Last Year:
They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway and those lights illuminated the excess penalties and injuries of the New York Giants last year. They say there?s always magic in the air but none was present as the Football Giants accumulated half of their total wins in the first 2 weeks. A 2-1 start, ended 2-11 as effort became an afterthought like a never-was Broadway actor during the team?s closing 8-game losing streak. A new lead artist arrives on the scene, with a new coach to get the most out of his performers, but this musical is still a long way from center stage.
What we Learned from Last Year:
The New York Yankees, cheesecake, and Carrie Bradshaw are all flavorful tastes associated with New York but the Giants were a bitter memory for the Big Apple.
It started with the Giants offensive line, who could barely protect their quarterbacks for a New York minute. Kerry Collins played in 13 games and he was sacked at least once in every outing. In 8 of those he games he was sacked 2 or more times including an abysmal 6 sacks against Buffalo. That?s an average of 12 yards per game shaved off the passing attack which could have landed the Giants almost 5 rankings had they been a little more protective.
The running game was noticeable yardage-wise but touchdown production was spectral, totaling only 6. Tiki Barber held his own with 1677 combined rushing and receiving yards but he also - for a second season in a row - matched his career benchmarks for fumbles, and fumbles lost.
For an offense that ranked second last in points per game strong support from the defense was required, but a run of the mill group could not reciprocate.
The defense tallied 45 sacks, second most in the NFL but still permitted an appalling 213 yards passing per game. Young cornerbacks Will Allen and Will Peterson were badly exposed and Omar Stoutmire and Shaun Williams did not lend much support. The secondary registered only 10 interceptions.
As the Giant?s playoff hopes faded down the stretch a shortage of effort was evident. Come the off-season, the languid Jim Fassel took the blame as it was deemed that his laid-back demeanor had seeped down to the on-field exertion.
The Giants look like strangers in the night compared to last year?s roster but it may be a little while before they start spreading the news once again.
What Has Changed?:
Start spreading the news?Jim Fassel and Kerry Collins are leaving today?they?re not going to be a part of ? New York, New York.
Those little town blues are melting away for the Giants future quarterback Eli Manning, as he?s going to make a brand new start of it in old New York. And if he can make it there, he?s going make it anywhere.
New York made the right decision trading for the top prospect in this year?s NFL draft as Eli is a virtual can?t miss superstar. Sure there was some whining and contract drama but since he?s stepped onto the field he has continually bettered himself.
Believe it or not, the Giants could possibly have one of the more potent offenses in the entire NFL with the likes of Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Jeremy Shockey, and Tiki Barber but their success is contingent on two things:
1. How soon will Eli Manning become dependable?
2. Is the offensive line reinforced this season?
Though this team will not likely be competing for playoff positioning it all banks on how much Eli Manning rouses his teammates. His supporting cast is excited to be playing with him because of his uncapped potential, so if he starts flashing in week 3 then anything is possible.
Kurt Warner is just a temporary pi?ata for the media, and opposing defense to rip into until Eli comes in. From the second he signed not a single fan wanted to actually see him on the field instead of the budding Manning.
The offense has a better chance of challenging for contention with Eli at the helm simply because of effort. Everyone will be inspired by the fresh quarterback and have a hope, no matter how minute, of winning.
Under Kurt, sure he?s a veteran, and sure he?s experienced, but does anyone trust for a second that a concussed ex-star can make this team playoff bound? No. May as well start Manning from the beginning and give yourself a shot.
Whichever quarterback starts, they will have a unique mix of sufficient weapons. While blinding ourselves from Tiki Barber?s fumble troubles temporarily, the Giants still have a strong running game under him, Dorsey Levens, and dare I say Ron Dayne. Tiki is a great receiver out of the backfield as well. The receivers boast Amani Toomer, who is the proven, Ike Hilliard, a polished route-runner, Tim Carter, the speedster, and Jeremy Shockey, an impressive tight-end.
