Giants get a receiver … but
-
- April
- 27
UPDATE: OK, this one is a gamble. Maybe a big gamble.
With their third-round pick, the Giants selected WR Mario Manningham from Michigan, and Jerry Reese—and many others—think the only reason he was available this late was his character.
Manningham, whose middle name is Cashmere, admitted to NFL executives at the combine that he had not been “straightforward” with them regarding his past marijuana use, according to Pro Football Weekly early this month. He initially denied he had twice tested positive for marijuana, when questioned. He also reportedly bombed on a Wonderlic test used to evaluate intelligence.
There were also questions about his effort and focus, and an unexplained one-game suspension at Michigan last season.
Giants GM Jerry Reese just said that, as simple and easy (“clean” is the word he had used) it was to draft a high-character player like Kenny Phillips in the first round, the Giants did a lot of research and homework on Manningham, and are convinced he will understand the dire consequences if he messes up at this level.
The Giants had a similar situation with running back Ahmad Bradshaw last year, and were happy with the way he panned out.
Reese said that, if not for the character issues, Manningham could have been a first-rounder in a draft where no receiver went in the first round. He also said that there are players with issues whom the Giants scratch completely off their draft board, and that indicates that they don’t believe Manningham is as big a gamble as he could be seen to be.
Manningham is a home run threat, and although he left Michigan after his junior season, he is NFL ready. Reese said he could also become the team’s punt returner.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 10:39 am by Rick Carpiniello.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
Print
| 
Email
Ernie Palladino
great pick so far another impressive draft but i guess only time will tell
I used to think that the Giants are just covering themselves when they say they always draft for the best player and never for need. It was hard to believe that theory yesterday with Philips. But I think drafting Manningham proves them right. They had more need positions than WR! The WR corp is really crowded now. Burress, Toomer, Smith, Moss, Tyree, Hixon, Jennings, and now Manningham. Wow. I think Moss could be in trouble.
So a college football star likes to smoke pot. Whoop de doo.
If he can catch the ball and busts his ass that’s all I really care about.
Reese said he expects big things from Moss, because he said that, due to injuries, last year was really his rookie season. I think this is a case of making a strength stronger. It worked for the Patriots (until the Super Bowl).
Craig, I know most fans don’t care about his character, but what happens if he skips practices and doesn’t work hard or takes dumb penalties or whatever? Then his character is THE issue.
hclunited you’re right
Not to mention that QB they drafted later, Woodson
Wonder how that’s gonna play out for Lorenzen or Wright…
This kid from Michigan can’t read? Bombed the Wonderlic? No wonder Notre Dame is having problems when places like Michigan scholarship a birdbrain like this. Good luck, Cashmere, with Coughlin’s playbook. And get someone to set your watch ahead.