Giants vs. Steelers Preseason: Players to watch

Brandon Mosley was swarmed by more media members on Wednesday and Thursday during New York Giants training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center than he had probably encountered total since being drafted by the Giants in the fourth round in 2012.

That's because with starting right guard Chris Snee not playing as he works his way back from hip surgery and fill-in James Brewer sidelined by a concussion, Mosley will start Saturday night in the Giants' preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That means Mosley will be tasked with protecting quarterback Eli Manning on passing downs and trying to open holes for David Wilson and Andre Brown on running downs.

Mosley admitted this week that he didn't expect this to happen, but said "I’m anxious to do it. I’m ready to get out there."

Mosley didn't get out there much in 2012. He played a bit in the Giants' first two preseason games last season after being drafted 131st overall, then ended up on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury.

Head coach Tom Coughlin has liked what he has seen from Mosley during training camp.

"He’s had some very good practices," Coughlin said. "He occasionally suffers from a lack of experience when something new confronts him. He’s been impressive. He’s a tough kid. He’s battling."

Mosley is looking forward to his opportunity.

"Things just happen faster with the first group, because they have been doing it a lot more, along with the slants and blitzes and all kinds of things," Mosley said. "You have to be on your Ps and Qs a lot better than any other time."

Five Other Players To Watch

We won't count the rookies here, since we've already done a separate post on them.

1. David Wilson -- No worries about his running, but what about his pass-blocking? Giants' starters will only play 12-15 snaps, but you can bet Kevin Gilbride will call a couple of plays designed to test Wilson in pass-blocking situations. How will he do?
2. Rueben Randle -- A very impressive first couple of weeks of training camp for the second-year wide receiver. Can he continue his solid showing in a real game?
3. Linebackers -- This is cheating, I know. It is impossible to single out one linebacker for the Giants to watch, however. You have to watch them all and judge for yourself who should get playing time, who shouldn't, and if any of them can actually do the job. Coughlin and Perry Fewell will certainly be paying attention.
4. Marvin Austin -- Right now Austin might be on the outside looking in when it comes to making the 53-man roster. Defensive line coach Robert Nunn said of Austin that "when he gets out there under the lights he’s got to produce." His chance comes Saturday night. If he doesn't produce the 2010 second-round pick is going to have a tough time sticking around.
5. Adrien Robinson -- The second-year tight end has been impressive in training camp, and has been drawing positive reviews. Now we see if he can carry his impressive training camp play into live action.