Read Bleacher Fan’s argument that the Cleveland Browns quarterback battle is the best this NFL training camp season and Loyal Homer’s argument that the best is the Detroit Lions quarterback battle.
Position battles in training camp are always compelling for the sports geek’s of the world. Whose technique is the best? Who has the most upside? Who sucks in practice but is a gamer? We love these types of questions.
Nowhere in the NFL are these questions more compelling than in Albany, New York for the New York Giants training camp, most apparently at the wide receiver position.
Aging veteran wide receiver Amani Toomer is no longer with the team, and star receiver Plaxico Burress really shot himself in the foot (well, the leg to be more precise) by getting into legal trouble. That leaves a LOT of players battling for a premier position in the most popular professional league in the country, on one of the most popular teams, in the biggest town in sports.
The top contenders for the top wide out position on the Giants this training camp season are rookie Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden, break out candidates Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith, and the undersized but speedy Sinorice Moss.
We do not get into predictions here at The Sports Debates (For good reason – who could have predicted Loyal Homer would have stayed up late last night baking cookies? Not me.). Each of these receivers needs a spot and has a valuable role to play. If I’m the Giants coach, this is how I break down the players abilities and begin defining roles at the start of training camp.
Nicks is my starter at the number one receiver position. He’s a first round draft pick with enormous talent and upside. While not tall like a typical number one receiver, his 6-foot 1-inch frame holds a strong 215 pounds, and he showed the capacity in college to wrestle catches away from defenders. He will need to prove he can run effective routes and block to nail the position down. But, it is there for the taking, and Nicks, though unproven, has the most raw talent in the group.
My number two receiver at the opening of camp is Steve Smith. Smith failed to break out until very late last season, grabbing only one touchdown catch on 574 yards receiving. While not quite six feet tall, Smith has shown a willingness to go across the middle and run the tough routes that are sure to glean tough hits. His speed is a bonus on the wing, allowing the field to stretch and more room to open up for the effective running game and short outlet passes that the Giants offense has always run with success.
My number three receiver going into camp is Sinorice Moss. Moss is a speedster who can get behind the defense, opening up underneath routes for Smith and running back Brandon Jacobs.
The three-way combination of speed at the receiver position forces defense to play on their heels and opens up the underneath game for quarter Eli Manning because the field is stretched.
Hixon, who had the opportunity to break out last season when Burress went down with his self-inflicted issues, dropped big passes on key plays. Until Hixon proves he can handle the offense beyond the routine demands of the position, he is not ready for the limelight in New York. It’s best to use him in spots right now where he can be effective and give him the opportunity to prove his value, rather than be thrust into a star position before he has paid his dues and is ready.
