1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:04,280 Speaker 1: It's time to get inside the Giants Huddle on Giants 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: dot Com. Here we got the Giants Podcast Network. Welcome 3 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: to the latest edition of the Giants Huddle podcast. Lance 4 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 1: Medda with you as we are continuing to break down 5 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: the Giants two thousand twenty two draft class. The Giants 6 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: had two first round picks this year. The first one 7 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: they used on Oregon pass rusher Cabon Thibodeaux. And to 8 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: get further into Thibodeaux and what he'll bring to the Giants, 9 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: we are now joined by the man who coached him 10 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: for three seasons with the Ducks. He's now the head 11 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: football coach at Miami, none other than Mario Cristo Ball 12 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,200 Speaker 1: coach greatly appreciate the time, Hope Ball as well. Let's start, 13 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: obviously with a player you know very well, and that 14 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: is Cabon Thibodeaux. It's interesting because if you go back 15 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: a few months, a number of people had him in 16 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: the conversation for the number one overall pick. So for 17 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: the Giants to be able to land him fifth overall, 18 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: what does that say about the value and the type 19 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:01,319 Speaker 1: and quality of player that the Giants are essentially get. Well, 20 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: without a question, they got themselves. A great player and 21 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 1: a great person and someone that's really dedicated to the game, 22 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,199 Speaker 1: and that can really change the course of a game 23 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 1: with his ability to get to the quarterback and to 24 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 1: just disrupt opponent offenses and for them to have to 25 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 1: account for him as well, and gobblow up an extra 26 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 1: protector in the passing game to keep it back and 27 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 1: there to help with protection or a tight end. So 28 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: he can impact the game in a lot of ways. 29 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 1: And I know he's eager to get out there and 30 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 1: really get to work. Speaking of his eagerness, the one 31 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:35,759 Speaker 1: thing that certainly is appealing at least that I think 32 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: the New York media certainly already realized, is his personality. 33 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:42,319 Speaker 1: As I'm sure you can attest to. What is it 34 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: about his personality that makes him a good fit for 35 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: New York And how did you go about channeling that 36 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: to get that energy on the field. Well, it was 37 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: real simple. I mean a guy he loves football, and 38 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: he's a very intelligent and articulate young man, and um, 39 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 1: that's a great combination to have his splash in a 40 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 1: place like New York. Right. It's uh, it goes without 41 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: saying you're gonna be put in front of the microphone. 42 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:10,640 Speaker 1: You're gonna have to face the pressure of the media 43 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 1: and you're gonna have to articulate situation, circumstances, results of games, 44 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 1: results of performances. So for us, the best way to 45 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 1: do that was making sure that the offensive defensive lines 46 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 1: got after it every single day in practice. And for 47 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: those guys a young guy like like cavan coming to 48 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 1: the program and being a freshman, being a highly touted guy, 49 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: top player in the country. UM Shane Lemu was part 50 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: of that, almost that baptism of fire where it was 51 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: head to head and that offensive line getting after him 52 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: every single day to to make it a true iron 53 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: sharpened iron type of atmosphere and culture, and that helped 54 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 1: both Cavon and Shane really grow tighter as a football team, 55 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 1: as two units are always competitive in practice but together 56 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,919 Speaker 1: on Saturday. So I think the preparation he's been through 57 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: over the past three years um as been absolutely perfect 58 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: for a place like New York. The other thing that 59 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 1: I think gets overlook coaches and correct me if I'm wrong. 60 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 1: He was a team captain in two thousand twenty one, 61 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 1: and I think that says a lot about how his 62 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:16,120 Speaker 1: teammates saw him, how you viewed him, How did the 63 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 1: rest of the team feed off of Cavan's energy both 64 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 1: on and off the field. Yeah, you know, being a 65 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:25,080 Speaker 1: team captain at Oregon is a you know, it's not 66 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: easy to become a team captain. You know, you've got 67 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: to show on and off the field. You've gotta show 68 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:32,919 Speaker 1: and how you handle your own business, how you handle academics, 69 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: and again your ability to affect and impact the others. 70 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: So you guys actually got two of our team captains 71 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: over there now. And uh, you know it's when you're 72 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 1: elected a team captain. Um. You know, you you're already 73 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: one of the hardest workers on the team, and now 74 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: that's got to PerMIATE the locker room. It's gotta affect 75 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 1: other people. You've got to be able to be the 76 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: cool head in the fourth quarter when things aren't going great. 