And so it starts: the New York Giants are at a crossroads once more. Following an unprecedented 2022 playoff run that won the Joe Schoen/Brian Daboll regime widespread praise, the team collapsed in 2023 with a 6-11 record and a 2-8 start in the first 10 games. With this in mind, many are wondering if the franchise’s tra
jectory is heading up or down as it approaches its 100th season.There were several intriguing aspects about the offseason. They changed the offensive line coach, outside linebackers coach, running backs coach, tight ends coach, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator. Promotions were granted to assistant head coach Mike Kafka, coordinator of the offensive passing game Shea Tierney, and coordinator of the defensive passing game Jerome Henderson. There was a reorganization of the strength and conditioning team. Saquon Barkley, the team’s front-runner, was allowed to leave the Giants in free agency and signed with the bitter rival Eagles. This was a component of a bigger scheme to transfer funds to the offensive line. In a popular filmThis was a part of a bigger initiative to give offensive line funding. The Giants made a major trade acquisition when they acquired Brian Burns, but in the process, safety Xavier McKinney left for the Packers. The team made an unsuccessful attempt to move up in the draft to choose a different quarterback. Rather, they offered Daniel Jones Malik Nabers as a new weapon. A significant portion of this was documented in behind-the-scenes video from Hard Knocks’ Giants premiere. Oh my.As fans will remember, the squad generated a lot of excitement during training camp the previous season, but it quickly dissipated following the Cowboys’ 40-0 thrashing on opening night. Raised expectations have many people on tenterhooks these days. Nevertheless, this team currently features a number of “star” players with Pro Bowl potential, such as Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Bobby Okereke, Deonte Banks, and Malik Nabers. There are several additional guys on this youthful squad who might have breakthrough seasons, particularly at wide receiver. Four seasoned veterans have been added to the mix and are currently starting, giving the offensive line a more settled and professional appearance.
Fans may recall that the team created a lot of buzz throughout training camp the previous year, but that euphoria quickly faded after the Cowboys thrashed them 40-0 on opening night. Many people these days are on tenterhooks due to elevated expectations. However, this squad now has several “star” players (Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Bobby Okereke, Deonte Banks, and Malik Nabers) who have the potential to participate in the Pro Bowl. This young team has a number of other players who might have breakout seasons, especially at wide receiver. The offensive line now looks more stable and polished thanks to the addition of four seasoned veterans to the mix who are starting.
On the offensive line, where Evan Neal has not yet returned to practice (still on the PUP) and John Michael Schmitz has missed nearly all of camp, are undoubtedly the two most irritating injuries. The latter is the more concerning at this time since it keeps Greg Van Roten from actually competing at right guard, where Aaron Stinnie now occupies his more natural position. Schmitz must return q
uickly because the regular season is drawing near.Jalen Mills, a seasoned safety who is also on the PUP, has missed every camp practice, which is less evident. TE Lawrence Cager (who was off to a quick start), TE Jack Stoll, OLB Tomon Fox, S Elijah Riley, and WR Dennis Houston (who has flashed) are among the other players who are losing crucial time that is damaging their chances.ON OFFENSE: EW YORK GIANTS
I will warn you up front: on Thursday, the offensive line that is on reserve is probably going to look terrible. This is what happens when two guys (Schmitz and Neal) who you expected to be starters or to be in the running for starting positions are sidelined. This has a cascading impact since players on your second-team offensive line are suddenly third team players who will not even be on the final 53-man roster. Having said that, consider the individual efforts of players like Austin Schlottmann at center, Jake Kubas at guard, and Joshua Ezeudu at tackle. With Ezeudu now leading the pack in swing tackle, he is a player to keep an eye on. Guys like tackle Yodny Cajuste and guard Jalen Mayfield might be operating beneath the radar.
There will be a lot of interest in the running back competition. Although Tyrone Tracy and Dante Miller are rookies and have impressed with their quickness, veteran Devin Singletary is the clear favorite to start. But Tracy has already made two mistakes in camp. Eric Gray must have a successful preseason.
