Training Camp is starting in Albany and the Super Bowl champion Giants have a few questions as to who will start or keep a spot on the roster come week one.
Quarterback
There's no question that Super Bowl M.V.P. Eli Manning will be first on the depth chart, but the two backup roles are a different story.
Without recently waived QB Jarred Lorenzon, the Giants are left with three quarterbacks in veterans David Carr and Anthony Wright along with rookie Andre Woodson, and only two spots.
Wright held the third string job for most of the season last year, before moving up to second string following an injury to Lorenzon. The Giants are likely to keep one veteran and a rookie to groom to eventually take over, so Woodson is probably a lock at third string.
As for second string, it all depends on who performs in training camp. Look for former No. 1 overall pick Carr to beat out Wright and assume the backup role.
Running Back
Big Blue had a very good running game last season, with bruiser Brandon Jacobs as the featured back.
Derrick Ward opened the season in the backup role, until going down with a broken leg in a game against the Bears that shut him down for the season. Although Ward was having a great season in the backup spot, substituting for Jacobs when he got nicked up, something bright did come out of his injury. It opened the doors for Ahmad Bradshaw.
Bradshaw proved to be a great change of pace compared to Jacobs. Bradshaw was the lightning to Jacobs' thunder. When Bradshaw emerged, Reuben Droughns, who led the team in rushing touchdowns with six, got lost and didn't do much the rest of the season.
The Giants also have a young runningback with some potential in Danny Ware. Ware runs much like Jacobs, although he is not as big, does not go down on first contact.
I'm seeing Jacobs getting most of the carries next season, but also giving Bradshaw and Ward a lot of carries.
Wide Receiver
Here's where things get interesting.
Plaxico Burress, assuming he gets a new contract and plays, will be the No. 1 receiver.
Amani Toomer, who is nearing the back end of his career but is still a solid receiver, will open the season as the No. 2 receiver.
The Giants have 11 receivers on the roster right now. I can see four of those guys (Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and David Tyree) winning the No. 3 receiver spot.
Steve Smith, who held the position most of last year, proved to have great potential, despite being injured twice.
Sinorice Moss has never had a chance to show what he can do because he has been injured so much, but he claims he has made great strides in the offseason and is ready to shine.
David Tyree was hurt most of last season and didn't have much of an impact until the postseason.
Mario Manningham, the Giants' third round pick this year, was once seen as a sure first round pick, but fell to the third round because of off the field issues.
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4 months ago
Did something happen to Gerris Wilkinson? I thought he would have a good chance to start at one of the OLB positions this season.
I like that Michael Johnson could start this year. I thought he did a great job as a reserve in '07.
from 4 months ago
uh oh.. forgot about him.. thanks
4 months ago
Great breakdown. I am curious though how you could compare Plexico and Mannigham though, since Plex is a huge possession reciever, while Manningham is a tiny blazer. Very different styles although both of them should be playmakers in 08.
from 4 months ago
Thanks for the read. I wasnt comparing their style to play, more they're playmaking ability, but thanks for the constructive critisizm.
4 months ago
Tuck can still play in the middle on obvious passing downs if they move Kiwanuka to end on those plays. I think we'll see a lot of that and Tuck will still be a force in the middle. As you say, he was never a starter there anyway.
I think you're right about Plax-Toomer-Smith-Manningham, in that order. I'm not sure Moss will make the final roster but I think Tyree will solely on his special teams ability. Nobody else on the team covers punts like he does. I'm not sure who else might make it at WR but I think if anyone else shines in Albany then Moss hits the highway.
LB is a trouble spot. I don't see any good replacement for Mitchell right now, even among the three guys you mentioned. If Pierce goes down we're done -- after Manning he's maybe the most important guy on the team. Kiwanuka we still don't know about at LB. Even though there's reason to believe he'll be good the fact is we just don't really know yet. The Giants may still make free agent moves here, as LB is the position where they have traditionally been most likely to sign free agents (there've been a lot of them over the years).
I already have Webster and Ross penciled in as the starting corners. I'd be surprised if Madison could unseat either of them by the end of camp. I liked Wilson but not for 6 million a year. I expect to see Phillips starting on opening day, a la Sam Garnes when he ran back a 95-yard game clinching INT against the Beagles in his first NFL game.
from 4 months ago
Hey thanks for the read. I do agree that LB is the spot with the most question. I think Wilkinson will be solid as the starter, and if you look at Kiwi, he has all the tools to be a good linebacker, the only problem will be him in pass coverage, which he will have to learn. I also agree that if Pierce goes down, the Giants will have lost the biggest player on defense, but they do have a decent backup in Chase Blackburn. Blackburn isnt close to what Pierce is but can put up decent numbers in his spot.
4 months ago
Nice article, a couple of points on your take:
WR: Moss is most likely finished, it just hasn't worked out with him. Tyree is much more valuable as a special teams performer so he gets the 5th spot, and Smith get #3.
DL: You forgot to mention Renaldo Wynn, who'll see plenty of time at DE/DT. Wynn's ability to play the DE could help the pass rush a lot, freeing Tuck to move inside on 3rd down where his strength and quickness overwhelmed interior blockers last year.
LB: Danny Clark will be a big deal for the D, he'll play the same/similar role as Mitchell last year. Kuhl, Goff and Blackburn while young should be okay part-timers as long as there are no injuries to the starters. Look for an acquisition during camp if someone goes down, or one of the rookies is slow to pick up the system.
DB: The Giants were smart to let Wilson walk for the price he got. They'll go through some growing pains but safety may be the easiest spot for a rookie or second year player to learn in the NFL. I like Johnson, Knight , Butler and Phillips, they'll hardly miss Wilson.
from 4 months ago
Valid points on all parts, but id honestly be surprised to see the Giants not take 6 recievers. Tyree will stay because of his special teams value, and the same might go for Dominik Hixon. Hixon might not make the team as the kick returner because the Giants signed WR Calispho Thorpe, who can also return kicks quite well, and may be more valuable as a reciever. Id also be surprised to see Danny Clark start over Gerris Wilkinson and Bryan Kehl. It will be interesting to see how things turn out.
from 4 months ago
Craphonso Thorpe* not Calispho, my fault.
4 months ago
I'm thinking the final WR spot will come down to Dominik Hixon and Sinorice Moss, because both are blazing fast and can to kick and punt returns.
4 months ago
I'd take Hixon over Moss, again based on special teams contributions. Tyree at #5 gives you a guy who could play 3rd WR if someone went down, and you'd still have a good special teams performer in Hixon.
Unfortunately Moss just hasn't done enough to warrant the roster spot, 5th and 6th wideouts have to cover kicks and either rush or return punts. If he breaks out as a kick returner, then maybe they keep him.
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