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New York Giants Mailbag: The General Questions Edition

Let's check in with our readers to see what's on their minds.
Patricia Traina|
New York Giants Mailbag: The General Questions Edition
New York Giants Mailbag: The General Questions Edition

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New York Giants

If you'd like to submit a question for the mailbag, please send it to nygiantsmaven@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and conciseness. While we try to answer all questions received, we reserve to consolidate if several people ask the same question. 

Mark, my understanding is the team attempts to fill out a roster so that there are enough bodies to run the various drills. That said, the selection process does consist of guys the team scouted and who they would like a closer look at. 

The players then get whittled down based on how well they retain and perform what is taught in the classroom, plus their skillset, which is what the team is evaluating. How well does a player respond to coaching? Is he making the same mistake twice? Are his skills not as sharp as they thought them to be? These are all factors that go into the evaluation.

I'm cautiously optimistic, yes. You forget that injuries ran amuck and affected the guards. Bredeson missed time. Ezedu had his season end early. Lemieux couldn't stay on the field; even Glowinksi was dealing with a back issue. That all exposed the lack of depth at the position. This year, I think they fortified the depth. And I think over at left guard, Ezeudu is the favorite to get that starting job, but he will obviously have to earn it.

James, I believe I mentioned that the coverage teams were a weakness last year, and the proof is in the rankings. That said, the Giants added speed to those units.

Now we'll have to see how it all plays out, but there appears to be an upgrade on paper. Also worth noting is that last year, the coaches kept pulling guys off special teams to help with offense and defense when injuries struck, leaving T-Mac with crumbs with which to work. The depth on this roster is so much better this year; let's hope the injury bug doesn't suck it away.

Appreciate the kind words. I have to get with Tainah and Dog to see when they're available. Not sure if it will be this week, as I have a whole week's worth of programming ready, but hopefully, the week after at the latest.

I'm still squeamish about the depth at outside linebacker. Basically, it's the same group as last year, which logged 14.5 sacks. I realize that a team can't address all its weaknesses in one off-season, but I would have thought they might look to add to a unit whose starters dealt with some injury issues last year, thus exposing what I saw as a drop-off in depth.

As of today, the Giants aren't last in cap space anymore, but I still get your question and will answer it. The problem is multifaceted, but it boils down to all the restructures that had to be redone to create cap space in the past. 

Then you toss in the big dead money that came from certain contracts--this year, it's Kenny Golladay's $14.7 million hit--and it's probably going to be another year before the cap fully rebounds. 

This, by the way, is why Schoen is so reluctant to kick the can down the road. And I do believe that the cap will rebound--it was better this year, but I projected that it might take a couple of years to fully clean up the mistakes of the past.

As I understand it, compensation--for the player and on a new contract--would have to be worked out before such a trade was executed. 

Once everyone got on the same page, then I believe the player would have to sign the tag to be traded, at which point, once the new team acquires him, that team would presumably put a new contract on the table that includes the franchise tag amount which becomes fully guaranteed once the tag is signed.

(From Ed C) Fans complain that the NFL should allow for an emergency QB to be available for each game. They do that now by allowing 46 players to dress for the game. In 2011 it was 45 players plus an emergency QB. It's up to the coach to decide who that 46th player should be and not require a rule change. Or should they allow more active players to be available each game?

Ed, two guys can be elevated from the practice squad ahead of the game, so that means if one of a team's two quarterbacks is in question, they can bring up a guy temporarily and then return him to the practice squad without having to worry about him having to go through waivers for two rounds.

Now with that said, I'd rather see a scenario where teams can dress a third quarterback who doesn't count against the roster unless an emergency does pop up. I never did understand why they did away with that rule anyway. Then again, I don't understand a lot of the rule changes that have come down through the years.

(From Scott S.) Regarding Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Bleacher Report listed these positive attributes:

— Excellent build. Tall, thick frame with plenty of muscle.

— Great speed. Can threaten the full vertical route tree at a high level.

— Good play strength. Seldom bullied into the sideline or at the catch point.

— Above-average ball location and flexibility to find the ball. Plays with hands away from frame comfortably.

— Above-average YAC skills. Strong, fast, explosive.

— Great blocker. Plays with good strength and a physical demeanor.

Would you be surprised if the Giants plan is to convert him to a tight end at some point? It would be an excellent way to get him on the field more often.

Scott, it's probably too soon to say to be honest. I need to see him up close and on the field, but I'd be concerned that he's listed at 224 pounds, which is light for a tight end.

 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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