Nobody likes being No. 2. But when it comes to being drafted to an NFL team, being No. 2 isn't all that bad.   The entire county focuses on No. 1 draft picks and free agents at this time of year. However, I am sure there a few hundred college football players busting their ass just to be someone's No 2. In looking at the NY Giants draft history, one could say that the Giants' second-round picks over the last 15 years have gone on to become  perennial pro bowlers.  A few familiar faces have gone on to become the face of this historical franchise. The names are impressive: Terrell Thomas, Steve Smith, Justin Tuck, Chris Snee, Osi Umenyoira, Joe Jurevicius, Tiki Barber, and Amani Toomer. So who do the NY Giants take in the second round of the 2010 draft? My [...] Continue reading →

Over the years the New York Giants have found that the keys to success come from all different types of players with different skill sets, from all over the United States. However, Illinois has been especially good to the Giants. Over the past ten years, the Giants have drafted four stellar players from the Prairie State who are currently contributing to the Giants' winning ways. 1. Rich Seubert - Western Illinois With Amani Toomer gone, Seubert—who was drafted in 2000—is the senior statesman on the Giants. He fractured his leg midseason 2003 and was forced to the sidelines for the remainder of 2003 and the entire 2004 season. With a great work ethic and determination, Rich worked his way back into the starting lineup in 2005. Seubert has teamed [...] Continue reading →

Sources say that the New York Giants are ready to offer unrestricted free agent, Julius Peppers 100 million dollars for seven years, including a hefty signing bonus.  It has been noted that Peppers and his camp will field a minimum of seven offers by week's end. One year after the Giants were spurned by free agent DT Albert Haynesworth after offering 80 million to come play with Big Blue, the Giants have stepped up their pursuit of a game changing defensive superstar. On January 16, 2009, Peppers spoke very candidly about not re-signing with the Carolina Panthers.  He also expressed the desire or willingness to convert from a defensive end to outside linebacker to fit a 4/3 scheme. [...] Continue reading →

Is a "change of pace" backfield overrated? Not in today's NFL.  Some say "running back by committee."  I say offensive game plan by design!  The NY Giants are in company with San Diego, Minnesota, Tennessee, the New York Jets, the Ravens, and the Miami Dolphins to name a few teams that rotate very good backs. But what happens when the staple of your franchise hits the skids? That's what happened during the 2009 football season for the New York Giants.  There once powerful running game turned up a bit lame.  Could it be injuries or the O-line wear n' tear?  Only the football gods may know the truth; however, do the Giants have what it takes to run inside and outside the tackles?  I am not convinced that Jacobs and Bradshaw are the right mix for success in 2010. History does [...] Continue reading →

24 years seems like a long time.  That's how long I have been going to see the Giants play on Sunday afternoons in the Meadowlands. Having played football in high school and college, Sunday was a free day for me to make Section 133 my home. But with this football season slowly ending with a whimper...it just feels different.  Yes, I've seen some amazing football from those seats in East Rutherford over those 24 years. Let me give you a few snapshots...I have vivid memory's of Simms to Bavaro and the birth of the Gatorade Shower. Jim Burt steam rolling Joe Montana to allow LT to intercept the pass and run it back for a touch down. Hostetler coming in for an injured Simms, the emergance of young Rodney Hampton with a 4 TD game, and how about LT's [...] Continue reading →

February 2010...It feels like a long off season already.  However, as winter turns to spring, I get fired up for some new raw talent that are ready to suit up for Big Blue. Who do we want?  What do we need?   How can we find that sleeper pick?  Yes, the draft and mandatory mini-camp will never come too soon.  I need to get the taste of 2009 out of my mouth. Enclosed you will find some analysis on a few hot prospects... Nate Allen, University of South Florida S ( 6'2" 190 pounds) One of the top safeties on the board and one of the most accomplished defensive players in the history of USF football.  This very experienced player started the last 39 games of his college career, including Bowl [...] Continue reading →

The Giants have made some good changes on the defensive side of the ball this off season.  Bill Sheridan the first year defensive coordinator, and Mike Wauffle, the six year defensive line coach were let go. Perry Fewell comes in to light a spark under guys like Barry Cofield, Aaron Ross, Michael Johnson, and Osi Umenyiora to name a few. I want one more change... I want Aaron Kampman to play for the New York Giants. This guy is perfect for Big Blue.   Kampman has excelled as a defensive end in the 4-3 system for 8 years.  Only recently as 2009 was he switched to linebacker; however, the move hurt Kampman & The Packers. Even though he was getting better as a stand up backer, he often looked uncomfortable in coverage.  Kampman will always be better with his hand in the [...] Continue reading →

In 1986, the New York Giants drafted linebacker Thomas Johnson in the second round from Ohio State.  Thomas, better known as "Pepper" Johnson, was notorious for putting black pepper on his breakfast cereal. The name stuck with him his whole life. Johnson was a damn good player.  A two time pro bowl linebacker who loved to hit you in the mouth, while filling a hole.   He was big, nasty, and athletic. He played seven great seasons for the Giants and was a member of both the Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV [...] Continue reading →

I stopped playing college football in 1991 and I have never looked back.  I rely on the experts to educate me on who, what and why for the NFL draft. Recently I have had two dozen people tell me that the Giants need LB Brandon Spikes from the Florida Gators. Excited about a big time linebacker...I looked up his stats. Brandon Spikes, is the cousin of Takeo Spikes who has been a linebacker in the NFL for 11 years with the Bengals, Bills, Eagles and currently the San Fransisco 49ers.  Brandon has done some nice things for the Gators; including coming back for his senior year instead of entering the draft as a junior. Brandon is no doubt a very good football player; however, I was concerned that his production slipped every year since his sophomore season at Florida.   He [...] Continue reading →

Not in any particular order I have accumulated a list of names.... Harry Carson, Junior Seau, Zack Thomas, Ray Lewis, Jack Lambert, Patrick Willis, Mike Singletary, Sam Mills, Jon Beason, Chris Spielman, Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher. What do they all have in common? They all played middle linebacker. Whatever decade they played in...they played the position angry. They lived to stuff running backs and deliver punishment. This is what the Giants need anchoring their defense...anger, dedication, and athleticism! Remember the days when Giants defense was stout and the man in middle was Harry Carson? I can picture Carson and his blood stained white pants as he [...] Continue reading →