Tag: Carter Coughlin

Bret Bielema: Giants don’t have any true all-stars at OLB

Bret Bielema says the New York Giants don’t have any true all-stars at outside linebacker, but leaves the door open for that to change.

Bret Bielema, the New York Giants first-year outside linebackers coach, is well-known to football junkies around the country. He was a defensive lineman at Iowa under coach Hayden Fry before going into the coaching profession.

Bielema is widely known as the former head coach of both Wisconsin and Arkansas and a well-connected figure among the coaching ranks. He lands with the Giants here in 2020 as a ‘senior defensive assistant’ who will also handle the outside linebackers.

Bielema has a connection to new Giants head coach Joe Judge via their time in New England the last two seasons working on Bill Belichick’s staff.  Judge served as the Patriots’ special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach, while the more seasoned Bielema held the title of “special consultant to the head coach” and also ran the defensive line. He is a big proponent of Judge’s leadership abilities.

“I knew Joe Judge’s name before I went to New England and then obviously during my time there over two years,” Bielema told reporters this week.”The first meeting I sat in front and he was going over details that Coach Belichick would give him, just very impressive to realize the football presentation awareness. His voice, his demeanor, it was very intriguing to me. I know he has a special teams background and interests.

“To hear that firsthand and then get around him and see the general football knowledge that existed. On a personal note and the way he is as a father and the way he interacts with his colleagues and coaches and players, you know he had big things in front of him. I’m very excited to be here with him.”

Bielema, who led the Badgers to three Big Ten titles brings his advanced experience and knowledge to East Rutherford to take on the task of rounding out a very diverse and talented group that consists of Markus Golden, Kyler Fackrell, Lorenzo Carter, and Oshane Ximines plus two rookies in Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin.

“They are all very impressive,” Bielema said of his charges. “I think as a group we always talk about ‘OLBDNA.’ What we are and what we represent, when we’re there, when we’re not there. They have been a good group do work with. There isn’t any true all-stars, just guys who show up to work every day. They have a blue-collar mentality. They represent the New York Giant blue really, really well. They are hard workers.

“I’m not saying they aren’t going to be stars or superstars, but they are guys that are working the process. We have two rookies, that’s probably why my voice is the way it is. Trying to bring them along on a daily basis. Joe and the personnel department have done an outstanding job of giving us a good group of people to work with. It’s just fun to come to work every day.”

Bielema is also pleased to work with two former Big Ten players in Brown (Penn State) and Coughlin (Minnesota).

“Yeah, they have been a lot of fun. Two different kinds of guys,” said Bielema. “Carter played on the line of scrimmage, did a lot of things on the edge at Minnesota. Cam was an edge to air player, he was in space a lot. A very long player, Carter is a little bit more of an on the line of scrimmage linebacker. It’s been fun. Both uniquely different but both great to work with on a daily basis.

“What’s impressive to me is the way the vets have responded to them. You knew they were going to respond to the vets, but sometimes the vets aren’t as reciprocal. All four of our veteran players do everything they can to make them better. It really makes our room pretty cool.”

Just another example of how the Giants’ culture is changing under the guidance of Judge and his staff.

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2020 Giants training camp: Position battles to watch

As the New York Giants ready themselves for padded training camp practices, here are some key positional battles to watch.

Every summer brings NFL training camps and every training camp has their share of roster battles.

With a new coaching staff and a load of new faces to pit against some unproven old faces, the New York Giants’ camp will have quite a number of battles for key positions this year.

AP Photo/Roger Steinman

Offensive tackle

Nate Solder was going to have to prove that he was still left tackle timber this summer before he opted out for the season. So, left tackle was very much in play. Now, it’s their priority.

The Giants are hopeful that first round pick Andrew Thomas slides right in and starts from Day 1. That could still happen. He’ll have plenty of company, though. Third round pick Matt Peart will now be thrust into the mix for the left tackle spot as well.

