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Loading ...Each season as training camp begins, it is clear that certain positions will be up for grabs. Let’s see which positions we will see some knock down- drag out battles in during 2010 camp.
The Key positional Battles
Wide Receiver
A year ago at this time, Giant fans around the world trembled at the prospect of having the likes of Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, or a draftee line up at receiver. The lack of experience and the perceived lack of talent would be too much for the unit to overcome.
In 2009, each wide receiver went out like they had something to prove and it was visible in every game.
The tone of of this year’s battle at wide receiver will prove to be much different.
Steve Smith has emerged as the leader of the unit after a stellar 2009 campaign in which he caught 107 passes for 1,220 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Smith also led the NFL in 3rd down receptions.
Smith is Eli Manning’s favorite target, and should undoubtedly secure the #1 spot on the receiving core yet again in 2010.
The #2 and #3 spot will be up for grabs in one of the most interesting battles in all of camp: Hakeem Nicks versus Mario Manningham.
Manningham is coming off of a season where he had 820 yards receiving on 57 receptions in 14 games, while also reeling in 15 receptions over 20 yards.
Nicks on the other hand had only 47 receptions for 790 yards in 12 games, but led The NFL in yards after the catch as a rookie.
Nicks seems to be set to take the job from Manningham as the #2 guy, but Manningham will not go down without a fight.
Manningham is an electric player, and Eli Manning and Kevin Gilbride spent the 2009 season just figuring out how to best utilize his skills. Last season was indeed just the beginning for Mario.
Nicks on the other hand has the potential to be a more complete receiver. Catch every ball, run every route, make anyone miss. This is Hakeem Nicks. Having him on the field only when utilizing 3 wide receiver sets seriously compromises his potential.
I expect the 2010 season to be the beginning of a great career for Hakeem Nicks and I believe he will win the starting job across from Smith.
Ramses Barden should figure into this positional battle as well.
Against the coaches.
The big question surrounding Barden is whether or not he can prove himself to the coaching staff as an effective red zone threat.
Towering at over 6’6”, Barden dominated Division I- AA competition and impressed The Giants scouts enough to trade up for him in the third round. It is time he proved why.
The rest of the crop such as Derek Hagan and Sinorice Moss will battle for the #4 spot (which should really belong to a certain tight end with the #47) and time on special teams.
Final Depth Chart Prediction- Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden, Sinorice Moss, Derek Hagan
Linebacker:
One of the most intriguing positions in Big Blue’s front seven is the strong side linebacker position. The outside linebacker position for the Giants has seen little stability in the past few years.
Michael Boley was signed to come in and hel0p the unit out, but was never healthy enough.
Clint Sintim was drafted to play the strong side, but never saw the field.
2010 should provide an opportunity for both to show why they were brought to New York.
Sintim has all the physical tools and toughness to be an all- pro linebacker, he just needs to put it all together.
Boley has the wheels to stay with any back or tight end, but must be used properly by new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and also stay healthy in order to meet his potential.
The middle linebacker spot would seem to be Keith Bulluck’s to lose.
In what I believe was a great signing, Bulluck was brought in for one year to help fill a leadership void for New York, and also provide some athleticism at middle linebacker.
I can’t see how The Giants lose out here. Bulluck at age 33 coming off of injury is still a better player than Antonio Pierce was at any point since 2005.
None of the prospective middle linebackers on the team did enough with their opportunities to prove worthy enough to start in the middle of The Giants defense.
That being said, the real positional battle will be occurring behind all of these players. Who among Jonathan Goff, Bryan Kehl, Gerris Wilkinson, Phillip Dillard, and Chase Blackburn will prove to have enough playmking ability to answer the bell when asked in 2010 and beyond?
Final Depth Chart Prediction- Middle- Keith Bulluck, Jonathan Goff, Phillip Dillard
Weakside- Michael Boley, Bryan Kehl
Strongside- Clint Sintim, Adrian Tracy
Blackburn Backs up all 3 spots and Deossie long snaps. Wilkinson is cut. Possibly Goff as well.
Defensive End
This should be the story of camp in 2010. Osi Umenyiora against Mathias Kiwanuka.
