Much as I hate to say that. Talking to my friend who is an orthopedic surgeon and he said year two for a complete recovery. Doesn't mean he won't play or contribute but he won't be 100%. There are always exceptions or guys who figure out how to make it work anyway but that's a reasonable point of view.
Will be whether Randle or Washington can step up enough to be consistent contributing factors in the passing game. That would pick up the slack from Cruz's limitations and take advantage of the attention that OBJ will get.
Eric: There's a pretty big mistake regarding 2014.
Cruz and Beckham actually played two games together, vs. Atlanta on October 5th and then in Philly on the 12th. Cruz tore up his knee on the 12th, not the 5th.
Otherwise, good job. I think Harris will play a bigger role than Washington, but it's really anyone's guess.
My ultimate prediction is that this trio will combine with Eli Manning to get the team back into the playoffs in 2015. Beckham, Cruz, and Randle have a higher upside than Cruz, Nicks, and Mario Manningham.
Reason why I say this is because, Cruz will be nowhere near what he was in 2011....this is a guy who has been hurt three straight seasons, and this last one could be a career killer....Nicks was at his peak that year, and while Beckham is more athletic, he only gets a slight edge until he shows he can do it when it counts, like Nicks did....Randle over Mario? Still think Mario had the edge....
Now combine that with a different offensive system, where Mario doesn't have to think as much, I don't believe this trio would be better...
I think Parker has a good chance to make this team......there is just too much lack of experience with those other guys.....to me Washington has proved nothing....what he has accomplished has been against scrubs in preseason games.....
While I am happy with what Harris brings to ST's, I am not sold on his WR skills, until he shows he can work with Eli....
Rueben has to really step it up this year....especially in big games....
This WR group is not as deep as others think, especially if Cruz does not come back 100%.....as others have noted, he didn't do much last year, before the injury....
Playoffs? Eli will have to play lights out with this defense and OL....
At least with Cruz, he's been a hard worker and can be counted on to be the best he can this year. Fortunately, he doesn't have to be "The Guy" and I suspect he'll see more space.
Think Randle gets to much flak here. As Eric pointed out, he finished the season with two very good games. He just needs to be a little more consistent.
As to Washington, he has the size and athleticism to be a be solid. If he matures, he has the potential to be a threat in his own right.
I see him with a big role on offense. He is a very strong runner so quick hitters to him will be effective especially if Cruz and Beckham are on the field with him.
Harris will have more catches this year then his career total at this point. 2-4 catches a week. 40-60 for the year for Harris.
Kwall don't know whether Harris will have a big roll but
Dallas never tried to utilize his skill set. He came here specifically because he wanted a WR role not just ST. You would have to expect him to be really motivated. He's always going to get a game day jersey because of ST, as such would expect McAdoo to have special plays to take advantage of his skill set.
But, yes he is an interesting player. Actually can see him picking up some of the slack, as Cruz makes his way coming back.
until defenses stop him, which they won't. I've never seen anyone beat double-teams so consistently. I think OBJ is uncoverable which combined with his insane desire, he has the makings of an all-time great. Don't tell me I'm getting ahead of myself either. This offense + Eli + OBJ is going to make for one helluva fun ride. Can't wait to watch it. Can't wait for them to run roughshod over every defense. OBJ's numbers are going to be insane!! WR is easily the team's best unit, and it's all because of this one guy. How Giants' fans aren't insanely excited about this coming year is just crazy. Or did I mean insane??
this prediction may shock many, but in order for us to make the playoffs, Randle has to be a better player than Cruz this year. I hate to be debbie downer, but I dont think Cruz was that good before the injury. Lot of drops and has gotten worse every year since 2012. Throw in this injury, I dont see a pro bowl type player anymore.
He has to be a guy who makes 3rd down catches. Randle has to be a play maker. I just dont see Cruz being that type of player.
and Cruz is coming off injury. I hope the other WRs can step up as well as our Rbs, catching the ball out of the backfield and the whole TE unit. If they can help the WR corps out and Eli, i think we can move the ball on teams this year.
If we get full or near full seasons from OBJ and VC combined with the pass catching abilities of RR/Vereen/Donnell/Harris/Jennings we'll be versatile and very hard to handle. It hinges on having the two stars contributing consistently.
Eli and OBJ should be electric. But the offense looks pretty pedantic with either of them not on the field.
Baring any catastrophic injuries, the offense this year could be one for the ages. I think RR will be better in the second year of this system and he and Cruz don't need to be great to have a huge impact because OBJ can be so lethal. Vereen is a huge addition to the passing game, especially if Williams is productive running the ball and we get more than a few games out of Jennings.
To the surprise of no one who follows the NFL, it really comes down to injuries. We know we'll have them - every team does - but that aside, there seem to be a lot of weapons on offense for Eli.
The have 3 guys who can make life difficult for defenses. They have a TE who caught 60 passes. They have RB who can catch (82 catches for Vereen & jennings). How many catches is a 4th WR expected to make - 20
Assuming Eli has...
