New York Giants 2009 Preview

New York Giants 2009 Preview

As we get ready for Week 1, we take a look at the New York Giants, who have lost in the first round in the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. Of course, the year they went further was capped with an unlikely Super Bowl win. Do the Giants have enough to return to the big game?
Offseason Transactions
The Giants released Plaxico Burress due to his legal troubles (Burress received two years in jail for shooting himself in the leg), while Derrick Ward left for the No.1 running back role in Tampa Bay, or at least that’s what he thinks. There were no new major additions to the Giants through free agency, which may hurt with their inability to land a No.1 receiver to replace Burress.
Offense
Eli Manning signed a massive contract, yet he must be worried about the lack of receiving options. Rookie Hakeem Nicks has all the talent in the world, but he’s taking some time to get used to the rigors of NFL life. This means the Giants’ chances could lie with a ground game that was tops in the league in 2008, led by bruising back Brandon Jacobs. Ahmad Bradshaw is a big change from Jacobs, and these two should again keep the opposition off balance. Still, the Giants need a receiver to come to the forefont, and make Manning earn that big-money contract.
Defense
The Giants were fifth in the NFL last year in defense, and now they have Osi Umenyiora back and healthy. Umenyiora and Justin Tuck will terrorize quarterbacks all season long, but a hamstring injury to fellow defensive lineman Chris Canty is worrying. Antonio Pierce is looking to put the distractions of the offseason behind him and lead a linebacking corps that has more depth than talent. The secondary is underrated, and Corey Webster and Aaron Ross are as good a corner duo as you’ll find in the league.
Outlook
Betting odds have the Giants just behind Philadelphia in the NFC East at +180, +450 to win the NFC, and +800 to take the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. The Giants’ defense won’t be a problem: in fact, they should be better than last year. The pressure will be on the receivers to step up and give Manning a target. The ground game will hold up their end of the bargain, and this will lead to low-scoring games, but the Giants currently have no one to stretch the defense. They’ll be good enough to make the playoffs, but another first-round exit looms unless a wideout steps up. When it comes to Super Bowl NFL picks, stay away from the Giants for now.

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