New York Giants preview (No. 22): Will the injury bug stay away?
Our 2015 NFL preview series ranks every team, from worst to first. Today: the No. 22 Giants.
2014 record: 6-10
Head coach: Tom Coughlin (11th season, 96-80, 8-3 in playoffs, 2-0 in Super Bowl)
Key arrivals: Shane Vereen (running back), Dwayne Harris (wide receiver/kick returner), *Ereck Flowers (offensive tackle), Marshall Newhouse (offensive tackle), Kendrick Ellis (defensive tackle), *Landon Collins (safety)
(*denotes rookie)
Key departures: Antrel Rolle (safety), Stevie Brown (safety)
2015 schedule (ET)
Sept. 13: at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Sept. 24: Washington, 8:25 p.m.
Oct. 4: at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11: San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 19: at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 25: Dallas, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 1: at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 8: at Tampa Bay, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 15: New England, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 22: BYE
Nov. 29: at Washington, 1 p.m.
Dec. 6: New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 14: at Miami, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 20: Carolina, 1 p.m.
Dec. 27: at Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3: Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: Who will win the starting linebacker spots?
The Giants haven't had strong linebacker play since Antonio Pierce manned the "Mike" spot in the 2000s. This could change in 2015 under returning coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who was with New York during that era. The Giants signed veteran free agents Jonathan Casillas (New England) and J.T. Thomas (Jacksonville) while also keeping Jon Beason in the fold with a restructured contract. Promising second-year strong-side linebacker Devon Kennard and the versatile Jameel McClain are viable contenders to start as well. A strong effort by this group against the run and pass would take some of the heat off an inexperienced collection of safeties.
IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT
The Giants have a lot to look forward to on offense. Quarterback Eli Manning seems to win Super Bowls every four years (2007, 2011), and the talent around him this season could help him to the best year of his career. Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen and Andre Williams are in the backfield to help take the pressure off the passing game, which will likely be the focal point of coordinator Bob McAdoo's offense. If healthy, the receiving trio of Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle could make the Giants' passing game deadly. The defense just has to do its part. The Giants could continue the four-year trend, or at least win the NFC East.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG
Cruz's rehab from a torn patellar tendon doesn't go well and he isn't back for the start of the season. Beckham is hampered by hamstring injuries that have nagged him thus far through the offseason and he can't get to full strength, either. There's unrest on the offensive line, where the Giants project to have Ereck Flowers and Marshall Newhouse as starters. The Giants also project to go into the season with a rookie (Landon Collins) and first-year starter (Cooper Taylor) at the safety spots. That could lead to some big plays for opponents as the two youngsters learn their positions. The Giants would miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season under coach Tom Coughlin, who would likely be shown the door.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Defensive end Damontre Moore
Moore didn't have the breakout season the Giants had hoped for in 2014 and needed offseason shoulder surgery from which he is still recovering. Moore, though, did log a career-high 5.5 sacks and may have the chance to serve as New York's primary pass-rushing threat depending on the severity of Jason Pierre-Paul's and injury from a July 4 fireworks accident.
CIRCLE-THE-DATE GAME: vs. New England in Week 10 (4:25 p.m./Nov. 15):
The Giants have triumphed the past three times they've played the Patriots, including victories in Super Bowls 42 and 46. Toppling New England again would help New York in trying to keep that four-year cycle of winning NFL championships alive.
ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 7-9, third place
Coughlin must be wondering who put the curse on his team. The injury bug that helped lead to New York's failings the past two seasons bit again this offseason with the loss of players at two of the most important positions -- left tackle with Will Beatty (pectoral muscle) and right defensive end with Pierre-Paul (hand). Beatty's expected absence until midseason will likely thrust Flowers, a first-round pick, into a starting role that he might not be ready for at this point. Pierre-Paul's status is less certain. He has neither allowed Giants doctors to examine him nor signed his franchise tender for the 2015 season following a July 4 fireworks accident. Pierre-Paul's absence and major questions at safety don't do Spagnuolo any favors as he returns to run the defense. However, that unit should get ample support from an offense that began to flourish late last season. Manning enjoyed a career rebound with 30 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and 4,410 passing yards thanks to McAdoo's offense and the emergence of Beckham, who won NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The return of Cruz (knee) and the free-agent signing of Vereen should make Manning even more effective. Staying healthy -- finally -- is a must for the Giants to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
