Roster Report: The NY Giants Faced With Few Holes

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While Smith is widely believed to be a slot receiver, and a very good one at that, many Giants fans believe Hixon can step in and be a No. 1 WR. I, on the other hand, don't agree with that assessment. Hixon, in small bursts, has proved to be a capable receiver. But I don't believe he could handle the rigors of a 16-game season. Some have even stated that Manningham is a future No. 1. Again, I'm not a believer. A lack of football smarts has followed Manningham around since his college days at Michigan, and understanding the nuances of the WR position in the NFL is one of the most difficult jobs in the league.

One option out there to fill the void is free agent Marvin Harrison. Released by the Colts, Harrison hasn't been receiving much interest around the league. And being that the Giants haven't shown any interest in Harrison, nor did they show any interest in Torry Holt before he signed with Jacksonville, I don't see Harrison in Big Blue anytime soon.

On defense, the most noticeable holes seem to be strong safety, strong side linebacker and backup middle linebacker.

Many Giants fans like the aggressive play of last year's starting strong safety, Michael Johnson. But it's that same aggressive play that has been at the root of many big plays the Giants defense has given up the last two years.

Texans vet C.C. Brown, a starter the last three years, and undrafted free agent Sha'reff Rashad, whom Giants coaches have raved about, could push Johnson to the bench. Someone in that trio needs to step up and provide some continuity next to Kenny Phillips.

OLB was obviously a concern for the Giants, as they went out and signed Falcons LB Michael Boley and drafted Virginia LB Clint Sintim in the second round of last month's draft. While Boley is no doubt the starting WLB, the question is, who will start on the other side?

Last year's starter, Danny Clark, is a dime-a-dozen type that really shouldn't be starting for an elite defense. Sintim is a good prospect, but he struggles at covering backs and tight ends, which is exactly the kind of thing that could destroy an otherwise solid unit. The best option is likely to be Bryan Kehl, a fourth-round pick in the 2008 draft. Kehl started two games last season and showed a good mix of instincts and athletic ability.

While I think Reese did a great job with the draft, my biggest knock was that he didn't go out and get a future replacement for MLB Antonio Pierce.

Pierce has missed only four games in his four years with the Giants, but many fans, myself included, believe his skills are diminishing. Getting a future field general to groom will be difficult to do at this time of the offseason. I would have been much happier with the draft had the Giants drafted South Carolina's Jasper Brinkley or Southern Miss LB Gerald McRath.

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