New York Giants notebook, 02.24.09

by Ed Valentine on Feb 24, 2009 7:00 AM EST in News Comment 21 comments

Here are a few notes about our New York Giants, the NFL scouting combine and a couple of other items of interest.

Peter King of SI.com had a very interesting note on Monday regarding Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis.

Agents have worked so hard to make their players presentable that teams now have to do things to get players out of their comfort zones. This year, I heard more and more stories about teams challenging players instead of simply interviewing them or exchanging niceties.

My favorite story involved a defensive coach for one team asking Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis why they should pick him. "Tell me something,'' the coach said. "When is the last time a linebacker from Ohio State came to the NFL and was worth a s---?'' That shook the Buckeye out of whatever confident zone he might have entered the room in.

Come to think of it, he makes a good point. A.J. Hawk has been OK, but nothing spectacular, and he followed the likes of Bobby Carpenter and Andy Katzenmoyer.

Speaking of linebackers, here is a look at how the linebacker workouts went Monday.
A trio of Giants' reserves signed free-agent tenders Monday -- not that they had any choice.
Is Donovan McNabb pushing the Philadelphia Eagles for offensive upgrades before signing a contract extension?
What exactly is Jerry Jones talking about when he says he wants the Dallas Cowboys to be 'Romo-friendly?'
Any interest in Marvin Harrison now that the long-time Colts great will be hitting the open market?

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I suppose Harrison would still be an upgrade over Toomer

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 24, 2009 8:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

They both came out of the same draft

They both had about 60 catches last year
and they both aren’t worth the money they’re asking for.

Sorry guys (MH & AT) day old bread sells for less than fresh
and you’re day old bread!!!!

by NY17NE14 on Feb 24, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well all things being equal, age included, Harrison is better

And he’s only 2 years removed from a 1300 yard season….the WR core is still awfully young, so if he’d accept a reduced role, I think he’d be a good mentor for Smith and Manningham.

John Clayton on espn seemed to think he’d consider NY, PHI or CHI

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 24, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He could play for 3 years in NY

and not total 1300 yards. If you want a player/coach why not keep Toomer? Same production, Eli knows him, he knows the playbook and Harrison’s used to the AFC, not the NFC east!!!

by NY17NE14 on Feb 24, 2009 9:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Marvin Harrison

I think he’s asking for way too much money.

by John W on Feb 24, 2009 10:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If he won’t take a pay cut to play with Peyton why would he to play with Eli? I don’t think at his age he wants to be around a coach like coughlin, Marvin is better suited for Philly although I’d hate for Philly to get him besides do we really need another gun toting WR in NY? One’s enough in my book.. plus he is 36 I’d much rather have Toomer back he’s so good with adjustments and footwork it is sick.. I much rather go spend FA money on Bart Scott sure up the LB position maybe trade up get Crabtree or Heyward-Bey in the first round a good DT or LB in the second either way in Reese we Trust!!

by gobs56 on Feb 24, 2009 10:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

McNabb definitely wants teh upgrade

The Eagles are one WR away from being unstoppable, in my opinion as much as it kills me to say that. We will get absolutely killed by screen passes, drags, short passes if we are double-covering whichever receiver they pick up in free agency, not to mention DeSean Jackson in single coverage,again, scary. The comination of Marvin Harrison, Boldin, Houshmanzadeh who has expressed interest in Philly, as well as McNabb’s desire not to retire as one of the biggest choke artists in recent NFL history makes me think Philly signing a WR is inevitable.

Also, I think drafting a LB in the first round is inevitable as we now have Tashard Choice and Felix Jones to reckon with, two quick runningbacks against our LBs. Not to mention Clinton Portis and Brian Westbrook. LBs and Receivers are the key to our success right now, although Jerry Reese is dedicating to building the depth of both of our lines.

by mahmoodzaky on Feb 24, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Let's not get carried away

I actually hope the Eagles are foolish enough to waste money on a well past his prime Harrison. He’s not going to require double coverage. As for Boldin, his contract is so favorable I can’t see the Cardinals trading him, or Philly paying the price. Houshmanzadeh, on the other hand might end up iun Philly and he would help them. But I hardly think he’d make them unstoppable. Is anybody really going to double cover Jackson and Houshmanzadeh? Philly only made the playoffs this year because Tampa Bay lost its last 2 games including the regular season home finale to Oakland! Philly’s offensive line is full of question marks. Thomas and Runyan were great players but both are very old and slipping badly (Runyan’s having off season knee surgery). Their center is mediocre. Their best lineman, Shawn Andrews is coming off a season where he missed time due to depression and a bad back. It’s not clear whether he’ll really be back next year or not. They have no full back, they have no worthwhile tight end, except for jackson, their receivers are mediocre, and they’re likely to lose their back up running back, Buckhalter. Westbrook is an elite player, when he’s healthy, but he’s past 30 now and has had a lot of injuries. McNabb is also a very talented QB, but his success has mostly been a function of his running and scrambling ability, and age (32) and injuries are creeping up on him too. He’s never proven that he can win consistently as a pocket passer. Philly’s defense is for the most part young and pretty good. Their D-line is solid, and Trent Cole is a top flight player. Bunkley and Patterson do a great job against the run but don’t get much pressure on the QB. The rest of the line are very decent role players and they have some depth. The linebackers are young and athletic, but they can be exploited (none of them can cover a back or a tight end), and the secondary is very strong — although Dawkins, assuming he resigns, is a liability in pass coverage. Overall, they’re a dangerous team, but hardly unstoppable, and it’s going to take more than one wide receiver to make them anything more than another team hanging around hoping to catch fire in the playoffs, like they did this year.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Feb 24, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes Sir

I completely agree, My comment was just stating I thought Marvin would be better off in philly definitely dont think any reciever the eagles get will make them unstoppable except maybe Boldin but has the Giants proved in the superbowl 42 no one is unstoppable… I am just use to the receiverless eagles and wouldnt mind it staying that way lol Great point about Buckhalter, he might be one of the best and most under rated backed RB in the league any team that signs him will have an instant upgrade in the passing game at RB.. If the eagles dont get him back it will make me smile! But I’m not sure its foolish to sign Marvin if you can get him to take a huge pay cut he will make Desean a better player not by getting double covered but by teaching the kid how to play the game… I would definitely hate them getting TJ or Boldin wayyyyy more..

And if we get Bart Scott why would we need to draft a LB in the first round? Thats confusing, our defense was just fine last year and it was very clear when Plax got suspended that missing a #1 WR that demands double coverage was and is the reason we didnt look so hot going down the stretch… just my opinion, of course we will do as always and take the best available player at our pick and i’ll say it again – IN REESE WE TRUST -

by gobs56 on Feb 24, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bart Scott

You’re right that Harrison would definitely help Jackson — who looks like a quick learner in any case. But theonly one that really would scare me in Eagle green is Boldin and I don’t think that’s going to happen.

By the way, I also definitely agree that Bart Scott would be the best free agent linebacker for us to pick up if the Ravens don’t resign him. I think we can improve at all three linebacker positions, so I’d like to take an LB in the first round as well if a good one is available. If the coaching staff has faith that Kehl and Goff can both contribute next year then perhaps only one new face out of the draft/free agent pool would be enough. Getting Osi back and having a deeper defensive line rotation should also help take some of the pressure off the linebackers next year.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Feb 24, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs