Jake in New York: Considering the edge players the Giants have on their roster, which guys will play on the strong side or weak side, or the left or the right side?
John Schmeelk: Depending on how the Giants line up their defensive linemen, strong- and weak-side alignments are not quite as important in a 3-4 formation. A team goes to an even-man front in sub-package on the majority of plays, when those edge players convert to defensive ends with their hands in the dirt.
Traditionally, you want your strong-side backer to be better able to take on blockers and set the edge. The weak-side backers are players who are free to run to the ball. Therefore, the weak-side player will usually not line up on the same side of the formation as the tight end.
Speaking from a theoretical perspective, Markus Golden showed the ability to hold up on the edge last year better than the other edge players. I think Lorenzo Carter can play both strong and weak side, and Kyler Fackrell should have the ability to do both, too.
I would try to keep Oshane Ximines out of situations where he has to seriously anchor in the run game, especially against double teams. It might be best to keep him away from the tight end, so he can better use his speed.
Likewise, I don't think it matters much which side the players occupy. I'd imagine the formations mostly would be decided by the weekly matchups.
Veteran players arrive at the Giants' 2020 training camp in East Rutherford, N.J.
RB Saquon Barkley
G Kevin Zeitler
G Will Hernandez
WR Corey Coleman
OLB Lorenzo Carter
DL Dexter Lawrence
OT Eric Smith
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Golden Tate
OLB Oshane Ximines
OLB Lorenzo Carter
WR Golden Tate
CB James Bradberry
S Jabrill Peppers
OLB Oshane Ximines
CB Sam Beal
WR Darius Slayton
OL Nick Gates (left), G Chad Slade (right)
DL Austin Johnson
CB Corey Ballentine
RB Saquon Barkley
LB Devante Downs
DL Austin Johnson
G Will Hernandez
OT Cam Fleming
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
RB Dion Lewis
DL B.J. Hill
DL B.J. Hill (left), DL Dexter Lawrence (right)
CB Corey Ballentine
WR Cody Core
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Sterling Shepard
DL RJ McIntosh
RB Wayne Gallman
WR Sterling Shepard
TE Evan Engram
WR Sterling Shepard
DL Leonard Williams
CB Grant Haley
OT Eric Smith
G Kevin Zeitler
TE Garrett Dickerson
DL Leonard Williams
CB Grant Haley
DL Leonard Williams
LB Blake Martinez
DB Nate Ebner
TE Levine Toilolo
OLB Kyler Fackrell
TE Levine Toilolo
DB Julian Love
DB Julian Love
P Riley Dixon
LB Blake Martinez
S Sean Chandler
QB Alex Tanney
TE Levine Toilolo
WR Corey Coleman
S Sean Chandler
C Spencer Pulley
Kevin in Connecticut: Any chance that Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J., Hill, or even Lorenzo Carter will play DE/edge rusher to help out the pass rush?
John Schmeelk: Carter has been playing that position since he entered the league. He stands up as a 3-4 outside linebacker on run downs and puts his hand down to rush the passer in passing situations. I imagine his role will be similar this year. A more interesting question is if Patrick Graham may use one of his defensive tackles as a defensive end rusher in a four-man front. From the group consisting of Dexter Lawrence, Dalvin Tomlinson, BJ Hill and Leonard Williams, probably would be the best fit for that role. With that said, Williams probrably would also be their best pass rusher at three-technique spot. I don't see any of the group as being quick enough with the corner speed to consistently pressure the quarterback as a traditional defensive end.
Darryl in New Jersey: If the Giants go 8-8, do you think that record is good enough to be a wild-card team, given the seventh seed has been added as an extra wild-card?
John Schmeelk: They will certainly have a better chance than in past years. History still says that 8-8 teams will have a hard time getting into the playoffs. Over the past five seasons, only two 8-8 teams would have made the postseason (and a third that was 8-7-1) as a seventh seed. But the extra spot opens more opportunities for more teams to make honest runs at the playoffs late in the season.
Roscoe in Virginia: How hard is it to transition from guard to center, since Shane Lemieux and Nick Gates may be given the opportunity to start at center, even though neither played the position in college?
John Schmeelk: There are two parts of the transition. The first is physically having to snap the ball before getting into position to block. The hard part is the mental transition. A center helps the quarterback call out blocking adjustments and assignments. The smarter a player is, the easier it is to move to the new position.
Tom in New Jersey: Due to COVID-19, I would think that many players have not kept their regular off-season training and routines and flexibility workouts. How are the coaches going to ease in the players, going from 0 – 100%, with limited practices and no preseason?
John Schmeelk: The owners and players agreed to the training camp adjustments to address this very issue. Once COVID testing and physicals are completed, the team will only be allowed weight room and on-field conditioning work through Aug. 11. They will also be allowed to do walk-throughs on the field during this acclimation period.
From Aug. 12-16, the players begin practicing with no pads. They'll start with only helmets and then graduate to shells. Aug. 15 is a mandatory off-day. Practice lengths increase as the period continues.
From Aug. 17-Sept. 6, a maximum of 14 padded practices will be allowed. Walk-throughs will also be allowed during the unpadded and padded practice portions of training camp.
The idea is to allow the players to build up slowly, helping them to avoid the type of injuries that you are concerned about.
Melissa in New Jersey: After one year, do you think the Giants made the right decision drafting Daniel Jones over Dwayne Haskins?
