Giant Underdogs- Key Losses Lead To Misconseptions

August 28, 2008

Written by: Will VonWeismann III

As the season rapidly approaches, it boggles my mind how frequently the New York football Giants are overlooked.  Overlooked in the sense that the media seems to think that they are out of Playoff contention because they lost 'key' players in the off season due to free agency, retirement and most recently, injury.

Don't get me wrong- those players that left were key players on a unit that dominated some of the greatest teams in the NFL last year- particularly towards the end of the season.  However, the Giants did not win a championship because of any one player.  They won because they played as one.

On a team with big names and big egos, the Giants found a way to put all that aside and play as a collective unit when it mattered most.  With Osi going down for the count with a knee injury and Strahan saying 'No Thanks' to coming out of retirement, who do the Giants turn to now?

1) Mathias Kiwanuka- Moved back to his natural position after Umenyiora went down, he will surprise people this season.  He will likely receive single coverage as many teams will be double teaming Justin Tuck who became, by default, the best defensive lineman on the roster.  He's a smart guy who undoubtedly spent a lot of time watching film and studying the game while he was injured last season.  Expect 8-10 sacks in 2008from this former number one pick.

2) The Secondary- Strahan and Osi often said that the key to creating good pass coverage meant putting pressure on the QB.  Although the Giants will still be able to put heat on the passer, they will not be able to match the ferocity they generated in recent years.  That means the mantra must change: The corners and Safety’s must excel in coverage to give the semi-depleted d-line a chance to get after the QB.  They are a young group for the most part and with Aaron Ross and Cory Webster making strides last year, the addition of the best safety in the draft, Kenny Phillips, they should have a solid year.

3) Antonio Pierce- Now the undeniable leader of this defense, Pierce knows that the pressure is on him to keep this young unit in check.  It’s been said that Pierce watches more film than any other defensive player in the NFL- I believe it.  How frequently do you see him barking out orders to his fellow linebackers and teammates?  He is the Peyton Manning of changing the play at the last second once he sees the opposing QB call out an audible.  Expect him to maintain the viciousness of one of the best defenses in the NFL have another 100+ tackle season.

4) Eli Manning & The Offense- The consistency Eli showed at the end of last season is the high level of play they need from him if the Giants plan on making the playoffs and beyond in 2008.  He needs to play at that level all year long- not just the last few games of the season.  The running attack and plethora of receivers should be enough to compensate for the loss of Jeremy Shockey- one of the most dynamic TE’s in Giants history.  Although he was awesome, he was also a head case and major distraction in the locker room.  Boss will be decent enough and the fact that Plaxico Burress says he’s back to full speed is good news for this unit.  They will need their younger receivers to step it up and give Eli reliable targets like Amani Toomer and Steve Smith did for them last year.

The season for the New York Giants is in the hands of many players- not just the few individuals that are no longer on the field.  With the players believing in Tom Coughlin’s philosophies and with the proven expertise of Steve Spagnuolo on defense and Kevin Gilbride on offense, this is still an extremely dangerous team. 

-WGV III