GREAT BLUE NORTH GIANTS DRAFT REPORT Vol 4, No 16 December 29, 2009

My old grannie used to say if don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all!! And needless to say we don’t have much good to say in the wake of the Giants dismal 41-9 loss to the Panthers on Sunday that coupled with Dallas 17-0 win over Washington later that night knocked the Giants out of the playoff hopes for the first time in five years. In fact, like most analysts we’re speechless about the utter lack of intensity on the part of the Giants. Of course, this wasn’t the first game this year that the Giants played without much emotion, but its still hard to figure. Best we can hope for at this time is that the latter part of the 2009 season in which the Giants lost 7 of their last ten games after a 5-0 start was something of an aberration attributable to a bunch of factors including injuries and a latent Super Bowl hangover and that things will be better next season. Certainly the core seems to be in place for another Super Bowl run sooner rather than later, but the current season did expose some cracks in the roster. More on the specifics of those later, but with college football in the midst of the seemingly less endless string of bowl games there is a chance to check out some of the top 2010 draft prospects who could potentially fill some of those cracks.

In fact, if people see only one bowl game this week and next try and watch the Eaglebank Bowl later this afternoon at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN between UCLA and Temple. And the player to watch is UCLA junior DT Brian Price (#92, 6-2, 300) who led the country with 22.5 tackles for loss including 7 sacks this past season. And Price, who is arguably the quickest DT in the country, should be good value in the middle of this year’s opening round for a team looking to upgrade its DT rotation. For good measure, UCLA also has potentially the top PK in this year’s draft in junior PK Kai Forbath, who hit on 26 of 29 FG attempts, including every kick from under 40 yards this year. Giants fans can also take a peek at UCLA sophomore FS Rahim Moore (#3, 6-0, 190), who picked off 9 passes this season and is arguably the best safety in college football period, but be warned he won’t be draft eligible until 2011.

Curious Giants fans might also want to tune into the Humanitarian Bowl on Wednesday afternoon also at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN when Idaho play Bowling Green. And once you get used to the blue field (please don’t adjust your TV sets!) check out Idaho LG Mike Iupati (#77, 6-5, 325), arguably the best offensive lineman in college football this past season and just maybe the top interior guy to come along in a while.
 
Ironically in one of the those can’t win for losing moments last the Giants position in the draft didn’t change at all after Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. If the draft were held today, the Giants would have the 22nd pick overall in the opening round, although that actually drops down to #20 when playoff positioning is factored in. That position could change dramatically though if the Giants lose their season finale in Minnesota this coming Sunday, although no matter what happens this week the Giants won‘t pick any lower than 20th; they could still technically pick as high as 14th although around 18th seems more logical.

We’ll be back next week with positional full grades and an early look at draft options. In the meantime have a very Happy New Year with the hopes that 2010 ends better than this year.

The five-point plan that will fix the New York Giants for 2010

Head coach Tom Coughlin isn't the main issue with the New York Giants, but he failed to motivate his team after its 5-0 start.

By Gary Myers - NY Dailynews 12/29/09

Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin lead apologies for New York Giants' disappointing 2009

Eli Manning appears lost Sunday but Monday finds way to apologize for New York Giants' showing. 

By Ralph Vacchiano - NY Dailynews 12/29/09

Latest NY Giants loss follows trend of late-season struggles under coach Tom Coughlin

Giants coach Tom Coughlin was once again at a loss for words following bad another late-season loss by his team on Sunday.

 By Jenny Vrentas - Star Ledger 12/28/09

A look back to the NY Giants' embarrassing, inexplicable blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers

Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas, who has had a very good season, did not have his best game on Sunday against the Panthers. Thomas missed a tackle on a long run and gave up a 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

By Mike Garafolo - Star Ledger 12/28/09

NY Giants apologize to fans for blowout loss to Carolina Panthers

Coach Tom Coughlin walks off the Giants Stadium field for the last time following his team's 41-9 loss to Carolina -- a performance for which the coach publicly apologized Monday.

By Mike Garafolo - Star Ledger 12/28/09 

As Giants Sift Wreckage, Coughlin Backs Umenyiora

By Joe LaPointe - NY Times 12/29/09

Coughlin, Eli say 'sorry' to fans

MOURNING AFTER: Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin march glumly off the field Sunday following the Giants' 41-9 loss to the Panthers. Yesterday, both offered up apologies for the team's disgraceful effort. 

By Paul Schwartz - NY Post 12/29/09

Giants' apology not accepted

By George Willis - NY Post 12/29/09

Boley dismisses Carson's critcism

 

By Tim Bontemps - NY Post 12/29/09