On defense, all but two starters from last year remain. Gone are LB Kelvin Sheppard and DT Johnathan Hankins. But while B.J. Goodson is the clear favorite to start at MLB this year, there is no clear favorite to start at DT next to Damon Harrison. I'm very anxious to see who gets that job, and also who'll be the first DT to come in for the big run-stuffer (who only played 61% of the defensive snaps last year), although that role may be filled by a DE in obvious passing situations.
Speaking of which, the competition for back-ups to JPP and OV should be fierce, too. Is Okwara the real deal? Is Devin Taylor ready to show the rest of the league that they made a mistake by passing up the chance to sign him? Where does Moss fit into the mix, and what about Wynn and OO? A few questions there which I hope will be answered relatively quickly.
The situation at FS with Andrew Adams and Darian Thompson has been discussed in several recent threads, and of course Landon Collins is a lock, but after those three two questions remain: One, how many Safeties will the Giants keep? Four, which they usually do, or five, which is what I'd like them to. And who will take those one or two spots?
At CB, it looks like Michael Hunter has the inside track to become the 4th one after DRC, Jenkins, and Apple, but he's certainly not a lock. And if the Giants keep five, who else will make the squad? Blake, Deayon, one of the UDFAs, or can Mykkele Thompson make a successful transition?
On offense, although I'd like the Giants to keep only two QBs, the odds are that they'll keep three. The battle between Geno Smith and Josh Johnson may not be an epic one, but it should be an interesting one.
I figure four out of five OL spots are already locked down. From left to right, Flowers, Pugh, Richburg, and Jerry look to be secure. The one battle I'm most anxious to see is at RT, where I think Adam Bisnowaty can give Bobby Hart a run for his money, with the loser riding the pine. After that, two or three back-up spots will be up for grabs.
With the skill positions, which have been discussed at length, I think it primarily comes down to a numbers game. How many RBs, TEs, and WRs will the Giants keep? We know who's going to start at RB and WR, but assuming four and six for each (and you know I'd go with three and six, but, whatever), several spots should be up for grabs. I'm anxious to see who takes those spots.
With the TEs, I'll assume that four are kept. To me, Ellison, Engram, and Adams are no-brainers. The real battle will be between the incumbent Tye and the oft-injured LaCosse for that fourth spot.
To conclude, there are two battles I'm most excited to see this summer: First, at DT, and second, at RT.
How about you?
That acknowledged, imho, our collection of running backs still concern me going into the season.
Not the top concern. But I wish we had more capability on OL and RB.
Take care
Otherwise the LB, S, and CB battles are also interesting. Pinkins seems like he could be a dark horse for the 53.
3rd TE - Tye vs Lacosse vs Adams
FB - Smith vs Huessman
4th & 5th WR Lewis vs King vs Norwood vs Harris ?
Quote:
seemed to me mostly head-to-head battles, this year it seems like hoping that someone will set themselves apart out of a pack of hopefuls:
3rd CB
right side of OL
TE's
QB back-up
3rd and 4th DEs
2nd DT
4th-5th or 6th WR
Not clear to me if Goodson has a serious competitor at MLB -- probably just his to lose.
I am guessing you mean 4th corner?
Well I'm treat the slot (DRC) not as a corner.
RT - most likely Hart but Bisnotway, Fluker are in the mix
RG - most likely Jerry but Fluker has a shot
TE - do we keep 3 or 4?
RB - do we keep 3 or 4?
QB - some think Webb may be the #2 with a strong camp? Nah...
FB - if we carry 3 TE's, will we carry a pure FB? Smith...
DT - R. Thomas, J. Bromley, Bryant, just who wins the job?
CB - 4th CB V. Blake, M. Thompson, M. Hunter?
FS - Adams or D. Thompson?
SS - Pinkins or Behre?
Lots of battles due to quality depth. I can't recall a list this long in maybe all my years following the Giants (1978 until now). Just praying we get healthy, stay healthy and come out of the gates on fire. I truly believe a great start is needed for us to finish with a #2 seed and a bye. I'm getting ahead of myself I know, but I believe this defense can shut most anyone down if healthy. That will keep us in every early game.
And the offense has some serious skill position players. All we need is for the OL to develop and come through.
I give the edge to R. Thomas to start due to his size and experience in the defense. J. Bromley will spell him (and Snacks) a bit. D. Tomlinson will watch and learn early and work his way into the rotation as the season moves along.
The board seems to have given up on him, I'm not optimistic but I also don't think we're necessary "in trouble" if he starts...He was also projected as a three technique and a disruptor, so he'd match up well across from Snacks.
It's also year three for the kid from Syracuse, aboiut the time you'd expect him to emerge...IE if it's ever going to happen. Another interesting note for pre-season gazing.
The board seems to have given up on him, I'm not optimistic but I also don't think we're necessary "in trouble" if he starts...He was also projected as a three technique and a disruptor, so he'd match up well across from Snacks.
It's also year three for the kid from Syracuse, aboiut the time you'd expect him to emerge...IE if it's ever going to happen. Another interesting note for pre-season gazing.
Plus - as Klaatu mentioned - he doesn't think his head hitting should be something concerning. 4th safety is potentially a really interesting battle. If Jadar Johnson takes to the coaching...