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In My Humble Opinion
41

Ward is a #2 WR? You, sir, are crazy, or you’ve been watching the Colts too much. He had a down year this year and STILL got almost a thousand yards and eleven TDs. “Tall, field-stretching” guys are 2s and 3s with a few notable exceptions; guys who know how to get open to catch as many balls as their team needs in a given week, can block for the run game, have a knack for the first down or TD, these are your number ones, and Ward is all of these things. He is a legit #1 WR and is top ten or fifteen in the league, IMO, especially given his consistency and how well he fits on that team.

From an outsider’s perspective, I agree with most of the rest of what you’ve got, though. I imagine the myriad other Steeler fans here will have something to say about it if they drop by.

42

Michael Huff is now officially my favorite player going into the combine. Talk about noble aspirations:

I want Chicago to draft him just so I can grab some pancakes!

43

When I say “#1” receiver, I don’t mean “the best on the team”…I was referring to the position. Plaxico Burress was a #1 receiver, and Ward was the 2. You can also use X and Y. When Burress was there, he was the “1”, even though Ward was obviously the better receiver. The 1 WR typically runs the field stretching routes, the fades in the end zone, etc…while the 2 runs the hook, short crosses, etc. Ward is better suited to run the short and middle routes while someone else burns downfield and takes the jump balls.

44

'kay, I misunderstood what you were saying, likely because I’m not used to thinking about a passing offense that way. “Field-stretching guy” is all too often a euphemism for “he’s really fast”, and not necessarily a guy you’d want even as one of your top two receivers. Especially since you can count the WRs who are tall, fast, and skilled in the league right now on one hand.

45

Actually, that’d be X and Z. Y is the slot/tight end. I don’t know that I’ve ever really heard of the flanker/split end being called the 1 and 2 in that context, though, expect maybe in a Madden play.

46

I think this is backwards, it is certainly opposite to what my HS Football team used and opposite what Madden uses.

The X is the strongside split end. (Think T.O., Plaxico, Moose Muhammad, Rod Smith)
The Y is the weakside split end. (Think Hines Ward, Darrell Jackson, Jerry Porter, Reggie Wayne)
The Z is the slot/flanker lined up off the line of scrimmage. (Think Randle El, Stokley, Curtis,)

The Tight End and H-Back positions typically aren’t refered to using those designations, though certain plays are sometimes run from different personnel packages requiring the overlap.

47

I’m not sure what you’re saying that I have backwards. All I’m saying is the two primary receivers are traditionally X and Z, not X and Y – I didn’t mean to assign 1 to flanker and 2 to split end, as I was saying that doesn’t usually happen either way. I’m sure it varies from team to team, but in a two receiver set, Y would mean the tight end. In a three receiver set, Y would mean the slot guy.

You’d think it was easier to find a decent diagram of this; but it really isn’t. Here and here show the general idea, if you can read the guy’s X, Y, and Z. Like I said, I’m sure different coaches have different terminology.

48

I’m not sure what you’re saying that I have backwards. All I’m saying is the two primary receivers are traditionally X and Z, not X and Y – I didn’t mean to assign 1 to flanker and 2 to split end, as I was saying that doesn’t usually happen either way. I’m sure it varies from team to team, but your breakdown doesn’t mesh with the traditional view. In a two receiver set, Y would mean the tight end. In a three receiver set, Y would mean the slot guy.

You’d think it was easier to find a decent diagram of this; but it really isn’t. Here and here show the general idea, if you can read the guy’s X, Y, and Z. Like I said, I’m sure different coaches have different terminology.

49

Well fuck my flanker, how’d I do that?

50

My point is that the designations X and Y are typically the ends, meaning the receivers who line up on the line of scrimmage. The Z is the flanker (a.k.a. slot), lining up off the line of scrimmage.

The system dictates which is liable to be the most productive WR or who is the first option most frequently, but I’m pointing out that the Y is not typically a slot player. Occasionally he may be a tight end, but as stated most pro systems use the X,Y and Z classifications for wide-outs not TEs.

51

As quoted on ESPN.com here.

I don’t like the Jets, but if they take anyone but him they are retarded. There’s a rumor that they are the ones trying to make a trade with the Texans in order to grab Leinart which is interesting. Still, here’s to hoping that Cutler doesn’t end up in Detroit. I wonder why more people aren;t slotting Cutler in for the Titans with Norm Chow? Assuming Leinart is gone, he seems a better fit with him than Young does.

52

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I’ll be back to do the Giants later.

Ain’t it great when you stumble across a thread chock full of stuff you can’t wait to read? I feel like it’s my birthday.

