Tag: deandre baker

Former teammate expects Giants’ Daniel Jones, Andrew Thomas to mesh well

A former teammate to both QB Daniel Jones and OT Andrew Thomas believes the two will mesh well with the New York Giants.

Quarterback Daniel Jones and rookie offensive tackle Andrew Thomas may have more in common than simply being first round draft picks of the New York Giants.

Apparently, Jones and Thomas had a common teammate who knows both players well and believes the two will hit it off with the Giants.

“I think they’ll be two people that really get along well together. I actually told Daniel this yesterday, because he called me and asked me how Andrew is,” Deon Jackson told the Daily News on a Zoom call. “I think they have matching personalities. They’re pretty laid back, both of them. I feel like they’ll connect on the field and off the field.”

Deon Jackson, a running back, played on the same high school team as Thomas (Pace Academy in Atlanta) before heading to Duke where Jones was the Blue Devils’ quarterback.

Jackson not only noted his two friends’ passion for the game of football, but also their knowledge and football acumen.

“They both pretty much know what’s coming on the field before it even happens,” Jackson said. “Daniel did it a lot in college. He always knew what was coming before the ball was snapped. He could always tell what was coming. He and I talked a lot on the field. My being in the backfield, he always let me know a lot of things since I was so young.

“And Andrew,” Jackson continued, “he always knows what looks you’re gonna throw at him, what blitz is coming. He always sees everything before it happens. That’s why he rarely gets beat. So I feel like those two being in the huddle together, they are two smart individuals who are gonna read a lot of defenses and make a lot of plays together.”

It’s no wonder both are Giants today. General manager Dave Gettleman not only evaluates what a player has below the shoulders but above it, too.

The Jones connection is not the only one Thomas has in the Giants’ locker room. He was college teammates at Georgia with one of the Giants’ first-round draft picks form last year’s class, cornerback DeAndre Baker, and linebacker Lorenzo Carter, a third-round selection in 2018.

“I really didn’t know where I was going to end up. But when they made the call, I was obviously excited. I’m ready to get to work and get down to New York,” Thomas told reporters via conference call after he was selected on Thursday night.

Thomas is prepared to do his part in helping the Giants’ last two No. 1 picks — Jones and running back Saquon Barkley — take the team’s offense to the next level.

“I’ll do my best to protect the quarterback, open up lanes. It’s a blessing to be able to play with guys as talented as they are,” Thomas said.

[lawrence-related id=646136,646154,646147]

Andrew Thomas latest Bulldog star to wear the vaunted Giant blue

The New York Giants have gone Georgia-heavy under GM Dave Gettleman, and Andrew Thomas is just the latest Bulldog addition.

The University of Georgia is known as a football factory producing such great players such as Fran Tarkenton, Herschel Walker, Champ Bailey, Garrison Hearst, Terrell Davis, Richard Seymour, Ben Watson and Alec Ogletree, as well as many other current NFL stars in Thomas Davis, Justin Houston, A.J. Green, Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, Matthew Stafford and Nick Chubb.

The New York Giants, in business for 95 years, outside of Tarkenton have not really had their share of Georgia players. Only running back Rodney Hampton, the team’s top draft pick in 1990, is the only draftee worth noting.

That is, until Dave Gettleman took over the team. For the third consecutive season, Gettleman has dipped into he deepening pool of talent being cultivated by Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.

In 2018, Gettleman selected linebacker Lorenzo Carter in the third round (No. 66 overall) and cornerback DeAndre Baker with he 30th overall pick in last year’s draft.

Now comes the selection of offensive tackle Andrew Thomas in this year’s draft. The Giants are hoping Thomas, the fourth pick in Round 1 on Thursday night, will be their long term answer at left tackle.

Thomas is looking forward to hooking back up with his former Bulldog mates.

“I remember being a freshman with Zo being a senior here,” Thomas said on Thursday night. “It’s going to be exciting to be back with him. With D-Bake, I talk to him every now and then. I’m excited to get in the locker room and be with those guys again.”

Asked if Carter or Baker had spoken to him yet, he said that they hadn’t.

“Not really, but I know Lorenzo hit me up right after I got drafted, so I will probably talk to him later today,” he said.

Carter and Baker are on the defensive side of the football. Thomas will be in different rooms than them this season forging new relationships.

Thomas now becomes the core of a Giants offense that contains young stare such as quarterback Daniel Jones, running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Darius Slayton.

“Definitely,” Thomas said when asked if he’s looking forward to playing with the aforementioned players. “Those guys are very talented. I’ll be looking up to those guys to teach me the ropes, working hard to help the program.”

The draft still has six rounds to go and the relationship between the Giants and the University of Georgia continues to grow, especially since Giants new head coach Joe Judge and Smart worked together under Nick Saban at Alabama.

Offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson was selected 29th overall on Thursday night by the Tennessee Titans, but there are still plenty of Bulldogs to be had in this draft.

Running backs D’andre Swift and Brian Herrien, quarterback Jake Fromm, safety J.R. Reed, kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, wide receivers Lawrence Cager and Tyler Simmons, offensive lineman Solomon Kindley, defensive tackle Tyler Clark and tight end Charlie Woerner are all likely to be either drafted or signed by NFL teams this weekend.

[lawrence-related id=645532,645389,645517]

Report: Giants CB Deandre Baker fell asleep during meetings as a rookie

Former Georgia football CB Deandre Baker reportedly fell asleep multiple times during meetings as a rookie with the NY Giants.

The New York Giants traded back in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft to select Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker with the 30th overall pick.

Coming out Athens, Baker was viewed as one of the best lockdown defensive backs in the draft-class after having a sensational 2018 season in which he won the Jim Thorpe Award, awarded to college football’s top defensive back.

But Baker struggled to adjust to the NFL game during his rookie season, with opposing quarterbacks often picking on the Miami native.

For the first half of the NFL season, it was not looking good for Baker or the Giants. He was getting beat regularly, giving up a ton of room to receivers to make easy catches and was being targeted by opposing quarterbacks.

Apparently, it was not only on the field where Baker struggled.

According to a report from ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, it was “not uncommon” for Baker to fall asleep during Giants’ team or position group meetings.

Baker’s rookie season was rocky, to say the least. At one point, he got called out in a team meeting, and his seven touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender was tied for fourth in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. There are questions about Baker’s desire to be great. Sleeping in meetings was not uncommon.

It should be noted, however, that Baker actually turned it on in the later part of the season for the Giants.

We touched on that last December here. 

If put in a situation to succeed and coached properly, Baker has all the tools to be on the league’s elite cornerbacks.

Report: Giants’ DeAndre Baker slept through meetings as a rookie

New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker reportedly slept through several meetings as a rookie and was called out by teammates.

When the New York Giants traded back into the first round to snag cornerback DeAndre Baker in the 2019 NFL Draft, they thought they were getting a potentially elite lock-down guy who would come out guns blazing.

Instead, what they got was a young man struggling to make the transition from college to the pros, and one who seemed to be lacking the motivation to improve. At least at first.

In addition to his issues on the field, Baker was having issues off the field. He had been called out by teammates at times during meetings, but only when he wasn’t passed out.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that falling asleep during meetings was “not uncommon” for Baker throughout his rookie campaign.

Baker’s rookie season was rocky, to say the least. At one point, he got called out in a team meeting, and his seven touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender was tied for fourth in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. There are questions about Baker’s desire to be great. Sleeping in meetings was not uncommon.

The good news is that Baker seemed to get it together down the stretch, improving on the field and becoming a better, more attentive teammate off of it.

Still, it’s not music to the ear to learn that Baker had been falling asleep during team meetings, especially when it’s clear that many (but certainly not all) of the on-field issues were of his own making.

[lawrence-related id=643742,643708,643749]

Giants’ DeAndre Baker improved dramatically down the stretch

New York Giants rookie CB DeAndre Baker dramatically improved down the stretch according to the advanced analytics.

For those who are already writing off New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker as a bust, don’t be so hasty. The 30th overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft may have had a rough beginning to his pro career, but he settled down as the season unfolded.

For those who cling to advanced analytics, this one is for you…

Baker’s issue wasn’t that the game was too fast for him as a rookie. The speed of the game was fine. It was the way the Giants deployed him that was the issue. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher had his corners playing 10-12 yards off the line of scrimmage at times in an inexplicably passive approach to NFL defense.

Baker came out of Georgia as a press corner who confronted receivers close to the line of scrimmage and locked them down. In his final season in college, he did not allow a touchdown.

Bettcher basically had Baker roaming in coverage, leaving him to pick and choose the man he was supposed to cover. Once the Giants began utilizing Baker properly and playing to his strengths, his play improved dramatically.

Just point him to the receiver you want him to cover and leave him there. What was so difficult about that? Bettcher constantly overthought his coverages and confused the hell out of his secondary. With all the young players out on the field, the issue was compounded and the Giants gave up way too many easy yards and touchdowns through the air.

This coming season, you can expect Baker to play a more traditional corner role and he should be one of the players that makes a jump in his second season.

[lawrence-related id=641223,641206,641193]

It’s LeCounte Time in Athens

Georgia football: It’s LeCounte Time in Athens. Richard LeCounte III is the key candidate for Kirby’s top Dawg at UGA.

