May 22, 2025 • 15 mins
On this episode of the Giants Huddle podcast, John Schmeelk chats with Nebraska’s Tight End Coach, Marcus Satterfield, who coached Giants draft choice, Thomas Fidone. They discuss Fidone’s ability to block, how he was used as a receiver, and what kind of person the Giants are getting off the field.
:00 - Thomas Fidone’s development
5:29 - Fidone’s receiving abilities
9:39 - Translating to the NFL
10:35 - Fidone’s personality
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time to get inside the Giants Hut.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Let's go Giants. The Giants Moubul give me some job.
Part of the Giants Podcast Network. Let's roll.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to another edition of the Giants Little Podcast, brought
to you by Citizens, the official bank of the Giants.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
I am John Schmelck.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Well, this is gonna be the first of what I
hope is many interviews with college coaches that coach the
Giants draft picks.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
We like to do this every year.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Of course, we're in the Hackensack Murty Health podcast studio.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Keep getting better.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
So we're gonna lead off with Giants seventh round pick
tight end Thomas Fadoni, who was in Nebraska and was
coached by tight end's coach and also.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Offensive coordinator, Marcus Sadderfield.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So we're going to talk to him about him as
a guy, him as a player, and everything else about
the Thomas Faedoni, the second experience at the University of Nebraska.
And now we welcome in the tight ends coach for
the University of Nebraska, Marcus Saddersfield.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Marcus, how are you.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I'm doing good, Marcus.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
It's it's great to talk to you man. Thank you
so much for being with us you coach Thomas Vedoni
for a couple of years when you arrived with with
Matt Ruhle. When you got there, he was still rehabbing
that second knee injury, right, So what did you learn
about him when you got there and you're still trying
to work back from those two consecutive really debilitating knee injuries.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Just the traits of being so competitive. I mean, you
saw the toughness, mental toughness, and just the competitiveness to
get back to full strength that he was working through.
Was one of the first things that I noticed about
Thomas when we first got here.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Absolutely, and then obviously you know you're running the offense.
You're trying to work him in. How long did it
take for you, Marcus, to figure out how he fits
in how you want to run your offense at Nebraska?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Well, we were a pro style offense, so you know,
tight ends are crucial. And you know, when you meet Thomas,
you don't really realize how big he is. He's a
large human being. He can you know, you functions well
in the run game and he can run. He got speed,
you know, so you can operate in space and run route.
So I mean he was a guy that was plug
in at the wide position and do everything in the
(02:03):
run game and in the past. So he's a you know,
he's he's got unbelievable speed, you know, straight out of speed,
straight line speed for the vertical passing game.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
So for what we wanted to do, he'd fit right
in from day one.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
I was down at the Senior Bowl and the first
thing I noticed right away just watching him was his
movement skills.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
And I knew he was coming up to an injury.
So I'm like, huh.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
I know it was two years ago, but I'm like,
how athletic he's going to be. And his speed in
person matches his speed on tape. Then you watch his
athleticism testing at the combine, those checked out too. You know,
I know he was a late pick, and I don't
think fans realize what a good athlete he is.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, super athlete.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
And again usually you know, guys of that stature, you
don't think they can you have the short area quickness,
change the direction. When you watch him run routes, it's
like a thoroughbred horse, like you feel him running, you
feel him getting in out of his brakes. He's got
thirty four inch thirty three thirty four inch arms like
he plays with lengths, so he's got advantag show those
linebackers and safeties that are going to start to try
(03:02):
to guard him in coverage.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
So, uh, he's you know, we're gonna miss him around here.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Now do you like to use him as a Y
or more as an F move tight end or did
it really depend on the situation and the time of
game and down the distance and stuff.
