1. William Beatty: A 2nd round pick in 2009, Beatty was active for every game in 2009 and was forced into action late in the year with injuries keeping stalwart right tackle Kareem McKenzie shelved. Beatty is athletic, quick, and has shown the necessary chops to man the left tackle or right tackle position. But, Beatty also needs to put on a few lbs (would be nice if I was in a job that asked me to gain weight so I would have a nice little excuse to tell the wife as to my ever-growing backside) and Beatty also needs to get stronger. Nothing a little weight room time and a few trips to the buffet can’t fix.

The question remains whether the Giants are going to jettison either McKenzie (and slide David Diehl over to the right side and Beatty to the left tackle position) or whether tough-guy Rich Seubert will be shuffled to a backup role at guard and center, with Diehl moving inside (imagine Diehl not having to play in space, kind of nice, right?), Beatty taking over at left tackle and the Giants either keeping McKenzie on the right side (and/or drafting a right tackle, I am thinking a guy like Trent Williams from Oklahoma) to pencil in.

There is still a chance wither McKenzie or Seubert get released outright, McKenzie is set to make $4.125 million in base salary and there are Giants concerns about both guys breaking down a bit. The only thing we know now is that Reese is intent on a revamping of the Giants offensive line and Beatty will be given a chance to start and shine. Beatty better be ready to step up, Giants fans will be a bit more comfortable come training camp with a bigger, stronger, meaner Will Beatty.

2. Clint Sintim: Sintim was also a 2nd round pick in 2009 who never could quite wrestle away the strong side starting gig from veteran Danny Clark (Clark is an unrestricted free agent and there have been no indications he will be returning in any capacity in 2010, nor should he at this point). Let’s not worry too much about Sintim not breaking into the starting lineup right away last year, Coughlin is notoriously loyal to his veteran players and after Antonio Pierce went to I.R., the last thing Coughlin was going to do was insert another rookie next to Jonathan Goff.

With Sintim, there is a lot to like, he is big, strong, and explosive when getting after the quarterback (we saw flashes in bits and pieces and I still blame Bill Sheridan for failing to utilize his pass rushers effectively, as well as failing to cure the H1N1 virus). Sintim has the potential to be an impact player on the strong side and a play-maker at the linebacker position that the Giants defense sorely needs. Sintim will be given every opportunity to start and shine in what we expect will be a very aggressive, multi-look scheme by new Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

Whispers around the league indicate that Kirk Morrison (who we have advocated strongly for since he was tendered with a 3rd round draft choice prior to the start of free agency) has several suitors and that the Giants may have already engaged in preliminary talks about him. If Morrison comes aboard, the Giants will have even more versatility because Morrison is fast enough to man the middle but strong enough to play on the strong side, either way, I like the move for a 4th round pick in 2011 or some variation of a later 2010 pick/player.

The development of William Beatty and Clint Sintim will have a huge impact on the success and improvement for this team in 2010 (we saw the quantum leap by Mario Manningham from year one to two and we can only salivate at the thought of stud rookie Hakeem Nicks taking a huge leap forward after a very impressive rookie campaign), teams win in the NFL by drafting and developing players, Beatty has the looks of a natural left tackle and Sintim has the ability to wreak havoc on the defensive side of the ball, stay blue!

While all of the focus has been on All-American stud line-backer Rolando McClain as a possible replacement for the departed Antonio Pierce, I get the feeling that McClain is unlikely to end up wearing blue in 2010 because he will either be gone before the mid-first round (several true 3-4 teams like Miami (regardless of the Dansby signing), Denver (even with rumors swirling about a Brandon Marshall trade which would obviously put wide receiver as a big need position) or even Buffalo (converting to a 3-4 this upcoming season and lacking the requisite linebackers, and also just plain lacking) and I am not sure Reese and Giant scouts will see McClain as a true fit for the 4-3 defense.

