What did the Jets do with the D.J. Reed compensatory pick?
What did the Jets do with their compensatory pick for D.J. Reed?
Francis Mauigoa, drafted by the Giants, expresses excitement about being part of the team and receiving congratulations from The Rock. He aims to be a strong presence on the offensive line for quarterback Jaxson Dart.
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The whirlwind of the draft had kept Francis Mauigoa off social media so it was news to him when one of the more famous Miami (Fla.) football players ā The Rock ā hadĀ reached out to you to congratulate him
āI havenāt checked social media yet. Itās kind of hectic,ā said Mauigoa when he visited the Giants headquarters the day after being drafted. āThe Rock has been someone that I look forward to meeting my whole life. Heās one of those idols that we see on TV with movies, WWE. Whatever he does, he represents the Samoan culture. Thatās something that I like to do and take pride in it. Thatās somebody that I look up to. So for him to notice me, that means a lot.ā
The 20-year-old was the second of two first round picks for the Giants on Thursday who went viral for saying he was āāready to die forā for his new quarterback, Jaxson Dart. Mauigoa met the second year pro for the first time at the teamās facility on Friday.
āYeah, he was pumped about it. He was juiced about it. He just told me about it,ā said Mauigoa. āIām really excited to get it going with him, to block my ass off for him and get him to make plays.
āHeās so down to earth, humble kid who loves fishing. I canāt wait to get out on the water with him someday.ā
The 6-foot-5, 330-pound native of American Samoa is widely expected to kick inside to right guard after playing tackle last year. Mauigoa had been cross-training since the combine in the possibility of aĀ position change, noting the biggest challenge is the different techniques than tackle.
āJust making myself valuable, if you learn all five positions,ā he said. āIām hungry for a spot. So itās not fair for me to just practice one spot if Iām hungry for anything. I just to be an offensive linemen and I feel confident in my skills. Iām ready to learn a lot more.ā
Mauigoa revealed that he had been working with a former Giantā Jon Felicianoā to make the transition. The advice that Feliciano has given him is āpretty simple. Tackle, youāve got a lot of space youāve got to cover. Guard, youāve got minimum space. If anything, he said guard would be easier. So just ready to work at it.ā
Francis Mauigoa is a 20-year-old offensive lineman drafted by the New York Giants.
Mauigoa expressed that it meant a lot to him, as The Rock is an idol who represents Samoan culture.
Mauigoa was excited and eager to contribute to the team, particularly in support of quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Mauigoa is enthusiastic about working with Dart and is committed to blocking for him to help make plays.
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Since being drafted, Mauigoa noted that Jermaine Eluemunor reached out to him. āIām really excited to be working with him,ā he said. āHeās a right tackle. They want me to play right guard. Weāre out here to move people, and thatās what weāre going to do.ā
The physical nature was the trade mark of John Harbaughās teams when he coached the Ravens.
āThat type of style of play kind of comes up with John Harbaugh and how he teaches things,ā said Mauigoa. āI see him as an old school type of coach, and thatās how I like things to be, just hard, gritty, run through somebody, no cut corners.ā
Mauigoa provided a scouting report on his news teammate, Arvell Reese, whom he faced in the NCAA playoff game this year, calling him āone of the cats that can do it all.ā
āWhen I was watching his film, he was one of the best rushers that came off on the film,ā said Mauigoa. āHeās also one of the best defenders that can cover people up, make plays downhill, and stuff like that. So (he) was kind of the key player that we had to look for during the game.
āI know he donāt smile much, but heās really cool behind the scenes. I know he explained something about holding a grudge against us, Miami versus Ohio State, but whatās in the past is in the past. Now weāre New York Giants, ready to move on from it.ā
Mauigoaās brother, Kiko, plays for the New York Jets and while they havenāt talked about it yet, he expects to move in with him. But he was not ready to commit to stayingwith his brother just yet.
āIf anything, I wanted to stay closer over here, so 10, 15 minutes away, thatās my spot. But itās up to him,ā he said.
For the Mauigoa boys, it was a dream to play in the NFL that started when he was a freshman atĀ in California where āthey were just kids that were hungry for it.ā
āThen we got to a point where we understand that weāre actually good at something and we can continue forward with it. We started pushing for greatness, and thatās been our goal ever since,ā he said.
For Mauigoa, his main thought when his name was called and being drafted in the first round was that he was glad to share with his family.
āWhen I got my name called, it was kind of a blessing, but also just kind of thankful for that moment because all the hard work my parents have put in for me to be at this situation,ā he said. āItās something that Iāve always wanted to give back to them. To be able to experience that moment with them means a lot to me.ā