5 Reasons Why The Giants Will Not Win The NFC East in 2014

The New York Giants are looking much improved heading into the 2014 after a disappointing 2013. The pieces are in place for them to make a run back into the postseason, but there is no guarantee. There are a few factors that may keep them from taking home the 2014 NFC East division title but not necessarily a playoff berth altogether. Here are five reasons why the Giants will not win the 2014 NFC East division.
5. Tight End Inexperience

5. Tight End Inexperience

The Giants did little to upgrade the TE position this offseason, bringing in Kellen Davis and UDFA Xavier Grimble. It is a serious gamble the Giants are taking putting faith into unproven commodities like the aforementioned two above and Adrien Robinson. Eli Manning has always made the most of his TE, but after last season’s disaster with Brandon Myers it may have done the Giants good to bring in a veteran.
4. Jon Beason's Injury

4. Jon Beason's Injury

In what has become a troubling trend for the Giants, they lost an integral part of their team even before training camp started. This time it is right in the heart of their defense, as Beason will miss most if not all of training camp and possibly the beginning of the regular season. Beason’s injury has thrown the linebacker unit out of whack, with bigger roles now needed for lesser players, potentially putting the Giants in an early hole.
3. Safety Depth

3. Safety Depth

The Giants suffered a big blow when Will Hill failed a third drug test, subsequently getting cut from the team. That left Antrel Rolle, a recovering Stevie Brown, return specialist Quintin Demps and unproven Cooper Taylor at the safety position. They drafted Nat Berhe in the fifth round, but giving him a big role early on may not be conducive to the Giants winning. A position that looked to be strong unit prior to camp may be a question mark now.
2. Offensive Line Questions

2. Offensive Line Questions

The Giants did as much as they could to upgrade a weakness from last season in the offensive line during the offseason. Even with the additions, there are still plenty of question marks. The health of Chris Snee has been in question all throughout spring practice; same goes for Will Beatty, who is recovering from a broken leg. The longer they are out, the worse off the Giants will be as they are unable to get a cohesive, five-man unit together.
1. Rueben Randle Not Progressing

1. Rueben Randle Not Progressing

With Hakeem Nicks moving on, it is time for Randle to take the next step in his development and become a legit second option to Victor Cruz. Randle struggled in 2013 with route running and timing with Manning, and if that happens again it’ll doom the Giants. Putting too much responsibility on Odell Beckham Jr. early on will hinder the offense. It is imperative Randle improves his rapport with Manning for the passing offense to get back on track.
Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725, “Like” on Facebook, or join his Google network