New York Giants vs. New York Jets: The All-New York Team

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Some will say the NY Giants are atop the NFC as the team to beat and that their stadium buddies the New York Jets are kingpins of the AFC East (despite a loss to Green Bay).

Whether that is true or not...who's the best team in New York? There can be many arguments for either side; however, I took some time to assemble the "All-New York" team.

Player by player. 

Position by position.

Unit by unit.

Who makes the All-New York Team? It's a bye week, so cut me some slack! Enjoy!

Quarterback

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This is a no-brainer! Eli Manning is one of ONLY three active QBs to throw for over 3,000 yards and 20 TDs four seasons in a row.

Despite the interceptions...Eli has the experience, the stats, the wins, the hardware (MVP) and a Super Bowl.

Eli: 66 percent pass completion rate in 2010 with 14 TDs.

Sanchez: 53 percent pass completion rate in 2010 with nine TDs.

Sanchez is an up-and-coming QB having a good 2010. He is developing nicely into the player the Jets need as their field general. With Santonio Holmes on the field full-time...it should make a huge difference.

Interceptions have plagued both these passers over the last few years. Sanchez gets a "mulligan" for being a rookie last season.

Eli gets the nod.

Center

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Giants center Shaun O'Hara is a very good center. In fact, he's a Pro Bowl center, leader and a vital part of the New York Giants' success.

Nick Mangold gets the nod on youth and success at such a young age.

Mangold had a great rookie season (2006), allowing only half a sack and committing only three penalties. Mangold was so impressive he garnered some "Rookie of the Year" talk, which is unheard of for centers, and he made the Pro Bowl at 24 years old.

The big guy has already blocked for four different QBs. He's the best in New York and maybe the NFL.

Mangold gets the nod!

Running Backs

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What can you say about the 5'9", 198-pound running back from Marshall? This guy is fantastic.

From being drafted in the seventh round—yes, the seventh round—to being a third option behind Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward to leading the NFL in rushing! In seven games, Ahmad Bradshaw is only 292 short of his first 1,000-yard season.

But a 265-pound (Jacobs) change of pace back...gives the Giants the nod: five TDs/4.9 average/282 yards.

Shonn Greene is only averaging 11 carries a game. Understandable—LaDainian Tomlinson definitely has something left in the tank and is showing why he is a future HOF.

Tomlinson has had a great year to date: 5.3 yards per average, five TDs, 490 yards rushing and 107 receiving.

Bradshaw and Jacobs get the nod.

Offensive Guards

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Chris Snee and Rich Seubert run block this play with an easy victory. The big boys on the inside have blocked for three different 1,000-yard rushers (two in one season) and soon will notch a fourth with Ahmad Bradshaw.

Snee is a two-time Pro Bowler who won his starting position as a rookie right guard from training camp and never looked back. Snee is an excellent run and pass blocker and is known to have pancaked a linebacker or two.

Seubert has been the longest-tenured Giants player and has been as solid of a player as you could ask for.

The Giants were the only team to start the same five linemen in all 32 regular season games in 2007-08. Seubert was an integral member of an offensive line that helped the Giants finish with 427 points and 338 first downs, both the second-highest totals in franchise history.

Rich can and has played center and tight end for the Giants.

While Brandon Moore is a consistent player, Matt Slauson is the weak link on that line. While Slauson has improved since training camp, the New York Jets will most likely upgrade this position in the offseason.

Snee and Seubert get the nod!

Tight End

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Dustin Keller is on pace to break all his 2009 receiving records. He will most likely pull down over 750 yards receiving and nine TDs.

Keller is a very good tight end who makes a huge difference for the Jets offense. His game has grown significantly.

Since the Giants' offensive coordinator refuses to utilize the tight end...Kevin Boss is a part-time player. Giants fans love that Keller makes plays and only wish Boss could have the same opportunities.

Dustin Keller gets the nod!

Offensive Tackles

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Damn...this might be the tightest race yet, especially since the Jets are now struggling to run the football.

The Jets' Damien Woody is a winner and a very versatile player that has experience at a number of positions. Woody has won a Super Bowl/Pro Bowl with the Pats playing center but has good enough footwork to play tackle.

The Giants' David Diehl is a winner and a very versatile player also. A true guard by nature, David moved to tackle a few years back, won a Super Bowl and has never given up the reins at his position, regardless of the chatter every offseason.

D'Brickashaw Ferguson is young with a huge upside. He finally earned a Pro Bowl slot after taking tons of heat his rookie year, and big Brick has rounded out his game nicely. Kareem McKenzie is a good tackle but struggles with speed rushers and doesn't move like he once did. The boys in green edge ahead.

Woody and Brick get the nod!

Wide Receivers

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This offseason was littered with Jets quotes, TV shows and back page stories.

During the offseason...on paper the Jets wide receivers looked experienced and full of huge big play ability. The Giants receivers looked a bit unknown. Could Steve Smith repeat his '09 performance, and what would Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham bring to the table?

Well...they don't play the game on paper.

Nicks: This kid is the real deal—an NFL star in the making. 5XL size gloves. Excellent run after catch player. Already with 525 yards and eight TDs.

Smith: One of the top possession receivers in football. 107 rec/1,200 yards in '09! On pace for another 1,000 yards. Always makes the big catch.

Manningham: Averaging almost 16 yards a catch. Known for big acrobatic catches and amazing body control. Fantastic No. 3 receiver.

Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes are very good receivers with off-field problems. QB Mark Sanchez is still young and developing. Sanchez only has one game above a 58 percent pass completion rate, which does not help. Jerricho Cotchery, up to Week 7 of this NFL season, was the most consistent of the group.

Nicks, Smith and Manningham get the nod!

