2014 Giants Depth Chart Prediction – Defense and Specials

scenario, would you really see the Giants keeping Holliday solely to return punts?

If Demps is the KR over Holliday, I don't see Holliday sticking. Those two (Holliday and Demps) are so borderline at their positions I don't see both making it. I know Demps doesn't return punts though, so Holliday has an edge, but he fumbles and Demps is slightly better (or more experienced at least) positionally.

also- patterson has a limited game, weak movement skills.

Kuhn, Berhe, Fox/Herzlich, McBride? Charles?
As you say, injuries are unfortunately likely to make the decisions easier.
Regardless, IMO, the final few cuts are often dictated by who they can most easily stash/bring back.

is predicted to have a real role in the new quick pass offense. Barring ball security issues in the pre-season, I'd be shocked if he is cut. You can't teach speed.

Patterson is, simply, a better DT than Kuhn. I can see Kuhn making it, but not instead of Patterson.

sticking at backup Cornerback.

Have you all gotten feedback from any coaches/FO personnel o him to provide you a better feel? I imagine the final spot(s) in the Secondary are going to be difficult decisions.

kind of a shocker imo.

He gives some props to Kuhn. Sounds like he thinks Kuhn is a keeper.

Quote:

Q: Defensive tackle Linval Joseph is gone to the Vikings. A: That’s a big loss for us, that really is. But we get Markus Kuhn back, who I think will really help us, and we drafted [Jay] Bromley from Syracuse, so hopefully we’ll be OK there.

if Kuhn gets cut based on all the praise he's getting and if Berhe shows the instincts and hitting seen on his college tape (granted a big ?? at this point), no way he gets cut....

old and has 2 career receptions, you can't teach speed, and you can't wish someone to become a WR and have it happen.

also be surprised if Kuhn is cut. As someone said, he's been getting a lot of praise from the coaches. They carry 9 DL absent injuries.

I also think Herzlich will be cut, as will one of McBride/James. The latter is the type of tough cut teams have to make every year. There is also no reason to cut Hosley, as he is suspended for the first four games, and therefore doesn't count against the roster IIRC.

That IF you keep Kuhn, you need to create a roster spot by either cutting Patterson (unlikely) or the loser of the Berhe/Cooper roster battle (more likely) or Demps.

But there was mention of Kuhn's ST ability. He was on KO/KOR previously. Don't know if it's still a factor for him.

And Patteson backs up Jenkins. Cutting Patterson would be dumb unless Bromley is the steal of the draft Patterson makes it and Bromley is inactive most of the season.

We need linebackers who can play linebacker.

each of Bowman, James & Jackson beat out McBride. They may be better ST players but none are close to McBride as 3rd CB.

down nor participated in a contact practice one of the best gunners the Giants have ever had?

Bowman, Jackson, James, are all "supposed" to be better than McBride. I think the battle at CB will be between James and Mcbride. Jackson stays if he is as good as advertised on specials.

Can Kennard and Fox unseat Herzlich? I think so. Better upside.

Holliday as a 6 receiver and returner makes perfect sense.

I think Berle is really competing with James, McBride, and Jackson as a special teams guy.

I agree with Eric - 9 DL. Kuhn, Patterson, Quarles battle and one is out.

I think they will try to get Berle and Quarles to the PS.

Our depth is decent at DE, DT, and CB and we could withstand an injury. A lot thinner at LB and Safety.

But I also think that was something they put out there in the process of selling him on coming to the Giants

His roster bonus is almost five times his signing bonus. That's a structure for a player who will have to earn his way onto the team. With Rodgers-Cromartie, Amukamara and Thurmond likely to be 1-2-3, McBride is cheap insurance. If it's close between him and James, the younger, cheaper player might get the nod.

Because of how much rotation you see on defense these days. Schemes are overly-situational, almost to a fault for some teams. Depth charts are fun to watch throughout the year (I keep track of all 32) but with the way defenses work now, it's almost a bit too old school.

That said...a couple of the battles I see coming:

Backup DT

Kelcy Quarles vs Jay Bromley

Veteran Mike Patterson will be the #1 guy off the bench for at least the first half of the season. But following him, I really think Quarles and Bromley are going to be viewed as similar quality players this year. Quarles gets behind the OL more frequently while Bromley has the more tool-based upside that coaches are gonna want to play around with. I hope Bromley's draft position doesn't give him a head start.

SAM

Spencer Paysinger vs. Jacquan Williams vs. Devon Kennard

I think this ends up being a rotation more than anything considering the strengths/weaknesses of Paysinger and Williams in addition to Coughlin's philosophy history regarding rookies and their contributions. Paysinger is the better run defender, Williams is by far the better cover man. Kennard I think may win the coaching staff over when it comes to scheme-based decisions. He is more physical and plays a better MIKE type role, which is what we see in Fewell's scheme out of the SAM. I would go with Williams because even though he may not be the most stout run defender at the point of attack, he makes a a difference in pursuit outside the tackle box that others cannot even come close to.

Sixth CB

Jackson vs. Hosley vs. James

Barring injury I see NYG definitely keeping the following 5 guys at CB. Rodgers-Cromarite, Amukumara, Thurmond, McBride, Bowman. That leaves three guys for the final spot, the one most likely left off the active roster gameday roster until an injury arises. With Jackson you have the possibility of stashing him on the practice squad. A lot of teams likely did not view him as a NFL CB when it comes to the caliber of movement ability. Hosley and James have shown flashes of solid play but I think the upside with both of them is very limited. If you remember back to my post-draft analysis, it was Jackson that ended up being one of my favorite NYG selections value-wise. I view him as a future S/CB hybrid that most quality defenses have. IS he ready? No. But the risk of losing him off the practice squad would keep me up every night I saw a team drop a defensive back. James has the best natural cover ability and Hosley still has some untapped potential.. Hard decision here but I think this comes down to James or Jackson...the latter being my choice.

I think Bennett Jackson will end up on the Practice Squad. I know he's a good Special Teams player, but I just don't see how the Giants would keep him on the active roster for those skills alone. I'm fairly sure he'll be buried deep on the CB depth chart and wouldn't even dress for game day so why waste an active roster spot on him?! I do agree with the rest of your thoughts on the projected roster, however.

Will be interesting to see how the depth plays out in pre-season. Injuries always play a factor before opening day. I, for one, hope we keep injuries to a real minimum. It would be a first!

until a few games in if he gets PUPed.

be settled when the pads come on.....fingers crossed (injury bug)