Reasons the Giants won't make the playoffs

1.The Giants have lost Tight End Jeremy Shockey, Defensive End Michael Strahan, Linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor, and Strong Safety Gibril Wilson.  They also lost All-Pro Defensive End Osi Umenyiora to a season-ending MCL injury. Between those players they have a combined 13 Pro Bowl appearances and a combined 79 starts last season.

2. The departed defensive players have a combined 26.5 sacks (which is half of last season's total sacks), 316 tackles, 5 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles and 14 passes defensed.

3. Jeremy Shockey had 57 catches for 619 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. He has 371 catches for 4228 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also has played in 83 games with 82 starts.  Kevin Boss had 9 catches for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. He has played in 13 games with 2 career starts.  His last season totals equal his career totals.

4. Eli Manning is the quarterback.  He has averaged 19 turnovers per year for his career. He has 34 career fumbles with 64 career interceptions.  He has lost 12 of his 34 fumbles. Last season he had a league high 20 interceptions and 13 fumbles, 7 of which were lost.  He has a career QB rating of 73.4.  His completion percentage last year was 56.1% which was tied for 29th in the league.  His QB rating last year was 73.9 which was 25th in the NFL.  His average yards per completion is 6.3 yards which is 26th in the NFL.

5. The Giants were tied for 1st in the league with penalties with 118, which is an average of more than 7 per game.

6. 20 teams had more interceptions than the Giants last year (they had 15).  5 of those interceptions came from players no longer on the team (Gibril Wilson and Kawika Mitchell).

7. The Giants play in the toughest division in football.

8. Only 11 teams allowed more receiving touchdowns than the Giants.  With the loss of Gibril Wilson and with Sam Madison aging this is a serious problem.  Giants also allowed 12 yards a catch against opponents which is 7th worse in the league.

9. 18 teams had more forced fumbles, and 19 teams had more fumble recoveries.  7 of those forced fumbles were caused by players no longer with the team.

10. Only 5 of the Giants opponents this year had losing records last season.  The Redskins and Cowboys who are in the same division both made the playoffs last season.

11. The teams in their division have improved considerably (Cowboys, Redskins, Eagles).  The Cowboys added Cornerbacks Adam Jones and 1st rounder Mike Jenkins, Linebacker Zach Thomas, and 1st round Running Back Felix Jones.  The Eagles have added All-Pro Cornerback Asante Samuel and the speedy receiver Desean Jackson out of California.  The Redskins grabbed arguably two of the best receivers in the draft and the best tight end in the draft (Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, Fred Davis).  They also added future Hall-of-Famer Jason Taylor at defensive end.

12. The Giants will lose a starting linebacker to a position switch.  Mathias Kiwanuka will be switching from linebacker to defensive end with Michael Strahan retiring and Osi Umenyiora going down with an injury.  The Giants only solid (good would be a better word) is Antonio Pierce.

13. The Giants have problems in the secondary.  The secondary benefitted from the Giants pass-rush, which is now less effective after losing Strahan and Umenyiora.  Aaron Ross may be the only solid corner on the team, with Sam Madison slowing down and aging and with Corey Webster playing inconsistently so far in his pro career.  Gibril Wilson left for Oakland and James Butler needed and upgrade anyways.  The Giants drafted Kenny Phillips in the first round, but would have done themselves a favor by keeping Wilson who led the team in interceptions. 

14. Too many holes at linebacker.  Kawika Mitchell played very well for the Giants and they made the wrong move in not extending his contract. That leaves a hole at one linebacker spot.  Mathias Kiwanuka will switch back to the defensive line which will create another hole.  Solid backup Reggie Torbor left for Miami.  The Giants draft picks at linebacker, Jonathan Goff and Bryan Kehl will miss both miss time due to injuries.