parlintm

I think the Giants drafted Peprah with the intention of starting out at safety. I forget who said it, but either TC or EA said one of the reasons that they liked Peprah was that he was the defensive captain and responsible for calling the plays on their defense. They went on to say that he's intelligent and should be able to make the calls in the NFL as well, implying that S would at least be his position to start out.

I never knew he got kicked out of UM... before I really paid close attention to college football. What was the reason?? Will Pete always striked me as a good guy so Im suprised to hear it.

Philly!!! I think they're going to be the worst team in the division. Their offense leaves much to be desired. Our defense should match up really well against them. They have a very poor passing game which our secondary should be able to handle easily especially if we're getting pressure on Mcnabb which shouldnt be difficult give our rushing talent. Our backers sure have the speed to handle Westbrook so I think their offense will really struggle this year. Their defense is pretty scary but I don't think that their is a defense in the NFL that will be able to shut our offense down. We simply have too many weapons and the greatest running back in the game. I think Phily is still a year away from recovering from the TO fiascoe and is not a serious contender. The Skins could be very good this year since they've added Randle El, a much needed threat to their offense. But I think that Lavar will be out to kill and I don't see us getting swept by them. As I said before, I think this is the most competitive NFC east that I can remember. I would not be suprised if 10-6 was good enough for division champs. Can't wait to get it started.

I think Eric Mangini showed with this draft that he is the next great coach in the league. His first 2 picks were not sexy at all but they were phenomenal. He got the two best linemen in the entire draft. Period. Clemens was also a fantastic pick and I think that they will groom him for a year and hand over the franchise to him next season. I think this weekend was the first few steps in turning that franchise into a yearly contender. Actually signing Mangini was, but this draft has his imprint all over it.

Well who do you see going 11-5 in the east?

The last news I heard regarding Will P. was very disheartening. He was at home and had no plans of joining the team any time soon. It seemed to imply that his career was likely over, barring a miraculous recovery. Has anyone heard anything since then? And how long do we keep him on the roster before we have to cut him or he retires?? And how does a career ending injury work in terms of the contract?

Great read Pizan. Thanks for the article. I think given that we didnt need to draft a starter at any positions, we had the flexibility to draft the player that we thought had the best combination of potential/talent/character/production and work ethic, regardless of position. I think that there are fewer players in the entire draft with as great a combination of these than Kiwi. As has been said many times, he's an incredibly hard worker (you see where he gets it from by reading about his and his families history) and now he has an opportunity to learn from the best. He might not be a huge force this year. But in a year or two, Kiwi, Osi and Tuck should give us hands down the best rotation of pass rushers in the entire league. Im happy to know that with a core group of: Osi, Kiwi, Tuck, AP, Arrington, Gibril, Webster, Demps and Joseph that our defense will be a force for years to come.

Regarding the malcontents: There is a HUGE difference between bringing in a rookie with character issues as opposed to a proven veteran. While neither is ideal, the veteran has shown that they can play in this league and at the minimum have a good enough work ethic to be productive. The concern with the rookies that have had issues in the past is that there is the fear that they will NEVER materialize their potential. They have not shown that they can overcome these issues and be a successful NFL player, wheras players like Lavar and Plax have already displayed their productivity over multiple seasons. That said, I don't think we will have too many issues this season. Almost all of the team has played for TC for at least a year and knows what is expected of them. I think the FA's will get up to speed very quickly. I don't think Lavar will be a problem AT ALL this season. His contract necessitates him getting maximum playing time and I don't think he will jeopardize that in any way. The problems that he had in DC were with the owner and the rigid system run by Williams. We run a very different defense and he will be given many opportunities to make plays. AP would not have been as adament about signing Pierce if he was worried that he wouldnt fit in or that he would be a problem. I expect Plax and TC to resolve their issues before the season beginis (if they haven't already done so). I think Plax is ultra-competitive and he just wasn't good at dealing with some of Eli's rookie mistakes. It got to him and he let it show. This is a new season and I'm sure that everyone's put it past them. This team as SB aspirations and IMO, our team has the perfect balance of youthful talent and great veterans. There are quality leaders on both sides of the ball. I think once the season gets under way the team should bond and I expect us to have great chemistry. The issues of players working out in Miami is being made too big of an issue, IMO, and that given the team philosophy regarding character, I think we should have very few player issues unrelated to the football field this year. I'm perfectly fine with a strategy of passing on players such as Lendale, Justice and Wroten since it pays its dividends in the long run.

I didnt think you had it in you to type those words. I agree 100%.

Since our team is pretty much set for the season, I thought now would be a good time to hear some predictions. Here are the following categories: 1. Regular season record 2. How far do we go this season? Miss playoffs, same as last year, nfc championship etc..?? 3. Who will lead the team in TD's? 4. Who will lead the team in tackles? 5. Who will lead the team in interceptions? 6. Who will lead the team in sacks? Im curious to see the fab 4's season prediction given their extensive football knowledge. Although they might not be willing to put their money where their mouth is only to be proven wrong, yet again. Here are mine. 1. 11-5. I think the NFC east will be very competitive this year but I think we are the favorites to emerge as champs again. I think it goes: Giants, Redskins, Cowboys, Eagles. 2. I think we win the NFC this year. I think the the following are the only legitimate contenders for the NFC: Seattle, Carolina, Arizona (yes, the Cards) and Chicago. 3. Tiki Barber will lead the team in TD's and total yards again. I expect a huge year from Plax, though. 4. AP will lead us in tackles. Lavar will be close behind. 5. Im gonna go with Webster as leader in picks. I think teams will go at him instead of Madison and hopefully he will make them pay. 6. I hope Osi only keeps getting better. Sky is the limit. He's my man to lead us in sacks. I have VERY high expectations for this season and can't wait for it to start. GO GIANTS!

