Giant Thoughts on a Friday

Happy Friday to all, we are now less than two weeks before the start of the NFL Draft 2010 and rumors continue to swirl and teams continue to talk under the radar. Today, we look at a few rumors and the likelihood of those rumors becoming facts, we also will look at Giant draft myths.

1. Giants are interested in trading up to the latter part of the top 10 to pick either Rolando McClain or C.J. Spiller.

Comment: I smell a smokescreen here, this is too good to be true. Do I think Jerry Reese has interest in Rolando McClain? Yes, he is the most highly touted middle linebacker prospect in this draft and, coincidently, the Giants have a massive need at middle linebacker. But, the Giants also have other needs to fill (depth in the secondary, both lines, and even an argument could be made for another versatile linebacker to push either Michael Boley on the weakside or Clint Sintim on the strong side).

I just don’t see Jerry parting with picks to move up when he is in prime position to pick a quality player at no. 15 or trade down a few spots, add some picks, and come away with a quality player, just doesn’t make sense. Also, arguably, Sean Weatherspoon may be a better fit, even with a switch from the outside to inside, than McClain for Perry Fewell’s defense.

2. The Giants will draft the best player available. I am even guilty of pimping this alleged truth, when in fact, the opposite is true. I am not saying the Giants are guilty of reaching for players because of need, but it is more than a coincidence that the G-men’s last three first round picks (cornerback Aaron Ross, safety Kenny Philips, and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks) all filled arguably the Giants biggest need on that particular off-season.

3. Don’t read too much into who the Giants bring in for pre-draft visits. If you will remember, the Giants never met with Aaron Ross or Kenny Philips, so the fact that both Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin attended McClain’s pro-day and brought him in for a private visit means nothing. Again, I am not saying the Giants don’t have legitimate interest in McClain, nor am I saying that he is not the cure-all for this defense, it just makes too much sense which tells me Jerry Reese has Giant interest in a few other guys at no. 15, but no one is talking.

Free Agent Updates: It is being reported that the Giants brought in Steelers free agent guard/center Darnell Stapleton for a visit this week, no word yet if Stapleton is going to be signed or not. Stapleton missed all of 2009 with a knee injury, but he is only 24, started for the super bowl Steelers team in 2008, and, if healthy, would be a great addition for depth.
Stay Blue!