NFL Draft Grades 2011: Marvin Austin Gets An 'A' -- With A Question Mark

by Ed Valentine on Apr 30, 2011 8:01 AM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

The New York Giants' selection of North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin is a roll of the dice by General Manager Jerry Reese on an extremely talented player with a checkered past, evidenced by his suspension for the entire 2010 season. The pick is, largely, playing to great reviews around the Inter-Google.

"Great value pick." -- USA Today
"And the Giants land another steal who inexplicably falls" (Grade: A) -- Walter Football
" There's no denying his talent." -- SB Nation

There is also no denying the risk. Austin comes with plenty of questions not only about the 2010 suspension, but about his effort. The Giants, of course, are fully aware of all that.

"We did a lot of work on him. He was very highly rated on our board. The value was tremendous at that point," Reese said. "Again, we did a lot of homework on him. We couldn't pass him up."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said the team had "probably seven or eight of our people" at Austin's North Carolina Pro Day.

"He wants the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong. The fact that we do all kinds of tests on people and those tests were very good. A lot of people substantiated the fact that although you do have to have some borders in place, he's basically a guy that's sharp and, if focused, can be a very good football player," Coughlin said. "I think anybody's a risk. Until they come in and prove exactly what they can do, there's risk involved for anybody. But we're in a high-risk business."

Simply from a 'value' standpoint this looks like a tremendous pick for the Giants. Draft Countdown had Austin ranked 39th, Great Blue North 37th and CBS Sports 39th on their respective big boards.

Austin seemed to say all the right things Friday night after his selection.

"I feel like I am one of the best athletes that was in the draft and I feel like I'm just ready to go and perform and get a chance to play the game that I love so much," he said. "I don't think I am a big risk. As I said, the things that happened are in the past. Now I am ready to be a professional."

The Giants are banking on the fact that Austin will back up his words. The Giants, obviously, believe this is a risk worth taking.

My Grade: A ... Simply based on the belief that Austin is a first-round talent who could be as good as any tackle in this class, if he plays to the ability scouts think he has. Pretty amazing to find that with the 52nd pick.

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So we drafted a nipplehead!

Looking at walterfootball’s scouting report on the guy (look at Amukamara’s report if you feel the need to drool) it just seems that playing on a line like the Giants is exactly what will bring out the beast in this dude.

As far as athlete’s go, if you look at all his drills and overall speed….he tested out either equal or better then Akeem Ayers. lol.

The thing that stands out to me is that despite his character risks, and also the fact he doesn’t really fit the Giants mold of DTs considering he’s a bit more of a squatty porker and doesn’t really have long arms, tells you how high they are on him. They overlooked a lot that they normally don’t and he still was a BPA type pick.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Apr 30, 2011 8:14 AM EDT reply actions

Hey, he gets compared to Suh...

So if that’s what a squatty porker gets you…I’m all for it.

This guy looks like a tank.

Linval “Da Anvil” and Marvin “The Tank”

Red stripe, blue paint, them other teams scared but Big Blue ain't.

Our Giants who art in the New Giants Stadium,
hallowed be thy name.
No Three and Outs.
Thy defense Stout.
On earth or if we must in a dome.
Give us on Sunday our weekly Dubya,
and forgive us our turnovers,
as we take advantage of those who turnover against us,
and lead us not into a losing season,
but deliver us a fourth Super Bowl title.
To Eli we pray.
Amen.

^ Yeah, I believe we should all have this as part of our sig, which is why I stole it. :)

by EnWhySee on Apr 30, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Is Colfield gone for sure now?

I love all the Giants picks right now but I’m just curious to get some opinions here. Does anyone think Colfield is definitely gone after the giants picked Austin?

by 732jerseyP on Apr 30, 2011 8:25 AM EDT reply actions

I do

I think the Giants will make him an offer, but not the big money offer Cofield wants.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 30, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope not....

I’d rather see Rocky hit the road. Cofield hasn’t gotten the money, but he’s put in the effort and has earned it. Played sideline to sideline, which is great for a tackle. I’d rather see the Giants pay the man, than to let him walk (if he’s within reason on his demands).

by Cranky50 on Apr 30, 2011 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Not happy with this pick

Yes lots of talent, lots of upside, may be a steal.

But all the character and work ethic concerns make this a not worth the risk pick for me.

As I said a while back, Austin=possible Haynesworth=pass.

Hope I am wrong but not feeling sanguine about this pick.

As for Cofield, agree with Ed. Unless Austin blows up real soon, Cofield will not receive the offer he wants. I think this is a BIG mistake.

Again, hope I am wrong.

All the Giants should play like Mark Bavaro.
Tom Quinn Must Go!
On second thought, let's not blame players or coaches, they are not responsible. The unsupportive fans are to blame.

by UnknownJintsFan on Apr 30, 2011 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

so with that kind of reasoning

we shouldnt have ever signed plaxico. i mean, we knew he was a headcase when he was with pittsburgh…..seriously what a WASTE of a free agent signing. Its not like he ever did anything spectacular for us or anything……

::rolls eyes::

by DrewGQ on Apr 30, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

No, because Plax

proved his worth on the field in the NFL, this guy has not. I hate work ehic problem players.

