Scouting the Giants 1 Their line could be better than expected. It was an aging unit in need of change after last season, and the Giants made sure it happened. They lost stalwarts Shaun O’Hara and Rich Seubert and moved David Diehl from left tackle to left guard. William Beatty is the new left tackle, and David Baas is the new center. Beatty did not play well when he was given chances last season. But Kareem McKenzie did fine at right tackle, and Chris Snee is a perennial Pro Bowl pick at guard. The Giants built a line that should be able to run block, a staple in this offense.
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2 Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham make big plays. The problem for Eli Manning is that he lost his two favorite targets, Kevin Boss and Steve Smith. Both were strong over the middle. And Manning has not connected well with Nicks and Manningham this summer. But both are talented playmakers. Nicks has good size (6-foot-1, 208 pounds) and excels at getting yards after the catch. He has 17 touchdowns in two seasons. Manningham has 14 in that time and had 101 yards on four catches vs. Washington in December.
3 The secondary is in trouble. Rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara and top cornerback Terrell Thomas both are out with injuries — Thomas for the season. And backup cornerback Bruce Johnson is also out. Thomas, in particular, is a big loss. The Giants have veterans Corey Webster and Aaron Ross behind them, but they’re backups pressed into starting roles.
4 Injuries will impact the front seven, too. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora and middle linebacker Jonathan Goff are out with knee injuries. Umenyiora recorded three sacks vs. Washington in 2010 and combines with Justin Tuck to give them plenty of problems. Tuck didn’t practice Thursday because of a neck injury. Both play the run well. And rookie sixth-round pick Greg Jones, who has looked good this summer, might replace Goff. The Giants have long been good at stocking their defensive line and still have talent with Jason Pierre-Paul. That depth will be tested.
– John Keim
