Don’t bet on big jump by Williams
You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Giants.
Should we expect Leonard Williams to make more of an impact this season because he will be with the team from the start of the season?
— David Schildkraut You would think so, but I’m not so sure we will see anything much different out of Williams than what he’s shown in his NFL career. Look, the guy has played five seasons, and at some point a player is what he is, right? He is remarkably durable, and an excellent and active runstopper. He can apply pressure from the interior of the defensive line. He is not a finisher when it comes to getting the quarterback to the ground. He gets a lot of “almost’’ sacks. Sure, the eight games with the Giants in 2019 allowed Williams to get acclimated to his new team and new teammates — he gets to work again with Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence, and that is a plus. But there is a new defensive system in place, meaning there is no continuity as far as scheme. Williams is 26 and could be entering his prime. Maybe he has a career awakening, but I doubt it.
Since there will be an expanded roster (from 53 to 55) on game days this season, what positions do you think Coach (Joe) Judge will look at more closely to fill the two spots? Could this give the Giants an advantage given his statement on versatility within the roster? — Daniel Chong
This is a new development this season, and I think every coach will handle it a bit differently, depending most of all on the health of the roster. If the Giants are thin at one position or they have a player or two who can play but are hobbled a bit, they could activate an extra player at that position as insurance. Daniel, you mention Judge, and the fact he has a background as a special teams coach could come into play here. Judge is always going to be cognizant of how a player helps and fits in on special teams, probably more so than most head coaches. You can be sure the two extra players activated for games this season will all have special teams value.
How will the shortened offseason impact most of the young players battling for a roster spot, especially the rookies and UDFA signings? — NY Giants News & Updates
Unfortunately, I fear it will have an adverse impact on young players and undrafted players. Not having any on-field work in the spring and early summer figures to hurt the inexperienced players most of all. Coaches in training camp always talk about the need for “carryover’’ from the OTAs, and there will be none of that this year — there were no OTAs, and those Zoom meetings can be only so useful. Undrafted guys, such as Chase Blackburn and Victor Cruz and Rich Seubert, needed all the time they could get in the summer to make an impression and find a way to stick on the roster, needing every preseason game to show their stuff. Now, with a maximum of two preseason games — and maybe none at all — these undrafted guys are going to have a much more difficult road to the NFL. Coaches will likely have to stick with who they know or players with some history in the league, because there will not be enough time to adequately evaluate the newcomers.
Do you think that NFL games played without fans would benefit the offense or defense more? — Biff Fischer
Intriguing question, Biff. This is a new deal for all of us. I would think quiet in the stadium will help the offense. A quarterback will not have to shout to be heard, and any adjustments he makes at the line of scrimmage will be easy for all to hear — including the opposing defense. This could lead to an interesting cat-and-mouse game before the snap. There will be no need for silent counts on offense on the road, greatly helping the offensive line. How many times have we seen an offensive lineman get a false-start penalty or get a late jump out of his stance because the crowd noise on the road leads to anxiety and uncertainty? Games with no fans will include none of this. Also, the offense will never have to call a timeout to quiet the crowd or because of miscommunication based on crowd noise.