"Duo of Ross and Webster have made the New York Giants a very dangerous defense"

The New York Giants are rolling on all cylinders right now offensively and defensively. Who would have thought with the loss of Michael Strahan, Kawika Mitchell, Gibril Wilson, Reggie Torbor, and Osi Umenyiora the Giants would continue to dominate on the defensive side of the ball? Many people seem to think it is due in large part to the lack of competition they have played thus far. Others seem to think it is because their offense is playing at such a high level right now and keeping the opposing offenses off the field. Well as a loyal, diehard Giants fan I am here to tell you their defense is for real and come Monday night the sports nation will get to see just how dominate they are when they visit "the dogpound" in Cleveland. Last year the Browns offense was prolific led by the coming out party of Derek Anderson. He put up huge numbers, throwing for 3,787 yards along with 29 touchdowns which ranked in the top 5 in the NFL. The offense was led by standout receivers Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, and veteran RB Jamal Lewis who rushed for over 1,300 yards. With the addition of journeyman Donte Stallworth slated to make his return from injury Monday night expect the Browns to test the Giants defense to the max. However, don't expect them to succeed very much. Last year the G-Men were led by their dominate pass rush from their front 7, and having a "suspect" secondary behind them. That is certainly not the case this year. Even with huge losses up front Mathias Kiwanuka has done an admirable job stepping in for Osi Umenyiora and really hasn't missed a beat earning 2.0 sacks with 3 assisted. Justin Tuck has all the making of the next Michael Strahan, he has caused chaos in the opposing backfield thus far accumulating 3.0 sacks with 6 assisted along with that memorable interception return for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams. Barry Coefield has another year under his belt and been a depending DT along side of a dominate Fred Robbins. Robbins leads the Giants in sacks with 4.0 and continues to blow up the middle of offensive lines time and time again. The linebackers are led by the most underrated MLB in the NFL Antonio Pierce. He leads the Giants in tackles with 23 and seems to always put his guys in the right places at the right times. Journeyman Danny Clark has played solid which is all you can ask for and Gerris Wilkinson gives the Giants a very athletic linebacking corps. Now we can discuss that "suspect" Giants secondary from last year. 1st round pick Aaron Ross now has a year under his belt and has teamed with the renergized Corey Webster to form one of the best duo of DB's in the league. Webster is turning in to that "shutdown" corner the Giants thought they drafted a few years back out of LSU. He has gained tremendous confidence at jamming receivers at the line with his long arms and has shut down opposing receivers such as santana moss, torry holt, chad ochocinco, and deion branch. Lets not forget his sidekick Aaron Ross, they have both shared duties each week of not only covering some of the top receivers in the game, but they have done a tremendous job of blitzing and tackling off the edges as well. Nickel back Kevin Dockery has his moments and is gaining confidence each week. Veterans Sam Madison and RW McQuarters not only provide depth, but they have served as excellent mentors to these young corners as well and hope to mentor the up and coming DB out of USC Terrell Thomas who has been unable to get on the field so far this season. Now we move into the last line of the defense the safeties. Michael Johnson has proved he belongs as a starter alongside James Butler. They both provide big hits on occasion, but can mentally collapse at times. Butler doesn't have the speed most safeties have, but he makes up for it with the angles he takes, but he better keep an eye over his shoulder because Kenny Phillips who I think is the next Brian Dawkins of the NFC East is waiting in the wings. Sammy Knight is providing excellent depth and teaching these young guys everything he knows. I think this defense has enough depth and mix of youth and veterans to keep this up all year. Sure they might have a bad week here or there, every dominate defense does, but they seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulder to prove to the sports world that last year was no fluke and they are the team to beat in the NFL. Come Monday night I think the Giants defense u to dominate by shutting down Jamal Lewis and making Derek Anderson beat them with his arm. The Giants Justin Tuck and Antonio Pierce will make sure he is uncomfortable and it will lead to a few costly interceptions that will make the difference. This game could be over before it started folks, expect to see Brady Quinn at QB late in the game. I mean how could you possibly second guess a defense that is 3rd in the NFL only allowing 236 yards per game and shutting down quarterbacks such as Jason Campbell, Marc Bulger, Carson Palmer, and Matt Hasslebeck? I fully expect the dominance to continue on both sides of the ball.