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The preseason is over for the New York Giants. Let's take a look back at the 2-2 preseason, focusing on some of the position battles and whether or not some of the questions that were out there when preseason started have been answered.
First, a look at the preseason statistical leaders:
Final Preseason Stats
Passing
Eli Manning: 32-of-51 (62.7 percent), 299 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
David Carr: 29-of-53 (54.7 percent), 343 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Receiving
Victor Cruz: 12 catches, 122 yards (10.2 yards per catch)
Ramses Barden: 8 catches, 91 yards (11.4 yards per catch)
Martellus Bennett 7 catches, 49 yards (7.0 yards per catch)
Rushing
Andre Brown: 30 carries, 94 yards (3.1 yards per carry)
David Wilson: 28 carries, 131 yards (4.7 yards per carry)
Da'Rel Scott: 17 carries, 55 yards (3.2 yards per carry)
Sacks
Adewale Ojomo 4
Matt Broha 3.5
Craig Marshall 2.5
Tackles
Spencer Paysinger 22
Mark Herzlich 17
Will Hill 14
Now, on to some of those questions.
Who is the third receiver?
That is still unclear. Domenik Hixon, Ramses Barden and Reuben Randle are your most likely candidates. Then again, some folks think Hixon might not even make the team. Jerrel Jernigan has flashed at times, but not enough to be the third guy. David Douglas? Can the Giants get him onto the roster?
Who is the punt returner?
The Giants have tried Jayron Hosley, Jernigan, Randle and Douglas. Hosley has the best stats with an 8.8 yard average over five returns. Jernigan and Hosley each muffed punts. Douglas lost a big return to a penalty. This is anybody's guess, and the answer might be on someone else's roster right now.
Who is the kickoff returner?
This comes down to whether or not the Giants really want to expose No. 1 pick David Wilson to this job. He has shown the ability to do it, breaking off a 48-yard return during the preseason.My guess? Either Jernigan or Da'Rel Scott gets the bulk of this work. Personally, I like Scott's speed in this role. If, of course, Scott makes the team.
Who is the middle linebacker?
That is going to be Chase Blackburn. Mark Herzlich had an excellent preseason, but trust is a big thing for Tom Coughlin and he -- justifiably -- trusts Blackburn. That doesn't mean Blackburn keeps the job forever. It does mean it is his for Week 1.
Can The Giants run the ball?
They couldn't last season, and they did not run it very well in the preseason. The Giants averaged 3.2 yards per rushing play in the preseason, worse than the league-worst 3.5 yards per carry they managed a season ago. David Wilson is light years faster than Brandon Jacobs, but Giants running backs still rarely had anywhere to go during the preseason.
Who plays cornerback opposite Corey Webster?
Well, the answer to that is whoever is on the roster and healthy enough to trot out onto the field and take a hit. As of today, we don't know who that is going to be.