linebacker group by Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger

Article on CB Zack Bowman: What Zack Bowman brings by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Article on the New York Giants Kickoff/Punt Return Game: Sizing up Giants’ return options by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

Jun 192014
 
Odell Beckham (13) and Zack Bowman (31), New York Giants (June 18, 2014)

Odell Beckham and Zack Bowman – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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New York Giants Mini-Camp Ends: The third and final day of the New York Giants mandatory, 3-day mini-camp was held on Thursday. Practice was called after only a few minutes when rain started to fall. Head Coach Tom Coughlin chose not to continue practice within the team’s indoor facility.

The rookies will spend one more day at Quest Diagnostics Center. Players are off until scheduled to report to Quest Diagnostics Center on July 21 for the start of summer training camp.

For more on today’s practice, see:

For more on Wednesday’s practice, see:

New York Giants Sign OT DeMarcus Love and DT Everett Dawkins: The Giants have signed street free agents OT DeMarcus Love and DT Everett Dawkins. To make room for these two, the Giants waived OT Steven Baker and DT Eathyn Manumaleuna.

BBI scouting report on OT DeMarcus Love:

  • The Giants signed DeMarcus Love as a street free agent in June 2014. Love was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings waived him in October 2013 and he was then picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who waived him in June 2014. Love has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He needs to play with more nastiness and fire. He also needs to improve his overall technique in order to make it at the NFL level.

BBI scouting report on DT Everett Dawkins:

  • The Giants signed Everett Dawkins as a street free agent in June 2014. Dawkins was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The Dallas Cowboys signed Dawkins off of the Vikings Practice Squad in November 2013, but waived him three weeks later. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers then signed him to their Practice Squad. The Buccaneers waived Dawkins in June 2014. Dawkins is a 3-technique tackle who lacks ideal size, but he is quick and athletic and can be disruptive. He needs to add size and strength. Dawkins is not overly stout against the run. He needs to play with better leaverage.

June 19, 2014 New York Giants Coach Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s media Q&A sessions with the following coaches are available at Giants.com or BigBlueInteractive.com:

June 19, 2014 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Thursday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Articles on Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo:

Article on Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell: Fewell optimistic about Giants’ D, naturally by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: NY Giants QB Eli Manning insists he has a lot of good years left by Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News

Article on the New York Giants Running Backs: Giants’ Backfield Runs Into the Great Wide Open by Alex Raskin of The Wall Street Journal

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Giants: Victor Cruz out to show more by Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record

Article on WR Corey Washington: Low on Giants’ depth chart, Corey Washington stands tall by Tom Rock of Newsday

Article on TE Adrien Robinson: Adrien Robinson the favorite to start for Giants at tight end? Think again by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on DE Robert Ayers and CB Walter Thurmond: Newcomers Ayers, Thurmond getting used to Giants by Jim Hague of The Sacramento Bee

Article on CB Charles James: New and Improved Charles James Flashing with Giants by Connor Hughes of BigBlueInteractive.com

Jun 162014
 
Larry Donnell, New York Giants (September 15, 2013)

Larry Donnell – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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For the first time this season, we introduce the Big Blue Breakdown. Throughout the course of the year, BBI’s Connor Hughes will be joined by Art Stapleton, Jordan Raanan, Patricia Traina and others tackling the hottest topics surrounding the New York Giants.

BBI is dedicated to giving you the best coverage of the Giants on the web. What better way to do that than bringing some of the team’s best beat writers together in one spot? With OTAs officially wrapped up, we asked the round table how they felt the Giants stand at the tight end position.

Have something you want discussed? Email your open-ended question to Connor Hughes ([email protected]) and it could be featured on the next Big Blue Breakdown.

QUESTION: While hyped quite a bit as a “position of need,” the Giants have done very little to address the tight end position. With a new offensive coordinator that appears to like to feature the position, do you believe the Giants made the correct decision not drafting or signing a tight end? Why?

CONNOR HUGHES/ Big Blue Interactive

Adrien Robinson, New York Giants (July 27, 2013)

Adrien Robinson – © USA TODAY Sports Images

The tight end position in the Giants’ offense is the great unknown. Since Jim Fassel was shown the door so many years ago, the TE for Big Blue has been little more than a safety valve for quarterback Eli Manning. There was no need for a Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Grahahm or even Jeremy Shockey, just someone who could block, had average hands and could get to position ‘A’ on field.