Kiwanuka is the younger, healthier of the 2 players, but has never done as much with his chances as Umenyiora has.
Umenyiora is a two time Pro Bowler, and has the potential to be an elite pass rusher.
That said, he was a liability against the run in 2009. Training camp should provide us with an opportunity to see how Perry Fewell builds his defense. If the Giants defensive tackles are stout and able to eat up blockers and provide a stout presence against the run, Osi Umenyiora is the ideal player to play the cover 2 end and come around the edge.
If the defensive tackle position is still in question, Kiwanuka may help keep blockers off of our linebackers a bit better.
One wild card player in this whole scenario is rookie Jason Pierre- Paul. I expect The Giants and new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell to find ways to use him in almost every nickel pass rush package.
Justin Tuck is the one constant here, as he can play most any position on the line with effectiveness. I look forward to a bounce back season from each of the defensive ends.
Predicted Starter- Osi Umenyiora
Offensive Line
The offensive line holds the keys to a successful 2010. Eli Manning must be protected, and the running game must be provided with open lanes.
I expect second year man William Beatty to take over at left tackle while David Diehl kicks inside to guard, where he has all pro potential.
The running game should receive a boost by way of having Rich Seuburt as a 6th offensive lineman (like in 2005 and 2006)
While the age of the line is a concern to many, the toughness of the line still trumos age at this point. Beatty, Diehl, and Chris Snee are not yet 30, and Kareem McKenzie and Shaun O’ Hara are aging very well despite both being over 31.
Yes they have had injuries, but the sport is brutal and few have handled themselves over the years better than O’ Hara and McKenzie.
It has become quite obvious through the signings of Antrel Rolle and Keith Bulluck that The Giants intend on predicating their defense on speed and range. In the modern NFL, it is imperative that teams are able to defense the pass.
One can only hope that Perry Fewell and new additions Antrel Rolle and Keith Bulluck can bring the experience and toughness necessary to turn this defense around.
Undercard Fights- Andre Brown v.s. Danny Ware v.s. Gartrell Johnson
Deon Grant v.s. Michael Johnson
Tags: Adrian Tracy, Andre Brown, Antonio Pierce, Bryan Kehl, Chase Blackburn, Chris Snee, Clint Sintim, D.J. Ware, David Deihl, Deon Grant, Derek Hagan, Eli Manning, Gartrell Johnson, Gerris Wilkinson, Hakeem Nicks, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jonathan Goff, Justin Tuck, Kareem McKenzie, Keith Bulluck, Mario Manningham, Mathias Kiwanuka, Michael Boley, Michael Johnson, Osi Umenyiora, Perry Fewell, Phillip Dillard, Rich Seuburt, Shaun O' Hara, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith
Kyle – no controversy in what you wrote , I agree – I just wanted to say – lets play some football !
I mostly agree with you, except I think Kiwanuka starts at end with Osi rotating in for passing downs (I think the hip cements this) and the GMen carry seven wideouts.
I am really interested to see how many linebackers the Giants actually carry, but I think Wilk makes the team, because he is so good on specials. The back-end of the linebacker depth chart will be interesting to see. Blackburn/Goff/Wilk are going to be going to battle for those jobs.
Did You Guys See This? The most hated teams in sports history from SI:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/07/23/most.hated.teams/
Each day im thinking more and more that Kiwi will start, we will see. I just wanna see the return for the sack attack, featuring our 4 best rushers just tearing the heads off of opposing qbs
HAHA 1976 East German Womens Swimming
how could anyone hate that ‘86 cane team? They were thugs, no doubt… but boy did they ball!!!!
I’m shocked not more USC teams made it. And NOT ONE FREAKIN’ EAGLE or Redskins team made it.
I’d also like to nominate the 2010 NY JETS. I can’t stand them and they havent even taken the field yet.
What about the 2002 Ohio State Fuckeyes? Stealing a national championship from my beloved ‘canes? Being at that game was one of the worst nights of my life. Went from being one of the best, to getting arrested for a HUGE bar fight in Tempe with some fuckeye fans….
Cant wait for camp..
Hey Samard– can we get a peek at your fantasy rankings?
