Giants surprise many by selecting TE Evan Engram in 2017 NFL Draft

Coming into the 2017 NFL Draft, the New York Giants were expected to make several moves to improve their offensive line. By the time the Giants were on the clock with the 23rd pick, many of the top offensive players were off the board. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 19th overall, the Broncos took Utah's Garrett Bolles, who was considered the Giants' primary target. 

New York selected Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram with the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft. The 6-3, 234-pound Engram has been listed as a tight end, but his strong showing at the NFL Combine has opened up the possibility of him becoming a slot receiver in the league. He ran an impressive 4.42-second 40-yard dash, which would have tied for fifth among wide receivers. 

Engram (pictured) will immdeiately join a star-studded Giants offense

The 22-year old was a four-year starter at Ole Miss, and has drawn comparisons to Redskins tight end Jordan Reed. In his collegiate career, he netted 2,320 receiving yards with 15 touchdown receptions. Last year, in particular, he had 65 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns. 

The Giants are very excited about Engram's (pictured) NFL potential

According to Dan Duggan of NJ.com, Engram figures to be used solely as a mismatch in passing situations for now because he is not a developed blocker. With an already-strong wide receiver corps, which includes Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Brandon Marshall, and tight end Rhett Ellison, it will be interesting to see how the G-Men utilize Engram's ability. It is also important to not forget about Will Tye, Jerell Adams, and Matt LaCosse, who are regarded as more traditional tight ends. 

"We think that this guy can be a dynamic weapon in our offense. Obviously he has great speed for the position -- we think that he can be a matchup nightmare for teams trying to cover him with linebackers and safeties, so he was a guy that he liked a lot," said GM Jerry Reese. 

According to head coach Ben McAdoo, Engram will likely play with the special teams unit out of the gate and be eased into an offensive role. 

On Friday, New York will make their second and third round picks, which currently stand at 55th and 87th overall, respectively. 

The Giants should look to stock up their offensive line weapons with the remaining draft picks. If New York does just that, one has to imagine that the Engram selection would look significantly better.  

Jets strike gold with Jamal Adams in the 2017 NFL Draft

On Thursday, the NFL Draft officially kicked off in front of millions of spectators. For the Jets, a team that recently gutted their roster by releasing several veterans, GM Mike Maccaghan had a few tough decisions to make. Rumors had circled the team regarding their 6th overall pick, as some reports claimed that New York would trade down while others alleged that the Jets would consider reaching for a quarterback. Gang Green ultimately decided to hold onto the draft pick and selected safety Jamal Adams out of LSU. It is the eighth straight year that the Jets drafted a defensive player in the opening round. 

Adams (pictured) figures to be a huge part of the Jets future

In three years at LSU, the 21-year old played in 36 games and racked up 209 tackles with five interceptions. As a junior, he was named to the Associated Press All-Sec first team, and this past January, he announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. 

Standing at 6-0 and weighing 214 lbs, Adams had been projected as a top-five pick by most mock drafts. However, he fell to the Jets after a whirlwind of unexpected moves by the Bears and Titans, who drafted Mitchell Trubisky and Corey Davis, respectively. Jamal Adams, a Texas native, is the son of former Giants running back George Adams, who accumulated 886 rushing yards in six NFL seasons. 

With Adams (pictured) in the fold, the Jets can now focus on the offense

"We knew he was an alpha dog coming in, because we knew that's how he played at LSU," said Jets coach Todd Bowles. "Those were all his intangibles coming in. That's just part of it. The culture we're trying to create, I think he's perfect for our building." 

Adams can play either safety position, but will likely see time at free safety due to the knee injury to Marcus Gilchrist. The Jets last took a safety in the first round in 2014, when they selected Calvin Pryor out of Louisville. New York's secondary ranked among the worst in the NFL in 2016, as they allowed a 98.5 opposing quarterback rating. 