With new coordinator Ben McAdoo calling plays for the first time, it’s still up in the air to this point on how the Giants plan to use the tight end. Will it be a focal point of the offense? Will it be a blocker? If the goal is to utilize the position, I hardly feel confident in those presently on the roster.

Adrien Robinson has flashed, Larry Donnell too, but neither strike “fear” into the heart of a defender. Could Robinson develop? Sure. Could he end of getting injured again? Sure. Personally, I was and still am a fan of bringing Jermichael Finley in for at least a visit. After all, what do you have to lose?

ART STAPLETON/The Record

The tight end situation is a bit more complicated than just projecting the depth chart for 2014 and feeling good about where the Giants are at the position. The bottom line: tight end will not be what sinks this offense in 2014.

If two of the group including Robinson, Donnell, Davis, Fells or yes, Grimble, can be serviceable, the rebuilding done elsewhere on the offense (OL, WR with Beckham Jr., RB) should make up the slack. If not, they’ll mix and match with TEs to get the job done. I truly believe they would have upgraded TE with a draft pick – perhaps the second round – if things had played out differently.

When assessing center and TE, though, it’s pretty clear center is of greater importance – so instead of going with, say, Jace Amaro or Troy Niklas in that spot, they went with Weston Richburg, to whom I believe they are committed for the future. Once the Giants got into the fourth round and beyond, they’d decided to stick with the fourth-round pick that has already been in the building (Adrien Robinson) instead of drafting someone for the sake of having a new face. Under these circumstances, I think the Giants have done the right thing at tight end.

There are no quick fixes that have presented themselves at the position. We know the issues surrounding Jermichael Finley and Dustin Keller. Just look at the $ Finley will get from his insurance policy if he never plays again and realize he’ll likely be looking for more than a minimum-type deal. TE remains a position of need, but the impact has been overrated compared to upgrades that were needed elsewhere.

PATRICIA TRAINA/ Inside Football & Bleacher Report

Xavier Grimble, USC Trojans (September 21, 2013)

Xavier Grimble – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Obviously, time will tell if the decision to pass on a tight end was the right one to make, but I can certainly understand their thought process.

Let me start first with the veteran free agent part. Other than Dennis Pitta (Ravens) and Jimmy Graham (Saints), both of whom were never realistic possibilities in free agency, who from the 2014 group of veteran free agents was really worth a look?

As for the tight ends already on the roster, particularly Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell, the Giants know what they have in both of those guys, having seen them in practices. Yes, Robinson hasn’t shown much, but I’ll point out that last summer in camp, he was making progress to the point where he was supposed to have a big role in that final preseason game which of course had to be scrapped when he suffered the foot injury. Donnell? People forget that he missed all of last spring due to a broken foot, a factor that he recently told me put him way behind the curve.

Yes there is the classroom work, but as Tom Coughlin has said in the past (many times), you have to go out and practice what you’re learning in the classroom. So now you have two young tight ends with impressive physical tools and who now have a chance to learn a new offense from scratch. Both say they have a better understanding of what needs to be done as far as the little things (watching film, taking better care of their bodies, etc.) and who are HEALTHY.

In some ways, it’s like having rookies on the squad, except Donnell and Robinson have gone through NFL seasons and have a better idea of what to expect at this level.

Last point (apologies for the lengthy response, by the way). I researched just how frequently the tight ends have been used in the Packers’ offense over the last two seasons, using data from Pro Football Reference.

Last year, the Packers tight ends combined for 57 out of the 366 passes completed or 15.5%. In 2012, they combined for 76 receptions out of the 374 pass completions or 20.3 percent.

These stats suggest that the Packers tight ends haven’t been as predominantly featured in the passing game as some might believe. I suspect that with the Giants, McAdoo is going to place a heavier emphasis on getting the ball to the receivers in the passing game.

Obviously, injuries can alter those plans, but as I noted before the draft whenever I was asked about the possibility of them drafting tight end Eric Ebron, the last time the Giants had a tight end lead the team in receptions was Jeremy Shockey in 2006, when he had three more receptions (66) than Plaxico Burress (63) did.