Heck yes. Though I’m not gonna trust them considering I’m gonna whoop his ass in fantasy this year anyway!
“Nicks on the other hand has the potential to be a more complete receiver. Catch every ball, run every route, make anyone miss.”
You forgot “learn every play”. (Since Manningham isn’t going to…)
Makes sense, but I’ve got us cutting Mannnigham and keeping an undrafted free agent. Sure, Manningham posted big numbers. But he’s not very bright, has terrible table manners, and then there’s that fumble that ruined our Superbowl chances.
Haha…touche.
“Makes sense, but I’ve got us cutting Mannnigham and keeping an undrafted free agent.”
Funny, that’s exactly what I was thinking about Sinorice Moss. Duke Calhoun, please stand up!
Shout out to jcharles, jamesinireland and Kevros: check your emails and verify yourselves for the league that I’ve invited you to and will dominate you in.
I think Osi would love to cross swords with Kiwi but might further-injure himself in the process. And god-forbid Kiwi’s sword is bigger than Osi’s! We know Mr. Umenyiora has a big ego which usually means he’s compensating for something…
OK… that’s funny. But I heard Osi swings both ways. (I’m kidding… geez)
Yesh. Too soon for a Missisippi Burning joke, sir.
“Reds Offense Explodes All Over The Brewers Face!” – actual headline
http://www.redreporter.com/2010/7/28/1591707/reds-offense-explodes-all-over-the
If you’re gonna make a bukaki joke on a sports blog, you gotta have an excellent picture to show for yourself.
Excellent piece Kyle.
I agree with almost all of it, but I’m inclined to think Hagan will get past Moss for the #5 spot, and that there’s a real chance Blackburn doesn’t make it this year. Remember, Wilkinson can also play every position and he’s far more athletic. It’s his durability that is in question, not his ability.
I just don’t believe they’ll cut Goff because he will be the best insurance against a problem with Bulluck’s health. No one would want a rookie thrown into that spot, especially because it appears they intend to entrust the play calls to the MLB. And Dillard still has to show me something before I’ll get too excited about him.
I also think there’s a real shot that Beatty or Diehl plays RT, although I think dislodging McKenzie will take quite an effort. Diehl really doesn’t want to move back inside, both for contract reasons and to protect his back. To get leverage inside a guy his height would have to jeopardize his back while drive-blocking. As he gets older he might really want to avoid that.
Of course, everything might change as we all see what happens over the next month. It should be very exciting.
agreed about Hagan.
However, Coughlin’s red hard on for Blackburn keeps him on the team.IMO, Wilks makes it, Kehl gets cut.
I also think they’d be stupid to cut Goff as well. Just up to the day Bullock got signed, he was projected to start. I too didn’t think they were going to throw Dillard into the starting rotation. His name was probably in the mix to light a fire in Goff’s eyes.
If Goff needs us to sign a guy for $2.5 mill before he plays hard then I’ll come by and cut him personally.
No way Goff goes from possibly starting the season to not even being on the team. Kehl’s another story. A LB’er who lacks physicality. hmmmm, easy decision, my question is why did we draft him in the first place. I think Kehl goes and Chase gets the axe in favor of Wilks who actually stays healthy through camp.
I know this sounds crazy, and I have not been drinking today (yet).
Does anybody else think the Raiders might be halfway decent this season? That division blows.
i think the Raiders might actually be a good team this year. The cheifs are getting better and the broncos seem to be getting worse. If Ryan Matthews is half the back that SD thinks he will be they SHOULD win the division. but I could see him struggling at times.
Still a year off from making the playoffs.
They play the Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals, Jaguars, KC (twice), Denver (twice).
8-8 could happen.
Simon, fantasy rankings or preseason prospect rankings?
Yeah… Im not gonna tell annyone my fantasy rankings Im saving that for 30th of August.
Team Herzlich’s A$$ FTW!!!
I bet that Dane pulls a Roethlisberger on you.
Not bloody likely…..
are JPP and Linval the only picks not signed?
what’s the league rule on a draftee attending camp without a contract?
do either of these guys have one of the nasty agents repping them?
