The challenge to get their act together on offense is not only about the Giants learning a new system. It is also about figuring out if there are enough players who can do some damage.
“That’s a continuous battle right now to sort that thing out and who’s gonna be the playmakers?’’ Tom Coughlin said Monday. “Who are they?’’
Victor Cruz is a proven receiver, but after that there are no guarantees with anyone on the roster. Rueben Randle, inheriting a starting job, has one catch in three preseason games. The other veteran, Jerrel Jernigan, has had an unimpressive camp.
Asked if Jernigan’s strong showing to end the 2013 season has carried over to this summer, Coughlin did not offer a glowing endorsement.
“Not necessarily,’’ he said. “He’s had days when he’s done very well and he’s had days when he hasn’t. I don’t mind saying the other night if he’d — he did run by the defender, if he’d have caught that ball it certainly would have helped us.’’
With Jernigan’s spot on the roster far from assured, young receivers Marcus Harris, Corey Washington as well as third-year Preston Parker have a shot at sticking. Mario Manningham has not regained his pre-knee injury form and does not appear to be in the mix.
Rookie WR Odell Beckham Jr. showed great burst catching a short cross and turning up the field, but at the end of the play he pulled up and reached for his right hamstring — the one that has been strained and kept him out of the first three preseason games. Beckham did not return to practice and was flexing his right leg on the sideline. After practice, Coughlin did not know about any physical issue with Beckham, who apparently got hit in the right hamstring but told strength and conditioning coach Jerry Palmieri that he is fine.
CB Prince Amukamara did not have an MRI of his strained groin, which he views as a positive development.
“I think the word I want to use is optimistic,” Amukamara said. “I definitely think that this is not one of those ‘Uh-oh’ moments. I think I will be returning very, very soon.”
It is possible Amukamara will not play again in the preseason.
Rookie Weston Richburg took first-team snaps at left guard and Geoff Schwartz at times worked with the second team, but Coughlin said not to read anything into it as the players often rotate on the offensive line. Still, it appears as if Richburg — the second-round pick and a center at Colorado State — is making a strong push to break into the starting lineup.
“I just want to be a starter, man,’’ Richburg said. “I’m not going to single myself out to one position. Wherever I need to play, I’m gonna play and hopefully be able to contribute.’’
The likely spot for Richburg is right guard, where Brandon Mosley has been inconsistent trying to replace the recently retired Chris Snee. In his first NFL training camp, Richburg has received more work at right and left guard than he has at center.
“We mix ‘em in and out, you’ve seen that before,’’ Tom Coughlin said. “How many times do we have to talk about this? There’s a lot of combinations. There’s nothing to that right now. We’re trying to figure out who’s on the team.’’
It sounds as if members of the offensive line expect a change is forthcoming.
“I don’t think there’s a set five right now that you can say: ‘These are the five guys we’re gonna have,’ ’’ right tackle Justin Pugh said. “If you’re not playing well enough and someone behind you is playing better, they should get the opportunity to play.’’
Richburg is 6-foot-3 and 298 pounds, and he will get over 300 pounds by next season. He says he has no preference and minimized the difference between playing left and right guard.
“Left hand down on the left side and right hand down on the right side,’’ he said. “You run the same plays on both sides. One play you’re on one side if you’re the left guard, same play you’re on the back side. So you just have to be aware if you’re on the front side or the back side. I’m right-handed, but that has nothing to do with getting in a stance I’m comfortable in. Either way.’’
What does matter to Richburg is getting on the field as soon as possible.
“That was my goal: to come in and compete,’’ Richburg said. “If you go to a team and don’t want to compete for a starting role, I think you’re cheating yourself. I want to be here, I want to be a player. I don’t want to be a guy that’s not playing. I want to contribute, be reliable, and be a guy that people can count on.’’