Fantasy Football Notes: New York Giants

The New York Giants followed up their shocking Super Bowl-winning season in 2007 with an excellent 2008—at least as far as the regular season went.

The G-men went 12-4 in 2008, the second-best mark in the NFL behind Tennessee (13-3) and tied the Carolina Panthers for the best record in the NFC. Unfortunately for them, they fizzled in their initial playoff contest, losing 23-11 to the Philadelphia Eagles behind a feeble performance by quarterback Eli Manning, who was just 15-for-29 for 169 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

2009 has brought an abundance of change for the G-Men. Not only will the team be without big name wide receiver, Plaxico Burress, whom they parted ways with as a result of last season’s self-inflicted gun shot wound, but the Giants will also go into 2009 without veteran Amani Toomer on the roster.

That leaves Eli Manning with a young and inexperienced group of receivers to work with. Throw in the fact that running back Derrick Ward, who notched 1,025 rushing yards, 384 receiving yards and 2 scores in 2009, left for greener pastures in Tampa Bay, and the Giants offense may sputter at times this season.

If that’s the case, more pressure will be placed on the Giants’ defense, which may not be a good thing considering the team’s defensive coordinator in 2008, Steve Spagnuolo, left during the off-season to become the St. Louis Rams head coach.

The task of once again making a Super Bowl run will not be something easily accomplished.

 

KEY ADDITION

Michael Boley (LB)

The 2008 season was supposed to be a breakout one for linebacker Michael Boley in Atlanta after a 2007 season in which he posted over 100 tackles with three sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

But, stardom did not materialize for Boley last season, and his numbers dropped across the board. Still, the Giants thought enough of him that they brought the 225-pounder in to play the weakside linebacker position, a position where he can use his speed to get to the ball carrier and make plays.

 

KEY DEPARTURE

Steve Spagnuolo (DC)

There were a number of significant departures for the Giants this offseason, and the most significant one may not have been a player.

Defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, was the architect of the Giants’ defense that was the catalyst for their Super Bowl win, regardless of the MVP trophy that Eli Manning has. Spagnuolo transformed a unit that was 25th in the league the year before he got there, to a unit ranked seventh in 2007 and fifth last season.

 It will be interesting to see whether the G-men can continue to dominate the defensive side of the ball without Spagnuolo on the sidelines.

 

Plaxico Burress (WR)

Burress was easily the team’s best receiving threat, and Manning missed his presence at the end of 2008. In the six games, including the playoffs, that Burress was not on the field, Manning threw just three touchdowns and five interceptions.

 

Derrick Ward (RB)

Ward was also a major offensive threat for the Giants in 2008, coming in after defenses had been pounded by Brandon Jacobs to give them another look. Ward ran for a ridiculous 5.6 yards per carry last season and broke 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He was also a receiving threat, catching 41 passes for nearly 400 yards.

Ward, though, took his game to Tampa Bay as a free agent where he’ll pair up with Earnest Graham, leaving Ahmad Bradshaw to fill his role in New York.

 

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Hakeem Nicks (WR)

Adding to the aforementioned logjam at receiver is New York’s first-round pick, Hakeem Nicks. Out of North Carolina, Nicks has maybe the best chance of any rookie receiver to contribute this season, though Michael Crabtree is, of course, also in the conversation.

Though Nicks is not a burner, he runs refined routes already, and his hands are stickier than superglue. He’s strong and not afraid to go over the middle, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him become a starter sometime during the course of the season.

 

BRUNO BOYS SPOTLIGHT

Domenik Hixon (WR)

Care to name the Giants’ receiver with the most receiving yards last season? If you said Domenik Hixon, you were correct. Both Amani Toomer and Steve Smith had more receptions than Hixon’s 43, but neither could match his 596 receiving yards.

Hixon’s big-play potential is what has fantasy owners thinking that big things could be in store for the 6'2" wide out, who will only turn 25 in October.

There is a logjam at wide out for the team, but Hixon has the capability to be the type of threat Burress had been for Manning the last few years.

 

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