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2007 NewYork Giants

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The New York Giants were supposed to be the team to beat in the NFC East last season. After a hot start, they quickly faltered and only luck got them into the playoffs with just an eight win campaign.

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After such a disappointing season, many expected head coach Tom Coughlin to get the axe, but that never happened. But to show some dissatisfaction GM Jerry Reese got rid of linebackers Luke Petitgout and LaVar Arrington. Those moves didn’t seem to be quite the shake up that the Giants were after. With lots of talent on both sides of the ball, this would have been an attractive job for Cam Cameron or Wade Phillips (former Chargers coordinators who were snatched up by Dallas and Miami). Let’s put it this way, another .500 season, which I feel is inevitable, and we will see the axe come down on Coughlin among others. Plain and simple, Tom Coughlin must win. Not only does he have to make the playoffs, he has to get out of the first round to ensure that he will have a job in 2008.

Eli Manning does not appear to be the same QB that his brother is. Unless he can surprise me this season, I’m quickly putting him on the back-up list. This will be his third full season as a starting QB and he has got to show some major strides. With the loss of All-Pro running back Tiki Barber to retirement and with star defender Michael Strahan perhaps ready to follow Tiki’s lead, the Giants could be on the verge of a rebuilding project if they do not show the possibility of contending this season.

The pressure that is on this team is really a shame because if it cracked last season, it’s sure to crack again this year. All I can say is what a waste of Pro Bowl caliber talent if this team ends up dissembling. Hopefully, with Kevin Gilbride taking over play calling duties and new QB coach Chris Palmer coming to town, Eli Manning can come into his own. Perhaps focusing on making the offense a power running attack will help Eli out. The duo of Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns should be tough to stop. Expect Gilbride to use the between-the-tackles running game to set up the passing game. If Eli can’t get it done in this format with guys like Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress to throw the ball to, he’s not going to get it done. Shockey has been under utilized for years, and I think getting him the ball on a more consistent basis will instantly result in a more consistent offensive attack.

Defensively, new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will try to bring his attack-oriented Philly-style defense to the Big Apple. If he can turn the Giants’ linebacker corps into a strength, the teams’ defense will instantly improve. The strength of this unit is its pass rush. A good linebacker corps is what this team needs to support its front seven. With Philly and Dallas both boasting better defenses, I don’t see the New York Giants challenging for the division this season which means bad news for Coughlin.

By Jeff Alexander – 7/18/2007

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