NFL  > New York Giants  > what if buress IS back?? How does it affect their draft?
March 29, 2009, 12:56 PM
everyone has been saying the giants need a reciever and looking at this situation negatively but supposedly first time offenders rarely go to jail and often just get probation. Also Goodell never goes that hard on first-time offenders and I believe he will think it is enough of a punishment that Buress missed his last 4 games of 08 season and playoffs IF Buress is remorseful. In this scenario I truly believe the giants dont have any glaring needs, but here is my position by position analysis:

QB: Eli is franchise QB, Carr is quality backup, Woodson is getting developed on practice squad.

HB: Jacobs is feature back, Bradshaw worked amazing in a 1-2 punch with Jacobs for end of 07 season and through great playoff run with Bradshaw being a great finisher. Giants like Danny Ware as No. 3, he had great preseason last year. I would only draft an HB if in round 2 a player that they love is still available in case of Jacobs injury. Possibilities include Shonn Green, Javon Ringer, and Donald Brown, but overall they definetly do not have a need at HB

WR: Buress across from Toomer with smith in the slot was perfect while Buress was healthy last year. Now consider Hixon instead of toomer i believe is an upgrade and he gives them a lot of speed, and Mario Manningham was a first round talent last year that has a ton of potential as well. Sinorice Moss and Tyree who is returning after missing 08 round out the unit.
I do not believe they need to draft another WR, they have plenty of average recievers and i dont want another 2nd or 3rd round caliber reciever (they have drafted manningham moss and smith there already), and they are getting back their playmaker in Buress.

TE: Boss is a starting caliber tight end and there blocking tight ends are solid. I do believe Brandon Pettigrew would be perfect, and they might need to trade up a little bit (ahead of Atlanta at 24), but a stud tight end (with no attitude problems) that is an all around player with great hands would be a great security blanket for eli especially after losing his best recieving HB in ward.

OL: Best starting OL in football. Can't go OL in round 1 because they would cost too much to sit on the bench and wait for injury but i would go OL for depth in rounds 2 or 3. When Mckenzie got hurt for a little in the Cowboys game Calvin Boothe filled in and it was a disaster. Depth is needed.

DL: Best in football. Combination of Studs and Depth.

LB: First off remember their system does not value OLB's as they have been great against the run the past 2 years while plugging in castoffs at both OLB spots. Now in free agency they have picked up Boley who they believe will thrive in their system alongside Pierce. For that last spot I believe they have plenty of options in-house with 2nd year players Bryan Kehl and Johnathon Goff along with a starter caliber player in Danny Clark and good replacements in Chase Blackburn and Gerris Wilkinson (wilkinson was the starter in Boley's spot last year when healthy). I believe they could possibly go LB only if a complete stud falls to them in the first round that they really think could be a star, but I dont see the need there.

CB: Webster is lock down. Ross will grow and is a solid starter across from webster. Terrell Thomas was a 2nd round pick last year that they really like. Kevin Dockery they just offered a 2nd round tender, he offers good depth. No real need here, but maybe take a flier on someone in the late rounds.

S: Phillips is a stud across from solid starter Michael Johnson with C.C. Brown, a former four year starter with the Texans, providing depth.

Overall I believe the Giants have no glaring needs and have the flexibility to draft someone they believe will be a star no matter the position. I think they should trade up in round 1 for pettigrew from 29 to 23 (even though he might fall to them anyway), and then get a HB in round 2 and OL depth in round 3
March 29, 2009  03:24 PM ET

of course if buress is back then all that changes

March 29, 2009  05:39 PM ET

I don't have the confidence in the other receivers. Hixon doesn't have Toomer's hands. It can't hurt to go after another #1 type receiver. They have filled most of the other holes, build up at receiver, don't sit idol.

March 29, 2009  06:02 PM ET

Buress Might be back might not. Thinks there is a 25% cahnce hes back by season opener 25% says He wont be back at all. and 50% says he will sever some jail time but will be back by the end of the season. The g-men will not lose one game because of defense this year(unless the new d coordinater is a complete bust. They need to trade for edwards this is a slame dunk!!!

March 30, 2009  06:19 PM ET

do you know if they have the cap space? they have used up a lot this summer and edwards would require a new and big deal. I assume they would have it if plax is not back but i doubt they could afford both

March 31, 2009  07:33 AM ET

From what I understand, they do not have the cap room for a #1 receiver pay as of right now. But that can change by restructuring of a couple contracts (including Eli's) and I would say that the "trade" for Edwards needs to actually include a Giants player or two as well. However, keep in mind the following things: 1). They still need money to sign their players from the draft 2). They still need money in case they need to make an acquisition during the season due to injury. The truth is that none of us actually know what these numbers are and how the FA signings will be applied (deferred compensation/bonus ??? performance driven, etc), so at this point it???s all speculation. But here???s another angle that needs to be addressed: If Plaxico goes to jail for longer than a season, are the giants entitled to use his salary towards another player? ???or??? If they decide to part ways completely, can they recoup that allocated salary and apply it immediately? Is there an arbitration period (that might tie up those funds) that the Giants have to go through while Plaxico tries to salvage some of that contract, or will the NFL grant them access to that money? These are all factors that the Giants (I???m sure) are taking into consideration. As the Plaxico ordeal plays out, that might determine who the Giants go after ??? if they see more value in Anquan Boldin (for example) and are able to pay up for him, they might do that.

March 31, 2009  10:28 AM ET

Cheddar Bob??

March 31, 2009  03:29 PM ET

indeed, Plaxico "Cheddar Bob" Burress.