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 30, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

work ethic

has it been said anywhere that he has shown bad work ethic in the past? all i have heard is he took gifts from an agent(which most star college kids do) and got caught, paid the price, sat out a year and showed up to the combine and kicked the shit out of his workouts. i could understand if he showed up to the combine out of shape and overweight but the dude is a beast. sure he hasnt proven his worth on the field in the bigs but none of these kids have. i just dont find it fair to compare him to haynesworth especially when he hasnt done anything to merit it. hell, look at all the problems ahmad bradshaw had coming out of college

by DrewGQ on Apr 30, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand

what your saying about comparisons to Haynesworth. I myself never did that. just read the draft profiles and you will read about quitting on the field, poor work habits, etc.

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 30, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Everyone keeps using Haynesworth as a reason to NOT love this kid

If we just picked up the Albert Haynesworth of the Titans in the second round…no ones going to be complaining.

I don't always hope for draft picks, but when I do, I prefer Owen Marecic.

by tito (eight and oh) on Apr 30, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

yea

I think some are forgetting that Haynesworth was the best DT in the game for a time.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Apr 30, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Did anyone see the outside the lines on this guy?

I really don’t think he’s going to be problem. I thought he was suspended for receiving illegal benefits not anything criminal. He’s a mama’s boy and the thought that he ruined his future football career and an opportunity to take care of his family brought him to tears. Think he is going to walk the straight line and be a model citizen. I dont get the comparison’s to Haynesworth who bat sh*t crazy.

On the football field he’s an absolute beast.

by JRSu1 on Apr 30, 2011 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

All we can do

is root for the kid and hope the Giants are right. Mario Manningham and Ahmad Bradshaw had character concerns coming out of school, too, and the Giants have been right about both of those guys. We just have to see if they are right about this kid — if they are, he could be an amazing player.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 30, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly right Ed regarding MM and AB.

These are exactly the type of moves that the Eagles usually make that get me terribly frustrated because there’s so much talent, but the Giants usually don’t take the risk.

When they do take a risk like this, they don’t fail.

I’m expecting big things!

I don't always hope for draft picks, but when I do, I prefer Owen Marecic.

by tito (eight and oh) on Apr 30, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

BIG TIME SKEPTICAL

I will root for him because he’s in Giants blue, but I cannot stand to hear about a guy who takes plays off, who will quit when losing an engagement with an Olineman, who is lazy. I hope he loves football, because those criticisms of him say he doesn’t.

I can deal with character issues, hell, that’s what they would have said about my wild and immature ass when I was in my early 20’s. But don’t give me questionable work habits. He has a track record, a history of his lousy work habits. But he’s young, we now have to hope our team can help him to motivate himself to change those habits.

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 30, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

how can you question his work habits when he took a year off of football

and still tested out athletically with players that played all year?

He could’ve just sat around and did nothing. Not sure how anyone can complain about his work habits considering he wasn’t playing football but stayed dedicated enough to keep in the sort of shape he’s in.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Apr 30, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

that was last year

I don’t think anyone was questioning his work habits when they had no contact with him. They are looking at game tape and talking to coaches about practice habits.

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 30, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

that's fine

but I think you’d be surprised on how many players have the same problem. I know Marcel Darues had similar negatives to his game.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Apr 30, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

No surprise here,

I just don’t want them on my team. But that’s water under the bridge. He is on my team now. I will now hope for the best

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 30, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

by Squali21 on Apr 30, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

that was for Rorschach

I’m excited to see what this kid brings to the table

by Squali21 on Apr 30, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

yea

every interview all I can see is a good kid. In no way at all does he come off as arrogant, entitled or even worse a damn fool.

Seems like an intelligent yougin who made a mistake.

Sort of like the “quirky personality” think that caused Amukamara to drop….just LOL at the rest of the NFL. There’s a reason the same teams draft in the top 15 every year.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Apr 30, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

I saw the outside the lines and yes he is a mommas boy. Imo he learned his lesson he was crying like a schoolgirl at the fact he brought his family shame and a chance at taking care of them money wise. Dude is a beast and will come to camp with something to prove. Again the value in the 2nd round was way to much to pass up.

Why is Tom Quinn still here?

by costanza! on Apr 30, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Its funny looking back at what I wrote about him

on his prospect profile. His negatives still apply, he did buck and didn’t comply with things in the offseason that you think he wouldn’t have done like taking the wonderlic. Might not mean much to you or me but from a teams view of him, it doesn’t sit well. Also interviewing poorly also, these are really bad things after not playing for a whole year.

But, he feel to a team in our New York Giants that has one of the most professional structures from top to bottom. His immaturity or personality don’t scare me here as they maybe would if he went to a team like Cincinnati. We did well for ourselves and we need to remember that there are still more picks to be made and there are still some damn good football players to grab. LB’s included. This is where teams win Super Bowl’s, on the last day of the draft.

by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on Apr 30, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

This is where teams win Super Bowl’s, on the last day of the draft.

Spot on.

by Wide Right From The 47 on Apr 30, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

If only...

if Straham, the hammer Hamilton, or Armstead was there to tell him “this is the Giants, we don’t put up with no shit” I’d be excited about this pick. Can Tuck be the one put his foot in this kid’s backside or does that fall onto Commander Coughlin? and we all know how it works out when Major Tom has to be the hard-ass

by David Anthony on Apr 30, 2011 11:58 AM EDT reply actions