John Schmeelk: Jones had a more productive rookie year than Haskins, but anyone who judges quarterbacks after one year in the league is not doing it right. Wait a couple of more seasons and we'll have a better answer. I will say that Jones' personality and demeanor is uniquely suited to surviving in the chaos and scrutiny of New York.
View photos of every member of the defensive front on the Giants' 90-man roster.
DL Leonard Williams
(Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
(Ryan Kang via AP)
DL Dexter Lawrence
(Ryan Kang via AP)
DL B.J. Hill
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
DL RJ McIntosh
(Ryan Kang via AP)
NT Austin Johnson
(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
DL Chris Slayton
(Scott Boehm via AP)
OLB Markus Golden
(Ryan Kang via AP)
OLB Lorenzo Carter
(Greg Trott via AP)
OLB Oshane Ximines
(AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
LB Kyler Fackrell
(Scott Boehm via AP)
OLB David Mayo
(Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LB Blake Martinez
(Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
LB Ryan Connelly
(Evan Pinkus via AP)
LB Devante Downs
(Kevin Terrell via AP)
LB Josiah Tauaefa
(Kevin Terrell via AP)
LB Mark McLaurin
(Matthew Swensen, New York Football Giants)
LB Chris Peace
(Matthew Swensen, New York Football Giants)
LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/John Amis)
LB Dominique Ross
(AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
DE Oluwole Betiku
(AP Photo/Holly Hart)
DE Dana Levine
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
DE Niko Lalos, Dartmouth
Leonard Williams (99) runs around the edge as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) blocks during an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) looks to pass under pressure from Leonard Williams (99) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Leonard Williams (99) motions after a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Leonard Williams (99) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Leonard Williams (99) during a Monday Night NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Monday November 4, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Md (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Dalvin Tomlinson (94) celebrates with teammates after the New York Jets missed a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
Dalvin Tomlinson (94) lines up on the line of scrimage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dalvin Tomlinson (94) celebrates after he sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday November 24, 2019 in Chicago (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Dexter Lawrence (97) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Dexter Lawrence (97) runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dexter Lawrence (97) waits for the snap against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Dexter Lawrence during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Dexter Lawrence (97) rushes during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Ryan Kang via AP)
B.J. Hill (95) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Chase Daniel (4) scrambles as B.J. Hill (95) looks to make the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
B.J. Hill (95) during a week 16 NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday December 23, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
B.J. Hill (95) during an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Ric Tapia via AP)
B.J. Hill (95) closes to the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
RJ McIntosh (90) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
RJ McIntosh (90) runs during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. (Scott Boehm via AP)
RJ McIntosh (90) during a week 14 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday December 9, 2018 in Landover Md. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Austin Johnson (94) sacks Dak Prescott (4) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Austin Johnson (94) gets set in a three point stance during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL AFC Championship football game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Austin Johnson (94) lines up against Jack Doyle (84) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Chris Slayton (99) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Chris Slayton participates in Training Camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus, New York Football Giants)
Chris Slayton (99) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Matthew Swensen, New York Football Giants)
Markus Golden (44) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Markus Golden in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Markus Golden (44) celebrates over Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Markus Golden (44) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. (Greg Trott via AP)
Lorenzo Carter (59) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Md (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Lorenzo Carter (59) in action on defense during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Lorenzo Carter (59) looks across the line of scrimmage ready to rush during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Lorenzo Carter (59) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Lorenzo Carter (59) tackles Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, NJ. (James D. Smith via AP)
Oshane Ximines (53) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday December 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Oshane Ximines (53) runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oshane Ximines (53) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Oshane Ximines (53) tackles Le'Veon Bell (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
Oshane Ximines (53) flexes during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Kyler Fackrell is shown in action against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Kyler Fackrell (51) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019 in Minneapolis. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Kyler Fackrell makes a tackle on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in action during a NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 in Minneapolis. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kyler Fackrell is seen during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Russell Wilson is tackled by Kyler Fackrell (51) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
David Mayo (55) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
David Mayo (55) runs in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
David Mayo (55) runs down field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
David Mayo (55) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Blake Martinez (50) defends during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Blake Martinez (50) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Blake Martinez (50) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Blake Martinez (50) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, in Minneapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Blake Martinez (50) defends during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Ryan Connelly (57) during an NFL football preseason game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, August 28, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Ryan Connelly (57) during a preseason week 1 game against the New York Jets on Friday August 8, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Ryan Connelly (57) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Paul Abell via AP)
Ryan Connelly (57) intercepts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Ryan Connelly, right, tackles Case Keenum during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Devante Downs (52) runs on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Devante Downs (52) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Devante Downs (52) sprints downfield on special teams coverage during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Josiah Tauaefa (48) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Md (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Josiah Tauaefa (48) defends against New England Patriots tight end Stephen Anderson (80) in the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
LB Josiah Tauaefa
(Joe Robbins via AP)
Cam Brown (6) hits Ricky Brookins (33) to break up a pass play during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Cam Brown (6) tackles Tyrrell Pigrome (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Cam Brown runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carter Coughlin (45) on field against Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Carter Coughlin (45) against South Dakota State during an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
T.J. Brunson (6) celebrates with Rashad Fenton (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
T.J. Brunson (6) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Karan Higdon (22) is stopped by T.J. Brunson (6) during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tae Crowder (30) comes up celebrating after C.J. Boone (10) is brought down during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Trestan Ebner (25) loses the ball on a pass play while being hit by Tae Crowder (30) which Georgia intercepted in the first half of the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans, Jan. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Isaiah Spiller (28) can't hang on to a pass as he is hit by Tae Crowder (30) in the second half of a game Nov. 23, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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