Speaker 4 (03:17):
It depended on, you know, just what we were trying
to accomplish in the run or the past game. He
could play the while, he could play the F. He
could spit out, you know, split out play you know,
on the perimeter. He could do all three passets of
the tight end position.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
So when you use him as a Y and you
started to develop him, and when when you guys arrived,
was it more work to develop him as a wide
receiver because I know he played wide receiver and in
high school. Is that way he did do most of
the development or was it trying to get him to
do some of the why stuff run blocking and things
like that to adjust to your pro style.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
The route running was never an issue.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
You know, ball skills were never issue was just put
in your face in the block, you know, just the
run game aspect of it, in the line of scrimmage
with all those human beings in the box. I think
was you know, the thing that we had to develop
the most. And I think just over two years he's
from where we got here to where he is now
is night and day.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
So talk about his development as a blocker, because I
don't have to tell you a lot of that is
the one right and the willingness to get in there
and do it. So was that there right away when
you tried to coach that into Thomas.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
The one thing that you you know, it's hard to
teach tight ends is if they don't like contact, you know,
they're not going to put their face in the block.
It's always going to be a struggle for them to
generate ground based power and move people off their spot.
Thomas has to want to in the toughness so that,
you know, it's easy to teach guys that are we're
willing to put their face in the block and try
(04:43):
to you know, have to really you know, strain to
move defenders off their spots, especially in the Big ten.
The guys that we're blocking are some pretty big dudes.
But you know, just from day one, just his willingness
to do whatever we asked was a parent he was
going to have success.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
And then what some of the area's coach where you
really saw an improvement in his technique when it comes
to blocking over the course of your time with them there.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
I think just you know, being the y on the
line of scrimmage, you know, and blocking a six five,
two hundred and two hundred and sixty pounds defensive end
in the Big ten and being able to you know,
have good contact balance and you know, hand controls, tricability,
all those things that you're looking for to the next level.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
At the NFL.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
I think that you know, this past season, you can
turn on the tape and watch them do that.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Hoddle up, get in here. If you're lined up here,
you gotta go over the middle with at the score great.
How do we make that happen?
Speaker 4 (05:32):
I don't know, but Citizens does makes sense of your
money with Citizens Official Bank of Eli Manning.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
All right, let's talk about him as a receiver. Now.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Should Giant fans see him more as a linear seam
runner type or is he more of a All right,
I'm going to get to the top of the route.
I'm going to shake the tight end with my side
side quickness or is he a guy that can do both?
Speaker 4 (05:53):
He can do everything, but I think it is super
you know, super trade is just the vertical passing game.
Like his straight line speed is as you know, really
really really good. And I think just his ability to
play with linked and catch the ball, you know, one
on one on linebackers and safeties that are a little
bit shorter and short lever than he is. I think
he can use you know, his linked and his speed
to take advantage of some of those matchups.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
And I feel like watching tight ends at the pro level,
a lot of it is feeling zones, Right, You're trying
to find those little soft spots against the zone defense.
You guys, obviously in college you're going to face a
lot of cover for stuff, a lot of two safeties high.
How is his feel going against zone coverage, finding those gaps,
using his leverage the right way to kind of give
those quarterbacks those openings in the short to intermediate areas.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Uh, you know, the way that we teach it in
that in that room, the position room. We teach them
like quarterbacks. I mean, like you said, you have to
understand coverages and how to attack it. So I think
you know he has a great feel for different types
of coverages, whether it be zone, whether it be man,
single high, you know, shell coverage. He understands the attack
points and where he needs to be based on progressions
and timing, and you know, the spacing of the play.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
I call it time and spacing.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
I think you know he has very good time and
spacing skills of where he needs to be in awareness
of where he needs to be on each play.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Now, you were with coach Ruhl and when he was
at the Panthers. Then you mentioned you run an NFL offense,
So how do you think he's going to fit in
now when he gets to the NFL.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
All the good thing is we huddle and we have
thirteen fourteen play you know word play calls, which I'm
not saying that's good, uh, but you know he's been
in a huddle, broke a huddle, ran a play, got
the crap knocked out of it and been out of breath,
got back in a huddle and had to hear a
you know, a twelve plate play call, break the huddle,
have a different snap count, maybe alert it, maybe can it,
(07:35):
maybe reload it. So all the things that you're going
to be asked to do at the next level is
not going to be foreign to him. He's done that
for the last two years.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I think that And maybe you already answered most of
this question in your previous response. So what parts, aside
from the holding part of it, from your offense in
Nebraska being a pro style thing, do you think will
really translate well and help him be prepared for the NFL.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I think just the way that you're utilizing.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
I mean, you've got to you know, run block, pass block,
run routes, run the football, have you know, rushing skills.