March 31, 2009  07:38 PM ET

huh that makes sense. If he is sent to jail for over a year i assume they would be able to use that salary space for someone else immediately, and if not they would just realease him as he wouldnt have much value anyway after missing a full year (see mike williams, pac man jones performance and michael vicks trade value). In that case i would be a big fan of an edwards deal because eli and the running game both benefit greatly from a #1 reciever that can get open and requires a double team

April 1, 2009  10:02 AM ET

I disagree with the above team analysis. We definitely need to upgrade the WR position. After Plax got suspended the offensive was ineffective. Hixon did not show up. Smith was the only WR contributing. At LB, Pierce disappeared on 3rd downs and the Giants defense could not get off the field until the other team scored. The Giants have not done well drafting WRs except for Smith. The TE position was not productive last year. We need a big upgrade there. We need to draft a good tackle. Here is what needs to be done.
1. Trade for Edwards (2nd, 5th & WR but not Smith).
2. Pick best player available (LB or TE) in 1st & 2nd round. If Brown available at pick 45 take him.
3. Look for LT, RB or S in round 3 (2 picks).
4. With remaining picks look for back ups based on best player available.

We helped the defense in free agency but we still need a young, speedy MLB. Our back up LBs needs to be improved.

April 1, 2009  03:39 PM ET

Trade their fith and sith round picks and a bag of IAMS for Vic and convert him to WR!

HUUAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

April 1, 2009  03:41 PM ET

OOPS!!! just read Vic might be released if he returns some of his earnings....better yet!...all kidding aside...i'd sign him and convert him to WR...imagine Plax on one side and Vic on the other.......

April 1, 2009  03:43 PM ET

then draft more defense!!! lots of it!!!!! who need an ofense when your opponent averages .5 PPG!!

April 2, 2009  11:05 AM ET

First off... I am hearing a lot of talk about a need at TE. Boss fits the system perfectly no need for an upgrade and a wasted draft choice. The Jints are a run first offense and he is a good blocker. When he needs to catch the ball he does. We are used to seeing the TE be more involved because that is what shockey was. But that production was filled with the use f a slot reciever that was not utilized when shockey was a pro-bowler.

2nd, big need at WR. And that needs to be addressed at the draft. There isnt anyone out there (that a team will part with) that can be considered a threat or someone that would command a double team. Boldin is a clear no 2. Braylon had one good year (just not a braylon fan, sorry). WR needs to be addressed other wise the opposing defense will stack the box to stop the run.

Also, an FYI on cap-space and edwards. He would want a new deal. But because of the uncapped year, the giants would only have to pay him is current salary which is about 8 million I think and in year 2 around the same before ever having to enter into any new negotiations. So cap wise it can be done. (but i dont think it should be). Hakeem Nicks in round 1!!!

April 2, 2009  11:18 AM ET

I forgot the question that should be answered!!! It doesnt change if Burress can play on 2009. They still need a WR for the future or at no 2. I do agree that Hixon would be ok at the 2 spot but only with a clear no 1. In a best case scenerio according the NFL Sirius radio, Burress may not be able to play until november, which sounds good if you forgot that you need to win games to get to the playoffs. And your not going to the playoffs at 8-8 in the NFC East (ahem- chargers).

WR round 1 and after that look for LB or depth at Tackleand you cant have enough corners in this league. then maybe a TE, RB. I really dont see a need for another RB drafted high. Maybe in the 7th ala bradshaw

April 2, 2009  02:26 PM ET

Superman, I like the sound of what you're saying, but are you sure about the cap? do you know how much room they have?

April 2, 2009  06:45 PM ET

so superman, you would not be in favor of a trade for braylon? and we have 2 second round picks because of the shockey trade

overall i understand where your coming from but seeing what witten has done for romo and gates for rivers i would love a great TE. if the giants think Pettigrew is that kind of player they should definetly go for him

April 2, 2009  09:27 PM ET

You guys seem to forget that even if Buress does come back he and his agent have already made it clear that he wants to be traded. Plus Buress is old anyway. He's like 30 something. So, even if Buress did come back we still need a receiver. Oh and Hixon is not a number 2 receiver. He is a depth guy and a return man. I like best available offensive player in round 1 runningback or WR or maybe even Pettigrew. In round 2 I really like Ramses Barden at WR. He is 6 foot 6 and is the red-zone threat we have been missing. Oh, and we need o-line depth somewhere in the draft.

April 3, 2009  12:47 PM ET

I am pretty sure about how the cap works with the no-cap season. Thats what i thought I heard on siruous radio. AS far as the actually cap space they have... I dont know the numbers but the giants are not a sloppy organization that mortgages thier future away. They always have space. The cap this year is 127 million I think. Somone can correct me if I am wrong on any of this.
I am not a fan of braylon... hes good... He is worth a 2nd rounder and maybe someone like Hixon or Moss. But he is not the answer to get NY back in the Superbowl. If yo think he is... answer this... Would the Giants have done better with Braylon in the line up at the end of last year? Hixon is not a solid no 2... but I would take him accross from a burress or a good no 1. To the TE... i hear you with the Witten and gates. But both are different offenses then what the Giants run. Neither of thier team have a slot like Steve Smith and Mario manningham (if he develops).

Final point... to the above... drafting a RB in the 1st is stupid. The best teams in football dont draft the best available. At the worst (Colts) they draft the best availabe at a need position. RB is not a need but depth is needed. OT would be better in round 2 or 3. But I dont hink there is any quality past early round 2. Have not heard about Ramses Barden. Where is he from?

April 3, 2009  01:17 PM ET

and burress doesnt have a choice in a trade... he will be lucky to not be in prison. His only hope is to play his contract and sign somewhere else or if the Giants dont want him. He knows that... his agent is just a smuck

 
April 3, 2009  02:31 PM ET

shmuck... I m we todd ed

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