New York Giants: Predicting Booms And Busts Of Season

The Giants have a few players that die-hard fans should take a good look at this summer. Will they burst on the scene like Victor Cruz did? Or will they be a bust—one of those athletic beasts that has their annual summer fling lighting up a new team’s OTA’s.

Well, I’m here to tell you which players on the current Giants roster will be the booms and busts in 2015.

1. Marcus Harris – WR – 25-years-old – Murray State

Prediction: Bust

This guy’s been getting some hype the last two offseasons. He has good size (6’1”, 187), and is apparently performing well on the practice field—so much so that there were rumblings New York considered starting him last year due to a bunch of early season injuries.

A shoulder injury ended Harris’ 2014 season before it started, but I’m wondering where all the hype is coming from with this small school receiver. You could look at almost every team and see one low profile receiver that’s making big plays in practice—as Harris did last year and is doing this offseason. They may even make the 53-man roster, but it doesn’t mean they’ll contribute in regular season action.

It’s always a cool story when a guy like this makes the team, but not one that will earn him big playing time. He didn’t exactly light up the preseason last year a la Victor Cruz (9-93-0) either. Just some big plays in practice.

To me, he’s more a Duke Calhoun than a Victor Cruz. I’m gonna pass.

2. Andre Williams – RB – 22-years-old – Boston College

Prediction: Boom

Williams is not an unknown to Giants fans, but he is buried on the depth chart as the number three back. So, I consider him under the radar for now.

Oct 5, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) runs over Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Paul Worrilow (55) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The New York Giants defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-20.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

I didn’t really love what I saw out of Williams in 2014. He looked slow, at times lacked agility, and he only seemed to get through the holes where there was no defender standing within 18 yards.

But there’s a reason why he scored seven touchdowns as a rookie (not a lot of rookie backs do that). He runs with power. A lot of it. And he has good vision—when there’s an open hole, he will hit it.

Yes, he only averaged 3.3 yards per carry his rookie season. But it’s not necessarily a sign of things to come. Brandon Jacobs only averaged 2.6 his rookie season, and he turned out okay.

Like Jacobs, something tells me the Giants have bigger plans for Williams than they’re letting on.

3. Nat Berhe – S – 23-years-old – San Diego State University

Prediction: Boom

To me, this is the biggest wild card of the bunch.

Berhe’s a 2014 5^th round pick with decent size (6’0”, 194lbs.). The Giants seem to be pretty high on him, but other than that, I really don’t know much about the small school product.

Sep 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Giants strong safety Nat Berhe (34) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The only thing I can tell you about Berhe is what I see on his highlight reel on YouTube. So my evaluation is based solely on an eye test… I know, bear with me here, but this is what I got:

He plays fast. And laterally, he’s very quick, and looks pretty comfortable directing traffic in centerfield. And he is really, really not afraid to throw his body around. He doesn’t’ have perfect tackling form judging from the reel, but he’s very aggressive, and from the pure eye-test that seems to make up for it.

This is the hardest prediction on this list, but I say Berhe will be starting at safety alongside Landon Collins come Week 1. And I think he’ll be effective.

On a similar note, I like Cooper Taylor too, I just like Berhe a little more.

Corey Washington – WR – 23-years-old – Newberry State

Prediction: Bust

What Giants’ die-hard doesn’t love Corey Washington? Great size (6’4”, 214), he lit up training camp and the preseason last year (10 catches, 155 yards, 4 touchdowns). We’re looking at a baby Cruz, right?

Not quite.

My big concern: he didn’t play last year in Week 17 against the Eagles when the Giants were down receivers and were playing in a meaningless game. Why? The team said he needs to learn to play special teams—and he needs to practice better.

Not a good sign.

No matter how much he dominates the preseason, he needs to perform in practice as well. It’s not enough for him to go up against third string corners and light it up. He needs to do it against his team’s top corners in practice first.

I get it—his size is tempting. But remember Ramses Barden? He showed us great size and raw talent does not equal production.

I hope Washington proves me wrong, but the jury’s out for now.

Next: New York Giants: Shane Vereen Is X-Factor

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