I think just the things we asked him to do
in pass protection that he's going to be asked to
do at the next level. He was going to pay
huge dividends for him. It's not going to be foreign.
Some of these guys just play receiver that get drafted
as a tight end. He's you know, he's been in
line and had to pass protect and run block. Uh
(08:19):
these defensive ends you know, the chips you see, you know,
you utilize health, the tackles and pass protection. He's did
that all last year. So I think he's well versed
and you know what he's going to be asked to
do at the next level.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Now you've talked about how you utilize him as a
receiver and a block, or if he was in a
more spread out system where you're throwing in a million
times a game, I imagine you got to think his production
would just be a little bit higher, right, and just
maybe because of the way you guys were in the offense,
which by the way, is not a bad thing. I
think you got to run the football. You're doing the
absolute right thing there that maybe elsewhere his numbers would
(08:51):
have been a little bit better given his athletic gifts.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Yeah, if he would have, I mean, you know the difference,
you know, no huddle, spread offenses he would have. He
would have definitely, definitely been maybe more productive. But maybe
it wouldn't have gotten drafted because you're not going to
see the traits like the NFL guys are going to
see him chip chip a defensive and pass protect the
defensive in baseball and defensive and double team to the mic,
run a basic cross, understands, basing concepts, run the vertical
(09:16):
passing game. So he got to showcase every trait they're
looking for at that level production. You know, we had
a true freshman quarterback. Last year, we had you know,
his our first year, we had multiple quarterbacks and you know,
we struggled with any type of passing game. And then
last year with Dylan, we had a freshman quarterback. So
I think just you know, those two years alone, you know,
(09:36):
if he played this year, probably haven't you know, fifteen
more catches this year he did last year. But I
think that you know, all that will in time, will
play out, and I think just the traits he developed
here as a you know, the pro style offense is
going to help him tremendously.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
No, Marcus, You're exactly right. I mean, whenever I talked
to coaches at the Giants or other teams, the first
thing they say is, I have so much trouble figuring
out how what this guy does in college is going
to translate to the pro level, because you know, with
the hash marks and stuff, it's a very different game.
But I think when they watch him at Tapa at Nebraska,
it's pretty clear to see, all right, this is how
this is going to work in the pros.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
I mean I've already said it, you know, a couple
of times, but just you know, just the style of offense,
I think it really, you know, it helps the way
that we play football, the way that I know. I
know I'm not supposed to say this, but the way
I would plays football. I think, you know, it helps
the development of tied ends at the next level.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
It's they're not going in there.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
And again it's some of these guys that have never
been in a huddle, like they don't have any idea
Like you, you start rumbling off these play calls and
they can't function. And I think guys like Thomas that
have been in these environments, these football environments, I think,
you know, have an easier transition, a faster transition to
the next level. If you want to know how to
manage two minutes of crunch time football, I'm your man.
(10:48):
But if you're wondering about a long term financial plan,
you should talk to Citizens.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Hey, I can also talk long care. I'd like to
learn about aniliar team.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Yes, I knew I.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Could help makes sense of your money with Citizen.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Since all right, tell me about Thomas Fadoni, the guy,
what kind of person of the Giants getting with him
in the locker room.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Well, the thing you know you're going to hear he's
got two a cls. Yet since we were here, he
never missed one practice. And you know, coach says, your
best abilities availability. And we had to pull him out
of bull practice this year, like you've played enough, like
you don't, you know, let the young guys practice a
little bit. But he was there consistently every day. I
think he's obsessed with being the best version of himself.
