May 20, 2024 • 29 mins
On this episode of the Giants Huddle podcast, John Schmeelk, Paul Dottino and Jonathan Casillas are joined by experts who covered the Giants draft class in college, to get a better feel for those players on and off the field.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time to get inside the Giants huts.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Giants Giants, give me some job.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Part of the Giants Podcast Network.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Let's welcome to another edition The Giants Little Podcast, brought
to you by Citizens, the official bank of the New
York Football Giants.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Hi, everybody, my name is John Smell. Thank you so
much for being with us.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
So as we continue to get to know the Giants
rookie class, you thought it would be useful and informative
to go back take all of the interviews we did
during Big Book Kickoff Live about the players the Giants
drafted before they were drafted, and combine them with some
new interviews Paul Tatino put together with people that covered
the Giants prospects when they were in college after we
(00:39):
selected them. So basically, it's pretty heavy insight into what
these players are like at their respective colleges before the
Giants drafted them. So we put all the interviews together
regarding the Giants draft picks.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
We'll go through them in some order as we move
ahead here.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
It's again, these are interviews that were done before the
draft and then some after the draft with Paul uh.
The other ones are kind of peeled off from our
Big Blue Kickoff Live shows as we take a closer
look at the Giants draft picks and what they were
like in college.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
So let's start here.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
We're gonna go to the LSU sideline reporter, Gordy Rush,
and we talked to him about Melik Neighbors. Let's start
that guy that you thought should have been the Blatantacoff
winner this year.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
And by the way, no shame in.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
That there were a lot of really good wide receivers
in college football this year, and that's Milie Neighbors, a
name that has been connected to the New York Giants
a ton with the sixth overall pick. I'm gonna get
right to the off the field stuff first year, Gordy,
because and I want to be clear, I have not
heard this about Melik Neighbors, but it's a question that
I'm gonna have just because of the position and the
(01:39):
Giants have had some experience with LCU wide receivers and
Oll Beckham Junior. Is Malik Neighbors a quote unquote diva
wide receiver or is he more of your blue collar
type that, frankly, we've seen more of enter the league
over the last couple of years.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
No he's a blue collar kid. Now he's a you know,
blue collar kid from the you know, the the part
of the state the neighbors is from, you know, not
knocking Odell. O'Dell was from Isidore Newman High School in Uptown,
New Orleans, where the Mannings went and a little bit
different atmosphere and O'Dell even at La Shoe, you know,
(02:16):
O'Dell kind of personality evolved after he left LSU, but
not neighbors neighbors. He's a blue collar kid. He works hard,
had a phenomenal Pro day, you know, came in with
a very talented receiver class with Ki Champ Bute, who
was with the Patriots last year and really the last
two years, I think has really evolved nicely and just
(02:39):
had a phenomenal season this year. I think when Bute
left last year and they were able to move neighbors
around and they were able to put him in the
slot and get in in some matchup situations. He played
multiple spots this year. He really did excel.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yeah, so he kind of touched on what my first
question is going to be about Malik in that this
past season especially, he found success, you know, no matter
where he lined up on the field as X receiver,
you know, in the slot wherever. But where do you
think then at the next level, where do you think
he will find the most success what wide receiver spot?
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Well, you know, I think it depends what you have,
you know, and this specificly, you know with you know
what's on the Giants roster, if he wants it with
the Giants. But you know, let me, let me take
a step back and let's bring Brian Thomas Junior into
the conversation because he's a pure X receiver. I mean,
he's got first round grades as well. I was a
basketball player in high school from the Banneries area. Saw
him playing, just a big kid, another four three forty
(03:39):
guy got hops and you know, when you had him
on the field, you have to give safety help. And
so in that case, it enabled neighbors to do a
lot of things. And a lot of times they just
run Thomas, hold the safety and let neighbors go to work.
And then there were other times because because Jane Daniels
(04:01):
was so talented running the football that you know, people
finally said the heck with it, We're gonna bring people
up and try to stop this. And you play neighbors
man and man he'll run by you and he did
that time. No, there's no there's no doubt. And so
he can do a lot of things. I think. I
(04:21):
I think it's what do you want him to do?
Package wise, and he can go out and play acts,
he can play wide and run all of those routes.
I think he works really well in the middle of
the football field kind of the way. There's some comps
that to Jefferson in the terms of the way that
he gets off jams. He's elusive beating man coverage. And
he's so good after the catch with the with the football.
(04:43):
I mean real strong bottom bottom half. You know, Chase
was a guy that's so good catching afterwards in the
strong legs.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
All right, Yeah, absolutely, just fantastic and I love him
League neighbors. By the way, he's my number two wide receiver,
a hair blow Marvin Harrison Junior. So this is me
trying to poke holes is the wrong word, but understanding
what maybe what some of the potential weaknesses are. The
two things that I saw on tape was maybe a
little bit too much of a body catcher from time
(05:11):
to time, and then maybe some of the nuances of
route running. So I guess my question would be A
do you think that's correct? And B how much room
do you think he still has to improve? How rawsy
and how much of a finished product do you think
Neighbors is.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
I think you'll continue to get better. I mean you
got a lot of balls with that. I'm not as
you know, everybody I think gets better with route running
when they get to the league. You got to go
back two years with this offense. I mean they were
with a transfer quarterback, first time coordinator. It took Jade
and Jayden made a lot of progression. I'm sure we
may talk to about Jayden at some point, but as
(05:48):
he got comf throw and he worked with those two
guys in particular this this past offseason, and they were
able to get their timing. You know, there were some
things that you know that they were really really successful
if iviously the go balls and you saw the Jane was
so much more accurate and did a better job with
stretching defenses. What I love about Neighbors is he understands
(06:09):
how to get off the line of scrimmage. She understands
how the beat man coverage, and then once he catches
the ball, it's hard to bring him down, and you know,
I mean that's a that's an art. So I hear
you a little bit catching the ball with his body
if we're going to get into that. But you know,
as he first ran talent and is a blue collar kid,
he works hard, you know. And here's the other thing
(06:31):
I'll tell you, go get ten film clips of this
kid blocking right when other kids are when when when
other kids are catching the ball, when Daniels takes off,
you could put a highlight reel together of him blocking
down field. The twenty yard runs came to fifty to eighty.
You go back and watch Jane Daniels highlight them when
they get to the NFL draft and watch those receivers
(06:51):
blocking downfield. The Neighbors was one of the better ones you.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Actually just took.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
But I was gonna ask my next question, how is
he as a run blocker? So instead a lot of
mock drafts that had the Giants taking a wide receiver
in the first round at six overall, somewhat split between
Malik Neighbors and romadonsa.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
League.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Neighbors probably the.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Best at creating separation of any wide receiver in this draft.
Romadunesa one of his you know, best qualities is his
ability to catch the contested balls. So how is Molikue
neighbors in that category in the contested passes.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah, it was fantastic this year. I mean both of them.
I mean they put up again, you know, historic numbers,
and I mean this is an offense that comes a
couple of years after you know, twenty nineteen with Burrough,
Chase Jefferson, Terrence Marshall and and you know all of
those guys. Of course was different. Nineteen actually had a defense.
