On paper, the New York Giants don't have as much depth in their secondary as they did a season ago. One of the players counted on to provide depth in 2014, Trumaine McBride, is now being counted on as the slot cornerback. Let's look at the veteran McBride as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the 90-man roster the Giants will bring to training camp.
2014 Season in Review
After rescuing his career in 2013, signing a reserve/futures contract, making the team after playing just one game the previous two seasons and playing suprisingly well, McBride signed a two-year deal and was expected to provide depth behind Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Prince Amukamara and Walter Thurmond.
McBride was forced to step into the lineup as the slot corner when Thurmond was lost for the season in Week 2 with a torn pectoral muscle. McBride played reasonably well until a thumb injury sent him to injured reserve just six games into the season. Statistically, McBride compiled a +1.4 Pro Football Focus grade in 215 defensive snaps, including +3.0 in coverage. He had an interception, a sack and a pass defensed.
2015 Season Outlook
McBride, who turns 30 in September, is penciled in as the team's slot cornerback this season. Players who would seem to have a chance to unseat him would be Mike Harris, who played well at the end of last season for the Giants, and free agent-signee Josh Gordy.
Early in the offseason, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said the team was trying to "feel through" its options in the slot. Throughout OTAs and minicamp McBride took the first-team reps in that slot, so it would appear to be his job to lose.
Last season is the first time McBride, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, had played extensively in the slot. Spagnuolo said before OTAs that it looked like McBride "showed a pretty good feel" for the spot during his time there in 2014.
The Giants are banking on that impression being proven correct.