BleedinBlue

If Kiwinuka is back in full form, we can rotate Tuck back and forth in the DT position. Coupled with Cofield, that's pretty friggin awesome. But a full time pass rushing DT would be cool. I think the Giants are looking for a solid replacement for Williams, who never quite cut it for a first round draft pick. Hard to find one who is a genuine pass rusher as they are usually bigger, stronger, slower, and plug the line with mass and muscle. However, maybe we could pick up Mike Rucker from the Panthers who's a free agent. He plays DE and has a lot of sacks, but at 6'5", 270 lbs, he's built a lot more like an inside guy than an outside guy like the smaller DE's Osi and Strahan. Admittedly, Strahan is also 6'5", but he's much leaner than Rucker. An improved pass rush could also be had by going after a lightning quick linebacker like Vilma and putting him on the weakside. Just my opinion - on Vilma that is....which might be worth nothing.

Thanks for clearing that up.

I notice in this mornings news that they "tendered" Butler which means he must accept 1.47 million or become a free agent. If someone signs him, they we get their 2nd round draft pick as compensation. We also "tendered" Lorenzen for 947,000, but if someone signs him, we get no compensation because Lorenzen was never drafted. We also let Adrian Awesom go as a side note. Regardless...I don't understand how "tendering" works, but apparantly it can still be done up to now. AS far as franchise tagging goes, I don't know if there's a deadline, but I know a team can only tag one player a year. I think the Giants are playing the old game of "chicken" with Wilson. The fact that they "tendered" Butler and are willing to let Wilson walk tells me that the front office has different opinions about their safeties than does the fan base.

I agree that he'd be a great pick up...although I don't think the Giants would have to trade up to get him because the draft is so deep. There's only a few teams that need a CB as bad as the Giants do and most analysts believe Mike Jenkins, Aqib Talib, Terrell Thomas, and especially Leodis McKelvin will go first. Of course, analysts are wrong year after year. But this draft has some premier DE's, DT's, OT's, CB's, LB's, WR's, and RB's. The one position that isn't that deep is safety (IMO). For a team to draft DRC when a premier DE or LB is on the board, means they have to pass on someone else and depending on whether the teams needs are offense or defense should dictate. If players are rated on a scale of 1 -5 (5 being a "premier" player), then there are about 40-50 premier players this year and another 40 that are "4's" (and many whom some believe are "5's"). DRC is definitely a "5" along with the aforementioned CB's, but there's also another 10 CB's that are "4's", so I think a lot of teams will not burn their first pick on a corner when they can easily pick up a decent one in later rounds. If DRC is gone when it's the Giants turn to pick at 31, they'll have their choice of several premier players that could easily become a future pro-bowler. I don't think I've ever seen such a deep draft as this year. That's one of the main reasons I don't think we should part with any draft picks. Draft picks are extremely valuable....making the loss of NE's first rounder sweet....although loss of both would've been sweeter. If we do part with our draft pics, then the team that picks up those extra picks will be stocking their shelves with young future pro-bowlers that will come back to haunt us. Regardless, if the Giants hold onto their picks and DRC is gone before the 31st pick, that simply means they'll get a premier LB, DT, or OT, etc. Personally, I lean towards a stud linebacker, but if DRC was still on the board, that'd certainly be nice as well....although we'd have to settle for a lesser LB later in the draft. Too bad this year didn't have a plethora of safeties or I'd say that would be the way to go in the draft. Kenny Philips (Miami) is about the only premier safety in the group and if he was still on the board, I'm sure the Giants would grab him up like there was no tomorrow....especially if Wilson walks, which it looks like he will. I think the Giants should "tag" Wilson to protect themselves. If another team grabs him, we get their next two year's first round draft picks...which would be sweet. If we don't tag him, we get jack shit and a hole in our safety position this season.

