Forget Plaxico, These Guys Are Ready To Contribute in 2009

              With the absence of Plaxico Burress, every Giants fan wants to know, who is going to be the go-to guy in the passing game. While certainly important, there are several other critical positions that should be up for grabs during this summer’s training camp in Albany. Can Ahmad Bradshaw fill in for the departed Derrick Ward or will he be beaten out by fellow youngsters Danny Ware and Andre Brown? Will any of the UDFA’s be able to fill the bottom of the depth chart in the secondary? It’s difficult to answer these questions in May, but here are a few names to keep in mind at each position when the Giants open up camp in July.

  RB #2: In limited action a season ago, Danny Ware looked awfully impressive. His running style fits in well with what the Giants like to do and he’s certainly hungry to earn carries. If you don’t believe me, check out his blog at: www.dannyware28.com. Scroll through the archives and you’ll discover he’s not too pleased with the organization’s decision to select Andre Brown in the fourth round. You know who will be pleased? Giants fans. Brown is a big, shifty back with deceptive breakaway speed. Unfortunately for both of them, their strengths may be too similar to starter Brandon Jacobs to be an effective number two. Plus, the experience, and perhaps talent, edge belongs to the longest tenured of the trio in Ahmad Bradshaw. This battle should come down to who displays the best hands and could provide Eli with another target out of the backfield. It should be Bradshaw’s job to lose, but Ware and Brown should put up one heck of a battle.

  Fourth Safety: The Giants enter camp with only 3 NFL ready Safeties on their roster. They typically keep four and have a host of undrafted rookie free agents who will engage in an exciting battle for the final reserve spot. Perhaps the most intriguing is Vince Anderson, a CB from Webber International, whom the Giants brought in for a pre-draft visit but brought in as an undrafted free agent. Reports out of mini-camp were that he did not disappoint. The Giants may give him a shot to play his more natural corner position, but with limited roster space for a corner, his best chance to carve a role on this team may be as a safety. Another name to watch out for is Shar’eff Rashad, another undrafted free agent from Central Florida. Safeties coach David Merritt heaped praise on the youngster after the rookies’ mini-camp in early May and expects Rashad to be a very effective player on this level.

              3^rdQuarterback: Rhett Bomar vs. Andre Woodson. Not as wide open as the other races, but certainly exciting. Woodson spent his rookie season on the Giants practice squad hoping to fix the mechanical problems that dropped him to the 6^thround of the 2008 draft. Just as they had a year ago, the Giants used a second day pick on another free-falling quarterback whom they felt had too much talent to pass up despite no immediate need at the position. Considering each of the other 31 NFL teams had a shot to sign Woodson off the practice squad for the entire 2008 season, he can’t possibly be progressing as the Giants would hope. Bomar may be the less flawed of the two and will probably be the man to beat.

            Nickel Corner: Kevin Dockery vs. Terrell Thomas. With the departure of veterans Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters, playing time in the secondary opens up significantly for these two promising young players. Thomas had some very bright moments as a rookie and should be the favorite to win the nickel job. However, the Giants didn’t put a 2^nd round tender and pay

Dockery over $1.5 million this season to ride the bench. The organization likes his ball skills but he continues to get burned by his over aggression. If he can pick his spots better with when he takes chances, he will push Thomas for playing time throughout the season.

           Wide Receiver 1-6: Perhaps the most hyped position battle in all of football is who will win the job as the #1 receiver for the Giants in the absence of Plaxico Burress. However, the better question may become who wins the battle for snaps as third and fourth wide outs. With no true go-to guy, the ball should be spread around to whoever can earn time on the field. The projected starters are Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith, and they may very well be there on opening day. But the Giants have spent first day picks on receivers for the past four drafts and you better believe Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nicks are looking to make an impact this year. It’s hard to imagine that the Giants traded up in Round 3 to grab Ramses Barden and won’t give him time to develop, so roster holdovers Derek Hagan, Taye Biddle, and Super Bowl XLII hero David Tyree will all have difficulty even making the team.