Right tackle is even more wide open. The loser of the left tackle role will have to fend off veteran free agent Cam Fleming and the Giants’ everyman, Nick Gates. These are the two biggest question marks of the summer.

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2020 Giants training camp: Ranking rookies in terms of importance

As the New York Giants embark on their 2020 training camp journey, Giants Wire ranks all of their rookies in terms of importance.

The New York Giants are likely to have anywhere from 10 to 12 rookies on their 2020 roster. They used all of their 10 choices and went and signed a few undrafted players as well this spring.

Here’s a list of those players in the order of their importance (from most to least).

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Thomas, offensive tackle

The fourth overall selection out of Georgia this year is a complete tackle who plays the run and pass protects very well. He can play both the left and the right side. He becomes the most important rookie now that the starting left tackle, Nate Solder, has opted out for this year. The Giants ideally would love to see Andrew Thomas come in at left tackle and own the position from Day 1 and never look back.

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Giants roster outlook: Upgrades, downgrades or lateral moves on defense

Giants Wire examines the New York Giants defense and the changes made this offseason, offering a verdict on each unit.

The New York Giants went into the offseason knowing they had to make some changes on their 25th ranked defense.

General manager Dave Gettleman used his free agent money and seven of his 10 draft picks in an attempt to revamp and revive a group that simply allowed way too many easy scores to opponents in 2019.

Here is a quick rundown on each unit as training camp begins

Al Bello/Getty Images

Defensive line

Gained: Austin Johnson

Lost: Olsen Pierre

The Giants’ big move was made last October when they traded two draft choices to the Jets for Leonard Williams, an impending free agent. They could not come to an agreement this offseason, so they applied the franchise tag to retain Williams at a price of $16.1 million. He’ll be a starter along with Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence. B.J. Hill, R.J McIntosh and Chris Slayton are returning as well. Johnson will provide some veteran depth.

Verdict: Slight upgrade

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Giants draft pick Carter Coughlin receives Big Ten Medal of Honor

New York Giants seventh-round pick, linebacker Carter Coughlin, has been awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor.

The DeAndre Baker situation has the football world questioning the New York Giants’ ability to vet players coming out of college. Baker was a 2019 first round draft pick who is currently in a legal jackpot in his home state of Florida, accused of armed robbery and aggravated assault.

Many hope that Baker is an outlier in the three draft classes that Dave Gettleman has presided over. So far, that appears to be the case. Gettleman has brought in a bunch of high-character players such as Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence.

In this year’s draft class, one player, Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin, comes in with a stellar reputation both on and off the field. Coughlin was named a recipient of the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor.

The Big Ten Medal of Honor is “awarded to one male and one female student from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their college career.”

Former recipients of the award, originated 106 years ago, are Drew Brees (Purdue, 2001); 10-time NCAA basketball champion head coach John Wooden (Purdue, 1932); Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy (Minnesota, 1977); former Yankees manager and catcher Joe Girardi (Northwestern, 1986); Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese (Purdue, 1967); and Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas (Ohio State, 1963).

Coughlin was a seventh round selection (No. 218 overall) of the Giants after a very productive career at Minnesota where he was a two-time second team All-Big Ten selection.

As a junior in 2018, Coughlin racked up 48 tackles and led the Gophers with 9.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and forced four fumbles. He excelled again as a senior, recording 49 tackles with 9.5 for loss with 4.5 sacks.

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See it: Giants’ 2020 draft class introduces themselves to fans

Watch the New York Giants’ 2020 NFL Draft class introduce themselves to Big Blue Nation.

The 2020 NFL Draft has officially come and gone, and the New York Giants left with 10 brand new players in two — from first-round offensive tackle Andrew Thomas to Mr. Irrelevant, linebacker Tae Crowder.

As each of those players were drafted and put on their brand new Giants cap, they also recorded a video introducing themselves to Big Blue fans across the country.

On Sunday, the Giants compiled those clips and released the video on their various social media outlets.