77 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: So it's something that he earned and he deserves, UM, 78 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: and that I think is going to help him already 79 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: has helped him in his development as he has into 80 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: an NFL locker room right where you're starting all over again. 81 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 1: You're a rookie, you're a freshman again. And I think 82 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: his ability to not only play football, but his ability 83 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: to handle tough situations and circumstances, and to be a 84 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 1: natural competitor. I think all those things come into play 85 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: and help him have early success. His pass rushing skill 86 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: set certainly jumps off the page and jumps off the film. 87 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 1: I think that goes without saying. I think what doesn't 88 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,279 Speaker 1: get brought up more often than not coach with pass 89 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:35,280 Speaker 1: rushers is how do they also help stop the run? 90 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: What jumped out to you about that facet of his 91 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 1: game and what he can help apply to the Giants defense. Well, 92 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: he's committed to technique and fundamentals and always improving in 93 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 1: those facets of the game. He understands clearly that the 94 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: great ones, the real real, the true elite defenders, their 95 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:56,359 Speaker 1: masters of their craft, and to be that, they've got 96 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 1: invest a lot of time and technique and fundamentals, sing film, 97 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: working hands, marrying up the hands and the fee, being explosive, 98 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: taking care of your body. And he's all about that. 99 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:09,919 Speaker 1: So when you watch him on tape and you watch 100 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,559 Speaker 1: the amount of times he took on man blocks, double 101 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 1: team at the tight ends, gap blocks, down blocks, reach blocks, 102 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:20,479 Speaker 1: crack blocks, I mean he does an excellent job, an 103 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: excellent job with balanced body control and power, heavy handed, 104 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 1: but light on his feet. And now you know he's 105 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 1: probably weighing two hundred and sixty two hundred sixty five 106 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: pounds right now. I'm still growing, you know, remember the 107 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:35,839 Speaker 1: guy like him. Our last three draft picks, you know 108 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: at over and all top ten picks I'll played. You know, 109 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,679 Speaker 1: um all went to the NFL very young, minus Justin Herbert, 110 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 1: and so these guys, A, they're still developing. So I 111 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:49,039 Speaker 1: think that Cabon's best football is still ahead of them. 112 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 1: Don't miss your chance to experience a premier hospitality experience 113 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: watching Giants games, world class concerts in two as a 114 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: Giant Sweet partner. Limited full season locations are available, or 115 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:03,920 Speaker 1: plays a deposit for individual games n Y his giants 116 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:07,279 Speaker 1: dot com slash suites for more information. Well, and I 117 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: think that's an interesting point that you bring up, because 118 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:12,280 Speaker 1: sometimes we look at these top picks coaches. You can 119 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 1: attest to his finished products, and we expect that to 120 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 1: step on the field and then all of a sudden, Wow, 121 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: everybody where do you think cavon ceiling is even though 122 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: he was taken fifth overall? Sure, no, it's limit? Was 123 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: it is? Because you know when you're a natural pass rusher. 124 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: I mean right there, obviously everybody gets excited. But he 125 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:35,360 Speaker 1: can even enhance his skill set even more with you know, 126 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: NFL coaching and now being able to spend an entire 127 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: day just dedicated to football as opposed to slicking your 128 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 1: days with class and football. From an atraditional standpoint, right, 129 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 1: I mean, all of a sudden, it's it goes from 130 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,719 Speaker 1: from the college meal prep to the NFL meal prep. 131 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 1: There's a lot of things, a lot of different aspects 132 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,280 Speaker 1: of his game that will be enhanced and he'll get 133 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: better and better. But his ability again to play the run, 134 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: to take on large human beings and man blocks and 135 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 1: double teams, being able to hold a point, being able 136 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 1: to split double teams, be being able to shed blockers, 137 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 1: it's really unique and it's high, high level, and I 138 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 1: think his impact in the run game is going to 139 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: be just as much as it is in the past team. 140 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:18,080 Speaker 1: You mentioned the fact that it was fun to see 141 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 1: him go and compete against your offensive lineman on a 142 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: daily basis, and you did bring up Shane Lee, who 143 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 1: Giants fans are very familiar with because they took him 144 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,360 Speaker 1: two years ago. What does it mean for him to 145 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: be reunited with a teammate and have at least some 146 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: familiarity already within that Giants organization. Well, I think that 147 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: always goes a long way. I think those two, you know, 148 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: there was a moment in the development of our team 149 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: in Oregon in our second year where those two were 150 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 1: the catalysts to the galvanizing of our football team, where 151 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: competition was something that was was really starting to be 152 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: welcomed and embraced as opposed to being pitted as a 153 00:07:57,720 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: as a rivalry. You know, because teams go to the 154 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 1: from ways right when you start introducing competition in the 155 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: NFL's case, draft picks right and at the collegiate level recruiting, 156 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: and it goes one or two weights, right, because there's 157 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 1: a culture in place, and the culture it's has responsibility. 158 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: The older guys are responsible for coming halfway and taking 159 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: the younger guys and bringing them with him, and it's 160 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: the young guy's responsibility to dive into this culture and 161 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 1: when they get their halfway, to go all the way 162 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: with the rest of the guys. So you're looking at 163 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: two guys that went through that in a coaching change 164 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 1: and a culture change that led to Pact full titles, Rules, 165 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 1: Bowl championships, the top five ranking, and eventually being drafted 166 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: in the NFL. So their experience on a team that 167 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 1: was foreign eight and taking it to a championship, I 168 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 1: think it's absolutely just uh, it's priceless as it relates 169 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 1: to walking into a new setting, new faces, new culture, 170 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: and contributing in any way they can't. They understand that 171 00:08:58,200 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 1: they are part of a team and that the team 172 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:02,199 Speaker 1: was the most important part of That's what you get 173 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: from our culture, what we had over there while we 174 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 1: were at Oregon, and I think they bring that to 175 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: the table, and I think their teammates will really appreciate that. 176 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: I'm glad you brought up adapting and dealing with change, coach, 177 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: because interestingly, Cavan during his Oregon tenure worked with two 178 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:20,479 Speaker 1: different often two different defensive coordinators, so he has experienced 179 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:22,959 Speaker 1: adjusting to a new scheme, which he obviously is going 180 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: to have to do now with new defensive coordinator for 181 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 1: the Giants, Don Martindale. How much better prepared is he 182 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,960 Speaker 1: for that given he already went through that and experienced 183 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: that at the collegiate level. Well, we may get known 184 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 1: early that the only constant football has changed you know. 185 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: It says you know that every single year there's gonna 186 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,319 Speaker 1: be some kind of change, which you know hopefully he'll 187 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:48,680 Speaker 1: be able to play for a consistent coaching staff over 188 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: the course the next several years. But being able to 189 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 1: adapt and still have success at a high level says 190 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 1: a lot about a guy. He means that a guy 191 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 1: is coachable, a guy is to new ways right, new 192 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: methods of doing things, and improvement. And at the end 193 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: of the day, if you really are about the team, 194 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 1: you'll accept change, no matter how different or difficult it, 195 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:13,840 Speaker 1: maybe knowing that the team goals are at stake. So 196 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 1: I think again, another invaluable experience and aspect to his 197 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: growth on the topic of change. Interestingly, when you were 198 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 1: coaching Shane Lemieu, he had that record fifty two games 199 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: streak he never missed a start, which is, as I'm 200 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 1: sure you can attest to, is quite impressive considering the 201 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 1: physicality of the sport. I'm not sure, coach, how much 202 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: interaction you've had with him, but unfortunately he missed pretty 203 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: much the entire season last year due to a knee injury. 204 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 1: Given the fact that he was so durable in college, 205 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 1: what do you think the challenge were for him last 206 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 1: season and now the outlook for him to bounce back 207 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,719 Speaker 1: and try to get through the grind of a year. Oh, 208 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 1: it will bounce back. I've never seen a guy like him. 209 00:10:57,120 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 1: I mean that guy, he's he's a piece of iron. 210 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:02,440 Speaker 1: He is steel in sided out, and he lives lives 211 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 1: for playing football. So you know, uh, it's we have 212 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:10,480 Speaker 1: a very unique way of developing linement, you know, I mean, 213 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 1: heck in our course, in our time therefore draft and 214 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: we left behind another five draft picks that are sitting 215 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 1: there right now, left it loaded like completely. So it's 216 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:23,679 Speaker 1: a culture that you know, they are responsible for upholding 217 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: those standards and they won't tolerate anything or anyone that doesn't. 218 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 1: So Shane is uh, Shane's DNA is exactly what you 219 