Competitions to look for at Giants camp
Competitions to look for at Giants camp
Cornerbacks
On draft night, the Giants loaded up at the corner position taking three Deandre Baker, Julian Love, and Corey Ballentine. Baker looks like a for sure starter who will play across Janoris Jackrabbit Jenkins and be effective from Day 1. There hasn’t been much news on Deandre Baker for the Giants beat writers that covered the G-Men at OTAs. Which means he has held his own vs the first team wideouts even without no bump and run he has been effective defending Tate and Shepard. The real competition is going to be at the nickel. Sam Beal the Giants supplemental selection from 2018 at home on draft night realizing he is going to battle to just get on the field. He was held out all of last year with a shoulder injury, him missing those 16 games may hurt him in September when the Giants head to big D and 41 cannot get on the field. Grant Haley an undrafted free agent from Penn State signed with the Giants last year and ended up playing a huge role in the secondary shuffle that James Bettcher will put out onto the field to represent the Giants last season. Haley has a leg up on the others with his one year of experience. But, most believe that Julian Love the Notre Dame product will be a better pro and a part of the NYPD (New York Pass Defense) that will play on Sundays in Metlife Stadium in the future. Unless the G-Men shock everyone this year the struggles that this team will have will benefit the young athletes in the secondary that are hungry for playing time. Expect Bettcher use a bunch of different combinations of these guys. In my opinion, look for Love to beat out Grant Haley to play the slot and Janoris Jenkins and Deandre Baker will be matched up with Amari Cooper and Tavon Austin week 1 in Jerry world.
Linebackers
The Giants linebacking core has been a question since they had studs like Antonio Pierce and Kawika Mitchell lead that defense to eventually knock off Brady and Moss in 2007. The Giants opted not to draft a linebacker in the draft this season but that doesn’t mean coach Pat Shurmur is against making changes from what they put out onto the field last season. The G-Men gave coach James Bettcher a familiar face to work within 2019. Markus Golden is a New York Giant his best season came with James Bettcher as his coordinator he hopes to have a successful season and prove that the injury did not affect him. But, the real competition is in the middle where linebacker BJ Goodson is getting pushed by Tae Davis an undrafted rookie from Tennessee Chattanooga. Davis and Goodson have been splitting the first-team reps at OTAs. Expect to see Goodson be the Day 1 starter but on a very short leash with no ties to Dave Gettleman or Pat Shurmur.
Wide Receivers
Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate will both are time this season in the slot and outside. But, the real question is when it comes to the Giants receiving core is the third guy that will be catching passes from Eli Manning. Cody Latimer was a former first-round pick who never played up to expectations in Denver. He has a good size which has always been a positive in the past with receivers and their connection with Manning. Latimer would provide a red zone threat to a Giants offense that appears small. Corey Coleman is another former first-round talent who was shipped from team to team with off the field drama and reports of a bad attitude. He proved effective in the return game for the Giants last season. He has had problems with drops in the past. Coleman has a higher ceiling than Latimer but you never know what Corey you’re getting on Sunday. Giants 2019 5th round selection Darius Slayton has turned heads in OTAs his speed and his build may allow him to compete for the starting job. Shurmur called him the most improved rookie in OTAs. I would expect Latimer to start week 1 but they will give Slayton more opportunities as their season dwindles and they continue to sink out of contention. Coleman will be the number one guy in the return game and will play a small role in the Giants offense when they are in a 4 wide receiver set.
Center
Jon Halapio broke his leg week 2 of last season in Dallas. Before his injury, he was playing well. Solid, and humble player who plays for the team every Sunday and seems to be a really likable guy in the organization. If Halapio can stay healthy the job should be his. Dave Gettleman has said in the past Halapio was the Giants best lineman last season before he went down. Spencer Pulley is the giants backup he played a decent amount of games towards the end of the year. His experience is very impressive and the giants seemed to have success when he was on the field last season. Expect Halapio to start but, he would have a short leash as he has a guy right behind him who is as good and is hungry to play and win games for the Giants.
-By: Sam Kirk