There’s an interesting dichotomy forming around the New York Giants.
On one hand, there’s a pervasive sense of optimism surrounding the team. The Giants’ brass has believed that they have the core of a team capable of competing this year dating back to before free agency. Since that time, the additions to the roster have only strengthened that conviction.
Advertisement
We’re still in hope season, but most fans have bought into the optimism as well. There are even some in the media who are whispering that the Giants could be a real sleeper despite Las Vegas giving the Giants’ the second-best odds to miss the playoffs in the NFC (per FanDuel).
But there are also those who can’t shake the feeling of impending doom. It’s tough to blame them after a decade and a half of (mostly) being irrelevant. The overwhelming source of anxiety for fans lies on the defensive line — at least for now.
The Giants themselves admitted that they weren’t happy with the defensive line group that they fielded through the preseason. They traded for mammoth nose tackle C.J. Okoye and Joe Schoen confirmed that the Giants will be adding a veteran in short order.
Advertisement
Rookie nose tackle Bobby Jamison-Travis flashed in creating piles in the middle of the line, and also showed some upside as a hustle-based pass rusher. Second year defensive tackle Darius Alexander likewise showed off his impressive athleticism and
However, neither young tackle was consistent enough throughout the preseason. They’re young, but the NFL isn’t going to wait until they’re fully developed. Which is why the Giants are bringing in another veteran — in addition to unwrapping D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris.
It is worth remember that we still haven’t seen the Giants’ full defense on the field. Reader and Harris were spared the preseason, and we also don’t quite know just how Dennard Wilson will deploy and scheme his hyper-athletic linebackers and defensive backs. And therein lies the kernel of good news: The Giants don’t need their defensive line to be dominant, they just need them to be good enough to occupy blockers and occasionally penetrate.
The secondary is a, well, secondary source of concern for fans. Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome II have performed well throughout camp and preseason, but there seems to be a persistent doubt that they can carry it over into the regular season. Dennard Wilson, Donald D’Alesio, and Addison Lynch have produced excellent secondaries at their previous stops, and the Giants’ group of DBs were all high-round picks for a reason. That the Giants’ coaches have a track record that suggests that they can get the group of Banks, Newsome II, Paulson Adebo, Colton Hood, Dru Phillips, Tyler Nubin, and Jevon Holland to play up to their respective draft pedigrees likely assuages fans’ anxiety there.
Advertisement
It is interesting to me that fans are the least concerned with the special teams. The Giants are relying on a UDFA placekicker in Dominic Zvada and a UDFA rookie longsnapper in Ben Mann. There is definite risk in those unknowns, but fans seem to be confident after each had strong camps and preseasons. Likewise, Jordan Stout is a legitimate weapon at punter. I also have to note that I admire that the Giants are effectively carrying three return specialists in Braxton Berrios, Dalen Cambre, and Charlie Jones without having to use a single roster spot. The Giants can elevate each three times, giving them 9 games worth of return specialists before they have to roster one.
That’s slick.
We’ll see if it pans out, and if their decisions on the rest of the roster pan out as well.
Read the full article here