Plenty to like about the Giants
Sure, it’s only June. And yes, they were only running around in helmets and shorts. But there was still plenty to glean from this week’s Giants’ mini-camp, almost all of it good. A few nuggets:
• Rookie receivers Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden looked terrific. Again, we’ll know a lot more when they put on the pads in training camp and go against “live” competition in the preseason. But the thing you want to see from rookies in this setting is precise route-running and consistent catching. They were excellent at both. In time, this receiver group will be excellent.
• Brandon Jacobs still runs like a tank, and looks just as hungry now as he did before signing a $25 million contract in February.
• There have been whispers that third-year tailback Ahmad Bradshaw hasn’t been putting in the necessary work during the off-season. Could have fooled me. The kid looked faster than he did as a rookie, and his cutting ability and nose for finding a crease in the blocking is uncanny. I’ll predict it right now: breakout season for Bradshaw.
• Generally good stuff from Eli Manning, although he did throw into coverage a handful of times. Not a big deal. Not at this time of year, anyway. Still no word on Manning signing a contract extension, but there doesn’t seem to be any concern on the organization’s part about a deal getting done before the opener.
• Biggest problem of all: hamstring injuries. There has been a rash of them in the off-season, with Sinorice Moss’ tweak on Tuesday the latest. I asked Moss if he’s been doing anything different conditioning-wise during the off-season, and he said nothing has changed. He’s understandably ticked, since he looked so strong in the first practice. Good news is he’ll be ready to go in training camp.
• Tom Coughlin on the team’s newly named “Timex Performance Center” indoor facility: “It’s Christmas every day.” The full-field complex could be the best facility of its in the league. Sure beats the old 60-yard practice bubble.
• There is not a better defensive line in the NFL than the Giants right now. Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Rocky Bernard, Chris Canty, Fred Robbins, Jay Alford, and Barry Cofield. Once Robbins and Cofield recover from knee injuries, depth is good as it’s been here in a long time. Maybe ever.
• Osi is downplaying his comeback from a knee injury, but I’m told he’s possessed in his training in hopes of having a monster year.
• Giants love what they see in OLB Michael Boley, who can be a Kawika Mitchell type player. Maybe better.
• Aaron Ross and Corey Webster the best bookend corners in the NFL? Maybe. Both dinged up a bit, but should be fine for camp.
• Player who will quietly have a solid year: nickel back Kevin Dockery.
• Punter Jeff Feagles is 43 years old and coming off his third best statistical season ever. That’s sick.
• Zero mini-camp work for injured rookies OT William Beatty, LB Clint Sintim and TE Travis Beckham. Tough league, fellas. No time for muscle pulls. Easy way to get in the coach’s doghouse.
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Comments (4)
Still waiting to read about Eli throwing about 50 passes a day at a nice windy beach.
But then again, you folks back east haven't had too many beach days.
(But...upon further review...that's an even BETTER reason for Manning to be there in his shorts throwing into brisk 40 mile an hour wet winds).
Yeah, and they should have Gilbride in the lifeguard tower telling manning to throw the ball to the wrong sand dunes.
Aaron Ross and Corey Webster the best bookend corners in the NFL? Maybe.
^
WHAT?!?!?!
Webster is the man, and IMO a top notch Corner, but Ross is not even close....
it's June and we're calling this the Best Dline ever? and comparing Ross/Webster as the best Cornerback duo in the league???
Let's all come back down to earth please and stop counting our chicken before they hatch.
Good Stuff and agree with most of it.
I agree that Bradshaw is ready for a breakout season, he was my favorite rookie out of the 07 class. And I think the Giants will have back 2 back two 1,000 yard rushers!
Moss is my breakout player of the year. (in 07 that was Webster breaking out, 08 Hixon, and 09 my predicition is Moss)
I read an article back a couple months, think it was from NYTimes-football stats or something like that, anyways-- it broke down the leagues cornerbacks by comparing avg. pass yards per game agianst them, offensive interference agianst them, and one other.
Anyways, The top CB with that formula was the guy from Oakland, and the 2nd best was Corey Webster.
I think Webster is a shutdown corner, and I expect a bounce back year from Ross (he's maybe not a shutdown, but a very good cb). And I like what im seeing from Thomas.
Combined that with Phillips and Johnson at safety. We might have the best secondary in the league (especially with our strong D-line)
Note: Also think Phillips will have a breakout season, and Hakeem Nicks will eventually crack the starting line up sometime during the season