Upon hearing his name called, Adams spoke to reporters. He said "I have to go in and work hard and continue what I do best, and that's play ball. But I'm just going to first go in and earn the respect of my teammates, earn the respect of my coaching staff and let the chips unfold from there."

On Friday at 8 p.m. ET, the NFL Draft will continue to roll on, as we will see how Rounds 2-3 unravel for Gang Green. Then, on Saturday night, there will be Rounds 4-7. 

So far so good for GM Mike Maccaghan and the New York Jets. Now it is time to build offensive depth by grabbing a few running backs and wide receivers.

The Good, Bad and Ugly: Nets 2016-17 Season Review

The Brooklyn Nets have endured several tough years in recent time, and the 2016-17 season was no different, as the team finished dead-last in the Eastern Conference with a 20-62 record. After dealing shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic to the Washington Wizards, the Nets surprisingly chose to hold onto star center Brook Lopez. Despite the poor record, lack of future draft picks, and ownership's willingness to sell a major stake in the team, Brooklyn has directed toward a team on the rise through the addition of prospective and youthful players. 

The Nets failed to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive year

In this article, we will take a closer look at the 2016-17 campaign and examine what went right and wrong for the Brooklyn Nets. 

The Good

Health and Performance by Brook Lopez

Lopez (pictured) remains the Nets best player

From 2012-2014, Brook Lopez played in just 96 games for the Nets after suffering various foot-related injuries. However, since that time, he has managed to stay on the court for at least 72 games per year, and 2016-17 marked his highest game-total since 2010-11. In 75 games, the All-Star put up 20.5 PPG, 5.4 REB and surprisingly shot 34% from three-point range. While his future with the Nets is still unclear, it is apparent that Lopez has re-established himself as a formidable scoring threat in the NBA. 

Improvement of Sean Kilpatrick

Sean Kilpatrick served as a nice bench-option for interim coach Tony Brown during the second-half of the 2015-16 year, and further improved his game under coach Kenny Atkinson this past year. In 70 games (24 starts), he totaled 13.1 PPG while shooting 34% from downtown and 84% from the free-throw line. Still 27, Kilpatrick carries plenty of youth and could continue to evolve his game next season.

The Bad

The Jeremy Lin Experiment

As a rebuilding franchise, the Nets were questioned upon after bringing in point guard Jeremy Lin on a hefty three-year, $36 million contract last summer. Lin had been effective with the Hornets, Lakers, and Rockets, but was put up on a pedestal after being immediately named the starting point guard. In 2016-17, the Harvard-product suffered various hamstring injuries and was limited to just 36 games. While his overall numbers looked good (14.5 PPG, 5.1 AST, 37 3P%), Lin was a disappointment for the Nets and represents a pricey floor general for the two remaining seasons under contract. 

Lin (pictured) still has two years, $24 million remaining on his contract

Failure to trade Brook Lopez (again)

Despite being a fan-favorite and now all-time scoring leader in Nets history, Brook Lopez's days in Brooklyn have been long overdue. This past February, many teams showed interest in the 29-year old, including the Thunder, Pacers and Pelicans, but the Nets refused to budge. Perhaps GM Sean Marks views Lopez as the sole marketable entity on his roster, and the loss of such an individual would be catastrophic for game-day attendance and overall attention to the team. Regardless, with 2017-18 being Lopez's final season in Brooklyn, the team must make a move before their star player departs via free agency. 

The Ugly

Future Draft Picks (or lack thereof)

Everyone knows the story. When the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012, they brought in several star players to get their team on the map. By doing so, the franchise sacrificed their future by dealing away many top draft picks, mostly to the Celtics, Hawks and Jazz. Despite having two first-round picks this year, the Nets will not be able to pick in the lottery due to the Celtics' right to swap picks.

