The contest, which can be accessed at www.speakwithyourcap.com or through New Era’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/neweracaps?fref=ts) will require Giants fans to submit photos of themselves showcasing how they personally “speak with your cap.”  Whether worn sideways, backwards or flexed at the brim, showing how you bring your own style to the game is what matters.

32 fans (1 per team) will ultimately be chosen and win a complimentary trip to New York City for two. The winners will enjoy a four-day VIP experience and will be professionally styled in their favorite team’s looks for a New Era photo shoot that may be used for a year-long advertisement and promotional campaign.

Also, of mention, is Mets Pitcher Matt Harvey.  Harvey, after rooting the Rangers to victory on Monday, tossed a one hit, nine inning, no walk game against the Chicago White Sox.  Harvey has clearly become the best pitcher in New York, and should continue to grow in that role for a long time to come.  For those of us lucky enough to have seen Seaver and Gooden in our lifetimes, this kid is just as special and hopefully more and more people will make the trip to the ballpark on his days to pitch to see this phenom in action.

Both the Knicks and Rangers return to the road this week just in time to allow the New York Giants to get back to work even if just for a few days.  Rookie Mini Camp start tomorrow May 10th and rune through Sunday.  Although you will see stories about how players looked and performed this is nothing more than orientation at the new job.  The real work begins in August.

The Rangers and Giants are cut from the same cloth when it comes to fan loyalty.  True New Yorkers couldn’t care less how many times the Islanders or Devils have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup…..1994 is still the most important year in New York Hockey.  The Giants, Rangers, Knicks, and Yankees are the big four, although the Mets have distinguished themselves by having the fortune of playing in two of the most memorable World Series in history, and in 3 of the top 5 games of all time according to MLB.com

• Ohio State linebacker Etienne Sabino, as per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
• LSU tight end Chase Clement, as per Jenny Vrentas of the Newark-Star Ledger.
• Virginia Tech linebacker/safety Alonzo Tweedy, as per Vrentas.
• Charleston Southern cornerback Charles James, as per Vrentas.
• Mount Union linebacker Charles Dieuseul, as per Vacchiano.
• Virginia Tech Wide Receiver Marcus Davis as per @bigbluebloggers

The Giants started the draft process with 77 players on their roster, and drafted 7 more, which left them at 84 and room for 6 undrafted free agents. Not sure if the Giants have another move in the back of their collective minds, or if they will go ahead with 89.

The Giants have has a lot of success with players in these late rounds in the past, like Ahmad Bradshaw.  They have also done well with undrafted players who they will begin calling and signing immediately following todays draft.  Look for some names to surface quickly as the Giants search for the next Victor Cruz.

Speaking of Victor, he is expected to sign a deal this week at some point.  All of the Giants picks will be signed in orderly fashion and without drama as usual.  Overall it seems the Giants got good value from a very different draft.

04/08/2013 – 2013 Richmond Pro Day: Scouts brave the cold at Richmond Pro Day…The weather was crisp – about 35 degrees – for Richmond’s outdoor pro day on March 19. Scouts from 20 NFL teams braved the cold to watch seven players work out. Nobody there that had gone to combine, but there were three players of note: Cooper Taylor S (6-4??”, 228 pounds) – Taylor ran 4.58 and 4.49, did 36??” in the vertical, 10-foot-7 in the broad jump, 4.29 in the short-shuttle, 6.96 in the three-cone and 23 reps on the bench press. The coaches worked Taylor out as a linebacker. His official position will be strong safety, but he’s one of those guys who could possibly bulk up and play outside linebacker. Reminiscent of Kam Chancellor of the Seattle Seahawks. – Gil Brandt, NFL.com

Once again the Giants go with a versatile player who can play multiple positions and might develop into a strong Safety or An Outside Linebacker.  As the NFL has continued to evolve so have the positions on the field.  Linebackers have become more like safeties in both size and speed, and the size of the receivers have forced safeties and corners to evolve into bigger stronger players also.  Another good quality value and athletic pick.

Keep up the good work Jerry!

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE/Oregon – Dion is an anomaly. Most prospects unable to compete at either the combine or their pro day typically fall on draft boards. Instead, all this kid has done is run a 40 and he’s being considered as one of the best defensive players available this year. Jordan was unable to help his draft stock at the Oregon Pro day because he is recovering from a recent surgery to repair a torn labrum. He ran a 4.53 unofficial time at the combine, which is amazing. GM David Caldwell recently said, “We’re pretty close – It’s down to two people.” Most people believe the two he referenced are Oregon DE Dion Jordan and West Virginia QB Gen Smith.

3. Oakland Raiders – Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia – I jokingly put “the ghost of All Davis lives” when I first put Geno to the Raiders in late January. The truth is Davis would have been drooling at the opportunity to grab a mobile QB, especially if he had been alive to see RGIII the year before. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie will be left with making a franchise changing decision, as QB’s taken in the top 5 can cost a GM their job if they don’t pan out. Just ask Mike Tannenbaum. The Raiders released Carson Palmer due to salary cap issues, and have only have Matt Flynn & Terrelle Pryor on staff at QB. This pick is easy.

Former International Student Program standout from Berlin, Germany, attending 2013 NFL Draft in New York City and is featured on NFL.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – GRANBURY, TX – Thursday, April 25, 2013 – A dream to play in the NFL that began in Germany and was nurtured in Connecticut and Florida will come true this week when German defensive end Bjoern Werner is selected in the 2013 NFL Draft.

ACC Defensive Player of the Year Werner came to the United States through the International Student Program, an initiative created and operated by Global Football in 2006. Having dominated for two years at the Salisbury School in Connecticut, the former star of his hometown Berlin Adler club team started as a true freshman, sophomore and junior at Florida State before forgoing his senior year, and now stands on the cusp of the NFL.

Accompanied by his family, Werner will attend the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, hoping to be selected in the first round.

Global Football will post social media updates live from the NFL Draft following Werner’s night on Twitter @GlobalSportsGuy and @PRMikePreston and at www.Facebook.com/GlobalFootballLTD.

Read the NFL.com story of how Bjoern Werner came to the United States and watch a video of his success story.

“His ability was evident from the moment you saw him walk onto the field, and it was matched by his humble demeanor and how grateful he was to be playing over here,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. “Our network of coaches in Europe had told us he would be the next Ritzmann and projected he had the ability to play at as a high a level as he liked and they were right. Now here he is on the brink of the NFL and he deserves it.”

Patrick Steenberge will be available to talk to media before and during the NFL Draft by calling +1 817-219-7274

Since 1996 Global Football has created and produced American football games and events in 20 different nations on 6 continents around the world and will orchestrate return tours in 2013 to Finland, Ireland, Italy, France, Greece, Mexico, Sweden and Panama.For more information regarding Global Football tours and events, contact Patrick Steenberge: Tel: 817-219-7274 / Email: Patrick@GlobalFootball.com

Three players who first played the game of American football with European club teams have been selected in previous NFL Drafts: DT Romeo Bandison (Netherlands / Oregon / Washington Redskins 1994), Sebastian Vollmer (Germany / Houston / New England Patriots 2009) and Markus Kuhn (Germany / North Carolina State / New York Giants 2012).