Who to watch for Big Blue against the Bears tonight
EAST RUTHERFORD >> By the end of Thursday night, the Giants will officially be halfway through the preseason.
Here’s a player to watch at each position when New York hosts Chicago at MetLife Stadium.
QB, Eli Manning
Sounds crazy, right? No one’s roster spot is more secure than the two-time Super Bowl MVP. And the Giants didn’t bring him back for the final year of his contract at $23.2 million to have him ride the bench, either.
But after Daniel Jones’ dazzling preseason debut last week, we’re at a point where Manning needs to show why the organization still believes he gives them the best chance at win. His one drive last week resulted in a three-and-out for the offense in which Manning opted for a threeyard dump-off to Scott Simonson instead of passing to a wide-open Rhett Ellison on first down.
No one should be reading much into one series apiece for the two quarterbacks. And it is the preseason, after all. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to see Manning complete a nice downfield throw or two as proof that he still has the ability in his 16th season.
Plus, Manning didn’t play in the second preseason game last year. Head coach Pat Shurmur said Wednesday that all four quarterbacks will play against the Bears.
RB, Paul Perkins
The fourth-year back has had quite the journey in New York. He became the starter in 2017 before missing all of the 2018 season with a pectoral injury.
Perkins may be nearing the end of the line with the Giants, who have a crowded running back room behind Saquon Barkley. Wayne Gallman is firmly entrenched as the backup, so Perkins is competing with the likes of Rod Smith and Eli Penny for a roster spot.
Perkins hurt his odds last week when he lost a fumble and dropped a pass. Since he isn’t a significant contributor on special teams, Perkins needs a big game in the backfield to help his cause.
WR, TJ Jones
The Giants signed the fifth-year wideout on July 27, two days after the first camp practice as a response to Corey Coleman’s season-ending ACL injury.
Jones is now a sleeper to make the roster after a preseason debut in which he had a team-high six catches for 72 yards. He also received a solid amount of work on special teams (seven snaps).
With continued production, Jones has a chance to be the Giants’ fifth or sixth receiver, depending on how many they decide to keep with Golden Tate suspended for four games.
TE, C.J. Conrad
The Giants have made clear this summer that the offense will largely revolve around 12 personnel (twotight end sets). Simonson started alongside Ellison in the opener.
Conrad appears to hold a slight edge over Garrett Dickerson if New York indeed keeps four tight ends. The undrafted rookie out of Kentucky played 28 snaps last week and had two catches for seven yards.
OL, Nick Gates
Gates tied with lineman Chad Slade for the second-most snaps on offense (50) last week and struggled, committing two holding penalties and a false start.
But Gates also had the challenge of being pressed into duty at tackle because of injuries after being a guard throughout camp. He still has the inside track on a backup job.
DL, Chris Slayton
The seventh-round pick out of Syracuse is fighting to make the roster. He had a good start to the preseason with a tackle-forloss during his 22 snaps against the Jets.
Keep an eye on the 6-foot-4, 307-pound Slayton, who is battling John Jenkins for a spot in the defensive line rotation.
LB, Ryan Connelly
The fifth-round pick out of Wisconsin has steadily gained first-team reps this summer and has a legitimate shot to become a starting linebacker this season.
Connelly’s nose for the football was on display against the Jets as he showed sharp anticipation and closing speed while reading the backfield and totaling five tackles.
CB, Grant Haley
Haley is likely to return as the starting nickel corner after missing the opener with an injury.
Rookie Julian Love struggled in coverage while filling in against the Jets, emphasizing Haley’s value to the defense. Despite being undersized at 5-foot-9, the Penn State product has demonstrated toughness and ability in the slot which excites the Giants going into his second season.
S, Sean Chandler
Chandler had a teamhigh 54 snaps in the opener and started on three special teams units, which gives him a leg up as a backup safety.
The Camden native and Temple product has had a few nice interceptions in practice as he pushes to make the roster for the second consecutive year after going undrafted.
Specialists
Nothing to see here. Kicker Aldrick Rosas, punter Riley Dixon and long snapper Zak DeOssie are firmly entrenched in their roles.