A Giant Wednesday for Us All, Talking Giants Roster
By author
Good morning, a Giant happy Wednesday to you all! Today, we take a closer look at the Giants roster and who fits and who may not.
Roster Bubble: At the defensive tackle position, there is a strong possibility that free agent bust Rocky Bernard, still recovering from injuries, may be done in blue after one year. The Giants are expecting a healthy year from last year’s big money free agent signing, Chris Canty. I can see the Giants putting Canty on the line next to 2nd Round draft choice Linval Joseph, with Barry Cofield and Jay Alford rotating in. Where does that leave Bernard? On thin ice, especially considering that the Giants added undrafted free agent defensive tackle Nate Collins and have expressed interest in free agent defensive tackle John Henderson. If Henderson is brought into the rotation, Rocky gets taken down by a tko. Even without Henderson, Bernard is the likely candidate to get his walking papers.
Offensive Line: Coming into the offseason, many of us assumed there would be changes along the starting five, with obvious the targets being G Rich Seubert and right tackle Kareem McKenzie. My suspicion is that there will be an open competition when camp breaks, 2nd year man William Beatty will get a legitimate shot at left or right tackle and we will see a trickle down effect from there. Either way, reserves Adam Koets and Guy Whimper may be on the roster bubble with 5th round pick Mitch Petrus being looked as the heir apparent at guard and the Giants have high hopes for undrafted free agent Dennis Landolt (out of Penn State).
Wide Receiver: With the top three set (Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham), the pecking order behind the big three is yes to be determined. Domenik Hixon look like a strong candidate at no. 4, and then the waters get a little murky. Derek Hagan, impressive on special teams and productive when called upon, likely returns and we hope to see a giant leap forward in year two for big Ramses Barden. Could this be the year that Sinorice Moss gets the boot? Moss is on the bubble, and perhaps could even be traded (am I the only one who thinks a Moss for D. Johnson deal (out of Kansas City) makes a lot of sense? Will be a tough year for undrafted free agent wide receivers to break camp, but keep your eyes on Rutgers Tim Brown, who looks like Moss but may be a better fit here.
Linebacker: Count me among those still not convinced that Gerris Wilkinson will get a legitimate shot to start in the middle; it is going to be Goff or 4th Round pick Philip Dillard (who we already want to see get a shot here) as the likely starting candidates. Boley and Sintim are the likely starters on the weak and strong sides, with Chase Blackburn again in a reserve role. Free agent signee Micah Johnson is intriguing, a well-regarded prospect before the season started, Johnson battled knee injuries and went undrafted, Johnson could be a solid contributor on special teams and push Wilkinson off the roster. Expect the competition at linebacker, and at all positions, to be fierce. Stay Blue!