This year, this team didn't have a defense. They were
(07:49):
playing Nintendo numbers that sometimes. But I think it's fantastic
catching catching contested balls. He's he plays bigger, he plays
more physical, I think than probably when you look at
him on the scale.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
That's Gordy rush On the league Neighbors. Great stuff there.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Now let's head over to the Giant's second round pick,
Tyler Nuban. We had a chance to talk to Minnesota
Gopher Golden Gophers radio analyst Darryl Thompson about him.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
Now we are joined by Darryl Thompson, radio analyst for
the Minnesota Gophers. He's a Minnesota alum and a former
Green Bay Packers running back, and he has watched a
lot of Tyler Nuban play over the last several years.
And Daryl the first thing that everybody says about him,
and they talked about him at the combine is clearly
being one of the top three safeties in the draft,
depending upon you know which flavor of ice cream you wanted.
(08:36):
Is that his ability to ballhawk with the thirteen interceptions
the school record in fifty five appearances, just stuck out
like a sore thumb. What is it about his ability
to cause turnovers?
Speaker 6 (08:48):
Well, I think that for him it's come down to
a homework thing. He's not like incredibly fast or anything
like that, but he is. He's long, you know, he's
six foot one almost two hundred pounds, so he's he's big.
He's got the size of two want to have in
a safety. But his his film work I think probably
rubbed off from Antoine Winfield a junior to be able
to see and learn from him, and then he.
Speaker 7 (09:11):
Just continued to take it.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
To the next level with his you know, reading and
bringing the offense, knowing the tendencies of the players and
the quarterbacks be able to play that that Jeff game
in the second ear that you're always hoping that you're
you know, your free safety and start safety can play.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
It's interesting you mentioned Antoine Winfield because when I talked
to Tyler at the combine, he mentioned Winfield as a
guy who set the standard and he seemed to take
a lot of pride in trying to live up to
those kinds of requirements, thinking that, you know, that's that's
what we all have to be. Seems like a guy
who is very self driven.
Speaker 6 (09:44):
I think he's self driven, and I think there's also
a tremendous benefit to having a mentor like Antoine Winfield.
It's a I'm going to actually show you what to do,
and then you see it working with Antoine Winfield and
you see it working for him in the NFL and
Antiwan actually you know, I mean obviously he got it
from his father, you know, Antonine Winfield is you know,
looking at a film with this, you know, so that
(10:05):
there's a there's a big, big benefit to the history
that you know, for anton Winfield to Tyler Nuban, and
he's continued to pass down to the safeties that are
that are there now. But he's his ability to recognize
the formations, they're route running and then I'm bill to
jump routes. And you're right, he's he's he's a balk
And that's exactly what you need in your secondary nowadays.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
If I read the background stuff correctly.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
He came in recruited as a corner, but then maybe
because of some of the short space quickness, they decided
to convert him the safety. But but the characteristics that
I kept hearing, Smart's instincts, toughness, all kinds of things
that if you're off the charts on those things, you'll
find a place in the league.
Speaker 6 (10:46):
Well, he's a leader, you know too. He's one of
those guys that's gonna know. He's a he's a vocal leader,
he's a physical leader, and he's he's aggressive. So I mean,
I think you know, you're right. I mean that was
he's definitely not going to play corner, you know, not
at the not at the college or pro level. But
there's a lot of a lot of safeties that are
playing in the NFL that you know, start out his
corner and they moved up to the inside because of
(11:07):
their ability to track the ball or their ability to tackle.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
He did mention at the combine, he was coming off
meniscus surgery, didn't play in the Bowl game, didn't go
to the Senior Bowl. Did you get a sense from
watching him that maybe some of his performance was hampered
by the injury, and perhaps he could have been even
more impressive had he not had to fight through some things,
you know.
Speaker 6 (11:28):
A little bit every once in a while. But I also,
I mean, you just know this that everyone, everyone out
there has got something going on, you know, So there's
not a player out that doesn't have a sol shoulder,
or a sore knee, or a sore neck or a
sore back er. Me need those things. So you know,
I think it would he have played better, Probably might
have played a little bit better. It might have been
more aggressive, you know, especially coming downhill on some run
(11:48):
plays every once in a while. But you know, he's
a great player and I look forward to following him
with you guys this next season, go along with all
the other Gophers. You guys have a couple other Gophers
on your squad.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Out by asking about his ability to play both safety
spots and some of his ability to roam around in
the defense. How would you see his best fit as
he jumps into the National Football League.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
Quite honestly, I'd probably see him a little bit closer.
So maybe playing that strong position to be up over,
you know, to be able to cover you know, tight ends,
and I think that'd be the place for him to
start versus you know, in the back, you know where
you really gotta, you know, worry about people. And he
does have speed now really a strength, but I think
he can you know, he has jumped that, he communicates,
and I think he'll be a be really good player
(12:33):
for you guys.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
You mentioned his leadership, and we talked about his swants
a little bit earlier picking up the playbook. You don't
think it will be that much of an issue as
a rookie. I mean all rookies they need that experience
before they can move in. How quickly do you think
he can give them some important reps as as a
first year player.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
I think it's gonna take it. It takes every one
a while. I just I don't know anyone who comes in,
especially in that secondary, but I think I would think,
what then the first you know, month and a half
of the season, once he gets a couple of preseason
games under his belt and some regular season won the
tempo and the speed picks up, but there's a lot,
a lot to learn in the beginning, and it comes
(13:13):
at you fast. Then you just have not seen the
caliber of athlete and the speed that you're going to
see combined with the montum information that goes into everything
that happens at the NFL level. But I feel like
he can do it. It's just going to take him sore.
I take him at least a month, but I say
after that first four games he'll be be ready to
be part of the rotation.
Speaker 5 (13:32):
Oh great stuff on safety Tyler Nubrin coming out of
Minnesota joining the New York Giants. And we thank Darryl Thompson,
radio analyst and former Minnesota alom and a one time
Green Bay Packer running back for his time. Thank you
so much, Darryl, Thank you thanks for having me.
Speaker 7 (13:48):
You loved hers.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
You're good at it.
Speaker 9 (13:51):
So you start a turfas business grows, your savings grow,
become the most celebrated name in turf. Are you ready
for all that.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Great stuff from Darryl Thompson?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
There the Giants Little podcast is brought to you by Citizens,
the official bank of the Giants from Game Dad every Day.
Citizens is made ready for Giants fans with insights, guidance
and solutions. Learn more at citizens bank dot com. All right,
let's go to the giants third ground pick Andrew Phillips
to talk about him the Voice of the Kentucky Wildcats
Tom Leach.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Now we are joined by Tom Leach, host of The
Leech Report, of the Voice of the Wildcats, who's gotten
a good look at Drew Phillips. You know, Tommy came
out a year early. I wonder how much more upside
might there have been had he stayed in Kentucky.
Speaker 10 (14:36):
I would just.
