Posts
Okay, so there was a little bit of conversation the last two days about TE Kevin Boss. Let's go into that. Given the potential strength of the receiving corps, would you like to increase his pass-catching duties, or turn him into strictly a blocking tight end? As any follower of this blog knows, I happen to love the kid as a receiver. He's tough and not afraid to take a hit. But those hits do pile up, as we saw last year, and he might be better off staying away from those linebackers and safeties.
Fire away!
EP
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Much more pass opportunities for Boss! This will help everyone: WRs, RBS, QB, and TE. Boss is a tall, physical weapon. Yes, the dude took some nasty hits to the noggin last year, many of which were never called penalties which is absurd. But, in taking those hits, he showed heart, determination, and one helluva set of hands. If only KG could get the TE more involved in the playbook and Eli could give him a few more looks. One great idea, in the red [green] zone, have Barden line up on the left side, Boss on the right, no matter what, Eli has two huge guys out there to catch that lob pass. Oh wait, that takes imagination, something not in KG's programming.
ReplyDeleteI'm concerned based on the hits he has been taking, he can't possibly last. Those shots he took last year were brutual (and not a flag was thrown!). He's going to have a very short career if Eli and Gilbride don't start throwing him some quick outs, now and then, so he can run out of bounds and avoid some the abuse he has been taking.
ReplyDeletePiling up those hits after the catch is what being a TE is all about! Yes he needs more opportunites. He's made the most of all the opportunities he gets, so why not give him more? I don't think his blocking abilities warrant him to be a strictly blocking TE. Lets leave that to Bear. At the very least he needs to be targeted in the red zone more often.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe he held on to that ball in Philly last year....unreal. Not sure why its taking Eli so long to earn real trust in him, but he should get some more looks.
If the Giants offense is going to evolve and have the passing game compliment the run, you need to have Boss catching passes after coming off the line in a 2 or 3 WR formation. Look at the impact his big catch had on the Super Bowl in 2007 - if you had that every few games, plus other smaller contributions, like 4 yard catches for a first down, you have a dynamic weapon.
ReplyDeleteI agree with MK and would like to add, If Eli & Killdrive can learn to use Boss in 3rd and short and redzone situations,Boss would be a feared weapon.
ReplyDeletegggg-men - the hits I was talking about were the helmet to helmet hits which are not only extremely dangerous, they are supposed to lead to the offending player's ejection from the game. Too many NFL players autopsies are showing significant brain damage for the NFL to continue to fail to enforce their own rules. I love seeing a good hit as much as anyone, but not at the expense of these guys ending up vegetables when they're fifty.
ReplyDeleteThe same thing worth pointing out in regards to Kevin Boss held true to form for Shockey. The offense simply does not make the TE position a focal point. Has nothing to do with the skill-set of the player as much as it does the actual play-calling.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, the red zone is a perfect time to use the TE, but when the receivers (somewhat on the small side) are being hit at the line, the game plan by the defense is to take away the TE as a viable option. This plan has worked to a tee which is why I hope they get Barden on the field who, if he has learned to utilize his size, should be able to open things up for the offense as a whole.
NFC East + run the ball = blocking first for the TE. I am in the minority here, but I want Boss shutting off the corner(s) on sweeps and pitchouts.
ReplyDeleteHis receiving is the bonus and should be used at certain times, but not at the deterrent or developement of Nicks, S Smith, Manningham, Moss, Barden. I would prefer his blocking to be his forte with 50-60 for 750-800 yrds and 7 TDS as the end of the year numbers.
Russ, with those numbers for Boss, you are agreeing with us. Last season he had 42 catches, 567 yds, 5 TDs. Getting him more catches though, will not hurt the development of the younger WRs, it should only help. With getting Boss the ball, it (1) takes pressure off them, (2) will direct the team's attention to him, thus possibly committing a FS or SS to the TE that would have been providing assistance to a CB, and (3) have those LBs back off a bit on 3rd & short, as they have to be thinking more of pass at that point, whereas they could key the box in the past because we mostly are running on 3rd & short. KG needs to mix it up to keep Ds honest.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see them really have an open competition for this position; Beckum, Boss, Chandler, Pascoe and even Ballard who is listed as WR but is a TE.
