5 New York Giants Training Camp Battles To Watch In 2015

5 New York Giants Training Camp Battles To Watch In 2015

By Matt Turner

July 7, 2015

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5 New York Giants Training Camp Battles To Watch In 2015

Victor Cruz New York Giants — New York Giants fans are going to watch closely how the battle between Eli Manning and Ryan Nassib unfolds this summer. Well, no. They can pretty much ignore that competition. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), there are a number of other battles they can keep an eye on. The following five positions will have the tightest competition this summer as the Giants straighten out their roster.

New York Giants fans are going to watch closely how the battle between Eli Manning and Ryan Nassib unfolds this summer. Well, no. They can pretty much ignore that competition. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), there are a number of other battles they can keep an eye on. The following five positions will have the tightest competition this summer as the Giants straighten out their roster.

5. Tight End

Larry Donnell New York Giants

5. Tight End

Larry Donnell New York Giants — Incumbent tight end Larry Donnell currently has the upper hand in the competition, however, undrafted free agent Jerome Cunningham is making quite the name for himself in OTAs. Donnell had a breakout season last year, posting 63 receptions and six touchdowns, but an Achilles injury is holding him back. In the meantime, Cunningham has gone from irrelevant to competitor.

Incumbent tight end Larry Donnell currently has the upper hand in the competition, however, undrafted free agent Jerome Cunningham is making quite the name for himself in OTAs. Donnell had a breakout season last year, posting 63 receptions and six touchdowns, but an Achilles injury is holding him back. In the meantime, Cunningham has gone from irrelevant to competitor.

4. Weakside Linebacker

Jonathan Casillas New York Giants

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4. Weakside Linebacker

Jonathan Casillas New York Giants — The favorite right now is JT Thomas, who the Giants signed after spending time with the Bears and Jaguars. Close behind him are Jameel McClain and former Saint and Patriot Jonathan Casillas. In a weak LB corps, any of the three could be starters. Interestingly, the favorite right now is the only one of the three without Super Bowl experience.

The favorite right now is JT Thomas, who the Giants signed after spending time with the Bears and Jaguars. Close behind him are Jameel McClain and former Saint and Patriot Jonathan Casillas. In a weak LB corps, any of the three could be starters. Interestingly, the favorite right now is the only one of the three without Super Bowl experience.

3. Running Back

Rashad Jennings New York Giants

3. Running Back

Rashad Jennings New York Giants — Rashad Jennings is the starting running back essentially, but from rumors at OTAs, Shane Vereen is wowing everyone. Both Jennings and Vereen, and even Andre Williams, will get their carries; however, the split between them will likely change from week to week. Who ends up with the most starts and most touches is a toss-up right now.

Rashad Jennings is the starting running back essentially, but from rumors at OTAs, Shane Vereen is wowing everyone. Both Jennings and Vereen, and even Andre Williams, will get their carries; however, the split between them will likely change from week to week. Who ends up with the most starts and most touches is a toss-up right now.

2. Safety

Cooper Taylor New York Giants

2. Safety

Cooper Taylor New York Giants — When the Giants jumped up to grab Landon Collins, it was pretty easy to pencil him in as a starter at one of the two safety positions. Who wins the other spot -- Nat Berhe or Cooper Taylor -- is entirely unknown right now. An injury to Berhe has Taylor, who has one more year experience, as the momentary favorite. Any way it ends up, including Collins, the Giants’ starting safeties will have a total of zero games started in the NFL before Week 1.

When the Giants jumped up to grab Landon Collins, it was pretty easy to pencil him in as a starter at one of the two safety positions. Who wins the other spot -- Nat Berhe or Cooper Taylor -- is entirely unknown right now. An injury to Berhe has Taylor, who has one more year experience, as the momentary favorite. Any way it ends up, including Collins, the Giants’ starting safeties will have a total of zero games started in the NFL before Week 1.

1. Defensive End

Damonre Moore New York Giants

1. Defensive End

Damonre Moore New York Giants — With news of Jason Pierre-Paul’s injury, this position just became wide open. Robert Ayers Jr and Damontre Moore were expected to compete for one side, but now rookie Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Cullen Jenkins and even a free agent are in the mix for starters if JPP can’t be ready for the season’s start. This was already an interesting topic because of the contract discussions, but now it’s reached a whole new level.

With news of Jason Pierre-Paul’s injury, this position just became wide open. Robert Ayers Jr and Damontre Moore were expected to compete for one side, but now rookie Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Cullen Jenkins and even a free agent are in the mix for starters if JPP can’t be ready for the season’s start. This was already an interesting topic because of the contract discussions, but now it’s reached a whole new level.

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