By the way, that season, despite being the team leader in receptions, Shockey finished with 623 yards and was second in receiving touchdowns with seven (behind team leader Plaxico Burress who finished with 63 catches for 988 yards and 10 touchdowns.

JORDAN RAANAN/ NJ.com 

If it were me, I’d have done anything possible to try and get a dynamic receiving tight end on this roster. Who cares if they can block? Does anyone care that Jimmy Graham can’t block? With the way the rules are nowadays, linebackers and safeties have no chance against big, athletic TEs. They are bigger weapons than ever. Three TEs finished in the Top 10 in TD receptions last season. Six finished with over 70 receptions. This Giants offense needs that type of weapon. They don’t have anything close right now. Maybe next year.

May 302014
 
Cullen Jenkins, New York Giants (May 29, 2014)

Cullen Jenkins – Photo by Connor Hughes

New York Giants Complete Third OTA Practice: The New York Giants held their third of 10 Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices on Friday. No live contact is allowed in OTA practices, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

The media was not allowed to view Friday’s practice, but the Giants released the following details through their website, Giants.com:

  • The tight ends were noticeably active at today’s OTA. Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells caught QB Eli Manning’s first two passes in the opening team period. Adrien Robinson, Larry Donnell, and Daniel Fells all made nice grabs.
  • QB Eli Manning provided further proof that his left ankle is not hindering him. On one play he evaded a rush by easily rolling to his left before stopping and throwing.
  • RB Rashad Jennings demonstrated quickness and speed when he ran the ball to the outside. Jennings was also effective in the screen game by getting upfield behind his blockers.
  • WR Rueben Randle was active all day on short and intermediate routes and caught a long Manning pass down the left sideline.
  • CB Ross Weaver had the lone interception, picking off a Curtis Painter pass intended for WR Marcus Harris late in the workout.

Giants.com also singled out the following players:

  • CB Ross Weaver: The first-year cornerback out of Michigan State showed great instincts early in practice, stepping in front of a receiver and knocking down a pass near the sideline. At the end of practice, he sat patiently in his zone and intercepted a pass on a roll out.
  • TE Adrien Robinson: Robinson made a nice catch over the middle as he ran down the seam. He extended his arms and used his long frame to pluck the ball out of the air. It was a brief display of what his size and straight-ahead speed can mean from the tight end spot.
  • TE Daniel Fells: The vet tight end showed his skills off during seven on seven drills, catching a high pass over his shoulder as he moved toward the sideline. He stayed with the play and ran a good route, resulting in a 20-yard catch.

Video and photos from today’s OTA practice are available from Giants.com.

Remaining New York Giants OTA practices:

  • June 2-3
  • June 5
  • June 9-10
  • June 12-13

The offseason program will culminate on June 17-19 with a mandatory, full-team mini-camp.

Article on the May 29, 2014 New York Giants OTA Practice: Giants OTAs: 5 takeaways include initial impression of the new offense by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

Article on QB Eli Manning: Having Eli Manning for OTAs and minicamp is ‘huge’ for Giants by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com

May 202014
 
Ryan Nassib, New York Giants (May 20, 2014)

Ryan Nassib – Photo by Connor Hughes

May 20, 2014 New York Giants Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video of Tuesday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Articles on Wide Receiver Odell Beckham:

Article on Tight Ends Adrien Robinson and Xavier Grimble: Robinson, Grimble could fill void at TE by Kieran Darcy of ESPN.com

Article on Offensive Linemen Geoff Schwartz and Weston Richburg: New Giants linemen getting outside help by Dan Graziano of ESPN.com

BigBlueInteractive.com on Giants.com Big Blue Kickoff Live: The audio of Eric Kennedy from BigBlueInteractive.com being interviewed on Giants.com’s Big Blue Kickoff Live podcast on Tuesday is available at Giants.com. Eric joins the show at the 30-minute mark of the broadcast.

May 202014
 
Nat Berhe, New York Giants (May 20, 2014)

Nat Berhe – Photo by Connor Hughes

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The New York Giants’ media day has wrapped up and is complete. Below you will find a few quick hits and tidbits that stood out from today’s player availability portion.

