What are our biggest ?'s now

In comment 12942637 ryanmkeane said:

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Flowers a question mark. He's our LT now and of the future.

Flowers is a question mark because he was not a good player last year. We expect him to improve but it doesn't mean he will.

being near the top of the injuries list again.

Injuries happen, but these last few years have been brutal.

In comment 12942694 Phil in LA said:

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5. I Spags system still effective in the NFL and can he still lead a winning D?

Good call, Spags' job is certainly on the line this year. Seems like a great guy + he has a ring with us. But his resume since then is kind of brutal.

1) Safety: Collins is still unproven as is every player we have at the FS position. This could once again be a major failure by the front office.

2) Offensive line: There is talent here but if Flowers doesnt take a leap and/or any of our lineman go down we have no depth that inspires any confidence.

3) Health: Other than RB is there a position this team has any depth at?

That's fine with me. There's something to be said for continuity, so keeping Flowers, Pugh, and Richburg right where there are makes sense.

I believe the right side of the O-Line is in flux. Reese and McAdoo have both given out mixed signals about the presumptive starters, Jerry and Newhouse. Votes of confidence, but tepid votes at best, because, let's face it, Jerry and Newhouse are starters by default.

With no major moves in free agency (but some minor ones with Solari's boys), and no moves at all the draft (or even with UDFAs), it could be that they really do have more confidence in Jerry and Newhouse than the vast majority of us have. Or, resigned to the fact that they weren't able to score any major O-Line upgrades, they're hoping that one or more of the guys already on the roster steps up his game...Bobby Hart, for example, who was taking snaps at RT with the ones at mini-camp. Barring that, I figure they'll be scanning the waiver wire to see if a viable RT shakes loose. Time will tell.

I still think we lack quality depth. I just can't depend on Odi, although willing to see what he's got. I hope they add a pass rusher (UDFA). Remember the Giants like to send pass rushers in waves and our success was predicated on that philosophy. We don't have much depth on the DL in terms of rushing the passer unless you like Whitlock and Bromley.

Safety we can't do any more. We have to see what we have there in either Berhe or the Thompsons (2).

For the OL. I think one more vet cut (Slausen or ....) as a starter would make me feel great about the line.

The 2 biggest question marks. I am hopeful that they are not done with the OL yet, since it seems odd that they did not draft or sign ONE lineman for that side. Reese and Co. cannot possibly feel THAT confident in that side to not at least try to add something there.

I think we are rolling with what we have at LB. I think they will be serviceable provided Kennard can stay healthy (big ?). Snacks and Hankins should be able to keep the LB's clean.

positions with depth

TE
RB
WR(improved)
QB-having two QBs in important i believe nassib would be okay if eli went down, not great but serviceable
LB-not great depth but depth
Safety-we are pretty deep here, lots of young kids but that doesnt mean they cannot perform
CB-especially if we add hall. youre talking about wade who i thought showed some solid play at times being your 5th CB thats deep

Will the Giants be able to rush the QB?

They're hoping for big things from Vernon, but even though he applies pressure, he has not historically been a double digit sack guy.

JPP applied pressure last year but didn't have many sacks. Maybe the operation and a full training camp will help. And maybe having another guy like Vernon will help too.

Giants were targeting Floyd because they wanted a third edge rusher. Unless O-diggy steps up the pass rush is at least one guy short.

that the depth chart at TE is a tire fire.

final 53 is not fully baked.

On Offense:
RT.....I think we can live with current options at RG

WR.....if Cruz does not make it

Depth looks decent.

On Defense:
4th DE & DT is not identified

5th corner

3 down LB'er that covers TEs & RBs

Synergy with so many new faces.

1) Health as it's been the #1 problem with the team.
2) Inexperience (Lot's of younger players and the new HC).
3) The RG and RT positions lack starter quality players.

I tried to come up with more but everything seems to keep coming back to the first two. Flowers, inexperience and maybe health (played through an injury). FSs inexperience and/or health. LBs inexperienced and/or health. Most of the defensive players haven't worked with Spags so chaulk that one up to inexperience as well.

So on to the "If's" that I hate so much. If the changes they made this offense fix the injury bug then that will be HUGE! If the young and new defensive players can pick up Spags defense quickly it would go a very long way to taking the defense from dead last to at least top half of the league. If they can pickup an average RG and/or RT OR McAdoo game plans around the weakness, the offense should still be in the top 10 range at least.

