As has become the norm, the GIANTS opened training camp yesterday (Aug. 1st) with all their draft choices signed sealed and delivered. Tom Coughlin will have his entire team in meetings and on the field from day one. That makes Tom a happy man. To add a little icing on the cake, for the first time in his memory, the entire team came in underweight and in condition. This team is looking for redemption.
The offensive line will look to pick up it's collective lunch boxes at the door and get back to the form that made it the toast of the league in 2007. The GIANTS were not up to speed in the running game last year. While injuries, both serious and nagging, seemed to be to blame, the offensive line certainly could have done a better job creating holes and working as a unit. The unit needs to improve, maybe get a bit younger with the addition of Will Beatty, and work towards being dominant in the trenches. The competition between Seubert, O'Hara, McKenzie, Diehl, Beatty and of course Chris Snee will be intense. The starting 5 will come from this group in some alignment. The competition will also create depth at different positions. This unit should return to being a major strength of the team.
The offense is loaded again. Eli has a tremendous amount of weapons, and again depth will be created by intense competition. Domenik Hixon is gone for the season with an injury. Hagen, Smith, NIcks, Manningham, Barden, and Sinorice Moss are the returning vets and will compete for the top spots. Without any major surprises from free agents, this will be the receiving corps for 2010. Look for Nicks and Barden to make the greatest strides, Steve Smith and Manningham should continue to improve and build on their break out seasons of last year. The tight ends are also deep with Boss, Pascoe, Beckum, and rookie Jake Ballard fighting for three spots. As usual special teams performance and blocking on running downs will decide this fight.
The running game needs to return to form also. Jacobs, who was apparently nicked up since week 3 last season, Ahmad Bradshaw who is now completely healthy after playing last season with basically two broken ankles and a broken foot, Andre Brown and D. J. Ware will most likely be part of the rotation. The thought of Ahmad Bradshaw being completely health has to be scary for opposing defensive coordinators and bring a smile to Eli's face. he will have a huge year if he remains upright.
The defense and special teams will be under the microscope all season. These two units will decide the fate of this team in 2010. On Special teams we will have a new punter, and new return group. The loss of Hixon opens the door for others to step in and make a difference. Hixon was a great kick returner, and a real force in coverage of punts. With Feagles gone, the ball may be in the middle of the field more, and that will put a premium on the coverage unit. The kick return game and punt return game is all about field position. I affects both what the offense and defense can do. It is essential that these units perform at a very high level.
Now to the biggest disappointment of 2009. The Defense. In comes a new fiery coordinator, a new physical leader at safety in Antrelle Rolle, and a veteran at MLB in Keith Bullock. These changes alone will make the unit watchable again. The coordinator could be a show all by himself. This is a guy GIANT fans will like. He is involved, loud, demonstrative, and will be on his players for better or worse. In camp the other day Terrell Thomas dropped an interception and immediately dropped and did pushups as punishment. This guy has their attention.
Antrelle Rolle will be a major upgrade at safety. He is extremely physical and smart and if he is paired with a healthy Kenny Phillips, they will be a tandem feared throughout the league. Keith Bullock was, in my eyes, the prize of the linebacking free agency class until he was hurt in week 13 last year. This guy is solid, and seems to make big plays in big moments. He is great in coverage, and with 10 years experience will definitely bring stability to a young group. A healthy Michael Boley should thrive in the new system as well. The defensive line will be the definition of competition. With too many names to list here it is safe to say this will be the most entertaining group to watch during this training camp.
As always Health, Luck, Scheduling, and the bounce of the ball will decide the success of this season. A new stadium, some familiar faces in strange places, and upstart rookies will provide a great backdrop. With everyone in camp, happy, and in a very competitive mood, The Giants have taken a good first step towards a very anticipated season.
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