Loading ...Save for the offensive line, there aren't many question marks about the New York Giants offense going into the 2012 regular season. However, that doesn't mean there aren't things to be learned, and that certainly proved to be the case on Friday night against the Chicago Bears. Several future stars flashed their stuff when given an opportunity, while other veterans proved there may still be some gas left in the tank.
Hello David Wilson
Not much to say about Wilson's coming out party. We all saw it. And while all Giants fans are glad the first round pick is looking like a first round pick so far, none will be happier than the angry mob that wants to run D.J. Ware out of town. Ware probably has a pretty firm grip on that 3rd down job, but Wilson looks like he's going to be behind Ahmad Bradshaw on the depth chart sooner rather than later.
The Giants seemed to have Wilson cutting back more than we're used to seeing from the team and we suppose that has something to do with utilizing Wilson's speed. Any which way, it looks like this kid is going to be real fun fun to watch.
Sean Locklear
One guy I was interested in keeping an eye in this game was Locklear, and I was surprised by how well he played. Didn't see him get beat in pass protection and he totally sealed his man off on a few of Wilson's nice runs. With Beatty's back issues and David Diehl getting to that stage where decline creeps in quickly, Locklear's number is likely to be called at some point this year and, at least from the main dress rehearsal, he looks up to the part.
As for the rest of the offensive line, things looked a little better than they have the first two preseason weeks. Running lanes were opened up for Wilson, who started, and Eli had plenty of time to throw. Those are two luxuries Eli Manning's offensive line rarely afforded him last season.
Eli Manning is ready to go
Speaking of Manning, he was 17 for 21 for 148 yards and a touchdown last night against the Bears' starters, taking the team to a 17-7 lead in the first half. Manning seems to be in midseason form. With new toys in Martellus Bennett, Reuben Randle and David Wilson, Manning's career year last year might only be the beginning.
Andre Brown and Da'Rel Scott
Brown seems ahead of Scott on the depth chart so far in preseason (at least, he's getting in the games earlier and seeing more work) but if there's one position where it's hard to read into preseason reps, running back is it. It would be hard to see Scott not make the cut after the explosiveness he showed last year in preseason and he outperformed Brown last night. It doesn't seem as if the Giants will have the luxury of keeping 5 running backs, so something's got to give.
For what it's worth, couch Coughlin praised Scott (who blocked a punt) after the game. "[He showed us] his speed and versatility. I think that we've ben able to utilize him on special teams and we'll continue to do that, but he has the outstanding speed and he has enough size and power to where he can contribute."
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Great job simon on the radio spot!
Though Robinson is not going to PS
Agreed. But Simon did say he’s a virtual lock for the #3 TE spot, which he essentially is. He’ll likely be one of the weekly inactives.
Yeah I know. But we have to keep him grounded.
But I did like what I saw from Robinson at the end of last game. He really looks like Bennett out there. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could contribute some on game days in 2 TE sets come the second half of the year. It also would seem the with his athleticism he can be a nice contributor on special teams if/when he is active.
I was pleased to see Coe return to action and perform well. I see him as backing up BOTH Cweb and Prince. Hosley would probably have trouble on the outside against big physical receivers, though he does play taller than is stature would indicate due to his leaping ability. Still, learning inside nickel and dime coupled with the complexities of every down outside responsibilities is probably too much to expect from a rookie, at least at this early date. His development will be fun to watch.
Antwaun Molden has had a quiet preseason. I’m not sure if that’s because he’s lousy or because QB’s have found better opportunities on the other side of the field. He is often paired with either Tryon or Johnson, both of whom have been picked-on early and often.
So what say we all regarding the 5th CB? Are all of these guys one-man burn units? Can any of Tryon, Johnson, Molden, or Bing step in if need be? Or should we look for “upgrades” on the waiver wire after cuts are made?
“Q: Will you look for outside help at cornerback?
A: Well, you’ve got a bunch of guys that you’ve worked with since day one, some played well the other night, some didn’t. I thought Michael Coe played well for the opportunity that he had. In particular, coming off of a hamstring. We knew we were going to play him, but we weren’t sure how much. He did well when he had the opportunity. We’ll always scan and look and try to find if there are people out there that can help us. It’s that time of year. It’s difficult to assess if there are people out there that can help us. We will continue to be vigilant. A lot of what has to happen has to come from the inside here.”
TC
http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Coach-Coughlin-Conference-Call/5d0f0b2e-503a-4ace-80ca-f365a0cb3d63
Yeah, I read that too. Typical Coughlin-speak. They may be garbage, but at least they are OUR garbage.
I take TC even mentioning outside help as that is something we will look to do. Now we could end up keeping our guys but you can tell he was very unhappy and outside help is a real option.
