The New York Giants face the Chicago Bears in Week 2 of the 2019 NFL Preseason on Friday night at MetLife Stadium. After a fairly impressive showing against the New York Jets in Week 1, the Giants are hoping to build on a few things.
The Giants are far from a finished product. In fact, with all the new faces that general manager Dave Gettleman has brought in since arriving back on the scene in December of 2017, the Giants are still very much a mystery.
There’s still a lot to be discovered and uncovered about this team and here’s a few things we hope to see this week that might help bring some clarity.
Quarterback
All four are likely to play again with Eli Manning starting, giving way to Daniel Jones and then Alex Tanney and Kyle Lauletta. Manning needs to play more than one series and head coach Pat Shurmur has indicated he want see more a sample from Jones this week.
Manning needs to show off his newfound arm strength to put the masses at ease. If Jones repeats his performance from last week, expect the drums of controversy to bang louder going forward.
The secondary
Cornerbacks Sam Beal (hamstring) and rookie Deandre Baker (knee) won’t play this week, meaning that the spot across from Janoris Jenkins is going to be manned by someone else.
From what transpired at practice this week, veteran Antonio Hamilton should get an extended look, if not the start, and rookie Corey Ballentine will seek to build off his impressive game last week. We should see more of rookie Julian Love as well, even though the team has him working at safety.
The starting safeties, Antoine Bethea and Jabrill Peppers could see more snaps this week to help solidify their rapport and let’s get a longer look at Sean Chandler, who is on the verge of becoming a solid player.
The front seven
Okay, where is Jake Carlock going to play this week and how much? You can count on the Giants experimenting with the Long Island native, who had an interception and a sack against the Jets last week.
We’d like to see more of Dexter Lawrence up front and Oshane Ximines, too. It would give Giant fans peace of mind to know these two can compete at the pro level.
With Alec Ogletree (calf) likely sitting out this week, we’re going to see more of rookie Ryan Connelly and that will suit everyone just fine. Connelly is a player and the Giants are eager to see what he can do with the first team defense and also paired with Tae Davis on the inside.
Wide receiver
Is T.J. Jones the real deal? What about Darius Slayton? With Golden Tate due to sit the first month of the season, auditions will be in full swing. The depth chart currently reads: Sterling Shepard, Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard, Bennie Fowler and….?
Jobs are certainly in play and veteran Alonzo Russell is ready to make his case for the roster and rookies Reggie White Jr. and Alex Wesley, as well as Da’mari Scott, are all hoping to catch the eye of the coaches.
The offensive line
We know what Nate Solder, Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez are capable of. What we really want to see is how the centers are working out and if Mike Remmers is the answer at right tackle.
Jon Halapio (ankle) is coming off a lost season, so the Giants will lighten his workload, and we know that Spencer Pulley can play. But let’s see more of Evan Brown like we did last week. Also, UDFA James O’Hagen. Is he a keeper?
Other players that could get longer looks this week are Chad Slade and Nick Gates, two players that are working their way towards potential roster spots.
