Tagged: Anquan Boldin

Getting closer

I really hate to rush the summer but we are only a little over a month away from training camp and I can’t wait for the 2009 NFL season to start. When I was traveling to Albany with the Giants I would always look forward to the smell of the fresh cut grass and watching the sprinklers go back and forth as the players marched out for their morning practice. I always enjoyed everything from the coaches’ whistles blowing at the end of every play to watching kids’ faces as they lined up for autographs from players at the end of every practice. I know the players hate it, but training camp provided some of the best memories for me when I was a part of it.

Nothing major to report on the Giants as their minicamps wrap up. The main buzz has been the wide receiver situation and the rumors that are still swirling about Braylon Edwards and Anquan Boldin. After they drafted Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, it would be hard for me to believe the Giants would look to make a deal not because of the trade compensation, but rather the huge salary that both will demand. At this point I think we owe it to give Jerry Reese the benefit of the doubt with his moves.

I love the attitude that Rex Ryan has already brought to the Jets; knowing who is father is this should not surprise Jets fans and I think that even though they have not played a single down of football, he is giving his team a confidence that was missing the last couple of years with Eric Mangini. It also looks as if Mark Sanchez will be given the opportunity to start in a competition with Kellen Clemens in camp this summer. I’d also be very surprised if the Jets do not add a veteran wide receiver before camp begins, Edwards, Boldin and Plaxico Burress are all real possibilities.

If anyone has any comments or ideas on the Giants and Jets wide receiver situations or any thing about the NFL, please do not hesitate writing them. We are all fans and there is no right or wrong answers.

Jets, Giants have receiver fever on draft day

nicks_250.jpgWith the 2009 NFL Draft finally coming this weekend, the two New York teams share a similar need that they will address in the early rounds on Saturday.  Both the Jets and the Giants released their best receivers during this offseason and will be looking for playmakers that can upgrade their offenses.

The Giants may end up getting that receiver before they make their first round selection because it has been rumored for weeks that they have an interest in Braylon Edwards.  He is only 27 and has the downfield presence that the Giants need.  Now it’s no secret that Eric Mangini doesn’t want him on the team, and he has no intention of resigning with Cleveland after this season, but the Browns would be foolish not to ask for a good return in exchange. I’m guessing it will cost the Giants a first- and a third-round pick, and if they really do want him, they will get him. Jerry Reese is a very aggressive GM much the way that Ernie Accorsi was, and he has no problem being aggressive with trades.  Anquan Boldin remains a possibility here too, and the Cardinals have already said they would want a #1 and #3 in return.

If a trade for Edwards or Boldin does not happen, then look for the Giants to still be aggressive in the first round and move up to get a player that they covet. Possibilities include any of the top receivers — like Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks or even Jeremy Maclin — or a linebacker. They will also look to get some depth at offensive line and in the defensive backfield. My guess is that the trade for Edwards will happen if the Browns take Michael Crabtree early in the first round

Unless the Jets end up making a trade for a veteran wide receiver they will take one in the early rounds as well. They have also been mentioned as one of the landing spots for Mark Sanchez, but it would require a trade to move up to get him. Rex Ryan is an aggressive defensive mind, so don’t be surprised to see them take some playmakers on that side of the ball.  They also have a need for some depth on the O-line and running back.

Some interesting names that Jet fans should watch for are Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno.  Thomas Jones had a good season, but the Jets maybe looking for a future starting running back and Wells and Moreno could add some fresh legs to go with Leon Washington. Another interesting possibility for the Jets is Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman who might be there when the Jets are on the clock.

Will Braylon or Boldin wear Blue?

boldin_250_041709.jpgSince the Giants decided to say goodbye to Plaxico Burress there have been many trade rumors about Braylon Edwards coming to New Jersey. I have stated in past blogs that I think it would be a good move for the Giants to acquire Edwards but it would eventually come down to what the Browns are seeking in return. The Giants have many draft picks to work with and they probably are going to make some sort of draft-day move because they do not have room on the roster for all 10 picks. My guess is that if the Giants really do want Edwards the two teams will work out a deal.

The other two receivers who also have been mentioned in rumors are Anquan Boldin and Chad Johnson. As of today, the Cardinals have officially put Boldin on the trading block and are listening to offers. My guess is that his asking price will be high, but it does, however, give the Giants better leverage if they choose to go after Edwards if the Browns do indeed plan to trade him. Who knows, maybe Boldin is the guy that the Giants are targeting all along and Edwards is the smokescreen?

