Post by Roosevelt on Jul 7, 2018 8:50:04 GMT -5
10) Who emerges as No. 2 tight end?
Evan Engram was a statistical top-five tight end in the NFL as a rookie last season, catching 64 passes for 722 yards and six touchdowns, but as the Giants likely move towards playing more two-tight end sets this season, who becomes the second-option at the position?
Kyle Carter was one of the first players signed by the Giants, following Shurmur from Minnesota, then there's Rhett Ellison, Ryan O'Malley, and Shane Smith, who all could be in the mix both at tight end as well as fullback.
Assuming that Engram continues to blossom as a receiver, and improve as a blocker, tight end isn't necessarily a position of concern for the Giants, but identifying quality depth should be a priority this summer.
9) Will Odell Beckham be fully healthy? Happy?
Beckham says that he plans to report to training camp on time, but whether he follows through on that promise in the absence of a new contract is bound to be one of the top storylines in the weeks leading up to training camp, as is how healthy and effective he is once he steps on the field following a gruesome shattered ankle suffered in Week 4 last season.
2) How effective will Ereck Flowers be at right tackle?
The Giants declined Flowers' fifth-year option this spring, largely because he has to this point been a first-round bust at left tackle, which led to Solder's signing in March.
Perhaps no singular player on the roster will have a more direct impact on the fortunes of this season than Flowers and his ability to hold up at right tackle, after struggling mightily protecting Eli Manning's blind-side the first three years of his career.
If Flowers builds on a strong spring and proves to be a serviceable option at right tackle, it will go a long way towards stabilizing one of the leakiest units in the league, but, if he struggles, it will certainly limit the upside potential of the entire offense.
1) Will improved talent around Eli Manning rejuvenate the 37-year-old?
The Giants are unmistakably all-in on Eli Manning this season, after drafting Barkley, Hernandez, and signing Nate Solder.
As a result of all of the new-found talent both along the offensive line and at the skill-positions, the stage is set for Manning to have a late-career renaissance. However, he still needs to go out and play at a high-level to maximize the wealth of potential on this offense. If Manning limits turnovers, is able to stretch the field, and take advantage of his new-found weapons, this could be a team that pushes for the playoffs.
However, if Manning struggles and the Giants are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention when December rolls around, don't be surprised to see Davis Webb taking the reigns. Manning has everything he needs to play at a dominant level, but he no longer has the excuses of injuries, porous offensive line, and lack of a running game to fall back on for his struggles.
www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/07/tackling_10_biggest_giants_questions_before_traini.html#incart_river_index
Evan Engram was a statistical top-five tight end in the NFL as a rookie last season, catching 64 passes for 722 yards and six touchdowns, but as the Giants likely move towards playing more two-tight end sets this season, who becomes the second-option at the position?
Kyle Carter was one of the first players signed by the Giants, following Shurmur from Minnesota, then there's Rhett Ellison, Ryan O'Malley, and Shane Smith, who all could be in the mix both at tight end as well as fullback.
Assuming that Engram continues to blossom as a receiver, and improve as a blocker, tight end isn't necessarily a position of concern for the Giants, but identifying quality depth should be a priority this summer.
9) Will Odell Beckham be fully healthy? Happy?
Beckham says that he plans to report to training camp on time, but whether he follows through on that promise in the absence of a new contract is bound to be one of the top storylines in the weeks leading up to training camp, as is how healthy and effective he is once he steps on the field following a gruesome shattered ankle suffered in Week 4 last season.
If the Giants and Beckham can reach an accord on a new contract, and the dynamic wide receiver shows no ill-effects of the injury that limited him throughout the spring, the stage just might be set for the Giants to own one of the most electrifying and high-scoring offenses in the league.
8) Will secondary be able to withstand adversity?
There was plenty of talk about a 'clean-slate' this spring around the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, and nowhere was that more evident that in a secondary that devolved last season amid ex-Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Chromartie going AWOL at one point, and Eli Apple being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.