(11:25):
I'd say that if he had a fault, that would
be it. Like he's just so obsessive with trying to
be the best tied end in the country. It's almost
like unhealthy at times, like you know, you relax, take
a breath. But you know he's a tireless worker. He's
a great teammate in the locker room.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
He understands how to do hard things. That's what we
take a lot of pride here is just being able
to do hard things continuously over time, you know, which
would be part of our process.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
So I think that, you.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Know, his his best days are in the future. I
can't wait to watch him develop. I think, you know,
he's he's an older guy, but he hadn't got to
play a ton of football because of the two injuries.
So I think he's only going to continue to get
better and better, uh, you know as the years go on.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
The one thing I think coaches always wonder about, you know,
kids when they're gonna draft him, do they love football?
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (12:11):
And I know he grew up in a family that
was a huge Nebraska family. I think they grew up
in Omaha, right, even though he went to school in
a Council Bluffs in Iowa and high school, did you
always get that sense of just his absolute love for
the game. I imagine giving his work ethic that you're
talking about, that that is kind of a core part
of his personality, that he just always wanted to be
a football player.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
Yeah, that's you know, the trace you look for when
you're recruiting. Luckily we walked into him being here is
just do they love football? And are they competitive? And
are they tough?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
And he is.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
He's you know, he's tough, he's hard working, he's competitive,
he loves football. And I think if you've got guys
like that, you have a chance to develop into something
really good.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
And I always find it interesting to ask guys like
you who've been in the room with these guys, how
they learn?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Is he more of a visual learner?
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Is he a guy that you know takes a lot
of notes as he have to see it on the field.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
How does he learn?
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Very you know, very good note taker. That's the thing
coach Rule always stresses. One of my favorite coach rualisms
is every every revolution started with a pen. So our
guys know how to take notes. I think I like that. Yeah,
that's good stuff. But you know I can do I
can draw plays on the board and he can pick
it up and learn it, take a note, and then
we'll go out and walk through it and then he's
(13:19):
ready to roll. But you know, his football intelligence I
think would be very good as I'd rate it.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
So even though he's a late round pick the way
you're talking about him, coach, and look, every player needs development.
Obviously you're going from college to the NFL. But it
seems like the learning curve for him, given his intelligence,
his work ethic, and the type of offense he played in,
it probably isn't going to be like what you might
get from a raw prospect that you would get in
a you know, round seven of an NFL draft.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Yeah, that would be the last thing I would worry
about me personally.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
With Thomas's learning and picking.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
Up on on whatever offense he goes into. Again, he's
you know, it's all going to be comfortable and normal
for him.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Now, what kind of leader is he?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Is he kind of a raw, raw lead by lead
with the voice being a loud guy. Is he more
over a lead by example guy? How did he lead
in that way?
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yeah, he's more of a lead by example just to
his work ethic and again, like I said, just his
his endurance and.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
You know, showing up for every practice. I think just
how hard.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
He worked and competed as much more of a lead
by example than a raw, raw guy.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
All right, And then final question, I always just like
to ask, you know, guys like you have been in
the meeting with these guys and been through wars with
these guys over course of a couple of years, any
great anecdotes or stories or or anything that you want
to share about Thomas with giant fans from a personal
level that you would think help him connect with the
player or anything that makes him special.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Man, I don't know if I have anything really that
funny in the last two years.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Just his.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
Just his just his obsession with being the best like
he he wants to be the best tied end in
the in the country, you know, whether it be in
college or the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
And I think that you're going to see that.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
And just how he lives his life, life, works, practices
and represents the Giants.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Awesome stuff, coach. I really appreciate the time, man, this
was fantastic. Good luck next year. Send coach rule my regards.
I was here when he was here with the Giants
as an assistant on line coach in twenty twelve. I've
been here a while. I wish you guys all the success.
I hope you have a great year. Thank you so
much for the time.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
Oh, we say thank you very much to Marcus Sadderfield
who joins us. He is the Titans coach for the
University of Nebraska. He was also their offensive coordinator. Really
good stuff there about Tom. Has learned a lot about him,
what a good kid he is, and really how quickly
he might be able to adjust to the pro game.