None of this matters if the offensive line cannot kick it into high gear. Chris Snee is a second-round draft pick that will support the offensive line but considering that the two projected starters are off of last year?s Cleveland Browns line, that?s not a positive omen. Wouldn?t Damien Woody or John Tait look exceptional in a Giants? uniform right about now?
The defensive line was vividly effective last season but unfortunately that?s about where it ended for this defense. Joining the main man Michael Strahan upfront will be tackles Norman Hand and Fred Robbins. The line is not necessarily upgraded or downgraded because Cornelius Griffin and Keith Hamilton have departed, but the substitutions should assist the line to being the strength of the defense. Contributions from sophomore William Joseph are welcomed.
The linebacking corps has been redone with Brandon Short, Michael Barrow, and Dhani Jones dressing in other jerseys, while Carlos Emmons, Barrett Green, and Nick Greisen are the anticipated starters. Switching to a 3-4 scheme is generally employed when there is a wealth of linebacking talent but that is not the case hear as depth is very scarce. Barrett Green should tally a decent amount of sacks though.
Will Allen and Will Peterson man the cornerback position and need to remain healthy. Even so, this duo is nothing to be feared as they are not of the shutdown variety.
Injuries were an apprehension for the Giants last season but even when healthy the defense is average at best which places the onus squarely on Eli Manning and the offense to carry the burden.
O/U 6.5:
In Manning we trust, but how soon can faith be placed? In an improved division the Giants appear to be the odd man out, but that may not necessarily be true. Philadelphia is still a step above while the Giants Cowboys and Redskins will battle for second. They play: CLE, @GB, DET, @MIN, CHI, @ARZ, ATL, @BAL, PIT, and @CIN.
Fantasy Sleeper:
Please don?t say Ron Dayne, please don?t say Ron Dayne, please don?t say Ron Dayne. Not to worry, a number of Giants have slipped off the radar enough for me to call them sleepers. Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, and Amani Toomer are all coming down from off seasons. Out of the three, it?s likely that Toomer will drop the lowest, but Barber is worth a shot simply due to the amount of yards he accounts for in the running game. Just don?t expect a ton of touchdowns.
They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway and those lights illuminated the excess penalties and injuries of the New York Giants last year. They say there?s always magic in the air but none was present as the Football Giants accumulated half of their total wins in the first 2 weeks. A 2-1 start, ended 2-11 as effort became an afterthought like a never-was Broadway actor during the team?s closing 8-game losing streak. A new lead artist arrives on the scene, with a new coach to get the most out of his performers, but this musical is still a long way from center stage.
What we Learned from Last Year:
The New York Yankees, cheesecake, and Carrie Bradshaw are all flavorful tastes associated with New York but the Giants were a bitter memory for the Big Apple.
It started with the Giants offensive line, who could barely protect their quarterbacks for a New York minute. Kerry Collins played in 13 games and he was sacked at least once in every outing. In 8 of those he games he was sacked 2 or more times including an abysmal 6 sacks against Buffalo. That?s an average of 12 yards per game shaved off the passing attack which could have landed the Giants almost 5 rankings had they been a little more protective.
The running game was noticeable yardage-wise but touchdown production was spectral, totaling only 6. Tiki Barber held his own with 1677 combined rushing and receiving yards but he also - for a second season in a row - matched his career benchmarks for fumbles, and fumbles lost.
For an offense that ranked second last in points per game strong support from the defense was required, but a run of the mill group could not reciprocate.
The defense tallied 45 sacks, second most in the NFL but still permitted an appalling 213 yards passing per game. Young cornerbacks Will Allen and Will Peterson were badly exposed and Omar Stoutmire and Shaun Williams did not lend much support. The secondary registered only 10 interceptions.
As the Giant?s playoff hopes faded down the stretch a shortage of effort was evident. Come the off-season, the languid Jim Fassel took the blame as it was deemed that his laid-back demeanor had seeped down to the on-field exertion.
The Giants look like strangers in the night compared to last year?s roster but it may be a little while before they start spreading the news once again.
What Has Changed?:
Start spreading the news?Jim Fassel and Kerry Collins are leaving today?they?re not going to be a part of ? New York, New York.
