New York Giants' Draft Busts: No. 8 ... Ron Dayne

by Ed Valentine on Apr 6, 2011 9:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

Ron Dayne. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Yes, No. 8 on our list of the worst New York Giants' No. 1 picks since 1960 takes us into relatively recent territory. What were supposed to be the days of 'Thunder & Lightning' when the Giants drafted Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne in 2000 to team up with Tiki Barber.

Only Dayne, the 5-foot-10, 250-pound part who was supposed to be 'Thunder,' turned out to be more like Mr. Softee. Or maybe Tiny Tim, tip-toeing his way to the line of scrimmage for five mostly unsatisfying seasons with the Giants. Coach Jim Fassel went from having Dayne carry the ball 228 times as a rookie to refusing to even activate the 11th pick in the 2000 draft for a single game in 2003.

Who The Giants Could Have Had

Shaun Ellis (12th, DE, NY Jets)
John Abraham (13th, LB, Jets)
Chad Pennington (18th, QB, Jets)
Shaun Alexander (19th, RB, Alabama) ... This one really hurts. Alexander was a three-time Pro Bowler who gained more than 9,000 yards in his career.
Keith Bulluck (30th, LB, Tennessee) -- Wouldn't Bulluck -- the pre-injury Bulluck -- have looked nice as a strong-side linebacker for the Giants for the last decade?

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Comments

to be fair there wasn't a helluva lot there.

Alexander woulda been sweet but Dayne had the Heisman hype. Bulluck woulda been a great grab, but who knew?

Details of the operations of an interstate dog fighting ring were revealed, with some portions involving drugs and gambling. Gruesome details involving abuse, torture and execution of under-performing dogs ... He admitted to being involved in the destruction of 6–8 dogs, by hanging or drowning...

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 6, 2011 9:03 AM EDT reply actions

Good pick

But if Dayne is 8, i can’t imagine who number 1-7 will be. Rocky has to be 1 or 2. .

by TheGifford on Apr 6, 2011 9:15 AM EDT reply actions

Dayne

At least gave us one season of false hope.

More than can be said or WR T Lewis, FB J Bunch, TE D Brown et al

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I play flag football every Sunday in North Jersey with a bunch of guys from my friend’s work. One of the better receivers there wears a Ron Dayne jersey every single week, for which he gets made fun of regularly. I play QB, so it’s weird throwing it to him, (A) because it’s just weird throwing a football to someone in a Giants jersey and hoping he scores, and (B) he’s a better receiver than Dayne.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Apr 6, 2011 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

My garbage can is a better receiver than Dayne

and it puts in more effort.

I always had the feeling (no substantiation) that Dayne did not put in enough effort. Anyone have any info on his level of commitment?

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 6, 2011 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

hahaha

Dayne was Mr. Stone-hands

"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck

by The Always Well Dressed... on Apr 6, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

The Jets had 4 1st round picks that year!

I totally forgot about that. Not too mention a 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th. And it’s not like they mortgaged the entire 2001 draft to get to that position either. Only the Jets could continue in mediocrity with a setup like that.

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next."

by Larry Soprano on Apr 6, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Also, Dayne was in high school around the same time I was in high school in South Jersey (my school never played his school), and he was nothing short of a local legend. He had something like a 15 yards per carry average, which basically means that if he ran for a 14 yard TD, it would hurt his YPC. That’s just absurd.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Apr 6, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Jimmy

I think most of us on BBV can work out that 14 is lower than 15.

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

he's used to talking to Eagles fans

Geez, G-Brit, cut him some slack!

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 6, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, sorry. That was for 56therealLT in case he’s still reading.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Apr 6, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

No worries

so is/was 56the real the BBV version of JIBTA?

