Five questions for Giants training camp

By TOM ROCKtom.rock@newsday.comJuly 28, 2011

Players report to training camp Friday, and as the Giants condense their entire offseason schedule into a 2 1 / 2-week period, there are plenty of questions they must find answers to by the time they end camp on Aug. 20. Among them:

1 Is Will Beatty the answer at left tackle?

The third-year pro will likely walk onto the field for the first practice tomorrow night as the starting left tackle. While the Giants have been touting his potential since drafting him in the second round in 2009, he is still unproven. If he can’t handle the job, they might have to move David Diehl back there or maybe even bring back Shawn Andrews or another veteran.

2 Who will replace Barry Cofield?

It’s a tall order but the Giants think they have two players who have a chance: Linval Joseph and Marvin Austin. The last two second-round picks should provide an interesting camp battle. Joseph may have the early advantage but the Giants thought they got a steal with Austin and once he gets his football legs under him he could be a stud.

3 Is this Clint Sintim’s year?

For the second straight year, Sintim will come into camp as the starting outside linebacker. He didn’t hold the job last year and there is doubt he will be able to this year. The Giants have some options, including re-signed Mathias Kiwanuka, but don’t be surprised if they add a veteran to stabilize the position before preseason is over.

4 Do the Giants need another receiver?

They probably won’t have Steve Smith for the start of the season even if they do re-sign him, which leaves Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham as the starters. Ramses Barden could be a solid third guy, or Domenik Hixon could probably do the job. Rookie Jerrel Jerrigan could also make an impact. But if the Giants feel that’s not enough, there will be other options. Plaxico Burress anyone?

5 Will they get out of Dodge?

The everlasting image of the 2010 season will be coach Tom Coughlin screaming at punter Matt Dodge for not kicking the ball out of bounds against the Eagles and allowing DeSean Jackson to return it for a game-winning touchdown. Chances are they will bring in a veteran to compete against Dodge this summer — Brad Maynard, Matt Turk and perhaps even Steve Weatherford could wind up with the task. Either Dodge becomes less erratic, or he becomes less of a Giant.