PRE SEASON IS HERE!
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| (@Giants Twitter) |
It came out a couple hours ago that Eli will be sat the whole game. McAdoo had this to say on the decision, "we have a pretty good idea of what Eli can do."
Doesn't necessarily bother me that he is sitting the first game. As long as he gets a decent amount of work in the next two.
"Yo, why would you want him to play in preseason? He can get hurt!" And I agree, he could. Anyone can. I want him on the field for chemistry. Shep, Powe/King/Lewis, and even Geremy Davis should get time to learn Eli's tendencies during in-game scenarios. Reading coverages for option routes. Eli knowing what the WR would do in a certain down and distance, and vice versa. Yes, practice can help these things, but there is nothing better than a live football game.
Other guys that won't play: Cruz (groin), Keenan Robinson (groin), Wynn (groin), JT Thomas (hamstring), Jay Bromley (ankle).
With Cruz, another year, another injury. Not going to go deep into it, but this guy may not even make the team.
Keenan Robinson is an injury prone newcomer who is injured. If you're shocked, I have a bridge to sell you (or whatever that saying is).
JT Thomas and Bromley are not surprising, been on PUP all camp.
Wynn being hurt is unfortunate, played 578 snaps last season, most out of any DE.
WITH ALL THAT SAID... Here is what I'll be looking for (really all preseason, not just this week).
Eli Apple
If you follow me on Twitter, boy oh boy do you know my eyes will be glued to 28. I want to see if he gets some 1st reps with JJ on the other side. I want to see him against a shifty guy like Jarvis Landry. I want to see how many (hopefully zero) flags he gets. Known for a press man to man corner. How is that going? What about zone coverage? Does he look back at QB too quick while in man? There are multiple things he has to work on, let's see what steps he has made thus far.
That Wide Receiver Group
Outside of Beckham, what do the Giants have? Drafted Sterling Shepard (87) round 2 and he seems REAL promising. Where does he line up? Giants come out with the 1s, who is it? Beckham, and Davis outside? Shep in the slot? Giants have said Shep can play outside as well. Is he in the 2 WR sets? Can he break free from press coverage at his small size?
King(15)/Powe(86)/Lewis(82). I am pretty convinced Geremy Davis (18) and Dwayne Harris (17) make the team.
King (5th team) has some NFL experience but seems like he has a highlight reel play every single practice, it's been unreal. Runs a 4.47 as well, so that's always fun.
Powe is 6'3" 220. Talk about a big wideout. Ran a 4.4 at his pro day! Good route runner though? Apparently he was a special teams ace at Cal and a real good run blocker.
Roger Lewis fell out of the draft because of off the field issues (apparently a "secret sex" relationship that turned into rape charges in high school). Last season at Bowling Green he had 85 catches for 1,544 and 16. Not too shabby! 6'1" 200, can go up and get it, great ball skills.
Myles White (19)... won't go into it too much here. He has made some plays in camp. Came in last year as another slot option while Cruz was doing whatever he was doing. 7 for 88 and 1 in 12 games last season.
Tight Ends
LARRRYYYY Donnell. Guy practically breaks his neck and is back on the squad which is a great story. We know what he is. Kind of a clunky guy, tumbles around a lot after the catch. Game winner vs SF was amazing last year.
Will Tye (45). I think this guy is the number 1 TE by September 11th. He was the most productive rookie TE in the NFL last year. Guy can catch the ball, uses his big body to bounce off defenders, and has some nice speed.
Matt LaCosse (81). Apparently he has been making play after play in camp as well. 2nd year guy that can block. Something the previous 2 have issues with. 6'5" 261. Has seen some 1st team reps. Saw on a play during practice, he actually lined up wide. May be a jack of all trades.
I think rookie 6th rd pick Jerrell Adams (89) needs to have a VERY strong preseason to make the 53. He can block, not the best receiver. Do they keep him as a big body in power run situations? Maybe.
Will Johnson (46). Free agent signee. This guy plays multiple positions. Tight End, Fullback, H-Back, whatever you need. He is a great blocker, and that's a good thing. I think he makes the team. Booting Whitlock from his FB role.
Who works in two TE sets? Do they line TEs up wide? Majority of the damage done up the seam? Many things to look for here.
Ishaq Williams (61)
Hasn't played a game in 3 years thanks to a suspension from Notre Dame. He played outside backer in a 3-4 and now has to learn a 4-3 outside backer. I think the Giants will have him as one of those guys that just goes after the QB. I want to see how they use him. 6'4" 253 and the guy covers ground. Got that contract after rookie mini-camp and away we go. Should be fun to watch.
Andre Williams (44)
Staying with the Williams here. I feel like this guy has the most to prove in camp. He was absolutely miserable last year. Terrible vision, a big bruiser that went down after first contact. He lost weight, can apparently now catch the ball, and has looked good. Let's see about that.
Orleans Darkwa (26)
Seems as though it's between Williams and Darkwa right now. Whoever has the stronger preseason, I think makes it. I love Darkwa. He runs with a chip on his shoulder and just wants to HURT people when he has the ball in his hands. The #FreeDarkwa movement was alive and well until he got hurt last year. Time to stay healthy and do WORK.
Newhouse (73)
Starting RT as of now. How much work does he see? He needs all the practice he can get, I think. Or do they bring in Hart (68) immediately with the twos? McAdoo said the job is there for Hart to take.
Donte Deayon
Since the Giants decided not to draft Vernon Hargreaves and instead draft a guy incapable of playing slot, the position was somewhat of a hole. Right up until they signed Leon Hall (25). However, I'll be looking for number 38, Donte Deayon, all preseason. The guy is small, 5'9" 160 soaking wet, but he gets after it. Has the intensity. Spoke at length about him here.
Free Safety
It seems like rookie 3rd round pick Darian Thompson (27) is the favorite here. Comes with not one single NFL snap played. The rest were hurt last year. I really think it ends up being a toss up between Thompson and Berhe (29). Berhe ended up being fine with a lot of last year left, but since he was put on season ending IR, they couldn't bring him back. I want to see a 3 safety look too. Thompson, Berhe up top, Collins (21) brought to the box.
Owa Odighizua (58)
How has Double O progressed after being hurt all of last year? Is he that pass rush specialist they need him to be? He should get plenty of reps this preseason so we all will see what he's capable of.
That's all folks. Be on the lookout for my Twitter handle (@RealTlkFB) popping up in your news feeds during games and throughout the week. It's been a rollercoaster thus far.
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