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Good morning, New York Giants fans! We begin a week that will be highlighted by rookie mini-camp on Friday and Saturday. Let’s get to your headlines, since we know you’re in no hurry to really start your work week.
How 2 trained alpha dogs B.J. Goodson, Alec Ogletree are sharing Giants' responsibilities | NJ.com
"There's two MIKEs with one mic," Goodson said, smiling at his play on words but declining to reveal a solution. "We'll share a lot of the same responsibilities."
Top QB Prospects NFL Teams Will Fight for Next Offseason | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
Draft and develop a quarterback or fall behind the rest of the league. This is the NFL 's modus operandi...
Part of the fallout from the New York Giants' decision to take running back Saquon Barkley second overall was the sacrifice they had to make with a pass-rusher. By waiting to fill the most important defensive position, they wound up with uber-athlete Lorenzo Carter in the third round. The Georgia alum has the chance to claim a premier position for a team aiming to make the playoffs after a disastrous 2017.
The concern with waiting to draft a player such as Carter is his production has never matched his talent, as he had just 14 sacks over four seasons. But they're gambling he'll capitalize on an opportunity to play across from Olivier Vernon. Interestingly, per MockDraftable, his athleticism compares closely to that of another former SEC edge-rusher who lacked collegiate production, LSU's Danielle Hunter, now of the Minnesota Vikings.
Hunter's improvement came thanks to an unleashed role, and Carter will need to be allowed to do the same. Keeping him focused on the quarterback early will maximize his natural gifts. He stands to earn a lot of snaps even as a sub-package player early on, so don't be surprised if he accumulates more sacks than what's normally the case from a middle-rounder.
Ranking the playoff chances of the NFL's seven new head coaches | New England Patriots
2. PAT SHURMUR, NEW YORK GIANTS
For starters, the Giants were a train wreck last season, with a 3-13 record that was far worse than their talent level, thanks to the dysfunction that prevailed in year two of the McAdoo era. Shurmur and new general manager Dave Gettleman will bring a much-needed sense of stability, professionalism and competency to the equation.
Sure, you have to squint to see the makings of wild-card contention for New York this season, but it’s there. This is a team that won 11 games in 2016, and if Eli Manning enjoys a renaissance season under Shurmur and new offensive coordinator Mike Shula, don’t be surprised to see New York perhaps triple its win total. Offensive tackle Nate Solder was a huge upgrade in free agency, and running back Saquon Barkley is the early odds-on favorite to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Add in the drafting of UTEP guard Will Hernandez and Georgia outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter and the Giants are markedly deeper and better than they finished last season.
Landon Collins, Brandon Jacobs like the sound of a Saquon Barkley-Eli Manning combo for Giants - NY Daily News
While Barkley gives the Giants the best chance to win now, the team has faced criticism for not using the pick to draft a potential QB heir.
Landon Collins isn’t worried about soft safety market: ‘I’m a different player’ – The Athletic
The biggest safety contract of the offseason was the modest three-year, $16.35 million deal Kurt Coleman signed with the Saints. Tyrann Mathieu, a 25-year-old former first-team All-Pro, settled for a one-year, $7 million contract with the Texans. Former 49er Eric Reid, who was considered the best safety on the market, remains unsigned two months after free agency started.
Giants safety Landon Collins is unconcerned by this development as he enters the fourth and final season of his rookie contract.
“That’s how teams felt about them,” Collins said in an interview with The Athletic. “I’m different. I’m a different player. I’m in a different organization. I feel like I’ve proven myself and the opportunity is waiting on me.”