Year II Preview: New York Royal Giants

{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}

This was just a bad team. Tiki Barber had a good year, Chris Snee had a good year, and Jon Beason had a good year. Beyond that? Not really. Eli Manning retained the starting QB role through a lack of better options; Odell Beckham, Jr. was great when he was healthy, but was hurt repeatedly; and the defense was merely adequate. Better performance is needed across the board, but especially from Manning (or whomever takes his place) and Lawrence Taylor.

Key Additions: OL Brandon Brooks {3} from DUB; QB Tony Romo {5} from LON.
Key Departures: DE Ziggy Hood {2}, P Bryan Anger {2}, RB Will Ta’ufo’ou {2}.

#Year I Leaders

Passing: Eli Manning: 2623 yards, 17 TDs.
Rushing
: Tiki Barber: 1657 yards, 8 TDs.
Receiving: Odell Beckham, Jr.: 66 receptions, 1167 yards, 10 TDs.
Blocking: Chris Snee: 31 big holes.
Pressuring: Michael Strahan and Jason Pierre-Paul: 4 sacks; Strahan: 15 hurries.
Tackling: Jon Beason: 147 tackles; Strahan: 11 stuffs.
Defending: 5 players: 2 interceptions; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: 13 deflections.

AV: J. Beason {15}, M. Strahan {14}, C. Snee {12}, O. Beckham, Jr. {12}, J. Pierre-Paul {12}, T. Barber {11}, S. Marks {10}, M. Hein {10}.

#Year I Award Winners

All-League: Jon Beason, Chris Snee, Michael Strahan.

All-Pro’s: Tiki Barber, Dave Meggett, Jason Pierre-Paul.

Defensive Player of the Week: Jon Beason, Sen’Derrick Marks, Michael Strahan.

 #QB

The preseason saw a dogfight for the starting QB role, with Eli Manning {6} fighting off the challenge of Y.A. Tittle {1} and offseason pickup Tony Romo {5}. Expect him to be on a short leash, however, and I would expect all three to see some snaps in the first half of the season, unless someone really comes out and claims the job.

#RB / WR / TE

Tiki Barber was fantastic, gaining over 1600 yards on the ground and over 2000 from scrimmage, and there is some interesting talent behind him: Maurice Jones-Drew {3} had a higher average per carry (5.6 to 5.0) and while Eddie Danowski {1} was a failure as a QB he averaged over 10 yards per carry and this year will be used exclusively out of the backfield. Dave Meggett‘s {4} value is as a receiver and returner, but he can run a little, too.

At WR, the 2 keys are for Odell Beckham, Jr. to stay healthy and for someone–preferably Jimmy Smith {3} or Victor Cruz {5}–to step up as additional threats. Jeremy Shockey showed enough in Year I and preseason to start at TE, but expect both Larry Donnell {2} and the intriguing combo receiver Aaron Thomas to see time there as well.

#OL

There is an argument that Chris Snee was the best player for the Royal Giants in Year I, and clearly his success and Barber’s were intertwined. Mel Hein, Tony Boselli, {8} and Pete Henry {9} (probably the best 2 way player in the league) form a solid group, especially with newcomer Brandon Brooks {3} looking to step in as the final starter.

#DL

Sen’Derrick Marks, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Michael Strahan were solid all year, but they are likely to need better performances behind them. Mike Patterson {4}  will step in as the final starter in the 4-3. Leonard Marshall and Andy Robustelli should add pressure off the edge as well.

#LB

Jon Beason was fantastic, and returns as the anchor in the middle, flanked by Lawrence Taylor {9}, who was merely good in Year I, and Brad Van Pelt {1}, who spent almost the whole year injured. The bench is thin, with Geno Hayes {2} and Telvin Smith likely to be called on if Van Pelt goes down again.

#DB

It’s just not clear what New York has here. Prince Amukamara {1} returns after missing most of Year I through injury, and he’ll be joined at CB by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie {8}, who was decent enough. Emlen Tunnell {5} impressed at S, and the other starting position will go to Antrel Rolle {7}, with Tom Landry {1} again returning as the first defensive back off the bench.

#ST

It’s a totally new set of legs for the Royal Giants, as Pat Summerall will be the place kicker and Don Chandler the punter. Meggett and Marqise Lee should handle most kickoffs, with Meggett and Tunnell returning punts.