HOUND

I don't think Cromartie or Sims will be available when we select but either one at 25 would be a steal. I also agree that LT should be on our radar. If we can get Eric Winston in round 1 I'm happy. I think you left a LB off your list though. D'Meco Ryans would be an excellent pick for us. I'd rather him than Carpenter.

Actually I read that Addai has the best developed blitz pickup skills of all the RB prospects in this draft. Despite this I'm still not all that high on the guy. Sure he set the world on fire at the combine with his 40 times but did you see his legs? He looks like a sprinter, not a football player. Those toothpicks are going to get snapped in half unless he puts on more muscle. I'd rather take a flier on a guy like Maurice Jones-Drew than spend a second rounder on Addai.

I underachieved in college too. And I don't regret a second of it.

This is pure speculation on my part but I don't think Ngata or Bunkley will be there past 12. The Browns draft in that slot and would take either player if they were still available. With teams like Oakland and Buffalo also having major needs at the position I don't see either guy dropping out of the top 12. The 12th pick carries a 1,200 point value. Our pick at 25 is only worth 720 points so we've got to make up another 480 if we have any chance to move up. Our 2nd rounder is only worth 340, so realistically we're talking about having to give up our first, second AND something else to move into that range. High price to pay IMHO. Not only that we technically would need to move higher than 12 as the Browns won't deal that pick if Bunk or Ngata are there as they're the players they covet. So in other words, forget about trading up to get either of the top 2 tackles.

After the top 2 there's a substantial dropoff. Watson is risky.

I dunno Money, I'll be thrilled if we select D'Meco Ryans. I like everything abot the kid and am convinced he'll make some team happy. If Arrington's knees do in fact let us down in the latter part of the year, I'm not nervous at the thought of Ryans filling in. Yes, it's not nearly as much of a need position now that we have Short and Lavar but I still think DT will be a reach/gamble if we go Gabe Watson. If a quality Left Tackle prospect isn't there then Ryans is still a great pick.

One of these days you guys are going to learn that Kiper is hardly the best source for talent evaluation and draft predictions. He gets the most press, I won't argue that fact. But I'll stick to talent evaluators that are actually current or former NFL scouts. Manning is not first day corner material.

Tamba Hali is a tweener. The Packers already have a tweener pass rusher in KGB. No need to add another one. Wimbley, similar to Lawson is best suited to a 3-4 base defense which the Pack don't play. I'm not down on either player but neither was a good fit for Green Bay. I haven't seen where Kiwi's stock is dropping. Hali's on the other hand seems to be falling based on what I've seen.

Good article, horrible thread title.

Glauber goes over the top a bit in the article. The LT references were stale 5 years ago. But the backbone of his argument is something that shouldn't simply be glossed over by Giants fans in the wake of the signing. Lavar, while being incredibly talented, has not lived up to his billing. At least part of his underachieving can be chalked up to his freelancing. I'm sorry but this isn't a minor thing. The game of football is a team concept. The best defenses work because every guy knows his responsibility and conversely knows where his teammates are. If Lavar thinks he's above that concept then there there is potential for major problems. If Lavar lines up with the assignment of covering the tight end but instead decides he can get to the passer and blitzes, he's hanging his teammates out to dry. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this won't happen but if it does, the first guy who needs to get in his face is Pierce. He lobbied for Arrington, he needs to make sure he understands that gloryhogging it simply won't be tolerated. My first concern in pursuing this signing was money related. I think the front office did a solid job of adding a quality player to a need position without overspending. This was especially impressive considering the Postons are not the easiest cats to deal with. Now my next concern is that Arrington buys into the system and respects the coaches and his teammates. Lastly, there's still the issue of his knees. If he breaks down come December, we're in the same spot as last season. However, football is a game of injuries and there's no sense fretting over who will be healthy 8 months from now.

Winston missed the bulk of his junior season with a knee injury. That's the only significant time he missed in his college career, which isn't too shabby considering he started for three years. He returned his senior year and earned All ACC first team honors. Doesn't sound like a guy battling a nagging injury problem to me. Size??? He's 6'6" 310 lbs. How is that a size problem?

Well if you never believed it in the first place why would you write: Once again we have proven they have no Contacts and they do nothing but lie and make shit up ?????????? I'm guessing the average 7th grader could've figured out that these guys have been jerking your chain the entire time. Yet you're triumphing over the fact that you've somehow "exposed" them?

Pizan - there's very little in your post I disagree with. Despite how I've rated him on a professional level, I'm a big fan of Vince Young the player. I love what he's accomplished. He definitely isn't afraid to work hard to accomplish his goals. I agree that for the most part, the intangibles are all in his favor. I do feel that on a collegiate level the QB isn't as instrumental as it is in the NFL. Dominating teams can win NCAA National Championships with average QB's. It doesn't happen as often in the NFL. I'll also say that Heisman worthy QB's who elevate their teams level of play don't always have the skill set to even make a roster at the next level. Look at Tommie Frazier and Eric Crouch. I'll even add Gino Toretta to that list, although it pains me to do so since the guy was hardly Heisman worthy. I completely agree that Young is an incredible athlete with freakish skills. But I'm not convinced that his passing skills are sufficient for the next level. I saw 3 Longhorns games this year, including the National Championship game. I rarely saw him in the position where he even needed to throw under what I consider NFL conditions, which qualifies as any of the following: - Threading the needle into a tight spot to hit a closely covered receiver. - Staring down the rush and delivering the ball to a receiver. - Checking down to 2nd and 3rd options. Seems like almost every time I saw Young throw the ball he was soft tossing it or lofting it in front of a wide open receiver. I read that the guy has good arm strength but I rarely see it on display. He also worked out of a shotgun way too much which means he likely needs to develop NFL grade footwork. I'm not predicting he'll be a bust I just don't think he'll be a perennial all-pro either. I think he faces a steep learning curve.