Richard LeCounte III, his name always reminded me of the dark antagonists of the vampire books I read as a teenage. I envisioned “The Count” swooping in to make a plethora of interceptions and fumble recoveries at UGA, back when he was in high school, but committed to Georgia. Upon arrival in Athens, head coach Kirby Smart played LeCounte early but rode him hard, publicly. Smart said he could play better, was maturing through growing pains, called for LeCounte to become a better leader for the defense, even as a true sophomore. Coming off a career-high two interceptions in the Sugar Bowl to conclude his junior year, before announcing his intention to return for his senior season, LeCounte is the key candidate to be Kirby’s top Dawg.

Jan 1, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) is tackled by Baylor Bears wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (81) after an interception in the first quarter at the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The (5-11, 190) average, at best, size for a safety that LeCounte possesses belies his actual physicality as a tackler. He is less a Greg Blue-type knockout specialist and more just a sure tackler; positioning football is a key strength of his game. I found him, as a college player, to be more sound in disciplined technique and less explosive ballhawk.

But, his time is not up. I would still love to see the ball end up in his hands more, like I did in the SEC championship game two years ago versus Alabama. His goal line takeaway turned the tide early, Georgia keeping that positive momentum for most of the rest of the football game.

Back in December 2016, LeCounte earned All-USA First Team, putting up huge takeaway numbers on defense and starring on offense. His basketball team also won state, while he was the Georgia player of the year for their classification level, at Liberty County in Riceboro, Ga. He’s an athlete.

While LeCounte has played since his freshman year, he was still somewhat in the shadow of J.R. Reed in the safety platoon at UGA in 2019. Reed, a true field general under Smart and seemingly another coach on the field, more than any of the 2020 returning defenders, netted the top defense in the country, with his execution and leadership. Reed is off to the pros.

Oct 7, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back J.R. Reed (20) makes a tackle during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

At the start of every home football game at Sanford Stadium, a lone horn blows from the stands. Like that lone horn is meant to be emblematic of the birthplace of American public higher education, the University of Georgia (1785) and her old football program, a singular leader must arise in full.

Sep 2, 2006; Athens, GA, USA; A member of the Georgia Marching Band plays from the upper level of the south side of Sanford Stadium prior to the Georgia Bulldogs game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Athens, GA. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © Paul Abell

Georgia has had a clear processional of excellent leaders on defense throughout the Smart era, fully demonstrating the defensive genius of Smart.

In 2016, Smart brought in Maurice Smith with him from Alabama, as a grad transfer safety. Smart clearly coveting a player he knew from personal experience that he could trust, particularly with in-game communication. Alabama coach Nick Saban actually attempted to block Smith’s immediate eligibility, since they anticipated potentially facing UGA soon. At the time, the SEC still asked graduating players to sit out a year if they went to a rival league school. That did not happen. Now that graduate transfers are quite commonplace, the process has been streamlined for the players and schools.

In UGA’s national runner-up year of 2017, Roquan Smith was in my opinion the single best defender in the country, winning the school’s first ever Butkus Award, from his middle linebacker position as top national linebacker.

Jan 1, 2018; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) attempts to avoid a tackle by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Roquan Smith (3) during the third quarter of the 2018 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

In 2018, cornerback Deandre Baker led the defense, as he captured the school’s first ever Thorpe Award, as the best defensive back in the nation.

Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Deandre Baker (18) makes an interception against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the third quarter in the 2018 CFP national championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

With safety J.R. Reed handing the baton after an excellent senior campaign, it’s Richard LeCounte III’s time to shine in Athens.

 

 

 

Giants get an A- grade for 2019 draft class

The New York Giants were recently given a letter grade of A- for their 2019 NFL Draft class courtesy of NFL.com.

The 2020 NFL Draft is just around the corner, so what better time to look back on the 2019 NFL Draft to see how teams and players did one year in?

That’s exactly what Nick Shook of NFL.com did this week when he graded the draft class of all four NFC East teams with the New York Giants earning the top letter grade of A-.

The Giants made the most of their haul from the Odell Beckham trade, which landed them, in part, the 17th overall pick, by selecting Dexter Lawrence, who had a solid rookie season. New York also might have found its franchise QB in Daniel Jones, answering a huge question for the team’s foundation. DeAndre Baker had a tough start but finished strong and stands to make a significant improvement in Year 2. Oshane Ximines was effective in his first season despite making just two starts, recording 4.5 sacks. Julian Love is an exciting young player for the back end of New York’s defense. Darius Slayton was an excellent find in the fifth round. Corey Ballentine struggled with a position change to the slot, but he could improve with more time.

