New York Giants Get No Respect as 2010 Season Nears

It all starts up front...

Dallas, Dallas, Dallas is getting dull, dull, dull.

The Cowboys are once again predicted to win the NFC East and go to the Super Bowl.

How many times in the past few years have the Cowboys been the favorites to win the NFC East?

What about the Giants? Perhaps once, by some after their Super Bowl victory. That's it.

I understand the NFL is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. The Giants won only eight games last season.

I understand that.

But...How many times did the Giants beat the Cowboys last season? Twice in as many games, right?

Why can't the doubters see the Giants have one of the best defensive lines in football, as well as a top-notch offensive line?

Sure the offensive line took a step back last year, but both Rich Seubert and Kareem McKenzie were hurt. There is some talk this summer that the Giants may shuffle around their offensive line a bit. However, the Giants and their coaches have proved in the past that they will get the best players on the field that will be the most productive.

Justin Tuck, Rocky Bernard, Chris Canty, and Jay Alford were all injured last year along the defensive line. Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins were coming off of surgeries, as was Osi Umenyiora.

This season they are all healthy on the defensive line, and they have added Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph.

The players on the offensive line are a proud bunch and won't take lightly the doubters that call them over the hill. The oldest player on the line is 33, by the way, not old by any means for an offensive lineman.

With all the injuries last year, and a D-coordinator that was in over his head, the Giants still finished 8-8.

Eli Manning and Steve Smith had career years.

Remember, both running backs were hurt, and rookie running back Andre Brown missed the season with an injury.

So don't worry about the linebackers, or running backs, or the defensive backfield.

The Giants will win the NFC East because of their offensive and defensive lines.

...It all starts up front.