How good can the Giants be without JPP?
The NFC East's biggest rivals to division champs, the Dallas Cowboys have just been neutered by the loss of star player Jason Pierre Paul. JPP was playing with fireworks when one accidentally went off in his hand causing severe damage and injury.
JPP elected to have his right index finger amputated to help him get back on the football field faster. Not only did he lose a finger but he also broke his thumb and suffered from severe burns and cuts all around his hand. This showing of poor judgment by JPP is not the first time this offseason he has acted a little boneheaded. Earlier on in the offseason the Giants tried to resign JPP to a $60 million dollar contract extension, needless to say that did not happen.
JPP elected to holdout for more money, JJ Watt level money, money which he never deserved. Now it appears he will be lucky if he plays football again let alone plays for the Giants. The Giants have no true big name stars on their defensive line, and this will be a problem. Cullen Jenkins is the closest they have to a household name; with that being said an unsuspecting rookie might be the answer.
Odighizuwa Owamagbe the newly drafted right defensive end could prove to be the replacement to JPP the Giants need. Owamagbe was coveted for his strength and speed before and during the NFL draft. The Giants probably saw him as more of a project player than an immediate starter, but if he can produce he might be the answer the Giants need.
That is a big if however and as defensive minded NFL fans know a good secondary is nothing without getting pressure from the front four. This means that without JPP or any other recognizable stars on the Giant's defensive line it will be extremely difficult for first round pick Landon Collins to make any sort of impact.
The lack of pressure throws the entire secondary into question; guys like Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers Chromartie will struggle to cover anyone they face because the opposing quarterbacks will have all day to find open receivers. If a team's defense is faulty then hopefully they can use the model the Cowboys used last year which was to grind out yards and eat up the clock with a solid run game, but the Giants don't have the either.
The addition of Shane Vereen isn't an answer it's a band aid for the injury prone running attack that the Giants possess. The main problem with the Gmen is that their offseason moves didn't match up with the players they actually needed and now with Odell Beckham JR looking to miss all of training camp to a calf injury. The Giants have had terrible luck all offseason and training camp is bound to bring more injuries but like the 49ers when it rains it pours.
