Five storylines facing the Giants in 2019
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to hand off during the first half at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 16. Credit: Daniel De Mato
AND AT QUARTERBACK . . .
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones talks to quarterback Eli Manning on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason game against the Bears at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 16. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
At some point this season the Giants are likely to be faced with a question they have not had to give serious consideration to for most of the past 15 years: Who is our starting quarterback? They’ll start the season with Eli Manning in that familiar role, but if he or the team falters it may be time to replace him with rookie Daniel Jones.
CHASING TIKI
Saquon Barkley of the Giants runs the ball against the Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 18, 2018. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Tiki Barber gained 2,390 all-purpose yards in 2005, a franchise record that has stood for 13 years… and may fall before this season is over. Saquon Barkley racked up 2,028 total yards rushing and receiving as a rookie last season, and if he can average an extra 23 or so yards per game more in 2019 he’ll break Barber’s standard.
WILL WE MISS OBJ?
Odell Beckham of the Cleveland Browns looks on during a preseason game against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Aug. 23 in Tampa. Credit: Getty Images/Mike Ehrmann
The Giants’ offense won’t be as exciting without Odell Beckham Jr. It won’t be as explosive or dynamic. But can it be better? Maybe. The Giants will need big efforts from a lot of directions – Barkley, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram and others – to make up for Beckham’s production. But if they get it, they might find they have improved despite trading away one of the most talented players in the NFL.
THE RUSH IS ON
Giants linebacker Markus Golden warms up on the field during minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on June 6. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
A strong pass rush has been the backbone of just about every winning Giants team in the Super Bowl era. For this year’s squad to be successful, they’ll need to find some players to provide it. Veteran Markus Golden, second-year player Lorenzo Carter, and rookie Oshane Ximines have to fulfil expectations on a team that finished next-to-last in sacks a year ago.
FOLLOW THE LINE
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones lines up behind offensive guard Kevin Zeitler during the first half at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 16, 2019. Credit: Daniel De Mato
An offensive line is the engine of a team, and over the past few years of woeful football the Giants have had some clunkers. Now the unit is completely refurbished with five new starters from the time Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur arrived following the wreckage of the 2017 season. It has been improved in theory. Now it just has to prove that it is street-ready and able to carry the team where it wants to go.
Beat writer's prediction
8-8, third place in the NFC East, miss the playoffs
Daniel Jones will be the starting quarterback for the Giants the next time they appear in the playoffs . . . and that won’t be this year. The team should be better than a year ago when they won five games, but still not good enough to crack the postseason in what will almost certainly be Eli Manning’s final year in blue.
This is Tom Rock's 12th season covering the Giants for Newsday.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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