What if Victor Cruz were injured? (1 Viewer)

[PiRadii]

If Victor Crus were to get injured (I know these words should not be written), which Giants WR would have the greatest fantasy value, Randle or Barden? I know Hixon will have an impact and we've seen what Barden can do for one game. Barden does not seem like he would be suited to take over Cruz's role. I'm just wondering how the WR corps would look and where the players will be lined up. Any thoughts?

 

[DesmondBishop]

I think it would be Randle and Barden would then play the slot on 3 wide sets.

I think this because, I have heard that Barden has a hard time getting off the line with press/bump and run type coverage. So if this is true, I think teams could take him away pretty easily and shut the Giants down. I believe this because the game after Barden had his huge game, Nicks was still out and Hixon got the start, they played Philly next who has been using Nnamdi and DRC in bump and run coverage and Barden didn't really play till the Giants went to 3 wide when they were losing. So

I think that if either Nicks or Cruz was gone for any extended period of time, Hixon or Randle would be the starter and then they probably rotate the slot guy. I think it would be Randle because they want to see what they got, the Giants know what Hixon is and can do.

Some Giants fans may have better insight and completely disagree, but this is how I think it would shake out if Nicks or Cruz was going to be gone long term.

 

[netnalp]

Gilbride has said that Barden won't play the slot. It would be Randle or Jernigan in the slot if Cruz and Nicks were both out.

 

[mr roboto]

Is the Giants passing game like the Texans running game? Plug into the system and any decent player can produce?

Btw I don't think Foster or Tate are just decent. But that system is pretty RB friendly.

 

[netnalp]

Is the Giants passing game like the Texans running game? Plug into the system and any decent player can produce?Btw I don't think Foster or Tate are just decent. But that system is pretty RB friendly.

I wouldn't say it is. The Giants system uses a lot of Run N' Shoot option routes from Gilbride's days with the Oilers. Gilbride has said in the past that the system is very complicated. He pointed out that young players usually aren't productive in it their first year and used Manningham as an example of a player getting hurt his first year and that led to continued struggles with it the following year. Barden was tried at the slot in camp but he was found to be too big. It was beat writers I think that said his stride is too long for the routes the slot WR runs. He also doesn't have the build nor the physical play to act like a light TE.However on the plus side, Eli seems to have taken a step up this year. Now one-on-one coverage is pretty much open. He's also been completing passes to Cruz when he's double covered. Looks like Eli is fitting the ball into smaller opening than last year. He makes WRs look even better.

 

[harryhood]

Is the Giants passing game like the Texans running game? Plug into the system and any decent player can produce?Btw I don't think Foster or Tate are just decent. But that system is pretty RB friendly.

I wouldn't say it is. The Giants system uses a lot of Run N' Shoot option routes from Gilbride's days with the Oilers. Gilbride has said in the past that the system is very complicated. He pointed out that young players usually aren't productive in it their first year and used Manningham as an example of a player getting hurt his first year and that led to continued struggles with it the following year. Barden was tried at the slot in camp but he was found to be too big. It was beat writers I think that said his stride is too long for the routes the slot WR runs. He also doesn't have the build nor the physical play to act like a light TE.However on the plus side, Eli seems to have taken a step up this year. Now one-on-one coverage is pretty much open. He's also been completing passes to Cruz when he's double covered. Looks like Eli is fitting the ball into smaller opening than last year. He makes WRs look even better.

Also, Cruz is the perfect fit for the system, and not anyone can step in there and do what he is doing. The system designs many option routes for Cruz which requires quite non verbal communication between Manning/Cruz, as Eli pretty much has no idea what direction Cruz is going to break until right before the play is snapped(or sometimes mid play). His moves on the line of scrimmage, and during the route itself are extremely beneficial in their success. I am not confident that Rube, Barden or Jernigan would be able to be this effective and efficient if they had to step in for Cruz for a extended amount of time.

 

[netnalp]

Is the Giants passing game like the Texans running game? Plug into the system and any decent player can produce?Btw I don't think Foster or Tate are just decent. But that system is pretty RB friendly.

I wouldn't say it is. The Giants system uses a lot of Run N' Shoot option routes from Gilbride's days with the Oilers. Gilbride has said in the past that the system is very complicated. He pointed out that young players usually aren't productive in it their first year and used Manningham as an example of a player getting hurt his first year and that led to continued struggles with it the following year. Barden was tried at the slot in camp but he was found to be too big. It was beat writers I think that said his stride is too long for the routes the slot WR runs. He also doesn't have the build nor the physical play to act like a light TE.However on the plus side, Eli seems to have taken a step up this year. Now one-on-one coverage is pretty much open. He's also been completing passes to Cruz when he's double covered. Looks like Eli is fitting the ball into smaller opening than last year. He makes WRs look even better.

Also, Cruz is the perfect fit for the system, and not anyone can step in there and do what he is doing. The system designs many option routes for Cruz which requires quite non verbal communication between Manning/Cruz, as Eli pretty much has no idea what direction Cruz is going to break until right before the play is snapped(or sometimes mid play). His moves on the line of scrimmage, and during the route itself are extremely beneficial in their success. I am not confident that Rube, Barden or Jernigan would be able to be this effective and efficient if they had to step in for Cruz for a extended amount of time.

It's also why Eli doesn't have low INT totals. If the WR makes a different read, then bad things happen. And the Giants throw the deep ball more than most teams, so that is another reason for more INTs.

 

[PiRadii]

Yeah, I bought Barden after his nice week in one league. I'm thinking Randle would have more value too.

 

[Islanders rule]

If Victor Crus were to get injured (I know these words should not be written), which Giants WR would have the greatest fantasy value, Randle or Barden? I know Hixon will have an impact and we've seen what Barden can do for one game. Barden does not seem like he would be suited to take over Cruz's role. I'm just wondering how the WR corps would look and where the players will be lined up. Any thoughts?

Then he would be hurt!