2011 NFL Lockout: New York Giants Post-Lockout Priorities

The New York Giants have some serious matters to attend to following an imminent conclusion to the 2011 NFL lockout.

Whether it's resigning some of their most important players, getting their newly drafted rookies under contract, or hitting the free agent market, Big Blue is ready to attack their to-do list.

As a fellow Giants fan, it's important to know that GM Jerry Reese and company are ready to do business.

Reese has always been a hands on organizational leader, so anything short of complementing the Giants main threats would be a disappointment.

Following a 10-6 season in 2010, in which they dropped two divisional games to the Philadelphia Eagles including that historic "Miracle at the New Meadowlands," the Giants have some work to do.

They need to make sure Ahmad Bradshaw is locked up for the next few years.

They need to sign a promising addition to the linebacker core because that has been one of the weakest positions for the team over the past decade.

They need to not only sign their rookies, but get them in camp and make sure they get acclimated to the everyday life of pro-football.

Here are the top priorities for Giants management following the tedious 2011 NFL lockout.

5. Giving Tom Coughlin Time to Shine

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Head coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants encourages his players in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by Win

One of the most important measures the Giants can take this offseason is to make sure that Tom Coughlin has the team in gear for the 2011 season.

The sooner the Super Bowl-winning head coach gets back to practices and game film sessions, the better.

Coughlin is currently in his last year of his contract, making this season a make-or-break affair for the 64-year-old.

There's been much speculation to how the Giants will respond to Coughlin's tenure if the team starts losing games early.

However the players may think they'll feel, it's not going to be any better if they have to wait just a few weeks before the season to acclimate into their head coach's game schemes.

Coughlin is by far one of the best game planners in the NFL, so limiting his time with his own team is going to hurt the Giants in the long run.

4. Testing Healthy Roster

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants against the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

There's no doubt that health is the biggest on-field concern for the Giants heading into the 2011 season.

New York was hit with several season-crippling injuries in 2010.

Leading the way were prominent offensive players Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and almost the entire O-line.

For New York, getting Smith and Nicks healthy is a big deal.

Both are going to be major reasons in how the Giants improve their offensive production from last year and become one of the biggest scoring threats in the NFL.

Easily one of the best slot receivers the NFL has to offer, Smith's return to a full season on the field is going to be one of the most important factors for Big Blue in 2011.

3. Adjusting the Linebacker Core

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Greenway #52 of the Minnesota Vikings plays against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Giants need a productive linebacker who can make an immediate on-field impact.

It's no secret.  The Giants have struggled with their linebacker core for the past decade, and they'll continue to do so if they fail to address the issue via free agency.

Following the NFL lockout, the Giants need to make a quick decision on who they want to run their defensive army because they're a select few Pro Bowl caliber linebackers awaiting a lucrative contract.

But they're not going to be there for long.

Immediate Options

Chad Greenway:   He's become one of the best run stopping linebackers in the NFL.  Greenway has been an absolute beast in the Vikings 4-3 defense, so coming over to a Perry Fewell program should do the 28-year-old wonders.

Steven Tulloch:  The Giants tried last year to sign a former Titan and make it work out for the better.  It didn't, but it's pretty obvious that at this stage in his career, Keith Bulluck is no Steven Tulloch.  With a total of 159 tackles in 2010, Tulloch would immediately effect the Giants defense and make them a formidable opponent up the middle.

Barrett Rudd:  The 28-year-old has recorded four straight seasons with at least 114 total tackles.  He offers a great field presence and knowledge for the game.  The only problem with Rudd is that he'll more than likely want a big-time contract deal.

2. Acclimating Rookies

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Prince Amukamara #2 of Nebraska runs with the football during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

One of the biggest issues with the NFL lockout, not only for the Giants but for the entire league, is acclimating rookie players to their teams.

This includes pure chemistry with their teammates, learning player tendencies on and off the field, gaining valuable knowledge of what the coaches want and how to run every scheme in the playbook.

For the Giants, making sure rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara gets situated fairly quickly and easily, is becoming a main concern among fans and within the Giants organization.

Amukamara was basically a draft day steal for New York, dropping into their hands with the 19th pick.

He's being counted on as an immediate patch job for the Giants' pass coverage issues that have lingered for the past few seasons.

The sooner the Prince gets on the field and learns how to become a professional football player, the sooner he reap the benefits of his enormous talent potential.

1. Ahmad Bradshaw

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants celebrates his first quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

Re-sign Bradshaw.

That has and always will be, leading up to the season, the biggest priority for the New York Giants.

Besides maybe Hakeem Nicks, Ahmad Bradshaw is easily the biggest offensive threat the Giants have to offer.

The 25-year-old ran for a career high 1,235 yards in 2010, proving that he can last a full season despite his sometimes bruising rushing mentality.

With the future of Brandon Jacobs as a New York Giant lingering around the organization for the past few years, the re-signing of Bradshaw to a long-term contract makes that much more sense.

He's become one of the most explosive backs in the NFL, trailing Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles in that category, but nonetheless has cemented himself as a must-sign for Big Blue.

Letting go of Bradshaw with certainly set the Giants back a few years in the running department.

Without him, New York's rushing attack will consist of Brandon Jacobs and Da'Rel Scott.

Scary, isn't it?