from http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/03/did-giants-nix-smith-for-edwar.html

You can never have enough pass rushers … but on offense?

The Giants sent a coach out to Cincinnati to check out Bearcats DE Connor Barwin, but it wasn’t defensive line coach Mike Waufle. It was tight ends coach Mike Pope. The 6-4, 256-pound Barwin, who had 11 sacks last season, was a tight end during his first three college seasons and a handful of teams — including the Giants — seem to want him to play there in the NFL.

Barwin caught 53 passes for 692 yards in his three years as a college tight end. Most scouts consider him a better DE prospect — where he’s a probable first-day pick — than a TE prospect. But if he slips through to Day 2, he’s someone to keep an eye on.

on the surface it seems a reach; particularly seeing he struggled a little as a TE at the senior bowl, but that could be due to suddenly changing positions (just to make sure he got to play in the senior bowl

but he has excellent measurables, great work ethic and intangibles. He has all the tools needed, and just needs time to develop, but he is a genuine threat.

to give you an idea

Combine results:

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 256lbs
40 time: 4.66
3 - cone: 6.87
20 yard shuttle: 4.18
225lb reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 40.5"
Broad Jump: 10"08"

and then he ran at his pro day:

NFL | Barwin fast at Pro Day
Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:30:54 -0700

Ed Thompson, of Scout.com, reports University of Cincinnati DE Connor Barwin ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, according to the university's timer, but some onlookers timed him between 4.43 seconds and 4.45 seconds.

Barwin did do really well at the TE, OLB and DE drills at his pro day.



Is this who Reese is targeting for #29 or #45?

The more I think about it, the more I like it

He has all the tools to be a matchup nightmare, more importantly he has great attitude and work ethic

I had been seriously considering him as a SLB for the Giants in my mock, but he could easily develop just as well as a TE.

Barwin is a fringe 1st rounder as a DE or OLB, so would have to be drafted early

The only think is that he will be un polished at TE. But that would be the case regardless of which position he plays. This guy is a team player and really hard worker, exactly the type of guy the Giants like; plus he has outstanding physical tools to back it up.

Barwin could be everything we liked in Shockey, but without the attitude.......

Seems like a reach to take in the first couple rounds but if he slips like the article suggests then I'd be ok with it.
I'm still pretty high on Jared Cook in the second round if he's available.

I am not so high on Cook; I can't help worrying about his work ethic, with all his tools, he should be alot better

I think he is more of a recieving TE to be honest; perhaps even a H-Back


Honestly I would rather Connor Barwin as a TE prospect. But Pettigrew makes the most sense if we go TE
The only other TE I really like is James Casey; the others don't really grab me for a Giants style of TE


But I personally, I think Barwin is a better fit as a SLB or even MLB for us (I think potential All-Pro); As a LB he is worth that #29. But if the front office believe he can play TE, then I would be somewhat ok with it.

Barwin has physical tools, great instincts and work ethic plus a team first attitude. This is a Tom Coughlin type of football player