The New York Giants could use a center with healthy limbs. I think we have established that. Which means Tiger Woods is not on the list of candidates. As we continue to talk about undrafted free agents who might interest the Giants, let's toss another name into the mix as a potential center candidate.
How about Ryan Bartholomew of Syracuse? The Giants do have a habit of bringing players from the regional schools to training camp as undrafted free agents. Given the need at center, maybe extending an invite to Bartholomew makes sense.
Bartholomew is a 6-foot-1, 302-pound player who might not fill the need for a guy who could step in immediately (only an experienced veteran is likely to fill that void), but he might be intriguing enough to bring to camp and see if he can at least earn a practice squad spot.
Here is a scouting report from NFL.com:
Bartholomew is a raw, developmental prospect with good size and athleticism. However, he still has too many holes in his game to be considered a future starter. Displays quick feet and hands in pass protection but is vulnerable against double moves and needs to play low with more consistency. Gets off the ball well while run blocking but struggles to take proper angles and connect with targets out in space. Overall awareness is adequate. Voted team captain as a senior and has good character off the field but would like to see more fire on it. Bartholomew is a seventh-rounder or rookie free agent.
Here is another one from Sideline Scouting:
Positives: Smart... Versatile... Very solid pass protector... Flashes good short area quickness... Solid lateral movement and slide... Plays with some agility, does a solid job redirecting... Reasonably good upper body strength... Flashes heavy hands but is very inconsistent... Flashes good strength at POA... Physical... Can get to the second level... Very solid flexibility and body control... Does a solid job blocking on the move... Hard worker... Has some upside.
Negatives: Needs to improve his lower body strength... Not very explosive... Doesn't always play with power... Loses some battles for leverage... Can be pushed back or knocked aside too often... Loses balance, on the ground a lot... Not an especially good knee bender, bends at the waist... Doesn't bring his feet with him... Overextends, leans and reaches to stay on blocks... Doesn't stay on his blocks, is easily shed... Doesn't get good arm extension, allows opponents inside his body.
In no way would I expect Bartholomew to come to camp and show that he is NFL ready right now. He might, however, have enough athleticism, smarts and upside to warrant an invitation. Your thoughts?