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New York Giants: Reaction To ESPN’s Strength and Weakness

By Kenneth Teape

Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls signals during the first quarter of the preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls signals during the first quarter of the preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants upgraded their roster during the offseason. Which areas of the team does ESPN believe to be their biggest strength and weakness heading into the 2016 season?

The New York Giants are looking to turn things around in 2016 after consecutive poor years. The Giants haven’t made the postseason since 2011, when they won the Super Bowl. As a result, there was a changing of the guard, as Ben McAdoo was promoted from offensive coordinator to replace Tom Coughlin as head coach.

General manager Jerry Reese was handed a boatload of money to try and upgrade the roster, which he succeeded in doing in certain areas. While he was able to accomplish that goal in some areas, others still need improvement.

The defensive line is where Reese spent the most on, and it is noe one of the biggest strengths on the team. Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison being added to Jason Pierre-Paul and Johnathan Hankins makes for a dominant unit. But, the Giants bread-and-butter is still their dynamic duo offensively.

Quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. make one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the NFL. That is the greatest asset that the Giants have according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN NFL Nation, as he believes the Giants pass offense is their greatest strength this season.

"Passing offense. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., more specifically. The Giants are built around these two players, and without either, they are done. Manning’s experience and pre-snap reads help them work around their offensive line deficiencies. Beckham draws the attention of multiple defenders. He’s one of the most dangerous weapons in the league, as evidenced by his 25 touchdown receptions the past two years."

As long as the Giants have Manning and Beckham Jr. on the field together, they have a chance to win football games. We saw how ugly things could get when Beckham Jr. is out of the lineup when he was suspended for one game last season against the Minnesota Vikings. The Giants offense couldn’t get anything going as no one else stepped up.

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The Giants made sure that wouldn’t be a problem again this season, as they selected Sterling Shepard out of Oklahoma in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Victor Cruz is coming back from injury this season as well, giving the Giants a potentially explosive trio at receiver. Dwayne Harris showed he can produce if given a chance, and Tavarres King looks to have figured things out in training camp this summer.

Add in fifth round pick Paul Perkins and Shane Vereen out of the backfield and the Giants have a deep skill position group. But the success of that group will rely on the offensive line up front.

NFL games more often than not are won in the trenches. While the Giants improved in that area defensively, offensively there is a lot left to be desired. There are some solid building blocks there, but the offensive line, the right side specifically, is where Raanan says the Giants are weakest.

"Right side of the offensive line. Right tackle Marshall Newhouse is a backup. Right guard John Jerry is an average starter. Their combined experience makes the right side of the Giants’ line vulnerable. It’s a good thing the Giants have Manning and Beckham to occasionally mask this weakness."

Weston Richburg, at center, is one of the best young players in the league and Justin Pugh is above average at guard. Ereck Flowers struggled at times as rookie but has immense potential. The same cannot be said for John Jerry and Marshall Newhouse, arguably the worst right guard-right tackle combo in the NFL.

It has been an area the Giants have ignored for whatever reason. They are committed to Flowers at left tackle, which takes some veterans out of the running as targets. The Giants have brought back Will Beatty, who would probably be an upgrade on Newhouse if he proves to be healthy.

The Giants also have concerns at safety, another position they haven’t tried to address much. Third round pick Darian Thompson is expected to start next to 2015 second round pick Landon Collins. But, the Giants are lacking much veteran experience again, a tactic that proved to be fruitless last season.

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The Giants are hoping both of those areas are passable. That would be enough to keep them in the running for a playoff spot in the NFC East, where it looks as if nine or 10 wins would get the job done.

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