The 2009 New York Giants: Are the Fans in for the Blues?

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The 2008 season was an up-and-down roller coaster ride for the New York Giants and their fans.  Starting the season with a record of 11-1 before a late season collapse brought on by star receiver Plaxico Burress's "accident", there were talks of the Giants being the best team in the NFL and being bound to repeat as Super Bowl Champs.

Unfortunately, the season ended with a playoff loss to divisional rival Philadelphia.  New York's disability to get anything going on offense after the loss of Plaxico was ultimately it's Achilles heel.

Let's look at the strengths and weakness of the New York Football Giants as they head into the 2009 regular season:

STRENGTHS

Offensive line:  Headlined by center Shaun O'Hara and guard David Diehl, New York's offensive line represents the most consistent part of it's offense. 

Their run-blocking skills helped pave the way for the two-headed monster that was Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward.  The Giants ended the season with the No. 1 rushing attack, averaging 157.4 yards per game.

The offensive line also helped keep QB Eli Manning upright all season and he responded with his best statistical season and a Pro Bowl berth.  Eli was only sacked 27 times in 2008.

During the offseason, the Giants drafted William Beatty with the 60th overall pick to help further bolster their greatest strength.  Beatty, a 6'6", 307 product out of Connecticut, has thus far performed well in mini-camp and should compete for a spot in the rotation.

Defensive line:  It all starts up front and New York's front seven was imposing all year around.  Total, New York racked up 42 sacks all year.  Justin Tuck emerged as a legitimate threat, like we all thought he would, by sacking opposing QBs 12 times. 

Mathias Kiwanuka also proved himself to be an asset on defense, playing as a LB/DE hybrid, depending on what the defensive scheme called for.  Kiwi forced two fumbles and showed his speed and athleticism by getting to the quarterback eight times. 

He was mentioned in a possible trade for Braylon Edwards, but GM Jerry Reese knew it was important to keep this rising star around.

The additions of Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty did nothing but improve an area this team was already elite in.  Adding these two to the rotation will help keep starters like Justin Tuck and Barry Cofield fresh throughout individuals games and the season as a whole as well.

Running back:  Brandon Jacobs, the 6'4", 264 pound bulldozer will lead our rushing attack in 2009.  His immense strength and surprising speed will help wear down the defensive front so that speedster Ahmad Bradshaw can fill the gap left by Derrick Ward when he departed for Tampa Bay. 

Jacobs wrestled up 1,089 yards in 2008, averaging five yards per carry.  With increased carries we should see his total yards increase, but I think his average will remain the same as he gets more and more experience.

Bradshaw may have only gotten 67 total carries last season, but he made the most of it by gaining 355 yards and averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  His speed and elusiveness often catch defenders off guard, allowing him to break through the front lines quickly and outrun the secondary once he gets to the second level.

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