Giants Interview with Eric from Big Blue Interactive

Interviews on FootballHangout.com

Interview with Eric from Big Blue Interactive
By Brian Moore

Q: Several members of the Giants LBing corp from just a few years ago are no longer in the league. Pierce is a stud MLB without question. However, do you feel this franchise that at one time could do no wrong at LBer is still struggling to draft or fill holes with quality LBers?

Eric: I think the priorities have shifted. When the Giants moved to a 4-3 defense (I believe in 1994), a premium was rightfully placed on the defensive line. In a 4-3, the most important play-makers are defensive linemen. That's not to say linebackers are not important or can't have an impact in a 4-3 (see Jessie Armstead), but that defense is geared around the line. What I think the Giants have struggled with is replacing Armstead on the weakside. We still don't know if Kawika Mitchell or Gerris Wilkinson will be good players at that position.

Q: Follow up - Kiwi playing LBer. Is this a temporary solution or a permanent one? Would you guess his role changes when Strahan eventually leaves? (retirement, free agency, contract is up etc.)

Eric: According to Linebacker Coach Bill Sheridan, it's not a temporary move. But I've got to think otherwise. If the Giants stick to a 4-3 defense (and I think they will unless they really tear apart this team in the near future with head coach with a 3-4-background), then playing Kiwanuka at strongside linebacker when Strahan retires doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The strength of Kiwanuka's game is moving forward, attacking the quarterback. He can be a Pro Bowl defensive end in the NFL. Those guys are as good a gold. It's much harder to find a Pro Bowl defensive end than a Pro Bowl linebacker. The real tragedy is the serious injury suffered by Justin Tuck last year. He may never be right again. If I had faith that he would be the same player, then maybe I could see Kiwanuka staying there (because I thought the pre-injury Tuck was going to be a very good player).

Q: I have felt like either the Giants coaches have been laying it on thick or Steve Smith is going to be special. Do you get that impression? What's your take on it? Is he "for real" or is this just typical coach speak that happens regarding rookies?

Eric: I don't think the Giants' coaches have said Steve Smith is going to be special. They have said he has made a positive impression. I think some in the media or quasi-media have suggested that he might be special. It's way too early to tell what kind of player Smith will be at the pro level. If you were going to put me on the spot and predict (an assessment unwisely based on scouting and media reports) I think the Giants may have drafted a player who has the chance to be a very solid starter in this league for a long time. Smith is a good athlete, he has good hands, and just as importantly, he seems to be a very serious student of the game. As Jerry Reese has pointed out over and over again, he's the kind of receiver quarterbacks look to. What we don't know is if he will become the type of receiver that really scares the opposing defense. Can he separate from NFL corners on a consistent basis? There are some doubts about that. My guess is he becomes an Ike Hilliard-type of receiver. That would be great if he did, but let's also keep in mind that Hilliard really wasn't a "special" player.

Q: Amani is getting old and isn't quite as good as he once was yet it appeared the Giants collapsed after he was injured in 06. Any guess as to why that is?

Eric: I think Amani's absence was important, but it is overplayed. Keep in mind that the Giants lost Umenyiora, Strahan, Tuck, Arrington, and Petitgout at about the same point of the season as they lost Toomer. But losing Toomer did cause Eli Manning to lose his security blanket at wide receiver. Plaxico Burress is the difference-maker at wide receiver. He's the guy that scares the opposition, but Toomer helped to keep drives alive and Manning missed that. What made matters worse was that Sinorice Moss was hurt and Tim Carter came up small once again. Carter played in all 16 games and started eight games, but he had only 22 catches. That's ridiculous.

Q: With Jim Finn being out, do you imagine they'll sign a free agent FB? Are they any players rumored to be interested?

Eric: My guess is that they will pick up another fullback late in the preseason when teams start making their cuts unless Robert Douglas really surprises. I don't know who they would be interested in until I see the cuts. Also, as has been reported in the press, the Giants can use some of their tight ends in an H-Back role to effectively replace the fullback. This style of offense might be better suited to Brandon Jacobs. Jim Finn's injury was not a surprise to the Giants. I've heard whispers for months that he was possibly heading to IR with his shoulder problem.

Q: What will probably be a common question for you all summer: If you had to project yardage and TDs for Droughns and Jacobs, how would you guess 2007 shakes out?

Eric: I think Coughlin likes to ride one back and have clearly defined roles for the back-ups. He pretty much confirmed this as such in a recent media session. I think that unless someone gets hurt, we will see Jacobs get the bulk of the carries (say 20 per game) with Droughns seeing about 5-7 carries per game. That said, I hope the overall number of carries are up. Not only will it probably mean that the Giants are winning more games, but I think the offensive strategy this year should be to run more and throw less. The Giants have put too much pressure on Manning by having him throw so much the last two years. Barring injury, I expect Jacobs to have a monster season. I think he's the kind of guy who is going to really wear down an opposing defense and break a lot of long runs.