Thank you for joining us in the Hacketsack Meridian Health
podcast studio. Keep getting better. That's all the time we
(15:41):
have for this edition of the Johnsontle Podcast, brought to
you by Citizens Official Bank of the Giants for coach Sadderfield,
I am John shmul Thanks for being with us.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
We'll see you next time.
It's time to get inside the Giants Hut.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Let's go Giants. The Giants Moubul give me some job.
Part of the Giants Podcast Network. Let's roll.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to another edition of the Giants Little Podcast, brought
to you by Citizens, the official bank of the Giants.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
I am John Schmelck.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Well, this is gonna be the first of what I
hope is many interviews with college coaches that coach the
Giants draft picks.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
We like to do this every year.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Of course, we're in the Hackensack Murty Health podcast studio.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Keep getting better.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
So we're gonna lead off with Giants seventh round pick
tight end Thomas Fadoni, who was in Nebraska and was
coached by tight end's coach and also.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Offensive coordinator, Marcus Sadderfield.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So we're going to talk to him about him as
a guy, him as a player, and everything else about
the Thomas Faedoni, the second experience at the University of Nebraska.
And now we welcome in the tight ends coach for
the University of Nebraska, Marcus Saddersfield.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Marcus, how are you.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I'm doing good, Marcus.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
It's it's great to talk to you man. Thank you
so much for being with us you coach Thomas Vedoni
for a couple of years when you arrived with with
Matt Ruhle. When you got there, he was still rehabbing
that second knee injury, right, So what did you learn
about him when you got there and you're still trying
to work back from those two consecutive really debilitating knee injuries.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Just the traits of being so competitive. I mean, you
saw the toughness, mental toughness, and just the competitiveness to
get back to full strength that he was working through.
Was one of the first things that I noticed about
Thomas when we first got here.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Absolutely, and then obviously you know you're running the offense.
You're trying to work him in. How long did it
take for you, Marcus, to figure out how he fits
in how you want to run your offense at Nebraska?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Well, we were a pro style offense, so you know,
tight ends are crucial. And you know, when you meet Thomas,
you don't really realize how big he is. He's a
large human being. He can you know, you functions well
in the run game and he can run. He got speed,
you know, so you can operate in space and run route.
So I mean he was a guy that was plug
in at the wide position and do everything in the
(02:03):
run game and in the past. So he's a you know,
he's he's got unbelievable speed, you know, straight out of speed,
straight line speed for the vertical passing game.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
So for what we wanted to do, he'd fit right
in from day one.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
I was down at the Senior Bowl and the first
thing I noticed right away just watching him was his
movement skills.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
And I knew he was coming up to an injury.
So I'm like, huh.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
I know it was two years ago, but I'm like,
how athletic he's going to be. And his speed in
person matches his speed on tape. Then you watch his
athleticism testing at the combine, those checked out too. You know,
I know he was a late pick, and I don't
think fans realize what a good athlete he is.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, super athlete.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
And again usually you know, guys of that stature, you
don't think they can you have the short area quickness,
change the direction. When you watch him run routes, it's
like a thoroughbred horse, like you feel him running, you
feel him getting in out of his brakes. He's got
thirty four inch thirty three thirty four inch arms like
he plays with lengths, so he's got advantag show those
linebackers and safeties that are going to start to try
(03:02):
to guard him in coverage.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
So, uh, he's you know, we're gonna miss him around here.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Now do you like to use him as a Y
or more as an F move tight end or did
it really depend on the situation and the time of
game and down the distance and stuff.
Speaker 4 (03:17):
It depended on, you know, just what we were trying
to accomplish in the run or the past game. He
could play the while, he could play the F. He
could spit out, you know, split out play you know,
on the perimeter. He could do all three passets of
the tight end position.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
So when you use him as a Y and you
started to develop him, and when when you guys arrived,
was it more work to develop him as a wide
receiver because I know he played wide receiver and in
high school. Is that way he did do most of
the development or was it trying to get him to
do some of the why stuff run blocking and things
like that to adjust to your pro style.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
The route running was never an issue.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
You know, ball skills were never issue was just put
in your face in the block, you know, just the
run game aspect of it, in the line of scrimmage
with all those human beings in the box. I think
was you know, the thing that we had to develop
the most. And I think just over two years he's
from where we got here to where he is now
is night and day.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
So talk about his development as a blocker, because I
don't have to tell you a lot of that is
the one right and the willingness to get in there
and do it. So was that there right away when
you tried to coach that into Thomas.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
The one thing that you you know, it's hard to
teach tight ends is if they don't like contact, you know,
they're not going to put their face in the block.
