Draft talk and assumptions dominate today's LTTE.
This is just some thoughts that came to mind and may be a bit old fashioned but I did want to say it.I know that football is a business and I can't blame the players and agents for getting as much money as they can. What I don't understand is their lack of respect for the game itself and the fans as well as themselves. They have a rare opportunity to play on a national stage and to demonstrate what a true professional really is. Most of the players do that but the few that earn headlines off the field do an injustice to the others as well as their families and the fans.
Another beef I have is I understand a player making a play(mostly defensive) to be excited but to demonstrate like he just created the world is outrageous. If I remember correctly as he should, isn't he getting paid to make those plays? And at a hefty salary! I know, I know, I'm old fashioned but it goes with my age(ha ha) -- Frank A.
Frank, are you referring to the Bryant McKinnie dissing of the Pro Bowl or something else? Because quite frankly, a lot of the players do respect the game and the fans; you just hear about a small handful of numbskulls who think they’re above all rules and regulations.
And yes, players are being paid to make plays, but what’s wrong with showing a little emotion over a job well done? I mean, I am paid to write articles and there have been more than a few occasions where something I’ve written has been a huge hit and I’ve gone onto celebrate my success. With that said, though, I know you’re only as good as your last accomplishment, so I don’t rest of my laurels. The same could be said for many more players than you think.
I know you hate to talk about the draft and I agree that things change during draft. However i like to scout an research prospects each year. I watched the senior bowl Saturday and fell in love with a plyer who would look great in blue. Keep your eye on DT Dan Williams. He has a great first step and was pushing the OL back consistently. what a great motor as he was near or involved in most plays. He played alonside Cody a lot and was better. If he is there at 15, he would be a wonderful pick! – Chris H.
Thanks Chris. However, I’m continuing to pass on all and any draft talk until about 2 weeks before the draft.
Bad moves 2009 offseason: While most bad moves focus on who the Giants acquired last offseason, part of the assessment is who the Giants did not resign and let go. Historically, I have always felt the Giants have done a below average job in resigning their talent. In past years, Chad Bradski, Dan Campbell and K. Mitchell come to mind (the latter was a problem in 2008 because the G-Men had little pass rush from LBs and Mitchell was there best pass rushing LB in 2007). This past year, Derrick Ward, and James Butler come to mind. Both guys were missed dearly.
I might add that the lost of both cost the Giants about 2 games. Ward would have been a big bonus in the middle of the year when Bradshaw was banged up. Butler, as slow as he was, was a decent centerfielder who could intercept a deep pass from time to time. You cant tell me that he would not have batted down a pass to Jackson in that stupid touchdown of the Eagles game. My grade is C- in making the right call to resign people. Just a little too cheap for me. What's your grade? – Phil H.
Phil, as I’ve stated a gazillion times before, it takes two sides to make a contract happen. Dan Campbell WANTED to leave, regardless of the money being offered (which as I recall was actually more than what Dallas offered him). Then you had guys looking for astronomical rates that would have blown out (or is it ‘blowed out’ – help! Emmitt?) the salary cap structure.
To assess any kind of “grade” based on who stayed and who left is an exercise in futility because you don’t know both sides of the story. In the case of James Butler, would he have been “missed dearly” if Kenny Phillips hadn’t been hurt? I doubt it.
As for our take on the Giants 2009 personnel, check out the forthcoming January 2010 issue. For those not subscriers, it will be available as a single issue just as soon as I can set it up on PayPal, hopefully by the end of today. (I strongly recommend a subscription as it will be a lot cheaper, and the monies reecived help support our web site, this blog and our overall coverage.)
