The New York Giants acquired several big additions in free agency this past spring. The signings of Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins and Damon Harrison will almost certainly improve the league’s worst defense. However, on the other side of the ball, the Giants still have several question marks which should make for some serious training camp battles offensively.
New York Giants Training Camp Position Battles: Offense
Right Tackle
Bobby Hart and Marshall Newhouse will both be gunning for the right tackle spot on the offensive line. Neither Hart nor Newhouse have established themselves as legitimate starters last season so this training camp is incredibly important. Many Giants fans were hopeful that the release of Eugene Monroe from the Baltimore Ravens meant that he would be pursued and signed. Unfortunately, Monroe and the Giants were not able to come to an agreement. The other four positions on the offensive line are essentially locked up barring injury. Ereck Flowers (LT), Justin Pugh (LG), Weston Richburg (C), and John Jerry (RG) are penciled in as the current starters.
Although the Giants had beliefs that Hart would be a guard when drafted, he has plenty of experience at right tackle. Starting a total of 37 games, 28 consecutive, at right tackle during his last two seasons with Florida State, Hart has some versatility. As a rookie last season, Hart only played in nine games with one start. With a total of 155 snaps played, Hart graded out as expected for a rookie tackle thrown into the mix. His pass blocking struggled and he showed many inconsistencies there. However, he was able to shine in his run blocking. Listed at 6’5’’, 334lbs., Hart is built for the run. Surely he will look to shed a couple of pounds, if he hasn’t already. Needing a quicker first step, Hart’s pass protection will surely increase with plenty of reps this off-season and throughout training camp. Look for Hart to be the starter as long as he gets quality reps and makes the most of them this summer.
Newhouse played and started in 14 games last season with the Giants. His experience is his only advantage over Hart. Newhouse will need to lean on that experience to keep calm and focus on getting better. Although he was the starter for so many games last season, this is a true competition because of how he struggled. Grading out worse than Hart in both run and pass blocking according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Newhouse’s hold on the starting spot is hanging by a thread.
Hopefully this camp battle will bring out the best in both players and have them rise to the occasion. If not, Giants general manager Jerry Reese will not hesitate to bring in someone who will help protect Eli Manning.
Secondary Receivers
It certainly appears as if Sterling Shepard will be the starter opposite Odell Beckham Jr., but Dwayne Harris and Victor Cruz will not make it is easy for the rookie. Harris is beloved by the coaches because of the kind of player he is both offensively and on special teams. Cruz’s return from injury is not yet a guarantee but things are definitely looking good. Sterling Shepard is getting all of the hype, but he is still a rookie and is likely to go through some growing pains.
86 receptions, 1,288 yards, and 11 touchdowns was Shepard’s stat line for his 2015 season with Oklahoma. Growing pains or not, Shepard is an incredible talent that will very likely be an essential piece to the Giants offense. Shepard has a skill set that is very similar to what Cruz was like when he first came to the Giants. Being very shifty, with great hands, and an ability to create space, Shepard will become a favorite of Eli Manning.
Harris played very well for the Giants last season. Initially coming in as a return specialist, the continued injuries to Cruz allowed for Harris to step in and play. Starting six games but playing in 15, Harris managed 35 receptions for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns. Where Harris has an advantage over both Shepard and Cruz is that he brings more than just offense to the team. Yes, Harris returns punts and kickoffs, but he covers both punts and kickoffs as well. This kind of effort is always something that catches a coach’s eye and usually leads to more reps. Although Harris is likely not a threat to Shepard for the second wide receiver spot, he needs to be wary of Cruz.
Who can say they don’t miss a good salsa dance? Pretty safe to say that Cruz definitely misses it. Once an explosive talent that emerged onto the scene against his cross-town rival Jets, Cruz has not played since October of 2014. Continuously working on getting back to full health, Cruz will likely never be the player he once was. However, he may not have to be. If he is able to be 75%-85% of his old self, Cruz’s role in the slot will be solidified. With help from Beckham and Shepard, Cruz could see a lot of one on one coverage. The bigger and more explosive plays will remain with those other receivers. However, third down conversions and maybe a handful of game-changing plays throughout the season should be all that is expected from Cruz. As always, health is his biggest enemy. If Cruz is able to play in a veteran’s role, then he should be able to have success.
