2008 Record: 12-4
Offseason Additions: DE Chris Canty, DT Rocky Bernard, LB Michael Boley
Offseason Subtractions: WR Amani Toomer, RB Derrick Ward, CB Sam Madison, SS James Butler
2009 Draft (1st 4 rounds)
WR Hakeem Nicks (1st)
LB Clint Sintim (2nd)
OT William Beatty (2nd)
WR Ramses Barden (3rd)
TE Travis Beckum (3rd)
RB Andre Brown (4th)
Top 10 Players, per ESPN’s Scouts Inc.
- Justin Tuck, DE
- Osi Umenyiora, DE
- Eli Manning, QB
- Chris Snee, OG
- Antonio Pierce, LB
- Chris Canty, DE
- Michael Boley, LB
- David Diehl, OT
- Kareem McKenzie, OT
- Aaron Ross, CB
Biggest Strength: The Lines
If there is one thing I agree with Andy Reid on, it is that the game is won and lost in the trenches. You build your team starting with the Quarterback, and then the offensive and defensive lines. You could make the argument that the Giants actually have the best offensive and the best defensive line in all of football. On the D side, there isn’t a more dangerous pair on ends than Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyora. On O, they don’t have a Walter Jones or a Steve Hutchinson, but they have 5 above-average players who have played together for awhile, which is a big help for an o-line. These lines are the main reason the Giants have gone 22-10 in the last two seasons, and while despite star power at the skill positions on offense and defense, many are picking them to win the division this year.
Biggest Weakness: Wide Receivers
No Plaxico, No Toomer. The Giants WR core now consists of names like Hixon, Smith, Sinorice and Nicks. Not the worst crew I’ve ever seen, but it does sound a lot like Thrash, Pinkston, Mitchell and Lewis. A lot of Eli Manning’s game (against us at least) was lobbing balls up to Plaxico Burress and the lack of that weapon was a big reason we were able to beat the Giants in the playoffs last year. With our tough secondary, the Giants are going to have to beat us on the ground this year.
Player it is easy to hate: Eli Manning
“But Daaaaaaaaaaaaadddddd, I don’t waaaannnnnnnaaaaaa play for San Diego!!!” Many fans dislike for Manning started with his childish behavior on draft day when he didn’t want to be picked #1 and go to the Chargers, even though he wasn’t even deserving of being the #1 pick and wouldn’t have been if not for his last name. As it turned out, despite all the crying, fellow 1st round QBs Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger have proven superior talents in the eyes of the majority of scouts. The draft baby-fest is long gone, but Eli still draws the ire of many Eagles fans due his cry baby “why didn’t things go my way!” face during games, and constant appearances in the commercials between.
Player it is hard to hate: Justin Tuck
I’m not even going to hide my love for Justin Tuck. Tuck graduated Notre Dame with me in 2005, and was by far the best player on the team during my time there. He holds all-time ND records with 24.5 career sacks and 43 career tackles for loss. He also holds the single season record for sacks with 13.5. He spent his free time dominating guys like me on the basketball court. When the 2005 NFL Draft came around, I pleaded and pleaded with Eagles (who obviously couldn’t hear me) to take Tuck, who I truly felt would be an impact player in the NFL. Instead, Tuck went into the 3rd round to the Giants, where I couldn’t even consider purchasing his jersey, while the Eagles took Mike Patterson, Reggie Brown and Matt McCoy. For good measure, they selected Ryan Moats 3 picks after the Giants took Tuck. Now, Tuck is the best player at any position on the Giants, a top-5 defensive end, and really should have a Super Bowl MVP to his name after his 2 sack, 1 forced fumble performance in 2008.
2009 Prediction
I’m picking the Giants to win the division, mostly because I think that their defensive line is so dominant that it changes the entire game and covers up the areas that aren’t as good. I think you will see a drop in production from Eli Manning this year due to his dearth of weapons. Brandon Jacobs will be Brandon Jacobs but won’t have as much help with Ahmad Bradshaw replacing Derrick Ward behind him. Essentially, I don’t think this team is much different from last year’s squad that went 12-4, and their strong points (the lines) tend to stay good from year to year. I’m picking them to take the division and go 11-5.
Top 10…no Jacobs?
Scouts Inc has his as the 24th ranked back (remember this is talent, not production) – tied with LenDale White, Leon Washington and Willie Parker.