It's always going to be a struggle for them to
generate ground based power and move people off their spot.
Thomas has to want to in the toughness so that,
you know, it's easy to teach guys that are we're
willing to put their face in the block and try
(04:43):
to you know, have to really you know, strain to
move defenders off their spots, especially in the Big ten.
The guys that we're blocking are some pretty big dudes.
But you know, just from day one, just his willingness
to do whatever we asked was a parent he was
going to have success.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
And then what some of the area's coach where you
really saw an improvement in his technique when it comes
to blocking over the course of your time with them there.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
I think just you know, being the y on the
line of scrimmage, you know, and blocking a six five,
two hundred and two hundred and sixty pounds defensive end
in the Big ten and being able to you know,
have good contact balance and you know, hand controls, tricability,
all those things that you're looking for to the next level.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
At the NFL.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
I think that you know, this past season, you can
turn on the tape and watch them do that.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Hoddle up, get in here. If you're lined up here,
you gotta go over the middle with at the score great.
How do we make that happen?
Speaker 4 (05:32):
I don't know, but Citizens does makes sense of your
money with Citizens Official Bank of Eli Manning.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
All right, let's talk about him as a receiver. Now.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Should Giant fans see him more as a linear seam
runner type or is he more of a All right,
I'm going to get to the top of the route.
I'm going to shake the tight end with my side
side quickness or is he a guy that can do both?
Speaker 4 (05:53):
He can do everything, but I think it is super
you know, super trade is just the vertical passing game.
Like his straight line speed is as you know, really
really really good. And I think just his ability to
play with linked and catch the ball, you know, one
on one on linebackers and safeties that are a little
bit shorter and short lever than he is. I think
he can use you know, his linked and his speed
to take advantage of some of those matchups.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
And I feel like watching tight ends at the pro level,
a lot of it is feeling zones, Right, You're trying
to find those little soft spots against the zone defense.
You guys, obviously in college you're going to face a
lot of cover for stuff, a lot of two safeties high.
How is his feel going against zone coverage, finding those gaps,
using his leverage the right way to kind of give
those quarterbacks those openings in the short to intermediate areas.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Uh, you know, the way that we teach it in
that in that room, the position room. We teach them
like quarterbacks. I mean, like you said, you have to
understand coverages and how to attack it. So I think
you know he has a great feel for different types
of coverages, whether it be zone, whether it be man,
single high, you know, shell coverage. He understands the attack
points and where he needs to be based on progressions
and timing, and you know, the spacing of the play.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
I call it time and spacing.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
I think you know he has very good time and
spacing skills of where he needs to be in awareness
of where he needs to be on each play.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Now, you were with coach Ruhl and when he was
at the Panthers. Then you mentioned you run an NFL offense,
So how do you think he's going to fit in
now when he gets to the NFL.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
All the good thing is we huddle and we have
thirteen fourteen play you know word play calls, which I'm
not saying that's good, uh, but you know he's been
in a huddle, broke a huddle, ran a play, got
the crap knocked out of it and been out of breath,
got back in a huddle and had to hear a
you know, a twelve plate play call, break the huddle,
have a different snap count, maybe alert it, maybe can it,
(07:35):
maybe reload it. So all the things that you're going
to be asked to do at the next level is
not going to be foreign to him. He's done that
for the last two years.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I think that And maybe you already answered most of
this question in your previous response. So what parts, aside
from the holding part of it, from your offense in
Nebraska being a pro style thing, do you think will
really translate well and help him be prepared for the NFL.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I think just the way that you're utilizing.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
I mean, you've got to you know, run block, pass block,
run routes, run the football, have you know, rushing skills.
