Football season is finally here.
The smoldering heat and thick air have never felt better for NFL fans. Though most football fans are thrilled, the New York Giants came to training camp with a chip on their shoulder after another season in the gutter.
So, with this Giants team on a mission for the playoffs, what have been the takeaways in this first week of training camp?
Russell Wilson Forming Strong Chemistry With Receivers
The newly acquired veteran Wilson has already brought something the Giants have been missing for years: a deep ball.
Wilson has been unleashing an impressive amount of deep passes to each of the starting receivers of Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, and, most surprisingly, Wan’Dale Robinson.
Chemistry is something that the Giants have desperately needed for years, and it was something long-time starter Daniel Jones never had. Wilson is seemingly unlocking the playbook in a way Brian Daboll could never do before. Nabers, already having over 1,200 yards last season, could’ve had a few hundred more yards if a more capable deep passer were on the team.
As stated earlier, the biggest surprise of this deep passing attack is Robinson. Throughout his career, he has primarily been a checkdown, slot receiver who seldom saw a throw longer than 15 yards. His speed and quick change of direction have always made him seem like a viable downfield threat, and at long last, he will finally be.
Rookies Showing Out
The Giants are expecting big rookie seasons from third overall pick Abdul Carter and fourth-rounder Cam Skattebo. So far in training camp, they have delivered. Carter has looked like a freak of nature in one-on-one drills, and Skattebo has been a weapon in multiple packages.
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Carter is fitting like a glove in the Giants’ pass rush group, as they will continue to be the strongest group on the team. Skattebo has been showing his deep receiving bag and his wrecking ball running style. Given his current playing style, he has a chance to match starter Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s touches.
The one premier rookie on the team struggling is first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart. Dart got off to a slow start in the first days of camp, but since then, he has continued to improve. He has struggled with things a lot of rookies struggle with: timing. He is used to having a wide-open receiver available at all times, and he is learning the hard way that’s not how things work in the NFL.
Preseason will be a test to see how much Dart is improving and will be a headline for the rest of camp.
Evan Neal Position Change Already Working
Giants fans have long anticipated Neal’s switch from tackle to guard. So far, the transition has gone well. His stifling height and astounding wingspan have made his physicality fit right in. He has held his own in one-on-one drills, including giving Abdul Carter one of his worst reps of training camp.
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If Neal continues to perform this well, there is no reason why he can’t take the starting right guard position.
Run Defense Still Among NFL’s Worst
The Giants allowed 136.2 rushing yards per game last season, the sixth worst in the league. This has not seemed to change in camp. Although training camp is not the best indicator for this big of an issue, it’s clear that the interior defensive line outside of Dexter Lawrence is as bad as ever.
The interior defensive line will need to be one of the Giants’ highest priorities this trade deadline and next offseason if they want to complete their elite defensive line.
Defensive Backfield Showing Growth
The Giants’ defensive backs have the most untapped potential on the team, and they are showing significant strides in camp. The main breakouts so far have been Deonte Banks and Tyler Nubin. Banks’ most important problem in the NFL has been not turning his head when targeted, and he is finally changing that. This change will make him one of the better cornerbacks in the league.
Nubin, who was very solid last season, is returning to college form with his ball-hawk ability. In his rookie season, he was a phenomenal tackler and forced short gains, but he made zero difference as a defensive playmaker. So far in camp, he has been more aggressive attacking the ball and causing chaos in the passing game.
The defensive backs were one of the biggest question marks on the team this offseason, and using training camp as a sort of insight into the rest of the season, they will be much improved from last season.
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