Running Backs
Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, and Paul Perkins will all be fighting for touches throughout the 2016 season. For now, Jennings is the likely starter with Perkins as the backup and Vereen as the third down back. Where this battle will get interesting is if things are not going well for the Giants and/or their rushing attack. The likelihood of Jennings remaining the starter throughout the season is low unless he manages to have a career best season. Vereen had a career best season in terms of receptions last season and that is unlikely to happen again. That is where Perkins comes in.
Perkins has the ability to make several defenders miss and take one to the house at any time. His only question mark is pass protection which usually is the case for rookie running backs. However, he has great hands and can counted on when thrown to. It may take some time, but he will eventually be this team’s starter. If Jennings looks at all shaky this training camp and pre-season, do not be surprised if the Giants hand over the reins to Perkins before the regular season.
Jennings has more success the more times he gets the ball. He is one of those backs that needs to get into the rhythm of the game and has difficulty getting things going when in a rotation. Unfortunately for him, it appears as if the Giants are in a running back by committee approach once again. Jennings finished last season well with 79 rushing attempts for a total 432 yards and two touchdowns. That 5.46 yards per carry average would easily be enough to warrant a starting role. Each game and each matchup will determine the amount of carries for Jennings, but if he isn’t able to get near type of pace then expect Perkins and Vereen to outplay him,
Vereen will always have his share of playing time with the Giants. His ability to pass protect and catch the ball warrants 15-20 plays a game. As aforementioned, in his first season with the Giants, Vereen had a career high in receptions last season. Vereen managed at least four receptions in eight different games and has the trust of Eli Manning. To go along with his receiving, Vereen was a part of the rushing attack a lot last season. There were 11 games in which Vereen had at least four carries. Although that may not appear like a lot, Vereen contributed a total of 260 rushing yards for a 4.3 yards per carry average. If Perkins or Jennings are able to prove stability and versatility, Vereen’s role will likely decrease. However, for now, Vereen’s job is safe and he could see 40-50 receptions this year.
Tight End
Larry Donnell and Will Tye could both see plenty of action this season. In the 2014 season, Donnell emerged onto the scene and appeared to be a rising star. After a scary neck injury for Donnell, Tye took over the starting job. He was one of the most productive rookie tight ends in 2015.
The first four games in which Donnell was the legitimate starter for the Giants saw him receive 25 receptions, 236 yards, and four touchdowns. Since then he has been good but not great. Donnell only managed 38 receptions, 387 yards, and two touchdowns the rest of that season and lost four fumbles. In 2015, hopes were higher for the second year starter. However underwhelming play combined with a frightening neck injury sidelined Donnell and allowed Tye to step in. To be the full-time starter, Donnell will have to get some of that magic back he once had with Manning. Being a great blocking tight end is not the same it once was for Giants tight ends, but it certainly couldn’t hurt Donnell to get better in that department as well.
Tye made a name for himself in 2015. The Stony Brook product was not expected to see much playing time but was able to acclimate himself to the NFL. Week 10 against the Patriots was when Tye began to really turn it on. Being somewhat undersized at only 6’2’’, hopes were not too high for Tye’s success. Totaling 32 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns over the last seven games, success was certainly something he attained. He may not be Jimmy Graham circa 2013, but he certainly has the potential to be a starting tight end. His four drops gives Tye a lower drop percentage than other tight ends including Eric Ebron and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. If he can continue that end of season momentum into camp, he can make a run for the starting role.
Donnell will have to stay healthy and be sure to keep his turnovers to a minimum. If he can do that, he will likely get the nod. If Tye can be sure-handed and make big plays during camp, he will get a chance in this pass-heavy offense.
Be sure to check out the defensive position battles for the Giants.
