BleedinBlue

He'll make the roster. For several reasons. First, he got a signing bonus of 1.25 million. Giants aren't going to piss that away to take a chance on an unproven rookie. Secondly, even if the Giants were fortunate enough to draft a couple of decent safeties that have potential, they still need backups and very, very few rookies are able to step right in and handle the position. Thirdly, Knight is durable, as evidenced by his playing in 156 consecutive games and rookies tend to get hurt in that position. Lastly, he obviously isn't playing like an old man about to retire as evidenced by his 132 tackles and 4 interceptions last year. The Giants aren't going to get those kind of numbers (not even close) out of a rookie learning the game. The other problem the Giants are facing is that the linebacking corps is depleted and they have to address that before chasing after rookie safeties. I have to believe the Giants are sifting through the free agent linebackers in hopes of signing one.

Gibril was good, not great. For every play he made like the one against Fasano at the goal line in Dallas, he would take the wrong angle on a play and be right in the middle of a big passing play. Free agency for players is like playing the lottery. Some times you win....some times you lose. Gibril won big. Guys like Briggs lost because no one pursued him. Can't blame Wilson for testing the market to see if there was a sucker out there willing to pay him like an elite player and a millionaire for life. He rolled the dice and won. But back to Knight. Yeah, I loved what he said in that interview and it sounds like he will love the Giants because he eats, drinks, and breathes defense and he loved the way the Giants attacked N.E. with the pass rush. He seems like a good fit at the right time - both for the Giants and for him. I'm happy! since this is starting a new page, I'll reiterate from the last page that everyone should check out the interview with Knight on Giants.com Interview with Sammy Knight

Thanks.....I rarely visit the site anymore...maybe once every other week for a short while. But that interview with Knight is crazy good. Everyone should watch it....especially STORM!

Damn you nesta :brooding: With a thread title like yours...."Holy Shit!!!", I open this up and expect to discover we signed Calvin Pace or Hall or Walker or something. But yeah..I too, still shake my head every now and then out of sheer disbelief that our Giants kicked cowboy and packer ass - told N.E., "fuck your perfect record"..and walked away with the biggest trophy in fuckin sports

True....but what's really good is that he isn't coming to our division - that woulda sucked. :baby:

Hey, he's 4 years younger than Sacman Mike and about 2 yrs younger than Madison. He's still got some tread left on his tires.

Good! That's one less worry for now. And thank heavens they learned something by signing Mitchell to only one year. I bet in hindsight, they wished they had worked out a 3-yr deal with him. Soooo, we'll be basically getting the same numbers from Knight as we were from Gibril, but at a fraction of the cost. Now let's get some rookies in their to start learning and competing to be a future safety along with Johnson. As far as this deal goes - it's not showy, but adequately plugs a hole....I'd also rather have Knight than Eugene Wilson anyway.

(how the fuck did he not out run the cops lol)

I get a kick out of trying to analyze a football by looking at their 40yd times. True, if a guy runs a 4.10....he's damn fast in the open. But the difference between a 4.76 and a 4.88 is so negligable as to be irrelevant. Long speed is importat if you are a WR, CB, or RB/punt returner. What is important is "mind speed" and ability to be coached in order to know what's happening rather than relying on instinct. By the way, Sammy Knight ran a 4.33 in the combine when he came out of college. He's put on weight and muscle since then and has turned in times between 4.50 - 4.70. Still, like it or not, he's a tackling machine. Linebacker Boss Bailey can still run the 40 in 4.20, but he has two problems, 1) he doesn't read the play quick enough to be at the right place at the right time and 2) he's a light tackler that gets hits, but then watches the player run away. Knight might not win a foot race....but football is a lot more than a foot race. He's a good bandaid fix for the Giants until Johnson is ready and while we get another guy groomed and ready. It's not like there's a stud safety in free agency this year and the draft is really light in safeties this year. The Giants are smart to put a vet in place for now.

The only reason we got Bradshaw in the 7th round because teams were leary of him after he had some big-time college trouble with the law and attitude. Most analysts had him going as high as 2nd rd if not for off the field problems. The Giants took a chance and it turned out to be a damned good deal. I believe his off the field problems are behind him and he is settled in as a team player keeping his life clean. We made out like a bandit on that deal.

Four WR's will get plenty of time on the field and by week 3, at least 1 WR will probably be injured. Half way through the season, we'll be lucky to have 3 WR's at full strength. It's a position that is highly injury prone and you can't make assumptions that all we need is 3 frontline receivers and all will be well. Adding someone like Walker will spread the field and free up Plax who gets doubled up a lot. It would be a nightmare for opposing teams. Likewise, it will be a nightmare for the Giants if the Cowboys get Moss.