Speaker 8 (14:36):
Refer you to Carrington Valentine with the Packers, who had
a great rookie season, and a lot of us here
thought that way about him making the decision to go
to the draft and thinking, well, he's been a solid
player and they're looks like there's upside there, But wouldn't
be be more wouldn't it be more beneficial to stay
(14:58):
in college? And Stoops played defensive back in college and
has had great success putting secondary guys into the NFL,
and so it worked great for Carrington. So that's the
only thing I can tell you is that a lot
of itself the same way back Carrington Valentine, and he
showed he was more than ready, and so I think
(15:20):
there's reason to be optimistic that it would feel the
same way for Drew.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Could you tell us maybe the most important improvements that
you've seen and Drew since he was able to acquire
more playing time by cracking the starting lineup, Probably it.
Speaker 8 (15:35):
Would come under the heading of the trust that he
had from the defensive coordinator, Brad White, who came from
an NFL background. It was with the Colts when he
came to Kentucky and started out as an outside linebacker coach,
and it's been the coordinator for several years and it's
put several guys into the league. And I know midway
through last season at my weekly meetings with Brad, he
(15:57):
was really getting very bullished on how Andrew was moving
up in his eyes and gaining more of his trust.
And by the midway point of the season, they were
using him as a fifty B a lot, and so
they really valued him this past season as a guy
with a lot of experience, and you know, I think
(16:19):
he saw in Kentucky both starting corners got hurt in
the Gator Bowl, Phillips and Maxwell Harrison who would be
the next one to come into the league probably next spring.
And when both of those guys went out is when
Clemson really started to make hay with its passing game.
I know he's the guy that the Kentucky coaches loved
(16:42):
his versatility. Kentucky guy in Mike Edwards, who's won a
couple of Super Bowl rings with Tampa Bay and with
Kansas City. And Mike was a safety who would slide
down and be their nickel utility guy covering a slot
when they went to a five dB passage, and Phillips
was a guy who they put in a corner, fifth corner,
(17:06):
and a third cornerback at the fifth dB. And they
had more trust in Drew, so they used him in
the slot and they could they play a lot of
his own and so they there was more they were
putting more on that particular position, So they moved Drew
there when they go to five DB's and then put
in a corner out of the outside who didn't have
(17:29):
as much responsibility in the way that they were playing
their defense. So he's a guy that's got a lot
of trust from the coaching staff. Really towards the end
of last the previous season, and all the way through
last season.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Something else I saw in his Kentucky bios that he
was playing in special teams on kick coverage and had
a number of tackles. So it seems to me that
his mentality and his toughness can really show through there
even before he gets on the field as a defensive back.
Speaker 8 (17:56):
I'd say that's the safe bet he's he's a quote
unquote football player. I mean, I think loves the game.
Dad played at Kentucky, so it's a football family, tough
kid mentally and physically, so I look for him to
do well.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
Was he often used on a corner blitz or was
he able to help break up rushing plays.
Speaker 8 (18:17):
I don't recall him being used a lot on corner blitzes,
but he was good in run support. I mean in
the SEC, it's a physical league, and so you know,
everybody's throwing the ball around a lot these days, but
still in the SEC, there's the commitment to playing physical
and so if you're going to be out there as
(18:40):
a cornerback in this league, you're gonna have to play
the run. So you know, he's not anybody. He's not
anybody ever took off the field so you know, I
think they were very happy with how he played.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
The run n the Fast final fraud. Did you ever
get a chance in practice to watch him go up
against Wandell Robinson who was now going to be his
teammate with the Giants, because I got I got a
hunch they're going to be John against each other a
little bit.
Speaker 6 (19:05):
Yeah, I think they're good friends.
Speaker 8 (19:07):
So yes, I would see some of those matchups in practice.
Although you know One Dale's breakout season, Drew wasn't being
counted on as heavily then, so he didn't get a
great number of those opportunities in practice because of where
he was on the death chart at that time versus
where one Dale was. But that's definitely a friendship there
(19:31):
that will be reignited.
Speaker 5 (19:34):
Well, we're looking forward to watching Drew Phillips cornerback out
of Kentucky as he enters his rookie season with the
New York Giants, and we thank Tom Leach, host of
The Lads Report and the Voice of the Wildcats, for
his time. Tom McGain, appreciate it and.
Speaker 8 (19:47):
Stay well, happy to help, good luck to Drew.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Great stuff from Tom Leach.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Now we go to the Giants fourth round pick Fil
Johnson to talk about him. The voice of the Penn
State Nitney Lyons Jones, all right, I want to go
to THEO Johnson here, Steve. If you build a tight
end in the lab, he kind of looks like THEO Johnson.
He's six six, he's two sixty. He ran really well
as athletic testing was off the charts. Yet when I
watched the tape, I just don't see it quite come
(20:15):
all the way together.
Speaker 10 (20:18):
Well, that's in part because Penn State run has been
running the last couple of years at two tight end system.
So when you're spreading the ball out like that, I mean,
you know, with both tight ends out there at the
same time, so they kind of work off of each other.
THEO Johnson is really has become a terrific blocker, excellent hands,
(20:40):
good route runner. Look at Brenton Strange, who was the
second round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. That's the prototype
to the type of tight end the Penn State's putting
into the league. And we're going to have the same
conversation next year about Tyler Warren when we talk about it.
But he is with the size, the strength, everything that
he has He's going to be an excellent tight end
(21:03):
in the league moving forward. I mean he may not
be the number one guy out of the gate, but
eventually he'll be somebody's number one.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (21:09):
And if he can block at all, you know, just
a little bit canny, Steve, You don't you don't have
to block that much at that position because they could
do things with you. But that's good that as he
can block. I think, you know, with his measurables and
and you know his size, people give a lot of
you know, uh, you know, they pay attention to potential
(21:30):
a lot, you know, and the potential for him, I think.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Is very tight end is a testing position.
Speaker 11 (21:35):
Oh yeah, sure, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Great stuff from Steve Jones talking about Theo Johnson. Now
let's go to Tyrone Tracy Junior out of Perdue, the
Giants running back. On selecting on Day three of the draft,
we had a chance to talk to Tom Dinehardt from
Goldenblock dot com about him.
Speaker 5 (21:53):
And now we are joined by Tom Deanhard of blockinggold
dot com to talk about Tyrone Tracy, the running back
out of Purdue who the Giants were very excited about
drafting the other day. I think Tom one of the
things that is curious to so many people. After four
seasons at Iowa and then two seasons at Purdue, they're
getting a running back who spent what four and a
(22:14):
half years as a wide receiver before the conversion with
the Boilermakers. What was behind that conversion and how do
you feel he made the transition?
Speaker 7 (22:23):
And you know, in high school at the Caterer Central
High School, he really was a running back. So he
made the move to receiver going to college at Iowa
and he never really took got a lot of tracks
up in Iowa City. Transferred to Perdue for his last
two years with the receiver his first year in West
Brofaiette under Jeff Brahm in twenty twenty two, and it
was largely had effective, I'll be honest with you. And
(22:43):
then of course the new head coach comes in here,
Ron Walters, and that was yempus new tyrone to running back,
and boy, what a smart move that was. Tracy just
really blossom this last year, went for almost eight hundred yards.
