Aug 212014
 
Eli Manning, New York Giants (August 16, 2014)

Eli Manning  needs to get it going versus the Jets – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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New York Giants at New York Jets, August 22, 2014

THE STORYLINE:
Well, it certainly didn’t take long for the hype surrounding this year’s ‘Snoopy Bowl’ to reach an entire other level.

Maybe it’s the anemic Giants’ offense needing a desperate jolt. Maybe it’s the Jets’ defense needing to see something from their secondary. Or, maybe it’s the fact that in a meaningless preseason game, a war of words as still broken out.

Either way, the Battle for New York feels just a little different this year.

Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (August 9, 2014)

Rashad Jennings – © USA TODAY Sports Images

FOUR DOWNS:
First Down
How will the revamped offensive line fare versus the Jets defense?
With Charles Brown and James Brewer, New York’s second- and third-string left tackles respectively, likely out for Friday’s game, the Giants have been forced to shuffle the deck with their offensive line. Starting left tackle Will Beatty is only expected to play 20 snaps as he continues to work his way back from a fractured leg. The starters are expected to play 30 snaps. Who plays where with the first team in Beatty’s absence?

The Giants have worked two seperate offensive line combinations during the last two days of practice, from left to right:

Justin Pugh, Geoff Schwartz, J.D. Walton, Weston Richburg, Brandon Mosley
Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, J.D. Walton, Brandon Mosley, Geoff Schwartz

Will both, either or none have success? Could one, or both, of the fronts have more success than the one the Giants had been running out? All scenarios will be worth monitoring.

Second Down
Corey Washington
Not even a 26-point deficit could stop Corey Washington from catching his third-straight game-winning touchdown. The 6-4 rookie has constantly made plays this preseason and in practice…but has done it versus third and fourth stringers. There’s a big difference between Darrell Revis/Carry Williams and Chandler Fenner/Ross Weaver.

Washington looks to have gotten a little bump during the end of this week’s practice seeing some reps with the starting offense both in the red zone, and normal offense. They aren’t much, but the Giants need to see if Washington can play versus the big boys. If he can’t, his roster chances will hurt because he (1) can’t play special teams, and (2) can’t play slot receiver. Do the Giants want to keep a roster spot for a developmental player who only has value at one position? It’s imperative Washington shows he can play versus the starters.

Third Down
Adrien Robinson
It may have been the biggest slap in the face of camp when the Giants released their unofficial depth chart featuring Adrien Robinson has the fifth-string tight end. The ‘JPP of tight ends’ didn’t do much to help his cause, dropping passes, missing blocks and doing little to warrant a jump up the depth chart.

But the last two weeks have been different. Robinson made plays versus the Indianapolis Colts, has made plays in practice and has earned the praise of coach Tom Coughlin. He should get extended reps versus some better competition. After it appeared Larry Donnell had pulled away in the tight end competition, a few poor outings and lack-of plays have suddenly brought the five-man competition back to just that. A five-man competition.

Preston Parker, New York Giants (August 9, 2014)

Preston Parker – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Fourth Down
Preston Parker
With Odell Beckham Jr. ailing with his non-step-back-step-back and Trindon Holliday all but out the door, there is a wide open position available as the Giants punt returner. Enter Preston Parker.

The only issue with Parker was that, prior to last week, he hadn’t shown much value on offense. The Giants would prefer not to keep a player that can only play one role so Parker as the receiver will be worth watching Friday. If he can make a few plays, he has a very good chance of making the Giants final 53-man roster.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Connor Hughes – Justin Pugh and Geoff Schwartz
Personally, I have little faith in Will Beatty at left tackle either (1) staying healthy, or (2) performing at a high level. Some people forget that last year, Beatty was arguably the Giants worst offensive lineman when he was in the game. Every Sunday it felt Beatty was beat for a sack. Then he fractured his leg. Now, he’s working his way back from arguably his worst season as a professional and an injury.