Overall, the team will be giving up a 2017 second-rounder (to Atlanta), 2018 first-rounder (to Boston), 2018 second-round (to Philadelphia or Charlotte), 2019 second-rounder (to Memphis), and a 2020 second-rounder (to Philadelphia). In return, they still have a 2017 first-rounder (from Washington), 2017 second-rounder (from Boston), and a 2018 second-rounder (from Indiana). In simplistic terms, Brooklyn will have a difficult time in their quest to rebuild due to a lack of first and second round draft selections. 

GM Sean Marks (pictured) has some major work to do with the Nets

Conclusion

With players such as Isaiah Whitehead, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris Levert, the Nets possess healthy a dose of youth heading into the foreseeable future. Additionally, with two first-round draft picks in 2017, the team will look for a big late-round splash that could immediately help contribute to the rebuilding process. While Nets fans remain disappointed in the state of their team, it is clear that the organization is on the rise, but it may take several years for franchise to re-emerge as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. With a few smart draft selections and the trading of Brook Lopez, Brooklyn could quickly transform into a fun and exciting team to watch develop. 

The Good, Bad, and Ugly: Knicks 2016-17 Season Review

2016-17 was another disappointing season for the New York Knicks, to say the least. While the additions of Derrick Rose and Courtney Lee provided an immediate spark to the team, that success quickly faded off once the season was about one-third of the way through. Now, with four straight seasons of missing the playoffs, the Knicks face several obstacles as they attempt to return to a relevant state. 

Jeff Hornacek's team may look very different next year

In this article, we will take a closer look at the 2016-17 year, and pull a few takeaways from the abysmal 31-51 season. 

The Good 

Emergence of Youth

Hernangomez (right) caught the eyes of Knicks fans

- The Knicks have made some questionable draft selections in recent time, with names like Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo coming to mind. The team struck gold in 2015 when they brought in Kristaps Porzingis, but failed to immediately surround him with a youthful supporting cast. 

Perhaps the most noteworthy positive to takeaway from the 2016-17 squad was the collection of young, projectable players that could become key pieces in the long-term future. Willy Hernangomez, a second-round pick in 2015 by Philadelphia, had himself quite a season, notching 8.2 PPG and 7.0 REB in 18.4 minutes per game. The 22-year old managed to earn a roster spot in the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge, and was recently named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. Other names to include are Ron Baker, a 24-year old guard out of Wichita State, and Chasson Randle, who had signed a multi-year pact with New York this past May. 

Improvement of Kristaps Porzingis

- Porzingis is the future of the New York Knicks, and his continued success development is crucial to the franchise. Despite some bumps and bruises along the way, his 2016-17 season should be seen as a sign in the right direction by the Knicks faithful. The 21-year old put up 18.1 PPG and 7.2 REB while shooting 35% from three-point range. For comparison, his rookie season saw him putting up 14.3 PPG and 7.3 REB while shooting 33% from downtown. Still very raw, Porzingis has room to grow, particularly with his defense and overall interior game, but he figures to be a mainstay in the starting rotation for years to come. 

The Bad

Poor Defense

- Joakim Noah was brought into the squad last summer to help fortify the defensive unit, but he failed to live up to expectations, to say the least. For whatever reason, the Knicks as a whole had posted terrible numbers on the defensive end. They ranked 23rd in the NBA in points allowed per game, and let opponents shoot 35% from three point range. To make matters worse, the team ranked 22nd in number of opponent free throw attempts, meaning that they could not control the interior game from attacking players. While it is unfair to blame one particular player, this weakness could definitely align with Jeff Hornacek and Kurt Rambis, both of whom failed to improve the overall lack of defensive effort. 

Lack of Movement at the Trade Deadline

- The Knicks were "this" close to acquiring point guard Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Derrick Rose, but the deal fell through minutes before the deadline. GM Phil Jackson failed to make any moves at the trade deadline, leading to a lack of direction from players and fans alike. Many did not realistically expect the Knicks to get-out under Carmelo Anthony's contract, but were surprised to see players such as Rose, Courtney Lee, and Kyle O'Quinn on the roster during the second-half. Jackson's lack of activity has cast a cloud of uncertainty across the entire Knicks franchise. 

