Crimson Tide NFL Rundown: The New York Giants
The New York Giants were one of the surprise playoff teams in 2022, winning nine games behind the return of Saquon Barkley, and earning them the seventh seed and trip to Minnesota during Super Wildcard Weekend. The Giants stunned the Vikings on the road, winning 31-24.
Former Alabama assistant coach Brian Daboll is looking to build on that stellar season in 2023, and it will all start with the run game.
Barkley was a hot topic of conversation last year. After bursting onto the scene during his rookie season, he had a bit of a sophomore slump, before dealing with major injuries in 2020 and 2021. He put any doubts about his future to rest in 2022, rushing for a career-high 1,312 yards, and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, Barkley had another 338 receiving yards.
The Giants offensive line is anchored by former Alabama right tackle Evan Neal, who had a rocky start but improved down the stretch of his rookie season. Neal was tasked with blocking for quarterback Daniel Jones, who had 3,205 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 708 rushing yards, and seven rushing touchdowns, and opening holes for Barkley after moving over from playing left tackle with the Crimson Tide. Going from college to the NFL is already a tough transition, and Neal had a job twice as hard having to adjust to NFL speed and NFL pass rushers while learning to play a different position. Don't be surprised if he makes a major leap this season after adjusting as the starting right tackle.
Defensively, the Giants secondary is manned by former Alabama safety Xavier McKinney. His best, and only full season, came in 2021 when he had 93 tackles, five picks, and one defensive touchdown. McKinney hopes to capitalize on being fully healthy, following a rough season that saw him break three fingers in his hand. The injury lasted into April until McKinney told reporters that everything was "good to go" during a conference call. When healthy, McKinney has been the preferred starter for the Giants, and looks to finally put everything together heading into year four.
Also on the roster is A'Shawn Robinson, who is projected to be a starting defensive end for the Giants after signing as a free agent. Robinson was a part of the Rams team that won a Super Bowl in 2021, totaling 67 tackles, with three quarterback hits, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two tackles for loss. Robinson, a second-round draft pick in 2016, spent the first four years of his career in Detroit before heading to Los Angeles in 2020. Robinson is a big body who knows how to power through the offensive line to create pressure on the quarterback. While he won't necessarily have a lot of sacks, his presence can definitely be felt by opposing quarterbacks when a 6-3, 320-pound man is barreling toward them.
The Giants division is no slouch, with three of the four teams making the playoffs in 2022, and the Eagles going all the way to the Super Bowl. In addition, the Giants will face the AFC East this season, meaning match ups against Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, Josh Allen and the Bills, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, and Mac Jones and the Patriots. Despite a tough slate that also includes a run into the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants should be able to earn another postseason spot. As we saw in 2022 anything can happen for Daboll and the Giants if they can reach the position.
Active New York Giants
#29 Xavier McKinney, S
#73 Evan Neal, OT
#54 A'Shawn Robinson, DT
Injured Reserve
#63 J.C. Hassenauer, OL
See Also: Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Players by Team, Position
