With all the talk about the Giants' revamped wide receiving corps, plus the pressure that comes with Eli Manning's fat new contract, one of the biggest concerns surrounding New York's 2010 squad has flown a bit under the radar, according to the New York Daily News.
How will the secondary perform?
As the G-Men look to kick off their 2010 campaign against Washington, the Redskins' improved aerial attack could be a cause for concern. With cornerbacks Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery both nursing hamstring injuries, the Giants have just three corners to look to on Sunday — one of whom is untested rookie Bruce Johnson.
Head coach Tom Coughlin claims he isn't worried about Johnson, but Dockery knows the Redskins will target and test the rookie, and he hopes Johnson is prepared for it.
"I don't care who the rookie is, if you have a rookie at corner he's going to get balls," Dockery told the Daily News. "He's just got to know that it's coming. And we've got confidence that if he has to play he'll get the job done."
Terrell Thomas, who will take the field in Ross' place, echoed Dockery's confidence that the depleted secondary will fare just fine on Sunday.
"Whether Dock plays or not, we'll definitely be ready," he said. "I'm comfortable with whatever the situation may be."
Unfortunately, the secondary isn't the only concern for the Giants' defense. Defensive tackle Chris Canty, who has had just three days of practice since tearing a hamstring on Aug. 7, is bound to be rusty. Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield are playing for the first time since missing 2009 due to knee surgery. Defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, plus DT Rocky Bernard, are all coming off offseason injuries.
Will the Redskins be ready to exploit the weaknesses? Running back Clinton Portis thinks so.
"We're going to throw the ball downfield and that's something we haven't done in previous seasons to open up the run game," he said. "[If the defense] don't get there on those throws, it's going to be bombs over Baghdad."
