Top Three Stories: Inside the GMEN HQ Blogroll

Aug 10, 2012; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; A general view of a football and helmet during the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants preseason game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Number One:

Giants.com is obviously on our blog roll, as any time there is big GIGANTIC news, the main Giants site will be on it. Yesterday at GMEN HQ, our own @AdamGaneles posted this, New York Giants 2014: The Unofficial Depth Chart, featuring Adam’s four gut reactions:

"Rookie RB Andre Williams will have to earn his path to a higher depth chart standing."

"Fullback Henry Hynoski, who missed all of 2013 with a shoulder injury, begins training camp with the upper hand over John Conner."

"The Giants tight end depth chart could take a different form on any given day. Are they trying to send a message to Adrien Robinson by placing him at #5? No question. He’s got work to do to distinguish himself. The whole group does."

"Odell Beckham Jr. is not listed among the punt return unit."

At Giants.com, they followed suit, releasing an article of their own on the first unofficial depth chart. Dan Salomone listed eight things that might catch your eye when looking over the DC. The following quote was number one on his list:

"1. Devon Kennard is the lone rookie starter. Due primarily to Jon Beason (foot) currently being on PUP, fifth-round draft choice Devon Kennard opens up as the starting strongside linebacker with Jameel McClain in the middle and Jacquian Williams at weakside. Kennard, a USC product, impressed coaches starting with organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp in the spring. He’s doing the same in training camp. Behind Kennard is another rookie, Dan Fox out of Notre Dame."

The first thing to point out about this is that having a rookie behind a LB rookie is not very reassuring. The second thing to point out is the obvious — that Jon Beason is really highly needed on this Giants team. Foot injury or smoot sminjury, team BLUE needs Beason to heal up and have a healthy season. Despite the individual talent and promise of young players like Kennard and Fox, what the Giants need on defense is dominance. And unless Kennard and Fox come on like their name is Taylor and it’s 1981, it probably won’t be the level of play the Giants need to revamp their LB corps. Jon Beason must find a way to get healthy, or these young guys need to step up like reality is as fruitful as a youthful football dream in the backyard: Big Time Success.

Number Two

With Art Stapleton over at True Blue, it wasn’t the most in-depth post in the world. More so, it was the message from Jason Pierre-Paul made obvious in the headline, JPP: “I’m awesome” … and says he’ll be back:

"A year later, after missing all of training camp last summer, Pierre-Paul declared: “I’m awesome. I’m at 110 percent.” Asked where the extra 10 percent came from, he replied with a smirk: “My mind.”Pierre-Paul is entering the final year of his rookie contract and said he’d be lying if he told reporters the possibility of not being with the Giants next season has not crossed his mind.“I’m not gonna lie. Seeing [Justin] Tuck gone, it’s on my mind a little bit,” Pierre-Paul said. “I think I’m going to be here next year. Honest. Because I know how I play and I know what kind of game I bring.”"

Listen, Giants Nation, we don’t have to tell you how important JPP is to this defense. If he’s actually at 110%, that will be GIANT huge for the defense. When healthy JPP is one of the better players in the NFL. If his words are true, and he’s healthy and thinking of a return to 2011 glory… well, let’s just say there’s a reason this was put at number two, because that would be the ____ for Giants fans.

Number Three

InsideFootball.com is a good site. Today, they offered an Q&A with Pat Flaherty, titled as such: Four Downs with Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty. It’s a great read for any fan of the New York Football Giants, here’s one of the segments:

"Q: Is the center’s responsibility a little different in this offense?A: It’s a little bit more responsibility. We want to be more verbal, take control of a little more of the pass. It’s always a combination between the quarterback and the offensive line. It’s going to start with the center and then the quarterback can always communicate. One of the things that we have to do as an offensive line is break the huddle, get to the line of scrimmage and get ready to play. I say demeanor a lot, it’s your approach. Nobody is making you do this. You want to do this? Okay, let’s do it the best way we can. As a couple of you said, it looks like I’m a little excited, I’m excited most days. If I can as a coach, or we as coaches, can make somebody just a little bit better, that’s exciting."

Currently, the Giants have J.D. Walton listed as their starting center, with this years 2nd round selection, Weston Richburg, as the second string guy. Eric Herman is behind them. No matter which player gets the starting nod, the position must have an effective relationship with Eli Manning and the flow of the offense. If one of these three men struggle to be the man, the entire offense will struggle. A little more responsibility, indeed.

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