I am hearing Linval will sign tonight or tomorrow. JPP likely this weekend (Saturday?)
Cant attend camp if you havent signed. JPP is repped by Rosenscum..
Word is that Linval is close to signing.
Krow, Goff’s problem was definitely NOT that he didn’t play hard. Check out some of his plays on special teams, where effort is 75% of the battle. It’s that he simply didn’t know what he was doing much of the time and had very little help from his DTs and OLBs AND safeties. He’s a kid. That was way too large a burden for him to carry with almost no preparation.
Let’s wait and see how he does in camp. He certainly had a high motor in college, and he shows the same motor on special teams. No reason he shouldn’t play with high energy at MLB once he doesn’t have to think all the time and once he actually only has to get past one guy to get to the lane he’s closing rather than two.
Kehl is the very curious case. Really a terrific athlete and highly intelligent but may simply not have the personality to be an NFL linebacker. Kid has two parents, he was a scholar, he went on a Mormon mission. Not a trace of psychopathology in his makeup. At least in our quarterback’s history is the deep-rooted need to compete with his brothers and father. That can make up for a happy childhood. But Kehl may simply be too normal for football. I remember the day my son (a really top high school lacrosse star who broke almost every record at his school and played on some unbelievably good regional teams) came to me and said “Dad, I don’t think I can ever be a real star at the college level because I’m just not angry enough.” I laughed at the time, but the kid had a very valid point. Kehl may just not have that desire to lash out at someone that seems to be a prerequisite for great linebackers in the NFL.
a heavy dose of steroids could address that
Kehl’s problem is that he’s a giant vagina. And is afraid of contact.
Remember Brent Celek TRUCKING him over last year for a TD? If Kehl wasn’t such a vagina he’d have made the stop.
He was chipped by the O-lineman which he should have gotten away from and made the stop.
But yeah, Kehl – Big vagina.
Something tells me Bryan Kehl would kick the shit out of anyone who called him a “giant vagina,” particularly some guy on a message board. Or he would laugh at you and walk away to his millions of dollars. Either way, you would be left looking like a fool.
personally, I could care less about calling Bryan Kehl a giant vagina to his face. Not trying to be a message board warrior or anything this is actually the first and only kind of forum i have ever posted on.
Me personally. I’m not that small of a guy. I’m 6′3 230 lbs. Very fit and well trained in BJJ (Purple belt) and am a 3rd kyu brown belt in Aikido ( don’t practive anymore though). PLUS, not to sound like a tough guy, but i’ve been in my fair share of scraps. Not all on the winning end either! LOL.
The only thing that he has on me is maybe a few million dollars. Other than that, I do pretty well financially.
OH yeah, and Kehl’s a Mormon. So that’s where he gets his vaginal tendencies from.
No offense to the Mormons.
he’s making millions?
good question. How much does Bryan Kehl make?
Too much.
I don’t know guys but I’m very optimistic about this season. Fewell is the type of guy that can get these young guys LB to play at a high level based off his energy and intensity! I think that competition only breeds better play on a football team. It also makes chemistry a lil better and guys will rally around one another when the going gets tough. JT said it best, guys were playing one on one, individual football and teams took advantage of it! This year will be different, I know it! Plus wit all the other teams in the East drawing the attention and expectation away from us, we can focus solely on playing football cuz we all know we’re a better team flying under the radar!
all will be good as long as we start out with a BANG but going off how we finished those last two games of the season, I m not buying the fact that Diesal will make a ton of diffference if the attitude is not there.
Just wondering could we get a link on G101; it makes me smile everytime:
http://stuff.pyzam.com/toys/customcdown.swf?maturity=851752800000:16777215:16777215:16777215:source.pyzam.com/app_res/mdp_cd/300×180/d/3/cowboys.jpg:The032Cowgirls032won032a032playoff032game033
nice
Why? Its no longer valid as they have won a playoff game more recent then we have..
yeah I loved that link and had fun with it at man Cowgirl fans expense, but nevertheless it is now useless..
Jim Stoll,
Maybe $2 millions.
$1.5 million-ish
*Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=nfl&id=4818
beat me to it!
