Big Blue's Top Training Camp Battles of 2009

Each and every summer, in the deadly heat of August, players from NFL teams across the country battle for the rights not only to play, but to make their respective teams.

After a strong 2008 campaign, The Giants got right to business in free agency, signing linebacker Michael Boley along with defensive linemen Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard, bolstering what had already proven to be one of the top defensive fronts in the NFL.

With 11 selections in the draft, The Giants turned their attention to the offense, adding wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden along with offensive tackle William Beatty, tight end Travis Beckum, half back Andre Brown, and quarterback Rhett Bomar.

Big Blue continued to address the defense through the draft as well, adding linebacker Clint Sintim out of Virginia.

With the number of young and talented players added to the roster, no job will simply be handed out in 2009. Players up and down New York’s roster will battle it out for jobs in the 2009 season, both starting jobs and backup jobs.

Wide Receiver

Storyline- The beginning of a new era

Since Eli Manning’s arrival in New York, it has been nearly a foregone conclusion that  Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress would lined up at the receiver position.

Those days are over.

 With Toomer unsigned and Burress facing jail time, there is an open competition at the position. One thing is for sure when it comes to the New York receiving core: they are young. The elder statesman is David Tyree at age 28 (seven years pro), and the next longest tenured receiver is Sinorice Moss who is entering his fourth season.

Moss was not too shabby in limited duty in 2008, catching 12 out of 12 passes thrown his way. The 5’8” speed demon does bring an intriguing skill set to the table, as he can certainly stretch the field.

Every time Moss has stepped foot onto the field in his career, the corner has lined up ten or more yards off of him, fearing his ability to get down the field. With a strong camp showing, he could end up as high as three on the depth chart.

Mario Manningham, the second year player out of Michigan, is a player that The Giants hold in very high regards.

When asked about how The Giants’ passing game would compensate for the loss of deep threat Plaxico Burress, Eli Manning stated, “I think we’re hoping Mario Manningham can do that for us and be one of those guys who has speed and can run and make those deep catches."

Manningham was an electric playmaker at Michigan, averaging over 17 yards per reception, and could be a candidate for one of the two starting slots.

Steve Smith, the third year player out of USC is undoubtedly the leader of the receiving core for New York as of now.

Smith’s cat-like quickness coupled with his superior route running ability give him the potential to be a Marvin Harrison-like target in terms of reliability and clutch play. I fully expect Smith to be an every down player, starting out wide while moving into the slot in three wide receiver sets.

Domenik Hixon, a starter for six games this past season, showed flashes of his big play ability against Seattle and Arizona, while racking up 596 total yards receiving on the season. Hixon’s lack of reliability late in the season in 2008 may cause him to lose playing time in favor of younger players whom the organization believes has a higher ceiling.

This may prove to be a good move for all parties, as it allows Hixon to focus on kick return duties while the younger, more dynamic receivers like Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks get  majority of the snaps out wide.

The rookies, Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, may very well be the most interesting pieces to the puzzle that is The New York Giants receiver position. Nicks was selected in the first round for his big play ability and knowledge of the pro-style game, and both are assets that Big Blue’s receiving core could use immediately.

If Nicks produces in camp, he will be the frontrunner for the number one slot. Barden on the other hand, is a big (6’6”) target out of Cal Poly with a ton of potential in this league, but will at the very least begin the season as a dangerous red zone target.

The last of the receivers is David Tyree, the seventh year man out of Sryacuse. Tyree will secure his usual place as a special teams ace, but his sneaky reliability as a receiver may incline the coaching staff to move him as high as third on the depth chart.

Final Depth Chart Prediction- Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham , Ramses Barden, David Tyree (significant snaps at flanker in relief of Nicks), Domenik Hixon (kick returner)

Odd Man Out: Sinorice Moss

Strong Side Linebacker

Storyline- Will youth trump experience?

One of the most intriguing positions in Big Blue’s front seven is the strong side linebacker position. The outside linebacker position for The Giants has seen little stability in the past few years, and in 2008 saw Chase Blackburn, Danny Clark, and Bryan Kehl all start at some point.

The acquisition of Michael Boley should provide some much needed stability at the weak side, but the strong side is still up for grabs.

The candidates to start at the strong side are Danny Clark, Chase Blackburn, Bryan Kehl, and Clint Sintim. Both Kehl and Blackburn are natural weak side linebackers, whose job is typically to run and chase as opposed to engaging opposing blockers. This leaves Clint Sintim and Danny Clark as the remaining candidates.

Clark had to make the transition from a 3-4 defense after arriving from Houston, which is something that Sintim will have to do as well. Clark’s experience having made the transition may help the young Sintim do just the same.

I believe that experience is key here, and that Clark may gain the edge because he has just that. Furthermore, there are some red flags concerning Sintim which may limit him early on as he transitions to the NFL.

While playing at Virginia, opponents ran nearly 70 plays directly to Sintim’s side, and he allowed almost 400 yards, a very poor rate. In all fairness to Sintim, he was matched up against right tackles in majority of those cases, a task he wont be asked to do much in The NFL.

On the other hand, Sintim did lead the nation in sacks from the linebacker position in 2008, and possesses a superfluity of pass rush moves and combinations.

Sintim’s pass rush abilities will prove to be an asset in the Giants' defense, and his skill set will eventually help him win the strong side job for good, but I expect Danny Clark to be penciled in as the week one starter. Sintim has a great chance to steal some playing time early on though, and if he impresses he could win the starting job by mid-season.

Final Depth Chart Prediction- Danny Clark, Clint Sintim, Bryan Kehl

Other Key Battles

Second Tight End- Kevin Boss should easily retain his starting job, while new addition Travis Beckum will have his own role as an H-Back. This leaves Lee Vickers, Michael Matthews, and  George Wrighster to battle it out for the second job. Wrighster should give Matthews a run for his money, as he is a three year veteran coming off his best season yet with 39 receptions.

If Wrighster shows that he has what it takes, he may win the job. Vickers is a solid blocker, but Wrighster is just as good with more upside as a receiver.

Running Back- With Derrick Ward out of the picture, the opportunity for one of the younger backs to get the lion’s share of the carries after Jacobs is wide open.

Ahmad Bradshaw showed everyone his big play ability down the stretch in the 2007 season, but struggled in 2008. After spending some time in jail, Bradshaw gained weight and developed a fumbling problem, propelling him to Tom Coughlin’s dog house.

The former Georgia running back Danny Ware has a lot of fans excited about his big play ability, and he will really give Bradshaw a run for him money. One fumble here of there could decide this battle.

Lastly, don’t count out the new guy: Andre Brown. Brown has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and is very tough in short yardage situations, so he is also breathing down Bradshaw’s neck.

Nothing will be handed out at this position, but the job is Bradshaw’s to lose.

Third Quarterback- In 2008 The Giants drafted Andre Woodson out of Kentucky as somewhat of a project at the third quarterback position.

Needless to say the Giants weren’t pleased with the development of the project, as they drafted Rhett Bomar out of Sam Houston State. Simply put, whoever performs better among the two will end up on the roster, while the other will not be so fortunate.