Big Blue View (NYG)
Giants news, 5/13: Colton Hood signs rookie contract, passing on Caleb Downs
Open original episode ↗This transcript does not include audio timing.
Good morning, New York Giants fans!From Big Blue ViewOther Giant observationsAll-Pro outside linebacker Brian Burns, is already aware of the stakes in games against the Cowboys.“[Expletive], I wasn’t here for that, but 40-0, you know we’re gonna hear a lot about that leading up to this one,” Burns said, referring to the Cowboys’ trouncing of the Giants in the 2023 season opener in prime time at MetLife Stadium. “But, damn sure I’m gonna want to redeem it this time around. There’s a lot of hype and hope around this season for us, and obviously people have bought in. Now it’s about making it happen.”Baldy is looking forward to the return of Cam SkatteboThe Giants, as they prepare for Harbaugh’s first season on the job, are 17th (.498). Among the other NFC East teams, the Cowboys are 20th (.493), while the Eagles are 23rd (.481) and the Commanders are 16th (.502).Other than the Cowboys, Commanders and Eagles, the Giants will face these teams at home in 2026: Cardinals, Browns, Jaguars, Saints, 49ers and Titans. And other than those three NFC East opponents, the Giants will travel to play these teams: Lions, Texans, Colts, Rams and Seahawks.Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT, New York Giants (No. 186). The Giants badly needed defensive tackle reinforcements after trading Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence II five days before the draft. While expecting Jamison-Travis to fully replace Lawrence is unrealistic, the former Auburn player was one of my favorite Day 3 run defenders.Jamison-Travis is powerful and stout, and he can hold his ground with great length and overall size (6-foot-4, 322 pounds). He’s not a pass rusher (one sack in three seasons at Auburn), but he will help on early-down run defense.There are great players with big personalities and quiet ones. But so far, the focus of these draft picks — which is football first and borders on football only — stands in contrast to the bigger personalities and egos of recent Joe Schoen first round picks such as Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter.And it aligns clearly with the new team Harbaugh promised to build. It’s intriguing this early to see that develop.When the 2026 NFL season kicks off in September, there will be plenty of rookies on the field in Week 1 making their first career start. When a rookie is on the field, it’s usually due to one of two reasons: The team had a roster hole at that position or the rookie outplayed a veteran in training camp and won the job.Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux enters the final year of his contract after New York picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. With no ties to him beyond 2026, and the arrival of Arvell Reese to crowd the pass-rushing unit even further, Thibodeaux is not only looking at a possible diminished role, but could be dealt before we even get to Week 1.Adam Schein raises expectations for 2026 GiantsIn Year 1 under the new John Harbaugh regime, the Giants crushed the draft. They didn’t select a single player before expected until pick No 185, when they selected DL Bobby Jamison-Travis in Round 6.Before that, every one of their picks was drafted later than expected:EDGE Arvell Reese – expected at 3, taken at 5OT Francis Mauigoa – expected at 8, taken at 10CB Colton Hood – expected at 32, taken at 37WR Malachi Fields – expected at 73, taken at 74OT J.C. Davis – expected at 154, taken at 191LB Jack Kelly – expected at 189, taken at 192Overall, it was similar to what the Harbaugh-led Ravens have done in prior years, taking value where they could.FIFA uses only grass fields for the World Cup. MetLife Stadium, AT&T Field, Gillette Stadium, Lumen Field, NRG Stadium, SoFi Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium all use some sort of artificial turf for NFL games but will have natural grass for the matches this summer. The installation process began in recent weeks, with the tournament expected to commence on June 11. The United States opens June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.“You look at FIFA, they’re rolling out the green carpet for soccer players. And that has become the norm,” Tretter said. “Over in European leagues, that is what you do. You play on grass. They have surface standards that each thing is rolled out. It’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. And those players will not play if it’s not that.”Super Bowl-winning quarterback Craig Morton died Saturday. He was 83 years old.Morton played 18 seasons in the NFL, spanning from 1965-82, which included parts of three seasons with the Giants — though he’s most remembered for his time with the Cowboys and Broncos. “We are saddened to hear of Craig’s passing. He was a great leader and teammate. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the Giants said in a statement.Around the leagueBBV mailbagHave a Giants-related question? E-mail it to bigblueview@gmail.com and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.BBV on social mediaBBV on X: Follow @BigBlueView | Ed Valentine: @Valentine_Ed |
Takes mentioned in this episode
- John Harbaugh coach · positive
“In Year 1 under the new John Harbaugh regime, the Giants crushed the draft. They didn't select a single player before expected until pick No 185, when they selected DL Bobby Jamison-Travis in Round 6. Before that, every one of their picks was drafted later than expected... Overall, it was similar to what the Harbaugh-led Ravens have done in prior years, taking value where they could.”
Harbaugh's first draft with the Giants is praised for excellent value selection, consistent with his Ravens approach.
- New York Giants team · positive
“Good morning, New York Giants fans!”
The podcast host welcomes the audience.
- New York Giants team · positive
“In Year 1 under the new John Harbaugh regime, the Giants crushed the draft.”
The Giants' draft performance under Harbaugh is praised as excellent.
