East Rutherford, NJ: With the summer winding down faster than the Hawk Tuah Girl’s fifteen minutes of fame, football season is ramping up. How are we feeling about our local squads? The Jets have a solid roster, but the whole show depends on a 40-year-old QB coming off a major injury. Things are bleaker on the Giants side, whose $40 million QB, Danny Dump-Off, is not inspiring confidence. Let’s focus on the Giants, with 7 (Not So) Bold Predictions.
Defense – Can the Pass Rush Cover for a Weak Secondary?
The Giants lost safety Xavier McKinney, but added pass rusher extraordinaire Brian Burns and some secondary help in the draft. New Coordinator Shane Bowen will employ more zone, with a bend-but-don’t-break defensive scheme, in contrast to the exotic blitzes of his predecessor.
1. The Secondary is in the Bottom Five in the League.
As we learned in Hard Knocks, the G-men wanted to take a CB in the second round, but settled for safety Tyler Nubin after a run on CBs. They took slot corner Dru Phillips in the next round.
So, what’ve we got? One decent CB, though Deonte Banks didn’t look great against Nico Collins. Rookies at safety and nickel CB. The second starting CB is a big weakness.
Add it all up and you have a team that will struggle to stop the pass.
2. They Sign a CB Before the Season
The Giants cleared some cap space by restructuring the contract of Andrew Thomas. I reckon they are making room to sign a corner. Xavien Howard? Reunion with Adoree Jackson? If not, expect the mediocre trio of McCloud, Flott, and Hawkins to get looks opposite Banks.
Bowen likes to sit back in zone, but his defenses in Tennessee weren’t known for their pass D. The Giants will rely on pressure up front to hide deficiencies on the back end. But that’s a tall ask.
3. Rookies Nubin and Phillips will Struggle Early but Come Around in the Second Half.
Phillips is an aggressive, strong tackler from the slot and Nubin is a ball hawk (tuah?). But the secondary needs experience and another corner.
Expect struggles to get off the field on 3rd down.
4. Burns and Thibideaux Combine for 25 Sacks.
Opposing o-lines are going to have their hands full with Big Dex and these two outside rushers. The trio may not be able to cover up the blemishes on the back end, but they will get home. 12.5 times each on average, says me.
They’re sure going to have to be dominant for the Giants D to be halfway decent.
Offense – Can Danny Dump-off Make it Work?
There are reasons for optimism with Malik Nabers and a revamped (again) offensive line. But sub-par play by Jones in his first pre-season action has tempered optimism.
1. The Offensive Line is the Best they’ve had in Years.
I’m not saying the line will be great, but decent will be enough to make it their best line in years. Stud Thomas needs to stay healthy, but they finally have a little depth.
2. Nabers breaks OBJ’s rookie receiving record.
Clearly, Nabers is going to be the focal point of the offense, and he impressed in his first game. There will be growing pains, and a lot of his yardage is likely to come in garbage time, but I think he’ll make enough plays and get to 1,305.
If Hyatt improves, the Giants have a solid group of receivers behind Nabers too. Can Danny get the ball to them on the reg?
3. They Don’t Miss Saquon Much
On Hard Knocks, Joe Schoen said you don’t pay a RB big bucks when you have a $40 million QB with a poor 0-line and a roster full of holes. End of story. Letting Saquon go was the right call. It’s just business, Sonny. Any arguments to the contrary are sentimental.
While there is not a back of Saquon’s caliber on the roster, I think the group will be fine. Singletary will lead the committee, and he was good last year for Houston. Rookie and former WR Tyrone Tracy should contribute in the passing game, Turbo Dante Miller has big play potential as a change of pace guy, and Gray looks improved as a functional depth guy.
The sum of the parts will be serviceable, and they won’t miss Saquon much.
That’s it for me. I stayed away from predictions about Jones because I fear he’ll be cut after the season. If so, Daboll and Schoen are likely gone too. And we’re back to square 1 with no QB. So fingers are crossed that Jones can make it work with an improved line and receiver group.
Last chance, Danny.
Come back tomorrow for the Angry Ward.
