With all the talk about the return of Victor Cruz, and the hype surrounding Odell Beckham Jr., Larry Donnell is the New York Giants forgotten offensive weapon. The tight end entering his third season will have a big 2015 season for the Giants.
Defenses are in a pretty unfair position when facing the Giants. Do they focus on shutting down Beckham Jr. or Cruz? They can’t suffocate both receivers in their coverage scheme. The attention garnered by the Giants star receivers will create opportunities for Donnell.
Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Donnell had 63 receptions for 623 yards and 6 touchdowns in the 2014 season. Donnell was targeted 92 times and had a three touchdowns performance against the Washington Redskins.
This was just the beginning for Donnell who is coming off his first season as a starting tight end. The Giants showed Donnell a vote of confidence, not addressing the tight end position this offseason. Donnell figures to be a big part of the offense.
The Giants offense is built similarly to when the Atlanta Falcons had Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzales as the best receiving trio in football. The two wide receivers were the priority for the defenses and Gonzales was therefore unstoppable. When defenses bracketed Gonzales, Matt Ryan launched a deep bomb to White or Jones.
Donnell has a chance to fill that role for the Giants. While he may not be even close to comparable to the all time great that Gonzales was, he is a reliable target in the passing game.
Defensive coordinators can’t win. If the Giants offensive line protects Manning, one of the big three targets is getting open and making a big play.
With Donnell in the mix, it isn’t simply a pick your poison situation for the defense. They can’t just stop Beckham Jr. or Cruz and leave it at that. With a season of being a starter under his belt, Donnell has a chance to be the piece of the puzzle that makes the offense unstoppable.
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