New York Giants' Grocery List for the Offseason

The New York Giants are coming off a season in which they finished No. 1 in the NFC with a 12-4 record. They have a long list of things they would like to accomplish this off season, which should start with finding a replacement for Plaxico Burress.

New York Giants' Grocery List

Make a Decision on Plaxico before the Draft.

Reports are beginning to surface that the decision is up to Plaxico whether or not he wants to remain with the Giants. I find that hard to believe. Since the report came out that it was Antonio Pierce who said this, it's hard to take it with a grain of salt.

The Giants can't rush this, unfortunately, because it has to be settled with the state of New York first. He has yet to go to trial, so it is unclear whether or not he will be found guilty or innocent. Regardless of the outcome, he should not spend to much time in jail if any, due to his celebrity status.

That being said, they need to make a decision on whether or not they are going to pursue him for the 2009 season. If they want to have him back, then they should wait on the court's decision.

If they have no intention of keeping him, they should trade or release him as soon as possible so they can begin the search for a replacement.

If they decide to release Plaxico, it would be nice to see them address the issue with an established veteran. T.J Houshmandzadeh is a free agent, and Anquan Boldin still wants out of Arizona. Both players are stars, and both players would give immediate help to a team who gravely needed an end zone threat late in the year.

Signing Free Agents

The most important move Jerry Reese will make this year is signing Brandon Jacobs to a long-term deal. Brandon Jacobs wants to be on this team, and it should not prove difficult to get this done.

Derrick Ward has said he would love to be back on the team, but he also recognized the NFL is a business, and he is going to make the best decision for him. It is unlikely the Giants will be able to make a substantial enough offer, as other teams vying for Ward will be able to present him with the starting position, which does not have a dollar amount.

Offensive lineman Grey Ruegamer will need to be signed very soon. The most important and most underrated part of a team is consistent offensive line personnel. This is something the Giants have excelled in, as they have started together nearly three seasons in a row now.

Cornerback Kevin Dockery is someone who, while not a starter, is a contributor to the team. It may not be a dire need, as we still have Webster, Ross, and Terrell Thomas, but he does provide depth in the secondary.

Running back Danny Ware showed some skills in the preseason, and had Giants fans actually enjoying the games. He also participated and looked good against the Vikings in the season finale. This would gather more weight if and when Ward decides to leave the team.

David Carr was also someone who played well this season when given the opportunity. The Cowboys proved this year that it is a necessity to have a viable option at the backup quarterback position. Carr played in the Seattle and Minnesota games, completing one of one pass for a touchdown in the Seattle game, and went 8-for-11 with a touchdown in the Minnesota game.

Let Jerry Reese work his magic in April

Jerry Reese has been the Giants' general manager for the past two seasons, and has had incredible success finding talent in all rounds. In 2007, seven of the eight players drafted ended up having an impact on the Super Bowl victory. In 2008, all seven picks made the team, and the first three picks contributed.

It is safe to assume he will have continued success, and nobody should criticize any pick he makes this April. That being said, I would like to see Reese address our most dire needs, which are wide receiver, tight end, and outside linebacker.

Checked off the list: Replacing Staff Members

The Giants wasted no time in finding a replacement for Steve Spagnuolo. They promoted in-house, which makes us, as fans, realize they are looking forward to keeping the defensive intensity we showed the last two seasons.

Bill Sheridan was a mainstay in the college ranks until joining the Giants as the linebackers coach three seasons ago. He served as the linebacker and defensive line coach for Michigan for three seasons. Prior to that he was the special teams coach for Notre Dame in 2000, and the linebacker coach for Michigan State from 1998-2000.

Ironically enough, Coughlin replaced Sheridan as the linebacker coach with a former defensive coordinator from Michigan, Jim Herrmann. He worked as the defensive coordinator for several seasons and is a part of the Bo Schembechler coaching tree, which Coughlin is very fond of.

With the leaving of assistant offensive line coach to coach the line in Miami, Coughlin hired Jack Bicknell Jr., assistant head/offensive line coach from Boston College. Interestingly enough, Coughlin did a stint at Boston College, and he was hired to replace Jack Bicknell Jr's father, Jack Bicknell Sr.

That being said, Coughlin insists Bicknell Jr's hiring has everything to do with his performance as an offensive line coach, and nothing to do with his personal connections.

If the Giants can manage to accomplish all of these tasks, it should result in eminent success for the 2009 season.