What are our biggest ?'s now

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

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

In comment 12942637 ryanmkeane said:

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

He struggled last year, and badly.

Sure he was a rookie dealing with an injury, but it's still a ? as if he can become who we want him to be at the position.

I'm a fan, I expect a Richburg-like step up in Year 2 for Flowers. But he's still a question mark.

a 4th DE, I did not like Wynn's game at all last year and there is no one after JPP, Vernon and Owa. I would like to see a guy like Jason Jones from Detroit added.

Obviously upgrade is needed on the right side of the OL and at slot corner for additional depth.

This year, I think they will be nervous from the outset. There is more speed, athleticism and with that...comes the freedom for Spags to spin his magic. A healthier, grabbier JPP opposite Vernon makes for a QB that has to watch both sides of the oncoming rush. Our DT's make opposing running games harder to be successful and if we do have those ball-hawks out in the secondary; they will get a lot of panic balls leading to big plays.

health

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.

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.

we have a LB who has enough speed to cover TEs, especially down the seam? This has been a problem for years. I’m not sure Goodson is the answer, and he’s a rookie. We may have to use a safety.

DE depth and the right side of the OL.

What is our greatest strength? QB.

In comment 12942671 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:

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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

LOOK AROUND THE LEAGUE

you could list MAYBE three issues for the giants

1. Right side of OL
2. 4th DE
3. MAYBE another solid LBer

I mean outside of health which EVERYONE needs and wants the giants dont have many concerns or question marks anymore. this offseason was the best in the teams history IMO

right side of the line and TE on offense. A veteran leader in the defensive backfield like we had with Deon Grant or Sam Madison. Rolle would help that void and the Giants should gime him a one year contract. Like everyone else has said staying healthy is the biggest key.

Yes, the right side of the OL. After that we're ready to go with what we have. I don't see calling Flowers a question. He's the LT, period. Outside of FS and the #3 CB there isn't really that much inexperience in the Back 7. The RBs may not have an pro bowler but mediocre goes way to far. And the rookie HC is a so what. We had the most experienced coach in the league and that guaranteed us what exactly?

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

and the back 7 should be ok given the resources invested (if our secondary is still awful then Reese and/or Spags will be looking for work). Biggest concerns IMO are the offensive line, linebackers, and McAdoo. Regarding the line, I see a lot of people assuming a healthy Flowers is going to be a quality tackle when he has zero track record of effectively playing the position in the NFL. It's certainly not impossible that he simply sucks healthy or injured.

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.

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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?

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