As NFL training camps get ready to open next week, there are still a load of questions surrounding how the league plans on pulling this season off amid the coronavirus pandemic.
That, unfortunately, will be a day-to-day process as the virus will basically dictate how things go. Considering that all things go well and the season progresses as planned, here’s looking at seven non-COVID-related storylines to keep an eye on.
Joe Judge in first season as head coach
The restrictions put in place due to the virus wiped out any advantage Judge was afforded as a first-year head coach. Not only has he not met his team yet, he’s not been able to get an up close and personal assessment of the talent on the roster.
Judge appears to be a guy in control however, and it is believed that he will come right in and take charge. He has a veteran staff around him who will provide extremely valuable counsel to Bill Belichick’s former right hand man.
Who will be the team’s leaders?
The Giants had seven captains last season: Eli Manning, Nate Solder, Saquon Barkley, Michael Thomas, Zak DeOssie, Alec Ogletree and Antoine Bethea. Only Solder and Barkley are still with the team. Expect both to be leaders on and off the field, but Solder will likely be concentrating more on his play after a disappointing 2019 performance.
New leaders have to emerge and don’t be surprised to Leonard Williams, Kevin Zeitler, Blake Martinez and Nate Ebner emerge into those roles.
Will O-line be better?
Everything starts in the middle at center. Will Spencer Pulley be the starter or will he be kicked aside by Nick Gates or rookie Shane Lemieux? Will Solder be the leftest tackle or will he be displaced by top draft pick Andrew Thomas? And, if so, does he go the right side or to the bench?
What roles will Cam Fleming and rookie Matt Peart play? Plus, will new line coach Marc Colombo be able to turn this unit into one of the league’s best?
Fate of DeAndre Baker and Aldrick Rosas?
No one knows the answer to this question and the Giants are playing it by ear. Baker’s case is ongoing and with three sides to the story circulating — and none of them appearing to be complete — his status is in limbo. The Giants are preparing to move forward without him.
As for Rosas, his case for multiple misdemeanors stemming from a June 15 hit-and-run accident in California will be heard in September, but the Giants will likely be looking for a replacement this summer.
Both players will likely face suspensions from the league regardless of how their legal cases shake out.
Impact of new coaching staff on Daniel Jones?
Jones showed a lot of promise as a rookie last year under Pat Shurmur and Mike Shula, but his penchant for turnovers and poor decisions left a lot of pockmarks on his resume.
With new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterback coach Jerry Schuplinski in the fold now, Jones will be getting a different perspective on the position.
Garrett has coached both Tony Romo and Dak Prescott in his career, and Schuplinski has coached Tom Brady the past few seasons. Needless to say, they will be apposite influence on the young Jones.
Year 3 of Saquon Barkley
Barkley’s follow-up to his rookie season was hobbled by a high ankle sprain that basically robbed him of eight weeks. He still managed to put up some decent numbers but the injury clearly set him back. He’s healthy now, though, and opponents will find that out in short order.
You can expect the new coaching staff to rely heavily on Barkley, who will one again dazzle onlookers with his explosiveness. It’s almost expected of him to gain 2,000 total yards every year, so what can he do to top himself?
Expectations for the Giants’ defense?
Free agents Blake Martinez and James Bradberry fill two major holes at middle linebacker and cornerback, respectively. The Giants are set up front with the trio of Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson, and their secondary is loaded with young talent, even without Baker.
The performance of the defense will depend on how well they rush the passer. Kyler Fackrell was brought in to replace Markus Golden, but now it looks like Golden could end up back in East Rutherford.
One key player could be Oshane Ximines, a third-round pick in last year’s draft. The Giants like his athleticism and upside and he could be the surprise player this season.