Jackson (pictured) did not let go of any of his trade chips

Derrick Rose's Tough Ending

- You know the saying "it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish." Well, for Derrick Rose, things could not have gone worse. Despite finishing with a solid 18.0 PPG and 4.4 AST in 64 games, the 28-year will enter free agency recovering from a torn meniscus that had been suffered in early-April. As his fourth knee surgery, Rose's latest issue may scare away a few potential suitors, including the Knicks. While the above-average talent is still there, Rose's MVP days appear to be long-behind and he would be fortunate to receive a multi-year contract this summer. 

The Ugly 

Where do I even begin?

Carmelo v. Phil

- The New York media slammed Carmelo Anthony all-season while Phil Jackson hid in the shadows. However, Jackson recently made some questionable comments during his exit interviews that boosted the drama between he and his star player. To keep it brief, Jackson said that the All-Star forward would be "better off somewhere else," citing that Anthony had failed to fit in with the current direction of the team. Now, is Jackson wrong? Probably not. However, his comments were premature and have even led to involvement by the NBA Player's Union. Regardless of how you feel about Anthony and Jackson, most fans would agree that this continued drama has dragged the team to all-time lows in terms of their image and perception around the league. 

The Charles Oakley Incident

- As a hard-nosed forward from the 1990's, Charles Oakley earned a strong reputation from the New York organization and fan-base. However, in February, the 53-year old was involved in an altercation at Madison Square Garden and was subsequently ejected and arrested. He was alleged to have yelled at Knicks owner James Dolan, and was charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and criminal trespassing. This situation was the talk of the town for several weeks and still remains relatively delicate between both sides. Naturally, almost every Knicks fan sided with their beloved New York star, and Dolan's image continued to crumble as a result. While the incident did not directly involve the players on the court, one has to think that they were negatively impacted in some capacity by the lack of respect and tremendous distraction. 

Oakley (pictured) was ejected (and temporarily banned) from MSG in February

Joakim Noah's Contract

- Fans have loathed the Joakim Noah signing since day one, and rightfully so, as the 32-year old could go down as the worst contract in the franchise's history. In 2016-17, Noah put up 5.0 PPG and 8.7 REB in 22.1 minutes per game, receiving a grand total of $17 million in the process. To worsen the problem, he was suspended for 20 games for violating the league's anti-doping policy, a period that carries over into next year. Finally, as a kicker, it was announced that the veteran would require surgery for a torn rotator cuff, sidelining him for four-to-six months. So, with three years and $55 million remaining on his deal, the Knicks are financially strapped to make any game-changing transactions. Unfortunately it appears that they will have to just eat out the contract and hope that Noah can provide *something* over the next three years to justify the hefty paychecks. 

Conclusion

- It is very difficult to defend the Knicks recent activity, but the only thing that we can hope for is a sense of direction given by Phil Jackson. With two more seasons with New York and overwhelming support from James Dolan, this will continue to be Jackson's team to toy around with. As Knicks fans, we just have to hope that the drama comes to a screeching halt and that Jackson makes good use of his lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. 

Reviewing the New York Islanders 2016-17 Season

Despite ending the year with a six-game winning streak, the New York Islanders fell short of a post-season berth. The team finished 41-29-12 with 94 points, but trailed the cross-town Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan Division.

The Islanders finished eighth in the Eastern Conference 

Rather than focus on the New York's shortcomings, the majority of fans have remained content with how the season shook out. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Islanders whirlwind of a 2016-17 season.

New York lost several key players in the summer of 2016, including Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin. The team appeared to head toward a quasi-rebuild stage as they prepared to develop younger talents such as Ryan Strome and Anders Lee while bringing in free agent veterans like Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera. Therefore, the Islanders faithful tempered their expectations for the 2016-17 season.

