Wednesday, August 5, 2009

2009 NFL Preview: New York Giants

(For links, pictures, and videos, read this post over at Keith's Sports Journal)

By 49er16:

This team had the look of a Super Bowl team early last season. Then Plaxico Burress wore sweatpants and literally and figuratively blew a hole in the season. The Giants had the best record in the NFC and received the wild card weekend bye. But they were no way in hell ready to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs. And sure enough they were bounced from the playoffs and had to look to the new year.

This year brings about a whole of change for the Giants. Not only do they return key defensive players from injury(Osi Umenyiora) but they have to break in two new receivers(Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden). The Giants can still rely on the running game while the receivers become comfortable in the offense, while the return of Umenyiora immediately improves the defense.

Plaxico: A week back there was a rumor that the Giants were thinking about bringing back Plaxico. But that may have all changed since he was indicted yesterday. The Giants though are in a desperate need of receiving experience. David Tyree has the most experience out of the group, but he's still injured. So not only do the Giants have hardly any experience at the receiver spot, but they also have to break in two rookies. Maybe they should think about bringing back Plaxico.

New and Improved: The Giants defense should be dramatically improved from last season. Not only do the Giants return Umenyiora from a knee injury, but they signed Chris Canty away from the Cowboys giving the Giants one of the best defensive line's in the league.

Manning Face: Today Eli Manning signed a contract that made him the highest paid quarterback in the league. His brother nor Tom Brady will make as much as Eli. So all the pressure will fall on Manning. And Eli will not have much to work with this season. He returns a bevy of running backs, but with no experienced receivers Manning will be expected to pick up the slack. I'm just wondering how many times we will see this face this season?

Brandon Jacobs: The Giants-Cowboys games should be interesting as always this year. Especially after Brandon Jacobs took a run at Cowboys quarterback Tony Rome:

"No, I'm not a Tony Romo guy. ... I think his luck'll be gone sooner or later.

"I think if you were to keep Tony Romo in the pocket, he's not that effective. That's what I think.

"But if you let him run around and have your linebackers and everybody thinking 'Is he gonna run? Is he gonna pass?' then I think he's effective because he is athletic and he can run. He can beat you there.

"But if you keep him in the pocket ... I don't think he can kill you from the pocket. I don't think he's that great of a passer, to be honest with you."
I can't wait now for the Giants-Cowboys games.
Who needs Shockey?: With the emergence of Kevin Boss in the Giants super bowl season, Jeremy Shockey became expendable. Well after two years since Shockey's departure, Boss has become more comfortable in the starting tight end spot. Look for Boss to have a big year, while the young Giants receivers become comfortable in the pro level.

Prediction: 11-5, 1st NFC East- The Giants schedule is very favorable to them. Besides road trips to San Diego and Arizona, the Giants really don't have to travel very far. Also they play weak AFC West teams. They play the majority of their road games early in the season, so they can definitely win the NFC East.

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