  • A lot has been made of Giants’ fourth-round draft pick Andre Williams and his size. Is he big? Is he powerful? Well, I can say from looking at him first hand, he’s all the above. The guy is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL as he’s built, fit, and just a big guy.
  • Sticking with Williams, I asked him if he had talked to free-agent acquisition Rashaad Jennings and compared play styles. Being a bigger running back in the NFL, you need to carry yourself different as you take quite a bit of additional hits. Jennings has had success with this. Williams said he has not talked to him about that yet, as he has buried himself in the playbook.
  • Jay Bromley spoke to the media for quite awhile, mostly about his weight. The defensive tackle didn’t gain much college interest as he was always smaller, and began his Syracuse career at 260 pound. Four years later, he played his senior season at 296. Bromley said the coaches have told him they want him around 315-320, but “If I can ball at this weight, they won’t say anything.”
  • I asked Bromley what kind of player he expects to be at the next level. Does he view himself as a run-stopper, pass-rusher, or all the above? He said, bluntly, “I want to get after the quarterback.”
  • One of the more impressive interviews of the day was given by first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. and it became very evident very quickly why New York fell in love with him. The kid has a great attitude for the game, is very hungry to perform and is incredibly well spoken. While GM Jerry Reese spoke after the draft pick about Beckham being used primarily outside, the LSU alum said he has also put in some work inside.
  • One more quick thing on Beckham: It had been rumored that he would be a logical choice at kick returner, that’s not the case. Beckham said that he has been told they may use him at punt returner, but nothing was mentioned with kick returner. That job seems reserved, per Beckham’s words, for Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps.
  • By far and away the player that stood out the most was Adrien Robinson. The oft-injured tight end seems very dialed in knowing his chances are wearing out. He seems in good shape, down 15 pounds and looking to make it 20, and seems to truly love the new offense. Unlike before, Robinson and his fellow tight ends will be moving around quite a bit, including in the backfield.
  • The more Robinson talked, the more I couldn’t help but wonder if Brandon Myers wasn’t just a year too early for the Giants. The way the new offense plans to utilize the tight end seems to fit his skill set perfectly. That, and Jermichael Finley.
  • The one alarming thing that stood out about Robinson was when he mentioned his weight from last year. The 25-year-old played at 285 pounds and that wasn’t per the coaches request.
  • No one has put on any pads, but Nat Berhe has everything off the field you want from an NFL player. Heart, toughness, is built very well and looks to be in great shape. Berhe also said he models his play off of Antrel Rolle. Again, no pads have been put on, but he’s my bet for one of those hidden gems found in the draft. 

———

In The Corner Forum, we asked you, the fans, if you had any questions for the players. Here are some of those answered:

From Peter S – I’d ask Adrien Robinson if he feels that this can be the year he establishes himself as the tight end the offense needs to be complete?
— Robinson made it very evident on multiple occasions that this is his golden opportunity. “This is my third year” was mentioned several times.

From Dan in the Springs – (Nassib) Compare/contrast this new offense and the one you played in at Syracuse?
— Nassib was pretty short with his interview today. He said there was “some” carry over.

From ANGPASS – Could (Walton) play tomorrow if there was a game?
— Walton said that he was ready to play Week 10 of last year and he is 100-percent healthy.

From ANGPASS (Walton) – Would he as comfortable playing guard as he would center?
— He said he has not played guard before and that he’s a center.

From Viggie – What position do they envision Devon Kennard playing? LB or DE or is he going to be some type of hybrid?
— The Giants are right now primarily using Kennard as a MIKE/Middle with the intention of working him at SAM/Strong Side as well. Kennard said he prefers SAM because it allows him to get after the quarterback. I asked him personally if he could put his hand in the dirt, similar to Kiwanuka, and play DE, he said if the coaches asked him to he would, but that hasn’t been mentioned yet.

From ChathamMark – (Richburg and Walton) Not ‘can’ they play guard, but how much guard have they actually played in their careers.
— Richburg has played some at guard; it doesn’t seem like Walton has at all. From Walton’s own words, he’s a center.

From NewBlue – (Will Hill) Why man?
— Will Hill is in the building for NYG, and according to The Star-Ledger‘s Conor Orr, seemed in good spirits. Orr saw Hill before we were brought out to the podium.

