Two years ago, two key players for the New York Giants had offseason knee surgeries.  Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield both went under the knife during the off season to repair torn up knee ligaments and to no surprise…they had terrible seasons.

Thinking back upon the players' injuries, the press reported these surgeries as common place and as routine as drinking Gatorade on the sidelines; however, when their production slipped and there reliability was in doubt…the questions came fast and furious.

Now it's June 2010 and the New York Giants are only weeks away from Camp Coughlin, and I question why some of the key players (Kevin Boss) on the team are having “offseason” surgery so late in the game.

And what is Gilbride’s plan to run the ball when all three running backs (Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, and Andre Brown) have had recent surgery?

What is to be expected when these players don’t perform to the highest level?

1. Kevin Boss—May 23 ankle surgery.  Why wait five months from the end of the ‘09 season to have this done?   Boss is an intricate part of the Giants'  offense and will now be shelved for six weeks.  This will certainly put the players' conditioning in jeopardy as well as a “lack of timing” between Manning and Boss—the same “lack of timing” Eli used to complain about when missing Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Boss is in a contract year and needs to have a break out season while giving the Giants offense more fire power, especially with the recent drought from the running game.

2. Ahmad Bradshaw—foot and ankle surgery.  Bradshaw has had three offseason surgeries where screws were inserted into each foot to act like an extra bone, strengthening  the outer edge of his feet.  The Giants tend to feel that Bradshaw’s bow-legged running style puts pressure on the outer bones of each foot.  Bradshaw also had irritating bone spurs removed from his right ankle.

Once again, can No. 44 be counted on to carry the ball 12 times a game after three foot and ankle surgeries?   Will he ever be the “change of pace” running back the Giants desire? And what about his conditioning, as he has been unable to run for six months?

3. Brandon Jacobs—underwent arthroscopic surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus that haunted him throughout the 2009 season. The surgery was considered a “clean up”  and should not be considered anything that will hold back the running back from a bounce back year.  My question is when did this injury take place, because the big brash back was “tip-toeing” through the line from the first snap of 2009 season.

Running Back and its overall production will be a position under fire for most part of the 2010 season.

4. Kevin Boothe—The backup offensive lineman will be out for four months after tearing a pectoral muscle in late May while working out during the team’s organized team activities.  Boothe was dependable player, stepping in for injured linemen at different times  through out the season.

With the pounding O-lineman take, Boothe will be missed; however, this will open the door for rookie Mitch Petrus to step in when needed. Petrus was a fifth round selection from Arkansas.  Boothe will likely miss most of training camp because of the injury, which will make it hard for Boothe to make the team.

Craig J. Santucci Is the NY Giants Fan Voice for NFLTouchdown.com.