I think that there will be some serious competition on the defensive side of the ball. Don’t get me wrong, there will be major training camp battles on offense too, but I think on offense, there are favorites for jobs. Sure, anyone could impress, surprise and win a job over a prohibitive favorite, but on defense there are a ton of roster spots up for grabs.
McManus will provide stiff competition for Brown and could win the kicker spot. This kid has a big leg as well as an accurate leg. I’m excited about this kid. I know that Brown is the reliable veteran but McManus has an “it” factor and I think he can be a weapon. He will impress in training camp and the preseason. Apparently, he almost beat on Vinatieri in Indianapolis last year so I am very intrigued.
I think Herzlich is in trouble. I know he is a feel good story and he is an adequate special teams player but when Beason went down, he was not even mentioned as a potential replacement. Kennard, who has been here all of two months, has already jumped him on the depth chart. Terrell Manning is a guy who may also earn a roster spot. Young guys like James Anderson and Dan Fox, who have both impressed in OTA’s and minicamp, will be his biggest competition and if they can play special teams well, Herzlich may find himself on the outside looking in.
5 safeties on the roster? Even with Will Hill gone, there will be a battle at safety. Rolle and Brown look to be the starters. Demps looks to be the third guy as well as kickoff return man. This sets up an interesting battle between Cooper Taylor and rookie Nat Berhe. I’m really starting to wonder if the team will carry 5 safeties because who will they cut from that group? Even young guys like CJ Barnett and Thomas Gordon have talent and could stick on the practice squad.
5 defensive tackles on the roster? Even with Linval Joseph gone, there will be a battle at defensive tackle. Jenkins and Hankins look to be the starters. Patterson really impressed last season and I am glad that he is back. That leaves one roster spot for Kuhn and Bromley unless the team plans on carrying 5 defensive tackles. That doesn’t even include Kelcy Quarles whom everyone has high hopes for.
Major logjam at cornerback. Again, who will the team hang onto and who will they cut ties with? Rodgers-Cromartie, Amukamara, Thurmond, McBride, James, Bowman, Jackson and Hosley. 8 guys for 5 spots. Rodgers-Cromartie, Amukamara and Thurmond are locks so let’s say 5 guys for 2 spots.
It will be an interesting summer on the defensive side of the ball.
At CB Mcbride and Hosley will likely not start the season. Hosley has a suspension and they will likely ease back Mcbride from his surgery. No need to rush him with the current depth. That leaves DRC, Prince, Thurmond, Bowman, James and Jackson. I think all of these guys will start the season on the active roster. Likely there may be an injury which allows Mcbride or Hosley to take a spot when they can after a few weeks. I think Mcbride is excellent and stood out last season in an awful year. However, I don't know what to expect from him after surgery. Hosley is the odd man out. James looks like its his time to earn a spot, and unless Jackson shows something in Preseason, which I doubt as he is very raw, he will go to PS.
I think the RB group has some interesting competition. Wilson, Jennings, Williams, Hillis, and Cox. Likely only 3 make the roster, and I don't think Cox is eligible for the PS. He can be used on specials, and I guess it depends on if he's improved from last year much. I like Hillis, but I just don't see him making it with Williams a lock to make the roster. That's gonna be 2 tough cuts to make, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the durability of D-wil.
I think for DT it will shake out with Hankins, Jenkins, Kuhn, Bromley, Quarles. I think Patterson is breaking down, while i like him I think he is only good rotationally. That is outweighed by Quarles long term upside.
Why are they impossible to delete?
I think it's Fox that presses Herzlich for a the final LB spot unless Beason lands on the PUP list for the first 6 weeks. Could Manning beat out Paysinger? I think that's a long shot and Manning has PS eligibility I believe. Though I think Demps is a lock for the roster it's possible Taylor presses him for playing time.
With Bromley a rookie and a lock due to draft position they will keep Patterson. Bromley is looking at being inactive for most of the year, barring injury, as we have seen with other recent DT draftees. CB has a lot of good players fighting for very few spots. Holsey's suspension opens up one spot but not for long.
Lots of interesting camp battles.
Injuries will help clarify some of these battles.
The others are fighting for the last spots...
Yes, that's why they are replacing them and why they are an upgrade any way you slice it. Good players are good players no matter what the level of the guys they are replacing. I think all the guys that I mentioned have a good chance to be that and upgrade the team as a whole. That's all thst matters, not the guys that aren't here.
I don't think Ayers is better than Kiwi....
Unless JPP goes out there and performs like 2011, there is no one on this line that scares anyone....
To think that this defensive backfield will play tighter coverage, and give the DL more time to rush the qb, is crazy.....a couple long passes completed, and Fewell will go back to his prevent defense...
But if Beason is ready, JPP performs, and Kiwi starts the season like he ended it last year, then it's a totally different story....
Other than that, I recall a few personal fouls that were silly...
It could be 5 safeties too as they love to play big nickel. Going to be interesting to see how many DBs over all they keep.
We, on BBI, had no idea if he was going to be a DE or LB last year....maybe he didn't either..But he is angry about the pay cut.....maybe his head wasn't on straight at the start of the season....I have no idea.....
We also don't know the particulars of the pay cut for 2014.....was there an agreement for another restructure/extension if he has a big season in 2014? If he has a big season, it's a huge bargaining chip, to add on a couple of years to his contract, and get back that 2M he lost...I hope it motivates him.....the Giants definitely need one of the DE's, beside JPP, to step up.....