What is the story about?
EAST
RUTHERFORD, N.J. — I’m sitting in the MetLife Stadium press box more than three hours before kickoff of New York Giants vs. Tennessee Titans. So here is a quick ‘things I think’ before the game.
- I have written many times that John Harbaugh raises the floor for the Giants. Based on his track record, 15 winning seasons in 18 years as a head coach and just one season of fewer than eight victories, that should absolutely be the case. Without Jaxson Dart for the rest of the season that theory is about to be tested. If it is correct, this season will not go completely off the rails, no matter who is at quarterback.
- There is a lot of chatter that how Jameis Winston plays on Sunday will be a major factor in how aggressive the Giants are in adding a quarterback or two to the roster. I get it, but I am not sure that a one-game test in the rain with steady winds of 24-29 mph and gusts of up to 40 mph, per the National Weather Service, is a fair test. If the Giants don’t trust Winston enough to actually play for an extended stretch, why did they just bestow a two-year, $13 million contract extension upon him.
- I’m still not buying the J.J. McCarthy chatter. The Giants had enough reservations about him two years ago to pass on drafting him. Unless Harbaugh’s opinion of McCarthy is vastly different than that of Joe Schoen and the Giants’ scouting department, I can’t see a trade for McCarthy happening.
- I still believe the likely path this early in the season is signing a free agent like Jimmy Garoppolo or adding a player off a practice squad. Trades for guys like Gardner Minshew and Justin Fields, both of whom have played for offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, have been speculated about. I would just hope the Giants wouldn’t pay a high price for either.
- I have to believe the run-first Giants will carry that to an extreme on Sunday. We should see a lot of heavy formations with Patrick Ricard and Chris Manhertz, and a ton of Cam Skattebo and Najee Harris lugging the rock.
- The weather, and probably the opponent, have tickets selling on the secondary market for as little as $10. I will be curious how full the stands are at kickoff.
- I will be shocked if Brian Burns (ankle) plays today. The Giants could be without three starters if Burns, Deonte Banks (calf), and Tyler Nubin (calf) don’t play. You may snicker and say “good” when it comes to Nubin, but replacing three starters isn’t simple.
- Odell Beckham Jr. played just three snaps against the Los Angeles Rams. If the Giants are run-heavy against the Titans, as expected, I wonder if playing time for Beckham will again be sparse. If things go that way, you have to begin to wonder about Beckham’s place on the roster.
- Today might also be a day we find out if Harbaugh has faith in Tyrone Tracy. Considering the elements, does Tracy get some touches?
- The Giants have one sack in two games. They better get more than on Sunday against Cam Ward if they are going to win this one.