WR/HB/TE - Anthony Mix, Auburn University TE - Darcy Johnson, University of Central Florida DT - Marcus Green, Ohio State University OG - Matt Lentz, University of Michigan TE/OT - Jai Lewis, George Mason University DT - Sir Henry Anderson, Oregon State University OL - Na’Shan Goddard, University of South Carolina OL - Todd Londot, Miami University [Ohio] CB - E.J. Underwood, Pikesville College DE/LB - Thomas Carroll, University of Miami anybody have any insight on these guys? It's funny that the only one of these I know well and it's Jai Lewis.... because of his basketball skills. For those of you who don't know who he is, he's a big, wide power forward that led GM to the final four. Whenever I watched him he always suprised me with his quickness. He had a killer spin move and would just go right by some of his defenders. I know he's got a lot of work to do but the talent is definitely there. Now it just has to transfer to the football field. I also noticed that he had phenomenal hands for a big man.

Ill be there rootin on the gmen.

In looking at him, he actually reminds me a lot of mike. I think that the influence of having strahan on the team to teach our draft picks cannot be emphasized enough. I think he has the most to teach out of any players on our team. A player like Tiki can show someone how to work hard but he cant teach someone to run or have the vision that he does. Someone either has it or they don't. I dont think this is the case with DE. Obviously, rookies will pick up on his work ethic but he also has lots of moves, strategies and information that he can pass on. I think a prime example of this is Osi. I dont think Osi would be anywhere near as good as he is this early in his career without Strahan's influence. And I'm extremely excited that our first round pick also has the opportunity to learn from the best to ever play the game.

As you mentioned, something that Kiwi has going for him is his consistency. The coaches and EA harped on this but he's been a consistent sack machine his entire career. That's something you can't say about Mario. I think Kiwi's got a good chance of emerging as the best dlinemen from this draft.

I also think getting Max JG (in the 3rd?) was a great value pick. Hes an unmovable wall in the middle. Im not saying that Philae didnt have a good draft, I just think it's apples and oranges. If you get rid of the 2 first rounders (bunk and kiwi) the drafts are pretty close. Slight edge to Philly in rounds 2 and 3 in terms of talent but the edge goes to us in the later rounds. As long as bloom doesnt become a ST star for them.....

Well you cant compare it to Philly since they picked 11 spots ahead of us.

Who would you have drafted instead of Kiwi that would help our DT situation?

I actually think it's a great pick as well. I thought that the draft, overall, was phenomenal. Great value with every pick.

I liked this guy a lot in the final 4. I hope he makes the squad.

Since this is the most competitive year in recent NFL East history, I thought it would be to discuss how our opponents did in this draft. To get us started Ill list all the player drafted by each team: Dallas Cowboys 18. Bobby C. -- I actually was hoping to land this guy. I think we all know that he can be a great LB. 53. Fasano -- Not against our defense. 92. Jason Hatcher DE 125. Sklyer Green WR 138. Pat Wilkins FS 182. Stanley Montavious DT 211. Pat Mcquiston OT 224. EJ Witley C Philadephia Eagles 14. Bunkley -- Got a great athlete which makes their Dline pretty scary. Glad we have a good oline. 39. Winston Justice -- Osi will be kicking his ass for years. 71. Chris Gocong DE 99. Max Jean-Gilles - Got a great guard this late. Great pick. 109. Jason Avant WR 147. Jeremy Bloom -- I think this is a good pick for them. He at least helps out their return game. 168. Omar Gaither LB 204. Lajuan Ramsey DT Washington Redskins 35. Rocky Mcintosh -- Who would you rather have. Him or Lavar? hehehe. 153. Anthony Montgomery DT 173. Reed Dougherty SS 196. Kedric Golston DT 230. Kili Lafotu G 250. Kevin Simon LB I think the ealges had the best draft out of these three. Good for us that they were the worst team heading into the season and I still don't think they're any good since they're offense is still going to be garbage. Redskins didnt do much.... whats new. Dallas was solid.

I like nance to push carter/taylor. Also Mania Brown seems like an obvious signee.

Curt Schilling goes to The Son of Sam Horn board on a regular basis. It's the Red Sox website for hard core fans. I think that's pretty cool on his part.

No, I don't. The Giants are known as a classy organization and I think that should extend to the fans. If I were recently drafted by a team, Id like to visit the message boards and see how the fans are. Curt Schilling, for example spends a lot of time on Red Sox boards. If our first pick were to come here and see that, what would he think? I think Lockhart is the antithesis of classy. It's one thing to debate the quality of picks but to mock a player about his murdered grandfather (his heritage is something he obviously takes pride in) is crossing the line. I have no problem at all with people being upset over the draft and I think they have the right to voice their displeasure but this is not the way to do it. I'm sad to say that we have fans in this organization like Lockhart.

Lockhart, I knew you were a pessimistic whiner but this is the worst post that i've seen from you and I think that it's truly despicable. To refer to our first round draft pick by the name of the man that murdered his grandfather is inconsiderate and revolting. You might have a problem with who we picked but this is uncalled for. I am glad to know that if there is a hell, you will be burning and rotting in it for eternity.

It's impossible to grade this draft right now. All of our picks with the exception of moss were for the future and only time will tell how they pan out. I think we got three great prospects in the first 3 rounds.