New York Giants: Starters Must Get On Track Against Jets
The New York Giants starters haven’t been all that stellar in their first preseason games. The team must get their starters on track in their season dress rehearsal against the New York Jets. The Giants must put down the foundation of success that they can build upon as the season goes on.
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Most importantly the offense needs to find it’s groove. The offense is what is expected to carry this team. The defense has been improved in a few facets but it isn’t going to put on a show of domination. With youth and injuries at a surplus in the Giants secondary, there are many reservations about the defense this season.
The offense hasn’t been wonderful this preseason. In the first preseason game coach Coughlin kept Manning and company on the field for the entire first quarter. The Giants failed to get anything going. The offensive line was extremely beatable the receivers and Manning were not on the same page, it was simply awful.
The Giants offense wasn’t that much better in the second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With a mountain of injuries piling up the Giants have given us more reasons for concern than hope. That is why it absolutely imperative that the Giants passing game launches against the Jets.
The Giants will have pretty stiff competition though. The Jets boast one of the league’s top secondary units. Their front seven is absolutely stacked as well. The Jets may not have a quarterback but they have some pretty incredible defensive football players. The Jets may have parted ways with their aggressive defensive minded head coach Rex Ryan, but Todd Bowles is just as aggressive.
So this will be a tough test for the Giants offensive line. When guys like Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson are trying to get in the backfield, you get a good glimpse at how tough your offensive line is. Manning and his receivers are going to have to be in sync. The offense needs to attack the Jets impressive defense.
So this is the Giants big opportunity in the preseason to win my optimism over. If Manning and company can hold their own against the Jets potentially dominant defense, I’ll be impressed.
This is also a golden opportunity for the Giants to get right on the defensive side of the football. Ryan Fitzpatrick, a gunslinger without a gunslinger’s arm is the Jets starting quarterback. Fitzpatrick has an often late release of the football and he takes a lot of chances. Sacks and turnovers could be there for the taking if the Giants can stop the Jets rushing attack.
But Fitzpatrick is a competent quarterback and the Giants do have to fear the Jets weapons. It will be good to get a look at Kevin White, the flashy rookie receiver out of West Virginia. White in combination with Brandon Marshall and Ereck Decker provide Fitzpatrick with plenty of support. Jace Amaro could also emerge as a star at the tight end position.
The Giants will be tested in this dress rehearsal for their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. They have to get some confidence brewing. It is time to see what this team is made of.