(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
With the 129th overall pick in the draft, the Giants selected RB Andre Brown. Brown has drawn many comparisons to Derrick Ward throughout mini-camp and may very well split some carries with Bradshaw to help relieve Jacobs.
He flashed outstanding skills at the Senior Bowl and also poses as a receiving threat. Brown could very well end up being the steal of the draft.
WEAKNESSES
Wide receiver: We all saw this one coming, now didn't we? The loss of Plaxico Burress makes this area the Giants' biggest weakness. Letting Amani Toomer walk didn't help either.
The G-Men enter the season with Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith as their projected starters but we all know the coaching staff hopes first-rounder Hakeem Nicks wins a starting job.
Hixon looked great at times in relief of Plax, but also had a few key drops. Getting more reps with Eli during the offseason should help improve their chemistry and limit mistakes heading into the regular season.
Steve Smith fought out some tough yards and emerged as Eli's favorite target on third down, hence his nickname "Mr. Third Down." I expect this kid to do nothing but improve as he steps into an even greater role this upcoming season.
New York also drafted Ramses Barden, a raw talent out of Cal Poly in the third round of the draft. Barden's massive 6'6" frame should provide Manning with a good fade route target in the red zone to replace Burress.
Overall, this area is a huge question mark.
Linebacker: Antonio Pierce is a play-maker and a sure tackler, but he's not getting any younger and the Giants need to begin grooming his replacement. This position was easily New York's weakest defensive point last season.
Second-stringer Chase Blackburn has complained about not being granted a starting role yet and I don't blame him. Just about every time I saw this guy on the field he was making plays. The 25 year old managed to make 61 tackles last year, 40 of which were solo, forced a fumble, and scored a sack. I hope we see more of this guy in 2009.
The Giants addressed this position by signing Michael Boley to a five year contract and by drafting OLB Clint Sintim in the second round. Sintim will take some time to develop, but I believe he can eventually become a solid starter. Boley, on the other hand looks to have a breakout year when surrounded by the immense talent on the Giant "D".
BREAKING DOWN THE SCHEDULE
WAS @ NY: Once again, the Giants open the season against divisional rival Washington and once again they should start off with a W. Although its hard to discount that Redskins defense, I think this will be another low scoring game that we squeeze out at the end.
W-L: 1-0
NY @ DAL: The Cowboys are a consistently tough opponent for the G-Men and this year shouldn't be any different. The biggest question mark here is which offense can get the chains moving faster, as both NFC East teams have savage defenses. Even though it's a total toss-up, I think we emerge victorious while Dallas still tries to adjust to the loss of T.O.
W-L: 2-0
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