In my opinion, the only reason the Giants would be expressing interest in Moss is to drive up his price because the Eagles are very interested in him. Also, there's some rumblings that Dallas is looking at him. And of course, he could (and probably will) resign with N.E. Therefore....drive his price up just as high as it will go. From all I have read, Moss would love to play for the Packers and Favre has told the team he wants him. Secondly, there are reports that Moss has been in contact with Culpepper and would like to go to a new team that would take both of them. Regardless...R.Moss ain't comin to NY. The idea that Moss is interested in so many teams with so many personal requests, and hasn't bothered to visit a single team yet....simply tells me it's his game to get the pats to pony up big time money.

I agree that adding Walker would be awesome. We'd have the most offensive weapons of any team in the NFL.....just think, Plax, Walker, Amani, Smith....plus Shockey/Boss.....plus Jacobs/Bradshaw/Ward(?). Offensively, we'd be unstoppable...especially if we got a top shelf LT to potect and give Eli even more time to throw. The downside is that Reese has repeatedly stated (and his sentiments are echoed by the entire Giants staff) that they are not going to "go too fast", "make snap decisions" or "overpay" for anyone.....so they'll wait it out. Unfortunately, only about 8 other teams are vying for Walker's services which means he'll be pricey. Someone on this board replied to me that "no team builds around 1 player", but I disagree for the most part. The Giants are building a team around Eli and they have been ever since we got him. Therefore, we've shored up the offensive line...picked up Plax...picked up Moss and Smith....all to help Eli. Of course, on the defensive end of the game, it isn't about Eli. Regardless....the fact that the Giants are even entertaining the thought of Walker shows me that they are not done looking for ways to help Eli become a superstar by adding more recievers. And that's is a good thing!

I think we're okay at CB, but it would sure be nice to get some quality help. We're shit outa luck at safety and have no backups for linebackers....So safety and linebacker has to be our most pressing need.

Your Mom sounds cool......she single? Gotta picture?

We certainly have to improve our secondary....no doubt. Crying over Wilson's departure won't accomplish anything. He's gone. Nothing we can do now. The entire world gave the Giants no chance this past season. Hell....the media proclaimed to the world that the Giants had the worst defense in the NFL by the 3rd week. However, between Coughlin and especially Spags...they got the guys they had to play the game their way, instead of the players doing it their own way. Spags and Coughlin have been systematically grooming players for a particular style of play and they know how Gibril fit in far better than us fans. There had to be a reason why they let Wilson go. So anyway....have a little faith in Spags and our scouts. If they are under the belief that Knight is a good fit for the team at present...then they probably know much more about the guy than we do. Last year this board was bitching about picking up Mitchell, but Mitchell fit into our scheme very well. Regardless, it's not like there is a superstar safety in free agency just waiting to be plucked. It's a hard position to fill with a highly skilled player. As far as the age goes....just wondering because you started some posts with "Dude...", which is fricken irritating.

Out of curiousity storm....how old are you? When Coughlin says "getting younger and faster" (although, I've never heard him say that...maybe you could reference that), he doesn't mean that he wants a team full of rookies and no vets. We had 8 rookies on the team last year, but for the most part, they were on the bench. Ross and Smith got quite a bit of playing time, but DeOssie, Koets, Alford, Mathews, Pope, Ware, etc., got no, or almost no, field time. The only reason Boss and Bradshaw got significant playing time in the second half of the season is because Shockey went out for the season and RBs Ward and Droughns went down and we were shit out of options. That is certainly not something that Coughlin wanted. It's great that the youngsters held their own, but that was an aberration. One would not plan on being that lucky and still keep the head coaching job. Also...for you information, the human male produces more testosterone than it depletes until he reaches the age of 29 - 30. Statistics prove in the sports world that on average, athletes perform at their peak when they are between the ages of 28 - 30. Not only do they have their greatest strength and quickness....but if they have a few years of experience under their belt, they are mentally quick as well. A 32 year old player with 10 years experience would normally have the strength and quickness that he had when he was in his mid-20's, but is a hell of a lot smarter (position-wise). Of course....a players injury history can radically change all this. Regardless....the last thing you want to do is target nothing but youth and then get rid of them when they turn 25 or 26 and replace them with younger players. If the average age of a football team is 26 - 28, then you are right where you want to be. If the teams ave age is 22....prepare to replace the Dolphins with a 1-15 (or 0-16) record. Typically, teams that desire youth over experience and then let their players walk after getting 3 or 4 years under their belts, are really little different than a farm team for the serious contenders.