The issue with Brown is he’s just pretty good all around but nothing special. Kind of like Ware but Ware has a defined role as 3rd down back. Scott has elite speed and also runs physically. While there might be questions about his vision and elusiveness those talents alone are more useful and spot role he will likely have. Then add his special teams value and Scott is clearly more valuable to our team.
I also think you can easily find a RB with Brown’s skills on the street – likely Brown himself if needed down the road. Martinek can provide many of the skills Brown brings as our likely PS RB/FB.
I don’t think Martinek could ever be a Giants fullback. The kid has some skills but he’d be a better fit in a West Coast style offense.
He’s not the big blocker type we like.
I see him more as a short yardage RB for us. Or is he gets into the 250 pound area for next year FB good be an option.
Brown will probably be given another look against the Patriots, but if he can’t move the chains on third and short, I think he will be waived.
I think he is still eligible for PS, though. If he clears waivers he could be stashed there for depth.
GOAT56: Sure, it’s unlikely Robinson ends up on the practice squad. It’s also unlikely that anyone would claim him if he hit waivers, so the PS isn’t all that farfetched. At the end of the day, Dan’s right that he’s probably a weekly inactive. Look for the Giants to IR him at the first sight of injury.
Luv2Salsa: Let’s give Coe a little credit here. The guy held his own for a week or two last year before breaking his leg and more than held his own the other night against the Bears. When you’re starting 3rd string corners, you could be doing a heck of a lot worse than Michael Coe.
Coe will be the fifth guy, behind Thomas, Webster, Prince and Hosley and it’s likely the Giants will carry 6 corners given the health of Thomas and Prince. For my money, that 6th spot goes to Tryon hands down.
Look, the guy’s got more NFL experience than Molden and Bing combined. He was coming on strong before breaking his arm last year, and is small and quick which helps him ideal to cover slot receivers. However his best asset is special teams: he’s on the kickoff team and is a heck of a good punt gunner.
I disagree that it’s unlikely someone would claim Robinson. He is the type of TE athletically that some team will cliam just to hold as 3rd TE. He’s the protype physically and that’s not lost around the league.
I think most of us exclude TT from being counted on a CB right now. Coe is an excellent 5th CB but there’s a fair chance he’s #2 week one.
Tyron on this roster isprobably the 6th best CB but I’m not certain that someone better won’t be available. His skill was suppose to be a slot CB and given he’s not even in the mix there he doesn’t have great value.
Didn’t hear Simon on the radio, but judging by our interaction on this blog, and the Vietnamese food eating, Jameson drinking evening we and our girlfriends shared in October, I can imagine it was informative, humorous and a tad bit g@y.
Did you really think Locklear did well? I had the game on one of the TVs at my restaurant but didn’t watch closely enough to really examine his play, or that of any particular lineman. I still think they ought to resign Kareem and move Diehl to LT until Beatty is ready.
How about Boothe and Baas? Did they grade out well?
Bennett is looking pretty excellent thus far, but we really need Robinson to get coached up this season. If Bennett has a big season, we could find it difficult to retain him while also making plays at Cruz, Phillips, Osi and, perhaps, Beatty. All the love Pope gets is well deserved, but he’s got a hefty load of work to do with the “JPP of tight ends.”
One thing I’ve noticed about Bennett is that he appears to do a much better job as an in-line blocker than he does when blocking out in space. I’ve seen him stone the opposing D-linemen but he does seem to struggle sometimes getting a body on smaller, quicker LBs out in the flat.
Which is not necessarily a bad thing, given the question marks surrounding the tackles. I have a feeling that he and Diehl are going to be joined at the hip for much of this season. This, in turn, could result in fewer catches which could depress has asking price on the free agent market next year. Blocking TEs – even very good ones – don’t figure to command top $ if they don’t have more than 30-40 receptions of their resume.
I would try to extend Bennett and River right now. I think we can get them for decent value now. But Bennett looks like a top 10 TE this year and will want that money. Rivers just looks like a playmaker. But maybe the contract status is why both players I giving this type of effort and perfromance so far.
Robinson is progressing so I’m not concerned. He missed OTAs while already being raw. He’s the type of player that could make a few plays as the year goes along like Boss did when he was a rookie.
I find it impossible to grade out individual OLmen.
Profootballfocus’ assessment of the game. Pretty much in line with what we all saw.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/08/25/first-impressions-bears-giants-2/
Kujo — I wasn’t grading out offensive linemen, per se…just keeping my eye on Locklear. There were at least three plays where he absolutely walled his man off to spring Wilson (one of them being that first or second play of the game). If you have the game on tape, go back and look at all of Wilson’s runs to the left…on most if not all of the good ones, and there were a few, Locklear handled his business.
Sure it’s a snap judgement, but he sure looked better to me over there than Diehl did last year.