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 1: want as a as a son, as a teammate, as 220 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 1: a leader, as a future father, husband. I mean, he's 221 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: exactly what you want. So I uh, I think you're 222 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: going to really enjoy it, you know, him bouncing back 223 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:46,960 Speaker 1: from that injury and playing his best football. On the 224 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: topic of injury, interestingly, coach, when GM Joe Shane spoke 225 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 1: to the media, the one thing he commended came on 226 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,440 Speaker 1: Thibodeau about was the fact that he played through an 227 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: ankle injury this past season and how you know, in 228 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:01,439 Speaker 1: today's landscape, it's very easy for a college player to say, hey, 229 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: I want to focus on getting healthy looking towards the NFL. 230 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 1: How did you go about navigating how he dealt with 231 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: the ankle injury and what did that say to you 232 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 1: about him? The fact that he was willing to play 233 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: her Well, you know what it was, he had a 234 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 1: pre severe ankle injury. He did. I don't think he 235 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 1: received enough credit for that, and I'm sure, I mean, 236 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: you know how it is nowadays, people are the years 237 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: of these young men all the time they opt out, 238 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: Hey don't play, don't do this, don't do that, you're 239 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: gonna be a top pick. And credit to him, he was. 240 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: He played, you know, he rehabs intensely, and he came 241 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:38,400 Speaker 1: back and he played. And and the culture calls for that, 242 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:40,199 Speaker 1: I mean with us that say you're playing your your 243 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: onboard or or not. And he fits right in with that. 244 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 1: And um, I mean he deserves a lot of credit 245 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:47,439 Speaker 1: for that, he really does. And I don't think he 246 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: ever he ever got that, And I mean, I know 247 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,959 Speaker 1: there's there's one. There's one game in particular, I believe 248 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 1: that you know, he had to sit out the first 249 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: half due to a targeting call. I think the second half, 250 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: and he had in the neighbor of fifty five sixty player. 251 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: I think he took every single snap, just didn't want 252 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: to come up the field. So that's that's what you're 253 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: getting there, you know, And a guy that wants to 254 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,840 Speaker 1: be pushed, you know, and that can take hard coaching. 255 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 1: And I think that's in the NFL, that's what you're 256 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: gonna get, right, you get the best coaching there is. 257 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 1: I don't know. The Giants have, you know, put together 258 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: a tremendous organization, a great coach. I'm looking forward to 259 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 1: watching those coaches challenge him and push him to get 260 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: the most out of them. Giant season tickets are on 261 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: sale now for the season. In addition to ticket savings, 262 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:33,200 Speaker 1: membership benefits include access to exclusive events, experiences, pre sales, 263 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 1: and more. You can lock in your seat starting to 264 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: just one hundred bucks. Called eight NYG is a Giants 265 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:41,960 Speaker 1: dot com slash tickets for more information. I mentioned he's 266 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: one of two first round picks for the Giants, and 267 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 1: we talked about iron sharpening iron going up against the 268 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 1: offensive lineman. If I have this correct, Coach, you actually 269 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:54,760 Speaker 1: were responsible for recruiting Evan Neil at Alabama before you 270 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,319 Speaker 1: went to Oregon. So I thought it'd be only appropriate 271 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: to ask your perspective about the other Giant its first 272 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 1: round pick, considering you really saw him when he began 273 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,520 Speaker 1: to develop his tools on the offensive line before he 274 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: even got to Alabama. Yeah, I was on my way 275 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:13,520 Speaker 1: actually to visit UM. I believe it was Jerry Judy 276 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: and Calvin Ridley, and I asked a plenty here, I 277 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 1: need you to stop an Oka Chobee because I've been 278 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 1: informed of a ginormous human being that I gotta go see. 279 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: And uh uh, you know, and I'm getting calls back 280 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 1: from the Alabama recruiting officering you can't do that. You 281 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 1: can't alter our plans. On my god, I think you'll 282 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: thank me later if this is what I think it is. 283 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 1: UM and got to see Evan Neil in person for 284 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,240 Speaker 1: the first time and offered him and he actually committed 285 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 1: to Alabama. UM as a freshman in high school, came 286 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: up to camp and everything I had left Alabama he 287 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 1: had decommitted then recommitted. So I wasn't there for his 288 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 1: time there, but yeah I was. That's how the recruiting 289 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 1: process started with him. I just remember seeing him in 290 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: person and saying, this is just a whole new level 291 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: of just my stracity. Yeah. Um, but I'm a big fan, 292 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: you