How might Jerry Reese bring in a little competition at the middle linebacker spot (for starters, I do think Giants brass views Jonathan Goff favorably, but to be fair, his starting stint at the end of last year was met with mixed reviews but the kid has the dreaded word, “potential”). Also, a point I have pounded home (much like Ben Roethlisberger pounding brews with college kids in Georgia) is that Reese will take the highest rated player and not reach for need (which opens up the possibilities considerably).

Let’s assume the Giants end up taking a defensive tackle like Brian Price from UCLA in Round 1 (why is this guy not getting more attention after a dominant junior season)? Brandon Spikes of Florida could very well fall to the middle of Round 2, but it is also possible that he is off the board as well. Here is my argument for the following guys (true inside linebackers only) who are not getting enough attention as the draft approaches (note, Mike Mayock’s top 5 rated linebackers are Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes, and these gentlemen below):

1. ILB Sean Lee (Penn State): Lee returned to the Nittany Lions in 2009, coming back from a torn knee ligament (in 2007, fully healthy, Lee registered 138 tackles, 2 picks, and 3 forced fumbles, yeah, this guy is plays all over the field and has the ability to be a true 3 down player in the middle). Many experts (I am not sure why we keep calling draft analysts experts) projected Lee to be a first round pick prior to his injury and the consensus is that he is a better pro prospect than Posluszny, a 2nd round pick in 2007 or Dan Connor, a former 3rd round pick). For my money, if the G-men wait on adding a middle linebacker, Lee would be a great fit in round 3.

2. ILB Pat Angerer (Iowa): A name most do not know (but should), Angerer totaled 135 tackles in 2009, leading the Hawkeyes defense. Sure, I like him just for his name, but the kid plays with a non-stop motor and finds his way to the ball. Angerer could be had in round 4 or even 5, and he is likely to outplay his draft position.

3. Donald Butler (Washington): A guy really no one has heard much about, barely a combine invite, Butler showed faster and stronger than predicted, Butler is the kind of player who just makes plays, Butler is another prospect who should be there in middle rounds.

We’ll keep looking at other middle linebacker prospects between now and the draft as the Giants are a lock to bring in competition for Jonathan Goff. Other names of interest include Jamar Chaney out of Temple and Kion Wilson from South Florida. Keep scouting Jerry, keep scouting! Stay Blue.

Forget about all of the talk about whether Antrel Rolle is worthy of a 5 year deal with $15 million guaranteed. Free agency is a gamble and Rolle is worth rolling (no pun intended) the dice on: Young, versatile, great cover skills and flashes of a true playmaker, I’ll take it. Perry Fewell will be looked upon to put Rolle and other Giant defensive playmakers into the right position, I have high hope and high expectations (sure, it doesn’t matter what I think, but I have the feeling that Mara will be watching these moves closely as well and we know his expectations and high and his patience is low).

Reese is feeling the heat and Coughlin is being treated for third degree burns after the 2009 season. Mara and Giants brass will have this team, and specifically Coughlin and Reese, on a short leash, playoffs or bust. Remember, Coughlin’s hires (other than the soon to be canonized Steve Spagnuolo) have been questionable at best, from John Hufnagel (now that name inspires confidence) to Bill Sheridan (a name now infamous for all of the wrong reasons), so Perry Fewell better right the ship and Reese better give Fewell and Coughlin the players to do it.

Reese has proven to be very astute in the draft and another good Giants draft will keep him in good standing (even with a collapse in 2010, Reese probably gets another shot to right the ship, Coughlin, not so much). The Rolle signing was huge, but there are still holes to fill on both sides of the ball, especially if Kenny Philips is no longer Kenny Philips (the trouble with that one is no one will know how Kenny’s knee has progressed until well after the draft), so don’t rule out a safety in the early rounds just yet.

