www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2018/08/08/ny-giants-5-questions-heading-into-preseason-opener-against-browns/930889002/EAST RUTHERFORD — There are plenty of questions for the New York Giants heading into Thursday night's preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.
Here are five as Pat Shurmur steps onto the sideline as head coach of Big Blue for the first time, albeit in a game that won't count in the standings as the NFC East chases the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles once the regular season begins in a month:
Is playing Odell Beckham Jr. worth the risk?
No, it's not. It's just that simple. Never mind that Beckham's initial ankle injury came against the same Browns, although I must admit watching "Hard Knocks" on Tuesday night that I had forgotten Gregg Williams, he of Bounty Gate infamy while in New Orleans, was Cleveland's defensive coordinator.
The Giants have seen everything they wanted to see so far in camp with Beckham, but consider this: they've wisely held him out of 1-on-1 WR/CB drills, which tend to be the most physical for those positions because of the aggressive nature with which the players go after one another, leading to a tendency of getting their legs tangled.
That's Giants on Giants. Now you want Beckham to get out there one month from the regular season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and catch passes against the Browns to prove, well, what exactly?
ROOKIE DEBUTS:Top 4 NFL Draft picks take center stage at MetLife Stadium
If Beckham plays, let him break the huddle and be out there for a few scripted run plays for Saquon Barkley and get off the field. There is plenty of time for Beckham to get game ready - don't make a mistake that the entire franchise will regret.
With joint practices with the Detroit Lions on the horizon next week in Michigan, the Giants need to continue to be smart with their best player.
How much will we see the starters?
Shurmur wasn't in a revealing mood Tuesday, but he did say he wanted to be able to inform the players of their playing time expectations before spilling it to the media. That's certainly understandable under any circumstance, and again, Shurmur has done so much to build a relationship with his roster, the last thing he needed to do was let the public know first.
Judging by what we have watched in practice, I'd expect Eli Manning to play a series or two with the starting offensive line (LT Nate Solder, LG Will Hernandez, C Jon Halapio, RG Patrick Omameh and RT Ereck Flowers). It's likely the first team defense will get that much, too, before players start subbing out.
What should we expect from Saquon Barkley?
New York Giants runningback Saquon Barkley walks off the field at the end of NFL training camp in East Rutherford, NJ on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.
New York Giants runningback Saquon Barkley walks off the field at the end of NFL training camp in East Rutherford, NJ on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com)
We should get a taste of what Saquon Barkley brings to the offense. If he runs into the line more than twice, I'll be surprised. Look for Wayne Gallman to handle a bulk of the early work load, and if Jonathan Stewart plays, which he should, he's going to be the back that gets the call on early run calls to get the offensive line some work.
Best bet: Barkley plays fewer snaps than Manning, but is only on the field with the two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback. Get Saquon's feet wet with a screen or a pass play, put him in the I once with fullback Shane Smith and call it a night. As with Beckham, it's just not worth the risk.
Is this a true unveiling of a new defense?
New York Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree and the defensive line talk with defensive coordinator James Bettcher, far left, during NFL training camp in East Rutherford, NJ on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.
New York Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree and the defensive line talk with defensive coordinator James Bettcher, far left, during NFL training camp in East Rutherford, NJ on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com)
It should be, especially if Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield finds his way out there in place of starter Tyrod Taylor against the first team. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher has not taken his proverbial foot off the gas in practice against his own team, so watch for a ton of pressure packages with varied personnel.
With Williams at the helm of the Browns' defense, it will be very interesting to see which side cranks it up faster.
What position competitions are worth watching?
Safety will be the most competitive. Darian Thompson has put together a quietly solid camp. Curtis Riley is currently listed as the starter with Landon Collins on the team's initial unoffical depth chart. Andrew Adams and Mike Thomas are also in the mix. Don't overlook rookie Sean Chandler, whose play has picked up in recent practices with an interception in back-to-back days. He might not be in contention for a starting spot, but he can make a push for the 53.
NY Giants safety Curtis Riley making the most of opportunities early on in training camp. Art Stapleton, Staff Writer, @art_stapleton
The corner battle in the slot with veterans Leonard Johnson B.W. Webb and William Gay getting chances after Donte Deayon hurt his hamstring is worth keeping an eye on. Can Penn State rookie Grant Haley take advantage, and how much will the Giants use Thomas there?
Wide receiver and tight end is always fun, considering the opportunities. Hunter Sharp and Kalif Raymond begin the preseason in a good spot due to their value as return men, and same goes for Russell Shepard overall on special teams. Roger Lewis Jr. has some pressure on him to make plays in games to reclaim his spot behind Beckham, Sterling Shepard and Cody Latimer. At tight end, Jerell Adams has made some plays in recent days. He's trying to impress a new regime. Bergen Catholic alum Garrett Dickerson of Englewood is an X-factor because of the many roles he can fill both as a receiver and a blocker but also in the backfield. The fact the Giants stuck with him through a hamstring injury early in camp is a good sign for him. He's back healthy and has not lost ground in the quest to stay as a practice squad if not the 53-man roster come Labor Day weekend.
The competition that will really get going for the first time: kicker. Aldrick Rosas and Marshall Koehn will only be as good as their next kick, and there's one thing to do it in practice. Rosas won the battle last summer, but he's fighting the struggles endured during the season, or, at the very least, the perception. Rosas and Koehn have four games to convince the Giants each is better and more reliable than the unknown alternative, who may hit the waiver wire or the free agent market prior to Week 1.