Okay...I know I'm replying to my own post, but that's because I want to add to it. Take an example: We give up our 1st and 3rd round picks for Hall. We immediately use up a large portion of our cap space - perhaps half of it considering we have about 20 million in cap space. Now we're down to 10 million needed to try and keep Wilson, placate Plax and Strahan, and sign our draft class. That's cutting it pretty damn close. If we instead, don't make the trade....we pick up (as an example) Dan Conners (OLB)....who immediately shores up our linebacking corp and he is instantly given the spot over Torbor as he is considerably better. In our 3rd round, we pick (as an example), Gosder Cherilus (OT) or Jeremy Zuttah (OG). At this point, we now have a first class Offensive Line and the best Linebacking squad the Giants have had since LT left. And we still have 18 million left in cap room! With the 18 million, we eventually resign Wilson for 4 million up front with a backloaded contract that he will get if he turns out to be a premier saftey. If he doesn't pan out....bye, bye. We still have 14 million left...and we have vastly improved three areas of need. Lastly, we go out and pick up an old veteran saftey like Jay Bellamy, who still has some gas left in his tank for his age for a bargain price like 1/2 - 1 million for 1 season. Bellamy has been a tremendous leader in the defensive backfield for years and he would be good for the young kids as a player/teacher - and on top of that, he could outplay Butler on Butler's best day. Now we still have 13.5 million in cap space and we addressed multiple areas - as opposed to giving all that up for one cornerback and little cap room to keep our regular players that brought us a superbowl.

I just hate to give up picks for anyone. Every player is one tackle or collision from being out of commission for a year or two. This years draft class is so deep that we are sitting in an enviable position. That's because we should be able to get two players in the first two rounds that would've been top 15 picks in some of the previous drafts. If this was a shallow draft class...I'd be all for giving up a couple of pics. Also, because we pick number 31 and 64, we will get extreme talent for bargain prices....since signing deals are relative to where you go in the draft. In a way, I think the 31st pick might be more desireable to a team like Atlanta than a 15th pick, because they could get an equally good player, but not have to pay through the ass for his contract. This draft class is so deep, that Miami would absolutely love to deal away their first pick overall (but they have to pretend they don't want to get rid of it nearly as bad as they do or it will be too obvious). That's because they'll have to pay no. 1 pick salary to a player that could just as easily pay for 3 top tier players in the late first and second rounds. It's only great to have the first few picks in the draft when it is a shallow drafting class...and this year it's the deepest it's been in years. I actually feel sorry for Miami and I think they will do anything to get rid of the first pick.....but no one is going to want it for the same reason Miami doesn't want it - in my opinion anyway

Thanks for the update - I was wondering if it was still on. I'm looking forward to everyone's findings.

I'd really rather take a chance on someone like Dominique Rodgers-Cromarti who's 4 years younger, 3 inches taller, and faster than Hall. Rodgers-Cromarti ran in the 4.20's today at the combine. Also, Rodgers-Cromarti has a great attitude and would keep a low profile while doing exactly what the coaches want out of him. I think Hall dodged a bullet last year when his pit bulls attacked a man. His outspoken defense of best friends Michael and Marcus Vick (all V-Tech guys) and claiming Vick's innocense just smacks of trouble to me. I'm sure he had to know all about the dog fighting for years. Regardless, his relationship with Vick....his own bad-ass pit bulls....a little of the attitude of Marcus....etc., just doesn't sit well with me. In the end....I'm simply going to trust Reese and TC to do what's best for the team. I have an unbelievable amount of faith in them.

After having a week or so to think this all through, I hope the Giants pass on Hall.....for several reasons. 1) the success of a cornerback has a lot more to do with a high pressure defensive line that forces the QB to throw early and off balance, than it does because of fleet footed athleticism of a CB 2) Hall will come at an extreme expense - both monetary and draft pick wise. And he has a proven record of not getting along with coaches....which in my opinion, spells H-U-G-E E-G-O, which plain out makes me nervous. I'd rather have a less athletic player who was a first class guy who followed directions from the coach and not someone who thinks they know more about football then the coach. 3) I'm all for going after free agents because it's merely a matter of money. In a case like this, giving up draft picks (especially the first rounder) is just too painful in addition to the kind of money we'll still have to shell out. Year after year I envy the teams with 2 first round picks. This year it's Dallas and New England (which lost one of course for cheating). I always look forward to draft day with extreme anticipation and it's as exciting for me as it used to be when I was a youngster getting ready for opening day of deer season or Christmas Eve. Bottom line....I don't want to give up a single draft pick for anyone. I'd rather see the team draft youngsters and mold them into great players.

Moss and T.O. on the same team???? The stadium isn't big enough for both their egos.....hell, Texas isn't big enough to keep those two egos together. They should also bring in Pacman Jones. I remember when the Cowboys had class. Landry at the helm, Staubach leading the team down the field, etc. They had a gifted linebacker - best around - named Thomas Henderson, who earned the nickname, "Hollywood" because he like to strut for the camera. After a particularly showoff move in front of the camera during the game, Landry pulled him off the field and the same day cut his ass and told him he was no longer on the team because they don't put up with showboating and classless hamming. Now the cowboys seek out personality misfits and the bigger the ego, the more the hamming it up, and the bigger the showboating, the better.....they go to Dallas with open arms. Hell....even the coach is a classless ego driven buffoon.

