So Week 1 has arrived, prompting the Giants.com crew to discuss the first thing to look for when the Giants take the field Sunday night against the Cowboys:
John Schmeelk: Let's see how the Giants' two rookie cornerbacks play in their NFL debut against what is one of the best passing attacks in the NFC. Dak Prescott had issues with interceptions last season, but the Cowboys averaged 30 points per game in his starts. This off-season, Dallas added veteran Brandin Cooks (1,000 receiving yards in six of his last eight seasons) and Michael Gallup is another year removed from ACL surgery that seemed to slow him down last year.
Expect CeeDee Lamb to covered by Adoree' Jackson on most plays, especially since Lamb is playing more and more of his plays in the slot. It means Cooks and Gallup will be the responsibility of two players that have never taken a NFL snap. Cooks in an accomplished receiver with sub 4.40 speed (4.33 at the NFL Combine in 2014) who runs routes well. Gallup is a downfield threat with good hands and body control to make back-shoulder catches downfield. Gallup had more than 1,900 yards receiving between 2019-20.
There's no doubt that Cowboys head coach and play caller Mike McCarthy will be putting big red circles around those two young cornerbacks and will test them with double moves and other downfield shots. It's also certain that Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale won't hesitate sending blitzes throughout the game, leaving those cornerbacks on an island in man-to-man coverage. If they handle their responsibilities as they did in the preseason, it would bode very well for the remainder of the regular season and there's no reason to think this defense can't develop into a dominant group.
Dan Salomone: The Giants will go as far as Daniel Jones take them - and Jones will go as far as the offensive line takes him. That's where the focus will be in Week 1 against a Dallas defense that sacked Jones eight times over two meetings last season, including five in Week 3 at MetLife Stadium. Specifically, watch rookie center John Michael Schmitz. The second-round pick and former All-American hasn't played a regular-season snap in the NFL, but he has been tested daily in practice against Dexter Lawrence, one of the best interior defensive linemen in the game. Schmitz will be flanked by a combination of guards who have to be revealed for Week 1, an All-Pro left tackle in Andrew Thomas, and a right tackle looking to make a second-year leap in Evan Neal.
"We'll see, again, when we get to Sunday against the Cowboys," general manager Joe Schoen said last week of the guard rotation with Mark Glowinski, Ben Bredeson, and Joshua Ezeudu. "We won a lot of games with those players minus JMS (center John Michael Schmitz). It's his first year here, but won nine games and a playoff game with that group. So, we'll see how it pans out."
View photos of the New York Giants' 2023 roster as it currently stands.
CB Deonte Banks
RB Saquon Barkley
OLB Boogie Basham
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
G Ben Bredeson
RB Matt Breida
RB Gary Brightwell
ILB Cam Brown
TE Lawrence Cager
WR Parris Campbell
ILB Carter Coughlin
DL D.J. Davidson
OL Joshua Ezeudu
CB Cor'Dale Flott
K Graham Gano
P Jamie Gillan
G Mark Glowinski
RB Eric Gray
CB Tre Hawkins III
WR Isaiah Hodgins
CB Darnay Holmes
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Adoree' Jackson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
G Shane Lemieux
S Bobby McCain
CB Nick McCloud
ILB Micah McFadden
OL Marcus McKethan
S Xavier McKinney
OT Evan Neal
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
OLB Azeez Ojulari
LB Bobby Okereke
S Gervarrius Owens
OT Matt Peart
S Jason Pinnock
DL Jordon Riley
DT A'Shawn Robinson
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
C John Michael Schmitz Jr.
WR Sterling Shepard
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons
WR Darius Slayton
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Andrew Thomas
TE Darren Waller
OLB Jihad Ward
DL Leonard Williams
Lance Medow: A big talking point this off-season has been the Giants' quest to close the gap on the Cowboys and Eagles. Well, in order to accomplish that feat, you must learn from what happened last season and find ways to avoid similar pitfalls. In 2022, New York managed a total of six plays for 20+ yards (five through the air, one on the ground) against Dallas – it was a big reason the Giants averaged only 18 points per game in those two contests. On the flip side, Dallas posted 25.5 points per game despite missing starting quarterback Dak Prescott in the first matchup and recorded five plays for 20+ yards in Week 3 alone. That's why the volume of explosive plays will be so important.
Last season, the Giants had the fewest plays for 20+ yards in the NFL with 28 and were tied for the sixth-fewest plays of 40+ yards through the air with five. They were average in those categories on the ground, but if this offense is going to take the next step, it must rely more on game-changing plays. In Week 1, they'll be facing an offense that averaged 27.5 points per game in 2022, nearly a touchdown more than the Giants. The Cowboys return most of their offensive starters and added veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who is more than capable of stretching the field and putting stress on defensive backs. When the Giants have possession, all eyes will be on some of New York's newest weapons (including Darren Waller and Parris Campbell) as Daniel Jones & Co. try for more explosive plays. The Giants scored 22 points or fewer in 12 of their 17 games last season, but they only won five of those contests and two of those 12 came against Dallas. Look at the scoreboard … that's where closing the gap begins.
