April 29th, 2011 
JW 
Posted in With the 52′d pick the New York Giants select:
Ben Ijalana OG, Villanova
The Giants sent a large contingency to work out the offensive linemen and liked what they saw. Ijalana has solid experience, although from a small school, and is a solid leader. Tom Coughlin loves his offense linemen to be versatile and Ijalana can play both guard positions and even center if need be.
Projects to be a guard. G Rich Seubert is coming off of season ending knee surgery and is getting up there in age. C Adam Koets and C Shaun O’Hara are both coming off season ending injuries which resulted in surgeries, too.
G Kevin Boothe might not resign with the team if he feels he can get a better chance to play elsewhere, too. T/G Shawn Andrews is due a large, $3.5 million dollar roster bonus once a new CBA is settled. With his chronic back problems, The Giants might decide to part ways with him. They need depth.
Ijalana is a guy they like, and if on the board at 52, is someone they’ll strongly consider.
Previous Selection: Second Round Pick (52) Ras-I Dowling
With the 83′d in the 2011 NFL Draft, the New York Giants’ select:
Mason Foster, OLB, Washington
If Mason Foster is still on the board at pick 83, I think you’ll see Perry Fewell drool. Foster has experience playing all three (SAM, MIKE & WILL) linebacker positions, which means he has the ability to be spread out all across the field. One thing I love about Foster is all reports say how great of a leader he is, something the Giants’ lack in the linebacking area. He has a high motor and it never seems to stop. Had tremendous production in his senior season racking in 162 tackles with 6.5 sacks. He still needs improvement in coverage, which could be a reason he doesn’t see much of the field right away. Ran a respectable 4.75 forty, but an impressive 1.59 10-yard split. I still think at the end of the day, Foster will be an inside linebacker, but his experience can allow him, at times, to play all over the field, something the Giants would love. I don’t know if he’s there at 83, his stock seems to be rising. If he isn’t there options at 83 could include running backs such as DeMarco Murray, Daniel Thoman or a Taiwan Jones. They could look for a TE such as Luke Stocker or even Lance Kendricks. That’s just the offensive side of the ball. Other options could inculde a safety or a defensive tackle.
The current linebacking guys the Giants have just wont cut it. Right now, you have two starters in Jon Goff and Michael Boley. Goff needs to continue to improve. Keith Bulluck was a stop gap guy, he won’t be back next season, and Clint Sintim couldn’t crack the starting rotation. He also will be coming off a torn ACL, which means he probably won’t be the same this year. Chase Blackburn is a special teams guy, and Gerris Wilkinson is a free agent, who could be brought back to compete and be a specials guy, too. The last time the Giants’ took a LB was last year in the 4th round when the took Phillip Dillard.
Previous Selection: Third Round Pick (83) Mason Foster
*** I will be covering the draft tonight. Expect Live Draft Tweets and instant analysis on each pick. I’ll also put up a scouting report on each player the Giants’ select, too. ENOJY!!! ***
I just don’t like Ijalana. No senior bowl cause he had a hernia. Untested against elite competition. I read somewhere he was too passive and lacks that mean streak you want in an O-lineman. Just doesn’t seem like he’s that good to me, certainly not an impact player. I think better talent will fall to us at 52. Another BPA situation, where we can get someone who will contribute more right away.
I’d be quite happy with Mason Foster in the 3rd tho. He’s a player. Unless Ayers is there in the 2nd.
No mean streak? have you watched this guys tape? Hes a MONSTER run blocker!! On the line we need talent + Coach Pat = Awesome offensive linemen
“Appears to lack a mean streak… Can play physical but is more finesse than mauler… Wasn’t tested much at Villanova and didn’t play in any of the senior All-Star games…” Sideline Scouting
“Not a finisher and lacks a killer instinct” -Draft Count Down
Read it on here, and elsewhere.
He might throw guys from William and Mary around, but isn’t going to throw around Demarcus Ware like a rag doll. Those small school projects aren’t working out that well for us lately (Adrian Tracy, Ramses Barden). I think we have better options.
In another words, another Will Beatty. Dominated his competition (Beatty at UCONN), no mean streak, seems to be finesse.
I wouldn’t take a loose similarity to mean he’s the next anyone… but it doesn’t have to be Ijalana. More so that if the Giants see good value in a lineman in the 2nd or 3rd, it would fill a need.
If they had preferred Smith to Prince and gone with him at 19… same difference at this point: a high upside CB with top 10 talent. When they took JPP over Morgan last season everyone flipped a shit too… I trust the Giants in the draft. Reese has done a very good job and they’ve generally done a good job since Coughlin’s been here. They won’t be right every time, but I generally give them the benefit of the doubt given their recent success.
You’re basing your opinion on 3rd party scouting reports? Come on…
If you haven’t seen the guy play, how do you know if he’s the BPA? And what position are the Giants more likely to get someone who will contribute right away than on the o-line?
Yeah, I don’t sit around and watch Villinova games. Plus playing against CAA talent and major conference talent are not the same thing. This guy didn’t play in a senior all star game, isn’t proven, and is a risky pick. What are you basing your opinion on?
I’d rather see Ayers, Wilson, Rudolph, Paea, Rahim Moore, Titus Young, or Wisniewski.
And I think we can get Clint Boling in the 3rd to help the line out.
You don’t spend your time watching Villanova tape to analyze the guy, but the Giants’ FO does… Why not let them make the call?
