A new NFL season is right around the corner as training camp
is quickly approaching. Leading up to the start of training camp, we will
have a run down position-by-position for the defending Super Bowl Champion New
York Giants.
The third position we will take a look at is defensive back.
The projected defensive starting backs are Corey Webster and
Terrell Thomas at cornerback and Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle at
safety. Expected reserves to make an
impact at cornerback are Jayron Hosley, Prince Amukamara, Michael Coe and
Justin Tryon; at safety Tyler Sash and Stevie Brown are expected to see playing
time.
New additions to the secondary this season are Hosley,
Brown, cornerback Antwaun Molden, safeties Will Hill and JoJo Nicolas and
defensive backs Janzen Jackson and Dante Hughes.
There are a few members from last year’s unit that will not
be returning this season in Aaron Ross, Will Blackmon, Derrick Martin and Deon
Grant. Grant has the best chance of
returning, as he is a great locker room presence and had such a positive impact
on the Giants the last few seasons.
The player to watch out of the defensive backs is Terrell
Thomas. Thomas has been cleared for
training camp and avoided a scare early on suffering a slight injury to his
ACL. Last season Thomas suffered his
second career ACL tear after having an outstanding camp and looking poised to
really breakout. Thomas will upgrade the
Giants defensive back unit greatly if he can return to where he was before the
ACL injury; Thomas led the Giants defense in tackles the previous two seasons.
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| http://scoutingboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Terrell-Thomas.jpg |
The potential for the defensive backs to be a strength for
the Giants is there. It will be a
competitive unit throughout camp and barring injury can be deep. Coe and Tyron shined during OTA’s and
mini-camps according to Thomas, as they took up snaps he left behind while
taking it slowly with his injury.
General Manger Jerry Reese also added some talent with Brown, Molden and
Horton being signed in addition to drafting Hosley. Cornerback Brandon Bing also received praise
from defensive coordinator Perry Fewell for his play throughout OTA’s.
Another thing to watch for is the development of
Amukamara. Amukamara injured his foot in
his second career practice last season and was never able to get back on track,
struggling throughout the season. He
will benefit from a full training camp and preseason this time around. If he is unable to bounce back, look for
veterans Coe and Tryon to pick up the slack and possibly Bruce Johnson, who is
returning from his own season ending injury.
Health is the biggest deterrent for this group. Thomas, Coe, Tryon and Johnson are all
returning from season-ending injuries.
Thomas already suffered a scare in camp and if he is unable to return to
form the Giants will need someone to step up after Aaron Ross left to sign with
the Jacksonville Jaguars. Amukamara
needed an injection in his foot to strengthen it after missing over half of
last season. With Grant remaining
unsigned, the Giants are also without valuable experience and leadership in the
locker room.
The wild card of this group is Amukamara. He was brought in with high expectations as
the Giants were shocked to see him fall to them in the 2011 NFL Draft with the
19th pick. Most of his rookie
year was lost because of his foot injury and the lockout being in place but a
full off-season should benefit him. He
was drafted with the expectation of being a starting cornerback for the Giants
in the near future; that future could be as early as this season as he will
have to take over for the departed Ross and will be first in line to take over
if Thomas is unable to perform.
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| http://www.orgazmsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/alg_prince-amukamara-practice.jpg |
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