NFL Preview: Giants Issues & Answers

ISSUE: Who replaces Steve Smith and Kevin Boss as Eli Manning's go-to guys?

ANSWER: Hakeem Nicks is the team's best receiver and one of the best in the league. But the Giants need someone such as Victor Cruz or Travis Beckum to step up and become the safety blankets that Smith and Boss were. It's unclear now who Manning will look for on third downs.

ISSUE: Can Will Beatty survive a full season as the starter at left tackle?

ANSWER: When the Giants drafted him three years ago, they envisioned him protecting Manning's blind side. It took some time, but Beatty finally seems ready to play at that level. He's had a steady preseason after gaining almost 20 pounds during the offseason and trying not to lose any of his quickness. If he can't handle the job, though, David Diehl could be asked to slide back to tackle from guard.

ISSUE: Manning says he's not a "25-interception quarterback." Is he?

SEE PHOTOSHit or miss: Giants 1st-round picks since 1986

ANSWER: He was in 2010. Of course, about nine of those interceptions came on passes tipped by his own receivers, but they still count. His two picks against the Jets in the preseason looked awfully familiar. Tom Coughlin has said that Manning needs to work on throwing the ball away or even taking more sacks rather than forcing risky throws. Had he done that in Super Bowl XLII, though, the Giants likely would have lost to the Patriots and David Tyree's life would be a lot less interesting.

ISSUE: What kind of season will the Giants get from Osi Umenyiora?

ANSWER: It's already been an arduous one, and he has practiced only three times. The Umenyiora drama started in the offseason when he gave an affidavit that Jerry Reese promised him a trade or a new contract. When he received neither, he showed up for training camp but refused to participate for two weeks. He finally got on the field, but then opted for knee surgery to resolve an injury. He should be back within the first month of the season, but he's still unhappy about his contract. With two years left, he could either become a mopey problem child or try to play his way out of New York with an exceptional season.

ISSUE: Will any of this year's draft picks make an impact on the field?

ANSWER: Not at first. First-round pick Prince Amukamara is out for several weeks recovering from foot surgery. Second-round pick Marvin Austin is on IR with a pectoral tear and missing his second straight full season after serving a suspension at North Carolina last year. Jerrel Jernigan looked to be locking up the punt returner job but a couple of muffs against the Jets and Patriots in the preseason had Tom Coughlin wondering aloud if Jernigan would be his guy. Tyler Sash and Greg Jones may be the only ones who add anything on the field, and even then it will be mostly on special teams.