By James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Good Sunday morning. Time http://www.firestormkennel.com/christian-covington-jersey-c-1_25.html for another Giants mailbag as we move ever close to the start of training camp on July 27 (18 days away!).
In this week's mailbag, we discuss: Paul Perkins' workload this season, the latest veteran running back the Giants wont be adding, where D.J. Fluker's role on the offensive line may fall and more. Here we go ...
Sixty-five percent of the carries feels a bit too high for Paul Perkins, even after he was named the starter.
Shane Vereen is going to get some carries (and he should, because he was extremely effective last year, fumbles aside). The Giants may turn Orleans Darkwa loose a bit more now that he’s healthy. Wayne Gallman will also factor in at some point, likely later in the year as he gets settled in, and Shaun Draughn could also be in the mix.
Let’s say the aim for Perkins is 55 percent of the carries (Rashad Jennings has 45 percent last year; Perkins had 28 percent). The Giants seem destined to always have some sort of committee approach, and Perkins isn't a lock to step right in and be the guy wire-to-wire. He showed a lot of promise last year, but he still only has 112 career carries and one start to his name.
The name changes, but the reality doesn’t: The Giants don’t need a veteran running back, and they aren’t trying to add one. They weren’t in the Adrian Peterson mix, they had nominal interest in LeGarrette Blount and they are unlikely to be looking to add a 34-year-old back (Williams) who has played nine games or http://www.newjersey1861.com/shane-vereen-jersey-c-1_31.html fewer in two of the last three seasons, and indicated to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via CBS Sports) he wants to be paid more than the veteran minimum – which the Giants can’t, and won’t, do.
Where would Williams – or any veteran back – fit here? Perkins is the starter. Vereen will play a significant role if healthy. The Giants just drafted Gallman and made the decision to re-sign Darkwa, who is finally healthy as well, and sign Draughn. There’s no place for Williams. Bringing in a veteran back would be a waste of money and time. The Giants want to play their young players. They’re going to play them.
Definitely is a strong word. At this point, “probably” would seem the safer word, and even that may be a bit strong. Aldrick Rosas is going to be the Giants’ kicker until he screws up, or a superior option (in the Giants’ eyes) becomes available.
Rosas has a big leg and made every kick during the offseason program. If he continues along that path during the preseason, his chances of sticking around are pretty strong. If Rosas falters at any point, the Giants will likely re-evaluate and look to add a veteran.
That may not necessarily mean Rosas will be one miss-and-done like Tom Obarski was last summer. Even though special teams coach Tom Quinn has extolled the virtues of having just one kicker in camp, it’s possible the Giants Starling Marte Authentic Jersey may decide having two and creating a camp pressure cooker is the right move at some point. Everything there is to know about the kicking battle can be found here.
The Giants could certainly show this look at some times, but don’t expect it to be used heavily. That wouldn’t make much sense. The Giants’ strength in the secondary is having Eli Apple, Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie all out on the field together. Removing one of them from the equation lessens that advantage.
Moreover, it’s too early to tell if the three safeties would combine to give the Giants such a level of production. The Giants are very high on Darian Thompson, but he needs to stay healthy and consistently perform. Andrew Adams had a strong rookie season, but the Giants also moved away from him down the stretch. The Giants have three main safeties they are comfortable with, which is good, but they will only use two in most cases.
Last thing: Keeping Rodgers-Cromartie fresh really shouldn’t be a concern, unless the goal is to limit reps in order to prevent injury. He only played 66 percent of the Giants’ defensive snaps in 2016. There were weeks last Barry Larkin Jersey season where his role in the game plan was smaller than others. He’s not out on the field as much as you’d think he is.