Supposedly, the reason they let Ryan Grant get away was because they refused to part with Ward...so my guess is that Ward is the one they want to keep. Also, Danny Ware and Kay-Jay Harris are already listed on the Giants roster and I know absolutely nothing about those two. Anyone know much about them?

I forget where I read it, but I read somewhere that the Giants have every intention of signing Wark or Droughns...I simply forget which one they said they weren't going to let go.

I read a lot of stories from a variety of websites to try and get an insight into what's on the Giants' minds. KFFL is a great source for rumors and oddball stories so I always check that out. 1) KFFL reports that the Giants are looking at Running Backs and Reese saying, "there are some good running backs in this class." and..."just because we have good running backs doesn't mean we won't take another running back.." 2) They also report that the Giants have interviewed Tight Ends - in particular, Gary Barnidge (Louisville). 3) They have also interviewed at least 2 Offensive Linemen (Jeremy Zuttah (OG-Rutgers) and Gosder Cherilus (OT-Boston College)). Zuttah has told reporters he loves the Giants and would love to play for them, being a New Jersey boy and die hard Giants fan his whole life. 4) They report that the Giants do not plan on resigning Kuehl or Joseph, but plan on having Kawiki Mitchell signed before the free agent signing date (2/29) 5) And lastly, the Giants do not plan on using the franchise tag on any of their players. My thoughts: First....I have to believe that Reese telling reporters that the Giants are looking at running backs and interviewing tight ends is little more than a smokescreen. I suppose if a first tier RB was available in the end rounds that the Giants might tab one, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to burn a pick only to cut them later. If they take a TE, I have to believe it would have to be a powerhouse blocking TE that had the flexibility to play other key roles. I think we can expect the Giants to pick up an offensive lineman by the second round. I watched the combines and Zuttah (who isn't ranked that high on the list of OG's by magazine standards) came in second in the strength category to all players tested. Two players tied for first with 37 reps of 225 lbs (i.e., Jake Long and Vernon Gholsten) while Zuttah pushed up 225 lbs 35 times. He could be a diamond in the rough. One of the questions I can't seem to figure out, is why the Giants won't use the franchise tag on a player. At worst, the tagged player still goes to another team for more money, but the Giants would get compensated two no. 1 draft picks from the team that grabs him. Anybody know why the Giants don't slap a tag on Wilson?

I personally use a free version called "Tube Finder - Free FLV Converter" by Koyote....works like a champ and converts .flv files fast. However, if you just google "free flv converter", you'll find dozens....or go to www.download.com and search for flv converters and they'll rate them for you before downloading them.

I've often thought about this and how it's a killer to have one of the top 5 picks because they can break the bank just getting their signature. When I see teams like Oakland who has been perennially near the top of the drafting order, I wonder how they can afford it. To top it off, they also get the top picks in the next round which often go as high as last half first rounders. There should be a "set salary" for each position, while giving teams plenty of lateral space to adjust length of contracts, incentives, conditional contracts, etc. The system definitely needs tweaking. Heck, many times a 15th - 20th pick turns out to be a better player than anyone in the top 5. And how often do you see late round picks and undrafted players turning out to be pro-bowlers? Happens every year.

I suspect that in the future, the NFL will begin broadcasting on two or more channels so you can either watch a split screen or PIP to watch 2 views simultaneously....or you can have 2 or more tv's tuned to each channel to see things from different perspectives. It would certainly be nice to be able to see full field views during the game.

I think that NFL rules state that salaries MUST be made public.....that's how it is possible for the league to know if a team is living up to the "cap rules". But I agree with Naz....too bad the NFL couldn't work like a typical corporation where each person's salary is completely confidential to other employees and employees (especially those making more than their co-workers) are told to keep their salary secret. Plax did come to the Giants as a bargain. There are only a handful of tall (6'5" or so) wideouts out there and they have a huge advantage over the typical corner that is usually around 5'10" or so. Most speed wideouts are pretty small so it's rare to have a tall speedy reciever that can go over his defenders as well as outrun them. Also, Plax showed tremendous grit playing the season while hurt....that's a really rare quality in today's players. So in my opinion, they should restructure Plax's contract....throw him a bone and put a little more money in his pockets. I doubt he is looking for astronomical ridiculous money (like Asante Samuels ), and just wants (maybe needs) to know that the corporate staff recognizies that he is important cog in the Giants machine and is paid lfar ess than comparable players around the league. I trust the owners, Reese, and Coughlin will do the right thing....whatever that might be.

