New York Giants Team Report by Chris Annunziata
| NYG Projections (9/3) | Passing Stats | Rush Stats | Receiving Stats | Fantasy | |||||||||||
| Change | Name | Pos | Att | Comp | % | Yds | TD | Int | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | Pts |
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#fname# #lname# | #pos# | #NumberFormat("#pts#", '__,_____')# | ||||||||||||
| Totals | #NumberFormat("#tot_patt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pcmp#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#evaluate(100*tot_pcmp/tot_patt)#", '_____._')#% | #NumberFormat("#tot_pyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ptds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_int#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ratt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ryds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rtds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rec#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_cyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ctds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pts#", '__,_____')# | ||
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Quarterbacks Starter - Kerry Collins Backups - Jesse Palmer, Jason Garrett Starting Quarterback: Collins has rebounded from his earlier "issues," which stemmed from youthful arrogance and substance abuse, to be a legit fantasy starter in deeper leagues (he finished 12th and 9th the last two seasons, using FBG "standard" scoring). Coach Fassel is very keen on Kerry this pre-season, stating that Kerry is throwing better than he has ever seen him throw. Unfortunately, he plays behind one of the most suspect offensive lines in the league, which has also been riddled with training camp injuries. Center Jeff Hatch is still unavailable; LT Luke Petitgout only recently returned to practice; Petitgout's rookie backup at LT is ailing with back problems; and LG Rich Seubert has sat out a practice or two. To make matters worse, the Giants are currently without any "real" tight ends, and are practicing with Darnell Dinkins, a converted QB, at that position. Kerry will probably not crack the top 10, but with the Giants' schedule, could be a solid backup in leagues that do not penalize for INT's, fumbles or sacks for the odd bye week play (or when he faces Arizona and Houston). Backup Quarterback(s): Jesse Palmer may be the "future", but he is in the doghouse now. He has been ineffective in the preseason, showing poor judgment and throwing a myriad of interceptions. In fact, veteran backup Garrett is still taking snaps as the holder, leaving questions as to who will actually be the #2 QB. Running Backs Starter - Tiki Barber and Ron "One yard and a cloud of dust" Dayne Backups - Sean Bennett, Damon Washington Starting Running Back: For the third season, Tiki has missed part of training camp with some minor ailment. This season it is strained rub cartilage. It probably won't affect him as much as suffering behind that poor offensive line. Tiki is one of those underappreciated backs who is presumed to be to slight to be an every down back. However, what he lack in rushing stats, he makes up for in receiving. Tiki has been in the Top 15 the past two seasons, but with this offensive line, and the development of Jeremy Shockey, a pass catching tight-end the Giants haven't had since Mark Bavaro, he may have fewer catches out of the backfield. Ron Dayne really needs a good offensive line in front of him, since he lacks the mobility to create openings for himself. There is little news out of camp, but chances are, Tiki and Dayne will still take snaps together. Backup Running Back(s): Fassel considers Bennett the No. 3 running back, behind Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne. With Barber still nursing sore ribs, Bennett gets plenty of work in camp. He may see more playing time if Barber stays out, but he's nothing to get excited over. Wide Receivers / Tight Ends Starters - Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard Backups - Ron Dixon, Tim Carter, Daryl Jones Starting Receiver(s): This may be the Giants' bright spot, from a fantasy perspective. During the off-season, Amani Toomer lost about 15 pounds in an effort to boost his speed. At 6-foot-3, added speed would make him a more dangerous threat. WR Coach Jimmy Robinson said that Toomer "is having probably the best camp he's had [in the five years Robinson has been with the Giants.]" Collins has commented that both of his starting wide-outs have looked great in camp. He has also caught the eye of Coach Fassel, a man notorious for sticking players in his doghouse and rarely letting them out. "Amani is really having a good camp," Fassel said. "His attitude is phenomenal. He seems more into it. He seems excited about it. He's hustling on everything." On the other side of the line, the 5'11" Hilliard has bulked up from 195 to 205 pounds, and apparently feels comfortably at his new weight. Even with the projected downturn in passing yards, there are plenty of balls to be thrown Toomer's and Hilliard's way. Toomer may put up strong WR2 numbers and may be a steal in the late 6th or early 7th round. Hilliard might perform well as a WR3 in deeper leagues, but don't expect more than what has been projected. Backup Receiver(s): This is up in the air. Rookies Tim Carter and Daryl Jones are sidelined with injuries and neither Ron Dixon nor Jonathan Carter has taken the job away with consistent play. Stay away from this group. Tight End(s): Jeremy Shockey, Dan Campbell The Shockey bandwagon was a short ride. After his stellar debut, and promises of getting him more involved in the passing game, Shockey sprained his ankle and is out of practice for the week of 8/19. He will miss the Jets game Saturday. Sprained ankles tend to be nagging injuries, so watch this one closely. If and when he heals up, Shockey has all the skills to be a top TE in this league - size, soft hands, and attitude. Unfortunately, he is no longer much of a "sleeper" and is typically the 8th or 9th TE taken. For those that won't overpay for a TE, he's worth the 9th or 10th round pick. Dan Campbell, while listed as the starter, is really the key backup. Under Fassel, the Giants haven't had many good receiving TE's. Don't expect any fantasy production out of Campbell. Place Kicker Owen Pochman: This poor guy gets no respect. A local NJ newspaper ran a feature on how the average-sized Pochman (6'0" and 180 pounds), is constantly harassed by the security at the training facility, and doubted by those whom he tells that he is a Giant. Add me to the list. He's a decent kicker on a team that probably won't provide him with many scoring opportunities. He will likely go undrafted in any league with fewer than 14 teams. Defense The Giants had some key losses on defense. First and foremost, they lost their leader - DC John Fox - to Carolina. Second, they let several key players go, including Jesse Armistead and Sam Garnes, without signing any new talent to replace them. On the injury front, they lost one of their safeties, and Sehorn isn't fully healed. It may be a long year for the Giants defense. Its doubtful anyone will be after this team defense in your fantasy draft. Coaching When asked to rate the coaching staff, another expert's response was "on the way out." Clearly, the Giants regressed some last season, and the loss of John Fox hurt. Sean Payton was viewed as a talented young OC, but unless the Giants OL comes together in a way that is not expected, the entire offense will struggle. This may just be Fassel's last chance. Intangibles Not much to be positive about here: Tension between Michael "Lincoln Tunnel" Strahan and Tiki "Snapple Superstar" Barber; The Offensive Line is offensive; Ron Dayne still has a starting job. The Giants will likely end up as the doormat of a weak NFC East. From a fantasy perspective, they offer little more than second tier players and backups. Don't avoid Barber and Toomer, but don't hang your hope on them either. |