OK, the Giants picking 20th doesn't exactly lend itself to insanity, but if you read all the draft experts and insiders and stuff in the weeks leading up to the draft, things can seem pretty insane.
Over here at the blog I'm going to attempt to use my Giants wisdom to assess their options at a variety of positions, beginning tonight. These will be short takes and all comments, complaints and compliments are welcome -- I'll save my pick for Friday, especially since I'll use all your input to help change my mind.
Here goes...
LINEBACKER
To me, the Giants' greatest area of need. They added Kawika Mitchell, who is essentially a one-year stopgap at SLB; right now, Gerris Wilkinson is the WLB, and the old defensive coordinator didn't have a ton of faith in Wilkinson as a rookie.
Who they'd like: Lawrence Timmons, Florida State. The fastest 40 time of the OLBs at the top of the draft, he's an aggressive hitter and playmaker who would seemingly fit in well alongisde Antonio Pierce. His one year as a starter is a drawback, but it could also mean he's got plenty left in the tank and isn't so used to any system.
Who they're likely to get at 20: Jon Beason, Miami. Smallish (6-0 1/4), a tad slower than Timmons, but an equally good hitter and playmaker. Plus, he's from the U -- a smallish guy named Armstead came from there and did OK in a Giants uniform, no?
Who I initially thought they'd take before I started paying attention: Paul Posluszny, Penn State. I truly believe if Ernie Accorsi were still GM, Poz would have been the chalk pick. But a couple people who know a lot more than me told me that there are questions about whether he's fast enough to make plays and cover at WLB. The Giants can't really afford many question marks.
Who might be left in rounds two and three: Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma ("Dropping like a stone," one person who knows a ton told me); Stewart Bradley, Nebraska; Tim Shaw, Penn State.
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I meant to post this last week, but I thought I'd drop it into a relevant post. Went to a show on Monday that featured one of my rock heroes, Bob Mould, plus a good new group from the city called Radio 4. It was a benefit show for Cal Robbins, whose story you can read about here. http://www.desotorecords.com/cal/
Check it out if you have a minute.
Comments (11)
Poz may have a speed question, but timmos and beason have character problems and smarts problems. poz is VERY smart and VERY dedicaded. i dont want antoehr lavar arrintgon or barrett green. i want another mike barrow. go with poz he will be a really good Lb for many years. those other guy will either never amount to anything or just fizzle out after a few good years. CB Derrell Reivs
I agree on Poz. In a locker room with countless ego problems, we need a guy like him who puts the team first and will never stop learning the game.
His pursuit and coverage skills will improve with coaching and experience.
Beason doesn't have any character problems! Just because he went to the U does not make him a felon. I've watched him play down here for some time, and while I think one more year would have made him a top 10 pick in '08, he is certainly good enough to play in this league.
I agree with Arthur's comments. Beason and Timmons seem to fit the fast moving scheme Spagnuolo is looking for better than Poz.
I'm not sure what the Gints will do with the first round pick.....my guess is that we will be surprised. Everything JR has done so far has been consistent with a strategy of a long term rebuild of the team. I think if Greg Olson (TE) from Miami is available they would be crazy not to pick him. He is the complete package at TE. Let's face facts, Shockey has been injured quite a bit and is not getting any younger. In addition, Olson seems to lack some of Shockey's negative attributes (i.e. his mouth).
A trade down also wouldn't surprise me as they have been rumored to have an interest in quite a few players who are likely to go in the 2nd round.
In short, expect the unexpected.
No fewer than 3 draft gurus have the Jints taking Joe Staley. He's 6-6, 300 A left tackle, formerly a tight end. Two other gurus have us taking Poz. One has Beason, one other Chris Houston (CB).
Mel Kiper is one of the 3 calling it Staley.
Some of the ones I've seen have us taking Dwayne Jarret.
I think it's Staley if he's still around. Eli and T Cough face make or break seasons. If a top notch lineman like Staley can be had Reese will snatch him.
Beason dosent have charters ISSUES he just doesnt have good character, he was involed in the brawl PERIOD he made the choice to do that, if it was poz he would have walked away. ANYWAYS, kiper and all those bum dont have an idea of whos takin who they just guess. Olsen is NOT the total package he cant block for crap he is just a big WR. i think a trade down would work too. get a a few other picks.
Historically, the Giants have always surprised us and the "experts" on Draft day. I would rank their scout department as a "C" at best. Remember Thomas Lewis, Brian Alford, and our lazy William Joseph? Joe Montgomery or Ron Dayne or the 3rd round pick, Visante Shinacone? I find it hard to believe that our GM came from our scouting dept. It seems like that is the weakest unit in the organization. I think you go after a LB. Our defense needs help, period. Simmons stalk has been decreasing on all mock drafts, apparently he showed up out of shape. We are not drafting athletes, we are drafting football players first. The kid from Penn State is legit. He comes from "linebacker U" and his stats speak for himself. Plus, I don't have the 40 times in front of me, but last I knew he did run a decent 40 time.
I agree that we need linebackers and an OT and will not be disappointed with either. I do think the work/ethic team player aspect of Poz is something we sorely need so I think we should go with him if he's available.
However, didn't anybody else cover their eyes with their hands or hide behind a pillow every time the opposing teams passed the ball? We need three DBs. (I like Dockery and think he should be the starter going into training camp.) If there's a good corner still available, I think we should take one. The names Wilkerson, Pierce and Mitchell being called out as they come through the tunnel don't scare me nearly as much as; "Webster, Madison, Demps, Wilson."