David Tyree and Giants WR Outlook

ESPN.com ran a front page link to a story indicating David Tyree' s job may not be safe. The following is a preview of the WR position for the NY Giants in 2008:

Thought to be a position of weakness before the Super Bowl campaign of 2007, the Giants may have a glut of talent at Wide Receiver, possibly needing to keep six on their active roster. The four obvious players to make the rosters are Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, and Mario Manningham, with David Tyree, Domenik Hixon, Sinorice Moss, DJ Hall, and Brandon London fighting for the remaining spots.

Plaxico emerged as a top notch receiver, single-handedly carrying the offense through the NFC Championship and catching the game winning touchdown. Although he may have lost a step and occasionally drops easy balls, Amani Toomer still is able to separate and made several difficult and clutch catches last year. Steve Smith emerged as Eli Manning’s safety outlet and is a poor man’s Wes Welker in the slot. Mario Manningham is a huge talent who comes with some off the field issues. Still the team believes he could emerge as the future number two to start opposite Burress and maybe even evolve into the X receiver.

Tyree, the hero of Super Bowl XLII and a pro bowl special teamer, is the most likely to make the team of the remaining receivers. Hixon, who joined the team from the Denver Broncos also contributed on special team including a kickoff return for a TD in Week 17 against New England. However, he does not help the team much offensively, and with Tyree being more valuable on special teams on both coverage teams, will probably be cut. Sinorice Moss, an injury plagued second round pick two years ago who is finally healthy may be the most interesting case. He is incredibly fast and quick making him a prime candidate to be a slot receiver. He was also an excellent punt returner for the University of Miami, a role he has yet to assume for the Giants. London spent last year on the practice squad and has had excellent mini camps so far this year. He is a big target and may remind many Giants fans of Anthony Mix, another former practice squader who has since made his way onto the Redskins roster. DJ Hall, an unsigned rookie free agent from Alabama, has also impressed at the rookie mini camp. Many had him graded as an early day two talent and should be considered a steal. He may need a year of seasoning on the practice squad but he could definitely help the team in the near future.

The 2008 wide receivers for the New York Giants will probably be Plaxico, Toomer, Smith, Manningham, Tyree, and Moss, with London and Hall on the practice squad. This leaves Hixon, a crucial special teamer, looking for work. Giants’ fans should be excited about both the present and the future of the wide receiver position.