53

Let me use this opportunity to complain about the MVP last year. Most people pointed to the fact that Tiki came out of the game on the goal line, which meant he was less valuable than Alexander. But Tiki is not only one of the better pass catching backs in the league, he’s also one of the the better pass blocking backs in the league. During Superbowl week all I kept hearing about was how Alexander was a liability in the passing game; not the greatest (though not terrible) hands, but completely incompetent in pass blocking, meaning that he was virtually never on the field on any 3rd down longer than 2 yards. That’s the more valuable player? Give me a friggin’ break. Anyway…

Okay, this is as if I’m the GM. I don’t predict Ernie Accorsi’s roster moves well at all; in fact I’ve never once predicted a move correctly. But I’ll mix in some thoughts on what I think they’ll do.

Because I’m me, I’ll be tackling this differently than the format you guys have been using.

Salary Cap

We’re $3 million under the cap, and one of the main franchises that is balking at the increased revenue sharing. For good reason, IMO, as I don’t see the logic behind the small franchises’ demands. They say that the bigger market teams get more money from their local media contracts, which they do. They then say – and this is insane from my point of view – that they want the numbers that determine the cap to include those local media deals. They then say that because the new cap will include those monies, said monies should be shared. What the fuck?

How about instead of all this ridiculous idiocy that the big market teams are guaranteed to balk at, you actually address the competitive imbalance by instituting a coaches salary cap? You don’t deserve money from the local contracts outside of your market, but you are correct in that those local deals should NOT provide a competitive advantage, which they currently do by allowing big market teams to spend truckloads of money on the best coaches. The whole thing is a clusterfuck with an obvious solution that I’ve not seen mentioned anywhere except by Cris Collinsworth on Inside the NFL in the middle of last season. (Or was it the season before?)

Anyway, back to the Giants, we were $10 million under the cap at this point last year with no first round pick to suck up at least a million, so we won’t be able to make a big splash in free agency. Not a big deal, as all the free agents we picked up last year are here to stay and quite productive. Good job Ernie, you stoopid imgrate. (Giants.com inside joke.)

Free Agency

Since we cannot pick up big-time impact players this year, I think we should spend free agency picking up a little depth and then wait for the draft.

The Giants are traditionally enamored of opposing (backup) quarterbacks that beat us; Tim Hasselback, Kurt Kittner, Kurt Warner, etc… We currently have zero depth at QB behind Eli, which I suspect is by design: with nobody good enough to mount a QB controversy with Eli, it takes the pressure off the young franchise QB. So who should we get? Jeff Garcia. He orchestrated one of the biggest Giants losses in history. He is an experienced veteran, which we don’t have and which we desperately need, IMO. (Eli has more experience than both other QBs on the roster combined.) He lost his starting job last year in a fight with Joey Harrington. So he’s experienced, cheap, and was once good. That’s what you want in a backup QB.

I would also like to pick up Pete Hunter, but that’s another one of those guys that I like but nobody else does. (See also: Josh Evans and Pete Kendall. I don’t want them, but I alone like them.) Anyway, more on the cornerbacks later.

Also, we need a solid veteran backup DT and safety.

Trades

I never have any idea, but I’m fairly sure that we won’t do any trading of our draft picks. Ernie’s been aggressive in recent years, trading up in the first round twice: once for Eli and once for Shockey. Both of which were good acquisitions, but only having four picks in last year’s draft must have left an awful taste in the front office’s mouth. And with no players looking like good trade-bait, I think we should and will just stand pat.

Offensive Depth

Every single starter on offense – including Toomer – is fine. They should start the exact same team they started last season, and they’ll continue to be a top 5 offense. But some areas of depth could be addressed.

As I already said, we need a veteran QB who isn’t good enough to challenge Eli, and Garcia fits that bill.

Keep the fragile Jamaar Taylor and cut loose the even more fragile Tim Carter. Taylor is younger, taller, and cheaper. Case closed. We have a habit of carrying as many wide receivers as offensive linemen; I’d love to see that trend change.

Shiancoe is a question mark as to whether he’ll re-sign, but I think he should and will.

Brandon Jacobs needs to learn how to pass block. I like him as a feature back, and hopefully he’ll feel motivated to learn how to block in the near future. My fantasy team be damned, I want Jacobs to get 100 carries this season. I guess if we want to keep carrying four backs, Derrick Ward is plenty good enough, but goddammit bump Jacobs up ahead of him on the depth chart. He’s 6’4" 265 pounds! Fucking learn to block! (Ward is a much better pass blocker than Jacobs, and Tiki is better still.)

