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The offseason for the Giants was fairly quiet. Some familiar faces exited, no marquee players arrived and the team and Victor Cruz engaged in prolonged but respectful contract talks. The sting of missing out on the playoffs in 2012 has cast a wide net over an organization that expects more out of itself and the need to do better accompanies the Giants into training camp.
Players report this afternoon, with the first practice set for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at the Giants practice facility, the newly named Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Here are five Giants-sized issues heading into camp:
RELOCATE THE SWAGGER
Defense, defense, where for art thou, defense? Everything crumbled last season and the only major addition is defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins. Osi Umenyiora is gone (signed with the Falcons) and Jason Pierre-Paul will likely spend all of camp on the physically unable to perform list following back surgery. This summer is all about reestablishing a defensive identity. Stalwarts Justin Tuck and Corey Webster must show there’s something left in their tanks, Mathias Kiwanuka has to prove he’s a legit full-time end, Prince Amukamara has to take the next step at cornerback and coordinator Perry Fewell has to turn some interesting pieces into a cohesive and forceful group.
THREE’S COMPANY
There are plenty of candidates and no sure things for the three starting linebacker jobs — a stunning and a bit of a scary development — with Chase Blackburn and Michael Boley no longer on the scene. It’s likely Keith Rivers, Mark Herzlich and Jacquian Williams (if he’s healthy) receive the first crack with the first-team defense, but Spencer Paysinger, Aaron Curry and Dan Connor also likely will get opportunities to run with the ones. Throw Kyle Bosworth into the mix and you’ve got some athletic potential but loads of questions and the possibility this unit is the weak link on defense.
GET LINED UP
One of the few bona fide position battles in camp is at right tackle, where veteran David Diehl, entering his 11th season with the Giants, tries to fend off the challenge of rookie first-round pick Justin Pugh. Given the way the Giants usually respect experience, figure Diehl lines up with the starting unit at the beginning of camp, though Pugh will get plenty of looks as well. Pugh is the future, but he might also be the present if he accelerates his development. Elsewhere on the offensive line, right guard Chris Snee (hip) and center David Baas (elbow) are coming off surgeries that figure to limit their time on the field at the start of camp.
BACKUP PLAN
The Giants traded up in the fourth round of the NFL Draft to grab Ryan Nassib, which means they like him and expect him to stick around. Nassib will be on the team come September, but in what capacity? It’s not exactly back-page material, but this camp will feature a battle for backup quarterback, also known as the non-playing caddie for Eli Manning. Veteran David Carr is experienced, well-versed in the system and popular, but he will have to convince Tom Coughlin he is the better option should anything happen to Manning. Coughlin usually prefers to keep only two quarterbacks on the roster and, barring an unforeseen pitfall, Manning and Nassib are the two.
IGNITE THE FIREPOWER
There’s a feeling this assemblage of talent around Manning could be the best he has ever had. The physical prowess is there, but with caveats attached. Is Hakeem Nicks ready to regain his place as one of the NFL’s top receivers after an injury-slowed 2012 season? Is second-year Rueben Randle ready to emerge? Does the freakishly athletic David Wilson take command of the running back job and make the Giants look smart in allowing Ahmad Bradshaw to leave? Is new tight end Brandon Myers a flash in the pan or the real thing after his 79-catch year with the Raiders? Will Cruz and his $46 million contract still be the same hungry, motivated player?