Check it out:

As a refresher, here’s how the Giants’ draft class breaks down:

  • Round 1, pick 4: Andrew Thomas, OL, Georgia
  • Round 2, pick 36: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
  • Round 3, pick 99: Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut
  • Round 4, pick 110: Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
  • Round 5, pick 150: Shane Lemieux, G, Oregon
  • Round 6, pick 183: Cameron Brown, LB, Penn State
  • Round 7, pick 218: Carter Coughlin, LB, Minnesota
  • Round 7, pick 238: T.J. Brunson, ILB, South Carolina
  • Round 7, pick 247: Chris Williamson, CB, Minnesota
  • Round 7, pick 255: Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia

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Giants returning to the Coughlin era, sort of

The New York Giants are returning to the Coughlin era, but that has nothing to do with Tom Coughlin and everything to do with Carter.

There’s more to the New York Giants’ seventh-round draft pick Carter Coughlin than his familiar last name. The 218th overall selection out of Minnesota is no relation to the Giants’ former Super Bowl-winning coach, but he will be attempting to forge his own legacy in Blue.

Coughlin, a 6-foot-3, 236-pound outside linebacker who ran the 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Combine in 4.57 seconds is a solid contender to contribute both on defense and on special teams for the Giants this season — and beyond.

Coughlin can get after quarterbacks (he was second in the Big 10 in sacks in 2018 behind Chase Young and A.J. Epenesa) and has penchant for creating turnovers. He had six forced fumbles in his final two years in Minnesota.

“Another tall linear guy out of Minnesota,” Giants GM Dave Gettleman said of Coughlin. “He’s 6’3″ and change and 240. He can run. He’s got some versatility to him.”

“He’s a guy that gives us more speed on the edge,” head coach Joe Judge said. “He brings some length with him. He plays with a high motor and a lot of aggressiveness. He was productive in Minnesota’s scheme and with the way we are going to play guys on the edge in different packages, he’s someone with a lot of value. He will come in here and compete.”

Coughlin’s tape and resume are impressive yet he somehow slipped to the seventh round.

“He’s relentless, I think it’s a nice pickup,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. said. “I thought he would go a little bit earlier in this, maybe in the fifth round.”

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2020 Giants draft class: Meet all 10 incoming rookies

Meet the New York Giants’ 2020 NFL Draft class and find out what GM Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge had to say about each.

The 2020 NFL Draft has now officially come and gone, and for the New York Giants, they have 10 new players in tow, having hung on to each and every one of their picks.

There was a clear theme in the Giants’ approach, who selected only players along the offensive line, in the secondary and at linebacker.

Here’s a quick look at the 10 newest Giants:

Getty Images/Getty Images

OT Andrew Thomas

Round 1, pick No. 4 overall

“Andrew certainly has a hell of a pedigree, a three-year starter in the Southeast Conference. He’s played against some real quality defensive ends during his college career. He has played big time ball in front of a lot of people,” general manager Dave Gettleman said of Thomas. “We spent a lot of time with him off the field as well, numerous conversations. We spoke to him in Indianapolis and we just feel he is ready to make this jump. He’s young, like all these guys are. We feel very strongly that he is ready and capable. He’s going to come in and compete, nothing is being handed to him.

“When I get the chance to talk to him later, I am going to say the same thing to him that I said to Saquon and that I said to Daniel, you have to come in and compete, nothing is getting handed to you. He’s big, he’s long, he’s strong, he can bend. He can anchor in pass (protection). He’s very athletic in the open field, we are just really excited to have him, and continue to build this team properly.”

“I’ll tell you what, his skillset favors his opportunity to come in and contribute. He’s long, he’s a good athlete, he has good short area redirect,” head coach Joe Judge said. “One thing that sticks out about him is when you watch the top pass rushers, with the exception of maybe a couple in this draft, they have to go against him. You watch his college tape and he is going against all the guys that you are going to see get drafted in the next couple of days. He does a heck of job on them, you see him compete, you see him play big in big games and that’s important. He was coached very hard at the University of Georgia and that’s a trait we look for. Guys who can play hard and play on big stages and compete.”