The top four wide receivers, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Malik Nabers, are locked in and most likely will not play. Isaiah Hodgins, Isaiah McKenzie, Allen Robinson, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski, Dennis Houston, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Ayir Asante, and John Jiles are left with two or three seats. Boykin, McKenzie, and Olszewski are valuable members of special teams; the latter two are likely vying for a single roster place
Given that two of the team’s six tight ends are sidelined due to injuries, tight end depth is not ideal for a preseason game. Nevertheless, Theo Johnson will be the center of attention.
Which comes up the subject of quarterback. This summer, there was no open competition for the starting position. The role belongs to Daniel Jones, who, while recovering from a catastrophic knee injury that many thought would keep him sidelined for the entire summer, appears to have gained stronger as camp has gone on. The key question now is whether Tommy DeVito can demonstrate enough to force the Giants to carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster (which is more likely) or force Drew Lock to compete for the starting backup position (which is unlikely). Though unlikely, it is possible that DeVitoEnsure that the Giants carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster (more likely) or secure the starting backup position (unlikely). The potential exists that DeVito will be the lone quarterback back in 2025.When a coordinator is changed, there is usually a learning curve, and this summer on defense we are witnessing that. The club switched from a man-heavy to a zone-heavy scheme against the Lions on Monday and Tuesday, and several coverages were blown calls. It was inevitable that fans would go crazy, and they probably will for the first part of the regular season.This summer, a few surprising players have been practicing with the first and second teams on the defensive line: Ryder Anderson, a member of the practice squad, and Elijah Chatman, a guy who participated in a minicamp trial. Rakeem Nunez-Roches and these two are battling for playing time next to Dexter Lawrence. Among them is Jordan Phillips, a seasoned player. Big run stuffers Timmy Horne, D.J. Davidson, and Jordan Riley are behind Dexter. It is interesting to note that Bowen rates highly among them.Bowen declared last week, “That D-line competition is as strong as any competition on our team right now.” We seem to have a great deal of depth. And as things stand, there will be some talented football players in that room who are striving to make the club. It will be intriguing to observe how that plays out.
Without a doubt, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are the main attractions at Edge. If Azeez Ojulari does not make an announcement, they probably will not play on Thursday, and the loss will be apparent. Boogie Basham, Benton Whitley, and Ovie Oghoufo are vying for a potential roster place, so the depth chart is not great here (the Giants may also be watching the waiver wire). Tomon Fox’s absence is not aiding his cause.
Inside, Dyontae Johnson, a member of the practice squad, has emerged as one of the more intriguing developments of the summer. He has impressed and has been given first-team reps.
Bobby Okereke, who is also probably not going to participate. Is he putting pressure on Micah McFadden to start? Because Isaiah Simmons is neither truly a defensive back or linebacker, he can fit in the secondary or here in terms of numbers. Plus, he is faring far better at camp than most people would have predicted. Matthew Adams and Carter Coughlin, members of the special team, are likely directly competing with one another. If Darrian Beavers and Darius Muasau are to be included in the 53-man roster, they must make an impression.
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The wide receiver opposite Deonte Banks is possibly this team’s most uncertain player right now, aside from the quarterback. Hard Knocks has shown us that the Giants are aware of their issue. Cor’Dale Flott has been up first.
The wide receiver opposite Deonte Banks is possibly this team’s most uncertain player right now, aside from the quarterback. Hard Knocks has shown us that the Giants are aware of their issue. Cor’Dale Flott has gone up and down as the first person to speak. It seems like Nick McCloud is pressing him right now. Is either option the solution? Anticipate the team to keep scouring the free agent and waiver wire markets. The squad is making an effort; in addition to claiming two players from NFC East opponents, Christian Holmes and Mario Goodrich, they have signed two veterans, David Long and Tre Herndon. Breon Borders was just signed by them as well. I wouldn’t
total rebate Darnay Holmes and Tre Hawkins have mostly been playing outside for the second team. It seems like Andru Phillips is taking over in the nickel corner.
The Giants do not seem to have enough quality in the pipeline, but they will be a very young and inexperienced team at safety. It appears that Jason Pinnock has adjusted to the new split safety scheme quite nicely. The coaches are impressed with Dane Belton’s ability to set up plays. Tyler Nubin missed a significant amount of camp due to an injury, so both of these developments have been significant. Elijah Riley was vying for a spot on the 53-man roster, but he is likely not going to play because he is in the concussion protocol. Both rookie Alex Johnson and Gervarrius Owens created some noise earlier in camp.