Say he gets hurt, or just doesn’t play well. Who plays left tackle? Charles Brown has shown in practice and in this preseason he can’t do it. The Giants have watched for years as James Brewer has tried to play any position so he can’t do it. Can Pugh? When the newly-designed offensive line checks into the game, I’ll have my eyes on Justin Pugh at LT and Geoff Schwartz and RT. If it works, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it called on if things go south this year.

Eric Kennedy – Eli Manning
If you read the BBI Giants-Colts preseason game review, you know I’m worried about Eli Manning. The optimists assert that Eli will be fine, that this is part of the learning curve of the new offense and offensive personnel. The pessimists will point to the fact that Eli hasn’t been right since 2012 and he shows no signs of getting out of his funk. It is not inconceivable that the best of Eli has come and gone. For a variety of reasons, I can’t see Tom Coughlin benching Eli Manning. But unless Eli turns it around, both Tom and Eli could be leaving New York together if 2014 is the third disappointing season in a row.

THE INJURY REPORT:

• LB Jon Beason (foot/out)
• WR Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring/out)
• WR Trindon Holliday (hamstring/out)
• TE Daniel Fells (knee/TBD)
• TE Xavier Grimble (hamstring/out)
• DT Mike Patterson (shoulder/TBD)
• CB Jayron Hosley (foot/TBD)
• CB Prince Amukamara (groin/out)
• S Cooper Taylor (foot/out)
• T Charles Brown (shoulder/TBD)
• T James Brewer (back/TBD)
• Peyton Hillis (ankle/out)

Zak DeOssie, New York Giants (August 18, 2013)

Zak DeOssie – © USA TODAY Sports Images

FROM THE COACH’S MOUTH:
Tom Coughlin (on new extra point ball placement): “I didn’t think much of it when it was suggested. There are some ways to change that part of it if the intent is to make it more exciting. I think that certainly would be one of them. I think you have to be aware of the fact that it’s a 33-yard field goal in November when the wind’s blowing and it’s snowing here and it’s… in Miami it’s 75 degrees. It’s a little different in different parts of the country. You do have to be aware of that. I would say probably the ball will stay at the two, extra points. But if you really want to make it interesting put it at the one.”

THE FINAL WORD:
Connor Hughes – It’s time. No, really, it’s time. The Giants offense needs desperately to show something…anything…positive versus the Jets before complete insanity sets in around the facility. The new offense has looked anemic, Eli Manning flustered and little has been established in any facet of the game. This week of practice wasn’t pretty for the Giants starters, but still, Manning and his receivers get to play the Jets secondary on Friday. If they can’t establish anything against them? Yes, it’s time to panic. Judging by what I’ve seen in practice this week… Jets 21 – Giants 10.

Eric Kennedy – I’m getting a bad feeling about this season. Defensively, I think the secondary and linebackers are improved, but I’m not sure we have a pass rush. The loss of Will Hill was big too. But most of my concerns are on offense. Beckham is going to miss virtually all of the offseason work (OTAs, mini-camp, training camp, preseason). There is no way he can catch up. Will he even be a factor in 2014? They NEEDED him. I’ve seen nothing from Rueben Randle and Jerrel Jernigan to instill confidence. We have no tight ends. With two weeks to go, the offensive line still seems unsettled. Much was made of Jerry Reese’s free agent acquisitions, but Charles Brown and John Jerry are showing why their former teams had no interest in retaining them. Even Geoff Schwartz, who was given a $17 million contract, doesn’t look particularly effective. At wide receiver, Mario Manningham and Trindon Holliday haven’t worked out.

Even if all was right with Eli Manning, I’m not sure Eli has the offensive line or the weapons. Five bad drafts (2008-12) have gutted this team. But beyond all of that, if 2007-11 Eli is gone for good, the Giants would be better off thinking about when to transition to Nassib in what may ultimately be another bad season in a bad division.

Jets 33 – Giants 3.

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Connor Hughes/BBI

Connor Hughes has been working in both the broadcasting and journalism fields for the last seven years. His work has been heard on WMCX, WBZC and Lenape District Television, while read on the pages of The Star-Ledger and The Burlington County Times. Connor can be reached via email ([email protected]) or on twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes)

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