Everyone knew they wouldn’t see Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley against the Jets.
There was some hop that Barkley would play a series or two, but he realistically had as much of a chance to play as the Mets making the playoffs (they are playing better since the All-Star break).
Eli Manning was a respectable 17-for-23 for 188 yards, yet still some questioned his overall accuracy. Sterling Shepard had eight of the receptions to bring some familiarity back to the picture.
However, the questions linger.
How will the Giants’ offense look against Jacksonville in two weeks? It will be their first true dress rehearsal.
Surely, they have some potential firepower with Beckham, Barkley, Shepard, and Evan Engram.
According to multiple reports, Beckham’s contract talks are steadily moving along. But will they be resolved by Sept. 9? If not, do we still have the harmony that is being portrayed between Beckham’s camp and the Giants’ management.
Will Beckham be able to turn on the switch without any preseason action. He missed the preseason and the first four games of his rookie season due to a hamstring injury and then turned it on for a Pro Bowl season.
Ahh.. a hamstring..let us shift to Barkley.
He practiced Sunday and apparently didn’t show any signs of his hamstring bothering him. Barkley probably won’t see action this Thursday against New England.
Engram is in concussion protocol, and –barring any setbacks– he should be in schedule to return to the opener.
One wonder how this will all be pieced together against a strong Jacksonville defense.
Giants officials don’t appear to be concerned about the chemistry.
There is also the recent concern about the overall state of the Giants’ running game. Jonathan Stewart hasn’t shown how he can be effective, and the depth has become an issue. Can you get excited about free-agent Jhurell Pressley’s team-high 71 yards against the Jets. Since being signed by Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2016, the Giants have been his fourth team, and he has been a practice squad player who hasn’t made it through the second week of October.
Jon Halapio has been handed the center job after Brett Jones was traded to Minnesota Sunday.
Have we seen enough of the Giants’ offensive line to feel comfortable that they have jelled to keep defenders off Manning and create enough space for Barkley?
We won’t see any of them this Thursday against New England in the battle to determine backup spots on the roster.
There appears to be plenty of questions and anticipation.
It certainly is leading into an interesting opener. Think about what could happen with some or all of the pieces..Beckham, Barkley, Manning, Engram, running back depth, and the offensive line.
Stay tuned.