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| Tuesday, July 15 Updated: August 20, 10:24 AM ET Giants: Training camp report Pro Football Weekly |
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In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason. Aug. 19 Biggest positive: Two players coming back from major Achilles tendon injuries, DT Keith Hamilton and WR Tim Carter, have looked very strong in camp. Hamilton, 32, is set to take his place as a starter, and the addition of first-round DT William Joseph will only help. Carter will not start, but Jim Fassel loves his potential and will try to include Carter in the offense as much as possible. Biggest disappointment: WR Ron Dixon has not only not recovered fully from the right knee surgery he had in December, forcing him to miss the entire camp so far, but he has also angered Fassel on numerous occasions by missing team meetings and rehab assignments. Dixon has a world of talent but has been passed on the depth chart by Carter, and there is an outside chance he could be released. Injury update: TE Jeremy Shockey will miss the last two preseason games with a broken rib. SS Shaun Williams has a minor shoulder injury and backup S Johnnie Harris has hamstring issues, but both of them are expected to recover quickly. Rookie to watch: OG Dave Diehl might be the starting right guard, replacing Tam Hopkins, by Week One. Hopkins has been ineffective, and Diehl, who started the second preseason game, is a favorite of the coaching staff who has progressed well through camp and impressed with his toughness and smarts. Fassel said he wanted to see what Diehl could do with the first unit, and it's possible Diehl might remain there. Part 2 -- August 12 Veteran to watch: Watch for SS Shaun Williams to play closer to the line of scrimmage in a three-safety formation to take advantage of his hitting ability. He likely will serve as an extra linebacker in dime packages and obvious passing downs. The slight variation could allow Williams to post a career high in tackles this season because he'll have more opportunities to make plays. Player on the verge: While Ron Dixon has been hurt, WR Tim Carter has looked fantastic so far, running with no indications of any lingering effects from missing last season with an Achilles injury. It appears that Carter has passed Dixon on the depth chart even if he has no real chance of surpassing Amani Toomer or Ike Hilliard - for now. Carter's speed will give the offense an added dimension it lacked last season. Strongest position: Toomer and Hilliard are entrenched as starters at wide receiver, and Carter and Dixon (when healthy and not in the coaching staff's doghouse) are two excellent reserve options. The depth is bolstered by holdovers Daryl Jones, who started some games last season, and Derek Dorris, and the team also has three low-round draft picks fighting for spots: Willie Ponder, David Tyree and Kevin Walter. All three have had their moments in camp. Weakest position: Although the left side of the offensive line and center are in good shape with Luke Petitgout, Rich Seubert and Chris Bober, right guard and tackle still are mysteries at this point, especially after a poor performance last week vs. New England. Tam Hopkins and Ian Allen still are penciled in as the starters, but they are still unproven. If they fall on their faces in future practices and preseason games, the team might have to depend on veteran Barrett Brooks and rookie Dave Diehl, who has yet to set himself apart. Part 1 -- July 18 Most significant change: The special-teams upgrades -- new kicker, punter, long-snapper, holder, gunner and returner -- certainly will change the face of what proved to be a dreadful unit last season. Also, one-time defensive fixture Jason Sehorn has moved on to St. Louis. Reason for optimism: Under the playcalling of Jim Fassel for half of last season, the Giants scored more than 25 points per game. Most of the significant offensive players are back, and Fassel will be calling plays from the start this year. The team thinks it could have one of the most explosive offenses in team history. Cause for concern: There are questions of depth on both sides of the ball, especially at receiver, offensive line and defensive back. Two-fifths of the offensive line must be replaced because of the losses of right tackle Mike Rosenthal and right guard Jason Whittle, forcing offensive line coach Jim McNally to work his magic again with a piecemeal batch of players. Training-camp battle to watch: Right tackle will be up for grabs, though Ian Allen is thought to have the edge on veteran Barrett Brooks. At right guard, Tam Hopkins has a leg up, but rookie David Diehl could surprise. Tim Carter and Ron Dixon will battle for the No. 3-wide receiver spot. Don't be surprised if: The team finds ways to get exciting rookie tight end Vishante Shiancoe on the field and Nick Griesen gets more time if middle linebacker Mike Barrow falters at all.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