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

JIBTA had (actually has, he’s not banned or anything) slightly better grammar (not by much), and is actually the opposite of 56. 56 was pure homer through and through (Bradshaw a top 5 RB in the NFL, as an example), while JIBTA was very quick to slam Eagles players he didn’t like, with some of his choices just puzzling (Todd Herremans for example). A common trend of players JIBTA does like are bigger players (he loves Brandon Jacobs and for some reason, Max Jean-Gilles), players with dreads, and pretty much any A-hole wide receiver league-wide.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Apr 6, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I know

we have our differences but it is good that we can still keep it civil.

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

waitasec

is this why the mock draft stalled? Because “realLT” is slated at #39

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 6, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I think they are two different dudes

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next."

by Larry Soprano on Apr 6, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

We

will do anything to stop you gloating over your steal of the millennium pick

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I wonder

if your buddy could join BGN

"Richard, who's your favorite little rascal? Is it Alfalfa?... Or is it SPANKY?... Sinner. :-)

by tommy d. on Apr 6, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure, no problem.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/

by JimmyK on Apr 8, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

that would be entertaining for all of us :-)

"Richard, who's your favorite little rascal? Is it Alfalfa?... Or is it SPANKY?... Sinner. :-)

by tommy d. on Apr 9, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

p.s. biggest busts

bringing Bud Light to a bunch of dudes watching a football game. I’d rather have beer.

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 6, 2011 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

What?

You don’t like cold, bubbly piss?

by Charles L on Apr 6, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

hmmm let me think about that

put it this way … I spent $25 on 8 beers for the NCAA championship game Monday night … and I don’t even like college basketball.

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 6, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

er, I guess I didn't write that very clearly

Drinking BL, imo, is like drinking freshly squeezed urine.

We need to start implementing that sarcasm font they got over there at BRB

by Charles L on Apr 7, 2011 3:34 AM EDT up reply actions

brb=battleredblog (the texans' sbnation)

by Charles L on Apr 7, 2011 3:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree about lights

Any light is not beer but some people only drink it. My MIL drinks Coors Light. When someone brings such stuff to the house, I use it for snail bait. Works well.

I am not sure if they get drunk and drown or taste it and kill themselves.

But let’s be nice, the BL people are giving Ed, our leader and hero, money. Don’t bite the hand that feeds Ed or this blog may evaporate.

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 7, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Light beer is not beer

"Richard, who's your favorite little rascal? Is it Alfalfa?... Or is it SPANKY?... Sinner. :-)

by tommy d. on Apr 6, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Ron Dayne now that is a bust!

I swear I could smoke a pack of Malboro Reds and hit the whole harder than him.

by Late for Dinner on Apr 6, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

I think the definition of a draft bust

Is that no one could see it coming. Most people were ecstatic to get Dayne. Ironically, too, every year he stayed in the league he’d have one or two plays (even a couple of whole games) that suggested he really did have the ability.

by blumag on Apr 6, 2011 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

I have had

this discussion on BGN (just ask Jimmy) about what is a draft bust.

I think it is someone whose production does not match with where he was drafted so Dayne fits that bill as does alot of Giant first round picks in the last 40 years.

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Good definition

I think you are right, G Fan. I am going to give away a bit of the list here. Tucker Fredrickson is not on it, but you can certainly make a very good case that he should be. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and did not come close to meeting that standard. His overall career is OK, but not what was expected. By that definition, he was a bust.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 6, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Ed

Jimmy and I had a debate on whether Kolb should be considered a bust (wasted pick) given his stats of 7 starts in four years.

Yes he does have some good performances in limited playing time but even saying he was a backup QB to Pro Bowl QB’s does not mean that the pick produced value or production that you would expect from a high second round pick.

Even allowing that he may garner a first round pick in a trade does not equal the lack of production they could have gotten from another player.

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think you can lablel Kolb as a bust just yet

Kolb’s numbers don’t look all that impressive but let’s not forget that untill last year the only way he was seeing the field is if McNabb got hurt. Last year the Eagles tried to hand him the job (big mistake, always make a QB earn the spot I call it the Dave Brown rule) without really letting Vick compete with him for it. He get’s hurt Vick comes in and the rest is history.