We cut Jason Whittle just recently; apparently he was a Wellington Mara favorite, who is reported to have said he would be disappointed if Whittle was cut. With the Duke out of the picture, so is Jason. So we need another backup. Which leads me to wonder aloud about Coughlin’s philosophy regarding OL depth. All last season we had EIGHT offensive linemen on the roster, and never dressed more than SEVEN. WTF? We lost three guys in one game, but since the coaches were frantically trying to teach a DL how to block on the sideline, the third guy injured was forced to stay in after we were forced to call a timeout to deal with his broken nose. I’m thinking we should pick up two guys to replace Whittle, but that’s just me and my crazy ideas.

Special Teams

Chad Morton looks like he’ll re-sign, which is fantastic. I’ve always felt that the #3 RB was the ideal guy to do kickoff and punt returns, because it takes care of three roster needs with one roster position. Morton is worth his weight in gold by providing just this service.

David Tyree is a phenom on 'teams coverage, and plenty good enough to fill the dregs of the WR slots. (#4 or #5.) He will be re-signed shortly. Willie Ponder is gone, which is funny because he was still a top 3 return man in the league several weeks after he’d been benched. Special teams is a refreshingly strong point for the Giants these days.

Rumor has it that Jeff Feagles won’t retire. It could have something to do with the $1,000 call girls I keep sending to his house every week.

Jay Feeley had his one awful game last season, which ended up not mattering. He was perfect when it counted, not missing a single kick in the playoffs. ::sigh::

Defense

DL: All four defensive ends are solid. Keep Strahan, Umenyiora, Tuck (who is a beast) and Moore, and I’ll be a happy guy. The interior of the line is in flux. We cut Robbins, but the big worry is that Clancy – who was a stud for us when paired with Joseph – is balking in contract negotiations. Straighten that out and keep him. After that, pick up two defensive tackles; one on the first day of the draft, and one in free agency. I have no idea who.

LB: We must have gone through 100 linebackers last year. (Roman Phifer? Alonzo Jackson?! Fuck.) Pierce is coming back, as are Emmons and Torbor to round out a solid three starters. Chase Blackburn is a solid backup to Pierce. Greisen is going to be another Troy Brown, allowed to test free agency and then come back when nobody wants to start him. He can back up all three positions. Actually, all our linebackers are pretty good at all three positions, which is nice. We already cut Green, thank god, so we only really need one warm body. Spend a second day pick on an OLB and we’re set.

CB: Ugh. It would be nice if Peterson didn’t suffer a broken back two years in a row, but it’s time to face the fact that it’s career-ending. So we have to re-sign Allen, promote Webster to a starting role, hold onto Deloatch and pick up another CB on the first day of the draft. I’d love to see us bring in Pete Hunter to compete with Frank Walker for the final cornerback spot.

Safeties: Oddly, most of our safeties play either side pretty much equally well. Shaun Williams will be gone, as will Brent Alexander, so we need a safety on day 1 of the draft. Butler is a backup, although Gibril Wilson continues to be pretty good.

Draft

On day one, we need a safety, a defensive tackle, and a cornerback. On day two, we need a linebacker, an offensive lineman, and a receiver to compete with Taylor; ideally another Tyree type.

54

Now, I haven’t been reading too much of the details about the negotiations, but…

This makes perfect sense from the perspective of the small markets. By including more monies in the revenue sharing the small market team get more money. Whether it’s fair or not, I won’t say, but if you buy the concept of true revenue sharing then this is perfectly logical. If you believe in revenue sharing, you should share all the revenues. In contrast, I understand why the big markets don’t want to give up their local Tv revenues. The logic for both is pretty obvious, it just depends on which dogma you buy into.

[/quote]
How about instead of all this ridiculous idiocy that the big market teams are guaranteed to balk at, you actually address the competitive imbalance by instituting a coaches salary cap? You don’t deserve money from the local contracts outside of your market, but you are correct in that those local deals should NOT provide a competitive advantage, which they currently do by allowing big market teams to spend truckloads of money on the best coaches. The whole thing is a clusterfuck with an obvious solution that I’ve not seen mentioned anywhere except by Cris Collinsworth on Inside the NFL in the middle of last season. (Or was it the season before?)

[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure people are really arguing that there’s a competitive imbalance, are they? I don’t think any NFL teams would feel a salary pinch (except maybe Arizona, but they’re probably fine too) by spending a Redskinesque $12 million on coaches. That’s money they can easily afford. This is nothing but a red herring if they actually are arguing it.

In the end it just comes down to profits, not competitive balance, and the smaller market teams obviously feel like they deserve total revenue sharing while the big market teams don’t. I could make a solid argument for both sides, which usually means that the impass has the potential to be a serious one.

55

If anyone’s interested here’s a ESPN.com link to a page that lists every teams Salary Cap numbers going into cut day today.

