Several roster spots still up in the air

by Ed Valentine on Aug 30, 2007 12:05 AM EDT in New York Giants News

This week's cheerleader is Ashleigh VanGerven of tonight's opponent, New England. This shot is from the squad's 2007 swimsuit calendar.

Go ahead, take your time. Eyeball this week's cheerleader photo for as long as you want.

In terms of football, we have a relatively meaningless final exhibition game tonight against the Patriots (7:30 p.m., NBC) to talk about. Ashleigh is definitely more interesting to look at than tonight's game will be.

You know, of course, that you won't see the starters for very long tonight. That's especially true considering how many players the Giants have lost to injury.

The biggest thing you have to hope for tonight is that the Giants get through without suffering any more debilitating injuries. There have been way too many of those already.

There will be a few interesting things to watch tonight, however, as players on the bubble battle for the final spots on the 53-man roster.

Let's take a quick look at some of the interesting position battles still to be decided.

Placekicker

Will it be the rookie Josh Huston or the veteran Lawrence Tynes. Right now, this one is too close to call. Despite Tynes' experience, though, Huston has had the batter camp. Huston wins the job.

No. 3 Quarterback

Coach Tom Coughlin expressed unhappiness with both candidates -- Anthony Wright and Tim Hasselbeck -- after Saturday's game against the Jets. They get one more chance to show Coughlin something tonight. Don't be surprised if both are sent packing, and the team brings in a free agent.

No. 3 Wide Receiver

The choice is between the 2006 No. 2 pick Sinorice Moss and this year's No. 2 pick, Steve Smith. Moss is a big-play type, but he's beginning to remind me of Tim Carter in that I'm not sure he can stay on the field. Smith is a smooth, sure-handed player who could be a big asset to the Giants. Smith wins this job.

Cornerback With Sam Madison hurt, the Giants will be looking at Corey Webster, R.W. McQuarters, Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery. Which two get the most playing time is anybody's guess.

Other players to watch

• Manny Wright. The 345-pound defensive tackle played pretty well in limited time last weekend. If he can repeat that performance he might play his way on to the team.

• Reuben Droughns. The Giants are anxious to see if Droughns can handle fullback. If he can't, and the Giants feel they need a full-time fullback they will go get one.

• J.R. Reed. The free agent safety made a spectacular interception last weekend. If he can follow that up with a good performance against the Patriots, he might earn himself a roster spot.

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Comments

damn

those things are just screamin for a motorboat.

i think steve smith is the most interesting of those things to look for. we kinda need another WR to step up. plax is pretty much only a deep threat and toomer continues to age. i dont feel like moss is the guy but then again, what havent actually seen anything from him yet.

by DieEaglesDie on Aug 30, 2007 12:13 AM EDT reply actions

WRs

Agreed on the WR. I keep hearing that Moss is a big play threat, but he needs to be on the field to do it. To me the most pleasant surprise of the preseason has been Smith.

If I'm going to break them, I'm going to break them both. - LT

by potroast on Aug 30, 2007 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Is Moss still on the team?

I think Smith has No.3 locked up already. Maybe number 2. Is Burress still on the team? Am definitely looking to see how Reed does. His interception Saturday night was one of the best high effort plays I've seen in a while from this group. I was sitting close to that part of the end zone and his playing speed was awesome. Manny Wright should also be fun to watch. I think he and Seawright in the middle spelling the starters could be pretty impressive, just to run around them would take time!

Feeling strangely patriotic today.(definitely motor boat)

by big blue wrecking crew on Aug 30, 2007 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

Moss

Hate to say it, but the guy is starting to remind me of Tim Carter. Lots of ability, but he can't seem to stay on the field. Even last week he limped off a couple of times.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 30, 2007 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Wht's with all the injuries?

It's been going on for 3-4 years now. And notice, it's not just the old guys. Are the Giants getting hit worse than other teams? I don't know. If they are, how long can they be snake-bit? If they are, the problem could be the conditioning program. If it's that, then there's probably to much emphasis on the weight room and not enough on pilates or yoga.
On the other hand, Shockey's always been fragile. Would he be less injury-prone if he went with the team program instead of his own? Same with Plax, or is he just hiding in the weeds, not risking injury during exhibition season? These injuries piling up year after year are driving me nuts. I keep hearing it's just the sport itself--bigger bodies colliding at faster speeds. But why are the Giants getting hit worse than other teams? (If they are.)

by george cronin on Aug 30, 2007 11:21 AM EDT reply actions