Many of you asked questions on Xavier Grimble, unfortunately I was unable to get to his presser. He spoke at the same time as I believe Bromley, which was the one I was covering. Apologize for that, but we will get transcript up ASAP.

May 202014
 
Adrien Robinson, New York Giants (July 27, 2013)

Adrien Robinson in July 2013 – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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Time is running out. And Adrien Robinson knows it.

After being drafted in the fourth round and dubbed the “JPP of Tight Ends” by New York Giants’ General Manger Jerry Reese, Robinson has failed to live up to such lofty expectations. In fact, he’s failed to live up to just about anything at all.

His stat line reads: Preseason foot injury. One game played. One down played. One ACL sprain.

“I’m pretty frustrated,” Robinson said. “There’s nothing you can do about injuries, and that took up my entire second year.”

Now healthy, Robinson hopes this is finally his season. His chance to show the Giants something, anything, to prove he’s what they imagined he’d become three years ago.

“It’s basically time for me to show up or go home,” Robinson said. “That’s my mentality and how I’m looking at it.”

While Robinson wasn’t expected to make much of an impact his rookie year, last season he felt he was finally ready to make some noise on the field. But then came the preseason foot injury that kept him on the injury report into November. When Robinson was able to practice again, he was stuck behind free-agent acquisition Brandon Myers, veteran Bear Pascoe, and fellow second-year player Larry Donnell. He finally saw the field in Week 16, but immediately sprained his knee on the opening kickoff.

Now Myers is in Tampa Bay, Pascoe in Atlanta and for the first time in a long time, Robinson is healthy.

“I’m staying that extra day, watching the extra film, I’m on the elliptical every day trying to get my weight down more,” Robinson said. “I feel I’m more mature and more of a professional now.

“It’s like they laid the opportunity right in front of me. I just have to take it and make the most of it.”

It was long assumed this offseason would feature a few extra bodies being thrust into the tight ends’ meeting room, but few notable additions have been made. Larry Donnell returns, Daniel Fells and Kellen Davis were signed while Xavier Grimble was an undrafted rookie acquisition out of USC.

Discounting Grimble, who has yet to play a down in the NFL, the other three combined for six receptions, 63 yards and one touchdown in 2013. Fells caught four passes for 85 yards in 2012 for the Patriots.

The group hardly strikes fear into the eyes of opponents, something the Giants and new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo believe the position will be tasked with next season.

Shedding light for the first time on how the tight end position is expected to be utilized, Robinson said it will bare little similarities to the last few years. In the past, the “tight end” has been an extension of the offensive line, creeping into the flat every now and then as a security blanket for Eli Manning.

Now? Next to the offensive tackle will be just one of the many spots you’ll find the Giants’ tight end.

“We move around a lot more,” Robinson said. “We’re in the backfield, we’re running different routes. For me it will be more fitting for what I do. With this offense the tight end gets a lot more looks.”

The new responsibilities are why one of Robinson’s goals this year was to shed weight. In 2012, the 25-year-old played at roughly 285 pounds. He reported to the Giants offseason-conditioning program at 270 and plans to drop and additional five pounds.

“I can run around, I’m quicker on my routes, in and out of breaks,” Robinson said. “I think I’ll be good at 265. I can run more routes and I’m in better shape.”

Robinson said his weight last year was more on himself than one the Giants wanted him to play at. Maturing as a player and becoming a better “professional” were key motivating factors to drop the 15 extra pounds.

Maturity, being in better shape and a “clean slate” are all things Robinson hopes help him capture the starting tight end position for when the Giants. But the Indiana native also knows this may be it.

If Robinson can’t display the play-making ability the Giants thought he possessed back in 2012, he may meet the same fate as 2011 second-round choice Marvin Austin.

After two injury-riddled seasons that displayed little promise, the Giants cut the defensive tackle prior to the start of last year. Robinson is entering the same training camp that Austin did when his Giants’ career came to an end.

“It’s a huge opportunity that they didn’t draft anybody or bring in any big-name free agents,” Robinson said. “It’s a huge opportunity for me and I have to take advantage.

“It’s my third year. My weight is down, I’ve got a new offensive coordinator, a new tight end coach, and everything is fresh. It’s like a clean slate. I’m ready to go.”

Giants.com Video: May 20, 2014 Media Q&A with TE Adrien Robinson