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New York Giants vs Cleveland Browns: 5 Players To Watch

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo coaches against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo coaches against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants vs Cleveland Browns: 5 Players To Watch
Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) canoot get the second foot down on a potential touchdown catch as New York Jets strong safety Rontez Miles (45) defends during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Gary Barnidge

Barnidge had a breakout season in 2015. He caught 79 passes for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. He looked to be a building block for the Browns offense, but that plan fell apart with deteriorating quarterback play.

This season Barnidge is coming up well short of his 2015 numbers. He has only 39 receptions for 457 yards and one touchdown. But he is still someone the Giants have to keep an eye on Sunday because of their propensity to struggle to defend tight ends.

The Giants have given up at least 55 yards receiving to opposing tight ends in eight of their 10 games this season. They were getting burned by Zach Miller last week, as he caught three passes for 61 yards and a touchdown before breaking his foot on the final drive of the first half. They have given up only two touchdowns to tight ends, but the weakest part of their defense right now is arguably defending tight ends.

Barnidge has had a slow season but he performs better when McCown is under center. Seven of his 10 touchdowns the last two seasons have come from McCown, including last week’s score against the Pittsburgh Steelers when McCown came in for relief of Cody Kessler.

The Giants need to defend the middle of the field better. It is the weak spot right now for the team and Barnidge is capable of taking advantage as long as McCown is playing quarterback.

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