New York Giants Depth Chart 2011: Predicting the Week 1 Two-Deep

The previous 24 hours have brought about a barrage of New York Giants fans expressing their detest for Jerry Reese for letting Steve Smith walk to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Let's relax, people. The preseason just started today, and Smith was not expected to be healthy until midway through the season.

In fact, by his own admission, he might not even be the same player after having major reconstructive knee surgery.

The Giants will just have to move on without him, and they appear ready to do so despite the fans' unwillingness to do the same.

So with that, let's take a look at some of the positives: the week 1 projected depth chart, two guys deep.

Quarterback

1. Eli Manning: Do I even need to explain?

2. Sage Rosenfels: I'm still not backing off the fact that Sage is still going to be on the Giants. Now that they have seen Kevin Boss and Smith walk, who else do they have to pay? The difference in pay between Rosenfels and David Carr will no longer be an issue, especially since the Giants restructured some more contracts and now have $3.5 million in cap space.

Runningback/Fullback

Runningback:

1. Ahmad Bradshaw: One of the top priorities for Reese was to bring back Bradshaw, and after multiple teams scoffed at Bradshaw's asking price, the Giants were able to get him at an incredible discount. He is entering his second year as the starter with room to get even better.

2. Brandon Jacobs: Jacobs restructured his contract to allow the Giants to bring back Bradshaw, and the two-headed monster will be at it again this season. Expect Jacobs to get more carries than last year.

Fullback:

1. Henry Hynoski: Hynoski has been really impressive in camp and at this point it would be a huge upset if he was not named the starter for week 1.

2. Bear Pascoe (tight end, but second choice for fullback)

Wide Receiver

1. Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham: After Steve Smith left, Mario Manningham assumed the role as the team's other starting wide receiver. I, as well as several others, expect huge things from this duo that combined for 2000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.

2. Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon: You may have expected to see Jerrel Jernigan's name here, but this is just the week 1 depth chart. Jernigan is a bit behind because he's a rookie learning the playbook. He could move all the way up to being the No. 3 guy by the time the season ends, but for now the Giants will look to Cruz and Hixon to fill the void left by Smith.

Tight End

1. Travis Beckum: Beckum is sort of a tweener at the tight end position—at 243 lbs. he too big for a wide receiver but not as big as some of the tight ends around the league. That said, he's a terrific receiving option at tight end. He is dismal as a blocker, which is where the backup will come in.

2. Bear Pascoe: Pascoe stepped up big-time when the Giants lost starting fullback Madison Hedgecock, proving he has great blocking ability. The Giants will definitely look to him to be the main blocking tight end, but don't be surprised if they use him as a pass catcher as well.

Tackle

Left Tackle:

Will Beatty: Will Beatty has stepped in to the left tackle role and been one of the best players at camp so far. He appears ready to improve as a player and be the guy the Giants expected when they took him in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Stacy Andrews: The Giants got rid of one Andrews brother and brought in another for a fraction of the price. Andrews is not expected to start, but he gives the Giants good depth at tackle.

Right Tackle:

1. Kareem McKenzie: The staple at right tackle for a while now, McKenzie is going to be a free agent after this season and it could be his last with the guy who is backing him up now.

2. James Brewer: The Giants drafted James Brewer in the fourth round of this year's draft fully intending for him to take over the right tackle spot when McKenzie leaves or retires. When that is, who knows?

Guard

Left Guard:

1. David Diehl: Diehl is finally moving back to his natural position after having a down year at left tackle, and it's going to cost him some money. He will never complain about it and will do a great job at guard this season.

2. Kevin Boothe: The Giants really surprised me when they brought back Kevin Boothe, and it was even more surprising to hear Jerry Reese call him a "priority" to re-sign at his media appearance today. I guess I was wrong when I said he wouldn't make it past camp.

Right Guard:

1. Chris Snee: Snee is one of the best offensive linemen in the league and he's not going anywhere anytime soon.

2. Mitch Petrus: Petrus will have to wait at least one or two more years before the Giants give him a chance, and I'm not sure they are willing to part ways with him just yet.

Center

1. Davis Baas: Jerry Reese made it clear that the center position was a top priority this season, so they targeted 49ers free agent David Baas. The Giants signed him to a five-year, $27 million deal. In my honest opinion, this is an upgrade over O'Hara.

I wouldn't have said the same thing two years ago or even at the beginning of last year, but let's face facts: O'Hara missed 10 games last year and has chronic foot problems. He likely would have been ineffective this season.

2. Adam Koets: I didn't think was a possibility, but with the signing of Booth and Andrews, I don't know if the Giants are counting on Koets this year. He could end up on the PUP list or just waived and re-signed to the practice squad. This makes 10 offensive lineman for the Giants, and last year they only took nine.

However, with the way he played last year, I still question whether the Giants would risk someone else picking him up.

Defensive Tackle

1. Chris Canty and Linval Joseph: I felt very strongly that Marvin Austin would make the starting lineup, but it appears that the Giants like Joseph's ability to stuff the run more, as he is seeing most of the first-team reps. Barry Cofield will be missed, but Joseph is a big body with brute strength and tremendous potential to be one of the best run stuffers in the league.

