Giants 2012 Training Camp Preview: Cornerbacks
Part 12 of our 2012 training camp preview examines the cornerbacks.
The Players: Prince Amukamara, Brandon Bing, Michael Coe, Jayron Hosley (R), Dante Hughes, Bruce Johnson, Antwaun Molden, Terrell Thomas, Justin Tryon, Corey Webster, Brian Witherspoon (injured)
The Storylines: Thomas was on the verge of having a breakout season last summer until a torn ACL ended his quest. He had his surgery and has been diligently working to come back better than ever before. It’s a great story and one that no doubt a lot of people would like to see come true, but how many times have we seen a player come back from knee surgery who’s despite all the talk isn’t quite as close to his pre-injury form? I’m not saying Thomas is going to be one of those players – he had his surgery in August so he will have had almost a year to get himself right again – but until he gets on the field, there will be questions about just how far he’s actually come.
Keep an Eye On: While not exactly a rookie, in many years, the 2012 season will be a continuation for Amukamara, last year’s first round draft pick who not only lost all but two training camp practices to a broken foot, but also the first several weeks of the season. Now that he’s had a complete off-season under his belt, Amukamara said that things are finally starting to slow down a bit and make more sense. Interestingly, he’ll compete for the nickel spot with rookie Jayron Hosley, a fiery type who during the spring backed down from no one and showed an aggressive streak that Amukamara has yet to show .
Predictions: Witherspoon will obviously be placed on injured reserve after re-injuring the same ACL that ended his season last year. Webster will return as one of the starters and Thomas, whom I think will be limited early on in camp, should be set for the other starting job. I think if Hosley shows a good grasp of the playbook, he could end up as the nickel back ahead of Amukamara, though certainly don’t discount Molden, who just might begin the season as the nickel until either Hosley and Amukamara shows he’s ready to take the reins.
That leaves Tryon and Coe as the leading contenders for the fifth cornerback spot (I don’t think Johnson makes the roster.) Both Tryon and Coe proved their respective values on special teams, and while the Giants could keep both if they sacrifice a spot at another unit, I think Coe might have a slight advantage over Tryon as they head into camp.