I do like that after prioritizing that list the RG and RT position don't seem as big a deal. Although it's still the only other thing Jerry Reese can do to correct. The first two he needs to hope the changes made already workout.

In comment 12942732 Jim in Tampa said:

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Will the Giants be able to rush the QB? They're hoping for big things from Vernon, but even though he applies pressure, he has not historically been a double digit sack guy. JPP applied pressure last year but didn't have many sacks. Maybe the operation and a full training camp will help. And maybe having another guy like Vernon will help too. Giants were targeting Floyd because they wanted a third edge rusher. Unless O-diggy steps up the pass rush is at least one guy short.

vernon is what 25? so him not being a double digit sack guy "historically" isnt a very large sample. JPP had a ton of pressures last year as did vernon, put them together and it should translate to sacks, if it doesnt it will translate to a lot of quick throws which leads to errant throws which leads to our CBs who play a lot of press man to be able to make a play on the ball. the concept of rush the passer and cover WRs tightly believing your pass rush gets home is part of the scheme. JPP and OV should force the ball out quicker which means the WRs have to get open quicker, the added pieces to the secondary should be able to help in stopping those quick throws. Apple and Jenkins are two VERY good press corners. DRC is a good man corner as well.

isn't any particular player as much as it's the overall persona of the team. The Giants forgot how to win games under Coughlin the last few years. They'd blow leads. They'd start off slow. They'd get bullied on the road against confident opposition.

Eli and McAdoo need to turn this ship around and it needs to happen early. Losing is toxic. Yes the talent was deficient in many areas but the Giants still left a lot of wins on the field the last 2 years, especially last year.

It was time for a change. McAdoo comes along at just the right time in my opinion.

In comment 12942739 USAF NYG Fan said:

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If the changes they made this offense fix the injury bug then that will be HUGE!

Sorry. offense = off season

In comment 12942655 Klaatu said:

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If guys like Odighizuwa and Kennard can't stay healthy, we're going to be in deep kimchi.

Yeah, but if they are not healthy and the Giants lose more than they win we can read about how the Giants should draft HB with their top 10 pick in next year's draft. :/

In comment 12942686 Big Blue '56 said:

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In comment 12942671 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said: Quote: In comment 12942655 Klaatu said: Quote: If guys like Odighizuwa and Kennard can't stay healthy, we're going to be in deep kimchi. It's football so I feel like injuries as a question mark is a given. Maybe even more of these Giants who have struggled with it forever. But really the only complaint I see right now is RIGHTSIDE OF THE LINE over and over again. Seems like people are comfortable going into battle with this team otherwise. I think what's inferred is better health unlike the last 3 years, as opposed to the usual, expected health concerns

Exactly. Sure, injuries are part of the game, but, man, we've led the league in injuries for the past three years.

"Sometimes I wonder whose side God is on."

And it's the "cluster" injuries that really drive me nuts. We're either losing all of our CBs, or Safeties, or TEs, or LBs...it's like injuries are contagious or something. Forget strength and conditioning (and I'm not blaming that), but maybe they should disinfect the meeting rooms.

by far.

Anyone who's happy with our situation at RT right now has got lots of faith in the Football gods.

Anyone who's been happy with our situation at LB since 2006 has been drinking the Giants' Kool Aid about the insignificance of the position.

Both still need to be addressed if we're to contend in 2016. I think the former can be after June 1. I don't think the latter can be.

In comment 12942655 Klaatu said:

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If guys like Odighizuwa and Kennard can't stay healthy, we're going to be in deep kimchi.

I'm with you. Injuries and rt are my biggest concerns. If we can get hall I'm loving our d.

the number one concern. I think LB is still a concern. Kennard is an injury waiting to happen, Goodson is promising but we don't yet know what we have, and the rest are mediocre at best. I would also like to see some more competition at DT for the rotational roles behind Snacks and Hanks. We could also use another pass rusher, but that may be difficult to find at this point. I won't mind seeing the team pick up Easley, but with his character issues I don't see the team looking in his direction.

that's not a real answer.

.

In comment 12942877 chris r said:

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that's not a real answer.

Of course it is. It's a real answer every time the question is asked.