Expect Reese to exercise patience in thie draft, a good talent will be there at No. 15, whether it is a stud offensive linemane (Bulaga or Trent Williams), a big body DT (Dant Williams or Brina Price) or a rare talent (C.J. Spiller). Sure, no mention of McClain but I first want to see his Pro Day and I still think he won’t last until the middle of the first round. No mention of Brandon Spikes because the 15th pick will be too high for a guy falling in some circles (not saying he won’t be a very good footbal player, I think the Giants will have other players rated higher).

Mock Draft 2.0 coming soon, stay blue!

So, The Giants interest in 40 something guys like Mark Brunell and/or Jeff Garcia has been a bit overstated, in other words, no interest at all.

The Giants secured Eli’s backup for the 2010 season by signing former Colts backup quarterback, Jim Sorgi, to a one year deal. Since entering the league in 2004, Sorgi has appeared in 17 games, so he is not really what we would call “battle tested.” Oh, he is also coming off of shoulder injury, does that make you feel any better?

One more thing, Sorgi looks all of 12 years old, so the Giants have succeeded in securing the youngest looking group of quarterbacks in the NFL, nice work!

Let’s hope Eli continues to stay relatively healthy as he has in past seasons, otherwise, the Giants my rue the day that Jim Sorgi was brought in (over more tested options such as Jeff Garcia or J.P. Losman).

Something also tells me that Reese has to see something in last year’s 5th round pick, Rhett Bomar, let’s see if this kid can play well enough to push Sorgi to third on the depth chart. Stay Blue!

In the aftermath of the Giants signing of Antrel Rolle to a big money contracts (about $15 million guaranteed and $37 million or so over five years), some are applauding the G-men for filling a huge hole in their secondary (especially given the fact that Kenny Philips may or may not be back healthy, and more importantly, we don’t know if the real Kenny Philips will be back at an impact level), some are damning the G-men (yes there are haters out there; See Peter King’s Monday morning column which is not so favorable for the G-men).

In addition to questioning the big money give to Rolle, King pours a little salt in the wound that is the Chris Canty deal of 2009. Historically, the Giants have not been major players on the free agent market, but that changed in 2009 and again at the start of 2010 with the signing of Rolle. But let’s not start saying that the Giants are the new Redskins just yet. With Canty, the Giants paid for a guy who is versatile, young, durable (obviously, not in 2009) and (hopefully) only going to get better. Canty was never healthy last year and only started to get into form during the last month of the season, big expectations loom for 2010 and sometimes a disappointing season serves as a little extra motivation, let’s hope that is the case because Canty is big and talented, now he needs to stay healthy and put it all together.

Rolle is not one of the top five safeties in the league, regardless of his contract. That being said, Rolle is talented enough to become one of the top five safeties in the league and the Giants had no choice but to pay up (can you imagine what the masses would say if the Giants entered the season without adding any talent to the safety position?). Plus, Rolle’s skill set is perfect for this defense. Add onto that reports that Darren Sharper went under the knife for the dreaded “knee scope,” right before free agency started (and Sharper is 34 and not exactly a great fit in Perry Fewell’s aggressive scheme), paying Rolle makes even more sense.

In back to back seasons Reese has spent big money on guys who are entering the prime of their careers, have proven to be durable, and add the versatility that Reese looks for on the defensive side of the ball. No one will talk about 2009 and big contracts if Canty plays strong, Boley stays healthy and makes some big plays (and he will have to otherwise his stint in blue will be short lived) and Rolle helps contain the big play passing games of the Cowboys and Redskins).

Reese has more work to do on both sides of the ball. Expect the Giants to cautiously work through the rest of the free agent period, I wouldn’t mind seeing former Tampa Buc Jermaine Philips on a incentive laden deal; as mentioned over and over again, the G-men may look into Kirk Morrison, and there is that pesky issue of a backup quarterback as well. Stay tuned Blue!

As we have learned throughout Jerry Reese’s tenure as Giants GM, when Jerry brings in a free agent he wants, Jerry gets his man.

Antrel Rolle received a 5 year deal, $15 million guaranteed, $37 million total contract, to become the Giants new free safety.