Contract Information for Bryan Kehl
6/24/2008: Signed a four-year contract. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent
kujo – Nothing in my email…
Check now.
Still nothing…
I’m sending it to the email you gave me in the FB message.
Got it now…
As many know, I’m the chronic pessimist on the board
I’ve been shouting for Coughlin’s head since 2/3’s of the way through the ‘06 campaign
I was forced to hold my powder after that magical run in the ‘07 playoffs that resulted in the most storybook of championships, but don’t kid yourselves, with the exception of refusing to lay down and give the Pats the perfect regular season, ‘07 was another miserable coaching performance by TC and his chronies — if not for the lone outsider – Spags – the Giants never go nowhere
‘08 was a surprise for 2/3’s of the season in that we were tough consistant and dominant – but the last 1/3 exposed the limitations of this coaching staff
and last year was as bad as anything Ray Handley ever turned in
what I’m saying is every time I look at this team on paper, I say to myself “how do we not win it all?”
and then I remember: Coughlin and Bilbride run the show
The only hope is that Fewell really takes charge of the D and gets the young guys enough reps to be useful later in the season.
That and Eli calls his own plays when the OC becomes anal.
Also pray that our punter doesn’t disappoint and that Tynes worked on extending his kickoffs in the offseason.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNRNCk3YwqE
If you guys aren’t watching this show, you are seriously missing out.
LOUIS! LOUIS! LOUIS!
Louis CK and Doug Stanhope are my two favorite Comedians.
If you’re unfamiliar with Stanhope’s stuff, youtube him. Seriously funny stuff.
Big fan of Louie C.K. and Lewis Black. Definitely my 2 fav stand-up guys along with Dave Chappelle.
im not a huge Lewis Black fan. But Dave Chappelle is seriously a funny man. I miss Chappelle’s show.
he needs to get back in action.
If you like Louis Ck, Check out Doug Stanhope’s stuff. Pretty similiar. Very Smart, raunchy comedy that holds no bars on any subject matter.
Man, i just realized i’ve been spelling louie’s name wrong!
LOL
?”You know who I would like to sue? Everybody who works at the hospital you were born at. I would like to sue them for not responsibly pulling your head off the second you were born. Letting you live is medical malpractice. You are the worst thing to ever happen to America. Seriously, it goes you, slavery, and then Pearl Harbor and 9/11 combined. As an American I feel it’s my duty to make you feel poorly. Oh, and your mother’s a whore.” – Louis C.K.
Kehl’s problem is that he’s a giant vagina. And is afraid of contact.
Remember Brent Celek TRUCKING him over last year for a TD? If Kehl wasn’t such a vagina he’d have made the stop.
Summed up my deepest feelings about what i hate to call our Giants LB.
Big Blue The GEM is not giant vagina. if you called The GEM that The GEM’s whippin dat ass on the spot. Recognize.
and on another serious note, asctually i don’t think kehl is nasty enough to kick anybody’s butt. YOU ALL should be pissed that he is stealing money from this our beloved giants!
Kehl is smart. He knows which fork to use on the salad. Speaks several languages including Urdu. Written several books.
So what. He sucks. I want killahs….
Hot Tub Time Machine has a great Broncos/Browns joke…
Right to DVD.
Kujo- Jah Reid and Bruce Millers visit to my Football practice made the front page of the Knights Football website
http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072810aac.html
That’s very cool, demo.
Thanks Norm, it was a lot of fun having them out there..There is a very good chance they both are on NFL Rosters next year..
That’s great, man. Props to you getting these guys some much needed exposure. I’m sure the kids thought it was great too.
LOL, G101 where keyboard warriors call NFL Linebackers Giant Vaginas..Gotta love it..
Very true.
I’m hoping the start of training camp brings back some of the longtime quality posters Like Troy Thorne, Brian McCoy and Shmitty..Glad to see the Original Gman has returned..
Never thought I’d see the words “quality poster” and “Brian McCoy” in the same sentence.
Quality is subjective.
Mazel tov!
Amar’e is Jewish!
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/nba-star-amar-e-stoudemire-heads-to-israel-after-discovering-jewish-roots-1.304552
Fill up my car!