He obviously is willing to play for a losing team because any team willing to blow that much of their cap space to keep him means they'll have to forego a lot of decent players. Kind of a catch-22 situation if you want a lot of cash and also want to have a shot at a superbowl. Funny thing is......he's not even a shut down corner. He'll be lucky to get half that....and that will probably come from the skins or something.

Has the exit of Bobby Gonzales been hard on Manhattan? I hear about Bobby all the time because he grew up in Binghamton and the folks that own and run my watering hole (Anthony's) are his cousins (uncles in some cases). He comes in once in awhile and used to give away Manhattan tee-shirts. Now the walls are laden with signed Seton Hall jerseys. I think there's a couple Manhattan jerseys still on the wall though. Personally, I'd love to see a city school (by that, I mean New York City) get back in the game and field a really good team that had a shot at a title now and then. Hard to believe that so many great basketball players come out of NYC, yet no college since Louie left St. Johns even gets to the tournament (well, Bobby got Manhattan there the last year he coached there). Anyway....NYC needs to have a college field a great college team. I have little faith in St. Johns and thought Manhattan might become the big player.

Nah....I live almost equally distant from Syracuse, Binghamton, and Ithaca. My school choices were based on convenience.....well, that and I couldn't get into Cornell. Yeah...I was a little surprised that Binghamton could knock off Manhattan...although, Manhattan ain't the same since Gonzales went to Seton Hall. Regardless...Binghamton hasn't fared too well since going to Div. I. I had big hopes for them, especially in their first year when they put a beat down on North Carolina, only for Carolina to comeback and win the game on a last second prayer shot. The game was televised and I thought it would be a good recruiting tool, but the recruits haven't exactly knocked down the door. After signing Kevin Broadus (assistant coach at Georgetown) to be the head coach of BU's basketball program, I thought things would really pick up. Of course, this is his first year so maybe we're jumping the gun on his influence.

The secret of the Giants success comes from a variety of angles including coaching, good drafting, good players, etc.....but the most important part is also the least visible - at least to the novice fan. And that is...great teams are built around the scrimmage line where unsung heroes fight to make only the slightest difference to the average fan in the bleachers, but huge differences in the outcome of the game. This goes for both the offensive line and the defensive line as they do battle in the trenches to control the line of scrimmage. In my opinion....the real reason the Giants went all the way to Phoenix was because of the continually improving play of both lines - so much so, that at times they completely dominated opponents. As a reminder, Coach Coughlin's opening press conference when he was hired by the Giants said, "my first priority as coach, will be to build the best offensive and defensive lines in the NFL as I believe games are won in the trenches". As pretty as those long passes are, or a breakout run by one of our backs, or the occasional interception - the truth is.....the game is won or lost in the trenches. Offensive line: Perhaps the best acquisition in previous drafts was Chris Snee....who finally started to solidify a line that was in constant flux and never became cohesive. The unsung work of free agent Kareem McKenzie was a good one as well as he always holding his ground, stays healthy, and avoids costly penalties. The loss of Petitgout was a big concern early on, but Diehl did a credible (if not incredible at times) job....thanks in part in having to routinely practice against Osi and Tuck...two of the best in the business. Seubert and O'Hara likewise did a great job throughout the season holding their ground and avoiding penalties. And the linemen have been cross-trained in positions so they are flexible in all kinds of situations. Best of all....they've been together as a unit long enough to become a cohesive unit capable of holding off the best defensive linemen the NFL can throw at them. The down side is that they are not very deep with proven backups yet. Ruegamer is steady, and the verdict on Whimper and Koets is still out. Amount of penatlies (and lack there of) is a good barometer of the O-Line's success....as the bulk of penalties against a team usually come from offensive linemen. This past season, the Giants had a total of 77 penalties.....6th lowest in the NFL and the lowest for a Giants team in 30 years. That should bring a smile to any Giants fan's face. Defensive line: Perhaps the best line in the business for rushing quarterbacks. Strahan, Osi, Tuck, and Kiwanuka are potential perenial pro-bowlers....however, Strahan's career of course is coming to a close, but hopefully not for another year or two. Meanwhile, Cofield has been to the defensive line what Snee has been to the offensive line - rock steady and occasional bursts of greatness. This is a far cry from William Joseph (may he rest in peace) as Joseph looks for a new home. Robbins is not getting any younger, but has been a steady force on the inside. He may be ending his career in the next year or two. Meanwhile, Alford looks like the real deal (at least from a great play in the superbowl), but like Whimper and Koets, the jury is still out on him. As a bonus for Alford, he appears to have won the everyday duties of long snapper - another case of flexibility that frees up one more spot on the roster as a dedicated LS isn't needed. With this in mind, the Giants have a very solid base for which to continue building a fortress in the trenches. The only downside is unproven depth. For this reason, I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Giants took an offensive tackle or defensive tackle with their first round pick....especially if there is a top shelf left tackle that slips through the cracks to them. I would be surprised though, if they took another DE or OG. This is also assuming the Giants don't spend their first round draft pick to get a certain cornerback on the market. Regardless...I believe TC's desire to have the best lines in the NFL force him to continue building youth and depth on the lines. The Giants have tremendous offensive capabilities with Eli - the tandem of Jacobs/Bradshaw - Plax/Amani/Smith - Shockey/Boss - and Madison Hedgecock. The Giants should be putting a lot of offensive numbers on the board in the coming season if the offensive line is solidified even more and especially if Plax and Shockey are 100% healthy. I just don't see the Giants going for another TE or RB, no matter how many rumors have been spread by TC and Reese that they are looking at both. Trust me on this one - those comments made last week are nothing more than diversion tactics. In my opinion, the Giants are looking primarily at shoring up their backfield looking closely at safties, cornerbacks and linebackers. But given TC's bent on controlling the line of scrimmage and winning the battles in the trenches....don't be surprised when we pick up at least one each of an OT, OG, and DT.

