Giants' 2011 Prospect Watch: Ben Ijalana, Ras-I-Dowling, Greg McElroy Added

by Ed Valentine on Apr 7, 2011 12:00 PM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger reported Wednesday that four members of the New York Giants coaching and scouting staffs were at Villanova Wednesday to watch offensive tackle Ben Ijalana during his Pro Day. MG also mentioned that the Giants checked out the Pro Day of Virginia cornerback Ras-I-Dowling, a likely second-day pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Also Wednesday, news broke that the Giants will hold a workout with Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, a likely late-round selection in the draft.

After the jump you can find an up-to-date list of potential draft prospects the Giants have been connected to. I will do my best to keep this list as current as possible.

Players Connected To The Giants (Updated 4/7)

Ryan Williams RB, Virginia Tech (NFL Combine) – source
Taiwan Jones RB, Eastern Washington (meeting) – source
Edmond Gates WR, Abilene Christian (meeting) – source
Anthony Castonzo OT, Boston College (Pro Day run by Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty) – source
Will Rackley OG, Lehigh (meeting and private workouts) – source1, source2
Mike Pouncey OG, Florida (meeting, Pro Day) – source
Brandon Fusco OL, Slippery Rock (private workout) – source
Nick Fairley DT, Auburn – source
Justin Houston OLB, Georgia (private workout) – source
Mark Herzlich OLB, Boston College (Pro Day, NFL Combine) – source
Prathon Wilkerson CB, Albany State (Pro Day) – source
Jaiquawn Jarrett FS, Temple (meeting) – source
Tommy Irvin S, Wofford (workout) – source
Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut (Pro Day) -- source
Scott Lutrus, LB, Connecticut (Pro Day) -- source
Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (Pro Day) -- source
Sidney Tarver, OLB, Tennessee State (Pro Day) -- source
John Gianninoto, C, UNLV (Pro Day) -- source
Matt Murphy, G, UNLV (Pro Day) -- source
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (Pro Day)
Akeem Dent, LB, Georgia (private workout) -- source
Muhammed Wilkerson, DT Temple (Pro Day)
Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois (Pro Day) -- source
Mikel LeShoure (Pro Day) -- source
Martez Wilson, OLB, Illinois (Pro Day) -- source
Anthony Bratton, S, Delaware (Pro Day) -- source
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin (Pro Day) -- source
Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple (meeting) -- source
Akeem Ayers (Pro Day)
Doug Hogue, OLB, Syracuse -- source
Andre Harris, RB, Northern Colorado (Pro Day) -- source
Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama -- source
Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova (Pro Day) -- source
Ras-I-Dowling, CB, Virginia (Pro Day) -- source
Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana (Pro Day) -- source

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I like all three prospects

just wish they tried out Marvin Austin too…the dude’s a beast

Final Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Marvin Austin, DT
3) Jake Kirkpatrick, OC
4) Chimdi Chekwa, CB
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
6) Jarriel King, OT
6) Josh Bynes, ILB
7) Ricardo Lockette, KR/PR

by BigBlueIntervention on Apr 7, 2011 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

I like Dowling and Ijalana

McElroy, not much opinion. But says he is accurate, we could use that aspect.

Either Dowling or Ijalana would make me happy as picks.

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 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

A lot of these guys like Ijalana, Rackley and Fusco

are more so to get a closer look cuz the looks you had prior are really not good looks. They’re not big schools and I don’t think any of these guys even were at the combine. Just doing due diligence.

The ones with the ‘meeting’ part I’d say are closer to their radar. Ones even closer are the ones with meeting and workout like Pouncey and Castanzo. Just wish Mason Foster was on the list, but maybe they don’t need to look closer there

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

by Rorschach44 on Apr 7, 2011 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

also surprised the Giants are looking at so many guards

makes you wonder on how they feel about Seubert. Also makes me tremble in fear and urinate that they still think Dave Diehl can start at LT.

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

by Rorschach44 on Apr 7, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe they arent sold with Diehl at LT or LG

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

by Larry Soprano on Apr 7, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Not so surprising on the G's

Everyone knows the interior OL was wrecked by injuries, who knows how they have the people slotted. They may pass on Pouncey in round1, but know they want a OG-OC in one of the rounds. Got to have a player scouted for each round. You don’t want a 5th round G in the third, cause you think you have to fill the need.

by trueblue63 on Apr 7, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

its not just Diehl

its Seubert, Petrus, Boothe and Andrews. That’s 5 players for the LG position. I’d throw Koets in there for 6.

What the hell are they looking at guards for?

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

by Rorschach44 on Apr 7, 2011 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't have as much confidence in Diehl at LG

as a lot of other fans seem to. Maybe it was the injury, but he was just plain bad all around last year, and he’s past that “30” barrier. He can’t be counted on for much longer…at any position, IMO.

The NFL and NFLPA? They can kiss my ass, OK? They can line up and kiss my ass.

by BigBlue21 on Apr 7, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

All at the combine

Fusco, Rackley, and Ijalana we’re all at the combine. I don’t think Ijalana worked out though.