Did you really need this signing to figure out they have no contacts in the front office? Good God, you didn't actually believe that did you?

It's official ... This is an Exclusive Email for Draft Insiders.com fans. It will be an exclusive service to full subscribers of Draft Insiders.com thru the NFL Draft ‘06. Draft Insiders.com has learned today that the Giants signed former Washington Redskin linebacker Lavar Arrington to a long term contract. The contract was sent to the NFL league office Friday for approval before an official announcement is made by the club. The official announcement may wait until Monday before the media reports it, but Arrington will play for the G Men after signing a long term deal. Arrington was back in New Jersey on Thursday for a physical that cleared him to sign with the G Men. It was Arrington’s second visit with the Giants after previously speaking to them in early March. The Giants had balked after the initial interview when Arrington refused to take a physical with concerns about the condition of his surgically repaired right knee. With the physical on Thursday, Arrington eliminated any health concerns the Giants had over a long term deal. Arrington wanted to sign a contract before the NFL Draft ‘06 next weekend. He had limited options other than the Giants with only the Packers and possibly the Dolphins interested at this time. The terms of the contract will not be announced until the league approves it but it is not the asking price of seven years, $54 million dollar deal with an eight figure signing bonus. With the Giants, he is re-united with former Redskins teammate Antonio Pierce and former Penn St teammate Brandon Short who resigned with the Giants earlier this week. Short signed only a one year deal and was originally drafted by the Giants but spent the past two seasons with the Panthers. The Giants hold the 25th pick in the ‘06 draft and can address several needs with the OLB position now at their highest priority. Arrington’s agent is the same agent as linebacker Julian Peterson's agent, Kevin Poston who had signed a seven-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks in March. He played his entire career with the San Fran 49ers. DraftInsiders.com “The Publication NFL Scouts Buy” “ The Leader in NFL and College Scouting”

Some clown on the Skins messageboard was reporting the same thing. He also said the announcement wouldn't be made until Monday. Sounds like donkeypoo to me. I did hear that the two sides were going back and forth over the cost of shoulderpads. Not sure if that put a snag in negotiations or not.

Croyle in the first round would be Quincy Carteresque.

Maybe so but he also has a much higher "bust potential". There's no denying we have a need to find and groom a Left Tackle prospect, it's just been overshadowed by our colossal need at OLB. I'm not overlooking how thin we are a DT but I still feel Watson is a major risk in round 1. However Winston is a pretty safe pick and has all the credentials of a franchise Left Tackle. It's not an exciting pick but it would definitely address a need. I don't think we can take protecting Eli's blind side lightly.

Arrington is seeking 13-15 million in guaranteed money. I simply don't see the Giants paying that. I don't think they'd even pay 10 mil. and I fully support that decision.

Hound's Big Board ( had to eat my words on the QB's in the top 15) 1. RB R. Bush 2. DE M. Williams 3. LB A.J. Hawk 4. OT D'Brick 5. DT H. Ngata 6. DT B. Bunkley 7. TE V. Davis 8. DB M. Huff 9. LB E. Sims 10. OT W. Justice 11. DB A. Cromartie 12. WR S. Holmes 13. QB M. Leinart 14. QB J Cutler 15. RB D. Williams 16. C N. Mangold 17. QB V. Young 18. LB C. Greenway 19. WR C. Jackson 20. LB D. Ryans 21. RB L. White 22. DE M. Kiwanuka 23. OT E. Winston 24. LB M. Lawson 25. DT G. Watson 26. CB A. Youboty 27. RB L. Maroney 28. CB J. Williams 29. LB B. Carpenter 30. DB D. Whitner 31. LB D. Jackson 32. DE T. Hali A quick glance will show this isn't your typical value board. I'm simply not high on this years QB class. It's a strong Defensive draft. Guy's I tend to be higher on then most: LB E. Sims DE M Kiwanuka Guy's I think are overrated: All the QB's DB Jimmy Williams

I'd be OK with Cromartie. I really don't think either of the top wideouts will be there which is fine by me as I'm not interested in going there round 1. I think DeAngelo Williams will be there but I don't think we'll select him. I like the kid but the coaching staff still doesn't know what they have in Jacobs. I disagree that Winston isn't first round material. He's the highest rated Miami Offensive Lineman since Bryant McKinnie. He's solid in all phases of the game. I'd be happy if we took him at 25. I really want the Giants to address LT on the first day. Besdies that, I'm OK with every other pick being on the defensive side of tha ball if needed. I still think there's a handful of players I'd prefer over Watson in round 1. I also think he's more of a gamble than Winston is.

This is hardly a deep Defensive Tackle draft class.

Hey, there were plenty of other good drafts, I just pointed out the one's that stood out to me. They all still pale in comaprison to Green Bay's: Rd. 1 LB A.J. Hawk Rd. 2 DE M. Kiwanuka Rd. 3 WR Martin Nance

Pizan .. we don't disagree often but on this topic ... I think you're crazy. Armstead has motivated me. I may have to create my own big board.

If Lavar becomes a Giant suddenly outside linebacker isn't nearly the priority it was, factor in the Short signing too. That being said, who then becomes the targeted player? Do we go Offensive Tackle? Some have said WR. Do we grab one of the corners? What is DeAngelo Williams or Lendale White is available? Do we take the highest rated DT? Likely Gabe Watson. Thoughts?