Giants Training Camp Review
By Joe Tufaro
It’s Friday and today is the day the players will start wearing a few pads and maybe start contacting each other. Hopefully everyone comes out of it healthy and prepared for the season. It’s nice to see the team coming together, but hitting in practice is a scary proposition for most caosches and fans these days. Just look at the injuries suffered already this pre-season without any contact.
Here’s a little review and give and take from GIANTS.COM, with the thoughts of GMenHQ thrown in.
Rueben Randle has been the best player in Giants Training Camp
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact – Using the very simple “eye test” Randle has often looked like the most physically gifted and dominant player on the field. He has made big plays, but also the small ones that show great progress: like successfully using his body to catch a ball on a slant route on Prince Amukamara.
DAN SALOMONE: Fact – I’ll give him the nod here because he got the ball rolling in the spring and picked up right where he left off on day one at camp. Doors keep opening for him with Hakeem Nicks limited, and he’s taken full advantage of that. You also can’t rule out Prince Amukamara, who is really starting to piece things together. Their battles have been the highlight of camp.
GMenHQ: Fact – As we wrote last week Rueben is a key to making this offense the every best and maybe the most dangerous in football. Randle ended last year with his best game, had a great spring, and now is showing his skills often in Training Camp. He s a kid that gets it, and is not wasting his opportunity.
Damontre Moore has been the most impressive rookie so far:
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact – I think he has flashed more than the other rookies, showing the raw athletic ability that made him a potential first round pick last February. It’s tough to see a lot from Pugh and Hankins on the inside until we get into games. Cooper Taylor hasn’t gotten a ton of reps but his speed and size are apparent to anyone watching him.
DAN SALOMONE: Fact – He plays at full speed on every snap, regardless if the team is in shells or shoulder pads. He has perhaps been overzealous at times, but I think deep down the coaches like it. He’ll need to show the same intensity on special teams and in pads, but so far his jump off the ball is undeniable.
GMenHQ: Fact – Damontre Moore is a high motor guy that will give everything on every play. He will get a chance to shine in pre-season, and hopefully learn enough to be a factor in situations during the regular season. He is prone to the young player mistakes, but can make up for some of those with pure talent and athleticism. All you ask is that he learns from his mistakes and doesn’t repeat them.
Aaron Ross will prove to be the best FA signing this year
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction – I will still go with Brandon Myers, who will be the starting tight end and have a chance to catch 60-70 passes. Jayron Hosley can still beat out Aaron Ross for that slot corner spot on defense. Ross will be a factor, but not the biggest one.
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction – If we’re talking singing players from other teams, I think you have to go with tight end Brandon Myers. Ross looks rejuvenated and will make contributions this season, but in grading a signing, you look for consistent production. And Myers, from what we can tell so far, will provide that this year.
GMenHQ: Fiction – While I think Ross is an important signing and rejuvenated to be back with the team, he will fill more of a depth role that a starring role. I think Louis Murphy might be the best signing just for the pure speed he possesses. Something that has been lacking from the Giants recently. Look for Murphy to get looks at return specialist as well as the guy who will take the safety out of play opening up the underneath and middle routes for Hakeem and Cruz.