The Oakland Raiders have announced the signing of first-round draft pick Rolando McClain, the highest-drafted player to sign so far this year.
Following the 2007 season’s Super Bowl glory, HBO sought to feature the Giants in the next summer’s “Hard Knocks” but that request was quickly dashed. Can you imagine Tom Coughlin opening the front door of his inner sanctum to a bunch of cameras and microphones intent on revealing all the behind-the-scenes stories of camp? “C’mon in guys, we’re just getting down to cutting some players, this should be some good stuff.”
Not happening.
“It never got further than me — although I think it’s a safe bet that the coach and GM agree,” co-owner John Mara yesterday told The Post. “I think the way it was positioned was ‘We know you probably won’t be interested, but if you ever change your mind let us know.’ I happen to like the show and I think they do a good job with it. It’s just not for us. We are at training camp to get our team ready for the season — not to be part of a TV show.”
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/camp_will_be_quiet_time_for_sleeping_xgbbscf50nvMh2JskT27nL#ixzz0v4cDyO6Y
Phillips determined to reclaim starting role
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2010/07/29/2010-07-29_new_york_giants_safety_kenny_phillips_eases_way_into_training_camp_while_others_.html#ixzz0v4eEZ3IK
And he knows opposing teams are ready to target him as a weak link in the Giants’ defense, until he can prove he’s still as good as he was before.
“I’m looking forward to that,” Phillips said recently, and with a smile. “They’re probably going to think ‘He’s not ready. He had a real serious knee injury. He’s not his old self.’ So I hope I get tested early. More plays for me to make.”
Status on NFC east unsigned draft picks per Matt Mosely
Dallas Cowboys
* Everyone’s signed
New York Giants
* Round 1 defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul
* Round 2 defensive tackle Linval Joseph
Philadelphia Eagles
* Round 1 defensive end Brandon Graham
Washington Redskins
* Round 1 offensive tackle Trent Williams
PS – He also indicates the following:
“In other news, I had a long visit with Giants linebacker Keith Bulluck this evening and I’ll have a column on him Thursday afternoon. “
From an NFC East salary cap analysis on ESPN:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=5398416
New York Giants
2010 team salary: $124,657,048
2010 dead money: $200,590
Player with highest team salary number: Eli Manning, QB ($12,100,000)
Non-tendered player in a contract year: Steve Smith, WR
Going into the 2009 season, many questioned how productive the Giants’ receiving unit would be after the loss of Plaxico Burress. Smith’s performance silenced the skepticism — he had a breakout season and earned a Pro Bowl berth. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, the Giants may take a wait-and-see approach with Smith to ensure that he was not a one-year wonder. The team is also attempting to gauge the market for Smith, who is essentially a productive possession receiver.
Player who has to live up to salary: Chris Canty, DT ($6,450,000)
Canty, a free-agent signing from last season, has the third-highest salary on the Giants but is the team’s third defensive tackle. After signing a contract that guaranteed him $16 million, Canty played in eight games last season, starting four. When the Giants signed Canty to his lucrative contract, they surely did not envision him as their third defensive tackle, so his challenge is to seize one of the starting positions and live up to the performance and financial expectations placed upon him last offseason.
That seems spot on for both players.
Canty definitely needs to show he’s worth that contract. If he plays up to expectations then last year is easily written off.
Smith.. well, he deserves a good contract. But he needs to be smart about it. Possession receivers don’t get quite the mega-bucks game breakrs do. AND… they are often dependent on the scheme and the team. He’s great here in NY and with Eli. Somewhere else… maybe not.
Interesting to see how this all works out.
This season, the New Meadowlands Stadium will offer fans free smart-phone applications that they can glance at to see video replays, updated statistics and live video from other games — and that will work only inside a stadium.
Over the next few years, stadium officials say, the applications will provide fans with statistics on the speed of players and the ball, and fantasy games that will allow them to pick players and compete against other fans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/sports/football/29stadium.html?_r=1&hp
Guys, a groundbreaking update up top…I’ve really outdone myself breaking this story…
UPDATE UP TOP..UPDATE UP TOP…