Those little town blues are melting away for the Giants future quarterback Eli Manning, as he?s going to make a brand new start of it in old New York. And if he can make it there, he?s going make it anywhere.
New York made the right decision trading for the top prospect in this year?s NFL draft as Eli is a virtual can?t miss superstar. Sure there was some whining and contract drama but since he?s stepped onto the field he has continually bettered himself.
Believe it or not, the Giants could possibly have one of the more potent offenses in the entire NFL with the likes of Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Jeremy Shockey, and Tiki Barber but their success is contingent on two things:
1. How soon will Eli Manning become dependable?
2. Is the offensive line reinforced this season?
Though this team will not likely be competing for playoff positioning it all banks on how much Eli Manning rouses his teammates. His supporting cast is excited to be playing with him because of his uncapped potential, so if he starts flashing in week 3 then anything is possible.
Kurt Warner is just a temporary pi?ata for the media, and opposing defense to rip into until Eli comes in. From the second he signed not a single fan wanted to actually see him on the field instead of the budding Manning.
The offense has a better chance of challenging for contention with Eli at the helm simply because of effort. Everyone will be inspired by the fresh quarterback and have a hope, no matter how minute, of winning.
Under Kurt, sure he?s a veteran, and sure he?s experienced, but does anyone trust for a second that a concussed ex-star can make this team playoff bound? No. May as well start Manning from the beginning and give yourself a shot.
Whichever quarterback starts, they will have a unique mix of sufficient weapons. While blinding ourselves from Tiki Barber?s fumble troubles temporarily, the Giants still have a strong running game under him, Dorsey Levens, and dare I say Ron Dayne. Tiki is a great receiver out of the backfield as well. The receivers boast Amani Toomer, who is the proven, Ike Hilliard, a polished route-runner, Tim Carter, the speedster, and Jeremy Shockey, an impressive tight-end.
None of this matters if the offensive line cannot kick it into high gear. Chris Snee is a second-round draft pick that will support the offensive line but considering that the two projected starters are off of last year?s Cleveland Browns line, that?s not a positive omen. Wouldn?t Damien Woody or John Tait look exceptional in a Giants? uniform right about now?
The defensive line was vividly effective last season but unfortunately that?s about where it ended for this defense. Joining the main man Michael Strahan upfront will be tackles Norman Hand and Fred Robbins. The line is not necessarily upgraded or downgraded because Cornelius Griffin and Keith Hamilton have departed, but the substitutions should assist the line to being the strength of the defense. Contributions from sophomore William Joseph are welcomed.
The linebacking corps has been redone with Brandon Short, Michael Barrow, and Dhani Jones dressing in other jerseys, while Carlos Emmons, Barrett Green, and Nick Greisen are the anticipated starters. Switching to a 3-4 scheme is generally employed when there is a wealth of linebacking talent but that is not the case hear as depth is very scarce. Barrett Green should tally a decent amount of sacks though.
Will Allen and Will Peterson man the cornerback position and need to remain healthy. Even so, this duo is nothing to be feared as they are not of the shutdown variety.
Injuries were an apprehension for the Giants last season but even when healthy the defense is average at best which places the onus squarely on Eli Manning and the offense to carry the burden.
O/U 6.5:
In Manning we trust, but how soon can faith be placed? In an improved division the Giants appear to be the odd man out, but that may not necessarily be true. Philadelphia is still a step above while the Giants Cowboys and Redskins will battle for second. They play: CLE, @GB, DET, @MIN, CHI, @ARZ, ATL, @BAL, PIT, and @CIN.
Fantasy Sleeper:
Please don?t say Ron Dayne, please don?t say Ron Dayne, please don?t say Ron Dayne. Not to worry, a number of Giants have slipped off the radar enough for me to call them sleepers. Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, and Amani Toomer are all coming down from off seasons. Out of the three, it?s likely that Toomer will drop the lowest, but Barber is worth a shot simply due to the amount of yards he accounts for in the running game. Just don?t expect a ton of touchdowns.
