New York Giants: Someone else needs to step up against Carolina

On Sunday, the New York Giants face the Carolina Panthers, which means Josh Norman will deal with Odell Beckham Jr. Someone else on the Giants needs to step up

Going into Sunday’s game against the undefeated Carolina Panthers, there’s likely a game plan the Panthers will implement early and often, and that’s to make sure wherever Odell Beckham Jr. goes, Josh Norman follows.

Norman has enjoyed a breakout year this season, and he’s been the best cornerback in all of football. It’s hard to dispute just how good he’s been. Obviously, it helps that he’s playing on the third best defense in the league.

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Norman’s obviously a big part of that, mind you. He possesses true lockdown talent, and he can play in man coverage, as well as zone. There’s a reason he’s been nicknamed “Lake Norman,” which is an adaptation of “Revis Island.”

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The breakout corner’s assignment is no slouch, as Beckham has set the league on fire for a second-straight season. Beckham has breakaway speed, precise route-running ability and I don’t think anything needs to be said about his catching ability.

With Norman focusing on stopping one of the league’s most prolific receivers, someone else needs to step up for the Giants aerial attacks (I don’t want to spend too much time on this because there’s an article coming).

So who’s it gonna be?

Well, I think there are three players most likely to pick up the slack. I’ll start with “Harry Houdini” Rueben Randle, and I use that prefix because the fourth-year pro has pulled a disappearing act for most of the year. Randle flashed superstar potential during the latter portion of last year, but he’s displayed a lackadaisical approach this year in both his route running and overall effort.

On two separate occasions, Randle seemingly quit on a route, and the result was an Eli Manning red-zone interception. One has to think eventually, Randle will start to play like the guy whom many believed was in line for a breakout year.

Randle, despite his caveats, is still a talented player. He has the size and big-play ability, though he needs to start holding on to easy, catchable balls. It was around this time last year Randle started to come into his own as a receiver.

Another candidate to step up with Beckham’s hands full is veteran receiver Hakeem Nicks. Nicks, who re-signed with the team once Victor Cruz was sent to IR, has been quiet, with only three receptions. Playing against his home-state Panthers, could this finally be the game Nicks plays a bigger role?

Playing as the third or fourth receiver, Nicks will have more favorable match ups than either Randle or Beckham. Nicks will see some of either Robert McClain or Cortland Finnegan, which is ironic, because Finnegan, like Nicks, is a veteran player who was signed off the streets a few weeks ago.

Unlike 2011’s Nicks, this version is nowhere near as explosive. However, the sequel is smoother and more savvy. No matter how old a receiver gets, their route-running ability will always stay with them, and that’s something that could make Nicks a viable option.

A third and final player to keep an eye on is the ever-versatile Shane Veeren. Not much of a runner, Vereen is one of the finest pass-catching backs in the entire NFL. He’s shifty, elusive and typically has sure hands. The only issue is Carolina boasts some studs at the linebacker position. Luke Kuechly is unstoppable and Thomas Davis is nearly as good, though Vereen could win some battles against Davis.

Against Miami, Rashad Jennings established himself as the lead back, and that’s a role that never suited Vereen. The Giants should continue to use Vereen in the passing game, which is where he’s most effective. This season, Vereen has consistently made something out of nothing and he can prove the offense with a spark.

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If the Giants can’t find someone else on the team to step up, they have zero chance of beating Carolina. The Panthers have too good of a run defense, so there’s a slim chance the Giants can establish anything on the ground.

For once, the Giants will be relying on somebody other than Odell Beckham Jr. when they’re on offense.