The funny thing about fast athletic youngsters....is that they can go after a fake or a wrong read twice as fast as a vet and miss their tackle by half a football field. At the safety position - it's as much (or more) mental quickness as it is physical quickness. Mental quickness can only be acquired by experience so that the player can quickly read what is unfolding. It doesn't do you a bit a good to be the fastest guy on the team if you are clueless what is unfolding before your very eyes and you have exactly half a second to figure it out or completely miss out on the play. When you reach the age of 32, tell me if you think you are washed up and unable to do the things you could do when you were in your 20's. If you're 13 yrs old, then 32 seems like it's time for the grave. But just wait til you reach that age and you'll discover you have lots and lots of youth in you. Also....if you think the older guys have NO influence on younger guys than you obviously haven't played football at the upper level. Osi followed Strahan around like a puppy dog and still picks his brain. Tuck tried to learn everything he could from Osi and Strahan. And if you think Madison wasn't giving pointers to Ross and Webster....and that Ross and Webster haven't picked Madison's brain....then you are dillusionary. There are so many nuances to the NFL game, that players soak in any advice they can get because they realize they can't simply play their position well because they can run fast and jump high....they must be able to recognize in an instant what is happening and adjust accordingly.

I don't know boo....the Jets shot their wad on Faneca and Jenkins. But they could be in the mix and after trading Vilma, they need a linebacker. However, free agent Landon Johnson has to be their target since he is a Briggs/Pace type linebacker, but is experienced only in 3-4 defenses....the same as the Jets are using. I don't think Pace would work out well in a 3-4 formation. Regardless....Miami has the money and an open wallet right now and they want Pace so I suspect they'll keep adding zeros to the figure til Pace creams his shorts and signs on the dotted line. Hell...if the Giants signed him...I'd have to change my shorts.

Knight isn't washed up. He played last year for the Jaguars and like the article said, his stats nearly mirrored Gibril's. Before he played for the Jags, he was with KC for two years and put up solid numbers. If he comes to the Giants, it'll be one of those "rent a vet" type deals similar to Madison or last year's Mitchell. Most importantly, he's a vet who can mentor Johnson until Johnson can prove he's the man to carry the gauntlet. We don't want to find out 3 games into the season that Johnson isn't ready to handle every down duties.

I think Zak will make his statement in the future, but he is being groomed as the MLB, not an OLB. He is backing up Chase Blackburn and Antonio. I believe we are set at MLB position. For our OLB's, we are depleted and far from being set. We have Torrance "Tank" Daniels and Kiwi on the strong side and only Gerris Wilkenson on the weakside. We need to carry a minimum of 6 linebackers into the season. Last year we went into the season with 7. We have no backup for Wilk and only Tank Daniels backing up Kiwi. And if Strahan retires, Kiwi will be seeing a lot of DE time. We need to pickup at least 2 liebackers and probably 2 safeties if we are going to plug up the backside of the defensive line. Right now, the entire midsection of our defense is very soft and suspect, with the exception of Antonio. This is not a good situation and I find it hard to believe the Giants aren't shopping for a veteran linebacker as well as a veteran safety. If they fail to sign any veterans during free agency, it could mean a long season as untested rookies and first year starters take their knocks learning the game at the NFL level. Jason Witten will get 150 yds a game each time we play the cowboys - he could end up having a 200+ yard game (or two). This is a serious problem.

I think Calvin Pace is every bit as good as Briggs, but doesn't have a truck load of baggage to bring with him. The only rumors on him so far is that Miami is trying desparately to sign him. He'd look better in a Giants uniform though

I agree somewhat with your reasoning, but virtually all the analysts (which many times doesn't mean jack) are saying Kenny Phillips (the best safety in the draft) will probably go in the early 2nd round. Not because he isn't good enough, but because the draft is deep and when looking at each team's needs....they will pass on a safety to keep from losing a cherry player to fill their biggest need. I really hope we sign Knight so that we at least have a solid player at safety. If we signed Knight and Calvin Pace, I'd say, "go ahead and trade our first pick". But as long as the safety and linebacker positions are big question marks for the Giants this coming season, I can't see giving up the farm to sign a cornerback. And I know Johnson, Wilkenson, and Kiwi will be fine....but to have a good defense, there needs to be a constant rotation of fresh players and we have no starting safety and virtually no depth in linebacking. If we don't solve that problem, teams will kill us all season dumping off short passes. That's my biggest fear right now. Even though the Giants have been very quiet in free agency so far....I do believe we'll pull off a couple deals at some point. I almost guarantee they'll reel in Knight. I'd be unable to stop whistling for days if they reeled in Pace, but that's probably a pipe dream.