56

the ramifications of this labor dispute are pretty big. does the nfl think they’re so big and so popular that they’re beyond all the troubles that other sports have had? 'm not saying they’d have to rewrite rules like the NHL, but with the wonderful public face that terrell owens has for the NFL, some would argue, i can see some people giving up on the overpaid crybabies.

i think this year’s draft is going to have some fun deals. i see the jets taking d’brickshaw ferguson…i just do. and dammit, if he slides that far, i want me a cutler. if the lions can slither their way up, i think we should do it

i mean, reggie bush isn’t even a need at number one, but they’re saying he’s a “can’t miss” prospect.

so bush goes at 1 to the texans, who don’t really need a running back…do they trade domanick davis? do they throw bush in to relieve him? something fish still has to happen with this draft order. it makes more sense for the jets to move up and get leinart/bush with the number one or two pick.

something tells me that the texans trade this pick. but with whom? the saitns don’t need a running back. the titans could use one, but what would they give up? their first round pick and maybe one or two more picks? then that leaves the texans looking at a quarterback…perhaps at ferguson (which wouldn’t be a bad move at all). i don’t think the raiders are moving up. they’ll take defense, because their defense is wretched. the bills wouldn’t trade to move up either…and neither would the lions. the cardinals might be the wild card. they’d have to give up a bucketful of picks and possibly one of their young recievers to get that first pick. because of this, i see the texans trading their first pick to the jets or the cardinals, however the jets want to do what the giants did a couple years ago with eli. i can see them really getting overboard with what they’ll pay…like the giants.

cutler stays at 9th for my lions to take.

anyone got a feel for what the packers might take? they could use a few things, but outside of mario williams, who they’re slated to take, i haven’t seen.

57

If that’s the case, then it’s mighty convenient for the smaller market teams that they aren’t including stadium debt into their profit equations like the Patriots et al have to do. (Soon to be including the Giants & Jets.)

It would basically make a strong disincentive to be a stand-up franchise that pays for their own stadium without using taxpayer money. Which, in my book, sucks big moose dick.

58

Here’s what I predict will happen.

The Jets trade with Houston for the #1 pick, giving up the #4 and either a player or a 3rd rounder.

#1 N.Y. Jets - Matt Leinart
#2 New Orleans - Reggie Bush[sup]1[/sup]
#3 Tennessee - Jay Cutler[sup]2[/sup]
#4 Houston - D’Brickshaw Ferguson[sup]3[/sup]
#5 Green Bay - Mario Williams
#6 San Fransisco - Michael Huff[sup]4[/sub]
#7 Oakland - Vince Young
#8 Buffalo - Vernon Davis
#9 Detroit - Haloti Ngata

1 - This is the question mark. The Saints are targeting Leinart and if the Jets leapfrog them for him, it’ll be interesting to see if they fall back to Bush or stick with the QB gameplan. It all depends if they have soured on Vince Young or not, if they are high on him you can expect to see him go here, other wise they take Bush or someone trades up to take Bush in this spot.

2 - This is another caveat pick. Tennessee is taking a QB for certain, I think they should take Cutler, but if they are still high on Vince…well you know the drill.

3 - This is who the Texans should want above all else. They need him. It’s true that he might not be worth a #1, but if the Texans are confident that he’ll slide past the Titans and Saints this is the perfect scenario.

4 - Now…Bear with me here. I don’t predict that this will happen, but god damn it makes me giddy to imagine. The Niners have lots of holes to fill and will be looking to trade down for additional picks. The perfect suitor is the one who really loves Vernon Davis. That team should be Da Bears. It’s a perfect fit, and the Bears have some potentially juicy assets to offer. My dream is that they dangle Cedric Benson, but that’s unlikely. Still…I’m drooling here.

59

but why would the saints take reggie bush? if bush ends up “falling” to them, i can see them trading the pick as well.
personally, i think the jets, if they get the first pick need to take bush. he’s got the star power and it’ll push the giants off the back page of the newspapers.

there’s no way vince young falls THAT far, if at all.

i agree with the ferguson pick and everything you said about it. he’s what the texans need right now.
oakland won’t take a quarterback. for some reason, they like andrew walter (they drafted him last year) they NEED the defense.

are you saying aj hawk slides past oakland, green bay, AND detroit?

it looks like the top ten is pretty much set, except for order…personnel-wise, it looks pretty solid. it’s just how a trade might go down, and with this labor argument that’s taking place, someone could be looking to dump a big salary (ray lewis?) to move up.

60

cutler is going to be wearing honolulu blue and silver, and you know it.

you just don’t want to see it twice a year.

…alllthough i wouldn’t mind getting ngata…but i’d rather take gabe watson/rodrique wright/i can’t remember his name right now but he’s a pretty beefy defensive lineman early in the second round.

i go to class now.