A good site for small school prospects is jbscouting.com,. He does a lot with small school prospects.

by EliManCrushing on Apr 7, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn't McElroy smoke the wonderlic?

If the Giants traded back far enough and were to select Ijalana, Dowling, and another 2nd round prospect…say Carter or Mason I’d be very happy. Throw in McElroy with one of their supplemental picks and they’d be well on their way to a stellar draft IMO.

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

by Larry Soprano on Apr 7, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

+1

by Gmen_Fan_Forever on Apr 7, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

On their way indeed +1

I also hope we draft a CB in the first three

by KumaBlue42 on Apr 7, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Kind of

He originally was reported to have a near perfect score (48 out of 50), but it turns out he just did pretty well and not near what was originally reported (43 out of 50). Still that’s a good score, one of the higher ones. Eli’s was high at 39.

by EliManCrushing on Apr 7, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

This just makes you realize

how foolish it is for fans to pretend to “know” anything about any given player. These teams have people whose full-time job it is to know, study, and understand these things — they are meeting with and working out these people all the way to late-rounders. Face it — compared to the worst NFL staff, we know jack!

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 7, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Speak for yourself

I didn’t want to blow my cover but I actually moonlight as a talent scout for the G-men.

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

by Larry Soprano on Apr 7, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

and I moonlight as a talent scout

for aspiring model-actresses. If you know any, give’em my card!

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 7, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I throw my opinions around on sports blogs in my spare time

Do you think I actually hang out with model-actresses?

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

by Larry Soprano on Apr 7, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I make the team their meals and also sell them drugs

all the insider info comes right from this hombre’.

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

by Rorschach44 on Apr 7, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

whatcha got?

(correct answer: Whatcha need?)

by Simms-McConkey on Apr 7, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

LOL at you guys.

I’m Jerry Reese himself. ’nuff said.

Final Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Marvin Austin, DT
3) Jake Kirkpatrick, OC
4) Chimdi Chekwa, CB
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
6) Jarriel King, OT
6) Josh Bynes, ILB
7) Ricardo Lockette, KR/PR

by BigBlueIntervention on Apr 7, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

Nice fanpost you wrote about yourself and your draft selections

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

by Larry Soprano on Apr 7, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah secrets out, im gettin' those dudes

Final Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Marvin Austin, DT
3) Jake Kirkpatrick, OC
4) Chimdi Chekwa, CB
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
6) Jarriel King, OT
6) Josh Bynes, ILB
7) Ricardo Lockette, KR/PR

by BigBlueIntervention on Apr 7, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Big Deal

THIS IS THE LORD SPEAKIN’

by NortheastKingdom on Apr 7, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

And I'm Eli

I’ve been trying to contact you Jerry!

Can you please make sure you sign Steve back?
K, thx.

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

by Willgfass on Apr 7, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Dowling

I like Dowling, Intriguing size/speed so the Giants are probably interested in him too. Was considered a first round pick before season but had down year so Not sure where he’s expected to g now though 2nd or 3rd seems most common spot.

I’m glad they’re interested in Mark Herzlich and I hope he can become the player he was before the cancer

by EliManCrushing on Apr 7, 2011 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

I hope that Herzlich transforms into pre-cancer beast mode again

but hes making it really hard to justify a draft pick for him though. Ran a 4.96 at his pro day and didn’t look good at all.

Final Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Marvin Austin, DT
3) Jake Kirkpatrick, OC
4) Chimdi Chekwa, CB
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
6) Jarriel King, OT
6) Josh Bynes, ILB
7) Ricardo Lockette, KR/PR

by BigBlueIntervention on Apr 7, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd fire you in a NY minute for picking lazy ass Marvin Austin in the 2nd,BBI

by Shaunthegiant on Apr 7, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

nah man not lazy

only reason he’s so low is cuz he was suspended. Peeps were thinking top-10 pick before he got suspended. He’d be a monster inside for us.

Final Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Marvin Austin, DT
3) Jake Kirkpatrick, OC
4) Chimdi Chekwa, CB
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
6) Jarriel King, OT
6) Josh Bynes, ILB
7) Ricardo Lockette, KR/PR

by BigBlueIntervention on Apr 7, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Dowling is like

the only player so far the Giants and I seem to like. Reportedly anyways.

World Series attitude, champagne bottle life, nothing every changes so tonight is like tomorrow night.

by Drizzzy on Apr 7, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Besides Pouncey

World Series attitude, champagne bottle life, nothing every changes so tonight is like tomorrow night.

by Drizzzy on Apr 7, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Finally Dowling!!

I’ve been metioning this guy for weeks now. great size, plays the ball well, and many think he could have broken a sub 4.4. forty if he didy strain a hammy with 5 yards left.

by Kayjay on Apr 7, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Love this guy

Watched this guy for four years. He’s a perfect fit for Fewell’s read and react scheme. Wish we played more press, but Dowling is a great fit for Fewell’s D. There’s been a lot of talk about converting him to safety, and I think he’d be a great fit playing our third safety.

by BigBlueHoo on Apr 7, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions