There's actually some news today for the New York Giants after a slow news month (is the draft here yet?), but I'll start with a non-Giants related item. Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki has made news again talking about the consensus best quarterback in the class two years after tearing apart Can Newton. He remarked on Geno Smith and Matt Barkley, but the Smith comments are more newsworthy and scandalous.
... operated almost exclusively from the gun. Not a student of the game. Nonchalant field presence — does not command respect from teammates and cannot inspire. Mild practice demeanor — no urgency. Not committed or focused — marginal work ethic. Interviewed poorly at the Combine and did not show an understanding of concepts on the white board. Opted not to compete at the Senior Bowl and has approached offseason training as if he has already arrived and it shows in his body with minimal muscle definition or strength. Has small hands and glaring ball security issues (32 career fumbles).
I found this nugget on Stevie Brown also from Pro Football Weekly from mid-December (apologies if Ed posted this in December), but I thought it was still relevant for today. PFW's take on Stevie Brown.
Good eyes and anticipation playing the ball in front of him. Has soft hands and is a natural interceptor. Highly motivated achiever — very good work habits and preparation for the game. Good football intelligence — understands assignments and where he fits in the defense and is around the ball a lot.
Summary: A very durable, football-smart, ball-hawking, back-end safety who knows how to protect his body, but does not do too much in the run game, only flashing explosive striking ability and not showing up in the box the way one would expect of a 220-pounder. Has a flair for the big play and is nifty with the ball in his hands and has profiled as a defensive sparkplug in place of an injured Kenny Phillips, racking up seven interceptions in a breakout third season alongside veteran Antrel Rolle.
Source: RB Tim Hightower and DE/LB Eric Norwood are both scheduled to travel Tuesday and meet with the NY #Giants Wednesday.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 1, 2013
Plaxico Burress home to be auctioned:
A circuit court has ordered the auction of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress' Virginia Beach home to satisfy liens against the property due a judgment resulting from a 2008 traffic accident in Florida. Judge H. Thomas Padrick Jr. ordered Monday the property will be sold at auction no more than one week following the fifth advertisement of the sale in the local newspaper, according to court documents emailed to USA TODAY Sports by the lawyer for the plaintiff in the suit.
Did Osi turn down a bigger offer from the Giants than he got on the open market?
We’re told that, within the past year or two, he turned down a three-year, $18 million package from the Giants.
Umenyiora got far less than that from the Falcons. His two-year, $8.5 million deal averages $4.25 million per season. And while it puts him back on the market again in time for what some think will be a spike in the salary cap, Osi also will be 34 years old by then.
From Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback quoting Pat Kirwan speaking about former Giants running back Brandon Jacobs:
At best he'll be a post-draft signing, but if I were to guess, I think his career is over.
Enjoy. I'm tentatively holding a live draft chat tonight around 8 or 8:30 tonight if people are interested. I'll take questions in the comment section for about an hour. But I must warn you as a parent with four young children--everything is always subject to change! I will post a separate thread for this tonight.