Looking Ahead for the New York Giants

Whether it is the alcohol or just the strange feeling that the Giants have won the Super Bowl, I do not know.

It is just so surreal to me.

Whether it be the Kiwanuka missed tackle on Vince Young or the 49ers playoff game in 2002, this feeling that things just went our way seems to make up for the feelings of loss.

Yes, the Giants are champs. Yes, they pulled of one of the greatest (if not greatest) playoff runs in NFL history. Yes, Eli Manning has proven to be a winner.

There are many things I can say yes to. However, what many, including many Giant fans, seem to forget is the troubles the Giants had during the regular season.

To start, Eli was terrible down the stretch. I do, however, believe that will change as he now has much more confidence.

The O-line of the Giants has been decent, but I would love to see a new LT in there for Diehl. Diehl was one of the greatest late-round draft picks, being able to play every position possible.

I do believe though that the Giants need a bigger, fatter, speedier LT. If the Giants could find a late rounder that sprouts into an Orlando Pace type, offensively they would be set.

Receiver wise, they are good. A late draft pick would help, but the threesome of Burress, Toomer, and Smith is quite a tandem. Also, I believe if one of the three were to go down, shared time between Tyree and Moss would also be effective.

Now to the defensive side.

The line is amazing; there is just so much depth. However, Strahan needs to decide now, for the best of the organization, if he is going to retire or not.

Nonetheless, keep Kiawanuka at LB. He is a great blitzing LB and can be a good pass defender if taught well. He is still raw, but has much potential. All they really need is a big, fat, nose tackle for third and one situations. That is it.

LB wise, they need a speedster, whether that may come from Wilkinson or not. They just signed Clark, however, so this need of depth has been mostly satisfied.

Our CB crew might be the best of any Giant years, as they have an experienced Sam Madison, who I hope retires and becomes a CB coach, as he literally made Webster. Aaron Ross, who is raw, but good, Dockery, who is a fighter and gives a lot of heart, and Webster, who has bloomed and soon could become a starter with time.

Overall, a corner in the thrid round would do just fine.

Now to the safeties. With the absence of Gibril Wilson, who I really think could have been somebody had he not left, the Giants need a safety. Kenny Phillips would be an excellent choice, as he has much raw talent. Remember, at UM, there has been poor coaching as of late. Phillips had a good year, and is a sophmore because Coach Shannon was the defensive coordinator.

Now he is the head coach, and has less concentration the defense and more on the team. Phillips is a great player and if taught right, could become a starter.

Also, I would like to add that Johnson is raw and could too become a great safety. It just takes time, patience, and coaching, and these two safeties could be all-stars.

Butler would be a be  a great back up, but I think he is nothing more. Special team-wise, Feagles has got to keep doing what he has been doing. He is the MVP of this team. Tynes, on the other hand, has not been nearly as efficient. He needs to work on his techinique and on not hooking the ball.

Overall, the Giants seem to have another great team approaching for the '08-'09 season. If jerry Reese drafts and signs well, the Giants will be in contention for winning another Super Bowl. However, it is execution that allows this to be. One may walk the walk, but can they talk the talk? Lets see if the Giants can do that.