xxi-xxv

IMO ACC football is as good as it gets. With teams like Miami, Florida State and Va Tech now in the mix with good solid programs like NC State, the ACC is a foridable conference. It may not be the powerhouse of the SEC(what is?) or Big 10, but it is very very close. Davis is the real deal and not only did he play good college competition he has the goods to be a real good NFL player. One thing I will say he is is 6 3, certainly not short, but not in the Shockey, Gonzo, Gates mold of the 6 5 TE.

Are you Giants fans thinking the same thing I am in terms of a certain team in our division you WOULD HATE TO SEE HIM WIND UP WITH. Guy is a beast, athletic specimen, runs like a WR and after watching his NFL Network interview is clearly a well rounded smart dude.

I still cannot believe we are talking about the SKINS. I will say this for the last time, no team needs a new CBA in place to operate during the 06' season than the SKINS, its been reported, said, written, stated, blurted etc by everyone for days now. I will not repeat for the umpteenth time why this is the case, because quite frankly if no one can figure it out by now you never will. No new CBA just kills the Skins in 06. As for the agreement I heard today on Sirrius it could be anywhere from 100-110 for 06 now. That means all the teams get more cap room and the free agent class of 06 makes out like bandits.

It is very difficult to cheat on the cap like the Niners and Broncos did at the infancy of a salary cap in the NFL. Teams are all well aware of everyone's situation and have capolgists that know just that matter. I would suspect the penalties are stiff now and the competition does not allow one to cheat on the cap.

they are already over this years cap by upwards of 20 mil, with no way to spread out bonus' they are screwed. Although I want a CBA to get done ASAP, I would love nothing better than for the Skins to have to pay the piper. There were Skins fans that ignored there cap hell when he would tell them this 2 years ago when they signed Griffin, Barrow, etc in 04, now its coming to fruition.

Heard cablevision agreed, Directv has not yet. I am a DirectV subscriber and assuming they have to get the network to satisfy their MLB package ads for all teams I assume this will get done. Anyone know anything more about this?

GATEB you are not aware of the awful ramifications for the SKINS if there is no new collective barganing agreement in place. It has been well documented that they are pretty much screwed in 06 if there is no new CBA in place as they would not be able to spread out bonus' and get under the cap. They of any team Need a new CBA to be in place for 06, what they do in 07 is completely irrelevant as to how screwed they would be in 06. Patten would be a certain cut under that scenario and very well may be released anyway.

Well if he could come half as close to what McCardell did with the jags as a third down WR here with the Giants I would be thrilled. We really need a good possesion type option at the #3. I have always had a soft spot for David Patten, so if he were a cap casulty I would like to sign him for that role. Plus his familarity with Hufnagel in NE could work as well.

I think you will see Eli Manning rely on Amani Toomer even more next year. If he watches as much film as he says he will see Amani is open a lot and teams rolled there zone coverage towards Plax and Shockey all too often.

Unless of course the respect that the franchise says they have for him lead them to allow him a chance to seek a better deal elsewhere. Could explain the early cut as opposed to doing it March1.

You think? You trust him as that veteran that will make big catches and do what this offense needs on 3rd down. I see a smart, heady veteran as someone who would excel as our 3rd WR considering the attention a defense must pay to Plax, Shockey, Tiki and Toomer. You think Gaffney fits the bill?

There may be some vets cut and I think Jurevicous will get big coin to be a #1 or #2 WR, possibly in Washington(that is if there is a CBA) or Philly.

Our 7th round pick would not have started 15 games and given quality depth the past 2 years that Whittle did. I like Whittle and hope he ends up somewhere(NYJ?) where he can compete for some playing time and be a valuable member of a teams O line. i think money is right in assuming this leads to a re-signing of Whitfield(something I have said is as important as any at this point in time). My guess is now with the versatility of Diehl and having a healthy Suebert the Giants just may look to add a young T to develop in the draft.. I cannot reiterate enough how important I think it is that this team re-signs Whitfield as the domino effect is depth is clear to see.

I would really like a sure handed veteran to be our 3rd wr. I would love if Ricky Proehl was 10 years younger or a guy like Wayne Chrebet. A guy you know on 3rd and 7 will line up, run a quality route, get open, make a catch, fall down, first down and keep a drive alive. I know we have that somewhat in Shockey, but that can be neutralized with him being a TE especially if he lines up along the lines. I would so love a veteran 3rd WR. if Washington cut David Patten he would be a perfect guy. Stovall is a guy I like though.

