Tom Coughlin Talks Center, Shockey and Burress Back Again?

February 26, 2011

NEW YORK – As a writer and fan, it always feels good to hear confirmation of your team assessment. Head Coach Tom Coughlin gave a press conference yesterday and spoke (uncharacteristically) about the team needing a Center. He mentioned being concerned about the injuries to all-world Center Shaun O’Hara and OL Rich Seubert. Now that he has said it, all of the other writers and fair weather fans out there will say that they knew it all along. The difference between myself and these people, is the fact that I wrote about it well over a month ago. It is there for all to see and it makes me feel good (ear to ear grin) that I am in tune with what the coaches think.

Let me be clear, I said that I think the team will draft a true Center in the first or second round of this years NFL draft in April. My reason for saying that has to do with father time and not these men underperforming because O’Hara and Seubert are elite linemen. The player who I am focused on is Penn State product OL Stefen Wisniewski (6’3″ 306 pounds), who’s dad and uncle both played in the NFL. The experts say he will be drafted in the second round, which means he will most likely not be around by the time the Giants pick in round two but you never know. I didn’t think S Chad Jones would be around last year and the Giants were able to scoop him up in round two. A lot of other fans are asking for OL Mike Pouncey (6’4″ 310 pounds) in the first round, this is another possibility and something that would not surprise me at all if the G-Men decided to pull the trigger. OT Anthony Castonzo (6’7″ 305 pounds) is another name being mentioned a lot lately but he isn’t a Center. It may end up being someone other then the three I’ve listed here because the real possibility of Big Blue taking a linebacker in round one is always there. If that happens, then the offensive lineman position is wide open for round two.

There are two other hot topics buzzing around the internet this week and they are WR Plaxico Burress and TE Jeremy Shockey. Burress is scheduled to be released from prison in June and Shockey was just released by the Saints. Two very different types of releases but none the less it makes them both available. Coach Coughlin said the team has talked about Burress a little bit but not much. It is too early to think about Plaxico since he is 3-4 months away from being able to sit down with the team. He is reportedly in great shape and getting Burress for the league minimum must be intriguing. Shockey is another story entirely and it is very unlikely he will return to Big Blue. Reports have stated that he went to Miami and passed a physical with the Dolphins. Since he always prefers to train at UM during the off season and voluntary camps, this might be a perfect fit for the two-time Super Bowl Champion.

What do you think the team should do about Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress? And what are your thoughts on drafting a Center?

RD – nygreporter.com

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