New York Giants 2011 Preseason Schedule: Full Preview

The New York Giants begin preseason play this Saturday in Carolina and, as has become a trend all too familiar for Tom Coughlin’s team, they’ll be carrying considerably less hype than their opponent.

That they face the 2011 NFL draft’s first overall pick Cam Newton in his professional debut will undoubtedly be the storyline. And since much of the focus will be on Cam and how he plays, the Giants can settle into being the less heralded of the two teams.

That should be a position they’ll occupy a few more times in 2011.

Ever since the Eagles went out and engaged in the greatest free agent splurge since the 2000 Redskins, Coughlin and the Giants have probably known that they will not be the talking point in the always ferocious NFC East.

That, combined with Rex Ryan’s determination to perpetually appease the media’s insatiable appetite for controversy, and the Giants aren’t even the most talked about team in their own city.

Still, it’s a role they could come to relish before it’s all said and done.

Panthers a Good Test on Several Levels

The first preseason game, against the Panthers this Saturday at 8 p.m., will indeed be Cam Newton’s first real test. As I said before, all eyes will be on him.

Yet the Giants can use this as a very constructive opportunity for themselves. Nothing can prepare the team for playing against Mike Vick quite like playing against another very mobile quarterback.

Though Newton will probably not be as effective as Vick in passing, he can make many of the throws and runs that Vick can. Utilizing this game as practice for both the first and second team defenses will be important.

Bears Will Help Separate Which Linemen and Wide Receivers Will Make the Cut

Facing the Bears in their second preseason game on August 22, Tom Coughlin will get to see how his offense will play against a tough and physical defense.

Since the Giants cut long-time starting offensive linemen Rich Seubert and Shaun O’Hara, the scramble to regroup is on. Former 49ers center David Baas has been brought in for five years and $27.5 million, and he will take over for O'Hara. David Diehl has moved over to left guard, so former UConn star Will Beatty will start at left tackle this season.

Another subplot will be the enormous number of wide receivers the Giants currently have on the roster. Even without Steve Smith (who remains unsigned), the Giants have roughly 12 receivers.

Such a high number will have to come down. The question is: who gets cut? And against a good Cover 2 defense like Chicago's, Eli Manning and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride will start to find out who their best guys are.

Jets Will Be a Physical Opponent, Regular Season or Not

Because the Chicago game is on Monday night, the Giants get to test their recovery strength since they turn around quickly to face their crosstown rivals, the Jets, the next Saturday (August 27).

The two New York teams will play each other in the regular season this year, but the early preseason game will be no slouch in terms of competition.

The awkwardness of sharing a stadium was not alleviated when both teams decided to move into the New Meadowlands Stadium last season.

The Giants will have more important things on their mind though, instead of merely which locker room they occupy.

The third preseason game is usually the best chance for a team to roll out its first team offense. Eli will want to show that he’s in tune with his receiving corps, and the offensive line will want to prove that they can move the combative Jet defense out of running lanes.

The loss of tight end Kevin Boss, coupled with Smith’s possible departure, means that two of Eli’s most trusted safety valves are gone in one fell swoop.

So finding replacements will be critical. Rookie wideout Jerrel Jernigan, possible sleeper tight end Travis Beckum and second-year receiver Victor Cruz (who starred in the Jets-Giants preseason game last year) will be possible candidates to pick up the slack.

Also, starting receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham will get a good run-out against the likes of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, one of the best cornerback pairs in football.

Last Contest in New England Will Allow for Final Cuts Before the Real Games Begin

Just as the third game allow the starters a chance to shine, the fourth game gives the backups their opportunity to prove their ability.

Many positions will be in their final point of analysis. As mentioned before, wide receiver will be a hotly contested spot for people like Darius Reynaud, Sam Giguere, Todd Watkins, Devin Thomas, Michael Clayton, Duke Calhoun and Ramses Barden.

Several of them are getting cut, that much is certain. Who it will be? That will be clear after this game.

Linebacker is another area of contention. Mathias Kiwanuka’s move back to linebacker only clouds the position battles, since he will unquestionably occupy a starting role. With Michael Boley and Jonathan Goff firmly entrenched in the other two spots, the race to be their backup is on.

Clint Sintim, Phillip Dillard, Adrian Tracy, Mark Herzlich, Stephen Paysinger and Kenny Ingram are all vying for a few spots.

Interestingly, both the wide receivers and linebackers will be competing not just for backup spots at their respective positions, but also for places on special teams. This is where one of these players could make a difference and create a real asset for themselves.

Since special teams was a sore spot for New York last season; anyone with talent in this facet of the game will probably ensure their place on the team. With so many names in the mix, it should be a fascinating preseason watching things come together.

And the fact that the Giants are flying under the radar in the preseason? Sounds like how the regular season is going to go. For Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants, that’s fine by them.