KEYS TO TRAINING CAMP: NY GIANTS AND JETS EDITION

KEYS TO TRAINING CAMP: NY GIANTS AND JETS EDITION

By: Matthew Blittner

It's that time of year again.

Across the NFL, teams are opening their training camps this week in preparation for their preseason slate of games, and then their regular seasons.

The New York Giants, and the New York Jets, open their respective camps headed in vastly different directions.

Last season, the Giants ended a five-year playoff drought, before ultimately falling to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round of the postseason.

The Jets meanwhile opened the season as favorites to make the playoffs in the AFC, before falling flat with a 5-11 record and taking on the moniker of the NFL's most dysfunctional team.

This season, the Jets open camp amid news that they will be tanking the season in hopes of drafting a franchise Quarterback in next year's draft -- the team hasn't had a franchise signal-caller since the days of Joe Namath.

Meanwhile, the Giants open camp as a preseason favorite to win the NFC. A dynamic receiving corps, youthful secondary, and a revamped offensive line are the components that lead many to believe that the Jints will be one of the top teams in the NFC.

So, what are the keys to watch for from both teams as they open their respective camps?

JETS

A season to forget is in store for fans of Gang Green. An offseason that saw the team high-command strip the roster of most of its' high-priced veterans, has given way to the theory that the Jets will be in contention, not for the Super Bowl, but rather, for the Number One overall pick in next year's draft. With that pick, Gang Green hopes to finally draft a Quarterback that they can build the team around. One who will finally allow them to topple Tom Brady and the Patriots.

As training camp opens, the main roster competition will be to see who the starting QB will be in Week One. With three Quarterbacks currently on the 53-man roster, the competition is sure to last until the last possible moment.

Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty, and Josh McCown, are all below-average QB's, and regardless of who wins their training camp contest, it is a sure bet that all three will receive playing time at some point during the season.

The team is short on offensive skill players, as well as defensive skill players, and therefore, is unlikely to be much more than a 2-3 win team. Although, one area to watch is the Tight End position. For the first time in years, it seems that the Jets will actually be attempting to incorporate the position into their offensive scheme.

GIANTS

The big questions facing the Giants are thus: how much does Eli Manning have left? and can the newly stocked receiving corps fulfill their potential and be the best in the league?

For the first time since his rookie season, Eli Manning was more a hinderance than a help last year. Age, decline in arm strength, and a porous offensive line all combined to make Eli's season one of his worst in recent memory. Of course, that being said, Eli still showed enough to lead the team back to the postseason for the first time since their Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in 2011.

If Eli can regain his form from two seasons ago, the Giants receiving corps jells as many expect it to, and the offensive line keeps him upright, then this could be one scary offensive team.

The receiving corps, lead by Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard, has the potential to lead the league in most offensive categories. This of course, will only happen if the following occurs.

First, Beckham has already caused a stir by demanding to be the highest-paid player in the NFL, and has threatened to not play of his demands aren't met. Is he worth more than $25 million per season? No, but value is in the eye of the beholder, and the Giants can ill-afford to ostracize their star play-maker. 

Second, what does Brandon Marshall have left in the tank? Last season with the QB depraved Jets, Marshall posted his worst season since his rookie year. This, after a season which saw him post team-highs in touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards. If the Giants get the Marshall from two years ago, then he will be an excellent compliment to Beckham by moving the chains and prevent double-teams by also being a deep threat.

Lastly, does Sterling Shepard take the next step in his development as a slot receiver? If Shepard does take that step then the Giants will have one dangerous trio to trot out in three-receiver sets. If, however, Sterling does not take that step forward, the Jints will be just another team that lacks receiving depth.

While these factors are all dependent on more than just the individual player, there is reason to believe that many of these projections will come true.

PREDICTIONS:

JETS: 2-14. A two-win season will actually be two wins too many as a number of teams will conceivably be in contention for the Number One draft pick, and in true Jets fashion, they will actually win too much to properly tank.

GIANTS: 11-5. A second straight postseason berth will lead to a deep playoff run that will ultimately see the team fall just short of vying for its' third Super Bowl title in the last decade.