SUPER BOWL CHAMPS GIANTS Draft part 1

Now that the party is over it is back to work for the New York giants who want to repeat as CHAMPS this year. So what are the needs? The biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball. Some of you may be scratching your head saying why? They held the "mighty" Patriots to only 14 points in the Super Bowl. Well that was because of the great pass rush applied by Strahan, Osi and Tuck. The weak link is in the secondary with the loss of Gibril Wilson they need to add a safety and a cover corner. They did both. With the 31ST pick of the draft. The New York Giants select safety Kenny Phillips from THE U-niversity of Miami. From my buddy the Bronx Banter

1 31 (31) NY Giants Kenny Phillips S Miami (Fla.)
Strengths: Continues to add bulk to his frame while maintaining competitive
speed for the position. Changes directions well, shows good burst out of cuts
and is capable of matching up with slot receivers as well as tight ends in man
coverage. Times jumps well, fights for the ball while it's in the air and can
come down with jump balls. He fills hard when he reads run, closes well and
looks to make the occasional kill shot when it's lined up. Flashes ability to
read routes well, shows good range in zone coverage when he diagnoses the play
on time and he has enough athleticism to cover the deep middle on those
occasions. Vocal, gets teammates into position and is a leader on the field.

Weaknesses: Doesn't read keys all that well and takes too many false steps. Is
undisciplined at times and compromises the defensive scheme as a result. Has
the second gear to recover in most situations but can be overaggressive, is
vulnerable to play action and gets caught out of position too much. Flashes the
ability to deliver the big hit but he will back down from some challenges he's
not certain he can win, as well. Lacks elite ball skills; a prospect with his
natural ability should be more of a play maker. Takes too long to shed blocks,
occasionally avoids contact and is going to be more effective playing off the
line than he'll be lining up in the box. Takes some poor angles to the ball,
can overrun plays and should make more plays in pursuit. Durability is somewhat
of a concern; missed the final three games of the 2006 season with a broken
thumb and battled a lingering ankle injury in 2007.

Overall: Phillips started the final 11 games of his true freshman season in
2004 finishing with 88 tackles including 58 unassisted tackles and three
tackles-for-loss. He also recorded an interception, a fumble recovery and four
pass breakups that year. Phillips started the nine games he appeared in during
the 2005 season finishing with 71 tackles including six tackles-for loss. He
also recorded four interceptions and six pass breakups up that year. Phillips
started the 11 games he played in during the 2007 season finishing with 82
total tackles including 54 unassisted tackles and six tackles-for-loss. He also
recorded two interceptions, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles last
year. Phillips took a step backwards as a junior and would have been better
served by returning to school for his senior year. While part of his struggles
can be chalked up to a lingering ankle injury that limited his range a bit, it
still doesn't explain his inconsistent recognition skills and failure to play
with the same passion on an every down-basis. If properly developed and
motivated, Phillips can emerge as a versatile starting safety in the NFL.
However, Phillips' ceiling is not nearly as high as some of the past great
Hurricane safeties, which is why we tag him with a fringe first-round grade.

That is about the player bio I've seen yet and is why I always trust my scouting reports from the Bronx Banter.

Now to the second round. Giants select CB Terrell Thomas from USC. I like this pick as well. Madison is getting older and with Ross and Webster this will allow Thomas to take his time and learn the defense and most importantly not get thrown into the mix right away. Solid pick. Bronx Banter scouts him as-


2 32 (63) NY Giants Terrell Thomas CB USC
Strengths: Is tall, well-built with good top-end speed. Can be effective in man
and zone coverage but at his best playing press-man. Is physical and
aggressive, using long arms and strong upper body to take receivers out of
their routes at the line. He is instinctive in coverage and knows when to turn
and look for the ball. Displays good ball skills and is a natural play maker. In
zone, he does a good job of keeping everything in front of him and reading the
QB's eyes. Gives a good effort and is very productive in run support. Fills
hard, takes solid angles and is a reliable open-field tackler. Versatility
gives him extra value; has experience playing safety and covering kicks. Great
intangibles. Coaches and teammates speak very highly of his leadership skills
and work ethic.

Weaknesses: Multiple injuries (dislocated right shoulder in 2003 and left
shoulder in spring of 2007, as well as torn ligaments in right knee in 2005)
generate considerable long-term durability worries. He's instinctive but he
also tends to freelance at times and can get in trouble by being out of
position. He's fast for his size but he does lack elite fluidity in his hips
and will have some trouble keeping up with smaller, quicker WR's on double
moves in the NFL. Struggles to find the ball over his shoulder and is much more
effective when the play is in front of him.

Overall: Thomas arrived at USC in 2003 as a safety but red shirted the year
after suffering a shoulder dislocation in fall practice and undergoing surgery.
He moved to corner back and in his first three seasons (2004-'06) played in 26
games (15 starts), posting 64 tackles (three for losses), four interceptions
and 15 pass breakups. As a senior in 2007, he started all 13 games at right
corner back and had 45 tackles (4.5 for losses), three forced fumbles, four
interceptions and seven pass breakups. In 2005, Thomas suffered torn ligaments
in his right knee and underwent season-ending surgery, missing all but the
Trojans' first two games. He also had surgery after dislocating his left
shoulder in 2007, sitting out spring drills. Thomas is at his best when working
in press coverage but he does not possess the fluid hips to be left alone on an
island very often in man-coverage at the next level. He seems best suited to
play in a physical zone-heavy scheme and probably will max out as a No. 3
corner in the NFL. On the positive side, he has some extra value because of his
experience at safety and covering kicks. However, his laundry list of injuries
will undoubtedly cause him to slip even though he started all 13 games last
year. Thomas projects as a third or fourth round pick.

Nice job Banter. OK Other needs the giants need to fill is Linebacker and a Wide Receiver. I have faith in Jerry Reese he didn't let us Giants fans down last year. I trust he will fill the needs.
On a side note. Controversial T.E. Jeremy Shockey was not traded and as of now is still the starting T.E. for Eli Manning. I'll be back tomorrow with the follow up to the draft with SUPER BOWL CHAMPS GIANTS Draft part 2. Enjoy the rest of the draft.