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2020 NFL Draft: Giants select LB Carter Coughlin in Round 7

With their seventh pick (No. 218 overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin.

With their seventh pick (No. 218 overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Coughlin, who is no relation to former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin despite being the grandson of a Tom Coughlin, was named second team All-Big Ten in both 2018 and 2019. He is the first pure edge rusher the Giants have taken in the draft to date, having recorded 22.5 sacks over the past four seasons.

Here is what NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Coughlin:

Smallish edge defender who plays with high football IQ and motor to help create impact production. Coughlin is a proactive rusher who mixes up his approach to access the edge, but he’ll need to develop his hands and play with leverage to beat NFL tackles. He may be between positions due to a lack of size and suddenness, so shining as a core special-teamer is essential.

Like most seventh-round picks, Coughlin faces an uphill battle to make the roster, which will only be further compounded by the coronavirus pandemic limiting rookie minicamp and all other offseason activities.

The fact that Coughlin may also project to an off-ball linebacker at the NFL level makes his role with the Giants uncertain. However, there is a lot of athleticism and smarts to tap into there.

In an interesting Giants connection, Coughlin played high school ball with Ryan Connelly.

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Giants select Isaiah Simmons in latest The Sporting News mock

The New York Giants select Clemson hybrid Isaiah Simmons and then address multiple needs in the latest The Sporting News mock draft.

In the latest NFL mock draft released by The Sporting News’ Vinny Iyer, the New York Giants attempt to fill some holes up and down their roster beginning on the defensive side of the football.

Here’s how they see the Giants’ 10 picks playing out (with my commentary below each pick):

Round 1, Pick 4: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson

No question Simmons is an intriguing pick, but with four potential franchise left tackles on the board and the Giants looking at another year of Nate Solder there, it’s hard to see them not addressing left tackle. Simmons will be hard to pass on, though.

Round 2, Pick 36: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

Safety is a huge need for the Giants. Last year, the 35-year-old Antoine Bethea led the team in tackles. He’s gone and they need a young stud to step in to partner with Jabrill Peppers.

Round 3, Pick 99: Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s Minnesota

Bartch is an interesting prospect, but he’s from a small program and might take time to get up to speed to play in the NFL. Still, he could be a steal in the third round. Boom or bust pick.

Round 4, Pick 110: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

I haven’t mocked him to the Giants, but I can see why they would like him. He’s big (6’2″, 214), fast (4.48 40) and smart (3.9 GPA). Seems like an ascending player who could become a solid pro wideout.

Round 5, Pick 150: Jason Strowbridge, EDGE, North Carolina

Another player we haven’t seen linked to the Giants. The 6-foot-4, 275 pounder can set the edge, stop the run and has shown he can play on teams with four blokes kicks.

Round 6, Pick 183: James Robinson, RB, Illinois State

Very reliable and productive. He’s compact (5’9″, 220) and isn’t a burner, but is versatile in both the rushing and passing games.

Round 7, Pick 218: Steven Sullivan, TE, LSU

The seventh round is always a crapshoot and Sullivan can likely be signed as a UDFA after the draft. He’s not developed enough at the moment to crack the Giants’ TE room.

Round 7, Pick 238: Carter Coughlin, EDGE, Minnesota

The Coughlin name (no relation to the former Giants’ coach) piques the interest. He equates more as an outside linebacker and special teamer in the NFL than a knuckle-in-the-dirt edge rusher.

Round 7, Pick 247: Trajan Bandy, CB, Miami

Small (5’8″, 180) and quick (4.5 40) who would be used as slot corner and special teamer.

Round 7, Pick 255: Trystan Colon-Castillo, G, Missouri

Colon-Castillo could likely be signed after the draft. He would be in the mix for a roster spot at center, but most likely would be a candidate for the practice squad.

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