I would say he is a guy who has not got a shot to show if he can play or not. I can’t kill the guy becuase he couldn’t beat out McNabb and Vick for the starting job. I would compare his position to Schwab’s before he went to the Texans.

by Late for Dinner on Apr 6, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Late

Using my definition getting 7 starts from a second round pick is a poor result regardless of the position.

Do we consider Beatty a bust if he cannot beat out Diehl, who despite our compliants about him is a pro Bowl OT and there is no shame in not beating out a Pro Bowl player.

If Beatty is not starting in 2012 if not before he is a bust even if Diehl is still starting at LT.

by G Fan in England on Apr 6, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Dam G can't beleive you got me defending a freakin Eagle LOL

I think your hunch about Kolb is correct it is getting late early in his career. I also think the real question is should the Eagles have drafted Kolb in the 2nd round of the 07 draft when they could have gotton a pleyer of need. The reason I am don’t think you can label him a bust yet (I know his overall production basically sucks) is becuase nobody thought he was going to see the field when he was drafted. Not with McNabb in his prime, than on top of that the Eagles go out and sign Michael Vick. So basically the only way he has seen the field is when an injury happens. Even though he was a 2nd round pick both McNabb and Vick on top of being Pro Bowl players were both High number 1 picks so the fact that he can’t beat out first McNabb and than Vick for a starting job does not make him a bust. Kolb will never be as good as those two players but that does not mean he can’t play in the NFL.

by Late for Dinner on Apr 6, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Mike Francesca LOVED this pick

And I remember hating it at the time. Totally wanted S. Alexander at RB because of SPEED. This is a typical ‘old school Giants’ pick – ‘solid guy from big school program’. Not alot of upside. I cringe reading Ed’s list of what we could have had at that position and imagining what any of those players would have meant to our team for the last 10 years. Which brings me to this year’s draft and Anthony Costanzo/Mike Pouncey. We need ‘speed & nasty’ on D. Need to stop reaching out to Boston College & Penn State for ‘solid citizens’. We need more players from Sing Sing State…..

by TallWriter62 on Apr 6, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

Alexander or Dayne

didn’t seem like you could go wrong with either. Dayne looked like the next great running back coming out of college, so I was happy with the pick till he put on a Giants Uniform and started trying to run around the whole instead of hitting it hard and lettting those 250lbs of RB take over.

by Late for Dinner on Apr 6, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

There were rumblings

about how great a line he ran behind as well as his lack of speed when he was drafted. I remember being optimistic, not thrilled, when he was picked. But there was not anything near unanimous excitement for Dayne

"Richard, who's your favorite little rascal? Is it Alfalfa?... Or is it SPANKY?... Sinner. :-)

by tommy d. on Apr 6, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm assuming

Ced Jones has to be in the top 5.

Your First Ever Pinstripe Bowl Champions- The Syracuse Orange

by bigbluethruandthru on Apr 6, 2011 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

A one eyed defensive end as a top ten pick has to qualify

by Danny332 on Apr 6, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Even with one eye Cederic was still bettter than Willie Joe

by Late for Dinner on Apr 6, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

yah

He has to be in the top ONE, as far as I can see

by NortheastKingdom on Apr 6, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

To me.....

it appears each time Dayne got the ball he was looking for some place to lay down.

by rbman3 on Apr 6, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

When I think of Ron Dayne....

…I remember that he killed, absolutely killed, in Madden. Barber couldnt get passed the line of scrimmage, Dayne was blowing up linebackers left and right. That should be a list for another day.

…Steve Sommers post a post game show on a long ride home said something to the effect of Ron Dayne getting tackled by invisible ground gophers.

