New York Giants Training Camp Preview
It is safe to say the New York Giants overachieved last season with an 11-5 record under Ben McAdoo in his first year as head coach. The over-achievement also had some consequences as well. One of them was a 38 to 13 loss in the first-round of the playoffs to the Green Bay Packers. The second was Odell Beckham Jr.'s antics after the playoff game.
The Giants have Super Bowl expectations this season after taking a major step forward last season. They are one of the few teams in the NFL that has a strong offense and defense.
Eli Manning is 36 years old and this is his last possible chance at a championship. He is obviously the week one starter. The multi million dollar question is who will be his backup? Davis Webb will be one of the other quarterbacks on the roster because they are working with him to become Eli's replacement when Manning decides to retire.
That means Josh Johnson or Geno Smith will be Eli's backup and I think Johnson will win the job. Geno has shown what he could and I haven't heard anything impressive from him. I've heard better things about Johnson.
At running back, Paul Perkins will be the starter. The other three running backs that make the roster is a slam dunk Wayne Gallman, Shane Vereen, and Orleans Darkwa.
At wide receiver, everyone talks about the three-headed monster in Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard, but what depth will their be after that? Dwyane Harris will make the roster because of special teams. That's four right there.
The other two spots will be decided by Tavarres King, Roger Lewis Jr., Travis Rudolph, Kevin Snead, Darius Powe, and Kevin Norwood.
Tight end is a position that has improved big time for the Giants in the offseason. The three tight ends will be Evan Engram, Jerell Adams, and Rhett Ellison. Ellison will be more of a fullback and Engram will be a threat down the middle of the field.
The offensive line had some questions last season and does once again this season. The starting offensive line right now will probably be Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, John Jerry, and Bobby Hart.
Players like D.J. Fluker, Adam Gettis, Adam Bisnowaty, and Jessamen Dunker will also compete for possible play time on the offensive line.
The defensive line might be one of the strongest positions on this team. The starting defensive line will probably be Jason Pierre-Paul, Damon Harrison, Robert Thomas, and Olivier Vernon. The depth they also have on the defensive line is also pretty good. I expect Romeo Okwara and Avery Moss to be on the roster as the other ends.
Kerry Wynn, Devin Taylor, or Owa Odighizuwa will be the 5th defensive end and that will be a tough spot to compete for. Dalvin Tomlinson and Jay Bromley will most likely be in the rotation at defensive tackle.
The linebackers aren't that strong but Jonathan Casillas, B.J. Goodson, and Devon Kennard are the slam dunk starters. If one of them get injured, it will be a depleted linebacking core.
The secondary is one of the strongest positions on this Giants team also. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins will be the starting corners. Landon Collins had a break out year last at safety and he should have defensive player of the year.
I expect Darian Thompson to be the other starter in the secondary. Andrew Adams will definitely see play time as well at safety this year. Eli Apple will be the third corner and he could be a very dangerous one as well. After Apple, it is a big drop off at corner.
Aldrick Rosas will be the kicker and Brad Wing will be the punter. I expect Dwyane Harris to be the main kick and punt returner. The New York Giants have the potential to win it all this season and Eli Manning could have a career year.