"I promise you that," cornerback Janoris Jenkins said on the first day of minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics. "Jack Rabbit promises that whatever happened last year won't happen this year. There won't be any animosity between players. There won't be any disrespecting the coach. Whatever he says goes. New York Giants football is back."
It certainly is encouraging to see the Giants defensive backs on the same page in April, May, and June. However, will they be able to withstand a 300-yard passing game from Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, or Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson airing it out? Being able to back up encouraging talk with strong and consistent play will be a determining factor for just how successful the defense winds up being this season.
There was plenty of talk about a 'clean-slate' this spring around the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, and nowhere was that more evident that in a secondary that devolved last season amid ex-Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Chromartie going AWOL at one point, and Eli Apple being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.
"I promise you that," cornerback Janoris Jenkins said on the first day of minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics. "Jack Rabbit promises that whatever happened last year won't happen this year. There won't be any animosity between players. There won't be any disrespecting the coach. Whatever he says goes. New York Giants football is back."
It certainly is encouraging to see the Giants defensive backs on the same page in April, May, and June. However, will they be able to withstand a 300-yard passing game from Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, or Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson airing it out? Being able to back up encouraging talk with strong and consistent play will be a determining factor for just how successful the defense winds up being this season.
7) Who emerges as the starting nickel cornerback?
Jenkins and Apple are entrenched as the two starting outside cornerbacks, but with most offenses stretching defenses thin by lining up at least three wide receiver sets, the nickel job is equally important.
Veterans B.W. Webb and William Gay are certainly in the mix for the nickel job, as is rookie free agent Grant Haley.
This will be one of the closest watched position battles of the summer.
6) Will special teams improve?
The Giants had among the worst special teams units in the entire NFL last season, which in part is why general manager Dave Gettleman loaded up on bottom of the roster players and veterans this offseason to add some talent on special teams.
Kicker Aldrick Rosas is going to have to play a significant role in the Giants' special teams resurgence, which mean dramatically improving on his 18-of-25 field goal percentage last season
Jenkins and Apple are entrenched as the two starting outside cornerbacks, but with most offenses stretching defenses thin by lining up at least three wide receiver sets, the nickel job is equally important.
Veterans B.W. Webb and William Gay are certainly in the mix for the nickel job, as is rookie free agent Grant Haley.
This will be one of the closest watched position battles of the summer.
6) Will special teams improve?
The Giants had among the worst special teams units in the entire NFL last season, which in part is why general manager Dave Gettleman loaded up on bottom of the roster players and veterans this offseason to add some talent on special teams.
Kicker Aldrick Rosas is going to have to play a significant role in the Giants' special teams resurgence, which mean dramatically improving on his 18-of-25 field goal percentage last season
5) What can the Giants expect from Olivier Vernon moving to OLB?
Olivier Vernon's move back to his natural position as a pass-rushing outside linebacker could hold the keys to just how dominant the Giants' defense, and pass-rush can be under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher.
Last season, the Giants totaled only 34 sacks, but Vernon averaged 7.5 sacks per season, including a career-high 11.5 in 2013, during four seasons with the Miami Dolphins in a similar role to what he will have this upcoming season.
If Vernon can replicate his production at Miami, the Giants passing defense has a chance to dramatically improve overall in 2018.
Olivier Vernon's move back to his natural position as a pass-rushing outside linebacker could hold the keys to just how dominant the Giants' defense, and pass-rush can be under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher.
Last season, the Giants totaled only 34 sacks, but Vernon averaged 7.5 sacks per season, including a career-high 11.5 in 2013, during four seasons with the Miami Dolphins in a similar role to what he will have this upcoming season.
If Vernon can replicate his production at Miami, the Giants passing defense has a chance to dramatically improve overall in 2018.
4) How quickly will chemistry take hold along the offensive line?
There is no about that the Giants' offensive line is going to be significantly more talented this season thanks to the additions of left tackle Nate Solder and second-round rookie right guard Will Hernandez.
