The Game For Their Jobs

(@Giants)

Welcome to the 4th and final preseason game. The Giants have cut their rosters down to 75, and with Saturday's cut to 53 looming, some guys are playing for their jobs tonight.

I'll give you some positions where I believe there could be a toss up.

Runningback: Jennings, Vereen, Perkins (majority vote), X, maybe Y?
Perkins was a 5th round pick this year, and although I don't see him as an ABSOLUTE lock, I do think he makes the team. Really, it's now up to Williams and Darkwa to separate themselves if the Giants only go with 4 RBs.

Williams has had a pretty decent showing in preseason thus far. The biggest knock on him was his vision, how he wouldn't be patient and just run into where the hole was supposed to be, clogged or not. He has averaged 3.7 yards per carry (15 of them) so far this preseason, but he has shown the ability to find a hole or two throughout the run. His fumble vs Buffalo may hurt him, however.

Darkwa has had little opportunity to get anything going this preseason. Two draws on 3rd and longs against Miami that got him 10 and 8 respectively, and then only 1 against the Jets for -3. He also whiffed on a block that led to a blocked punt vs the Jets. Supposed to be a solid ST guy, but that wasn't the greatest showing.

I expect Williams and Darkwa to get a boat load of carries vs the Pats with some Perkins mixed in. With Whitlock gone however, they may end up going with 5 guys.

Wide Receiver: Beckham, Shep, Davis, Cruz, X. 
I think Cruz showed vs the Jets, that he can still play. Revis was impressed and said he'd be back to regular form. He burned Buster Skrine at one point (not saying much, but whatever). Davis has the experience, the big body, and was doing well at camp.

Comes down to King, Powe, Lewis Jr.

After a two TD night vs the Jets, you gotta think King has the job locked. A route like the one below, with the the CB having no idea what is going on, gets you TDs. TDs get you roster spots.

Problem with Powe and Lewis Jr is the fact that Nassib really hasn't had much time to throw the ball. Lewis Jr. was everyone's favorite to grab this spot before the two TD night for King, but even he has had some drops in the preseason. Powe has one reception for all of 6 yards in these 3 games. However, I don't think Lewis Jr makes it through waivers if he gets cut. That's the problem. He has a high ceiling, just no where near it right now. Darius Powe is 6-3 220. Perfect size for the Giants, but hasn't had the opportunity to produce. Lewis and Powe have A LOT to prove vs the Patriots.

Slot Corner: Hall, Wade? Deayon? 

This position confuses me. It is known that DRC has poor numbers while working in the slot. However, the Giants continue to slide him in there with Apple and JJ on the outside. So now we may be looking at the backup role.

While I don't think Hall is a lock, I think he makes the roster. The Giants believe he has great versatility and can help out at the FS position as well. He has had some holding calls, and really hasn't looked great this preseason, but he's the vet.

Wade is a guy that has done everything the Giants have asked of him. He played slot last year, and also played outside as well. He could be seen as the potential 4th outside guy as well, which leads me to the Deayon issue.

Deayon just is not an outside guy. He is 5-9 165 soaking wet. He has the heart of a 7ft monster, but his body just doesn't match. He did fight to knock the ball out of Greg Little's hands to prevent a TD, but he was targeted continuously in the stretch of game in which he was in. Little ended up scoring a few plays later.

However, I think Deayon is the perfect guy for the slot. Small, quick, shifty. A ton of heart. Not afraid to hit anyone. Sadly, the numbers just don't work in his favor. He needs a TREMENDOUS game vs the Pats to prove he's worth a spot. I hope they stick him in the slot all game, really. That would be nice.

Other positions quickly with not much detail:

3rd defensive tackle (Cudjo, Nix, Hughes). I think Cudjo takes it from what I've seen, but again all 3 have a big game ahead of them.

J.T. Thomas, Sheppard, Herzlich. While Herzlich is solid on specials, I don't know if that puts him over the top. Common consensus is that it does and that he is a lock, I just don't see it that way. Sheppard has shown that he has ridiculous range sideline to sideline. J.T. Thomas is back from injury and performed well vs the Jets.

4th safety (M. Thompson, Currie, Adams) Adams REALLY flashed vs the Jets. Tackles, interceptions, great things. Guy kinda came out of no where. M. Thompson off of injury really doesn't have this 4th spot locked. All 3 guys will get a shot with Berhe having locked down a spot in the rotation already

P.S. I they keep 5 DEs and Okwara is that 5th. I also think LB Ishaq Williams goes to the practice squad unless he POPS tonight. 

(Any thoughts? Tweet at me @RealTlkFB or comment below)