Matt Citak: Throughout the summer, we witnessed numerous players from both sides of the ball step up and play well leading into the start of the regular season. However, the most noticeable - and perhaps the most important - thing we observed throughout training camp and the preseason was Daniel Jones' increased confidence heading into Year 2 of coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka's offense.
Simply put, the fifth-year quarterback dominated all summer. Other than one relatively rough session while practicing with the Lions in Detroit, Jones put together standout performance after standout performance at practice. The 26-year-old was completing 70-80 percent of his passes during team drills just about every day, connecting with Darren Waller, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt and the rest of the team's targets. On top of his passing, Jones just looked significantly more comfortable in the offense compared to last training camp. He was constantly making quicker decisions, getting through his reads and getting the ball out of his hands faster than we saw last season. The quarterback, who is known for his calm and cool demeanor, has also been noticeably more vocal, both on and off the field. He was voted a team captain for the fourth consecutive season, which shows how his teammates feel about his leadership. After receiving a multi-year contract extension and some new playmakers during the off-season, this is the sort of growth the Giants were hoping to see out of the young quarterback.
"Just confidence," assistant general manager Brandon Brown said last month about what he's found in Jones throughout camp. "I think with Daniel, he knows that we have his back and that we believe in him, and it was our job to get him generators. Dabs speaks about generators and not just guys that are run-after-catch, but guys that can be quick-strike players. Guys that can create open windows for him. So, I think our job is making him the best version of himself and him coming back and doing the work with the skill guys over the summer, it all just lends itself to him being more confident and us gelling and finding our groove earlier."
Jones and the Giants' offense will have quite the tough opening test. The Dallas defense is one of the best in the league with talented players at every level, starting with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence up front and Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore in the secondary. We're going to find out right away just how much progress Jones has made in Year 2. What better first test than the Cowboys under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 9)
K Graham Gano - Signed 3-year contract extension (September 8)
WR Cam Sims - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (September 4)
WR Cole Beasley - Practice Squad; Injured (September 4)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injury Settlement
DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, T Jaylon Thomas - Practice Squad Signing (August 31)
RB Taiwan Jones - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (August 31)
TE Tyree Jackson, G Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing (August 31)
DB Gemon Green, T Tyre Phillips - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 31)
CB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injury Settlement
DT Ryder Anderson, ILB Darrian Beavers, DB Alex Cook, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Gemon Green, ILB Dyontae Johnson, TE Ryan Jones - Practice Squad (August 30)
WR Cole Beasley, CB Amani Oruwariye, T Tyre Phillips, OLB Oshane Ximines - Practice Squad Veteran (August 30)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 30)
DE Boogie Basham - Acquired via Trade (via BUF) with 2025 7th Round Pick for 2025 6th Round Pick (August 30)
DT Ryder Anderson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DE Habakkuk Baldonado - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Darrian Beavers - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Alex Cook - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
QB Tommy DeVito - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Gemon Green - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
TE Ryan Jones - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LS Cameron Lyons - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
T Tyre Phillips - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DT Kobe Smith - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Ray Wilborn - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Cole Beasley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Jamison Crowder - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
C Sean Harlow - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
DB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR David Sills V - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
LB Oshane Ximines - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Reserve/Non-Football Illness (August 29)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Passed Physical (August 29)
CB Aaron Robinson - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (August 29)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Wyatt Davis - Waived, Injured (August 28)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Julién Davenport - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Brandin Bryant - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DE Tashawn Bower - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Kevin Atkins - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
WR Collin Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
DB Darren Evans - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
NT Donovan Jeter - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
RB James Robinson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons - Acquired via Trade (via ARZ) for 2024 7th Round Pick (August 25)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 24)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injury Settlement
CB Rodarius Williams - Waived, No Recall (August 19)
OT Julién Davenport - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injured (August 16)
LB Ray Wilborn - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (August 15)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived/Injured (August 15)
DL D.J. Davidson - Passed Physical (August 14)
WR Jeff Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (August 11)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Passed Physical (August 7)
OL Marcus McKethan - Passed Physical (August 7)
NT Donovan Jeter - Free Agent Signing (August 4)
WR Jeff Smith - Waived/Injured (August 4)
C Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing (August 1)
OL J.C. Hassenauer - Reserve/Injured (August 1)
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical (July 30)
WR Jamison Crowder - Passed Physical (July 30)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Injured (July 29)
LB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injury Settlement (July 29)
DT Kevin Atkins - Free Agent Signing (July 27)
T Andrew Thomas - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (July 26)
DT D.J. Davidson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
G Marcus McKethan - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Jamison Crowder - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 25)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Did Not Report (July 25)
RB Saquon Barkley - Franchise Player Signing (July 25)
OLB Tashawn Bower - Free Agent Signing (July 25)
OLB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injured (July 25)
DB Trenton Thompson - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DT Brandin Bryant - Free Agent Signing (July 24)
WR Makai Polk - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
WR Dre Miller - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
RB James Robinson - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
WR Cole Beasley - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
DB Darren Evans - Free Agent Signing (July 18)
LB Jarrad Davis - Reserve/Injured (July 18)
DB Leonard Johnson - Waived/Injured (July 18)
DL Kobe Smith - Free Agent Signing (June 15)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Terrell Burgess - Waived/Injured (May 5)
G Solomon Kindley - Waived
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
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