New York Giants Final 53 Man Roster Prediction (and Patriots Giants Game Recap)

The New York Giants played the New England Patriots tonight in their final preseason game and are getting walloped early. Very few Giants starters are playing (Bear Pascoe, Travis Beckum, and the punters), while the New England Patriots have their first teams out there. So, yeah, not pretty. Still I thought I’d take a break from my next upcoming article “Is Bill Polain Still a Top (Draft) Talent Evaluator?” to make my final guess at the Giants final 53 man roster.

*Update the Giants came storming back and at the time of this posting 10:40, the Giants have won 18-17.

Game thoughts:

Jerrel Jernigan finally showcased why the Giants made him a third round pick in this past draft, however, he also left the game late with an apparent wrist injury. Hopefully for the Giants it’s not too serious. He also again muffed two punts, but finally he had one huge punt return and played well as a WR. The Giants believe he can replace Steve Smith as a tough, slot WR, but that he can be more explosive, but that will take time. Jernigan is not ready for first team defenses in the N.F.L. today, but could be by the end of the season.

Jacquian Williams earned his roster spot tonight. He was a fringe roster player, but showed better than advertised blitzing skills. He had 3 sacks tonight and also chipped in 7 tackles. Williams has been praised all preseason and training camp about his ability as a pass defender as well as his special teams ability. The Giants have focused on adding team speed and Williams is another piece in that puzzle. Williams was a pick that was universally disliked by analysts, but it could turn out to be a prudent move by Jerry Reese.

Tyler Sash might turn out to be the steal of the 2011 N.F.L. draft. He was making plays all over the field. His upside is not as high as some other players, but he has a long N.F.L. career ahead of him. It’s unfortuante the Giants lost Chad Jones to a possible career ending non-football injury last year, but the presence of Tyler Sash will help them move on faster.

The most interesting roster decision might come down to the punters. Steve Weatherford is reliable, but Dodge has huge potential and also has the leg to be a kickoff specialist, which is a big plus. He has played well all preseason, but is it enough to hold of Weatherford for the punting job?

David Carr didn’t play that well, but I still think he has the inside track on the backup quarterback position.

The New England Patriots backups did not look impressive, especially the offensive line. They got absolutely manhnadled by the Giants defense at the end of the game.

That’s enough about the New York-Boston reserve Bowl.

Let’s get to the Final Roster prediction.

Quarterback (2)

Eli Manning

David Carr (Carr is cheaper than Rosenfels, has familiarity with the system, and isn’t dealing with a back injury. On top of that, the Giants have been cash straped and Carr comes at a much better price than Rosenfels. When you’re starting Quarterback is a Manning, it doesn’t really matter who the backup is too much because neither Manning has missed a start since their first start in their rookie years).

Running back (5)

Bradshaw

Jacobs

Ware (The Giants like Andre Brown and we’re hoping he could beat out D.J. Ware, but he didn’t. )

Hynoski (Bear Pascoe filled in admirably for the Giants last year with the Madison Hedgecock injury, but he’s not as good as Hynoski can be and even though Hynoski has been uneven this year, I still think he’ll win a roster spot because he won’t make it to the practice squad).

Da’Rel Scott-His speed can’t be ignored any longer. In this preseason he has touchdown runs of 97 and 65 yards. From NY Giants beat writer Ralph Vacchiano

Da’Rel Scott this preseason: 9 carries, 186 yards … Or 20.7 yards per carry. … And two touchdowns, too. #NYG

*These stats are right after his big touchdown run.

9 carries for 104 yards with about 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter. He also has 2 catches for 20 yards.

The Giants wanted to add speed to the

offense and he brings it. He’s done everything they’ve asked and he’s shown too much to make the practice squad. Scott was a player Sayre and I debated putting in our top 100 for our big board that was submitted to The Huddle Report, but he just missed the cut. He may get cut by the Giants, but it’d be a mistake.

Wide Receiver (6)

Nicks

Manningham

Jernigan

Hixon

Cruz

Devin Thomas

Ramses Barden (will start the season on the Physically unable to perform list).

Even though this group looks less appealing without Steve Smith there is still a lot of talent there. Jernigan finally had a big return vs the Patriots and showed the explosiveness that made him a third round pick in this past April’s draft, and even though he hasn’t looked great he’s a rookie and his roster spot is not in jeopardy.

Tight End (2)

Travis Beckum

Bear Pascoe (subject to change. Because the Giants like to use an extra offensive linemen as the third tight end they may only keep two tight ends. The Giants could be active on the waiver wire if someone they like is cut.

Offensive line (9)

will Beatty, David Diehl, David Baas, Chris Snee, Kareem Mackenzie

reserves: Mitch petrus, James Brewer, Jamon Meredith, Kevin Boothe

(IR) Adam Koets

I think the Giants really like Meredith and reports are that he’s been impressive this preseason. The Giants will also bring back the versatile Kevin Boothe who becomes the primary backup center (Mitch Petrus also could back up Baas), but his roster spot will be in jeopardy when Adam Koets returns to the team (if I should say). Eventually Boothe or Meredith will be cut with the return of Koets, if he returns after the mandatory six week ineligibility period.

Defensive line (8)

Justin Tuck, Osi Umeinyora, Chris Canty, Linval Joseph, Dave Tollefon, Rocky Bernard, Jason Pierre Paul, Jimmy Kennedy

Marvin Austin (IR)

I thought when Marvin Austin was drafted that it was the end of the line for Rocky Bernard, but Austin’s injury gives Bernard one more shot, and he could get valuable playing time because he’s probably the third best defensive tackle on the Giants roster. The Giants only need to keep 7 defensive linemen (Update, I thought I’d use more roster spots below so they can keep 8) because they can move Mathias Kiwanuka to Defensive end or defensive tackle in passing situations, but more likely it’ll be JPP or Tuck that moves inside because Kiwanuka dropped some weight to play linebacker this year. Besides Kiwanuka, Clint Sintim, and Adrian Tracy also have DE rush abilities, if they make the team.

Linebackers (9)

Finally the Giants have legitimate young talent at the linebacker position.

Starters: Goff, Boley, Kiwanuka

Reserves: Clint Sintim* (depending on the severity of his injury), Mark Herzlich, Spencer Paysinger (UDFA out of Oregon), Jacquian Williams (Special teams ace), Greg Jones (Future starting MLB somewhere). DeOssie (ST/Long Snapper)

*Clint Sintim

Coughlin on sintim: its bad. Ruptured patella tendon to start with.

I don’t know the recovery time for that, but he could be IR and if so I think last year’s sixth round pick Adrian Tracy makes the team over fourth round pick Phillip Dillard.

OK. It’s official. Last update on this.

Clint Sintim is done for the season according to multiple reporters (Mike Garafolo, Ralph Vacchiano, Paul Schwartz, not sure who was the first).

Adrian Tracy is my pick to make the roster in place of Sintim.

Cornerbacks (6)

Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Prince Amukamara, Brian Witherspoon, Michael Coe, Joe Burnett

Terrell Thomas (IR)

Not much to say here. The Giants need to keep a lot of cornerbacks until they find ones that are good. The injury to Terrell Thomas could be a season ruiner. That’s a rough injury.

Safeties (4)

Deon Grant, Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips, Tyler Sash

ST: (2)

Lawrence Tynes

Matt Dodge

What do you guys think? Am I spot on, or missing something here?

This could change significantly depending on a few (you guessed it!) injuries. Jerrel Jernigan, and Clint Sintim both left tonight’s game with injuries. As of posting I don’t know what will happen with those injuries.

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