know, watching him play throughout the years, and now 293 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: he's developed surrending conditioning has really taken his physique and 294 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: his abilities and does exponentially made a more explosive powerful 295 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: he could play at all. You know, again, I watched 296 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: a lot of tape and I studied offensive lines. You 297 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 1: couldn't You couldn't asked for a better scenario, you know, 298 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 1: I mean unless you got pen a school last year, 299 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 1: which you know that's our other guys, But um, you 300 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: can ask for a better scenario on on two young 301 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: guys playing the edges that can really impact the football team. Well, 302 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 1: because you know, as you just mentioned, the trenches certainly 303 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: made quite the impact on a football team. Well, speaking 304 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 1: of impact, coach, so let's see you put your stamp 305 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: on Alabama or again now you're gonna do the same 306 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 1: at Miami. I mean, you've got the entire college landscape 307 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: here at your disposal, in terms of what you've been 308 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: able to do. I've been very fortunate, you know, and Uh, 309 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: I had a great high school coach and I swear 310 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: to this day as the very best man tour that 311 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: I've ever had. And the principles and values that he 312 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: embedded in us about working hard, doing the right thing, 313 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: making sure it's a max's effort every single day at 314 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: all costs. Those things that they hold up anywhere, whether 315 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 1: it's here in the Pacific Northwest and in the in 316 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 1: the Southeast, say they all hold up. So I've been 317 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,960 Speaker 1: very blessed. We feel that now we're uh, we're at 318 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 1: a place where now we can take it to a 319 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: whole new level and we're excited to get things going. Well. 320 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 1: Before I let you go, I want to go to 321 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:32,560 Speaker 1: a very light note. When Giants General manager Joe Shane 322 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 1: spoke to the media, he mentioned that when he went 323 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 1: out to Oregon Pro Day, Cavon Thibodeau took him and 324 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: special assistant to the GM former Giant Jesse Armstead out 325 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:45,479 Speaker 1: for dinner and he took them to a Korean barbecue 326 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 1: place in Eugene. So, considering you've been at Oregon, two 327 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 1: part question, what could you say about the influence that 328 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 1: Korean barbecue may have had on the Giants wanting to 329 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: solidify their decision to take cavon Thibodeaux and be how 330 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: concerned the Giant chefs in the kitchen staff be about 331 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:06,720 Speaker 1: Thibodau's ability to prepare and make food, considering he said, 332 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 1: you prepare that yourself when you go to that place. Well, 333 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 1: you know, I might have had a tough time drafting 334 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 1: him if I knew that, he should have gone right 335 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:19,640 Speaker 1: across the street over to be Bede John. He's got 336 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: some unbelievable Italian food. But um, you know what Jesse 337 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:26,719 Speaker 1: Arms had the former teammate of mine, you know, here 338 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: at the University of Miami, and I had a chance 339 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,440 Speaker 1: to connect with him, you know, throughout the course of 340 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 1: years and most recently, you know, throughout this process for 341 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:38,400 Speaker 1: the twenty two drafts. So I'm really happy that he's 342 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,399 Speaker 1: gonna be there having that type of mentorship no one 343 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,679 Speaker 1: Jesse and the type of player and guy that he is. 344 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: So uh, sky's a limit, you know for Cavan, and 345 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:49,639 Speaker 1: I believe Shane as well. I'm glad he's with you guys. 346 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 1: My brother was actually drafted by the Giants way back 347 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:55,639 Speaker 1: in nineteen ninety when they used to have twelve rounds 348 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 1: and whatnot. And uh so always a fan. I worked 349 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 1: in at Rutgers you know, versity for three years and 350 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 1: was always up that way and watching practice. So I'm 351 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 1: really really rooting for you guys, and certainly for a 352 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,960 Speaker 1: couple of guys that I had to grade on the coach. Well, 353 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: when they say it's a small world, it certainly applies 354 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: to Mario Chris the ball given his connections to the 355 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:19,440 Speaker 1: Giants as well as the college of the NFL landscape. 356 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: Is the Giants select former Oregon pass rusher Cavon Thibodeaux 357 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 1: with the fifth overall pick. Coach can't thank you know 358 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 1: greatly appreciate the time of the insight. As you mentioned, 359 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 1: we look forward to seeing what Cabon is gonna do 360 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:31,919 Speaker 1: for the Giants, and I look forward to speaking down 361 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: the road. Thanks for joining me, appreciate it, Thanks for 362 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 1: having me. This is the latest edition of the Giants 363 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 1: Huddle podcast, which you could catch on Giants dot com, 364 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:43,440 Speaker 1: the mobile app, and your favorite podcast platforms.