350 completions come from
OBJ/Cruz/Randle - 210
TE-60
RB 60
There are no a lot of catches left
I have no idea what to expect from Cruz coming back from his
serious injury, surgery, and rehab. The upside of Cruz's return is perhaps Wes Welker's return to pretty much exactly the same guy he was pre injury (ACL and MCL ligament damage). Even though the injuries are completely different, in both cases it seems the player has come around through the various stages of healing and rehab faster than "normal."
Cruz coming back at 100%, and sooner than anticipated by many (one guy above said his orthopedic surgeon friend claimed Cruz won't be 100% until 2016 - but truth is we don't know. There is more than enough individual variation in time frame and completeness of healing to imagine Cruz at 100% for 2015) would be a huge boon to this offense. And with a healthy OBJ, Cruz will see lots of single coverage.
And of course, those top 2 being healthy means Randle and whomever other receiving options are on the field (WRs, TEs, RBs included) will be treated as afterthoughts.
That's the ? that dwarfs all others, IMO.
BTW, I'm quite leery of saying the Cruz/OBJ/RR trio has more upside than the Nicks, Cruz, MM trio, or even the Nicks, Smith, MM trio at this point. First we need to see what Cruz we're gonna have back.
Also think we have collectively short memories re how good Nicks was at peak... SS too.
The have 3 guys who can make life difficult for defenses. They have a TE who caught 60 passes. They have RB who can catch (82 catches for Vereen & jennings). How many catches is a 4th WR expected to make - 20
Assuming Eli has...
350 completions come from
OBJ/Cruz/Randle - 210
TE-60
RB 60
There are no a lot of catches left
Good post, but I think Eli will have record #s of attempts and completions this year.
If yes to all 3 BIG TIME production. 2 of 3 (if Beckham is one of them) still formidable. 1 of 3 even if the 1 is Beckham will make things difficult.
Otherwise, good job. I think Harris will play a bigger role than Washington, but it's really anyone's guess.
Doubtful that he has any impact on the team this year which is too bad since he showed some real promise last year.
Reason why I say this is because, Cruz will be nowhere near what he was in 2011....this is a guy who has been hurt three straight seasons, and this last one could be a career killer....Nicks was at his peak that year, and while Beckham is more athletic, he only gets a slight edge until he shows he can do it when it counts, like Nicks did....Randle over Mario? Still think Mario had the edge....
Now combine that with a different offensive system, where Mario doesn't have to think as much, I don't believe this trio would be better...
I think Parker has a good chance to make this team......there is just too much lack of experience with those other guys.....to me Washington has proved nothing....what he has accomplished has been against scrubs in preseason games.....
While I am happy with what Harris brings to ST's, I am not sold on his WR skills, until he shows he can work with Eli....
Rueben has to really step it up this year....especially in big games....
This WR group is not as deep as others think, especially if Cruz does not come back 100%.....as others have noted, he didn't do much last year, before the injury....
Playoffs? Eli will have to play lights out with this defense and OL....
Think Randle gets to much flak here. As Eric pointed out, he finished the season with two very good games. He just needs to be a little more consistent.
As to Washington, he has the size and athleticism to be a be solid. If he matures, he has the potential to be a threat in his own right.
Harris will have more catches this year then his career total at this point. 2-4 catches a week. 40-60 for the year for Harris.
But, yes he is an interesting player. Actually can see him picking up some of the slack, as Cruz makes his way coming back.
He has to be a guy who makes 3rd down catches. Randle has to be a play maker. I just dont see Cruz being that type of player.
With all the attributes OBJ brings.....#1. He never drops the ball.
Add Vereen to passing attack....will make this a very dynamic offense.
Baring any catastrophic injuries, the offense this year could be one for the ages. I think RR will be better in the second year of this system and he and Cruz don't need to be great to have a huge impact because OBJ can be so lethal. Vereen is a huge addition to the passing game, especially if Williams is productive running the ball and we get more than a few games out of Jennings.
To the surprise of no one who follows the NFL, it really comes down to injuries. We know we'll have them - every team does - but that aside, there seem to be a lot of weapons on offense for Eli.
Assuming Eli has...
350 completions come from
OBJ/Cruz/Randle - 210
TE-60
RB 60
There are no a lot of catches left
Cruz coming back at 100%, and sooner than anticipated by many (one guy above said his orthopedic surgeon friend claimed Cruz won't be 100% until 2016 - but truth is we don't know. There is more than enough individual variation in time frame and completeness of healing to imagine Cruz at 100% for 2015) would be a huge boon to this offense. And with a healthy OBJ, Cruz will see lots of single coverage.
And of course, those top 2 being healthy means Randle and whomever other receiving options are on the field (WRs, TEs, RBs included) will be treated as afterthoughts.
That's the ? that dwarfs all others, IMO.
BTW, I'm quite leery of saying the Cruz/OBJ/RR trio has more upside than the Nicks, Cruz, MM trio, or even the Nicks, Smith, MM trio at this point. First we need to see what Cruz we're gonna have back.
Also think we have collectively short memories re how good Nicks was at peak... SS too.
Assuming Eli has...
350 completions come from
OBJ/Cruz/Randle - 210
TE-60
RB 60
There are no a lot of catches left
Good post, but I think Eli will have record #s of attempts and completions this year.
Welker's head start to recovery from knee injury. - ( New Window )