Ladd (left) and Chimera (right) celebrate after an Islanders goal

Weight (pictured) hopes to return next year

The team posted a 17-17-8 record through the first 42 games and let go of long-time head coach Jack Capuano. In addition, the franchise had placed goaltender Jaroslav Halak on waivers and eventually sent him down to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. The Islanders replaced Capuano with Assistant General Manager Doug Weight, and Halak with the duo of Thomas Greiss and J.F. Berube.

Most fans would agree that Weight exceeded expectations, leading the club to a 24-12-4 record while attaining 52 points. As an interim head coach, his future remains unclear, but he hopes to remain with the organization in some capacity. 

Weight's Islanders were given a second-half boost by the likes of prospects Joshua Ho-Sang and Adam Pelech, who both finished with 10 points each. In particular, Ho-Sang proved to the Islanders that he was the real-deal, and the 21-year old figures to play a tremendous role in the team's future. Aside from the rookies, New York also received late-season contributions from Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera, who ended with 31 and 33 points, respectively.

Ho-Sang (pictured) finished with four goals and six assists in 21 games

By and large, the largest bright spot was Anders Lee, whose 34 goals led him to win the Bob Nystrom Award. Lee's 52 total points represented a career high, and at age-26, the center projects to play a big part in the coming years. It is also important to recognize the performance of Josh Bailey, who posted a career-high 56 points with 42 assists. 

As a result of a late-season resurgence by Jaroslav Halak, the Islanders may have a strong goaltender corps next year. However, with the upcoming expansion draft for the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Halak may be on the bubble to be selected. If that were to happen, the Islanders would lose the hefty contract obligation and be given the opportunity to hand the keys to both Greiss and Berube on a full-time basis.

Halak (pictured) redeemed his value with a second-half rejuvenation

Despite some dazzling performances, the Islanders player personnel state remains at a cross-roads. Team captain John Tavares set to hit free agency after the 2017-18 season, and New York must decide whether to gear up for one more deep-playoff run or commit to a rebuild phase. With talent such as Ho-Sang, Pelech, Anthony Beauvillier, Parker Wortherspoon, J.F. Berube, Ilya Sorokin, Ryan Pulock, Kieffer Bellows, and Matthew Barzal on board for the long-term, the team figures to remain competitive for the foreseeable future. 

Mets bring in Jennings for outfield depth

On Wednesday, the New York Mets agreed to terms with outfielder Desmond Jennings on a minor league contract. Jennings, 30, was released by the Cincinnati Reds on March 31 following a poor Spring Training performance. 

Jennings (pictured) hit .200/.281/.350 in 65 games with TBR in 2016

Once regarded as the sixth best prospect in the game by Baseball America (2009 preseason edition), Jennings had struggled to make a name for himself in the big leagues. In seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, he hit a combined .245/.322/.393 with 55 HR and 191 RBI. Jennings' best season came in 2012, where he hit .246/.314/.388 with 13 HR and 31 SB in 132 games. 

Due to the emergence of Kevin Kiermaier, the Rays shifted Jennings to left field in 2016, so it is unclear if he is still a reliable option in center. The veteran will report directly to Triple-A Las Vegas and serve as right-handed hitting outfield depth behind the injured Juan Lagares. 

As a minor league signing, Jennings comes to the Mets with a very low risk factor. While it is unlikely that he finally fulfills the high expectations that Tampa Bay gave him, the Boras client could certainly see some time with the big league club at some point in the year. 

Recapping the latest Mets news as Opening Day approaches

With Opening Day right around the corner, MLB teams have been working hard to finalize their rosters. The Mets, in particular, had several important decisions to make regarding their player personnel. In this article, we will take a closer look at each notable decision and offer brief insight on them. 

"Steven Matz shutdown for three weeks, Gsellman to replace in rotation"

A few days ago, manager Terry Collins informed the media that left-hander Steven Matz would undergo an MRI after experiencing elbow discomfort. Today, it was determined that the results came back negative. However, Matz will miss the first three weeks of the season and Robert Gsellman will take his spot. 

