Can QBs shine without Beckham?
How long will Manning be the starting quarterback?
The Giants are committed to Eli Manning as their starting quarterback with the two-time Super Bowl MVP entering his 16th season, the most for any player in franchise history. Things will stay that way if the Giants win, especially if Manning plays well. But with the addition of Daniel Jones as Manning’s heir apparent with the No. 6 overall pick, there will be something to be gained for the future if the present does not go so well.
In 2004, Manning was in the position of Jones as a rookie and Kurt Warner was the Giants’ veteran quarterback. The Giants were a middle-of-the-road team despite a 5-4 record when team brass decided it was time to start Manning.
Now, Warner did not have the same sentimental appeal to the Giants as Manning does now. The fact remains, Jones is the future. So, as coach Pat Shurmur said, it’s up to Manning to do what he can to keep Jones off the field.
“I think it’s good on both counts,” Shurmur said of the give-and-take between Manning, 38, and Jones, 21. “I think, it’s a really, really good quarterback room. Two very competitive guys, work well together, and guys are in there trying to get better with each rep, they help each other. I feel really good about the interaction that they’ve had to this point.”
Jones looked impressive in rookie minicamp with the juice on his throws, especially those into coverage. His athleticism was on display in and out of the pocket as he moved very well to his right and to his left.
“There’s some zip on his ball,” rookie tight end C.J. Conrad said. “Saw that right away first ball I caught. Throws a really good ball. Hits your hands quick, gets on you quick, tight spiral.”
Manning said will do whatever he can to help in Jones’ maturation but has not put a time frame on how much longer he wants to play.
“I want to play this year,” Manning quipped before adding later: “I understand that I am the quarterback on the Giants and it is my responsibility to go out there and do my job to the best of my ability. I want to be in this position and be the quarterback. I want to go win games and have a great year.
“I feel like I’ve always tried hard and worked hard, and done everything possible to be in a position to be successful, so I don’t think (Jones being drafted) has changed that. But ... I understand the circumstances that, sure, I need to play well, I need to play well early and do my job. You want to do that, and also be careful not to press in trying to do too much too soon when things aren’t there and force things into bad plays. So, hey, I gotta play to the best of my ability, make good decisions and lead this team to victories.”
What will the offense look like without Beckham?
Odell Beckham Jr.’s talent is undeniable, and for the better part of five years, the Giants’ offense went through him. With Beckham gone in an offseason trade to the Cleveland Browns, expect Offensive Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley to draw even more attention.
Wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate along with Evan Engram at tight end should be Manning’s top weapons through the air. The key here is Barkley, of course, and he’ll have to deal with more eyes on him from the opposite line of scrimmage. Tate and Shepard have similar skill sets, and former Browns first-round pick Corey Coleman has a chance to carve a niche for himself at wideout. Darius Slayton from Auburn has speed to burn and could find himself as a contributor at the position. The Giants have parted ways with a lot of big names since the start of last season, including Landon Collins — who signed a big deal in free agency with the Redskins — and Olivier Vernon, who was essentially traded for guard Kevin Zietler in the larger deal headlined by Beckham.
The Giants’ decision to pass on Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen at No. 6 for Jones will loom large this season, with secondyear player Lorenzo Carter and free agent signee Markus Golden at the top of the depth chart. Veteran Kareem Martin is a role player. Rookie Oshane Ximines has talent and he’ll be asked to make the step up in competition from Old Dominion.
The Giants will have to scheme up the pass rush, at least early on, using blitzes from the second and third levels to cause disruption.
The addition of rookie cornerbacks Julian Love and Corey Ballentine, plus the anticipated return of Sam Beal, should help on the back end. Ballentine is recovering after a shooting that wounded him and claimed the life of his close friend and college teammate Dwane Simmons.