New York Giants Release Unofficial Depth Chart: Analyzing the Defense
The New York Giants are getting set to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in their first preseason game this Friday, and the team’s official site has released an unofficial depth chart for the game.
There are not many surprises to be found, and if you missed me analyzing the offense you can find that article here.
Now we will move on to the defensive side of things. Let’s rock.
Defensive End (left to right)
Starters – Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora
Second String – Adrian Tracy, Justin Trattou
Third String – Craig Marshall, Matt Broha
Remaining – Adewale Ojomo
My Take: No, the Giants are not trotting three defensive ends out there in the starting lineup, but it is still nonetheless interesting that they listed both Umenyiora and JPP as starting right defensive ends on the depth chart. Tracy and Trattou are both fighting for the so-called “Dave Tollefson” spot behind the main four guys. Remember linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka will spend a considerable amount of downs with his hand in the dirt as well.
Broha and Marshall are likely both practice squad material, and Ojomo has some work to do to make the team.
Defensive Tackle
Starters – Linval Joseph, Rocky Bernard
Second String – Marvin Austin, Shaun Rogers
Third String – Martin Parker, Dwayne Hendricks
Remaining – Chris Canty, Markus Kuhn
My Take: Obviously when Canty comes off the PUP list, at some point, he will be reinstated as the starter in place of Bernard. The Giants finally re-signed Bernard just before camp, hoping his veteran presence can be counted on again this season. The young guns Austin and rookie Kuhn have looked solid in camp, and to be honest it is surprising to see Kuhn behind Parker and Hendricks. But being that he is a rookie, he’ll have to prove his worth in the preseason to move up, otherwise he could be a practice squad player his first year.
Linebackers
SAM – Mathias Kiwanuka, Keith Rivers, Greg Jones, Clint Sintim
Middle – Chase Blackburn, Mark Herzlich, Jake Muasau
WILL – Michael Boley, Jacquian Williams, Spencer Paysinger
My Take: No surprises here at all. The Giants have an incredibly deep group at linebacker, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see as many as seven different players see time at the position one way or another. All three backups in Rivers, Herzlich and Williams are pushing the starters in camp so far. It will be a very interesting position to keep your eye on all year long in terms of starting combinations.
Cornerbacks
Starters – Corey Webster, Prince Amukamara
Second String – Michael Coe, Justin Tryon
Third String – Jayron Hosley, Brandon Bing
Remaining – Bruce Johnson, Antwaun Molden, Terrell Thomas, Dante Hughes
My Take: The Giants got some great news when Dr. James Andrews did not find an ACL tear in Terrell Thomas’ knee. He will rehab and could be back some time early this season, but the Giants will not rush him back. Amukamara gets the start in his place, but there is a big time battle for playing time after that. Coe, Tryon, Bing and Johnson have all looked solid in camp, and Hosley and Molden are new additions that the Giants love as well. It will be interesting to see who is on the outside looking in come September.
Safeties
Starters – Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle
Second String – Tyler Sash, Will Hill
Third String – Steve Brown, Jojo Nicolas
Remaining – Chris Horton, Janzen Jackson
My Take: There are a ton of special interest stories at the safety position, mainly the three undrafted free agents who are fighting for their proverbial lives. Hill, Nicolas and Jackson have all impressed at some point in camp, but Hill looks like he has a real chance for playing time this year. With Sash missing the first four games due to a suspension, Hill and whomever emerges as the fifth best will be important. Phillips and Rolle were rocks at the back end of the defense last year, but when Rolle was forced to move to the Nickel corner spot it hurt the team. With so many talented bodies at corner, hopefully that won’t be necessary.
Jeff is an NFL Featured Columnist for www.RantSports.com. He contributes mainly to the New York Giants and NFL Rumors pages. He also will occasionally touch on the NBA and humorous videos involving all sports.
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