He can still catch the football too, and he really
showed his ability as a special teams player as well.
When to make a kickoff for a touchdowns he's a
(23:05):
very versatile player all around.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
Well, let's talk about his skill set for a minute.
Seventy six inch plus wingspan, which if you looked at
all the running backs in the combine, he had the
longest one or the widest one, if you will. He
was one of ten running backs who ran his sub
four or five and the forty, So we certainly had
a couple of extremely attractive physical traits. Are you surprised
(23:31):
that he went where he did or should those traits
have driven him up the board a little more? Or
is that simply because he didn't play a lot of
running back in college that maybe he was overlooked some.
Speaker 7 (23:41):
I think he ran exactly where you were supposed to go.
All projections going into this draft was he was going
to be probably a Day three pick. I saw some
calls for him to be a fifth rounder, and sure enough,
it turns out he was picking the fifth round by
the Giants. So yeah, he's still really sort of a
I guess, a work in progress, if you will. Haven't
played running back this one full year in college. Still
(24:04):
has a lot of tread on his tire, you know,
has it taken a lot of hits? And yes, he's
a guy I think his best footballer is in front
of him. And I'll tell you what he talked about
the combine. He went down to Indianapolis and that's really
where he turned heads. I think with that four yard
dash time you're in that means everybody sit up and
pay attention. He had a nice pro day here Wes
(24:24):
Lafayette a week or two later, and a lot of
scouts here to watch Tyler and Trace, and I think
that stilled the deal for him in a draft choice.
And like I said, Ron, you know, catch the ball,
block returned kicks. I think that versatil they really added
even more value to the Tracy in the eyes of
the NFL scouts.
Speaker 5 (24:44):
Well, if I would talk about his rushing stats last
year almost six and a half yards of carry three
one hundred yard games, what were his skills as a
running back that impressed you the most? Because we all
know if you play running back in the NFL, one
of the things you have have to do it that
doesn't show up in the stat line is be able
to pick up the blitz.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Yeah, for the most part, Well, I could tell not
like I was watching the film looking for blitz pick
up all the time, But I never heard any make
complaining about his inability to block or to pick up
the blitz. You're not going to be out there. You
can't pick up the blitzer the running back because the
staff doesn't want the quarterback to get killed.
Speaker 8 (25:21):
So Trace, I.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
Think, is a good enough blocker. You know, he has
that vision. People always talked about running back the ability
to hit the whole downhill and tough. You know, you
gotta be tough, and I think Tracy more than proven,
must have to be a tough ball player as well.
And I always talk about I go back to his
ability to catch the football. If the guy who really
doesn't have to come off the field, he can be
(25:44):
a reading four down back for you. You can again
carry the ball for you early on, and he'd also
come out of the backfield and catch it for you too,
even split out wide. So I think that versatility and
that variety of skills just spends more value to him.
Speaker 5 (25:58):
Well, it sounds like there's a lot to like there.
What will be his biggest adjustment as he makes it
up here into the NFL and tries to earn some
playing time. What is he going to have to either
learn or polish up in your estimation.
Speaker 7 (26:11):
Just I think at the state of the game, everything
at that level is so much faster. Everybody's bigger, stronger, faster,
quick er, tougher. Holes develop and close very quickly at
that NFL level too, So just I think adjust the
od off speed of the game. I think he's going
to be not not your adjustment for him, but everybody
makes that leap. And the thing about Tyrone Tracy too,
(26:34):
is he he's maturer. Like I said, he was in
college for six years. He got out of high school
in twenty eighteen, so he's at least twenty three years
old at this point. So he's going to be able
to think handle some of emotional things and some of
the complexities of these NFL offenses, which should hope they
make his transition a little bit smooter at the next
level here.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
So suffice it to say, it sounds like it wouldn't
surprise you if he gives them some very snaps even
as a rookie.
Speaker 7 (27:01):
I think, se I'm not familiar with your running back
situation there, but I got to think he's a guy
that can help you off the bench, be a spot
guy here, be a full time special teams player and
get some spots snaps. I think on the offense, I
would think particularly on more third and long situations, Tyl
and Tracy leading more valuable because of those billings to
(27:22):
run in catch.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Great stuff on Tyrone Tracy running back out of Purdue
as part of the Giants twenty twenty four draft class.
That's Tom Deanhart of Black and Goold dot com. Tom,
thanks for your time, enjoy your summer.
Speaker 7 (27:34):
You got, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 9 (27:36):
You're ready for a change. Pay Day comes early with Citizens,
so go to that retreat. New you move to the country.
Now you're raising goats and launching a lifestyle brand. Are
you ready for all that life breaks?
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Great stuff there from Tom. Don't forget folks, Giant fans
love a winner. It's why they love Citizens Da, the
twenty twenty two best bank in the US by the banker,
as the official bank of the Giants and sponsor of
the Huddle, Citizens is made ready for fans of Big Blue.
Learn Moore at Citizens bank dot com. Let's wrap things
up with Matt Stevens, radio analyst for UCLA. He had
(28:11):
a chance to talk to us about linebacker Darius Mussou.
Speaker 5 (28:15):
Darius Mosseau, and I think I got that pretty close
undersize linebacker only ran four to seven is the time
that I saw for him at the combine. So maybe
in some statistical categories he might be a ted overmatch,
but I think a guy on special teams at the
very least should be able to carve out something of
an NFL career.
Speaker 12 (28:35):
Note Yep, Garris Muissau is how you pronounce him, by
the way, that's all right. And he had a really
productive career at Hawaii and then he came to UCLA,
and the first year at UCLA he seemed a tad
bit slow, to be honest with you, and then his
senior year.
Speaker 13 (28:51):
He got faster, he got stronger. You really saw a
lot of improvement. His instincts are off the charts. I mean,
he can play really well him pass coverage. He knows
how to time his blitches, shoot gaps, he can make
a tackle in the open field. He's gonna play on
special teams, Yes, I do think he's going to find
(29:12):
a role on defense, and then he's going to be a.
Speaker 12 (29:15):
Guy that all of a sudden, Wow, he's in his
eighth and nine year as an infel player, he's that
smart of a guy. He understands everything you need out
of a middle linebacker, and he make sure everybody's lined
up in the right position.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
All right.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
We thank Gordy, Darryl, Tom, Steve, Tom, and Matt All
for joining us on the Giants Toddle Podcast. Uh real,
hope you guys don't a lot from those interviews. I
know we did when we did him. We thank you
for checking him out, and we thought it would be
good to put them all into one to check those
out right here on the Giants Totle Podcast, brought to
you by Citizens, the Official Bank of the Giants for
Paul Theatino and everyone else that was featured in those
(29:50):
interviews on John Schmelk.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
We'll see you next time, everybody,
It's time to get inside the Giants huts.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Giants Giants, give me some job.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Part of the Giants Podcast Network.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Let's welcome to another edition The Giants Little Podcast, brought
to you by Citizens, the official bank of the New
York Football Giants.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Hi, everybody, my name is John Smell. Thank you so
much for being with us.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
So as we continue to get to know the Giants
rookie class, you thought it would be useful and informative
to go back take all of the interviews we did
during Big Book Kickoff Live about the players the Giants
drafted before they were drafted, and combine them with some
new interviews Paul Tatino put together with people that covered
the Giants prospects when they were in college after we
(00:39):
selected them. So basically, it's pretty heavy insight into what
these players are like at their respective colleges before the
Giants drafted them. So we put all the interviews together
regarding the Giants draft picks.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
We'll go through them in some order as we move
ahead here.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
It's again, these are interviews that were done before the
draft and then some after the draft with Paul uh.
