Big Blue View
The mail’s here!
Jeff Gray asks: Greg Dulcich entered UCLA as a tall, skinny wide receiver and was very much a work in progress at tight end. After two years of playing special teams (and paying his own tuition), he led UCLA in receiving and scouts really started paying attention. Seen as a TE/WR hybrid, the joke was that the head coach of whoever drafted him would need to deal with the headache of his WR coach and his TE coach bickering over who got to play with the new toy.
Do you suppose WR Coach Groh is noticing the play of Dulcich in camp so far and is wondering, “What if?”
Ed says: Jeff, I doubt it. Dulcich is 6-foot-4, 245 pounds. He is built like a tight end, albeit a lighter one. He also moves like a tight end. I seriously doubt that he would have success consistently trying to get open against cornerbacks.
Laurence Roth asks: I am so sorry for Bryce Ford-Wheaton. Injuries happen all the time but I continue to think that the Jets and Giants use of Astro turf during games increases the probability of leg and ankle injuries. What kind of turf is used in training camp? And outdoor practice during the season?
Ed says: Laurence, the Giants three practice fields are grass. Their indoor practice bubble is FieldTurf.
James Pauloski asks: On some of the videos that are posted we see officials signaling touchdowns, etc. Who are they? Are they regular NFL officials under contract, or are they retired from the NFL? I hope they’re getting paid! :)
Ed says: Those are actual NFL officials. They attends (OTAs), minicamps and training camps, where they officiate practices to prepare for the season.
Evan Neal questions
Mario Guglielmi asks: I would like an update on the status/progress with Evan Neal as a guard.
Julian Roberts asks: After a solid week of practice I was wondering how Evan Neal is doing at the guard position.
Ed says: Guys, we have been writing about Neal. In fact, in almost all of our daily practice reports we have updated Neal’s progress.
Brian Daboll has said good things about Neal. Teammates like offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and Tyrone Tracy have had positive reviews of his play. Those types of comments, though, are to be expected.
The best indication of how Neal is doing is that he has continued to at least some first-team reps at right guard every day. That tells you that the Giants actually do like what they are seeing, and he has a chance to earn a starting job.
Kölnerbigblue asks: Ed, when the Giants signed Pugh to a 1 day contract, did they have to release somebody to get down to 89 players or can the league give special consideration for the retiring player?
Ed says: Kölner, I need to clarify this. Justin Pugh did not sign a one-day contract. He just came in and chose to do his retirement...