Q: I, myself, recall the oh so talented rookie Visanthe Shiancoe being potentially the steal of the draft. I too remember the struggles in the years since. Surely you do as well. What do you think of him starting in Minnesota? What was some of his biggest struggles with the Giants?

Eric: My memory may be hazy, but I don't think Shiancoe was considered a draft-day "steal". In fact, I think many wondered about the Giants reaching too early for a player who tested extremely well at the Combine, but came from a small-school background. The irony is that Shiancoe was supposed to be a much better receiver than blocker, but he never demonstrated that with the Giants - despite the fact that Jeremy Shockey has missed a lot of time with injuries. The contract that the Vikings gave him was ridiculous. I think he will be an average starter for the Vikings, but a guy who they will eventually try to replace as a starter. Regardless, the Giants had no intention of re-signing him.

Q: The Giants secondary really struggled in 2006. Have they made enough staff and roster changes to have a good secondary in 2007?

Eric: That's a million-dollar question. Probably not. The real wild card is how much with the defensive schemes under Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will impact the players. This has to do with not just the secondary, but the entire defense as pass rush and pass coverage go hand-in-hand when you are talking about pass defense. R.W. McQuarters is not really the kind of guy you want starting. Sam Madison is still a solid corner, but he isn't special anymore. Hopefully Aaron Ross becomes a special player for the Giants in 2008 or 2009. The problem is that unless Corey Webster turns it around, I could see the Giants drafting a corner with the #1 pick again in the 2008 NFL Draft. They have some interesting developmental guys on the roster (Kevin Dockery, E.J. Underwood, Gerrick McPhearson, and Travonti Johnson) but it's a real stretch right now to think that these guys could come into a game and adequately cover someone like Terrell Owens or Santana Moss.

Q: The left tackle position has been the topic of some debate this offseason with Luke leaving. Diehl seemed to play pretty well at T for a brief period in 2006. Whimper had been considered a project previously. Are they going to be OK at left Tackle spot in 2007 or is this an area of big concern?

Eric: It's an area of concern, but my gut tells me that Diehl will do a decent job. Diehl is one of my favorite players on the Giants. He just looks and sounds like a football player. He goes out and finds a way to get the job done. I think Bill Parcells would have loved him. I think Whimper will need one more year of seasoning. I like the depth situation at tackle with Whimper and Adam Koets.

Q: Sinorice Moss is a speedy little bugger. Is there a place for him in this offense or will he wind up like Dante Hall in Kansas City always trying to find a way to fit him into the offense?

Eric: I expect Moss to seriously compete with Steve Smith for the #3 receiving position. And if Toomer fades, we could see Moss or Smith actually start at flanker. I do think this may be Toomer's last year with the Giants. If true, both Smith and Moss will be very important players for the Giants in 2008 and beyond unless they don't develop as expected. Teams use three wide-receiver sets all of the time.

Q: There were a few sentences here and there this spring that WR Marco Thomas looked good. Any thoughts on this WR many people have never heard of?

Eric: The guy to watch is Brandon London. He has size, good athleticism, very good hands, and understands how to prepare for the game (his father has coached in the pros). He's a guy who has impressed the Giants. The problem for Marco Thomas is that, barring injury, the top five WR spots are pretty much set: Burress, Toomer, Moss, Smith, and Tyree. And there is serious competition from London, Anthony Mix, Michael Jennings, and Darius Watts.

Q: Derrick Ward was out much of 2006 with an injury. Before that he shared time, behind Tiki, with Brandon Jacobs. Assuming he returns to his previous form, what do you imagine his role will be?

Eric: My guess is that Ward won't make the team. I like him, but his style to too similar to Droughns. I think Ahmad Bradshaw makes the team as the third back.

Q: Is it fair to guess Ryan Grant and Ahmad Bradshaw will be battling for a practice squad spot? On your website you list Grant ahead of Bradshaw on the depth chart, yet Bradshaw was receiving a good amount of praise this spring. Many don't know of Grant, can you shed some light on him and why you put him ahead on the depth chart?

Eric: No, I think Bradshaw makes the team and has a very good chance to become an important role player for the Giants. I honestly can see him developing into a David Meggett-type player. I have Grant listed on higher on the depth chart simply because he is the veteran. I doubt Grant makes the team. He's a slashing-type back and can catch the football. If Bradshaw falters, he could slip into the picture, but I don't expect it.

Note from Bri-
I'd like to thank Eric for his time. His site Big Blue Interactive.com is easily the best site for Giants info. One of the best pages is his news page and it's archive feature.