SportsAsToldByAGirl had the honor and pleasure to pick the brain of Giant’s Coordinator for Bleacher Report, Patricia Traina. She answered some of the biggest questions facing the Giants this season as they look to be the first team to host the Super Bowl. Everything that a Giants fan has been wondering, she’s got you covered!
The Redskins, Cowboys, and Eagles have garnered a lot of attention in the media this offseason. Many are excited to see the return of RG3 and think this could be the Cowboys’ year. How do you see the Giants performing in the NFC East?
Before the injuries started, I had the Giants finishing at 10-6 and in second place in the NFC East, earning a Wild Card. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with Washington, who has announced that RGIII is going to start on opening day.
Can he make it through the entire season? Moreover, if he does, will he be the same player he was last year? As for the Cowboys, optimism usually runs high around that club, but I prefer to take a wait and see approach considering their seasons have peaks and valleys, with the valleys occurring when it’s crunch time, if you know what I mean.
The Giants did not have a strong preseason and struggled in the red zone. Do you expect them to continue these struggles in the regular season?
I think it will get better. Remember, the Giants starting offense didn’t play together the entire preseason, and the starting unit did start to show some signs of life in the preseason finale against the Patriots. I think the return of Victor Cruz in the passing game and Henry Hynoski in the running game, will help.
While many pay attention to Victor Cruz after he signed the multi-year contract, Hakeem Nicks has long been Eli’s favorite target. If Nicks can stay healthy all season, can he be a top wide receiver in the league?
Sure, why not? Nicks has proven himself to be a reliable possession receiver whose speed is somewhat deceptive. So yes, I could see him being among the top receivers in the NFKL if he stays healthy.
The Giants have had a lot of change over the years at tight end. Can fans expect a big year out of Brandon Myers?
The Giants historically under Coughlin don’t throw as much to the tight end as you think. I did a study on this for The Bleacher Report, and over the last three years, no tight end had more than 55 receptions, that being Martellus Bennett last year.
The last time a Giants tight end came close to matching Myers’ 2012 production with Oakland was in 2002, Jeremy Shockey’s rookie season.
The Giants, remember, have three good receivers in Hakeem nicks, Victor Cruz, and Rueben Randle. I would imagine that they get the bulk of the passes this year.
Justin Tuck has underwhelmed in the past couple of seasons; however, he did have a strong preseason. Is the old Justin Tuck back and will he be a dominant pass-rusher again?
If Justin Tuck stays healthy, I think he will once again be a dominating force on the edge.
Who do you expect to be the biggest surprise for the Giants?
I’m not sure you can point to one guy, to be honest. If I had to take a guess, I would say that maybe the linebackers won’t be as bad as we all think they might. I like Rivers on the strongside – he has some serious talent. Spencer Paysinger and/or Jacquian Williams on the weakside is also solid. I don’t think we’ll see a lot of the middle linebacker as in a pass happy league, my guess is they use a lot of nickel.
With the departure of Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul taking his time coming back, who will get the majority of the playing time and how much will we see the rookie Damontre Moore?
The Giants have a rotation along their defensive line, so I don’t think it’s going to be a matter of who gets the most playing time. I do think you’ll see a lot of Tuck-Kiwanuka and, in time Pierre-Paul. As for Moore, I think all the missed practice time might have set him back a little, so I suspect his chances might be limited in the very beginning.
The Giants are once again thin at the safety position. With Will Hill being suspended for four games, do you see the Giants bringing in a new player or sticking to someone already on the roster?
Right now, I think they’’ stick with what they have. Aaron Ross and Terrell Thomas can always play safety in a pinch. Once Will Hill gets back from suspension, I think he’ll slide right back in there.
One Question About a Different Team: I noticed that we are both Rutgers alumni. How do you think their football team will do in the Big Ten?
I hope they get a Bowl bid this year. I like what Coach Flood is doing with the program, and I’m anxious to see how the season unfolds.
