BigPete

thats true, but personally, I think Ryans is a little more hyped than Jackson It may just be me, but I would much prefer to see D'Qwell Jackson in a giants uniform next year

This is something like what I think the Giants should do for our linebackers Lack of qualty depth was one of the key issues for our defense Key Issues Nick Greisen wants a starting role and money, it will be elsewhere. Carlos Emmons will be released, due to injury history, age and cap number (either Emmons or Green is gone, Green is younger) Barrett Green should be healthy, but his injury history will be a concern, as is his increased salary cap number. I think the Giants will be looking to draft his eventual replacement. Reggie Torbor has progressed well, and should be a decent starter. But he has had some consistency issues, minor injury problems. He is also a restricted free agenct after 2006, while a decent chance of being back in 2007, like Greisen, there is no gurantee after that. Depth behind Antonio Pierce was a problem, Chase Blackburn was adequate at best. With reasonable starters at SLB and WLB, I don't think our solution is going to come through free agency (due to costs), luckily for us, the draft is absolutely loaded at LB. We can use free agency to address other key needs. Draft Needs 1. we need a quality WLB to develop behind and compete with Barrett Green. 2. we need a decent SLB/MLB to develop behind and add competition with Reggie Torbor, and provide quality depth at MLB behind Pierce. This is how I would approach the draft. 1st round: draft best WLB available D'Qwell Jackson (Maryland) 6-0, 230 D'Qwell can play all three LB positions, but is best suited to WLB for us. He has a great tackler with very good athleticism, quickness and change of direction. He can sheds blocks well and is also has good pass rushing and coverage skills. D'Qwell has great instincts and top intangibles. 2nd round: if Donte Whitner, Babatunde Oshinowo and the LTs go early (there is a good chance they all do), draft the best player available at a need position, I think this is likely to be a LB. I know people will argue that a LB in the 1st and 2nd is not needed, but it sets up our linebackers as a strong unit for many years, also other needs such as CB, DT and S can be filled in later rounds. Kai Parham (Virginia) 6-3, 250 Kai Parham is a strong, powerful LB, with excellent size, good athleticism and speed. Kai is an excellent tackler and big hitter, and is an excellent pass rusher and blitzer. Kai does have to improve his covergae skills, but he has the ability to do so. Kai has excellent intangibles and has leadership ability. if not draft a quality LB in the 3rd round, such as Gerris Wilkerson (Georgia Tech) 6-3, 235 Gerris can play all three LB positions. He has been moved around alot, he has played OLB, MLB and DE. Gerris is a great tackler and big hitter. He is a great blitzer and pass rusher. Gerris needs to improve his coverage skills, but has the tools to do so. Gerris has great instincts and good intangibles. This gives us a very good LB corp with excellent depth and talent. SLB: Reggie Torbor, Kai Parham/Gerris Wilkerson MLB: Antonio Pierce, Chase Blackburn WLB: Barrett Green, D'Qwell Jackson what do you think? How do you think we should address linebacker this offseason?

I am not as big on Demeco Ryans to be honest, but thats probably just me

Thats where I think he will go, but in any other draft, he would likely go alot higher I think he is probably the best linebacker option for us at #25

Many people think Jackson was the best player on the Maryland defense in 2004 (with Shawne Merriman #2) Jon Vilma was lucky, he only really had DJ Williams, Karlos Dansby and Teddy Lehman as possible 1st round LBs. Even then many people had Vilma ranked in the late 1st/early 2nd area. D'Qwell Jackson has AJ Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Manny Lawson (as a 3-4 OLB), Chad Greenway, Demeco Ryans, Thomas Howard, Ernie Sims and Abdul Hodge as possible 1st round picks. Plus he has a very good and deep groups at RB, OT, CB and S

Here is a good article from last year by Pat Kirwan that points out the difference between 40 speed and quickness, it is a good read http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/8313818

A good example is David Pollack, he had average timed speed for a DE at 4.75, but enough quickness for the Bengals to draft him in the mid first round as an OLB btw I think D'Qwell Jackson is very similar to Jonathon Vilma, he is very under rated and will slip due to the sheer depth at LB in this draft. He is a quality linebacker

FYI, If you are going to use Scott Wright's (from www.nfldraftcountdown.com) profiles verbatim, you might want to at least quote your source

