New York Giants: 5 Big Things To Question

No team heads into Training Camp without question marks. The Giants certainly have a few of them. However, some of their questions are so glaring that they can make or break their season. There are really things to question all over this Giants team.

Here are 5 questions heading into training camp that they must answer:

Who will play Left Tackle?

Jun 8, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tackle Ereck Flowers during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY

There’s no other way to put it: the loss of Will Beatty is an absolute killer. Already thin along the offensive line, the Giants lost arguably their best o-lineman and Eli’s blind side protector for the early part of the season. Even if he comes back for earlier than expected, he’ll need some time to get settled. And sure, they drafted Ereck Flowers. But his raw skill set make him a huge (literally) question mark. And moving Flowers to left tackle means Marshall Newhouse slides in with the starters at right tackle.

You may be asking, “Who is Marshall Newhouse?” Exactly. They have some holes to fill.

Will Steve Spagnuolo be… Steve Spagnuolo?

Spagnuolo will always have a special place in Giants fans’ hearts after what he did for the team in 2007 and 2008. His work was so great, it landed him a head-coaching gig.

But ever since he left the Giants, his career has taken quite a tumble. He had a .208 winning percentage in three years as head coach of the Rams, and in 2012 when he coordinated the (given, talent-deficient) Saints defense, they allowed the most yards in a single season in NFL history. He resurfaced in Baltimore, but he basically has to prove himself again after a tumultuous six years away from New York.

What will Their Running Backs Give Them?

Yes, Rashad Jennings was injured for much of last season. But a lot of times, he just looked plain slow. He may not have a lot of tread on the tires (just 554 career carries), but he is 30-years-old. I still think Jennings has something left to offer, but he left much to be desired last season. Hopefully it’s not a repeat in 2015.

And while the signing of Shane Vereen looks nice, and based on early reports it sounds like he’s had a quite an offseason, there are still a number of red flags. Vereen’s never topped 100 carries in a season, and he’s missed 22 games in his first four regular seasons with the Patriots. He’s certainly talented and multi-faceted, but it’s fair to say he has to prove his worth at this point.

Will Their Wide Receivers Be Healthy?

Cruz sustained arguably the most severe injury any football player can come back from. Look at Ryan Williams on the Cowboys: he’s one example f many players who tore their patellar tendon and never regained burst. All reports from Cruz’s camp seem to indicate his rehab is going remarkably well. Let’s just hope for a player that can’t afford to lose any quickness and explosion, he doesn’t lose any quickness and explosion.

Oct 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) grabs his knee in the end zone against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. He was carted off the field with an injury. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

And while Odell Beckham Jr. put on the performance of the century after sustaining a nasty hamstring tear in camp last year, his other hamstring is flaring up this offseason. It doesn’t seem not nearly as severe, but hamstrings tend to linger. It looks like the Giants are being precautionary, but wide receiver plus bummed hamstring is never a good formula. Let’s hope this big question turns into a non-story come August.

Who Will Play Safety?

I wanted to finish this post discussing team’s pass rush, because that’s a big question in its own right, but the safety position is arguably their biggest question heading into the season. They’re an entirely unproven unit. I really have no idea what they’re going to get out of the backend of their defense. And I have to think: neither do the Giants.

Safety could be a game-changing position depending on who’s manning the backfield. All-Pro safeties like Ed Reed, Charles Woodson, and Troy Polamalu have proven that. However, you don’t really need a dominant safety tandem to win the Super Bowl. For example, the Giants disguised their mediocre safety talent in ’07 with a dominant pass rush. But if their pass rush doesn’t show up this year and the back end of their defense is exposed, boy, this could be ugly.

Next: New York Giants: Top 10 Giants Of All Time

More from GMEN HQ

Home/NY Giants News