The other ones are kind of peeled off from our
Big Blue Kickoff Live shows as we take a closer
look at the Giants draft picks and what they were
like in college.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
So let's start here.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
We're gonna go to the LSU sideline reporter, Gordy Rush,
and we talked to him about Melik Neighbors. Let's start
that guy that you thought should have been the Blatantacoff
winner this year.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
And by the way, no shame in.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
That there were a lot of really good wide receivers
in college football this year, and that's Milie Neighbors, a
name that has been connected to the New York Giants
a ton with the sixth overall pick. I'm gonna get
right to the off the field stuff first year, Gordy,
because and I want to be clear, I have not
heard this about Melik Neighbors, but it's a question that
I'm gonna have just because of the position and the
(01:39):
Giants have had some experience with LCU wide receivers and
Oll Beckham Junior. Is Malik Neighbors a quote unquote diva
wide receiver or is he more of your blue collar
type that, frankly, we've seen more of enter the league
over the last couple of years.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
No he's a blue collar kid. Now he's a you know,
blue collar kid from the you know, the the part
of the state the neighbors is from, you know, not
knocking Odell. O'Dell was from Isidore Newman High School in Uptown,
New Orleans, where the Mannings went and a little bit
different atmosphere and O'Dell even at La Shoe, you know,
(02:16):
O'Dell kind of personality evolved after he left LSU, but
not neighbors neighbors. He's a blue collar kid. He works hard,
had a phenomenal Pro day, you know, came in with
a very talented receiver class with Ki Champ Bute, who
was with the Patriots last year and really the last
two years, I think has really evolved nicely and just
(02:39):
had a phenomenal season this year. I think when Bute
left last year and they were able to move neighbors
around and they were able to put him in the
slot and get in in some matchup situations. He played
multiple spots this year. He really did excel.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yeah, so he kind of touched on what my first
question is going to be about Malik in that this
past season especially, he found success, you know, no matter
where he lined up on the field as X receiver,
you know, in the slot wherever. But where do you
think then at the next level, where do you think
he will find the most success what wide receiver spot?
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Well, you know, I think it depends what you have,
you know, and this specificly, you know with you know
what's on the Giants roster, if he wants it with
the Giants. But you know, let me, let me take
a step back and let's bring Brian Thomas Junior into
the conversation because he's a pure X receiver. I mean,
he's got first round grades as well. I was a
basketball player in high school from the Banneries area. Saw
him playing, just a big kid, another four three forty
(03:39):
guy got hops and you know, when you had him
on the field, you have to give safety help. And
so in that case, it enabled neighbors to do a
lot of things. And a lot of times they just
run Thomas, hold the safety and let neighbors go to work.
And then there were other times because because Jane Daniels
(04:01):
was so talented running the football that you know, people
finally said the heck with it, We're gonna bring people
up and try to stop this. And you play neighbors
man and man he'll run by you and he did
that time. No, there's no there's no doubt. And so
he can do a lot of things. I think. I
(04:21):
I think it's what do you want him to do?
Package wise, and he can go out and play acts,
he can play wide and run all of those routes.
I think he works really well in the middle of
the football field kind of the way. There's some comps
that to Jefferson in the terms of the way that
he gets off jams. He's elusive beating man coverage. And
he's so good after the catch with the with the football.
(04:43):
I mean real strong bottom bottom half. You know, Chase
was a guy that's so good catching afterwards in the
strong legs.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
All right, Yeah, absolutely, just fantastic and I love him
League neighbors. By the way, he's my number two wide receiver,
a hair blow Marvin Harrison Junior. So this is me
trying to poke holes is the wrong word, but understanding
what maybe what some of the potential weaknesses are. The
two things that I saw on tape was maybe a
little bit too much of a body catcher from time
(05:11):
to time, and then maybe some of the nuances of
route running. So I guess my question would be A
do you think that's correct? And B how much room
do you think he still has to improve? How rawsy
and how much of a finished product do you think
Neighbors is.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
I think you'll continue to get better. I mean you
got a lot of balls with that. I'm not as
you know, everybody I think gets better with route running
when they get to the league. You got to go
back two years with this offense. I mean they were
with a transfer quarterback, first time coordinator. It took Jade
and Jayden made a lot of progression. I'm sure we
may talk to about Jayden at some point, but as
(05:48):
he got comf throw and he worked with those two
guys in particular this this past offseason, and they were
able to get their timing. You know, there were some
things that you know that they were really really successful
if iviously the go balls and you saw the Jane was
so much more accurate and did a better job with
stretching defenses. What I love about Neighbors is he understands
(06:09):
how to get off the line of scrimmage. She understands
how the beat man coverage, and then once he catches
the ball, it's hard to bring him down, and you know,
I mean that's a that's an art. So I hear
you a little bit catching the ball with his body
if we're going to get into that. But you know,
as he first ran talent and is a blue collar kid,
he works hard, you know. And here's the other thing
(06:31):
I'll tell you, go get ten film clips of this
kid blocking right when other kids are when when when
other kids are catching the ball, when Daniels takes off,
you could put a highlight reel together of him blocking
down field. The twenty yard runs came to fifty to eighty.
You go back and watch Jane Daniels highlight them when
they get to the NFL draft and watch those receivers
(06:51):
blocking downfield. The Neighbors was one of the better ones you.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Actually just took.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
But I was gonna ask my next question, how is
he as a run blocker? So instead a lot of
mock drafts that had the Giants taking a wide receiver
in the first round at six overall, somewhat split between
Malik Neighbors and romadonsa.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
League.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Neighbors probably the.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Best at creating separation of any wide receiver in this draft.
Romadunesa one of his you know, best qualities is his
ability to catch the contested balls. So how is Molikue
neighbors in that category in the contested passes.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah, it was fantastic this year. I mean both of them.
I mean they put up again, you know, historic numbers,
and I mean this is an offense that comes a
couple of years after you know, twenty nineteen with Burrough,
Chase Jefferson, Terrence Marshall and and you know all of
those guys. Of course was different. Nineteen actually had a defense.
