The New York Giants will take on the Cleveland Browns in their first pre-season game of the season on Thursday. Reports have already emerged with first-round pick Saquon Barkley stating he wants to enjoy as many reps as possible in his first action as a proffesional football player.
Of course, managing his work load and avoiding injury will be a major priority, but getting him used to the speed and power of an NFL game will only benefit him come September.
Despite Barkley’s desire to play, there are various position battles we must be wary of this pre-season.
1.) The New York Giants safety position battle
One of the major competitions will be at the safest position, as there’s a world of uncertainty clouding the free safety spot. Third-year men Darian Thompson and Andrew Adams seem to lead the pack, with former Titan Curtis Riley close behind.
It will be exciting to see the three battle it out in an attempt to solidify their presence next to star strong safety, Landon Collins.
Thompson struggled in 2017, managing just one interception and 61 total tackles over the course of the entire season. He has apparently looked better in camp and will present the team with a serious decision in regard to his playing time moving forward.
Adams on the other hand has always been a consistent safety, playing at an average level most of the time. He is the safer option, while Thompson offers more of a big-play threat. Riley is a former cornerback turned safety. He has shown signs of life at safety and seems to be making the transition well. This will be must-watch heading into Thursday’s game.
2.) Ereck Flowers at right tackle
One of the more concerning players on the Giants’ roster is right tackle Ereck Flowers. After moving from left tackle, Flowers has taken on a serious challenge in switching sides.
He’s struggled with linebacker stunts – unable to locate incoming pass-rushers and getting beat consistently in training camp. It may just be a product of his lack of chemistry with new guard Patrick Omameh, but nonetheless he needs to take major strides on the right side if he wishes to remain the starter.
We will check beck in regard to Flowers after the first pre-season game.
3.) How will the cornerback hold up?
See a trend here? Yes…the secondary is very much in question. The cornerbacks are deadly thin behind Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple and William Gay.
On Monday, former Carolina CB Teddy Williams requested his release after personal issues arose. This just adds to the lack of depth and talent in the secondary. Injuries have also begun to hit, with Apple, Gay and Donte Deayon  dealing with ailments over the last week.
The first game against the Browns will give us an idea of where the corners are at in terms of quality and potential.