I think you are fixated to much on timed speed and are reaching for developmental prospects at OLB, I much prefer D'Qwell Jackson to Thomas Howard in the 2nd round there will be much better value players at alot of positions. For example, Kai Parham, Babatunde Oshinowo would be much better value I prefer Will Blackmon at CB, but he will be available later. He also adds a quality kick and punt returner we need a safety that can cover, Greg Blue, which can't for a later round DT, I prefer Montavious Stanley or Mania Brown thats my 2c

I wonder how they rate the potential salary cap casualties players such as DT LaRoi Glover, CB Ronde Barber, CB Ty Law etc

I think someone like Jeff Garcia would be a good fit, there are better QB options, but they will be more expensive, not have the same level of experience or ideally would like to be the starter. Much like Bob Whitfield, he is not the ideal LT backup, but he is good value. He has a heap of experience and got the job done last year.

I don't agree, the $840,000 we would save by releasing Alexander is worth mentioning Glover would be a great fit here, but I am not sure of the cost I think Orpheus Roye will be almost as good and signnificantly cheaper

no problem Eli is the QB of the Giants, no if or buts, our success is going to hinge on how well he goes this season. What do we realistically want out of a backup QB? an experienced cheap veteran who can step in and contribute if Eli goes down in the playoffs or late in the season. Someone who will be content being the backup and is team focused.

What about Brent Alexander and Jason Whittle? or Will Peterson if he isn't healthy? or how about Ronde Barber (Bucs) the Texans have only just signed Davis to an extension, is a realistic cut?

We don't have alot of money to use in free agency, so I doubt we will get many big name targets. We need a 3rd WR, I don't think we will get good value there in the draft. It came down to Bradford and Gaffney. Gaffney has more upside, but Bradford has speed which we lose alot of with Carter's departure and he will be cheaper. Really you could go either way.