ReplyDeleteThat's my feeling, is that there needs to be some competition for the position. I think we all want to see Beckum get on the field more.
I love Ballard and he is clearly, far and away the most athletic TE on this team.
dweez - My reply regarding the hits was really to Ernie, not your post, but yes I see your point. I just see it as part of the game, nature of the position going over the middle, etc. It's an issue of enforcement by the league, not how you use the TE. He needs to be in the pass game and he's tough enough to handle those hits and still come up with the ball. Can't shy away from using him as a great target over the middle, just b/c a LB or safety might blow him up.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, what are you talking about in regards to an open competition for the TE position? The only thing not settled is the #3 TE position. And where did you come up with Jake Ballard being the most athletic TE on the roster? The guy runs a 4.8 forty and was rarely used in the passing game.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you meant someone else.
I think the one comment was pertaining to one great catch that Ballard made in the Rose Bowl, fantastic athletic play, but not the type of thing he did consistently at Ohio St. in fact it was his only catch of that game.
ReplyDeleteas far as competition, it looks like Haj has it right, it's Boss, Pascoe and then Beckum vs others for TE. Beckum contributes on special teams, so he has an edge
I think the competition is for a practice squad spot. Boss, Beckum and Pascoe are locks. The only competition is to see if either Chandler or Ballard can make the practice squad. It would help them if they could long snap or do something special, otherwise not likely to stick.
ReplyDeleteBasically the Giants 53 man roster is set, very little room for change. The only real decisions are how many DL to keep, once that is settled then it trickles down to the other spots.
I'm not confident that we should even categorize Beckum as a true TE. He was supposed to be an H-Back, but hasn't been used that way. Seems they'd rather work him in at the slot receiver spot. Obviously his roster spot lands him there, but they could carry him, Boss, Pascoe and another....doubtful will the need for defensive spots, but still possible.
ReplyDeleteHaving family in Columbus, I can tell you that they feel that Ballard was painfully under utilized at OSU. I think the anon poster that brought him up was excited about the reports on Ballard's performance in the Giants rookie camp. He was reported as having an outstanding camp and catching everything thrown in his direction. While it is a source of optimism, it is also only the rookies camp. We'll see how he does when he is playing against the seasoned pros at training camp. My relatives are quite high on the kid - apparently he is a high character guy and a vocal locker room leader. But then again, that was Columbus and OSU. NYC and the Giants are, obviously, on entirely different levels.
ReplyDeleteI've been high on Boss since the Super Bowl. To step in and make such tremendous catches as a rookie...well that signifies some special talent. He's grown in experience ever since and if KG would use him more in the offense I'd think he is destined for an explosive year. I know TC and KG love to keep their tight ends to block, but please send the guy out! I guarantee Boss won't disappoint out in the open field!
ReplyDeletegggg-men is correct, I believe, when he wrote: "Piling up those hits after the catch is what being a TE is all about!". It's true.
ReplyDeleteAnd dweez is correct when he implies, 'well, that might be what a tight end is about...but it ain't what a human being is about.'
I think we are going to see, and hear, more and more about this dilemma as profile is elevated for concussions in the NFL. In the past it was basically strap it back on and get out there. No more. I got no real answers.
Keith Bullock is a Giant.
ReplyDelete"Adam Schein of FOX reports and PFT has confirmed that the longtime Titans linebacker and New York native has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the New York Giants. Bulluck can make up $2.5 million this season.
The deal came together after Bulluck worked out for the Giants last week and "blew them away" because he looked so good only seven months removed from ACL surgery."
Who starts at LB and where just got a lot more interesting, guys!
Great News!!!! Bulluck can step in and start in the middle. Age and injury concerns are certainly red flags but with the LB crew the Giants have any new blood is a good move.
ReplyDeletegod I hate listening to Adam Schein.
ReplyDeleteReally? Shein is great on Sirius in the a.m.
ReplyDelete