….ABC running promos for a show called The Mole and the tag line being “Who is the mole?” and immediately answering “Ron Dayne.”

by Danny332 on Apr 6, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Other notables from the 2000 draft

Mike Brown, S, 2nd Rd
Chad Clifton, T, 2nd Rd
Laveranues Coles, WR, 3rd Rd
Shane Lechler, P, 5th Rd
Dante Hall, WR, 5th Rd
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DE, 5th Rd
Marc Bulger, 6th Rd
Adalius Thomas, 6th Rd
Some guy named Tom Brady 6th Rd

by John W on Apr 6, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

I remember hating Dayne so much

But he did give the Giant fans one last (or first) cheer on Thanksgiving 2005 with the Broncos. Playing the Cowboys, he had a 100 yard and a TD to lead Denver to victory, including a big 50 yard run.
I remember watching that game and screaming “Ron Dayne?”

"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck

by The Always Well Dressed... on Apr 6, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Before the latest season

the only game the Texans beat the Colts was when Dayne had his essentially his greatest game ever in 06 or 07

Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.
-John Madden

by Willgfass on Apr 6, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

And that is.....

what I could not figure out with Dayne, somewhere inside you know the talent is there but he just would not perform for the Giants.

by rbman3 on Apr 6, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Zone blocking scheme in college and power scheme with the Giants

Mentioned in this thread were a couple of his best performances with other teams…Denver and Houston…two zone run blocking teams, hmmm.

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next."

by Larry Soprano on Apr 6, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

he did better in a different scheme, but I still don’t see the Giants as a power running team. They don’t really just come off the ball and move the other team back, they don’t run straight at anybody. Their linemen are good at pulling, trapping and getting to the second level. That’s why Tiki (god I hate saying this!) was so great for them: he knew how to run patiently and probably set up blocks as well as any back ever.
Dayne (and Jacobs has suffered from this as well) was never effective when he had to start out running laterally. And since he was billed as Thunder, it made him (and BJ) look bad when the O-Line got pushed off the line of scrimmage on third and one.

by blumag on Apr 6, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right, but I meant power scheme as in utilize the "power" run blocking play with pulling lineman

At least thats what we refered to it in college.

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next."

by Larry Soprano on Apr 6, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I understand and you’re right, as you pointed out, it’s not a zone blocking scheme.

by blumag on Apr 6, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I remember that too!

It looked like more proof that anyone with even a little bit of ability could produce as an RB in Denver’s zone blocking scheme.

"Richard, who's your favorite little rascal? Is it Alfalfa?... Or is it SPANKY?... Sinner. :-)

by tommy d. on Apr 6, 2011 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas Jones

Wasn’t he in that draft class as well?

by Masakari on Apr 6, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

As twisted as it may sound...

…he’s still revered out here in Wisconsin. He makes it to games at Camp Randall pretty often, and when he does, we always hear about it. Still something I’m getting used to after almost 3 years here now.

by Mike Fiammetta on Apr 6, 2011 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

biggest run of his career came against dallas...

as a denver bronco. i remember having to pinch myself after that touchdown run…

by IDidItMyWay on Apr 6, 2011 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

I'm guessing

is either of the RB duds from Michigan drafted in the 90"s: Bunch or Wheatley.

"Richard, who's your favorite little rascal? Is it Alfalfa?... Or is it SPANKY?... Sinner. :-)

by tommy d. on Apr 6, 2011 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

wheatley

went on to be productive for the Raiders for several years I believe. It would be interesting to do a series on Giants picks who didn’t pan out who went on to success elsewhere. Ed McAffrey comes to mind. Joe Jurevicous (sp?). Ryan Grant (did we draft him?).

by blumag on Apr 7, 2011 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions

We signed Ryan as a FA

by Late for Dinner on Apr 7, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

*#1

"Richard, who's your favorite little rascal? Is it Alfalfa?... Or is it SPANKY?... Sinner. :-)

by tommy d. on Apr 6, 2011 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

I recall a training camp interview when lightning struck the tree that Ron Dayne was standing next too. He reacted like three seconds later with just an eye brow. Slow reactions. True story.

So Let It Be Written, So Let it Be Done.

by GreenBeer on Apr 8, 2011 3:30 PM EDT reply actions