Burress could want new deal by Mike Garafolo Sunday February 24, 2008, 3:00 AM COMBINE NOTEBOOK INDIANAPOLIS -- Agent Drew Rosenhaus has himself a wide receiver who might have "outperformed" his contract. The Giants know what that means: A possible contract squabble. According to someone who speaks to members of the Giants front office on a regular basis, the team is prepared for Rosenhaus to make a case for a new contract for Plaxico Burress, who battled through ankle and knee injuries this past season to catch 70 passes for 1,025 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns. The person, who requested anonymity because the team does not discuss contract negotiations publicly, said Rosenhaus is expected to point to Burress' play early in the season plus his 11 catches in the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl-winning touchdown catch against the Patriots as proof of what he can do when healthy. Perhaps tellingly, Rosenhaus refused to address the issue when asked about it yesterday at the Scouting Combine. "That is going to be between myself and the Giants," Rosenhaus said. "I can't comment on that publicly." The 30-year-old Burress signed a front-loaded six-year, $25-million contract with the Giants three years ago. The last three years of the deal include $10.5 million in salary, which means he's nowhere near the top of the list of highest-paid receivers. The team, realizing Burress will likely be a productive receiver for quarterback Eli Manning for at least five more years, might be willing to renegotiate his deal and extend it. If Burress and Rosenhaus demand more money, it might be one of three contract squabbles the Giants will face this offseason. Left DE Michael Strahan will likely ask for more than the $4 million he's owed in the final year of his deal (if he decides to return, of course). "I'm not going to talk about the negotiation part of it," GM Jerry Reese said. "If he wants to come back, we want him back. It's not fair to talk about how we'll negotiate things." Right DE Osi Umenyiora is not happy with his contract, especially after Justin Tuck signed a deal that includes $1 million more in guaranteed money than Umenyiora got in 2005. Rosenhaus expects the Giants to void the final two years of DT William Joseph's contract, meaning the former first round pick's disappointing tenure with the team will soon be over.