Linebackers

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Bart Scott may not be utilized the same way as the Baltimore Ravens used his skills, but the guy always makes ferocious plays. His sacks have dropped off, but he still gets it done.

David Harris, the 2006 Dick Butkus Award semifinalist, easily steals the show as the team's run-stuffing machine. In four years with the Jets, Harris has had two seasons over 125 tackles and two seasons with five or more sacks.

Even though Calvin Pace's free agent year in Arizona was his career best, he has made a nice impact for the Jets. In fact, Pace has become a good pass-rushing OLB, racking up 16.5 sacks in 2.5 years. Bryan Thomas...solid player who doesn't hurt your defense.

For many Giants fans...middle linebacker Jonathan Goff has been a pleasant surprise. Coming into camp the fans were screaming to draft linebacker, but Goff has stepped up his game dramatically. He is the most improved player on the defense with Barry Cofield, and maybe this time next year the tide will turn.

Keith Bulluck was a nice offseason surprise but is fresh off knee surgery and suffering from turf toe. Michael Boley and Clint Sintim are young, athletic guys who are growing with the new coordinator.

Harris, Pace, Thomas and Scott get the nod!

Defensive Ends

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These two teams run different defenses, making it hard to compare defensive ends and linebackers.

Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are currently the best tandem in the NFL. Osi is back to Pro Bowl form, already boasting eight sacks and seven forced fumbles.

Tuck is also healthy and having a great year. No. 91 is on pace for 10 sacks and will most likely break his single-season tackling record. What is great about Tuck is that he is not obsessed with the "sack" and plays the run as well as anyone in the NFL.

Shaun Ellis is a productive player, but his overall production has dropped significantly since 2004. Vernon Gholston has not made any significant impact since being drafted in 2008.

Osi and Tuck get the nod in a landslide!

Defensive Tackles/Nose Guards

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Barry Cofield is the most improved player on the New York Giants defense. He is 100 percent healthy after microfracture surgery, and it shows on the field.

He's an outstanding run-stuffer who helped the Giants finish in the top 15 in run defense each of the previous three seasons. In only seven games in 2010, Cofield has already tied his tackles for all of last year and surpassed his current sack total.

Chris Canty is off to one of his finest seasons of his career, showcasing why having healthy legs always make a difference. His play has let Osi and Tuck wreak havoc!

Sione Pouha and Mike DeVito have made a difference for the Jets; however, in short..they lose the New York battle.

Canty and Cofield get the nod!

Cornerback

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Revis Island!

Enough said...Revis gets the nod!

Antonio Cromartie is really good. Big addition for the Jets! Looking at recent production...AC's interceptions have fallen off the map since an amazing 2007, when he had 10 picks, but he's as close to "shutdown" as they come.

Unlike many cornerbacks who play with a major star on the other side...Cro gets it done and does not give up the deep ball. His 6'2" frame gives him leverage and wingspan.

The Giants' Terrell Thomas is a tackling machine. 85 tackles in 2009 and five interceptions. Not many corners can say that.

The Giants do tend to give some soft TDs at times from the corner, but this time next year will be Thomas' time. His increasingly dynamic game has pushed No. 1 pick Aaron Ross out of the starting spot.

* Used Corey Webster head-to-head with Revis (No. 1 Giants corner vs. No. 1 Jets corner).

Revis and Cro get the nod!

Safety

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While the Jets steal the spotlight at corner, the Giants own center field in the biggest city in the country.

Some teams don't have one good safety; the Giants have three.

Deon Grant: One of the brightest acquisitions in the offseason. Grant already has a pair of interceptions and a sack. His leadership is irreplaceable. With Kenny Phillips' health being a concern, the veteran safety came to town to save the day.

Kenny Phillips: Giants' No. 1 pick (2008) is coming off major knee surgery; he is a physical-style player that when healthy can be one of the game's best. 2010 has been a good year so far, but the knee is not 100 percent.

Antrel Rolle: Love this guy. Leader, great tackler and full of explosion. Had four interceptions in 2009 and was a major reason why Arizona had such a good defense. Great cover guy and makes big hits!

Brodney Pool is traditionally a good tackler and a ball hawk type of guy. He does not look very aggressive in 2010, as his tackling stats are way behind; he is averaging only 2.5 tackles a game. His best days are behind him. Jim Leonhard is an overachiever, as he weighs in at 5'8", 188 pounds. He is an average cover guy but finds his way around the ball.

Phillips, Rolle and Grant get the nod!

Special Teams

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What can you say? The Giants' special teams stink.

The Jets' Brad Smith rocks at kick returns. 31.4 average the last two years! Fourteen returns over 20 yards and three returns over 40 yards...with his longest return 86 yards.

Leonhard is a nice punt returner with a 32-yard return in 2010 and is averaging 11.3 yards a return.

Kicker: Nick Folk—13-for-16 in field goals with his longest boot of 56 yards. Six touchbacks on kickoffs!

Punter: Steve Weatherford averages 45.2 yards a kick over 37 kicks and boasts a 61-yard kick.

The NY Giants are last in the NFL for kick returns and punt returns.

Returner: Darius Reynaud only averages 5.9 yards a punt return and only 18 yards a kickoff.

Punter: Matt Dodge is up and down with one kick blocked already and only two punts inside the 20.

Kicker: Lawrence Tynes...soft leg. In 2008—one touchback. In 2009—only six touchbacks.

Smith, Leonhard, Weatherford and Folk get the nod!

Coaches

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Tom Coughlin is a winner everywhere he goes. 

In eight seasons at Jacksonville, he coached the most successful expansion team in league history. During Coughlin's tenure, he went to the AFC Championship Game twice.

Coughlin also took the NY Giants to four straight playoff appearances and won Super Bowl 42.

Rex Ryan: Talk is cheap.

Coughlin gets the nod!