However, the Giants will have four new starters along the offensive line, and that number jumps to five if you include Ereck Flowers moving to right tackle from left tackle this season.
Talent is certainly important, but there is no position group in football where chemistry is more important or valuable than along the offensive line. How quickly Solder, Hernandez, Jon Halapio/Brett Jones, Patrick Omameh, and Flowers can come together as a unit will likely dictate how quickly the Giants' offense reaches its full potential this season.
There is no about that the Giants' offensive line is going to be significantly more talented this season thanks to the additions of left tackle Nate Solder and second-round rookie right guard Will Hernandez.
However, the Giants will have four new starters along the offensive line, and that number jumps to five if you include Ereck Flowers moving to right tackle from left tackle this season.
Talent is certainly important, but there is no position group in football where chemistry is more important or valuable than along the offensive line. How quickly Solder, Hernandez, Jon Halapio/Brett Jones, Patrick Omameh, and Flowers can come together as a unit will likely dictate how quickly the Giants' offense reaches its full potential this season.
3) Is this the year Eli Apple lives up to potential?
Eli Apple has yet to live up to the potential of being a top-10 NFL Draft pick, and last season was a definite low point both on and off the field, which the former Ohio State cornerback seems to have put behind him.
"Was I embarrassed? Of course. Nobody wants to go out the way I went out. So, of course," Apple said earlier this spring. “It's about just putting things behind me, trying to continue to move forward, and go out here and have great energy on the field. I definitely feel it. The coaches have told me. I’m trying to be a better person, better player, and better teammate this year.
“Obviously, with the stuff that happened last year, I want to continue to work on myself. I want to communicate better, and not let certain stuff get to me. I want to continue to strive to be better every day.”
Apple said all of the right things this spring, but was entirely inconsistent during practices. The Giants are relying on Apple playing like a first-round pick, because there is little depth behind him at the position.
Eli Apple has yet to live up to the potential of being a top-10 NFL Draft pick, and last season was a definite low point both on and off the field, which the former Ohio State cornerback seems to have put behind him.
"Was I embarrassed? Of course. Nobody wants to go out the way I went out. So, of course," Apple said earlier this spring. “It's about just putting things behind me, trying to continue to move forward, and go out here and have great energy on the field. I definitely feel it. The coaches have told me. I’m trying to be a better person, better player, and better teammate this year.
“Obviously, with the stuff that happened last year, I want to continue to work on myself. I want to communicate better, and not let certain stuff get to me. I want to continue to strive to be better every day.”
Apple said all of the right things this spring, but was entirely inconsistent during practices. The Giants are relying on Apple playing like a first-round pick, because there is little depth behind him at the position.
2) How effective will Ereck Flowers be at right tackle?
The Giants declined Flowers' fifth-year option this spring, largely because he has to this point been a first-round bust at left tackle, which led to Solder's signing in March.
Perhaps no singular player on the roster will have a more direct impact on the fortunes of this season than Flowers and his ability to hold up at right tackle, after struggling mightily protecting Eli Manning's blind-side the first three years of his career.
If Flowers builds on a strong spring and proves to be a serviceable option at right tackle, it will go a long way towards stabilizing one of the leakiest units in the league, but, if he struggles, it will certainly limit the upside potential of the entire offense.
1) Will improved talent around Eli Manning rejuvenate the 37-year-old?
The Giants are unmistakably all-in on Eli Manning this season, after drafting Barkley, Hernandez, and signing Nate Solder.
As a result of all of the new-found talent both along the offensive line and at the skill-positions, the stage is set for Manning to have a late-career renaissance. However, he still needs to go out and play at a high-level to maximize the wealth of potential on this offense. If Manning limits turnovers, is able to stretch the field, and take advantage of his new-found weapons, this could be a team that pushes for the playoffs.
However, if Manning struggles and the Giants are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention when December rolls around, don't be surprised to see Davis Webb taking the reigns. Manning has everything he needs to play at a dominant level, but he no longer has the excuses of injuries, porous offensive line, and lack of a running game to fall back on for his struggles.