Apparantly, the Giants were well aware of the Pat's spying and informed NFL Vice President who in turn sent out memo warning all NFL teams about spying. Here's the article: Pat spies evaded Giants BY RALPH VACCHIANO DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Saturday, February 23rd 2008, 4:00 AM INDIANAPOLIS - Two years ago, the Giants were suspicious that the New England Patriots were spying on their defensive coaches during a preseason game. But according to the NFL, the Patriots were not caught in the act. Greg Aiello, the NFL's senior VP of public relations, said yesterday that neither the league nor the Giants were able to find any proof the Patriots were videotaping a Giants assistant coach sending in defensive signals, as they did in the incident that sparked the SpyGate controversy in the 2007 opener against the Jets. A report yesterday said the Pats were "caught" doing more illegal taping during the game at Giants Stadium on Aug. 31, 2006. But that was "inaccurate," Aiello said. "No camera person was identified, no tapes were seized," Aiello wrote in an e-mail to the Daily News. "There was no formal complaint made by the Giants to the league office requesting an investigation or any other action." The Giants did "mention" their suspicions to NFL VP Ray Anderson "that they heard the Patriots were taping coaching signals," Aiello said. One week later, on Sept. 6, 2006, Anderson sent a memo to every NFL club "reminding them of the policy prohibiting the videotaping of coaching signals anywhere in the stadium, including on the sidelines," according to Aiello. Meanwhile, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told ESPN.com he's been "stonewalled" by the Jets and Patriots in his efforts to investigate SpyGate. Both organizations have retained outside counsel to handle inquiries with Specter, who met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last week. "I think that is somewhere between absurd to insulting that they won't let us talk to the witnesses," Specter told ESPN.com. A Jets team spokesman referred all questions to the league.

Supposedly, he is available for a 4th round draft pick....which is pretty cheap in my opinion. He is smaller than average for the position, but he's extremely "football smart" and extremely athletic, able to pick things up quicker than almost everyone and can make the change on the fly....and for his size, he plays like a friggin monster. Personally, I love little guys with something to prove (Dave Meggett, Ahmad Bradshaw, etc.)....sorta like that old youtube clip of a chihauhau pissing on the big dog's face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nZqPoX28h8 but I digress. His knee is the biggest issue. He had surgery on it three months ago and question marks still linger about whether or not he will return to form. He's not looking for big money, but wants a long term deal with a winning team. I will trust Reese, TC and Spags with this one. I have great faith in their ability to fit the right pieces into the defensive puzzle and their ability to make good decisions. And booyah sir ......I graduated from Binghamton U., and only went to Syracuse U. for one semester of grad school, in which I did not have to take any English courses. But I must be honest and say that S.U.'s level of difficulty is about a third (or less) of what it was at B.U. Syracuse is a great sports school, but if you are looking for intense academic study...S.U. will dissapoint.

Over the past years I've learned one thing from trying to second guess the Giants on draft day....and that is, everything you've read about in magazines and thought you had figured out....means almost nothing on draft day. I remember screaming, "Osi whoooooo" back in 2003 because there was a guy on the board that magazines had rated as a first round draft pick and Osi wasn't mentioned in any magazines at all. I can't remember who the guy was, but he washed out of the pros after spring training and has never been heard from since. When the Giants tabbed Umenyura, the analysts didn't even have a film clip on him and Kipper immediately started mocking the pick saying the Giants could've had him much, much later in the draft. All the analysts joined in making a mockery of the Giants for taking Osi in the 2nd. And guess what.....boy were they fucking wrong and boy is Osi a stud DE!!!!! In 2005, I was screaming at the top of my lungs because the Giants "wasted" a first round pick on a defensive end, when we didn't need a defensive end and Kiwanuka was rated by the mags as a potential 2nd or 3rd round pick. And once again....the analysts and especially Kipper, ridiculed the Giants for wasting their pick on a DE where they were loaded. And again, the Giants got the last laugh. And of course there was the "who the fuck is Charlie Peprah", and "who the hell is Brandon Jacobs", and "who the hell is Visanthe Shianco", etc. What I've learned to do since last years draft is to sit back, watch, and learn. If you get your heart set on a certain individual or a certain position you want to see filled, you can drive your blood pressure up a 100 points. Bottom line: 1) Hardly any team does what you expect - and the Giants are probably the most unpredictable. 2) The Giants' scouts are as good or better than any in the NFL - TRUST THEM 3) The Mel Kippers of the world will criticize the Giants picks and give them a low draft grade, while touting the draft of a team that ends up going 2-14 for the year, or 5-11 at best. I'd love to summarize all the "draft grades" given teams by pundits and sports analysts after the draft, and then compare them with post-season draft grades just to show how far off these writers and commentators are when it comes to sizing up things. So no.....it wouldn't surprise me to see the Giants draft a Left Tackle (or any offensive lineman for that matter) in the first round. I think they actually have their eyes on Jeremy Zuttah and Gosder Cherilus, two offensive linemen that they've interviewed during combines. They seem more like later round draft picks, but never underestimate our scouts and their ability to see a diamond in the rough.