Here are my draft and free agent thoughts (24/02/2006) let me know what you think Currently we are around $4 mil under the 2006 salary cap number. Free Agency Thoughts This assumes we don't resign Will Allen or Kendrick Clancy, that Will Peterson will be able to contribute and that Barrett Green is 100% healthy Release Brent Alexander, Shaun Williams, Carlos Emmons, Jason Whittle (Snee and/or Seubert can backup Center), Jared Lorenzen (he refused to go to NFL europe for playing experience). This will free up around $6.34 mil in 2006 cap space That will give us around $10.34 mil in 2006 cap space for free agency and signing rookies Resign WR David Tyree (RFA) TE Visanthe Shiancoe (RFA) QB Tim Hassleback OT Bob Whitfield RB Chad Morton Sign P Dave Zastudil (Ravens) (2006 cap number around $0.9 mil) A good young punter to replace Feagles. Zastudil would have the chance to play on a good special teams unit for a young improving team with legitimate playoff expectations. CB Ronde Barber (Buccaneers) (2006 cap number around $1.6 mil)* A good solid veteran CB, Barber adds much needed experience to a young talented secondary. The Giants give Barber the opportunity to play with Tiki (first time since college) and be on a team with legitimate playoff aspirations *This assumes he is a salary cap casualty (likely due to his high cap number), a secondary option would be Deshea Townsend (Steelers) DT Orpheus Roye (Browns) (2006 cap number around $1.6 mil) Roye doesn't get alot of sacks, but does create alot of pressure, last year he had 88 tackles, 3 sacks and defended 4 passes in zone blitz system. The Giants offer Roye an opportunity to play for a team with legitimate playoff aspirations (Roye just turned 33, like Strahan, the clock is ticking. Roye is a huge short term upgrade over Clancy. WR Corey Bradford (Texans) (2006 cap number around $1.1 mil) Bradford has good hands and speed, he didn't get alot of opportunities in an ordinary Texan offense. The Giants offer Bradford an opportunity to play for a team with legitimate playoff aspirations. Bradford will be productive for the Giants, and may compete with Toomer for #2. QB Jeff Garcia (Detroit) (2006 cap number around $1.1 mil) A 35 year old former probowl QB. With Drew Brees, Jay Fieldler, Aaron Brooks, Kerry Collins and Jon Kitna becoming available in free agency, a good strong rookie QB class, and the fact that it looks like Detroit, Houston and Arizona seem to be keeping their current QB, there are no starting opportunities for Garcia. Garcia does have a quick release, good blitz pickup and decent mobility (though not as much as he used to). Garcia is accurate (he has a 60% career completion percentage). Garcia is a quality professional and team guy. The Giants give Garcia a chance to play for a legitimate playoff contender. Free Agent signing thoughts Roye will help us get alot more pressure from our interior defensive line. This will mean that Strahan and Umenyiora can be double teamed alot less. This will be a very formidable defensive line. We don't need young free agents, good veterans will suffice while our youngsters develop This will leave us around $4.04 mil to sign rookies and keep as a reserve Draft (I think the Giants can better fill their needs with an additional day 1 pick) Giants trade #25 to Lions for #40, #74 (example trade) #40 LB D'Qwell Jackson 6-1, 231, 4.65 Maryland An athletic, aggressive, instinctive and smart playmaker at LB. Jackson can play any of the positions, but we will most likely use him at WLB. Jackson will slip due the the extreme depth at LB this year. A quality WLB to develop behind/compete with Barrett Green. #56 FS Donte Whitner 5-11, 205, 4.45 Ohio State A quality fast ballhawk safety. A dominating SS at college who could play CB in the NFL. Whitner will slip because the safety and CB classes are both very deep with top talent. Whitner doesn't quite have ideal size at 5-11 and may be viewed as a bit of a tweener. Whitner didn't have amazing college production. An immediate huge upgrade for our secondary. Whitner will likely start, but will compete with James Butler and Gibril Wilson. #74 LB Kai Parham 6-3, 253, 4.59 Virginia A quality LB who is a big hitter, good pass rusher and great tackler. The best player available at this point. Parham slips due to the sheer volume of quality LB talent this year. Parham adds competition for Torbor and provides quality depth at both SLB and MLB. Parham also upgrades our special teams. #87 CB Will Blackmon 6-1, 200, 4.52 Boston College An athletic, physical, ball hawk with good speed. Blackmon is very raw, he is a development CB prospect but has the physical tools to be a top NFL CB. Blackmon is a quality punt and kick returner. Blackmon would be a huge boost to our special teams. Blackmon will slip do to the number of top junior CBs in the draft. #123 DT Montavious Stanley 6-2, 321, 5.05 Louisville A big strong DT with great size, strength, quickness and good mobility. Stanley was maybe an underachiever at Louisville (although still productive). Stanley was a big reason why Elvis Dumervil had 20.5 sacks in 2005. #153 WR David Anderson 5-11, 195, 4.50 Colorado State A talented reciever with good hands, decent speed and great quickness, precise routes and great instincts. Anderson will slip as he doesn't have ideal size, height or blazing speed, and this WR class is very deep. Anderson gives us a quality WR to develop for the future and adds competition behind our starters. #184 OC Patrick Ross 6-4, 295, 5.05 Boston College A quality playmaking Linebacker with good quickness and great intincts. Ingram makes plays over the field. Ingram will slip due to the sheer volume of quality LB prospects in the draft. Ingram adds quality OLB depth and a good special Teams player #215 TE Jeff King 6-5 253 4.85 Virginia Tech A young TE with good size, hands and blocking ability. An upgrade over Sean Berton Draft Thoughts All these guys will slip as they don't have outstanding measurables or hype and their draft classes are very deep with top talent. There is some concern about the long term future as Giants of Barrett Green and Will Peterson. I think the Giants will be looking at drafting their replacements. My Giants Roster (24/02/2006) would be something like Offense QB: Eli Manning, Jeff Garcia, Tim Hassleback RB: Tiki Barber, Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, Chad Morton FB: Jim Finn WR: Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Corey Bradford, David Anderson*, David Tyree, Jamaar Taylor TE: Jeremy Shockey, Visanthe Shiancoe, Jeff King* OT: Kareem McKenzie, Luke Petitgout, Bob Whitfield OG: Chris Snee, David Diehl, Rich Seubert OC: Shaun O'Hara, Patrick Ross* Defense DT: William Jospeh, Orpheus Roye, Fred Robbins, Montavious Stanley* DE: Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Eric Moore LB: Reggie Torbor, Antonio Pierce, Barrett Green, D'Qwell Jackson*, Kai Parham*, Chase Blackburn CB: Ronde Barber, Will Peterson, Corey Webster, Will Blackmon*, Curtis Deloatch S: Donte Whitner*, Gibril Wilson, James Butler Special Teams K: Jay Feeley P: Dave Zastudil LS: Ryan Kuehl * rookie