In comment 12942710 Old Dirty Beckham said:

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1) Safety: Collins is still unproven as is every player we have at the FS position. This could once again be a major failure by the front office. 2) Offensive line: There is talent here but if Flowers doesnt take a leap and/or any of our lineman go down we have no depth that inspires any confidence. 3) Health: Other than RB is there a position this team has any depth at?

This is really a whole lot of stupid. What was the FO supposed to do draft a FS in round 1. We addressed the position and by know most should know that Collins and in the box safety and not per se a FS and please dont say we need our safeties interchangeable because we can start to move away from the theory at any point in time.

I still feel most of you need to see pro bowlers at every position before you realize our depth is fairly decent at certain given positions.

Do any of you know what we have with Montori Hughes or Louis Nix, are they just camp fodder. I think we brought them in last year due in injuries and both are young and are going to be given a chance to stick so again many of you feel we need to UPGRADE our DT position while the coaching staff is well aware of what we have and confident we can compete with the players currently on the roster. Some of you need to stop and think a little.

are still a concern.
We don't know if Cruz is going to return to anything resembling his former self, or whether Shepard is going to be any good (we can expect him to, but expectations for anyone having never played a down of NFL football are still ?). count WR as a ?
TE is definitely a ?

On paper, it looks like we plugged a lot of holes. until the boat is in the water, we won't know if the holes leak or not.

There will be opportunities for some of our UDFAs to make the team, if only as backups. 5th DE, 4th DT, 6th WR, etc. Every year it seems like one or two impresses enough for the Giants to keep them around. They may not be starters, but if they can upgrade the quality of our depth, then so be it.

Moving JPP to LDE was a great first step. I still want to see how he holds up in the NFL with his hand.

Odi has to stay on the field and has to translate his production from UCLA and vastly improve on his pass rush.

Vernon is solid. He seems football focus.

Who's the 4th DE? Wynn regressed so bad last year. He was never a push rush guy but even as a run stopper he had a lot of trouble. I seriously thought Wynn was in trouble going into the draft. When no DE was taken I thought maybe he survive but Okwara can easily beat him out and probably has the measurable upside the FO likes from their DE being potential pass rushers.

Right Tackle.

Everything else appears to be pretty set.

and break the 3 year string go being devastated before the season starts.
2 & 3 right side of OL & LB's that can cover.

I have optimistic confidence Thompson, or one of the injured 4 will step up at Safety.

We're a contender. It starts with our best shot to beat Dallas on Day 1 in years (and we had them beat last year).

On the pass rush, there is NOTHING, repeat NOTHING after JPP and Vernon. What happens when they get winded in the fourth quarter? We've seen it before, like that game in San Fran a decade back. The pass rush collapses to nothing.

Owa does not have credentials as a pass rusher and considering that he spent half his rookie year on IR, they really don't even know what they have in him yet.

Kerry Wynn is really not a serious threat as a pass rusher. The last two seasons have proved that.

Light weight Atlanta reject Maponga is a PS guy.

Brad Bars is another PS guy. He didn't even start as a Senior at Penn State.

OFAs Okwara and Mike Rose are developmental guys. Neither one is really ready yet to play in the NFL.

The only LB with any real pass rush cred is Kinnard, and he's hurt half the time.

They really blew it out their ass in the draft by failing to grab somebody to bolster the pass rush.

guys returning from the IR list - there is going to be a somewhat different team taking the field.

Just wondering if chemistry or familiarity will be an issue for part of the upcoming season and how long it takes players to become a synchronized group ... on both sides of the ball?

Will it be an issue at all?

In comment 12942962 Red Dog said:

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On the pass rush, there is NOTHING, repeat NOTHING after JPP and Vernon. What happens when they get winded in the fourth quarter? We've seen it before, like that game in San Fran a decade back. The pass rush collapses to nothing. Owa does not have credentials as a pass rusher and considering that he spent half his rookie year on IR, they really don't even know what they have in him yet. Kerry Wynn is really not a serious threat as a pass rusher. The last two seasons have proved that. Light weight Atlanta reject Maponga is a PS guy. Brad Bars is another PS guy. He didn't even start as a Senior at Penn State. OFAs Okwara and Mike Rose are developmental guys. Neither one is really ready yet to play in the NFL. The only LB with any real pass rush cred is Kinnard, and he's hurt half the time. They really blew it out their ass in the draft by failing to grab somebody to bolster the pass rush.

