New York Giants: 8 Reasons Why the Giants Will Come out Swinging

Assuming we have football in 2011, the New York Giants have a lot to prove heading into the season.

After a historic collapse in Week 15 and an overall disappointing 10-6 finish in the division, a lot of experts are writing the Giants off already, as usual.

Just what the team loves, being looked down on as underdogs.

Fans know that Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning are ready to rebound in the NFC East, possessing enough scoring potential to make another playoff run like they did in 2007.

However, with success comes expectations, and the Giants fanbase is expecting a hot start to the year.

And considering the Giants usually do come out swinging, why would a long offseason of extended rest change that?

Here are eight reasons why Big Blue will get off to a blazing start in 2011.

Linebacking

The New York Giants defensive weak link over the past few years has ultimately been their linebacking core.

Whether it's been signing a declining veteran, drafting an unproven college athlete, or leaving it as it stands, New York has done their best patch job to make things work.

Coming into this season the Giants talent at their very weakest position is nearly identical to last year's group, but one certain player can change the team's fortune and give New York's linebackers a good name.

It's Jonathan Goff.

The fourth-year talent is a great tackler, offers solid coverage, and could be a fine product of a heavy run stopping defensive set.

If Goff and company can form a worthwhile line of defense early in the season, it could translate into wins for the Giants.

Schedule

Continuously handed one of the hardest schedules around the league, the New York Giants 2011 calender hasn't changed in difficulty at all.

They've got games with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and instate rival New York Jets.

Not to mention the usually competitive in-division showdowns.

However, with earl season games against Washington, St. Louis, Arizona, Buffalo, and Seattle, the Giants look pegged for a huge first half.

Counting on the fact that they come out on top against these lesser NFL opponents, New York could head into week nine against New England, with nothing worse than a 5-2 record.

Consider this a gift from the NFL's scheduling chief, Howard Katz.

Health

Coming into the season the New York Giants need to be healthy.

It's a must.

After finishing the 2010 season on the back of a depleted offensive line and wide receiving core, a healthy scoring attack is going to do wonders.

Steve Smith is on his way back, Hakeem Nicks is healthier than ever, and the veteran Eli Manning protectors are eager to start out fresh.

When injury free, the G-men have one of the most prolific offensive schemes in the NFL, which is going to be the backbone of a hot start in 2011.

Hunger

There's no doubt in my mind that the New York football Giants are one of the hungriest teams in the league.

Following last season's debacle, the Plaxico Burress charade a few years back, and yearly disappointment following their Super Bowl XLII victory, Tom Coughlin is ready to turn that misfortune into blackboard material.

With an explosive and seemingly healthy offense, New York should be eager to get things rolling quickly, making it tough for opponents to beat them mentally and via game plan.

Thinking you can win is half the battle, so the Giants mental prowess should translate into on-field dominance.

Tom Coughlin

Head coach Tom Coughlin is going to play a major role in sparking the team's early season start.

Not only because he's the New York Giants commander and chief, but because Coughlin is in the last year of his contract.

He's playing for his job.

If the Giants happen to sputter through the first month or two, Coughlin's hot seat will become scorching.

There's no room for error.

Coughlin knows that, Eli Manning knows that, and both of them are going to game plan to the tee to make sure the whole team knows that.

As far as I'm concerned it's one or the other.

Either the Giants start off with one of the best records in football with their lack luster first half schedule, or Tom Coughlin gets fired by the end of October.

Ahmad Bradshaw

Signing Ahmad Bradshaw, getting him back healthy, and featuring him as the lead tailback is the key for the New York Giants offense in 2011.

Last year, Bradshaw rushed for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns on two bad ankles.

Not to mention the Giants offensive line and other potent scoring weapons were either hobbled or out for the year.

Since he's become a free agent amidst an NFL lockout, there's no room for negotiation.

Pay that man his money.

Bradshaw deserves a lucrative contract, deserves to be the featured back over Brandon Jacobs, and deserves to be recognized as one of the biggest pieces for the Giants upcoming season.

Limiting Turnovers

This was the New York Giants main falter in 2010 and serves as the biggest concern entering the 2011 season.

New York led the league with 42 total giveaways, taking away from their dominant nature as the NFL No. 5 offense.

Eli Manning led the league with a career-high 25 interceptions, proving that it's sometimes better to take the sack than throw the ball deep into coverage.

Heading into the season, a healthy offensive line and wide receiving options is going to go a long way in consistently capping Manning's mistakes.

If the Giants can limit their turnovers on offense and repeat their NFL-best 39 takeaways, they'd be on their way to hell of a season.

Keeping It Simple

This is what it all comes down to.

In the past, the New York Giants have abandoned their best offensive asset, drifting away from what works best.

Running the ball.

It always has been and always will be, New York's most cherished attribute.

Granted the offensive line is getting older by the minute, they're still extremely talented and more than capable of providing sufficient protection for Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

If your a Giants fan, you know running the ball is what won us the Super Bowl back in 2007.

So why change a thing?

As i mentioned before, Tom Coughlin is in his last contract year, so he has no time for offensive experiments and testing the waters with different schemes.

The Giants are going to resign Bradshaw, feature Jacobs as the bone bruising runner that he is, and the team will regain their past label as the best rushing attack in the NFL.

That and that alone, could be the sole reason why the New York Giants will bust out of the gate in 2011.