*STATEMENT: *Henry Hynoski will catch three touchdown in 2012.
SCHMEELK: Fiction - Henry Hynoski improved a lot during his rookie year as the Giants fullback, and had probably his best game of the season against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He'll be the starter in 2012 and has shown good hands. The Giants offense, however, just doesn't feature their running backs as pass catchers. With weapons like Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks they look to those guys for production at wide receiver.
SALOMONE: Fiction - As a rookie, he proved to be dependable in this department (as well as hurdling defenders) with 12 catches in 11 regular season games. He also had five in the postseason, including two in the Super Bowl (one of which went for 13 yards). But with that said, none were touchdowns or close to it. If the circumstances were just right, I could see him getting in there, but not enough to say three. He'll be busy keeping the rest of the backfield – including playmaker David Wilson – upright this season.
*STATEMENT: *Bruce Johnson will get playing time as a sub-package defensive back.
SCHMEELK: Fact -Before his injuries, Bruce Johnson showed great promise as a slot corner. He was in the Giants plans for the future. Two serious injuries in consecutive seasons will make it difficult, but if he can get back to where he was, the Giants will find a way to use him. Coming off an achilles injury is one of the most difficult things to do, and Johnson will have to earn his playing time at training camp. There will be a lot of competition with Terrell Thomas returning from knee surgery, Prince Amukamara finally getting healthy, and even Brian Witherspoon returning from injury. You can never have enough corners and at some point this year, the team will probably need Bruce Johnson to step in.
SALOMONE: Fiction - It's a crowded unit and I can't sign off on it just yet seeing that Bruce Johnson hasn't played a game since October of 2010. Then there's the addition of third-round draft pick Jayron Hosley to the mix. And along with players like Terrell Thomas, Brian Witherspoon, Michael Coe and Justin Tryon, we'll see if Johnson can return to his old form before his consecutive season-ending injuries.
STATEMENT: *DJ Ware will be the team's third down back at some point this season.*
SCHMEELK: Fact - David Wilson and Ahmad Bradshaw project to be the two primary backs for the Giants, and should get most of the carries. But with Bradshaw's injury history, there is bound to be a point in the season where Ware will be called upon to step in and fill a role. Ware needs to play well in camp and in the preseason, however, and fight off the other young backs the Giants will have in camp looking for a job. He has been on the team a long time and needs to continue to prove he can be a valuable member of the team.
SALOMONE: Fact - While Ware's career is a head-scratcher at times, the undrafted back out of Georgia has increased his production each of his years in the league since joining in 2007. So you have to credit him for that. Last season was no different as he doubled 2010's numbers in yards and attempts. And I'll never undervalue his pair of two-point conversions in pressure situations (regular season games against Green Bay and at Dallas) in what it said about the coaches' confidence in hm. So while we keep saying "he's next in line" each season, he could provide a veteran presence on third downs with David Wilson ahead of him.
STATEMENT: *Victor Cruz will make the Pro Bowl in 2012.
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**SCHMEELK: Fact - I do not believe last year was a flash in the pan for Victor Cruz. He is virtually unguardable in the slot position, and has a great connection with Eli Manning. If team's double team Hakeem Nicks, Cruz will eat them alive and visa versa. It will be important to find a consistent third receiver to complement both of them as the season goes along. Cruz is the real thing and while his numbers might not be as off the charts, he will be just as big of a factor for the Giants in 2012 and will be rewarded with the Pro Bowl.
SALOMONE: Fact - That's assuming there will be a Pro Bowl. But if there is still one, Cruz will be in it. Aside from the popularity contest it can be, I can't see Cruz not backing it up with numbers in 2012. Granted, he surprised some teams early on and could have a tougher time the second time around with increased attention on the receiver. But you don't set an 86-year-old franchise's single season receiving record on the element of surprise alone.
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