New York Giants' 2009-10 Position Battles

Outside of starter Brandon Jacobs, the running back spot is up in the air. Ahmad Bradshaw (pictured) exploded onto the scene as a key part of the Giants' 2007 playoff run, but a disappointing 2008 leaves his role up in the air.

Danny Ware, a longtime member of the Giants' practice squad, is confident and ready to contribute, and rookie Andre Brown has impressed the coaching staff.

WIth the drafting of Hakeem Nicks (No. 18) and Ramses Barden (No. 13), the Giants addressed the WR spot left thin with the departure of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.

Trades for Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin were rumored, but the Giants are counting on an inexperienced group to come through in the passing game. Other than the rookies, Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon are expected to get the most snaps. The Giants are high on second-year WR Mario Manningham, but his inability to get on the field last year leaves questions about how much he'll be able to contribute.

Super Bowl hero David Tyree and Sinorice Moss, along with lesser-knowns Derek Hagan, Micah Rucker and Shaun Bodiford could compete for the final spot or two.

Eli Manning is the man, and David Carr has stepped in and had success as a backup, so the QB questions surround the No. 3 spot.

Sam Houston State's Rhett Bomar (left) was somewhat of a surprise pick in the fifth round, but as a former Oklahoma QB, the kid showed some considerable skills at rookie minicamp.

He should have no problem knocking last year's No. 3 QB, Andre Woodson, off the 53-man roster.

The offensive line has managed to stay relatively healthy the past two seasons, but if either of the team's OTs go down for an extended period, the G-Men might be in trouble.

Guy Whimper (pictured), Kevin Boothe, Adam Koets and rookie William Beatty all are less-than-stellar alternatives. Beatty should be good in time, but I don't think there's any chance he's strong enough to compete as a rookie.

Of the rest, Whimper has the most upside as a future starting tackle.

The Giants raided their division rival Dallas Cowboys and made a big splash in free agency with the signing of Chris Canty (left).

The only question is where he fits. Canty, a 3-4 DE in Dallas, is stepping into a 4-3 defense, meaning he'll probably play on the inside.

He'll join another free agent, Rocky Bernard, and last year's starters, Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield, who both had surgery in the offseason.

DE Justin Tuck also slides inside in the team's Four Aces package, but it's unclear how all these pieces will fit in new DC Bill Sheridan's scheme.

Outside linebacker has been one of the weak spots of a very good Giants defense. Recent high draft picks were spent on Gerris Wilkinson and Bryan Kehl.

Injuries have derailed the development of both, but Wilkinson hasn't really shown anything when healthy. Kehl, on the other hand, is very promising.

Even so, the Giants wasted no time during the free agency period to sign Falcons OLB Michael Boley. Boley is a legit Pro Bowl candidate in this defense.

The other OLB spot should come down to last year's starter Danny Clark, Kehl, and second-round pick Sintim.

The Giants should give the youngsters a shot, as Clark really brings nothing to the table.

Corey Webster has emerged as an elite cornerback, but former first-round pick Aaron Ross (left) seems to have regressed a bit.

The strong play of Terrell Thomas could push Ross to the nickel back spot, which he might be better suited for given his size.

First-round pick Kenny Phillips is expected to be a mainstay in the Giants secondary for years to come, but who will he be paired with?

Many Giants fans are high on Michael Johnson (pictured), and while he's made some big plays over the last two years, he's also given up just as many big plays by being too aggressive.

C.C. Brown was signed from the Houston Texans and gives New York a solid vet, and Giants coaches couldn't stop raving about undrafted free agent Sha'reff Rashad during rookie minicamp.

The Giants only have one kicker on the roster, Lawrence Tynes, but I expect Jerry Reese to bring in some competition.

Tynes was injured last year and eventually lost his spot to a red-hot John Carney.

Despite making some big kicks during the Giants' magical run during the 2007 postseason, Tynes shouldn't be handed the job without having to beat someone out.

Kevin Gilbride has taken plenty of heat, and rightfully so, for some of his play-calling decisions (think throwing the ball dozens of times in the strong winds in Buffalo), the past few years.

Head coach Tom Coughlin used to call his own plays while coaching the Jacksonville Jaguars, and if the Giants offense gets off to a sluggish start, Coughlin should be ready to step in for Gilbride.