(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
One year of mediocre defense is not welcome in New York. Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin wasted no time preparing the elements for a descent drive that may just end back at the coming Super Bowl.
Indeed, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, and Dave Tollefson should put on a rush that will be profitable for the Giants and an all day headache for the opposing teams.
Tollefson is the weak link among the ends but his play last year looked promising.
Having Umenyiora back will free up Kiwanuka and Tuck to just be themselves and get the job done. Still don’t expect Kiwanuka stats to fall. I have a feeling he enjoyed taking out all those sacks.
As for Strahan, he is and will be missed for a few more years to come. Yet the Giants appear to be at near 90 percent of what they were at defensive end.
Now if first year Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan can get his D Line and secondary to come together be more competitive the Giants will be looking back no more.
The Giants already appear more formidable with Chris Canty, Barry Coffield, and Rocky Bernard shoring up the tackle position.
Linebacker will be better for wear this season as well—weak side linebacker Michael Boley and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce will do well. The weak link in this unit is strong side linebacker.
The rookie Clint Sintim may enjoy some serious playtime here with Chase Blackburn getting sufficient backup to Pierce, and the weak side.
In reality the Giants are still thin at linebacker—even though they have sufficient players to fill the roles. There is no doubt that next year the Giants will be looking not only to complete the DL but to give the unit a true depth.
The Giants need one solid all everything linebacker that can step in and plug the hole whenever called upon to do so. The biggest hurt comes in the secondary.
Measures were made when the Giants picked up CC Brown to push Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson—both appear needing the push.
The two corners have Corey Webster and Aaron Ross—Ross needs to improve or young Terrell Thomas may push for his starting corner.
Well the table is set the question is will there be Super Bowl play from these individuals. Weak play and sloppy tackling needs to give way to aggressive physical hits and better solo and team tackling.
The Giants have addressed some key issues will it be enough? Once again look for New York to finish the task in next years draft. Until then this will be a much better team than last seasons.
Giants should have little trouble dominating their conference rivals. We have our eyes on them and that will be another story.
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