This year, this team didn't have a defense. They were
(07:49):
playing Nintendo numbers that sometimes. But I think it's fantastic
catching catching contested balls. He's he plays bigger, he plays
more physical, I think than probably when you look at
him on the scale.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
That's Gordy rush On the league Neighbors. Great stuff there.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Now let's head over to the Giant's second round pick,
Tyler Nuban. We had a chance to talk to Minnesota
Gopher Golden Gophers radio analyst Darryl Thompson about him.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
Now we are joined by Darryl Thompson, radio analyst for
the Minnesota Gophers. He's a Minnesota alum and a former
Green Bay Packers running back, and he has watched a
lot of Tyler Nuban play over the last several years.
And Daryl the first thing that everybody says about him,
and they talked about him at the combine is clearly
being one of the top three safeties in the draft,
depending upon you know which flavor of ice cream you wanted.
(08:36):
Is that his ability to ballhawk with the thirteen interceptions
the school record in fifty five appearances, just stuck out
like a sore thumb. What is it about his ability
to cause turnovers?
Speaker 6 (08:48):
Well, I think that for him it's come down to
a homework thing. He's not like incredibly fast or anything
like that, but he is. He's long, you know, he's
six foot one almost two hundred pounds, so he's he's big.
He's got the size of two want to have in
a safety. But his his film work I think probably
rubbed off from Antoine Winfield a junior to be able
to see and learn from him, and then he.
Speaker 7 (09:11):
Just continued to take it.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
To the next level with his you know, reading and
bringing the offense, knowing the tendencies of the players and
the quarterbacks be able to play that that Jeff game
in the second ear that you're always hoping that you're
you know, your free safety and start safety can play.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
It's interesting you mentioned Antoine Winfield because when I talked
to Tyler at the combine, he mentioned Winfield as a
guy who set the standard and he seemed to take
a lot of pride in trying to live up to
those kinds of requirements, thinking that, you know, that's that's
what we all have to be. Seems like a guy
who is very self driven.
Speaker 6 (09:44):
I think he's self driven, and I think there's also
a tremendous benefit to having a mentor like Antoine Winfield.
It's a I'm going to actually show you what to do,
and then you see it working with Antoine Winfield and
you see it working for him in the NFL and
Antiwan actually you know, I mean obviously he got it
from his father, you know, Antonine Winfield is you know,
looking at a film with this, you know, so that
(10:05):
there's a there's a big, big benefit to the history
that you know, for anton Winfield to Tyler Nuban, and
he's continued to pass down to the safeties that are
that are there now. But he's his ability to recognize
the formations, they're route running and then I'm bill to
jump routes. And you're right, he's he's he's a balk
And that's exactly what you need in your secondary nowadays.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
If I read the background stuff correctly.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
He came in recruited as a corner, but then maybe
because of some of the short space quickness, they decided
to convert him the safety. But but the characteristics that
I kept hearing, Smart's instincts, toughness, all kinds of things
that if you're off the charts on those things, you'll
find a place in the league.
Speaker 6 (10:46):
Well, he's a leader, you know too. He's one of
those guys that's gonna know. He's a he's a vocal leader,
he's a physical leader, and he's he's aggressive. So I mean,
I think you know, you're right. I mean that was
he's definitely not going to play corner, you know, not
at the not at the college or pro level. But
there's a lot of a lot of safeties that are
playing in the NFL that you know, start out his
corner and they moved up to the inside because of
(11:07):
their ability to track the ball or their ability to tackle.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
He did mention at the combine, he was coming off
meniscus surgery, didn't play in the Bowl game, didn't go
to the Senior Bowl. Did you get a sense from
watching him that maybe some of his performance was hampered
by the injury, and perhaps he could have been even
more impressive had he not had to fight through some things,
you know.
Speaker 6 (11:28):
A little bit every once in a while. But I also,
I mean, you just know this that everyone, everyone out
there has got something going on, you know, So there's
not a player out that doesn't have a sol shoulder,
or a sore knee, or a sore neck or a
sore back er. Me need those things. So you know,
I think it would he have played better, Probably might
have played a little bit better. It might have been
more aggressive, you know, especially coming downhill on some run
(11:48):
plays every once in a while. But you know, he's
a great player and I look forward to following him
with you guys this next season, go along with all
the other Gophers. You guys have a couple other Gophers
on your squad.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Out by asking about his ability to play both safety
spots and some of his ability to roam around in
the defense. How would you see his best fit as
he jumps into the National Football League.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
Quite honestly, I'd probably see him a little bit closer.
So maybe playing that strong position to be up over,
you know, to be able to cover you know, tight ends,
and I think that'd be the place for him to
start versus you know, in the back, you know where
you really gotta, you know, worry about people. And he
does have speed now really a strength, but I think
he can you know, he has jumped that, he communicates,
and I think he'll be a be really good player
(12:33):
for you guys.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
You mentioned his leadership, and we talked about his swants
a little bit earlier picking up the playbook. You don't
think it will be that much of an issue as
a rookie. I mean all rookies they need that experience
before they can move in. How quickly do you think
he can give them some important reps as as a
first year player.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
I think it's gonna take it. It takes every one
a while. I just I don't know anyone who comes in,
especially in that secondary, but I think I would think,
what then the first you know, month and a half
of the season, once he gets a couple of preseason
games under his belt and some regular season won the
tempo and the speed picks up, but there's a lot,
a lot to learn in the beginning, and it comes
(13:13):
at you fast. Then you just have not seen the
caliber of athlete and the speed that you're going to
see combined with the montum information that goes into everything
that happens at the NFL level. But I feel like
he can do it. It's just going to take him sore.
I take him at least a month, but I say
after that first four games he'll be be ready to
be part of the rotation.
Speaker 5 (13:32):
Oh great stuff on safety Tyler Nubrin coming out of
Minnesota joining the New York Giants. And we thank Darryl Thompson,
radio analyst and former Minnesota alom and a one time
Green Bay Packer running back for his time. Thank you
so much, Darryl, Thank you thanks for having me.
Speaker 7 (13:48):
You loved hers.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
You're good at it.
Speaker 9 (13:51):
So you start a turfas business grows, your savings grow,
become the most celebrated name in turf. Are you ready
for all that.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Great stuff from Darryl Thompson?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
There the Giants Little podcast is brought to you by Citizens,
the official bank of the Giants from Game Dad every Day.
Citizens is made ready for Giants fans with insights, guidance
and solutions. Learn more at citizens bank dot com. All right,
let's go to the giants third ground pick Andrew Phillips
to talk about him the Voice of the Kentucky Wildcats
Tom Leach.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Now we are joined by Tom Leach, host of The
Leech Report, of the Voice of the Wildcats, who's gotten
a good look at Drew Phillips. You know, Tommy came
out a year early. I wonder how much more upside
might there have been had he stayed in Kentucky.
Speaker 10 (14:36):
I would just.
Speaker 8 (14:36):
Refer you to Carrington Valentine with the Packers, who had
a great rookie season, and a lot of us here
thought that way about him making the decision to go
to the draft and thinking, well, he's been a solid
player and they're looks like there's upside there, But wouldn't
be be more wouldn't it be more beneficial to stay
(14:58):
in college? And Stoops played defensive back in college and
has had great success putting secondary guys into the NFL,
and so it worked great for Carrington. So that's the
only thing I can tell you is that a lot
of itself the same way back Carrington Valentine, and he
showed he was more than ready, and so I think
(15:20):
there's reason to be optimistic that it would feel the
same way for Drew.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Could you tell us maybe the most important improvements that
you've seen and Drew since he was able to acquire
more playing time by cracking the starting lineup, Probably it.