Agree 100%. No depth at the pass rush. It would be a big mistake to not bring anyone else on board. Vernon is not going to make the difference all himself. I would prefer two guys, but with the right side of the OL a need as well, not sure if two would be possible. Have to hope Bromley gives us something. Odi was never really a pass rusher anyway. No invite from Victor Ochi after we wasn't drafted surprised me. We need pass rushers!

My thoughts:

1. Coaching (spags, oline, o-cord)
2. Offensive Line (one or two vets wouldhelp a lot)
3. Safety

Health is always the number one concern. Will the new stength and conditioning program help?

.

is better suited to play just a few snaps. he flashed 2 years ago and again early last year but think he got worn down. Not a starter by any means but if he get up for a few snaps he can be effective as a 4th de.

The Season in JPP's first game back with his club. This season Jpp without the club Vernon, Hankins and Snacks . I would think we will definetly see a big improvement to our pass rush .

I'm with Klaatu (although I'm not clear what "deep kimchi" is all about).

To me, the key to this season, and the big unknown, is the impact of the new strength and conditioning program on the Giants injury problem. And the Giants have had a huge injury problem, indicating a systemic problem, in my opinion.

I don't think Coughlin was up-to-speed regarding the science, and I think he had his head in the sand in regards to a clear problem with the Giants in regards to injuries. Will the new regime have an impact? I think it will, but perhaps that is wishful thinking only.

it's Victor Cruz and the WRs.

We have 1 stud and a helluva lot of question marks. Cruz has been off for 2 years. Shephard is a rookie, Davis is raw and unknown, Harris is a special teams guy. Our TEs also have a lot of question marks.

If Cruz turns out to be average at best, and the rest of the corps struggles - it will be another long year. Our offense has to be a lot better than it was last year. Yeah, yeah we had a top 10 offense last year by stats - but we had far too many games where the offense was a no show or didnt put the game away when it could have.

In comment 12942655 Klaatu said:

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If guys like Odighizuwa and Kennard can't stay healthy, we're going to be in deep kimchi.

Don't say it ! shhh..

The new HC concern is a given.
IMHO, they made moves to fix the D, for now and the near future.The front 4 is better, the secondary is better, and the LBs will at least be faster; the D as a group as well. I expect next year they finally draft LB high, sign an good FA, and likely both.
They got Shepard to take pressure off OBJ, year 2 w/Harris now, signed a bunch of UDFA WRs hoping 1 or 2 can be better than White(or White steps up, and anything good out of VC is a bonus. They have a nice, though not spectacular RB group that now has a varying skillset for situational play without tipping the hand on the play by focusing on the RB player.
The team is younger; the team overall looks to be faster; they seem to have better depth at all positions, though I too would like a better right side OL.
Just have to bring it all together quickly.

but we'll have answers to all of these concerns after Training Camp. Personally, I'm very optimistic after all the new additions. Looking forward to seeing all the new players contribute during pre-season.

I'd like another veteran WR that plays outside. Cruz won't necessarily be the same, neither is the rookie.

major personnel hole to fill is RT, which is remarkable considering what we entered the offseason with.

Super Bowl win?

If we examine the flexibility of the personel on the Oline , we have people that can move from G to OT and back. Few if any teams have all pro players in Oline slots. The Gmen can make do by playing up tempo and building schemes abound the talent available. My major concern is DE. We have a numbers issue. Not enough DE`s. Some of the undrafted pickups may have potential and someone may become available before June 1st. Guys like Kennard and Brinkley can step up to form a Nascar package. Time will tell but the problem may not be as drastic as we feel it is. The DB situation , as always will depend on health. We can`t have 4 or 5 guys go down and win.. I feel more confident with WcAdoo at the helm than TC. He is young and innovated, and not afraid to start rookies.

1) Right Tackle - obvious
2) Spags - we can speculate/make excuses all we want, but the fact is he hasn't put a good team on the field in about 7 years
3) Youth in the secondary - lots of talent, but Apple, Collins, whoever plays FS are all inexperienced and need to get up to speed fast.

Really need to see the following players be ready to go Game 1 with no constraints/effects from prior year issues:

- Cruz
- Donnell
- JPP
- OO
- Hankins
- Kennard
- All Free Safeties

Get one and I can live with everything else on this current team and expect a divisional championship.

goes down or is not the same player?

I don't want to think about what happens if Eli Manning goes down.