The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins are looking to rebound from letdown seasons a year ago, and both teams have a first-time coach leading the way. The first step of redemption will occur Friday night at the MetLife Stadium.
Dolphins vs. Giants 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch NFL preseason online
Both teams were two of the league’s biggest disappointments last season.
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After missing the playoffs for four straight years, the Giants and Tom Coughlin split ways at the end of last season. Though it was originally branded as a mutual parting, it quickly became clear that wasn't the case. Following an awkward farewell press conference exchange that featured Coughlin seemingly snubbing Giants CEO and president John Mara, the New York Daily News reported that he couldn't stop bashing the organization in an interview with the Philadelphia Eagles for their head coaching vacancy. Suffice to say, Coughlin didn't get the job.
Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo was named Coughlin’s replacement, probably thanks to an endorsement from Eli Manning. With Odell Beckham Jr. lining up beside him for the third consecutive season, Manning, 35, will look to put up prolific passing numbers once again.
Giants fans likely won't see a lot of Manning Friday, but they could get a more extended look at the team's revamped defense. New York had the worst passing defense in the league last season and tried to fix that weakness with a number of free agent additions. The Giants signed defensive end Olivier Vernon to a massive five-year, $85 million contract at the onset of free agency and followed up with inking cornerback Janoris Jenkins to a five-year deal worth more than $60 million.
Both signings are of the high-risk, high-reward variety. Vernon recorded 5.5 sacks in the second half of last season, but outside his sophomore campaign in 2013, he’s failed to be a consistent game-changing presence. Jenkins has been a boom-or-bust cornerback throughout the duration of his NFL career, allowing more than 700 receiving yards every single year.
But given how porous the Giants were on defense in 2015, Vernon and Jenkins represent significant upgrades for the team. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison, who signed a five-year, $46.25 million deal, should help upgrade the front seven as well.
The Dolphins also changed head coaches the offseason, bringing in former Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase to replace interim play-caller Dan Carpenter. Miami canned Joe Philbin after a 1-3 start and finished last season with a 6-10 record.
Gase has been hard on his team so far this training camp. Last week, he chastised his offense after a lackluster scrimmage, saying it "almost looked like a walkthrough." That might be the kind of tone embattled quarterback Ryan Tannehill needs to hear in order to turn around his career. He regressed mightily after signing a six-year, $96 million extension prior to the 2015 campaign.
Miami was predictably active this offseason, landing Mario Williams to replace Vernon and acquiring safety Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Dolphins also tried to improve their backfield, signing C.J. Anderson and Arian Foster. The veteran Foster, who's coming off an Achilles injury, will be held out Friday, however. Defensive end Cameron Wake may not play as he rehabs his Achilles as well.
How to Watch
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
TV: WFOR, Miami and WWOR, New York
Announcers: Dick Stockton, Bob Griese, Nat Moore (Dolphins); Bob Papa, Carl Banks (Giants)
Online: NFL Game Pass
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