Giants have depth at corner

by Ed Valentine on Jul 14, 2008 7:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

Training camp is approaching, and it's time to begin getting serious about what our DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPION Giants will look like this season.

Today, I will begin a look at some of the more interesting position battles that will be worth watching in Albany this summer.

Let's start at cornerback, where there figures to be a ton of competition for both roster spots and playing time.

The Locks

The way I see it, Sam Madison, Aaron Ross, Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas and Kevin Dockery are locks to make the squad.

The real battle here will be who plays, and how much. If Webster's outstanding post-season performance wasn't a mirage and he truly has become a top-flight corner, I see Webster and Ross taking the starting spots with Madison as third corner.

Ross, last year's No. 1 pick improved as the year went on and showed the size, speed and toughness to make me think he can be a quality corner for a long time. If Webster continues his good play and Madison still has something in the tank, this is a solid group.

Dockery and Thomas will battle for playing time against four and five-wide receiver sets.

The Others

R.W. McQuarters, Geoffrey Pope and Darren Barnett are probably fighting for one roster spot -- though you can never be sure. If it is indeed one spot I think it goes to McQuarters -- who seems too old and slow but manages to survive year after year with his experience and ability to play special teams.

Your thoughts?

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Comments

madison and mcquarters make me nervous

CB is a young man’s position. i thought dockery looked pretty good as he got more PT as the season went on, tho he was slightly inconsistent. if madison’ leadership and experience is a plus, keep him, but i dont see mcquarters really providing much of a return at this point. nice to see a little depth here tho, versus what we had in the last few years.

by kendynamo on Jul 14, 2008 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

It looks like we're in good shape at corner.

I think we have more depth at WR and RB than we’ve ever enjoyed. Overall, we have a better team than last year, a cause for optimism, but no guarantee of a SB appearance.

by george cronin on Jul 14, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

Guarantees

There is never a guarantee of anything. All we can do is look at it and think a good team with some quality depth is in place, and a good management/coaching group is in place. That’s all you can ask.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 14, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Only Joe Willie is rash enough to make guarantees.

by george cronin on Jul 14, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

It seems not that long ago

that people were saying McQuarters had no shot to make the team because of his huge contract. Was that reworked? When the DeAngelo Hall rumors were flying about, we were itching to improve this spot. I guess Terrell Thomas was actually the answer we were looking for then. They all look like a good enough unit to stay with the best in our division. Given all that, and since I don’t know who Barnett even is, I would bank on Pope making the team.

by rzor on Jul 14, 2008 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

RW

I kept figuring the Giants would release him. They haven’t, so now you have to think they want him around.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 14, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

McQ and Madison

I really wonder how much gas these guys have left in the tank. They have both been great soldiers, but past their primes. McQ was particularly valuable on special teams, but I see that role going more and more to Hixon.

Ross, Webster, Thomas and Dockery are locks – Madison I am less sure about. I see Pope over McQ, but I am not sure who would go over Madison

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by NYERinSF on Jul 14, 2008 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

Madison

I think he makes the team, but Webster and Ross play full time.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 14, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Webster

After giving up on him finally as a bust ,he comes out and plays solid during the playoff / SUPERBOWL run. Noty to mention catching Brett Favres last pass(is that why he’s unretireing?). Still if you look carefully at the tapes Randy Moss put him on his butt with just a little move and there were a few other times he could have been burned badly. If he turns out as solid as the last 4 games though fine but, this is truly his year to put up or get out. I think Spags may have gotten him out of the funk he was in mentally and that could be all that he needed. Let’s hope so!

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Jul 15, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

also

He also saved the game, on Brady’s ridiculous 70 yard across the field bomb to moss on the second to last play of the super bowl, that he somehow got a finger tip on

by queler on Jul 16, 2008 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Corners

If Ross continues to keep improving and Webster plays like he’s shown he is capable, the Giants should be pretty solid here. Overall, the secodary looks a lot better this close to training camp compared to last year. The Giants have done a good job eliminating some of the question marks (and migraines we all experienced in 2005 & 2006 seasons when the defense couldn’t stop anyone). I say take a chance and stick with youth here. Spags will take care of the rest.

by giantbeliever on Jul 14, 2008 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

I think the Giants have to keep McQ

He’s the type of veteran that’s good to have around. Great insurance policy for the defensive backfield in the case of a serious injury, decent/adequate nickel or dime corner, plus he can return punts….

He’s the embodiment of a “utility player” in baseball parlance; kinda like Luis Sojo for you Yanks fans out there (veteran, capable of playing several positions and filling many holes, won’t kill you by giving up the big play, etc).

by Cody K on Jul 15, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions