LB Arvell Reese is the most physically impressive rookie you have seen up close at the start of his Giants career.
John Schmeelk: Fact – When Tremaine Edmunds walked into the facility for the first time as a free agent, I was gobsmacked by how big he was. He had a bigger frame than Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is not a small edge rusher. Arvell Reese is built much like Tremaine Edmunds. The two men stand next to each other behind the line of scrimmage at linebacker and you have to blink to make sure the Giants don’t have two smaller defensive ends lined up as stand-up rushers. They are gigantic. Their wingspans are going to give quarterbacks all sorts of problems finding passing windows in the middle of the field. I do feel duty-bound to point out, however, that Francis Mauigoa carries his 330 pounds extremely well. He’s not slim, but he does not carry a lot of excess weight. He looks very natural and in good physical shape at 330 pounds. It’s just how big of a human being he is.
Dan Salomone: Fact – That’s what you expect from a player who was developed at Ohio State. I started with the Giants in 2010, and for a long time, David Wilson held this honor. The way he could weave and turn on the jets always impressed me. But there’s something about seeing a 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker in the middle of a defense that should excite Giants fans specifically. Better yet, they have another one right next to him in Tremaine Edmunds.
Matt Citak: Fact – I went with Carter as my standout of OTAs so far, but Reese was certainly in the discussion. The rookie linebacker not only looks physically impressive, but he has been playing like it, too. Through just a handful of OTA practices, Reese has already shown the ability to play sideline-to-sideline with his speed on full display on almost every play. I’ve mentioned this before, but Giants fans should be very excited to watch Reese and Edmunds play next to each other both this season and beyond.
The biggest takeaway from the Giants Town Hall this week was John Harbaugh exciting the fanbase.
John Schmeelk: Fact – I’ve been to a lot of Giants Town Hall events with different players, coaches and Giants executives, and never once did anyone take over an auditorium full of thousands of people the way John Harbaugh did. What stands out to me is how comfortable he is in his own skin, beliefs and what you need to do to successfully win football games. It comes from nearly two decades of winning consistently. He also has an energy level and enthusiasm that is infectious. He understands the fan base, and in many cases shares in their desires when it comes to the Giants and their division rivals.
Dan Salomone: Fact – I knew he would get a warm reception at The Beacon, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting a standing ovation when he took the stage (and when he left it). Harbaugh has the hardware to back up what he says, and he said a lot of what I’m sure fans want to hear, especially the part about the NFC East. The head coach, who has 193 wins including a Super Bowl, said he doesn’t “give a crap” about what has happened in the division in recent years. “All I care about is tomorrow’s practice,” he said as the crowd erupted.
Matt Citak: Fact – In addition to talking about the rivalry within the NFC East, Harbaugh was asked by a fan about handling the pressure of playing in the New York market. “I’m really not worried about it. … I just want to win games. I want you driving home from MetLife Stadium happy.” After a successful 18-year tenure in Baltimore, which included 12 trips to the postseason, it is clear that Harbaugh just gets it. The long-time NFL head coach brings the experience, wherewithal and confidence to help get the Giants back to where the team wants to be.