Speaking of smokescreens, I really hope that the Johnson rumors are just that. Why would the Giants want to give themselves another headache when they just ridded themselves of one? I just cannot see Ocho Cinco and General Coughlin co-existing with each other.

Both Boldin and Edwards would be good fits for the Giants and if Jerry Reese really wants one of them, he will make it happen. The Giants are a young, talented team, and both receivers are young and have an upside, so I would not be surprised if the Giants offered multiple picks for either player.

Giants forced to play waiting game with Burress

burress_250_040109.jpgMarch 31 has come and gone, and the Giants still have no answers on the status of their star wide receiver.

Plaxico Burress’ case has been adjourned until June 15 and the Giants will be forced to make a decision soon, because it looks more likely that Burress will not be participating in the 2009 season.

The Giants have made it clear the last couple of weeks that they would indeed welcome Burress back to the team if and when he clears all of his legal hurdles, but the problem is that they know that they can not afford to go into the upcoming season without having a clear cut No. 1 wide receiver. All of the receivers on the Giants roster are young and have a good upside, but none of them can command the double coverage that Burress does. Domenik Hixon is a good receiver and has shown flashes of his physical skills, Steve Smith is a very good third-down possession receiver, Sinorice Moss is quick but inconsistent, David Tyree is coming off an injury and Mario Manningham has talent but is young and unproven. In the next couple of weeks it will be crucial for the Giants to address this situation whether it is through the draft or a trade.

It would be easy for me to say that they should just make a trade for a star wideout like Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, but I don’t know what the price would be for either. Boldin has been in contract negotiations with Arizona for two months now and every day the story seems to change about his trade status. We did, however, hear whispers that the Giants inquired about Edwards, but I don’t think a move for anyone would be made until we’re closer to the draft. The Giants have shown no interest in Torry Holt, or any free agent receiver for that matter, so it will basically come down to a choice between a trade or a high draft pick to fill the position.

I see the Giants using one their first two draft picks on a receiver, but I would only be guessing if I said who it will be, so I’ll leave that up to Mel Kiper Jr. and the other draft gurus to debate.  In my opinion, both Boldin and Edwards would be a better option than an unproven draft pick because they are still young and have shown that they can play at a Pro Bowl level. The bottom line is that this is a tough situation for the Giants because Burress is such a hard player to replace and his destiny is out of his own hands.

A very perplaxing situation

burress_250_022409.jpgWith the start of free agency beginning later this week the New York Giants find themselves in a very odd situation concerning the wide receiver position. Plaxico Burress is one of the most talented receivers in football and the most important part of the Giants offense, but because of his legal problems the future is much clouded for him right now. This presents a very tough decision for the Giants in the upcoming weeks, so here are some of their choices.

Sign a free agent
This years crop of good receivers is slim, very slim in fact the only one that is really worth pursuing is T.J. Houshmandzadeh. He can be a No. 1 receiver and played very well last season with a bad team and a backup quarterback. The only problem is that I think he is more of a possession type receiver in the mold of an Amani Toomer rather than a game breaker like Burress. Some other names to consider are Nate Washington, Devery Henderson, Reggie Williams, or some recent cuts like Marvin Harrison or Jerry Porter may be options.

Trade for Anquan Boldin
I know that it’s a long shot but it is worth looking into because Boldin is young, explosive and will be eager to prove that he is a No. 1 receiver. It will probably require multiple draft picks in order to get him but he would be much more effective than any receiver the Giants would draft in those two rounds. Furthermore, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon are all young and would provide a great supporting cast for years to come.

Draft a receiver
Some of the names that have been mentioned are Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin and Hakim Nicks. But the class of the draft this season is Michael Crabtree, who is considered by many to be the best overall player as well. The Giants will certainly have to trade up to a top five pick if they were to have any chance at him.

Wait it out with Burress
This may be the most risky of the four options because of the fact that the Giants will not know his fate until the end of March. There is a good chance that he will serve some kind of jail time or probation, not to mention the suspension that the NFL may give him. This is a tough pill for the Giants to swallow, especially if they want to be competitive next season because they are dealing with a situation that they cannot control. However they also gave him a new contract last season, so they may indeed decide to wait it out and hope for a quick resolution.

I would love to see Burress back on the team because the bottom line is that when he is on the field he gives the Giants the best chance to win; we all saw how it impacted the team late last season and how he helped them win the Super Bowl. But will the Giants hold steady rather than pursue another receiver? It is a tough situation and maybe by the end of the week we’ll see what direction they will be taking.