I don’t have a strong opinion on him. The Giants could use O-Line help, so if they feel he’s a strong value at that pick I would be fine with grabbing him. If it’s another player they think is the best pick, ok. My point is just that you shouldn’t go on media scouting reports to form a definitive opinion on a guy you have never seen play.
Simply saying that he didn’t play at a big college so he can’t be good is crazy. Look at all the successful NFL players from far less competitive football programs than Villanova.
And how can you say what he’d do against better competition if you’ve never seen him play? The Giants FO is paid to do this for a living. They aren’t always right, but I think Fewell has done a strong job of drafting. Built a SB champion through the draft. Has taken a bunch of small school guys who have worked out. He’s basically known for being great at mining small school talent. If this is another small school guy he likes… so be it. Beatty is not really comparable as he, you know, played in the Big East… not D1-AA.
“Ayers, Wilson, Rudolph, Paea, Rahim Moore, Titus Young, or Wisniewski.”
How many of those guys are likely to be on the board, though? Maybe Young or Wisnieski, but it’s unlikely for the others. Sure, I’d also love for someone better to fall to the Giants, but if Ijalana is their
I’m giving my opinion of what I think the Giants will do. Obviously I am not a scout, neither is anyone else who posts on here. I am not disagreeing with the Front Office, they do a damn good job most of the time. I’m offering my opinion versus JW’s. And JW is not the Front Office. I don’t think its a safe pick, based on what I’ve read, seen and heard. What we write here has no bearing on what the Giants will do. If the Giants want him and take him so be it, but personally I would rather see someone else.
No one though Prince would fall to us, why is it so far fetched to think any of those other guys will?
J-Dub, If 2nd and 3rd runds go down like this, I might have to classify it as the best NYG draft on paper ever(whatever that means) when it comes to run blocking Ben reminds me of watching Mike Iupati last year. Ben ragdolls people run blocking. and Mason Foster WHAT!?!?! I get the chills just saying 1st. The Prince,2nd. Ben Ijalana , 3rd.Mason Foster. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
If everyone loves Foster, why would he fall to middle of 3rd round?
Also, i tweeted this to @giantsgab, but what about the LB Herzlich? Beat cancer, very tough, football guy. Productive in college. Obviously doesnt take anything for granted. He kind of looks as crazy as Foster.
And on another note, Reggie Bush would be a terrible fit for NY. Fumbles, me-personality, injury-prone. Yes, exciting and could definitely be a ST demon. But for the other reasons listed, plus he’ll want better then 3rd RB money, he wont be a Giant.
Agree completely about Bush.
I think Bush would be more considered as a replacement to Bradshaw than as a 3rd RB. Not crazy about it in the first place, and also doubt it’ll happen. Intriguing idea, though. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Pete Carroll bring him up there.
Good players fall to the 3rd round and well beyond that every season. There are 7 rounds, what’s the point in just saying “anyone who is on the board after the 2nd stinks?” The Giants are going to take someone in the 3rd if they hold the pick, so they’re going to try to make the best pick possible. That may be Foster or it might not be.
When I think about AB’s desire, toughness, attitude, and will, I can’t help but think he and Bush are opposites.
Aside from the fumbling…
I don’t know the guy, so it’s hard to judge him based on media hype. He’s a good football player. The Saints never gave him the carries Bradshaw’s gotten, so who knows if he could handle it? In terms of the explosive element that Bradshaw brings, though, if they lose him as a FA they might be able to replace some of that with Bush. While incorporating a 3rd RB to split the carries.
You’re probably right, though, that a 3rd WR/RB role is probably best for him. Would hate to see him go to the Eagles, because with all the other explosive weapons they have…
He was the #2 pick in the draft, a very celebrated hesiman winner. and he still never got the carries bradshaw gets now… must be a good reason. sean payton isnt a dummy
He’s not a workhorse, but NO has at times incorporated short-passing plays in their offense in a similar way to how most team incorporate running plays. I never said “let’s go get Bush he’s a stud, grand-slam…” just that he’s intriguing because of his explosiveness… something the Giants may miss if they let Bradshaw walk.
@Geeeeemen:
-Foster: I’ve have seen him all over the place, some ppl think he is the best inside backer (can play outside), somewhere in 2nd round. But also seen him as potentially 5th round pick.
-Herzlich: I love the guy, think he would be a great fit, and if he recovers to 80% of what he was, he will be the steal of the draft. Great character, instincts, tough, etc..
But his speed really worries me. I mean we already complain about our slow LB’s. Would like him in the later rounds, but if your expecting him to be a starter year 1, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that. Due to medical reasons: High Boom or Bust guy. I Definitely would not count this guy out though. (If he is there in the 6th grab him, but im guessing he will go a lot earlier- 3rd/4th)
I would feel comfortable grabbing a LBer 2nd or 3rd round, and if Herzlich is around later, go get him, and lets see if he can regain form.
-Bush: Not a fan of. I like the remaining RB’s in the draft. Like Ryan Williams, Kendall Hunter, DeMarco Murray, Helu Jr, even Quizz Rodgers.
Herzlich would also upgrade our ST immediately. Guy has to be itching to get on the field.
Good analysis. Both solid need/value combos if they’re on the board. I also liked the Ras-I Dowling idea before they took Prince last night.
If Foster is off the board at 83 and there’s value there on the OLine, I wouldn’t mind them addressing it again even if they already used #52 there. Value is value, and the Giants could use more than one good, young olineman. I guess a lot of it depends how they feel about Mitch Petrus and William Beatty going forward. Since their skill positions are well stocked and their line is old… I wouldn’t mind more than one high pick there.
Thanks for the responses guys. Was fantastic! Really appreciate it.