- Brian Burns player · positive
“"[Expletive], I wasn't here for that, but 40-0, you know we're gonna hear a lot about that leading up to this one," Burns said, referring to the Cowboys' trouncing of the Giants in the 2023 season opener in prime time at MetLife Stadium. "But, damn sure I'm gonna want to redeem it this time around. There's a lot of hype and hope around this season for us, and obviously people have bought in. Now it's about making it happen."”
Burns expresses strong motivation to redeem the 40-0 loss and demonstrates confidence in the team's direction under new leadership.
- Malik Nabers player · neutral
“recent Joe Schoen first round picks such as Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter”
List of recent first-round picks.
- New York Giants team · positive
“Good morning, New York Giants fans!”
Opening greeting to Giants fans.
- Brian Burns player · positive
“All-Pro outside linebacker Brian Burns, is already aware of the stakes in games against the Cowboys.”
Burns comments on Cowboys rivalry.
- Dallas Cowboys team · negative
“the Cowboys’ trouncing of the Giants in the 2023 season opener”
Reference to Cowboys' past victory over Giants.
- Colton Hood player · neutral
“CB Colton Hood – expected at 32, taken at 37”
Draft pick value.
- Malachi Fields player · neutral
“WR Malachi Fields – expected at 73, taken at 74”
Draft pick value.
- J.C. Davis player · neutral
“OT J.C. Davis – expected at 154, taken at 191”
Draft pick value.
- Jack Kelly player · neutral
“LB Jack Kelly – expected at 189, taken at 192”
Draft pick value.
- Los Angeles Rams team · neutral
“SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers”
Stadium mention.
- Los Angeles Chargers team · neutral
“SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers”
Stadium mention.
- Craig Morton player · negative
“Super Bowl-winning quarterback Craig Morton died Saturday. He was 83 years old.”
Death of former NFL quarterback.
- Denver Broncos team · neutral
“most remembered for his time with the Cowboys and Broncos”
Morton's teams.
- Dexter Lawrence II player · negative
“The Giants badly needed defensive tackle reinforcements after trading Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence II five days before the draft.”
Lawrence was traded away, creating a roster hole the Giants needed to address in the draft.
- Kayvon Thibodeaux player · negative
“Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux enters the final year of his contract after New York picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. With no ties to him beyond 2026, and the arrival of Arvell Reese to crowd the pass-rushing unit even further, Thibodeaux is not only looking at a possible diminished role, but could be dealt before we even get to Week 1.”
Thibodeaux faces uncertainty with a diminished role and potential trade due to roster changes and new competition.
- Craig Morton player · positive
“Super Bowl-winning quarterback Craig Morton died Saturday. He was 83 years old. Morton played 18 seasons in the NFL, spanning from 1965-82, which included parts of three seasons with the Giants — though he's most remembered for his time with the Cowboys and Broncos. "We are saddened to hear of Craig's passing. He was a great leader and teammate. Our thoughts are with his family and friends," the Giants said in a statement.”
Morton is remembered positively as a great leader and teammate following his passing.
- Dallas Cowboys team · neutral
“"[Expletive], I wasn't here for that, but 40-0, you know we're gonna hear a lot about that leading up to this one," Burns said, referring to the Cowboys' trouncing of the Giants in the 2023 season opener in prime time at MetLife Stadium.”
Cowboys are mentioned for their dominant 40-0 victory over the Giants in 2023, which will be a narrative point in the upcoming matchup.
- Bobby Jamison-Travis player · positive
“While expecting Jamison-Travis to fully replace Lawrence is unrealistic, the former Auburn player was one of my favorite Day 3 run defenders. Jamison-Travis is powerful and stout, and he can hold his ground with great length and overall size (6-foot-4, 322 pounds). He's not a pass rusher (one sack in three seasons at Auburn), but he will help on early-down run defense.”
Analyst praises Jamison-Travis as a strong Day 3 value pick with good run-defense skills, though acknowledges limitations as a pass rusher.
- John Harbaugh player · positive
“the Giants, as they prepare for Harbaugh’s first season on the job”
Harbaugh's first season as Giants coach.
- Philadelphia Eagles team · neutral
“the Eagles are 23rd (.481)”
NFC East team strength of schedule ranking.
- Washington Commanders team · neutral
“the Commanders are 16th (.502)”
NFC East team strength of schedule ranking.
- Bobby Jamison-Travis player · positive
“Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT, New York Giants (No. 186). The Giants badly needed defensive tackle reinforcements”
Draft pick analysis for Giants.
- Dexter Lawrence II player · negative
“after trading Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence II five days before the draft”
Giants traded Lawrence.
- Jaxson Dart player · neutral
“recent Joe Schoen first round picks such as Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter”
List of recent first-round picks.
- Abdul Carter player · neutral
“recent Joe Schoen first round picks such as Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter”
List of recent first-round picks.
- Kayvon Thibodeaux player · negative
“Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux enters the final year of his contract after New York picked up his fifth-year option last offseason.”
Thibodeaux's contract situation.
- Arvell Reese player · positive
“the arrival of Arvell Reese to crowd the pass-rushing unit even further”
Reese's arrival adds competition.