The Good: The Giants grab a young, talented, in his prime safety who has shown a knack for making big plays down the field, which is exactly what the Giants needed heading into the 2010 season (Yes, the Giants still need to resolve issues at middle linebacker), but this is a good start. Did Jerry Reese overpay? Perhaps, but when you consider that the Giants over-paid for a guy just coming into his own rather than on the downside of his career, this signing smells pretty good.

Also consider the guaranteed money given to other guys (30 something year old Aaron Kampman pocketed $11 million guaranteed to go to Jacksonville, and he was coming off of major reconstructive knee surgery, this signing looks even better). Sure, Kampman is a pass rush guy and pass rush guys get paid, but Rolle will have every opportunity to become a star for the G-men. Oh yeah, and Rolle fills a hole as big as the Grand Canyon in the Giants defense. Score one for Jerry!

With the news that David Carr has flown the coup to compete out west for the backup job for the 49ers, the Giants are now turning their attention to a suitable backup.

Names like Mark Brunell do not inspire confidence, I would absolutely prefer Jeff Garcia. Yes, Garcia is also 40, a bit whiny, and not a long term solution at the backup position, but he can still win games on the fly, I’ll take it.

Still no word on whether Jerry is looking at Kirk Morrison of the Raiders, but I have to think he will at least place a call to Al Davis (and if Davis is aware that phone technology works, perhaps that call can be productive. Offer Davis a 4th round pick in 2011 and get it done)!

Overall, a good start to the re-shaping of the Giants defense, but more work to do Blue!

So, in what has been a semi-busy day one of NFL Free Agency 2010, the Giants are currently entertaining Cardinals free safety Antrel Rolle (something tells me that late night clubbing will not be on the itinerary)…

According to credible reports (i.e., Ralph Vacchiano of nydailynews), Rolle is taking a physical with the G-men as we speak (Antrel, please turn your head and cough).

All good signs for sure, but a deal is not a deal until there is a deal, got all that? Still, it is looking good that Rolle will be anchoring the Giants secondary in 2010. Whether he is joined by Kenny Philips remains to be seen, but either way, over-paid or not, Rolle is a necessary addition this off-season and will serve to help bring speed and athleticism to Perry Fewell’s defense.

Also, word on the street (and on the internet, in newsprint, and at the water cooler) is that Jerry Reese is maintaining contact with the agent for Darren Sharper. Way to hedge your bet Jerry, though I prefer the younger, faster, and just arriving into his prime Rolle, give a choice.

Sharper is a nice fall back option as he will bring experience and stability to the secondary, but I do worry his play-making skills will not be fully utilized in Perry Fewell’s system, hence, get Antrel Rolle signed today.

Also, no word on David Carr, but I figure he will roll out to the NFC west (either in Az or San Fran) where he will have a better chance of seeing some plying time behind Leinert or Alex Smith.

Stay tuned Blue!

Among the Giants needs mentioned this off-season, for one reason or another, most of us have failed to mention backup quarterback, as David Carr is an unrestricted free agent.

In 2008, we all saw what happens when teams do not have a fall back plan at the game’s most important position (in this case, we all enjoyed watching Cowboys backup quarterback, Brad Johnson, struggle horribly, taking down the Cowboys playoff chances while Tony Romo missed action recovering from several injuries, and yes, I am still really enjoying this fact).

It is rumored that the Cardinals have interest in Carr (which makes sense as we are all curious to see how fromer No. 1 draft pick Matt Leinert performs as the starter in the desert without Kurt Warner). UPDATE: The 49ers have also expressed interest in Carr and have scheduled a meeting for this weekend).

So, add to Jerry Reese’s off-season list the need for a proven backup quarterback. It is unknown what the Giants brass thinks of last year’s 5th round draft choice, Rhett Bomar, but it would make me very nervous to not go into the season without a veteran backup for Eli. Jerry Reese will be a busy man this weekend.