New York Giants Preview: The Offense
Domenik Hixon Supports Brandon Jacobs' Workhorse Breakout
Jun 9, 2009
We start our roster breakdown with the quarterbacks. Eli Manning still has his skeptics, but he’s in the prime of his career, has a Super Bowl MVP award under his belt, and took part in his first Pro Bowl last year. The team could do much worse.
David Carr has never lived up to his enormous hype, and never will, but he has been around the block and is the favorite to win the backup quarterback job. That is unless Andre Woodson’s inspiring OTA performances carry over to training camp. The Giants would like nothing more than to have the second year pro Woodson beat out Carr for the #2 job. That would allow them to cut Carr outright and open a spot for their fifth round draft pick, Rhett Bomar.
Brandon Jacobs: Fantasy Workhorse
Running back Brandon Jacobs has proven himself to be one of the NFL’s elite battering rams when healthy, which he has never been. In case of injury, the depth behind him looks strong, despite the loss of Derrick Ward in the offseason. Ahmad Bradshaw has turned into a good change of pace back, and fourth round draft pick Andre Brown will be engaged in a spirited battle with Danny Ware and Dwayne Wright for one or two roster spots. The next Ryan Grant could emerge from that talented group judging by the rave reviews that the coaching staff is heaping upon them.
At fullback, Madison Hedgecock has quietly become one the leagues top lead blockers. The Giants’ talented backfield is their best offensive asset.
Potential Superstar Domenik Hixon
The wide receiver competition is wide open. Plenty of young talent exists, but limited experience keeps the outlook unbalanced. Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon go into training camp with the starting edge. Former Super Bowl hero David Tyree will have to take a step forward in his development or he could be a surprise name on the chopping block. Sinorice Moss could face a similar fate unless he shows the ability to pick up some of the slack left behind by Amani Toomer.
Mario Manningham went through a disappointing rookie season, but the door remains wide open for him to make a name for himself. Rookies rarely make an impact at the wide receiver position, but Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden have impressed early and often.
Derek Hagan faces long odds, but he could be the group’s training camp surprise. The talented young man has worked hard this offseason after his humbling experience last year in Miami. Overall, though, the position is a giant question mark that will have to be ironed out in order for a glimmer of offensive balance to exist.
With Jeremy Shockey a long gone afterthought, Kevin Boss headlines the tight ends with his solid all-around game. Rookie Travis Beckum has the ability to make an immediate impact as the designated pass catcher, while the final tight end spot will come down to a group of experienced players coming into their prime. The team sports a strong mix of skills and success at tight end.
The New York Giants Trenches
The entire rugged, veteran offensive line from a year ago, consisting of David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, and Kareem McKenzie, remains intact. Looking around the NFL, only a handful of offensive lines look more impressive on paper, and even fewer can touch the Giants’ impressive chemistry level.
The depth behind that stout group is shaky in spots, but Kevin Boothe and rookie William Beatty have the talent and versatility to be the main rotating depth cogs.
Breaking Down the New York Giants Offense
The Giants have the horses to have an elite ground game and, if Manning can lay off of the interceptions, an elite ball control offense. But the offense could run into trouble if they try to become something they’re not.
The passing game has its place, and if the Domenik Hixon offseason hype actually materializes, it could even become a strong point; but don’t expect the same level of offensive success that the team enjoyed a year ago, where they ranked fourth in yards and second in points.
A conservative outlook points to above average production, perhaps even top-10, being the likely outcome, supported mainly by Brandon Jacobs and a top-5 running attack.
An elite defense will be the key to the Giants’ success in 2009. Read about the New York Giants Defense.