I think just the things we asked him to do
in pass protection that he's going to be asked to
do at the next level. He was going to pay
huge dividends for him. It's not going to be foreign.
Some of these guys just play receiver that get drafted
as a tight end. He's you know, he's been in
line and had to pass protect and run block. Uh
(08:19):
these defensive ends you know, the chips you see, you know,
you utilize health, the tackles and pass protection. He's did
that all last year. So I think he's well versed
and you know what he's going to be asked to
do at the next level.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Now you've talked about how you utilize him as a
receiver and a block, or if he was in a
more spread out system where you're throwing in a million
times a game, I imagine you got to think his production
would just be a little bit higher, right, and just
maybe because of the way you guys were in the offense,
which by the way, is not a bad thing. I
think you got to run the football. You're doing the
absolute right thing there that maybe elsewhere his numbers would
(08:51):
have been a little bit better given his athletic gifts.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Yeah, if he would have, I mean, you know the difference,
you know, no huddle, spread offenses he would have. He
would have definitely, definitely been maybe more productive. But maybe
it wouldn't have gotten drafted because you're not going to
see the traits like the NFL guys are going to
see him chip chip a defensive and pass protect the
defensive in baseball and defensive and double team to the mic,
run a basic cross, understands, basing concepts, run the vertical
(09:16):
passing game. So he got to showcase every trait they're
looking for at that level production. You know, we had
a true freshman quarterback. Last year, we had you know,
his our first year, we had multiple quarterbacks and you know,
we struggled with any type of passing game. And then
last year with Dylan, we had a freshman quarterback. So
I think just you know, those two years alone, you know,
(09:36):
if he played this year, probably haven't you know, fifteen
more catches this year he did last year. But I
think that you know, all that will in time, will
play out, and I think just the traits he developed
here as a you know, the pro style offense is
going to help him tremendously.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
No, Marcus, You're exactly right. I mean, whenever I talked
to coaches at the Giants or other teams, the first
thing they say is, I have so much trouble figuring
out how what this guy does in college is going
to translate to the pro level, because you know, with
the hash marks and stuff, it's a very different game.
But I think when they watch him at Tapa at Nebraska,
it's pretty clear to see, all right, this is how
this is going to work in the pros.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
I mean I've already said it, you know, a couple
of times, but just you know, just the style of offense,
I think it really, you know, it helps the way
that we play football, the way that I know. I
know I'm not supposed to say this, but the way
I would plays football. I think, you know, it helps
the development of tied ends at the next level.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
It's they're not going in there.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
And again it's some of these guys that have never
been in a huddle, like they don't have any idea
Like you, you start rumbling off these play calls and
they can't function. And I think guys like Thomas that
have been in these environments, these football environments, I think,
you know, have an easier transition, a faster transition to
the next level. If you want to know how to
manage two minutes of crunch time football, I'm your man.
(10:48):
But if you're wondering about a long term financial plan,
you should talk to Citizens.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Hey, I can also talk long care. I'd like to
learn about aniliar team.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Yes, I knew I.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Could help makes sense of your money with Citizen.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Since all right, tell me about Thomas Fadoni, the guy,
what kind of person of the Giants getting with him
in the locker room.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Well, the thing you know you're going to hear he's
got two a cls. Yet since we were here, he
never missed one practice. And you know, coach says, your
best abilities availability. And we had to pull him out
of bull practice this year, like you've played enough, like
you don't, you know, let the young guys practice a
little bit. But he was there consistently every day. I
think he's obsessed with being the best version of himself.
(11:25):
I'd say that if he had a fault, that would
be it. Like he's just so obsessive with trying to
be the best tied end in the country. It's almost
like unhealthy at times, like you know, you relax, take
a breath. But you know he's a tireless worker. He's
a great teammate in the locker room.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
He understands how to do hard things. That's what we
take a lot of pride here is just being able
to do hard things continuously over time, you know, which
would be part of our process.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
So I think that, you.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Know, his his best days are in the future. I
can't wait to watch him develop. I think, you know,
he's he's an older guy, but he hadn't got to
play a ton of football because of the two injuries.
