E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he is one of only four sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls. Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW: SEVEN DAYS TO GO, SEVEN THINGS TO PONDER

By Aaron Klein
The Giants will open their 2013 training camp with a 1:30 afternoon practice a week from today. The weather should be warm and humid that day in East Rutherford, where the Giants will conduct their preseason preparations, over at the Timex Performance Center in the shadow of MetLife Stadium.

So, with seven days to go until that first summer practice, and 47 days before the regular season begins, there are plenty of things to think about. Ponder. Worry about. Look forward to seeing.

Before we begin this list, remember that the Giants opened the season at 6-2 before the injuries struck and the chaos began, an eight-game stretch that included a virtual demolition of the eventual NFC champions, the San Francisco 49ers. That being said, the team hasn't gotten any worse in the offseason. In fact, the Giants may have improved a bit.

Here we go:

1. In the absence of Jason Pierre-Paul, who will step up at defensive end? While JPP should be fine at some point early in the season (Week 1?), he won't be ready for camp and the team will be testing some of its younger players in his RDE slot. Look for Adewale Ojomo and rookie Damontre Moore to battle it out for the top spot in Pierre-Paul's absence, which could result in one of them winning the prized No. 2 RDE job for the year. While you ponder the D-line, think about the overloaded DT position and if Justin Tuck will rebound from a rough 2012.

2. Now that running back Ahmad Bradshaw is gone (Indianapolis Colts), how will the backfield shape up? Second-year pro David Wilson could get the bulk of the carries, though Andre Brown will push hard for the bell-cow role. The team would much rather Wilson stays with the regular offense to allow others to take on the kickoff return job, but he's pretty good at it. Behind Wilson and Brown, Da'Rel Scott, Ryan Torain and rookie seventh-rounder Michael Cox will face off for the third and maybe only backup job. Meanwhile, fullback Henry Hynoski is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered during OTAs and backup tight end Bear Pascoe is the only fresh fullback. Rumors abound that the team will continue to scan the waiver wire, and the whispers about free agent Vonta Leach just won't go away.

3. The Giants wrapped up Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks is healthy, but what about the rest of the receiving corps? It's a big season for Reuben Randle, entering his second season. Big in that he shows great promise but also because if he turns out the way the team hopes he will, there will be less pressure in case someone else gets hurt. Like Nicks. The team also has a bounty of backups, led by free agent speedster Louis Murphy, Jerrell Jernigan and enigmatic veteran Ramses Barden, along with several youngsters hungry for a job. The team has definitely created competition at the position. Speaking of the receiving game, free agent tight end Brandon Myers is the top dog but second-year pro Adrien Robinson could surprise as a vertical target.

4. What will the offensive line look like when the season starts? Barring injury, the left side is set with tackle Will Beatty and guard Kevin Boothe. Center David Baas remains and is healthy. Starting right guard Chris Snee, probably the most underrated player on the team and largely overlooked by NFL fans and media, is back from hip surgery. However, if he's not ready, things get murky. The team drafted Justin Pugh in the first round and see him as a right tackle, yet veteran James Brewer seems ready to play and veteran warrior David Diehl is fighting for that starting job… and a roster spot. Snee starts and Diehl, Brewer and Pugh wrestle for the right tackle job. Snee sits and one of the three RT candidates will have to slide inside, a job Diehl would likely get.

5. What's going on with the linebackers? Well, for now the starting three are SAM Keith Rivers, WIL Jacquian Williams and MIKE Mark Herzlich. However, Dan Connor could take the middle spot and Aaron Curry could push Rivers. It would be a surprise to see Spencer Paysinger overtake Williams --- who had a knee injury last season but recovered very well since --- but he's a decent backup. Herzlich is definitely entering a prove-it season. The entire unit could come together nicely, but things could easily crumble if Rivers battles nagging injuries, as he has done in the past, Williams re-injuries his knee or Herzlich falters. Even if everyone stays healthy, this is a new-look unit with much to prove.

6. Who will be Eli Manning's backup? For now, it's David Carr, but fourth-round pick Ryan Nassib looked sharp in shorts this spring. As camp opens, don't expect any monumental changes, though Nassib could surprise. The most likely scenario is that the rookie forces the Giants to retain three quarterbacks, not their usual M.O.

7. How will the secondary shape up and will Corey Webster rebound? Listen, C-Web is a veteran and there's no reason to think his career is over. The looming concern is whether or not Prince Amukamara has found his groove and is ready to be a solid, every day starter the team doesn't have to worry about anymore. Oh, and is second-year corner Jayron Hosley is the real deal as the No. 3, nickel corner? Is Stevie Brown what everyone thinks he is as the starting strong safety?

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- Team Giants

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