Free agency/combine focus: Is New York going to attempt to retain Leonard Williams, who was acquired via trade with the Jets in October and is headed for free agency? Darius Slayton, who led the team with 740 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches, was a nice find, but with second-leading receiver Golden Tate (676 yards, six TD catches) at 31 years old, more capital needs to be invested at the position in a deep draft class. The Giants also need to decide whether they’re willing to pay to keep linebacker Markus Golden (10.0 sacks) and right tackle Mike Remmers, with the former serving as a pleasant revival and the latter helping bolster what was once New York’s most glaring weakness. The Giants are still going to need to address linebacker one way or another and decide whether to seek additional edge help or invest in Williams.

Shook also gave the Giants a nod for eventually finding a way to get tight end Kaden Smith onto their roster — a very deserving tip of the cap.

Comparatively, the Washington Redskins also earned a letter grade of A-, while the Philadelphia Eagles were given a “B” and the Dallas Cowboys given a “C-.”

[lawrence-related id=640544,640531,640538]

See it: Victor Cruz interviews Giants’ DeAndre Baker

Check out the sit-down interview Victor Cruz recently had with New York Giants CB DeAndre Baker.

Former New York Giants Pro Bowl wide receiver Victor Cruz sat down with cornerback DeAndre Baker recently to discuss what the second-year defender thought of his rookie performance and what he needs to improve on in 2020.

The back-and-forth is very interesting as Cruz basically tells Baker how he would beat him (i.e. is he was a “chin” guy or a “waist” guy plus the virtues of playing press versus soft).

Baker was a mess when the Giants had him roaming out in space, playing 10-12 yards off the line of scrimmage last year, but he shaped up when asked to play press corner, which is what he was known for during his days at Georgia.

[lawrence-related id=640193,639505,640169]

Giants’ 2019 draft class ranked fourth overall by PFF

The New York Giants’ 2019 draft class has been ranked fourth overall despite a full year of relentless media criticism.

[jwplayer eivsfIKZ-ThvAeFxT]

The critics were not kind to the New York Giants and general manager Dave Gettleman during and after the 2019 NFL Draft. The general consensus was that they blew it again by over-drafting, specifically when the selected Duke quarterback No. 6 overall, bypassing several much-needed defensive studs still on the board.

But the game is played out on the field and when the Giants’ rookies hit the gridiron, they panned out fairly well. In fact, Pro Football Focus recently ranked their 2019 draft class fourth out of 32 teams.

4. NEW YORK GIANTS

Why they’re ranked here: We graded Daniel Jones as our 24th-ranked quarterback overall, but he had more success than many expected, throwing 24 touchdown passes. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Giants’ second first-round pick, had the highest PFF grade of any rookie interior defensive lineman, and the team saw promising starts to the careers of late-round picks Darius Slayton and Julian Love.

How their top pick fared: Jones (No. 6 overall) showed flashes of high-level play, but carelessness with the football is something to work on moving forward. His 31 turnover-worthy plays — the plays our grading deem as riskiest, even if they didn’t always result in a turnover — were fourth-most in the NFL.

Best value pick: Wide receiver Slayton (No. 171 overall) was part of the year of the rookie wide receiver, significantly outperforming his fifth-round pedigree. His 18 receptions of 15-plus yards were fifth among rookie wideouts.

The class had its ups and downs. Cornerback DeAndre Baker, taken 30th overall, was downright awful for most of the season only to turn things around late in the year to somewhat salvage things. Inside linebacker Ryan Connelly was lost early on to a knee injury after showing poise and promise.

Third rounder Oshane Ximines was underused, as was forth-round pick Julian Love. Both have bright futures in this league. they just need to get coached up by the right people, who the Giants believe they finally may have.

[lawrence-related id=639698,639640,639688]

Georgia football, several rivals in WR Romello Brinson’s top schools

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top schools for Miami Northwestern’s Romello Brinson. Brinson is a 4 star receiver in the class of 2021.

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top schools for Miami Northwestern’s Romello Brinson. Brinson is a four-star receiver in the class of 2021 and is 6’2″ and weights 185 pounds. Brinson plays against elite high school competition in Florida. He was originally committed to the Miami Hurricanes, but de-committed late last year.

Brinson released his list of top schools via Twitter:

Brinson is considering: UGA, Clemson, Penn State, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee. Brinson is a product of the renowned Miami Northwestern High School, which has produced numerous NFL and college talents. Their latest NFL Draft pick is former Georgia Bulldog and Jim Thorpe Award winner DeAndre Baker.

Brinson has lots of time to decide among his top schools. UGA’s recruiting for the class of 2021 is heating up. Kirby Smart and his staff are offering scholarships to many members of the class and will be almost exclusively recruiting the class of 2021 following National Signing Day this February.

[lawrence-auto-related count=2]