Observations from New York Giants’ Training Camp

The preseason officially began on July 28th, as both New York Giant veterans and rookies reported for training camp to complete physical and conditioning evaluations. After an off season roster overhaul, as well as a coaching change, the Giants’ practice field has been noticeably different.

Three days of training camp have been completed and following a unique look at head coach Ben McAdoo’s first training camp at the helm, the New York Giants took the field under a new mantra and a rejuvenated sense of dedication, according to a July 30, 2016 article by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

This new season starts and ends with the new head coach. As with any coaching change, the objective is to build on the success of the past and create a new identity for the future. Ben McAdoo has immediately stepped in and set the tone for the way he would like to see his team run. “Our goal is still to put the fifth trophy in the case, and the other thing we addressed is that those are just words right now, ” McAdoo said on his first day of training camp. The new head coach is not mincing words in his expectations for the team. While a Super Bowl victory is the ultimate goal of every team, he also understands that words and preseason hype mean nothing once actual games start.

He has instilled a new sense of urgency and physicality in his team as well. This Tuesday will be the first day of camp with full pads, and it is a date McAdoo is looking forward to. “Can’t wait for it. That’s when you start finding out about the group of men in the room.” McAdoo has said he is not looking to work under anyone’s shadow, including his former boss Tom Coughlin. Thus far, McAdoo has been vocal about his vision for the team, and the tone he has set early on can pay huge dividends during crucial moments of the season.

McAdoo’s Offensive Influence

Statistically, 2015 was a successful year for the Giants’ offense. This unit was in the top ten in yards and points, with Eli Manning put up career highs in QB rating and touchdown passes. However, continuity and situational football often left the team on the losing end of games. Poor clock management, questionable play calling, and an at best a streaky running game did little to supplement the prolific play through the air.

According to ESPN.com on July 30, 2016, with McAdoo’s new approach to tempo and smart, disciplined football, the ailments of last year’s offense appear to have been recognized and addressed by the new head coach. “Sound, smart and tough, committed to discipline and poise,” McAdoo has repeated, to instill his beliefs as a means to create a unified and accountable football team.

Rashad Jennings, who ended last year on something of a hot streak, is also eager to pursue his first playoff appearance in the NFL. After a summer of four hour a day workouts, Jennings said he is “physically ready, mentally ready, so it’s time to get back to football.” He also talked about picking up where he left off from last year, continuing to find a chemistry with the offensive line, and putting his team’s objectives, primarily winning, above any amount of carries or yards. This mindset is one echoed by Odell Beckham Jr., Eli Manning, and others, who have taken the sting of four straight losing seasons personally, and come into this preseason hungry and eager for another opportunity.

A Mended Defense

The optimism and relative certainty associated with the Giants offense in 2016 is met with uncertainty and a sense of wary expectation for the defense. Following a tumultuous 2015 that saw the team total a measly 23 sacks, while allowing the second most yards in league history, the Giants turned to free agency early and often to bolster an inept unit that found more ways to lose than close out games in the fourth quarter.

On the mend, is Jason Pierre-Paul, who, after blowing his right hand apart last summer, is now participating in his first training camp in over a year, wielding a specially made glove and a new found excitement for football. He has fully participated in off season workouts, and continues to improve everyday, becoming the vocal leader on an unproven front four. To become a better team, he understands that mistakes must be made at this juncture in order to see success later on. With no pads until Tuesday, the lineman have yet to fully engage in their technique and athleticism.

Joining JPP on the newly refurbished defensive line are Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and a host of young pass rushers who must prove their ability in the next six weeks. With the competition and an injury free preseason, the defensive line can only improve.

The Secondary

The defensive secondary is also in influx with the departure of Prince Amukamara and Trumaine McBride. Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple have emerged as potential starters, along with Landon Collins. Both cornerback and safety have spots to be filled, but the more intriguing position battle is for free safety, where rookie Darian Thompson can become the second rookie safety to start for the Giants in as many years. Also of note is the nickel cornerback position, or the slot role, where the top three cornerbacks on the roster have little experience.

The first few days, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has found himself in the slot, with lucrative addition Janoris Jenkins and top ten pick Eli Apple on the outside. Rodgers-Cromartie certainly has the speed and athleticism to play the position, it is just a matter of comfortability and whether the coach trusts a 20 year old in that starter role.

The Linebackers

The linebacking corp has also been ravaged by injuries in the past few seasons. In particular, Devon Kennard, who is currently the most promising linebacker on the roster, and 2015 free agent acquisition JT Thomas. Thomas, who signed a three year deal for $10 million, has yet to make a significant impact on the filed, missing substantial time last season while managing only half a sack. Kennard, who was drafted in 2014, had a tremendous rookie season, but injuries limited him to nine games.

With Clemson product BJ Goodson and less than impressive new comers Kelvin Sheppard and Keenan Robinson, the Giants are far from set at the middle linebacker position. Obviously, the less injuries the better, but physical ailments are a part of the game, and the team is betting on unproven, players to handle linebacking duties. With the outside positions more secure with Kennard, Thomas and Jonathan Casillas, the battle for the middle position could be a competition of who makes the least mistakes. This again looks like the weakest positional group on the defense, however if Devon Kennard’s playmaking continues, his ability, coupled with the front four, can mask many of the deficiencies of the linebackers.

Championship Steps are Laid Now

The greatest obstacle Ben McAdoo faces is the precedent set by Tom Coughlin. His tenure was revered, but McAdoo has made it known he is not Tom Coughlin, this is no longer Coughlin’s team, and the way to a championship will be through his leadership. He enters a strange time in Giants’ history, four years removed from a Super Bowl victory followed by four seasons out of the playoffs. His words are falling on receptive ears ,that are as hungry for a championship as he is. His remarks this off season show a grounded rookie head coach who has paid his dues, experienced success, and is ready to make a name for himself in the NFL, according Jenny Vrentas of Monday Morning Quarterback on July 30, 2016.