I wouldn't expect the same sack production as Cofield, but the other defensive lineman can take care of that.

2. Rocky Bernard and Marvin Austin- Gabe Watson was brought in seemingly to replace Rocky Bernard, who did not re-work his contract. Then the next week Bernard was back so the Giants have two backups capable of stuffing the run. I'm not sure how much Watson is expected to play, but Austin and Bernard are definitely going to see action.

Defensive End

Right End:

1. Osi Umenyiora: I fully expect Osi to be back once the season starts; he seems to be backing off on his stance to be traded a bit if the Giants are willing to either sign him long-term, or cut the last year of his contract off to let him be a free agent next year. The Giants will do whatever it takes to get him back.

2. Jason Pierre-Paul: With Osi out, JPP has been getting all the first-team reps at right defensive end. He could be even better than Osi ever was as JPP is more capable of stopping the run. He is an athletic freak and I can't wait to see how much he improves from year one to year two.

Left End:

1. Justin Tuck: Nobody is taking the defensive captain's spot any time soon.

2. Dave Tollefson: It took a while, but after testing the market Dave Tollefson decided to return to New York and the Giants retain their depth at the defensive end position.

Linebacker

Middle

1. Jonathan Goff: Pro Football focus called Jonathan Goff one of the top run defenders in all of football last season. If he can find a way to improve his coverage ability he will surely start being recognized as one of the best middle linebackers in football. Giants fans vastly underrate Goff because they see his low tackle numbers.

I got news for you—tackles are the only bench mark of a good middle man.

2. Greg Jones: Jones has been very impressive in camp and is showing a quick ability to learn the defense and take on blockers. Fewell has been singing his praises and the Giants might look to get Jones in the starting lineup some time in the future, possibly as the strong side linebacker (if and when Osi leaves and Kiwanuka moves back to DE).

Weak Side:

1. Michael Boley: Boley had a very underrated season last year. A lot of what he did couldn't be found on the stat sheet—covering running backs and tight ends as well as rushing the passer occasionally. Tony Romo experienced what it felt like to get hit by Boley.

2. Adrian Tracy: The Giants like Tracy's athleticism and they have to see if he's picking up where he left off after getting hurt last season. He was a sixth-round pick in 2010 and will be battling with two sixth-round picks for playing time in Greg Jones and Jacquian Williams.

Strong Side:

1. Mathias Kiwanuka: The Giants have confirmed that Mathias Kiwanuka is going to line up at strong outside linebacker in their base defense, mostly used on first and second down. I speculated that the Giants would make this move for a while if they didn't sign someone in free agency. He's played the position before; he is the Giants' most versatile player and you can expect him to be moved around to keep him on the field.

2. Clint Sintim: Sintim has yet to make an impact on the Giants roster after being a second -round pick in 2009. Will Beatty was also a second-rounder and is getting his opportunity, so you have to wonder if Sintim is disappointed he isn't getting a shot. He will have to prove his worth this season as a backup and on special teams.

Cornerback

1. Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas: The Giants have one of the most underrated group of corners in the NFL. These two guys do everything Perry Fewell asks of them and do it well. I look forward to seeing them improve even more under the second year with Fewell, who has a secondary background.

2. Aaron Ross and Michael Coe: Prince Amukamara and Bruce Johnson are both out (Prince for two months, Johnson for the season), possibly taking out both of their backup corners. Aaron Ross is a former first-round pick who claims to be healthy for the first time since his rookie season, and the Giants are really counting on him to step his play up in his contract year. 

Michael Coe has assumed a very important role. The Giants like to use many defensive backs during a game, so he could be called upon for a few snaps a game. He's had an impressive camp so far.

Safety

1. Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle: Phillips and Rolle were a key to the Giants improving on their horrendous 2009 season defensively. They were one of the best units against the pass in 2010, and Rolle made the Pro Bowl and was named to the second-team All-Pro roster.

Phillips is still being eased through training camp thus far given his knee condition that caused him to miss the final 11 games of the 2009 season. He should be able to play more this year—the Giants limited his playing time in 2010.

2. Tyler Sash: One player who's been outperforming expectations in training camp thus far is Tyler Sash, the 2011 sixth-round pick from Iowa. He will get some playing time this year if Phillips ever tweaks his knee or needs a break; Sash took some reps with the first team this week at camp and made several plays that got Perry Fewell fired up.

Special Teams

Kicker:

Lawrence Tynes: The Giants are OK with Tynes right now. He doesn't have the best leg and is awful kicking off, but the new rule moving kickoffs to the 35 will help that out. He's accurate on his field goals (with Rosenfels holding) and the Giants can count on him.

Punter: 

Steve Weatherford: I remember one comment from a beat writer watching punts at practice who said, "Matt Dodge kicking everything between the hashes; Steve Weatherford showing off directional punting." That doesn't look good for Dodge—Coughlin likes a guy with control who can pin teams deep.

Long Snapper:

Zak DeOssie: DeOssie was the snapper for the NFC in the Pro Bowl this year; that's got to be the easiest way to make a Pro Bowl.