So I think he's only going to continue to get
better and better, uh, you know as the years go on.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
The one thing I think coaches always wonder about, you know,
kids when they're gonna draft him, do they love football?
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (12:11):
And I know he grew up in a family that
was a huge Nebraska family. I think they grew up
in Omaha, right, even though he went to school in
a Council Bluffs in Iowa and high school, did you
always get that sense of just his absolute love for
the game. I imagine giving his work ethic that you're
talking about, that that is kind of a core part
of his personality, that he just always wanted to be
a football player.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
Yeah, that's you know, the trace you look for when
you're recruiting. Luckily we walked into him being here is
just do they love football? And are they competitive? And
are they tough?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
And he is.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
He's you know, he's tough, he's hard working, he's competitive,
he loves football. And I think if you've got guys
like that, you have a chance to develop into something
really good.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
And I always find it interesting to ask guys like
you who've been in the room with these guys, how
they learn?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Is he more of a visual learner?
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Is he a guy that you know takes a lot
of notes as he have to see it on the field.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
How does he learn?
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Very you know, very good note taker. That's the thing
coach Rule always stresses. One of my favorite coach rualisms
is every every revolution started with a pen. So our
guys know how to take notes. I think I like that. Yeah,
that's good stuff. But you know I can do I
can draw plays on the board and he can pick
it up and learn it, take a note, and then
we'll go out and walk through it and then he's
(13:19):
ready to roll. But you know, his football intelligence I
think would be very good as I'd rate it.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
So even though he's a late round pick the way
you're talking about him, coach, and look, every player needs development.
Obviously you're going from college to the NFL. But it
seems like the learning curve for him, given his intelligence,
his work ethic, and the type of offense he played in,
it probably isn't going to be like what you might
get from a raw prospect that you would get in
a you know, round seven of an NFL draft.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Yeah, that would be the last thing I would worry
about me personally.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
With Thomas's learning and picking.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
Up on on whatever offense he goes into. Again, he's
you know, it's all going to be comfortable and normal
for him.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Now, what kind of leader is he?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Is he kind of a raw, raw lead by lead
with the voice being a loud guy. Is he more
over a lead by example guy? How did he lead
in that way?
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yeah, he's more of a lead by example just to
his work ethic and again, like I said, just his
his endurance and.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
You know, showing up for every practice. I think just
how hard.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
He worked and competed as much more of a lead
by example than a raw, raw guy.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
All right, And then final question, I always just like
to ask, you know, guys like you have been in
the meeting with these guys and been through wars with
these guys over course of a couple of years, any
great anecdotes or stories or or anything that you want
to share about Thomas with giant fans from a personal
level that you would think help him connect with the
player or anything that makes him special.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Man, I don't know if I have anything really that
funny in the last two years.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Just his.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
Just his just his obsession with being the best like
he he wants to be the best tied end in
the in the country, you know, whether it be in
college or the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
And I think that you're going to see that.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
And just how he lives his life, life, works, practices
and represents the Giants.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Awesome stuff, coach. I really appreciate the time, man, this
was fantastic. Good luck next year. Send coach rule my regards.
I was here when he was here with the Giants
as an assistant on line coach in twenty twelve. I've
been here a while. I wish you guys all the success.
I hope you have a great year. Thank you so
much for the time.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
Oh, we say thank you very much to Marcus Sadderfield
who joins us. He is the Titans coach for the
University of Nebraska. He was also their offensive coordinator. Really
good stuff there about Tom. Has learned a lot about him,
what a good kid he is, and really how quickly
he might be able to adjust to the pro game.
Thank you for joining us in the Hacketsack Meridian Health
podcast studio. Keep getting better. That's all the time we
(15:41):
have for this edition of the Johnsontle Podcast, brought to
you by Citizens Official Bank of the Giants for coach Sadderfield,
I am John shmul Thanks for being with us.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
We'll see you next time.
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