Loading ...When the Giants drafted two freakishly athletic but admittedly raw defensive linemen in the first round, GM Jerry Reese tried to soothe a confused fan base (“another DE?!”) by explaining that the value in both picks were long draws. Sure, they might not jump right onto the field in 2010 and blow everybody away; but with a little patience and coaching the Giants thought they might have a couple of near-superstars on their hands in a few years.
Well, so much for that.
Early reports from training camp indicate that both Linval Joseph and Jason Pierre-Paul are excelling at this point. While a few early training camp practices certainly don’t mean these guys are ready to go, it’s a good sign for fans who were hoping that such immense athletic ability would help these guys overcome any “rawness” that might hold them back. Moreover, both seem to have avoided some of the silly pratfalls (showing up overweight; not learning the playbook) that often befall rookies, especially the “raw” ones.
Pierre-Paul especially was expected to be slowplayed into the lineup. He could certainly use some time to let technique catch up to talent, and the Giants have a fantastic DE rotation in front of him in the meantime. But JPP, whose draft-day selection made even the usually Stonewall Jackson-like Reese giddy like a teenage girl with a pony, has been tossing people around in the early goings of camp. All reports from camp indicate he’s beaten some starters while making backup O-linemen look silly, while using both speed and bull-rushes.
I know it’s just camp, but that is impressive for a guy who most expected to start making an impact next year. It’s a great weapon to have lurking behind your top 3, especially if one of Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka or Osi Umenyiora goes down. Speaking of Kiwanuka, he’s been (much to everyone’s surprise) taking reps at linebacker. Does that have anything to do with JPP’s emergence? We’ll see.
Joseph was also reputed to be raw, but not to the extent of JPP, and most expected some kind of contribution from the big-boy this year. I mean heck, if you have bona-fide NT size and athleticism, you can throw your weight around on any football field. In camp he’s both swallowed up runs and gotten to the passer (I wonder if Shaun O’Hara would have anything to say about that). Linval’s readiness, it would be a huge shot in the arm for a DT unit that’s nursing Jay Alford back to full strength and carrying the mostly useless Rocky Bernard. If Joseph were ready to go right out of the gate, he could easily find himself as the first DT off the bench to spell both Barry Cofield and Chris Canty, and could help reestablish physical, “beat-your-man” toughness to the middle of the DL.
Cue the anti-Coughlin rhetoric: he’s an old, crotchety curmudgeon who will never give these rookies a shot. Well, possibly. But on the other hand, at least these kids are on the defensive side of the ball, and Fewell should get to move his chess pieces around as he pleases. Secondly, it’s not like these kids would be entrusted with starting roles (barring injury).
But nevertheless, these two “freakishly” athletic premium draft picks bring to this D-line exactly what it lacked last year: healthy, youthful, physicality. Keep an eye on them in preseason, when full pads are on and the offensive linemen they are going against are wearing different uniforms. If they look like they belong, that’s one step closer to being ready to go.
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I tell you, I set out to write nice quick posts and they end up like these essays. And on top of that, none of youse guys even read them!
I read ‘em, Simon.
:-)
I read em. Good job. Now fix the first sentence! ;)
i read ‘em too. Good writeup.
I had my eyes on both these kids at camp. I came out thinking the same thing and I also stated in previous threads. These kids will see the field this year.
From Ralph V:
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said after this morning’s practice that Phillips will not play in Monday night’s preseason opener against the Jets. Coughlin said there is time before the Sept. 12 season opener for Phillips to earn a starting spot. He was with the second team this morning. He will not practice tonight and is being limited to one practice per day. Coughlin was pleased with what he saw from Phillips. He seemed to be running and cutting with no difficulty.
Why on earth does this guy have to earn a starting spot? Hopefully that was a poor translation for “prove he is healthy enough to start”
The fewer players out there against the over-compensating Jets the better.
Jacobs promised he’d have a T-shirt for us. Did he ever: “Free 17. Let him ball.” #nyg
Not one to say too much good about Rocky Bernard, I have to admit that he looks BIG and in shape. I’ve been sort of dogging him… trying to get a line. Reports of his demise are premature… IMHO. Maybe he’s gotten the message.
he did look big and in shape out there. He looked pretty determined to play his heart out and have the last word to all the “naysayers” out there.
