Two more non-playoff teams from 2015 with new head coaches square off in the preseason opener. After 12 years and two Super Bowl victories, the Giants said goodbye to Tom Coughlin and brought in former offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Adam Gase was the OC for a 6-10 Bears team last year and somehow landed the gig in South Beach. They are the two youngest head coaches in the NFL, and combined they are about seven years older than Coughlin.
ODDS
It’s always difficult to handicap preseason games, particularly in Week 1, but given the homefield advantage, the Giants were pegged as the favorite at -3 with a total of 36.5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Both teams return their top two quarterbacks, but with new head coaches who are former offensive coordinators, we could expect to see a little more of the starters. In last year’s preseason opener Eli Manning played into the second quarter before taking a seat. That was likely because the offense managed just one first down and 38 yards in four series. Backup Ryan Nassib will see some reps with third-stringer Logan Thomas getting in for a series or two.
Miami’s Ryan Tannehill has apparently settled into the quarterback he’s going to be for the remainder of his career. Now in his fifth season, if Tannehill is going to make additional strides in his game, it could happen under Gase. The two have established a nice rapport in camp and it’s time to continue that into live games. Matt Moore is the backup and Gase would like to get his two other quarterbacks some reps. Zac Dysert is third in the pecking order with rookie Brandon Doughty hoping to hang on.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so McAdoo and Gase better make this one count. The motivation for rookie coaches is much different than that of a veteran head coach. Guys like Bill Belichick in New England, Andy Reid in Kansas City and Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy put little emphasis on the outcome of games that don’t count. Those old-timers have been through the ringer and have a better grasp on what the exhibition games are for.
But newbies like McAdoo and Gase, who are leading storied franchises that have hit mediocre levels in recent years, have one thing on their mind – winning – not only for their resumes, but for the confidence of the team. The Dolphins haven’t had a winning season since 2008 and it’s been four years since the Giants played above .500.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We’re just trying to get players better, rather than worrying about the result. We follow our process, and whatever the outcome ends up being, well, it’s been good in the past.” – Dolphins coach Adam Gase on his first training camp as head coach.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Dolphins will be spending the preseason looking to find a cornerback to play opposite Byron Maxwell. They are so desperate they moved former college receiver Tony Lippett to the spot and he’s been seeing first team reps in practice with Chimdi Chekwa. Lippett is the projected starter for the preseason opener by default. Chekwa suffered a leg injury in practice last week and second-round pick Xavian Howard is sidelined for a few weeks with a knee injury.
Howard is expected to be ready by the time the regular season gets underway and could move into the starting role if no one makes an impact the remainder of training camp. In the meantime, Bobby McCain, who saw action at corner last season, will push Lippett and Chekwa for playing time.
INJURIES
Last year at this time, the Giants had an injury list two pages long. Things have been much smoother in training camp this time around. However, the club is dealing with a lingering hamstring issue on Jasper Brinkley, an injury that could force him out of the preseason opener. Brinkley earned the starting middle linebacker job last season and is competing with Keenan Robinson and B.J. Goodson this year.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The starting units are very similar and I’ll call it a push between them. The result of this one comes down to the second, third and fourth stringers. At this point the Giants have more depth and have been, for the most part, injury-free in training camp. New York spent a fortune in the offseason to upgrade its leaky defense and the investment will get a chance to prove its worth early on. Defensive end Olivier Vernon was signed by the Giants away from the Dolphins and could spend a series or two in Miami’s backfield.
NFL Odds: New York 27, Miami 23
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