Don't get me wrong VG....I'd love to have Hall on our team. I just do not want to see the Giants give up a first round pick. This draft is ridiculously stacked so our first rounder will tab a great youngster. Now....if the Giants could pull off a deal that did NOT involve giving up our first round pick and we could sign him for a deal similar to the Samuel contract with the Eagles, I'd be all for it. The way I see it....we are pretty well set on offense. The only possible position upgrade we should be going for is a good left tackle. Where we are thin is in the middle of the defensive backfield. We definitely need a safety (or two) and at least one linebacker and it would be nice to get a young stud DT to groom as a replacement for Robbins. If Rodgers-Cromartie was sitting there on the board....he'd be a great pickup. A lot of analysts believe Kenny Philips (the lone stud safety) will be on the board when the Giants pick...as well as Conner or Rivers - the two stud linebackers. Regardless....I'd love to see Hall on the team. Just don't want to make him the highest paid player on the team and don't want to give up that first rounder. If the Giants could pull off a deal that kept the cost reasonable, I'd be thrilled to death.

Let me ask some questions to you guys who are salivating over Hall. 1) How many superbowl teams were built around a cornerback? Please come up with some figures that proves a cornerback put a team in the superbowl. 2) The term "shutdown" corner sounds impressive....but it's only a hyped up word used by fans that hints that a player is just so great that he will simply shut down every single pass play. Not too reasonable to think one guy can cover the entire field....not to mention, Hall has been burned plenty of times in his career. You must look at the actual stats. Now I have to admit, that if a cornerback played all 16 games and never once was a pass completed to a guy he was covering and the corner actually intercepted nearly every pass intended for the reciever he was on....then I'd say, "yup, that's a shutdown corner". What makes Hall a "shutdown" corner, but not someone like Samuel? Where is the "demarcation" line between "shutdown" and "solid"? 3) Hall has averaged 4.25 interceptions and 50 tackles a year (that's approximately 1 interception per 4 games and 3 tackles per game). At 10 million per year, that's a little over 2 million dollars per interception or 200,000 dollars per tackle. By comparison, Asante Samuel averages 8 interceptions per year (16 in the past 2 years) tying Champ Bailey in 2006 with 10 interceptions. By the way, Champ Bailey has averaged 80 tackles per year or roughly 30 more tackles a year than Hall. But no one is calling Champ Bailey a "shutdown" corner....just a damn good cornerback who made 6 million in 2006, and now makes nearly 8 million (wiht incentives).....2 million less than Hall wants without any incentives. Do we really want to pay that much? 4) Eli is our highest paid player at 45-54 million over 6 years. Justin Tuck is now signed for 5 years at 30 million. In essence, Eli is getting around 8 million a year and Tuck is getting 6 million a year. But getting back to Hall. He wants 10 million a year and a longer contract than any other Giants player.....that's more than Eli....that's more than Tuck and Osi combined. It's more than Shockey and twice the amount that Antonio Pierce (the true captain of the defense) makes....and in fact, is more than the entire defensive backfield makes combined. How will that effect the guys "that took us all the way to a superbowl win without him" to watch someone else make an incredible amount of more money than them? When you spend that kind of money on a player, the outcome of nearly every single game MUST be contingent upon unrealistic play of the highest paid player on the team. After all....you build the team around the highest paid guy who is your star among stars.... Lebron James, Carmello Anthony, Kobe Bryant....etc. How will the rest of the players feel in the coming seasons after they control the line of scrimmage and get a couple of sacks, pressure the shit out of the QB.....yet the guy on the team making twice what they make just had his 4th game in a row without an interception and got burned on a cutback play he should've seen coming? Bottom line: YOU DON'T BUILD YOUR TEAM AROUND A CORNERBACK ----- YOU BUILD A TEAM AROUND THE TRENCHES AND THE QUARTERBACK-----THAT IS THE NUCLEUS OF THE TEAM. 5) Lastly.....first round draft picks are worth a ton in this day of parity football. It's the only way to put a potential pro-bowler on the team for 4 or 5 years for reasonable money. You don't give up multiple picks, including a first rounder for a decent cornerback who will be a prima donna on the team because he has the Bentley and tons more money than the rest of the players. Sorry.....but giving up several draft picks (including our first rd) and then paying one guy more money than any other guy on the team just doesn't make any sense to me. It's a great thing to have a solid corner, I mean really, really nice.....but teams do not get carried into the superbowl on the backs of a cornerback.