New York Giants: 2008 Season Review and a Look to the Future

As much as it pains me to say it, the Giants' offseason has begun.

The 2008 New York Giants had a roller coaster of a season. Beginning on record-setting highs, and ending on the lowest of lows. Allow me to take you back a few months, and evaluate the season from beginning to end.

Preseason

Being the Super Bowl champion, they were given a rough schedule. The Giants were desperate to prove they were not a fluke, which the experts were not adhering to.

All training camp long, Giants' fans had to cringe anytime they watched an NFL show, hoping what they were saying was incorrect. We were force fed, day after day, that the Giants would finish third or fourth in the division, and would have no real shot at the playoffs, unless it was the six seed.

Then something happened that made every fan either turn off the TV, or put down the newspaper to pinch them self and try to wake up from the nightmare. Words no Giants' fan wanted to hear or read.

"Osi Umenyiora carted off the field."

I remember that day. I was moving into a new apartment and I turned on the recently installed TV to be rewarded with this news. Osi was gone for the year. As much as I wanted to deny it, in the back of my mind I thought the Giants had no shot at competing this year.

Coupled with the fact that I already had questioned whether or not Eli Manning would be the old Eli, or Super Bowl MVP Eli, it's safe to say most fans were not real confident moving forward.

2008 season

Any question mark the Giants had preseason, they not only answered it, but they smashed it into the ground.

Would the defense be as dominant without retired DE Michael Strahan and injured DE Osi Umenyiora? Yes, they actually improved.

Would Eli be as consistent as he was in the playoffs? Yes, he had his best season.

Were the 2008 Super Bowl champions a fluke? A resounding, NO!

The Giants ripped off 11 wins in their first 12 games, setting a record for most wins in a row against teams with winning records. They had a soft beginning schedule and people were questioning what would happen when they played decent teams. They responded with seven straight victories against terrific teams.

The Giants were playing outstanding football, it seemed nothing was going to stand in their way of a second straight Super Bowl appearance. They were 11-1, plowing their way into December on the backs of their running game.

Once again, something happened that left fans pinching themselves.

"Plaxico Burress arrested on felony weapon charges."

At the time, every fan was in denial, including myself. I actually wrote an article saying the Giants would be fine, basing it off the fact that they had already done very well without Plaxico. I am now forced to accept the fact that they needed him.

In the playoff game with the Eagles, the Giants, at one point, had five straight possessions inside the 40-yard line, and came away with six points. The Giants desperately missed Plaxico Burress in the red zone, as his presence commands respect and does not allow teams to stack the box.

The Giants lost four of their last five without Plaxico, which should open their eyes and make them realize they will need to find a replacement for him, as he is likely to be either in jail or suspended for the 2009 season.

The Giants would not say this, and normally neither would I, but this season can be regarded as somewhat successful in comparison to preseason expectations. They have needs that should be addressed, but they are one of the youngest teams in the league and will do nothing but improve.

2009 Offseason (needs and priorities)

The Giants have already addressed the vacant coaching positions by promoting linebacker coach Bill Sheridan to defensive coordinator, and making the necessary hires to fill the other positions. Sheridan has been a main stay at the college level, but he was also an assistant to Steve Spagnuolo the past two years.

With his promotion, the defense should retain the same style of pressure and intensity.

Follow me as I step into my DeLorean, and outline some moves I would like to see the Giants make in the future.

The Giants need to go after a top tier free agent wide receiver.  T.J Houshmanzadeh is one that comes to mind, as is Anquan Boldin. It's easy for most fans to dismiss Boldin based on his altercation with offensive coordinator Tom Haley, but I believe the media blew that way out of proportion.

Both receivers are outstanding and would give the Giants a legitimate end zone threat at the position, which is currently the only weakness on offense.

They need to sign RB Brandon Jacobs to a long term deal and offer Derrick Ward enough to stick around. While it is unlikely they will keep both, it would be fantastic if they could.

In the 2009 Draft, the Giants should address holes on the defensive side of the ball, as well as finding a wide receiver and tight end. Drafting an outside linebacker in the first round would be beneficial, as most of the current players at that position are average at best. If I had my way, the Giants draft would look like this.

Round 1 - Brian Cushing OLB USC
Round 2 - Kenny Britt WR Rutgers
Round 2 - Shonne Green RB Iowa
Round 3 - Fili Moala DT USC
Round 4 - Phillip Hunt DE Houston
Round 5 - Scott McKillop ILB Pitt
Round 5 - Jason Watkins Florida OT
Round 6 - Kevin Huber P Cincinnati
Round 7 - Cornelius Ingram TE Florida

This would address all of the essentials, as well as give us depth for the future.

While it may be hard for you to take it all in just yet, as a Giants' fan we should be encouraged about the team for 2009. Jerry Reese is a fantastic general manager, and has provided fans a team that will be competitive for several years.