2009 Record: 8-8, Third in Division
2009 Playoff Record: Did not Qualify
Key Losses: Antonio Pierce, Danny Clark, Fred Robbins
Key Additions: Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, Jason Pierre-Paul
The Giants have been a very average team since winning the Superbowl three years ago. Many of their players have lost a step, especially on the defensive line, and they haven't gotten great production out of all of their young players. They made a number of moves in the offseason though, not the least of which was signing a new defensive coordinator, and more importantly retained a lot of key players. They addressed areas of need, and as a result they look like a team that can compete at the top of this competitive division. They still have questions, though, and nothing is assured in a division like the NFC East.
I'll make a departure from my usual form and start with defense, mostly because that's where a lot of the movement has occurred. First the bad, they lost one of their best linebackers in Antonio Pierce. They voluntarily released him, though, the logic being that he's getting older and he's going to be demanding too much money. Pierce had an abbreviated season last year, but he put up decent numbers for the games he started and was a defensive team captain, that type of player is not immediately replaced. The good news is they made a decent attempt by signing linebacker Keith Bullock from the Titans. Bullock has excelled in the Titans' system and will be a boon for the New York defense, one that always plays the run well. The rest of the linebackers are all returning, and though there is some room for improvement at 14th against the run it's still not an area of weakness. They could have done a bit better than addressing the position in the fourth round, but they felt they had areas with more concern than linebacker.
One of those areas is the D-line. New York's line was sensational during their Superbowl season, causing havoc in the backfield and acting as a boon to the secondary. Coach Tom Coughlin is counting on a much improved pass rush and the return to form of some of his former elite rushers, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora. In addition to them they drafted Jason Pierre-Paul in the first round. The line is also anchored by Chris Canty at tackle, and they drafted a tackle in the second round. They're obviously concerned about the position, and they hope these moves will translate to enough sacks to at least move up into the top half of the league.
One of the biggest areas they wanted to address, though, is the secondary. They were right around the middle of the league in yards allowed, but were 30th in points allowed. As such, they feel that their problem was at safety and not cornerback, and they spent a lot upgrading. The likely starters will be Deon Grant, who's been reliable for the Seahawks, Jaguars, and Panthers, and the big free agent, Antrel Rolle. They also drafted a safety in the third round, though he'll probably be expected to start down the line instead of immediately. Rolle will be a big boon to this team, he's been one of the better safeties in the league for Arizona and will immediately upgrade this position of need. Also a huge signing is Perry Fewell, the new defensive coordinator. I've spent a lot of time raving about him so I'll be brief right here, I'll just say that he had Buffalo at second ion the league in pass offense with only one real big name. He will immediately upgrade this offense and get these players giving their all on the field, and I think it will definitely show during the offseason and possibly the playoffs. I think they have a good chance to make the playoffs as a Wild Card team, but if they do get in they could be the dark horse team to beat, a lot of that due to Perry Fewell.
Of course the difference between New York and Buffalo besides the 400 miles is that New York is a complete team. Eli Manning may not be an elite quarterback, but he is good enough to head an offense as long as it has a good defense to rely on. Manning will be what everyone expects, not falling off from his previous seasons but also not improving all that much. The good news is he has a good offensive team surrounding him. His receivers stepped up in a big way last season, and Mario Manningham, Steve Smith, and Hakeem Nicks should be just as good if not better. The offensive line has a good upside, they were 12th in the league last yea in sacks allowed. The bad news on offense also comes from the line, though, the Giants were 17th in the league with under 1,800 yards and a 4.1 average. They don't have as large of a climb to improve their run game as other teams, but they must improve it if they expect to be playoff contenders. Running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs must also improve. This offense is not a high-octane one like San Diego or Indianapolis', they need production from their run game to support Eli Manning.
Things are looking up for New York. They still have questions at important positions, but they made some major upgrades and the positions that still stand out don't need as drastic improvement as the ones they addressed. They must still improve, though, as last season's numbers on both sides of the ball in the run game need to go up fro them to be a truly feared playoff team. Regardless, the additions they made should make them at least a playoff team. Many of the teams in their division are pass-heavy teams, as are a good majority of the teams they play save San Francisco, and if improvement in the pass D matches Fewell's success in Buffalo they should be able to victimize them, maybe enough too win the division. Dallas is still tough, though, and I think the Giants end up coming in second. That should still be enough to get a Wild Card, though, and the Giants could do some damage in the playoffs if all goes according to plan.
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