Speaker 8 (15:35):
Would come under the heading of the trust that he
had from the defensive coordinator, Brad White, who came from
an NFL background. It was with the Colts when he
came to Kentucky and started out as an outside linebacker coach,
and it's been the coordinator for several years and it's
put several guys into the league. And I know midway
through last season at my weekly meetings with Brad, he
(15:57):
was really getting very bullished on how Andrew was moving
up in his eyes and gaining more of his trust.
And by the midway point of the season, they were
using him as a fifty B a lot, and so
they really valued him this past season as a guy
with a lot of experience, and you know, I think
(16:19):
he saw in Kentucky both starting corners got hurt in
the Gator Bowl, Phillips and Maxwell Harrison who would be
the next one to come into the league probably next spring.
And when both of those guys went out is when
Clemson really started to make hay with its passing game.
I know he's the guy that the Kentucky coaches loved
(16:42):
his versatility. Kentucky guy in Mike Edwards, who's won a
couple of Super Bowl rings with Tampa Bay and with
Kansas City. And Mike was a safety who would slide
down and be their nickel utility guy covering a slot
when they went to a five dB passage, and Phillips
was a guy who they put in a corner, fifth corner,
(17:06):
and a third cornerback at the fifth dB. And they
had more trust in Drew, so they used him in
the slot and they could they play a lot of
his own and so they there was more they were
putting more on that particular position, So they moved Drew
there when they go to five DB's and then put
in a corner out of the outside who didn't have
(17:29):
as much responsibility in the way that they were playing
their defense. So he's a guy that's got a lot
of trust from the coaching staff. Really towards the end
of last the previous season, and all the way through
last season.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Something else I saw in his Kentucky bios that he
was playing in special teams on kick coverage and had
a number of tackles. So it seems to me that
his mentality and his toughness can really show through there
even before he gets on the field as a defensive back.
Speaker 8 (17:56):
I'd say that's the safe bet he's he's a quote
unquote football player. I mean, I think loves the game.
Dad played at Kentucky, so it's a football family, tough
kid mentally and physically, so I look for him to
do well.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
Was he often used on a corner blitz or was
he able to help break up rushing plays.
Speaker 8 (18:17):
I don't recall him being used a lot on corner blitzes,
but he was good in run support. I mean in
the SEC, it's a physical league, and so you know,
everybody's throwing the ball around a lot these days, but
still in the SEC, there's the commitment to playing physical
and so if you're going to be out there as
(18:40):
a cornerback in this league, you're gonna have to play
the run. So you know, he's not anybody. He's not
anybody ever took off the field so you know, I
think they were very happy with how he played.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
The run n the Fast final fraud. Did you ever
get a chance in practice to watch him go up
against Wandell Robinson who was now going to be his
teammate with the Giants, because I got I got a
hunch they're going to be John against each other a
little bit.
Speaker 6 (19:05):
Yeah, I think they're good friends.
Speaker 8 (19:07):
So yes, I would see some of those matchups in practice.
Although you know One Dale's breakout season, Drew wasn't being
counted on as heavily then, so he didn't get a
great number of those opportunities in practice because of where
he was on the death chart at that time versus
where one Dale was. But that's definitely a friendship there
(19:31):
that will be reignited.
Speaker 5 (19:34):
Well, we're looking forward to watching Drew Phillips cornerback out
of Kentucky as he enters his rookie season with the
New York Giants, and we thank Tom Leach, host of
The Lads Report and the Voice of the Wildcats, for
his time. Tom McGain, appreciate it and.
Speaker 8 (19:47):
Stay well, happy to help, good luck to Drew.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Great stuff from Tom Leach.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Now we go to the Giants fourth round pick Fil
Johnson to talk about him. The voice of the Penn
State Nitney Lyons Jones, all right, I want to go
to THEO Johnson here, Steve. If you build a tight
end in the lab, he kind of looks like THEO Johnson.
He's six six, he's two sixty. He ran really well
as athletic testing was off the charts. Yet when I
watched the tape, I just don't see it quite come
(20:15):
all the way together.
Speaker 10 (20:18):
Well, that's in part because Penn State run has been
running the last couple of years at two tight end system.
So when you're spreading the ball out like that, I mean,
you know, with both tight ends out there at the
same time, so they kind of work off of each other.
THEO Johnson is really has become a terrific blocker, excellent hands,
(20:40):
good route runner. Look at Brenton Strange, who was the
second round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. That's the prototype
to the type of tight end the Penn State's putting
into the league. And we're going to have the same
conversation next year about Tyler Warren when we talk about it.
But he is with the size, the strength, everything that
he has He's going to be an excellent tight end
(21:03):
in the league moving forward. I mean he may not
be the number one guy out of the gate, but
eventually he'll be somebody's number one.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (21:09):
And if he can block at all, you know, just
a little bit canny, Steve, You don't you don't have
to block that much at that position because they could
do things with you. But that's good that as he
can block. I think, you know, with his measurables and
and you know his size, people give a lot of
you know, uh, you know, they pay attention to potential
(21:30):
a lot, you know, and the potential for him, I think.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Is very tight end is a testing position.
Speaker 11 (21:35):
Oh yeah, sure, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Great stuff from Steve Jones talking about Theo Johnson. Now
let's go to Tyrone Tracy Junior out of Perdue, the
Giants running back. On selecting on Day three of the draft,
we had a chance to talk to Tom Dinehardt from
Goldenblock dot com about him.
Speaker 5 (21:53):
And now we are joined by Tom Deanhard of blockinggold
dot com to talk about Tyrone Tracy, the running back
out of Purdue who the Giants were very excited about
drafting the other day. I think Tom one of the
things that is curious to so many people. After four
seasons at Iowa and then two seasons at Purdue, they're
getting a running back who spent what four and a
(22:14):
half years as a wide receiver before the conversion with
the Boilermakers. What was behind that conversion and how do
you feel he made the transition?
Speaker 7 (22:23):
And you know, in high school at the Caterer Central
High School, he really was a running back. So he
made the move to receiver going to college at Iowa
and he never really took got a lot of tracks
up in Iowa City. Transferred to Perdue for his last
two years with the receiver his first year in West
Brofaiette under Jeff Brahm in twenty twenty two, and it
was largely had effective, I'll be honest with you. And
(22:43):
then of course the new head coach comes in here,
Ron Walters, and that was yempus new tyrone to running back,
and boy, what a smart move that was. Tracy just
really blossom this last year, went for almost eight hundred yards.
He can still catch the football too, and he really
showed his ability as a special teams player as well.
When to make a kickoff for a touchdowns he's a
(23:05):
very versatile player all around.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
Well, let's talk about his skill set for a minute.
