EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Giants' first-team offense (sans Eli Manning and Victor Cruz) and defense are expected to be on the field for 15 or so snaps Friday night in their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. That could amount to one long drive or, more likely, two series. Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. probably won't even make it to the end.
Anything that happens against the Dolphins is unlikely to be a deciding factor in battles for a starting job. It will simply be added to the files that have been open since the spring, and won’t be completed until later this month.
What happens Friday is far from meaningless. There will be plenty of information to ascertain and digest. It could serve as a harbinger of things to come.
Here is what I’ll be watching:
Defense
It may not last long, but this will be the first look at the Giants' reshaped defense in game action. Olivier Vernon will be at right defensive end. A healthier Jason Pierre-Paul will be on the left side. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison will be between them. Janoris Jenkins will be at right cornerback. Rookie Darian Thompson will be opposite Landon Collins at safety. That’s a lot of new names on the first-team unit; Friday night will provide a peek of where the defense stands a little less than a month from the start of the regular season.
Eli Apple’s usage
Where does rookie cornerback Eli Apple fit into that defensive mix? Good question. Apple has split first-team snaps at left cornerback with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie this summer. Rodgers-Cromartie has also played more than expected in the slot. Apple, the 10th-overall pick in this year's draft, is undoubtedly the future, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is trying to get him reps with the starters in order to acclimate him to game speed quickly. How this will be handled throughout the preseason and into the season will be an intriguing storyline throughout the year.
WR competition
There are more than a few names in the mix for the final few roster spots at wide receiver. Myles White, Roger Lewis, Tavarres King and others are battling hard. Who produces in the preseason could be the determining factor. Second-year wideout Geremy Davis should also be watched closely. He’s likely to work with the starters after a strong start to the summer.
The rookie running back from UCLA has impressive physical skills. But the most difficult assignment for a young running back is learning NFL protections. There’s no real way to gauge where Perkins stands with his blocking until he gets into game action. This will likely determine how much he contributes this season. He’ll have to earn the trust of the coaches in the preseason.
Safeties
Safety remains a muddled mess after the starting pairing of Collins and Thompson. Nat Berhe, Mykkele Thompson, Bennett Jackson, Cooper Taylor, Justin Currie and Andrew Adams are all in the mix. Yes, even Taylor has been resurrected. Somebody needs to step up and prove they’re capable of being trusted, especially health-wise, as five of the six options are coming off injuries.
Fringe players
Competition is everywhere, from middle linebacker to tight end to reserve offensive tackle.
Some of the more interesting names to watch are:
TE Matt LaCosse – He has a chance to be in the first-team mix come Week 1. If he proves to be the best blocker of the bunch at tight end this preseason, he’ll earn significant playing time. Fullback/H-back/tight end Will Johnson is likely his biggest competition.
WR Roger Lewis – The undrafted rookie has talent. It has shown in training camp. Now it must translate to games.
RB Andre Williams – There are a lot of running backs on the Giants roster. Williams must prove last season, where he struggled badly, was an aberration.
DT Greg Milhouse – The undrafted free agent has shown flashes of being a player. It helps his cause that the Giants are short on depth on the interior of the defensive line.
DEStansly Maponga – The Giants need more pass-rushers. Maponga has a chance to make the team in that role.
CB Donte Deayon – He’s made plays this spring and summer despite his size (5-foot-9). If he can do it again in the preseason, he’ll be tough to cut. Capable cornerbacks are always in high demand.
OG Ryan Seymour – The offseason acquisition has been running with the second team this summer. He could be the answer if anything happens to starters Justin Pugh or John Jerry.
