Close Article Return to stream X
NFL •

5 New York Giants Facing Make-or-Break Seasons In 2015

+Read full article
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

5 New York Giants Facing Make-or-Break Seasons

New York Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have not made the playoffs since their Super Bowl run in 2011. They are desperately seeking a return to the postseason and need key position players to step up. Here are five Giants facing make-or-break seasons in 2015.

5. Robert Ayers

Robert Ayers faces Make or Break Season
William Perlman-USA TODAY Sports

5. Robert Ayers

Robert Ayers faces Make or Break Season
William Perlman-USA TODAY Sports

He was a first-round pick in 2009 by the Broncos and signed with the Giants last year. The Giants were expecting more than five sacks from him last season. They drafted UCLA’s Owamagbe Odighizuwa in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. This signals the Giants are looking for another cornerstone defensive end, and Ayers may not be what they had in mind.

4. Prince Amukamara

Prince Amukamara faces Make-or-Break Season
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

4. Prince Amukamara

Prince Amukamara faces Make-or-Break Season
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants like Amukamara, but he has only played all 16 games in an NFL season once in his career. He only played eight games last year, so injury and durability concerns are a real issue. He is in the final year of his rookie contract. If Amukamara was to be paid top corner money, he needs to stay healthy to show off his talent.

3. Rashad Jennings

Rashad Jennings Faces Make-or-Break Season
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Rashad Jennings

Rashad Jennings Faces Make-or-Break Season
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants signed Jennings in 2014, who has been a backup for most his career. In his time as a starter with the Giants, he did not create enough of explosive run plays. He also got hurt, which opened the door for Andre Williams to prove he can be a great short-yardage back. The Giants signed Shane Vereen as a change-of-pace guy, so Jennings needs to perform well or risk losing time to Williams and Vereen.

2. Mark Herzlich

Mark Herzlich faces Make or Break Season
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. Mark Herzlich

Mark Herzlich faces Make or Break Season
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Herzlich left the CFL to join the Giants in 2011. The Giants have used him frequently, but his time in New York could be drawing to a close. The Giants also want to use Devon Kennard, who they picked in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he will compete with Herzlich for a starting spot. Herzlich needs to have strong season or the Giants may let him walk.

1. Eli Manning

Eli Manning faces make or break season
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. Eli Manning

Eli Manning faces make or break season
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It's hard to believe a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback faces a make-or-break season, but Manning will be doing just that. He has not performed to the level of his Super Bowl-winning seasons. He has turned the ball over in late-game situations more than in the past. He is in a contract year. If Manning wants another big contract, the Giants want him to play like the two-time Super Bowl champion he is.

Kyle Nishida is a NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kyle_Nishida, or add him to your network on Google

Kyle Nishida is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
Your Favorites