Matz (pictured) finds himself on the disabled list once again

Gsellman, 23, went 4-2 with a 2.42 ERA in eight games for the Mets last year. He will now play a tremendous role for a team that expects big things in 2017. Recently, the youngster received praise from his skipper. 

"There are guys who just have a feel for when they are on the mound and a demeanor when they pitch, and I think Robert has learned a lot from his experience last year," Collins said. "He sees the older guys, the way they prepare this spring, and I think he's grown up in his preparation and how he goes about things and takes his outings down here not with a grain of salt."

"Lagares to hit DL with oblique injury, Conforto and Kelly to break camp"

Conforto (pictured) will look to bounce back in 2017

Outfielder Juan Lagares will (unofficially) begin the season on the disabled list after suffering an oblique strain in an exhibition game a few days ago. The 28-year old hit just .239/.301/.380 in 79 games last year, but was expected to open the 2017 year as the team's fourth outfielder. 

Ty Kelly will temporarily replace Lagares on the 25-man roster. The utility player hit .241/.352/.345 in 39 games for the Mets in 2016, and does not figure to receive much playing time. However, with experience all around the diamond, particularly third base, left field, and second base, Kelly's versatility will help Terry Collins in late-game situations. 

Perhaps the most noteworthy move on this list, New York decided to bring young outfielder Michael Conforto up north for Opening Day. While some are upset about the transaction, specifically citing his anticipated lack-of playing time, it appears that the team is rewarding the former first-rounder after a hot spring showing. In 60 at-bats, the 24-year old hit .300 with three home runs and five RBI. He will look to rebound his numbers after a rough 2016 campaign. 

"Wheeler makes rotation, Montero to begin year in major league bullpen"

For the first time since 2014, Zack Wheeler will toe the rubber on a major league field. The 26-year old was informed that he not only made the team, but he will be directly inserted into the starting rotation. This spring, Wheeler posted a 5.11 ERA in 12.1 innings pitched, and despite his innings limit, the Mets are okay with letting the youngster start the season with the big-league club. 

"We felt like we needed to start the motor a little bit (on Zack)," Collins told the media. "The bullpen is really a bad role if you haven't pitched in two years. We said 'Let's run him out there.'

Wheeler (pictured) will get the chance to straighten his career out

Meanwhile, Rafael Montero was told that he had made the roster as well. However, the former top prospect will begin the year in the bullpen, seemingly entering a long-relief role with the occasional spot start. The 26-year old performed very well in spring training, putting up a 1.77 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. Ultimately, the decision came down between he and Seth Lugo, who helped carry Puerto Rico deep into the recent World Baseball Classic. While Montero put up a strong showing, it is hard to ignore the fact that he had been out-of-options and a demotion to Triple-A would have required a passage of waivers. 

"Familia suspended for 15 games for violating domestic violence policy"

Closer Jeurys Familia was recently handed a 15-game suspension by Major League Baseball following a domestic violence incident that had occured in late-2016. The suspension was expected by virtually everyone, but many did not anticipate it being so short. In any event, the 2016 All-Star will be eligible to return to action on April 20th in a game against the Phillies. 

Familia (pictured) led the MLB in saves (51) in 2017

To repair his image and avoid future related situations, the 27-year old has already completed twelve 90-minute counseling sessions. In addition, he will be making donations and speak to incoming rookies on the subject. Recently, he made a statement regarding the suspension:

"Today, I accepted a 15-game suspension from Major League Baseball resulting from my inappropriate behavior on October 31, 2016. With all that has been written and discussed regarding this matter, it is important that it be known that I never physically touched, harmed or threatened my wife that evening. I did, however, act in an unacceptable manner and am terribly disappointed in myself. I am alone to blame for the problems of that evening."

Familia's closer role will be temporarily taken over by Addison Reed. In 80 relief appearances, Reed posted a 1.97 ERA in 2016, but primarily served as New York's setup man.