After a long off-season and a week filled with joint practices. The New York Giants will take the field tonight to play the Detroit Lions. This week they have had two fights during their joint practices and both teams have been fined for those activities. Tonight they get to after it in real game action. The Giant’s season ended last year as a disappointment after a surprising year under the Joe Schoen and Brain Daboll era. This year will look different as we saw Saquon Barkley leave in free agency, but no worries we play him twice when we match up against the Philadelphia Eagles, makes me sick to my stomach to even think about. The Giants stayed put at 6th overall and drafted Daniel Jones a legit game-changer at the wide receiver position in Malik Nabers. The rest of the money in free agency was used to revamp the o-line and pay the new Outside linebacker Brian Burns who we traded for with the Carolina Panthers. As the preseason games get underway I will be interested in seeing individual players and situations, seeing how they are handled by the coaches, who are out there for personnel, and seeing the overall approach of the team. Below are the three things I am most intrigued to see/learn about this season’s team.
RB – Tyrone Tracy
Tracy is currently listed as the third back on the unofficial depth chart posted by the Giants, and if true we should see a healthy dose of him tonight, which I am eager to see. Tracy started his collegiate career as a wide receiver with the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was there for three years before transferring to Purdue University where he moved back to his high school position of Running back. In his final season with the Boilermakers, he scored eight rushing touchdowns while rushing for over 700 yards with a 6.3 yards per carry average. With Devin Singletary set to be the lead back, I can see this explosive playmaker making a case to cut into the market share for back-field touches after a good preseason!! I have a gut feeling he breaks a long run over 20 yards tonight and finds the end zone. The other bonus feature is that the kid was a wide receiver for three years in college, so he can catch the ball out of the backfield, giving another weapon for Brian Daboll and company.
Utility – Isaiah Simmons
Simmons was used all over the field last year and is currently listed as the second-team Nickle back right now. I was a huge fan of Simmons when he was with Clemson during his college years, and I am very interested to see how the new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen who comes over from the Tennessee Titans where he held the same role for the last three years after being promoted from the Outside Linebacker coach position. Last season he had 50 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one interception he returned for a touchdown. I think Simmons can be used as a weapon and still holds value on this defense, I am just curious as to how Bowen will use him this year. With Bobby Okereke leading the team as the middle linebacker, I can see a world where Simmons and Okereke are the two inside backers in some fronts, and I can also see Simmons as a third safety in some sets depending on the opponent and need. Regardless of where he was a productive player when on the field last year and I am very excited to see how he factors into this year’s defense scheme from Bown.
WR – Miles Boykin
The six foot four 220 pound wide receiver was a third-round pick back in 2019 by the Baltimore Ravens, and was released in 2022, then spent last season with the Steelers before being released. He is listed being Jalin Hyatt and Darius Slayton right now on the depth chart. He was a solid wideout when with Notre Dame and his stature is what interests me the most right now. The team doesn’t have a big target for Jones and I am curious to see if he gets targeted tonight by either of the backup QBs. He hasn’t been overly productive in the NFL, but then again who truly has as a wide receiver with Lamar Jackson before last year? Mark Andrews is the number one target hands down, and last year the Steeler’s passing game was atrocious. So perhaps with the right scheme, Boykin could be a solid contributor when called upon. He had his best season as a pro in 2020 with 19 receptions, 266 yards, and four touchdowns with the Ravens. Would be nice to see him go out tonight and make a few plays, I still think there is something left for this six-year vet to prove.
Overview
I know everyone is wondering why I didn’t mention Malik Nabers, Daniel Jones, Brian Burns, or the Offensive line, but for me, I want to see the guys who stand to play more snaps tonight. The starters most likely will be very limited tonight, so the next game is when I will focus on those folks and the play of the offensive line. I will say this I think this is the best receiving core Daniel Jones has had to work with since being the starter for the Giants. Nothing against the likes of Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and a young Darius Slayton, but it has more to do with the growth of Jones and the coaching of Brian Daboll. This team will go as far as the offensive line takes them this year. These complimentary pieces mentioned above are players that can add value and help the team this season in my eyes. Tyrone Tracy is a guy I have high hopes for and am very excited to watch tonight. It’s finally football season folks let’s get excited for another New York Giants season!!!
