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New York Giantswww.giants.comLocation:
Albany, N.Y.
Camp Opens
AUG. 3
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How will the offense look without three prominent players from 2008?
The Giants are set to play in 2009 without two starting wide receivers (Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress) and one backup running back (Derrick Ward) from a season ago. While the Giants' top-ranked rushing attack will not change schematically, the team's aerial attack undoubtedly will be tweaked to take advantage of its young receivers' speed and quickness. Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has discussed throwing the ball downfield more often this season, and an increase in crossing routes off motion also appears to be on the horizon. With numerous tweaks and adjustments to the passing game on the way, the preseason will take on added significance as QB Eli Manning tries to quickly develop strong chemistry with his young receiving corps.
How will new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan do?
Sheridan has pledged to keep the defensive scheme relatively intact, with the exception of a few new wrinkles in the pressure package. While the players won't have to adjust to a new scheme, they will spend the preseason adjusting to the rhythm and flow of Sheridan's play calls. How well the players mesh with Sheridan's methods during the preseason ultimately will determine if the Giants remain among the league's top defenses. Former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo built one of the best defenses in the league during his two seasons with the Giants by employing a blitz-happy system that put a premium on pressuring the quarterback. Pay close attention to the defense's performance during training camp under Sheridan, because it could be a great indicator of what is to come from the Giants in 2009.
Can DE Osi Umenyiora regain his Pro Bowl form?
The two-time Pro Bowler is attempting to bounce back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered during the preseason a year ago. Umenyiora had 13 sacks in 2007 and has 41.5 in his five-year career. If he's able to fully return to health, he would give the Giants' deep and talented defensive line another explosive rusher off the edge -- a scary thought for the rest of the NFC East. In the offseason, the Giants added defensive end Chris Canty, who they signed away from the rival Cowboys, to give Umenyiora some help.
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Filling out the backfield tandem
With Derrick Ward now gone to the Buccaneers, Ahmad Bradshaw appears to be in line for the backup spot, based on his solid production as a spot player (90 carries for 545 yards and two touchdowns in his two-year career). But Danny Ware led New York in rushing in the 2008 preseason and has the skills for the No. 2 spot.
WR Sinorice Moss
Moss was expected to provide vertical playmaking after the Giants selected him 44th overall in the 2006 draft, but he has yet to live up to those expectations. Plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, Moss has just 38 receptions for 403 yards and two touchdowns during his career. With the Giants in desperate need of playmakers on the outside, the speedster needs to step up his game to remain in the team's future plans.
WR Ramses Barden
While most of the attention has focused on Hakeem Nicks making up for the loss of Plaxico Burress, it is Barden who is best suited to fill the role vacated by the former Super Bowl hero. At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, Barden has the size to dominate smaller defenders on the outside and could emerge as QB Eli Manning's top red-zone weapon.
WRs Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith
The release of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer leaves the Giants with no big-time wide receiver. Hixon and Smith are the favorites to start, but Hakeem Nicks, Sinorice Moss and Mario Manningham also are in the mix. Only Hixon, Smith and Nicks are worth a look in drafts, though.
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