Good morning, New York Giants fans! Yes, we are here for you bright and early on a Saturday morning with a handful of Giants-related notes for your reading enjoyment. So, grab your coffee and stay with us for a bit before you head off to whatever adventure you have in store this weekend.
Temple defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson admitted to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini that the Giants have always been his favorite team and that Justin Tuck is his favorite player. A 6-foot-4, 315-pounder, Wilkerson has visited with both the Giants and New York Jets -- as well as a host of other teams.
At this point it would be a stunner if Wilkerson gets out of the first round. He could be a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end. Would it shock me if he is on the Giants' radar at 19? Not in the least. He has the size, long arms, athleticism and positional versatility General Manager Jerry Reese loves. So no, that would not shock me at all.
Want to announce the Giants' fourth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall later this month? Enter a contest at Giants.com for an opportunity to do just that.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has begun a series of fan conference calls. He will be chatting with Giants fans next Wednesday.
Former NFL coach and current FOX Sports analyst Brian Billick seems to be a big fan of Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams, a player who could be on the Giants' radar around the third round.
If the NFL Lockout drags on one of the impacts will be that teams will not be allowed to sign undrafted free agents. Well, the UFL is prepared to jump in and grab as many of those players as it can. Here is a quote to that effect from Jerry Glanville, taking over from ex-Giants quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer this season as head coach of the Hartford Colonials:
"What (NFL players) want (in the labor dispute), we're not in that league (financially). But we are in the league (for) the young player that just needs to be seen and needs his pass protection strengthened or his coverage strengthened. If we can get that 11 percent this year because there is a (work stoppage in the NFL) ... that will change the UFL. And those are the guys that make the NFL, that bottom 11 percent that ends up starting."
Matt Bowen of the National Football Post says that current NFL Draft prospects should learn from the failure of former top overall pick Jamarcus Russell that it takes more than talent to find -- and keep -- a place on an NFL roster.