DM's Take on the 2007 Giants

After examining the roster of the 2007 New York Giants, I am pleased and think we will be putting good talent on the field.

Quarterbacks - We know about Eli Manning. His strength is the deep ball and the play-action pass. His weakness is the short, accurate pass and his physical endurance. Manning has taken every snap from center since taking over in late 2004. Despite poor public opinion, Manning IS a fine quarterback. He has thrown 24 TD passes in each of his two full seasons as starting QB, and rallied the Giants to several 4th quarter combacks at critical moments in the season.



The Giants quietly signed journeyman quarterback Tony Wright. If nothing else, Wright brings a "closing pitcher" element to the Giants and should mop up a game or two if Manning is injured.

Offensive Line - This line is the finest the Giants have had since 1990 in my opinion. Despite losing LT Luke Pettigout (acutally, he was cut), the Giants simply insert Rick Seubert who played last season as an XL tight end. Seubert is a master trap blocker which is the Giants main running scheme. Dave Dihel is more than just Tom Coughlin's son in law, he is also our new LT and will do fine protecting Manning's back side.

Running Backs - I won't beat a dead horse here, but Tiki Barber is irreplaceable. Now then, Brandon Jacobs is a 265 lb back who, many defenders just don't want to tackle, especially late in ball games. To spell Jacobs, the Giants have acquired Reuben Droughns from the Cleveland Browns. Droughns is a product of the Denver Broncos RB factory and is solid. He will most likely be used in passing situations and for outside and cut-back running in which Jacobs is too big and powerful to execute.

Receivers - The Giants have the receiving core that they will win with. Amani Toomer, Plax Burress, Jeremey Shockey, and newcomers Sinorice Moss and USC's Steve Smith make a very fine 5-pack of pass-catchers. With the running game less respected now that Tiki Barber is retired, expect the Giants to pass more and use play-action off of fakes to Brandon Jacobs. This will mean longer, deeper passes which plays to Eli's strengths.



Defense - I will group this D in one paragraph. Strahan is back and healthy for year 15. Mike is giving NYG 70s and 80s legend George Martin a run for his money in longevity at the position. This D-line kicked butt last season before the injuries set in and should be good if they can stay healthy.

At the LBs, the Giants have changed more than at any other position. Arrington, Emmons, and Brandon Short are all gone and thank goodness. These guys were all free-agents and did not perform well in the clutch. In place of this group will be Mathias Kiwanuka a DE turned OLB, and the KC Chiefs free agent Kawika Mitchell who made 82 solo tackles last year.

The one ray of sunshine is LB Antonio Pierce who came over from Washington (yuck) and lead the Giants as the team's only defensive Pro Bowl player in 2006. Pierce is no Brian Urlacher but he could be as good as Teddy Bruschi if he continues to play the way he did in 2007.

Frankly, this group is good but not great. Expect lots of zone coverage, cover 2 most likely and using the D-line to initiate all of the pass rush.



Secondary - The reason for all the zone coverage will be that the Giants secondary is still not Super Bowl ready. Drafting Aaron Ross from Texas was a great move as Ross has played in the last two Rose Bowl games and is a big-time player. He will be important as a nickle back in the cover 2 and will play lots of man to man.



Again, the Giants were unable to draft good corners during the 00s decade so free agents Sam Madison, and R.W. McQuarters are back. I expect the Giants to use lots of Cover 2 zones since the Saftey core of Will Demps and Gibril Wilson are rock solid. These guys can pound WRs and will all season if the Giants D-line can get pressure.

Special Teams: No comment!

All in all, New York is very good. Not as good as the Cowboys thus far in my opinion now that Barber (who murdered Dallas) is retired. The Eagles and Redskins will again run out of steam down the stretch so the division will come down to NY vs DAL.

Manning will have to pass often this season and the Giants O-line will have to stay healthy all season if the offense is to be productive. If Burress, Toomer, and Shockey all stay healthy, this should be a breakout year for Eli even without a running game as these guys are the best of the best.

Things to look for..

Just to prove that I know what I am talking about...check out the G-men in preseason and watch for the cover 2 zones on defense, the play action passing on offense and an increased use of the shotgun formation.

If the Giants D-line can stay healthy and get pressure, our defense will play well enough to win.

Just some early thoughts on the team that I love and hate equally.

Anything from my blue and gray fans out there?