Loading ...As promised, we have a special treat here for you today on Giants 101.
Thanks in large part to the wonders of social networking, we’ve recently been able to reach out to various athletes, including New York Giants running back D.J. Ware.
Despite a busy schedule, D.J. set aside some time and answered a few questions for us here at G101.
Benton: “Although it’s probably the most common question you’re asked, I can’t resist repeating it. What separates you from Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Andre Brown?”
Ware: “I think we all are great backs, but of course I have the confidence in myself to believe that I have great ability running between the tackles, catching the ball out of the backfield, and of course in pass protection.”
Benton: “In recent years, fans have been extremely critical of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride despite the offensive success. How much work does he put in on a daily basis and as a player in his offense, do you feel like he’s making the correct calls?”
Ware: “I think he makes the correct calls. Sometimes people expect him to do one thing and he does the other and it makes him look bad but he makes an educated decision every time. He spends a lot of time studying, breaking down the defenses and putting together the best combination’s to be successful.”
Benton: “There will be a lot of competition this coming season, but now that you’re fully healthy, where do you see yourself landing in the running back committee in 2010 and beyond?”
Ware: “I see myself landing somewhere in the middle. I’m working hard to increase my game so hopefully it will be a big year for me.”
Benton: “Speaking of your injury, what was your mentality when you returned from the dislocated elbow last season? Were you a bit more hesitant or did you just jump right back in head first without any further thought?”
Ware: “I was a little hesitant. It took me a couple weeks to forget about it and once I did, it was time for me to be a force again.”
Benton: “Which NFL running back, past or present, do you think most parallels your running style and form?”
Ware: “Eddie George—because of his size and the way we run.”
Benton: “As a young player, who do you see as your biggest mentor in the locker room?”
Ware: “Brandon Jacobs because he’s a leader and knows how to communicate with people. He doesn’t get under your skin and knows how to effectively give advice.”
Benton: “It may be hard for some people to believe, but we’ve heard Eli Manning is quite the prankster. Has he ever pulled one over on you?”
Ware: “The only thing he’s ever done to me is put soap on my towel and after I got out I had soap all over me again.”
Benton: “As I was growing up, it seemed like athletes really valued their privacy and preferred to distance themselves from the fans. Here is the 21st century, however, it seems like you’re all hopping on the Twitter and Facebook bandwagon(s). Why do you think that is? And how much have you enjoyed the daily interaction with fans?”
Ware: “It’s cool to let people see sides that they don’t usually get to see. It’s nice to give them the opportunity to have them follow us and have them see what it really takes to be an athlete and play this game. It’s nice to share that with them.”
On behalf of Giants 101, I would like to thank D.J. Ware for taking the time to answer some questions. We wish him the best of luck this year and moving forward.
Please be sure to check out both his Facebook page and his Twitter page.
*SimonGC and Sean Carroll also contributed to this interview.*
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I thought I might have been the head McClain cheer leader in these parts. But I have been quite about it because I dont think he’ll make it to 15. Kind of resigned to that reality.
However, I am still interested in the results of his “pro-day”.
If he had a bad hammy, I wonder just how fast he might be even today. But I think unless he run’s a 5.5 he will most likely be gone. The other worry is that Weatherspoon will be history too by the time Jerry and crew select.
That would be really depressing, because as much as I love McClain, I really like the attitude and spirit of Spoon.
Plus, he has the look/cut of an excellent linebacker.
I really hope the Giants land one of those two. As for Spikes, I think he is being underated (press and scouts) because of his “40″ time. I really think the guy is a natural leader, and had the “football speed” to make an impact. I would not object to Spikes because he too like McClain and Weatherspoon is a winner. He just doesnt measure up to Mc, or Spoon, in the drills
(even thought McClain’s measurables are not public yet”.
I am still rooting for Linval Joseph and Micha Johnson. I feel they are real value guys who can (with good coaching) be very strong players. Also, the OT Vandeerhe???? Not sure of his name but everyone will know him soon at 6’9″ 320 and able to play either tackle position.
Right now its just wait and see about McClain, and wonder if he is a player that JR thinks enough of to try and move for. Although Mia. may not be in the running, they just lost one backer, and Channing is kind of injury prone, not to mention smallish. Parcells collects linebackers, he just loves em.
Dansby might be a good mentor for McClain or Weatherspoon.
Great Interview guys! Didn’t expect that kind of stuff but definitley adds something to the blog. I really like DJ. Hopefully he can stay healthy and prove some worth this year…especially if what he says is true about catching the ball out of the backfield. Shows some character and class.
Say McClain runs a 4.7. 4.8 – or worse – at his pro day today.
If he falls to 15, should the Giants take him? Me, I’m not so sure. I’ve seen enough of slow linebackers in the middle of our defense getting fricasseed by backs and tight ends to last me a lifetime, thank you very much. If the Giants are going to grab a MLB at 15 (a prospect that I’m not all that keen on, as any regular G101 readers already know) they should at least do so with an eye toward injecting more speed at that position. i.e Spoon.
Another red flag (to me) re: McClain is that dude already weights 260 lbs at the tender age of 20. Meaning a few years down the road he’ll likely be about 10 lbs heavier and just that much slower. I guess the bright side of that equation is that Krow will be able to recycle his collection of AP jokes for another decade or so.
Most NFL dudes lose 10 or more pounds during the course of the season. Also Mc Clain is no baby huey. Very low body fat. He could be 250 by the end of training camp. And that aint too big. That’s just about right (Harry was 252, LT was 247 Banks was 250 and Pepper and Reasons were 255)
Folks are downing him because he’s not flashy. He’s just smooth, Technically sound and effective. Guess thats not good enough.
McClain isnt fat though.. Hes ripped to shredds.
And I saw him beat Jeff Demps to the edge, thats enough for me to not care about his speed.
But if I were a betting man, Id say 4.67-70. Inside that area
Samard,
Have you posted your post-Combine position rankings yet? If so, I missed ‘em and would greatly appreciate a re-post.
Just curious if there were any significant moves up or down your value board based on some of the performances at the Combine.
Specifically, I was curious as to how a player’s decision not to participate in certain drills at the Combine affected your ranking of him.
This is the question I keep coming back to when thinking about the whole McClain situation. I mean, dude was pretty much the consensus #1 LB pre-combine but then decided to opt out of the 40 and wait for his pro-day where the times are frequently aided by “home field advantage.” Meanwhile, Spoon comes into Indy, tears sh!t up and makes the case that he should be the #1 LB on value boards. Is that really enough to make the case that Weatherspoon should be considered above McClain? O was the pre-Combine gap between the two large enough to offset what took place in Indianapolis?
norm, havent posted them, doing some tweeking and Im rewatching some games. But this is what I have so far. Its top 15 in every position except for OG/C and QB.
Btw, the Cs are on sheet 2 in OG/C
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BzLQEuP2RvQ7ZjYwMjk2ODAtZTdjNi00M2ZhLWFiMzktNmY3MWI2MmE3Zjk5&hl=en
I still have McClain as the #1MLB. Spoon is ranked as an OLB. Havent started on the Big Board yet.
UPDATE UP TOP
Just remember Giant fans, Ware came out of the University of Georgia.
I think you got a pretty good back out of there a few years ago. Rodney Hampton’s name ring a bell?