Plax can, think the problem is Plax sometimes does not want to.

They say Payton is in love with him, so if the HC has his say you are probably right.

Oh no doubt. It's just that usually under the shorts/tshirt/dome scenario these guys mecahnics and throws are better, especially guys that are moving up the charts as quickly as he has. What I remember though from the past few years is that none of these things were even spoken about a few years ago with ELI and BEN(Rivers did have that hitch)and what I am starting to wonder is if Cutler is as good as Leinart and Young as some say. None of the Qb's that threw impressed me and the past few years there have been a few I saw that were really impressive.

I did and I was wondering if anyone else did and they have an opinion. I must say I was not impressed. The mechanics were iffy at best, bit of a hitch, footwork was sloppy on the 7 step and a few time on the out pattern he threw off the back foot. Something that with no pressure and in shorts was eye opening. I heard on ESPN that John Clayton said he "threw ok" as well.

Man I like Stovall a lot, watched his combine and he has good hands and vertical. His 40 time is average at best, but his size and athelticism is good. Would have no problem with Stovall.

I have a feeling that a lot of what the Giants "did" for Green had to do with his contract and the depth on the roster as opposed to the fact that they liked him. It was no secret he ruffled some feathers over the two years. I for one was enraged when he talked shit to the Jets, yet missed the practice that day and the subsequent game thereafter. I figured Green to stay, but I guess like you had said there was no way he was taking a pay cut. Emmons I would assume is going to accept a pay cut. Emmons also can play the Will and Sam spots and maybe that was what was the final judgement in who stays.

That dude who was spotting for the weight lifting told Adam Shefter that this is the strongest(physically)DT class he has ever seen in terms of weight lifting.

A hot rumor that was circulating last year at the kickoff luncheon(you really gotta go one year) was that Snee is best suited to play Center someday. I like Snee at G and have no problem with O'Hara, but that was something that was tossed around that day by people in attendance. I at the time dismissed it as people just looking too much into things, maybe someone had some forsight?

Why I think he might be gone by then is very simple, the NFL is a copycat league, the league tends to try and copy other teams successful trends. Last year two of the best WR's in the game were Santana MOss and Steve Smith, 2 smaller guys who stretch the field. Factor in some small guys like Deion Branch and others and teams will trend towards that type player based on those guys success. For better or for worse for that reason Moss will probably be gone by round 2. I for one still am a believer in the big WR who can make a play as opposed to the smaller guy who can run by people. To a lesser extent we already have that type player in Taylor and possibly Carter if he returns.

The Giants will be looking for someone to step up and grab that #3 WR spot and I think the competition starts March 20th during the off season workouts. There are clearly some talented, speedy options on the roster and IMO whoever works the hardest will get the job. With that being said I can see a vet such as Gaffney being brought in at a cheap price to compete. The way our roster is currently constructed, combined with the 6 million in now cap space I see a few early free agent necessities #1)Kendrick Clancy, the familiarity and his play in 05 warrant him being priority #1. #2)Chad Morton, we have not had an explosive option at the return spot on a consistent basis like Morton since Megget IMO, he hangs on to the ball, has good explosion and field vision and is not afraid to try and make a play. Combine that fact with year removed from ACL I see him being a HUGE asset in 06 and I also think that his ability to be a 3rd down option could spare Tiki from time to time of having to be on the field as much. This is something we are going to have to start thinking about, getting Tiki some breathers and Morton along with Jacobs gives TC 2 different options of resting Tiki in spots. #3)either re-signing Will Allen or targeting a CB as good or better to replace him. I see this as a challenge and the March 2 cuts could dictate what direction we go. There is no need for big names, but signing the two guys I mentioned above is paramount IMO and getting either Allen or someone to replace him is as well. As far as the draft I am of the opinion that at the spot we are in with very few starting spots up for grabs we should draft best available players. IMO if there is a S that we have rated as the best S in the first round available, but there is a player with far better value I take the guy with better value, no matter position(obviously Qb, RB, notwithstanding). There are certain spots you can get a need later and IMO S is one of them. I go best available in this draft.

Gut ran a 4.34 40! This guys speed is suddenly intrguing to me and "could" certainly compliment the larger WR's we have. Guy is lightning fast!