Seventy six inch plus wingspan, which if you looked at
all the running backs in the combine, he had the
longest one or the widest one, if you will. He
was one of ten running backs who ran his sub
four or five and the forty, So we certainly had
a couple of extremely attractive physical traits. Are you surprised
(23:31):
that he went where he did or should those traits
have driven him up the board a little more? Or
is that simply because he didn't play a lot of
running back in college that maybe he was overlooked some.
Speaker 7 (23:41):
I think he ran exactly where you were supposed to go.
All projections going into this draft was he was going
to be probably a Day three pick. I saw some
calls for him to be a fifth rounder, and sure enough,
it turns out he was picking the fifth round by
the Giants. So yeah, he's still really sort of a
I guess, a work in progress, if you will. Haven't
played running back this one full year in college. Still
(24:04):
has a lot of tread on his tire, you know,
has it taken a lot of hits? And yes, he's
a guy I think his best footballer is in front
of him. And I'll tell you what he talked about
the combine. He went down to Indianapolis and that's really
where he turned heads. I think with that four yard
dash time you're in that means everybody sit up and
pay attention. He had a nice pro day here Wes
(24:24):
Lafayette a week or two later, and a lot of
scouts here to watch Tyler and Trace, and I think
that stilled the deal for him in a draft choice.
And like I said, Ron, you know, catch the ball,
block returned kicks. I think that versatil they really added
even more value to the Tracy in the eyes of
the NFL scouts.
Speaker 5 (24:44):
Well, if I would talk about his rushing stats last
year almost six and a half yards of carry three
one hundred yard games, what were his skills as a
running back that impressed you the most? Because we all
know if you play running back in the NFL, one
of the things you have have to do it that
doesn't show up in the stat line is be able
to pick up the blitz.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Yeah, for the most part, Well, I could tell not
like I was watching the film looking for blitz pick
up all the time, But I never heard any make
complaining about his inability to block or to pick up
the blitz. You're not going to be out there. You
can't pick up the blitzer the running back because the
staff doesn't want the quarterback to get killed.
Speaker 8 (25:21):
So Trace, I.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
Think, is a good enough blocker. You know, he has
that vision. People always talked about running back the ability
to hit the whole downhill and tough. You know, you
gotta be tough, and I think Tracy more than proven,
must have to be a tough ball player as well.
And I always talk about I go back to his
ability to catch the football. If the guy who really
doesn't have to come off the field, he can be
(25:44):
a reading four down back for you. You can again
carry the ball for you early on, and he'd also
come out of the backfield and catch it for you too,
even split out wide. So I think that versatility and
that variety of skills just spends more value to him.
Speaker 5 (25:58):
Well, it sounds like there's a lot to like there.
What will be his biggest adjustment as he makes it
up here into the NFL and tries to earn some
playing time. What is he going to have to either
learn or polish up in your estimation.
Speaker 7 (26:11):
Just I think at the state of the game, everything
at that level is so much faster. Everybody's bigger, stronger, faster,
quick er, tougher. Holes develop and close very quickly at
that NFL level too, So just I think adjust the
od off speed of the game. I think he's going
to be not not your adjustment for him, but everybody
makes that leap. And the thing about Tyrone Tracy too,
(26:34):
is he he's maturer. Like I said, he was in
college for six years. He got out of high school
in twenty eighteen, so he's at least twenty three years
old at this point. So he's going to be able
to think handle some of emotional things and some of
the complexities of these NFL offenses, which should hope they
make his transition a little bit smooter at the next
level here.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
So suffice it to say, it sounds like it wouldn't
surprise you if he gives them some very snaps even
as a rookie.
Speaker 7 (27:01):
I think, se I'm not familiar with your running back
situation there, but I got to think he's a guy
that can help you off the bench, be a spot
guy here, be a full time special teams player and
get some spots snaps. I think on the offense, I
would think particularly on more third and long situations, Tyl
and Tracy leading more valuable because of those billings to
(27:22):
run in catch.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Great stuff on Tyrone Tracy running back out of Purdue
as part of the Giants twenty twenty four draft class.
That's Tom Deanhart of Black and Goold dot com. Tom,
thanks for your time, enjoy your summer.
Speaker 7 (27:34):
You got, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 9 (27:36):
You're ready for a change. Pay Day comes early with Citizens,
so go to that retreat. New you move to the country.
Now you're raising goats and launching a lifestyle brand. Are
you ready for all that life breaks?
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Great stuff there from Tom. Don't forget folks, Giant fans
love a winner. It's why they love Citizens Da, the
twenty twenty two best bank in the US by the banker,
as the official bank of the Giants and sponsor of
the Huddle, Citizens is made ready for fans of Big Blue.
Learn Moore at Citizens bank dot com. Let's wrap things
up with Matt Stevens, radio analyst for UCLA. He had
(28:11):
a chance to talk to us about linebacker Darius Mussou.
Speaker 5 (28:15):
Darius Mosseau, and I think I got that pretty close
undersize linebacker only ran four to seven is the time
that I saw for him at the combine. So maybe
in some statistical categories he might be a ted overmatch,
but I think a guy on special teams at the
very least should be able to carve out something of
an NFL career.
Speaker 12 (28:35):
Note Yep, Garris Muissau is how you pronounce him, by
the way, that's all right. And he had a really
productive career at Hawaii and then he came to UCLA,
and the first year at UCLA he seemed a tad
bit slow, to be honest with you, and then his
senior year.
Speaker 13 (28:51):
He got faster, he got stronger. You really saw a
lot of improvement. His instincts are off the charts. I mean,
he can play really well him pass coverage. He knows
how to time his blitches, shoot gaps, he can make
a tackle in the open field. He's gonna play on
special teams, Yes, I do think he's going to find
(29:12):
a role on defense, and then he's going to be a.
Speaker 12 (29:15):
Guy that all of a sudden, Wow, he's in his
eighth and nine year as an infel player, he's that
smart of a guy. He understands everything you need out
of a middle linebacker, and he make sure everybody's lined
up in the right position.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
All right.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
We thank Gordy, Darryl, Tom, Steve, Tom, and Matt All
for joining us on the Giants Toddle Podcast. Uh real,
hope you guys don't a lot from those interviews. I
know we did when we did him. We thank you
for checking him out, and we thought it would be
good to put them all into one to check those
out right here on the Giants Totle Podcast, brought to
you by Citizens, the Official Bank of the Giants for
Paul Theatino and everyone else that was featured in those
(29:50):
interviews on John Schmelk.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
We'll see you next time, everybody,
Popular Podcasts
1. The Podium
The Podium: An NBC Olympic and Paralympic podcast. Join us for insider coverage during the intense competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the run-up to the Opening Ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have you know and those you'll be hard-pressed to forget.
2. In The Village
In The Village will take you into the most exclusive areas of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to explore the daily life of athletes, complete with all the funny, mundane and unexpected things you learn off the field of play. Join Elizabeth Beisel as she sits down with Olympians each day in Paris.
3. iHeartOlympics: The Latest
Listen to the latest news from the 2024 Olympics.