In a New York Minute: 6 Questions That Need Answers. New York Giants vs New York Jets Preseason Game Preview

The New York Giants and New York Jets face off tonight in the most important NFL season tune-up. There are questions abound about each team, here are some of the things to look for in tonight’s game.

New York Jets

Plaxico Buress vs the Giants Secondary

Many Giants fans were looking forward to seeing Plaxico Burress on the field this season in New Jersey. The only problem is they were expecting to see Plaxico wearing Blue. The Giants and Plaxico though decided to part ways and the Giants front office watched with dismay as Plaxico Burress signed with their “younger brothers” the New York Jets. The publicity firestorm was brief, but it buried the New York Giants for having an incompetent off-season (punctuated with the losses of Steve Smith and Kevin Boss). Plaxico looked good in his first live game action since the ‘shot that destroyed the Giants repeat bid’, but has also been battling nagging injuries. Tonight, Plaxico will want to put on a show when he faces the New York Giants. Will he be able to? His return and the way the Giants welcome their former teammate is an interesting storyline to follow.

Do the Jets have a Pass Rush?

The Jets focused on improving their pass rush in the N.F.L. draft by drafting Muhammad Wilkerson and Kedrick Ellis (NT out of Hampton) early in their draft. However, they still lack a dominant Rush outside linebacker. They are hoping that Calvin Pace can be that player for the Jets, but so far in a few short seasons with the team he hasn’t been able to show enough to warrant his large contract, though he does have 20.5 sacks in three seasons.

Is Shonn Greene poised for a breakout season?

Ground and Pound has been anything but this preseason. The Jets have a good defense and the best way to keep a good defense fresh is to control the clock with a powerful running game. If Shonn Greene or Joe Mcknight aren’t up for the task this season it could really put the Jets Superbowl aspirations on hold. The New York Giants have a powerful defensive front with good size (Linval Joseph, Chris Canty, and Justin Tuck are all excellent run defenders). Compounding the questions surrounding Shonn Greene is the transition the offensive line has undergone.   It’ll be fun to see what kind of run game the Jets can put together tonight.

New York Giants

Do the Giants have Enough in the Secondary?

The New York Giants have suffered a lot of injuries at the cornerback position this off-season. A position they hoped to have a lot of depth at now seems very iffy. The New York Giants lost Bruce Johnson, Terrell Thomas, and Brian Witherspoon for the season. The Giants also lost Prince Amukamara ‘s entire training camp due to a foot injury, he may miss the first six weeks of the season. The Giants are so desperate they are thinking about moving Antrel Rolle to cornerback in nickel situations. Aaron Ross had a good rookie season and a good follow up season in 2008, but has been sidelined with injuries or ineffective since then. Another big performance by Aaron Ross will help ease the Giants concerns a little bit.

Who is the Giants #3 Wide Receiver?

Former 3rd round pick Ramses Barden has all the talent in the world and probably would have had the inside track on the #3 WR spot had he been healthy entering training camp, but he’s still on the PUP list and not really in the mix any longer. Last year’s training camp sensation, Victor Cruz, is fighting Domenik Hixon for the #3 Wide Receiver spot. Hixon is a speed player who is dangerous after the catch, while Cruz is a wide receiver who uses his body and strength to catch the ball and make plays.

Which Young Linebackers will step up and make the team?

For the first time in a long time,  New York Giants fans feel like they have a lot of talent at the linebacker position. The Giants have there three starters in Jonathan Goff, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Michael Boley. And then a whole lot of competition for the remaining linebacker spots.

Former second round pick Clint Sintim is running out of time to show the Giants he is worth a roster spot. The Giants also have two sixth round picks vying for a roster spot: Jacquian Williams and Greg Jones. Williams was drafted because of his potential on special teams.

Everyone’s favorite story, Mark Herzlich, is also fighting for a roster spot. Last week he had a heack of an interception in the red zone.

Spencer Paysinger has come out of nowhere to become a front runner for a roster spot. Paysinger is the only rookie of the bunch to have taken snaps with the first team offense (when Michael Boley was sidelined briefly with an injury).

The player who seems in most trouble to win a roster spot could be last year’s fourth round pick out of Nebraska, Phillip Dillard. Dillard hasn’t been that impressive in training camp yet or special teams last year.

Lastly are Zak DeOssie, the team’s long snapper and a player who is actually praised for his special teams play and last year’s sixth round pick Adrian Tracy. Adrian Tracy is a former college defensive end who is learning to play standing up. He also put his hands on the ground to rush the passer. Tracy has flashed brilliance at times, especially when he’s coming after the quarterback, but will the Giants save a roster spot for him at the expense of higher draft picks (Cilnt Sintim or Phillip Dillard) or a player like Mark Herzlich who might offer more versatility.

Tonight’s game will go a long way in deciding who will make the team at linebacker for the New York Giants.

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