I think he will have a much better year if/when he gets his reps.
I hate to say this… But I think Alford gets cut.
Seriously? You think they’d cut him rather than carry 5 DTs?
On another note, what a nice problem to have!
it is a nice problem to have. But him missing reps out there is to Linval’s advantage and Rocky’s Advantage.
His one advantage for not being cut is his longsnapping. But he can’t do that if he’s not on the field.
It’s either him or Rocky and so far Rocky is having a better camp than Alford is. They may want to carry more LB’s or DB’s.. .
we’ll see.
SCARROL im lookin for that fantasy invite bro. Wat up!!!??
jc -
One word: racism.
# NJ_Giants Safeties coach Dave Merritt said Phillips snuck into the 4-minute drill. But praised KP for jogging off after 2 reps per period. #nyg
Repost:
From CBSSportsline.com
“Madison Hedgecock vs. Jerome Johnson for the starting fullback spot — Although Hedgecock, the six-year pro, is expected to win this battle, Johnson has been quietly proving to be more than just camp fodder. The 6-1, 265-pound Johnson has looked very fluid going out for passes and has caught everything thrown his way, unlike the 6-3, 266-pound Hedgecock, who continued to be inconsistent in that regard. The Giants haven’t really had the luxury of a pass-receiving fullback in quite some time, as the position’s primary responsibility has always been to block. The Hedgecock can win the battle if in the preseason games he shows that he has the power and strength to fend off defensive ends as he did so regularly in 2007 and 2008.”
I have long argued this weakness in Hedgecock’s game makes him a weaknees if he’s not blocking at an elite level. Does Johnson really have a chance to unseat Hedgecock?
So… the last practice I was at the person with me remarked, “who the hell is that beast?”. It was Johnson. He’s a real wide-body.
Interesting. I think with the other weapons we have a FB that can catch could make a lot of cheap yards on swing passes. I’m going to pay close attention to him in preseason. I still doubt they cut Hedgecock but do you think there’s any chance he makes the team and we carry 4 RBs, 2 FBs & 3 TEs? Or even just 3 RBs?
# NJ_Giants Beatty says he’s fine after getting the Moe Howard treatment from Tollefson. Will practice tonight. #nyg
Nothing warms my heart as much as seeing some desperate scrub hurt a potential starter.
BBG– No shot Alford gets cut. If his knee ain’t ready to go he’ll get IR’d before he gets cut.
Of course Rocky Bernard is working his **** off to stick around, have you seen his salary? With all the DE’s that get time at DT in this defense, I can’t imagine Bernard sticking around if everyone in front of him at DT stays healthy..
IR’d two years in a row? Maybe so. It just doesn’t help Alfords stock.
I dont see Rocky going anywhere.
Interesting question:
Don’t you have to waive someone before putting them on IR?
What percentage of teams actually snag a player during that process?
I think you’re right. Just like Hixon, who went through waivers.
I could see someone putting in a claim for Alford…
I don’t think you cut someone with Alford upside. The PUP list maybe. Maybe even IR if his knee is not responding but regardless I just don’t see Alford going anywhere.
I think Rocky is in trouble even with the slow recovery of Alford if someone like Bryant plays well and shows something on special teams. Its quite possible that the 4th DT doesn’t dress bc of the DEs playing DTs on long yardage downs. So why pay 4 Mil for that type of player?
The only players who can go on PUP are those who were placed there at the start of camp. With KP’s activation, Kevin Booth is the only player eligible for regular season PUP.
Oh. Yeah that is true TOGM, I totally forgot. That’s what happen with several players last year, we couldn’t PUP them. So that does put Alford in some question. However, I think that with our top 3 and the DEs playing DT in passing situations that we could let Alford heal while being on the roster for several weeks. Considering this PUP info I think I makes it even harder for Rocky to make the team unless we carry 5 DTs. With Rocky’s salary if Alford shows that he will be healthy within the 4-6 weeks I think we will cut Rocky.