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Cancel that New York Giants depth chart that came out immediately after the team announced its 53-man roster. The Giants this morning came out with a new 'unofficial' depth chart that more accurately reflects how they will actually line up Monday when they face the Detroit Lions in their season opener.
Offense
Rookie Weston Richburg is listed as the starter at left guard with Geoff Schwartz out. The second-round pick earned that spot with his preseason play.
Brandon Mosley is still listed as the starter at right guard with John Jerry as the backup. Head coach Tom Coughlin said today that Mosley is still out with a back injury. It seems likely that Jerry will be the starter against the Lions.
Larry Donnell is the starting tight end, with Daniel Fells listed second and Adrien Robinson third. That is pretty much the way you had to expect the tight ends would line up.
At running back, rookie Andre Williams has moved to the No. 2 spot ahead of veteran Peyton Hillis.
Defense
Second-year man Johnathan Hankins has been elevated to starting status ahead of veteran Mike Patterson. With Patterson missing much of the preseason due to a shoulder injury it seemed like things would work out that way, and now that news is official.
The linebacker chart is interesting, and maybe in the end it will be inaccurate. Jameel McClain is listed as the starting middle linebacker with rookie Devon Kennard on the strong side. You have to believe that if Jon Beason, back after recovering from his broken foot, practices well this week he will start in the middle. That will leave the Giants with an interesting decision between Kennard and McClain on the strong side.
Special Teams
As anticipated, Preston Parker is listed as the primary punt returner with Rueben Randle as the backup. Randle's primary asset as a returner is that he is sure-handed. You wonder if you might see Randle when the Giants are pinned deep near the goal line in return situations, and Parker the rest of the time.