Prospect Profiles are back, with today’s feature on Stanford tight end Coby Fleener. Fleener is one of the top tight ends in this year’s crop, mostly alternating between one or two now thanks in part to Georgia product Orson Charles’s recent DUI. Fleener is such an intriguing prospect because of his combination of size and playmaking ability, as well as his substantial experience in a pro style offense while at Stanford.
Take a closer look after the jump.
Donald Miralle/Getty Images
It was strictly a business move.
Unable to reach an agreement on a reduced salary, the Giants terminated the contract of Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs, 29, wanted to return to the Giants, but the Giants did not want to pay his $4.4 million salary. Jacobs had a $500,000 roster bonus coming his way on March 17th and a $100,000 workout bonus. By letting the burly back go, the Giants gave given themselves $5 million in salary cap relief.
Giants fans know that Ahmad Bradshaw is the Giants starter and future at running back. Essentially, Bradshaw replaced Jacobs as the starter in 2010 and hasn’t looked back. The combo formed an impressive duo during their four years together on the Giants, but both the Giants and Jacobs are ready to move on.
Jacobs’ intense demeanor will be missed, but his inability to run ‘north-and-south’ on a consistent basis, will not. The question becomes–who sets up and takes Jacobs’ 151 vacant carries? Plus Bradshaw doesn’t have the cleanest bill of health in the league. People questioned the Giants letting Steve Smith go last year. Those same people are probably questioning the Jacobs move, but it’s all a part of the plan.
GreenvilleOnline.com
Given Allen’s ability at the tight end position and the high demand for a tight end at the moment, he would be an ideal mix of value and need at the end of round one.
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As the 2012 NFL Draft approaches following the Giants’ Super XLVI victory, a safety could once again be on the team’s list of targets – similar to the 2008 Draft following the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII victory, in which they drafted Kenny Phillips.
That brings us to today’s Prospect Profile, safety Harrison Smith out of Notre Dame. While not without athletic ability, he lacks the top athleticism of other safety prospects. But the strength of Smith’s game lies in his fundamental soundness. He is a well-rounded and solid football player, who does everything well and is excellent in his execution. Let’s see if he’s a good fit after the jump.
National Football Post
This past season as a whole (specifically the NFC Championship game) revealed to the masses that the Giants’ offensive line needs help going forward. But let’s look at it from another angle, and not overreact to one game that featured the NFL’s best front seven. For long stretches during the year and especially towards the start of the season, the offensive line was terrible. To me, this is partly because of injuries and a short training camp. An injury to Will Beatty at left tackle forced David Diehl to play two positions – and with a broken hand, too. The rushing attack was atrocious thanks slightly to Ahmad Bradshaw’s ineffective play because of a persistent foot injury, as well as Brandon Jacobs being unhappy. Finally, with a shuffling lineup up front and a brand new anchor in the middle (David Baas) it made jelling as a collective unit difficult. Tack on a shortened training camp with much less time to come together and difficulties should have been expected along the way. It wasn’t until much later in the year (later than we liked) when this unit really began to click – when a rapport was built weeks after it normally would/could/should have been.
In the past three Drafts they’ve in total drafted three linemen (two tackles, one guard): Beatty, Mitch Petrus and James Brewer. Center David Baas just signed a 5-year/$27-mil. deal. Veterans Diehl and Chris Snee are in the team’s short-term plans. Sixth man Kevin Boothe is coming off of a strong season in which he played every position along the line except tight end.
To me, it seems Big Blue has good pieces in place along the offensive line – the only lingering question mark is right tackle Kareem McKenzie. Reports are emerging that the 33-year-old will most likely not be re-signed in the offseason and for much of the year McKenzie looked the part of a replacement level player. There are plenty of talented offensive linemen in this year’s Draft. From top to bottom this is one of the more impressive guard classes that I’ve seen in recent years, and there are a few impact-from-day-one tackles.
Clearly offensive lineman is the biggest need on the offensive line. Even clearer than that, though, is the Giants don’t draft based on need. The Giants have considered taking a tackle in the first round in the last few Drafts and this year may not be any different. Let’s take a look today at a top offensive tackle prospect who could be the best player available when the Giants are on the clock – Ohio State’s Mike Adams.
Greg Bartram/US Presswire
This is a feature we do every year, running from the start of the Giants’ offseason all the way up to the NFL Draft. For past profiles and other great Draft articles, check out our NFL Draft page.
The New York Football Giants are just six days removed from their fourth Super Bowl and eighth total NFL Championship in the franchise’s storied history.
Sports Illustrated
With that, let’s kick off this year’s Prospect Profiles with Zach Brown, outside linebacker from North Carolina.
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Yesterday, I stated my case for a Giant dynasty and some tough free agent decisions they’ll have to make.
Today, we’ll dive into three areas of need for the defending Super Bowl Champs. While some teams decide to address needs through free agent signings, the Giants have built their championship teams through the NFL Draft. Since their last Super Bowl championship in 2007, the Giants have added seven impact starters in the draft. More impressively, the Giants have struck gold with their last four first round picks. Going into the 2012 NFL Draft, the Giants can choose one of three routes to fill some obvious voids.
2010 First Rounder, JPP
Plain and Simple: The Giants put an end to the ‘Patriot Dynasty’ on Sunday.
More Complex: Have the Giants started a dynasty of their own?
Eli Being Eli--AP Photo
Now that the parade is over, the confetti is cleaned up, and the silly Eli, elite debates have been put to rest, it’s time to start thinking about a Super Bowl repeat. To start, the Giants must evaluate their impending free agents and make some tough decisions. In addition, the Giants must think long and hard about two important players who are under contract for 2012, but are very unhappy with the figures involved…
Tom was Tom. Eli was Eli. AP PHOTO
Last night’s Super Bowl was an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. It had all the makings of an all-time classic. Brady vs. Eli. Belichick vs. Coughlin. Revenge for the Pats. Ascension for Eli. The game was great. When the dust finally settled, the Giants laid claim to a 21-17 victory.
When looking back at the game, two huge plays stand out and that ultimately shaped the outcome…
Tom is now 1-3 vs. NYG
