New York Giants: Why the Giants might be better then last year

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April 28, 2008

Why the Giants might be better then last year

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As I sit here a day after the conclusion of the 2008 NFL draft and look at the New York Giants team, with the significant portion of free agency signings complete, I feel we could actually be better then last season. I know, I know, it is very difficult to repeat, every team is after us, blah, blah blah...I get it.By the way, it is very possible for us to be better and still not repeat given all the things that must go right to win a Super Bowl. But I honestly believe this team can (and must) be better...here's why:

First, Eli Manning seems to have turned into the franchise Quarterback the Giants traded for.He is 27 years old, this will be his 5th year in the NFL, and he is just entering his prime years. The confidence and credibility he gained during the Giants Super Bowl run can't be ignored...it will help him.

Second, Coach Coughlin now has tons of credibility as well..and the players seem to love him . This is his team with his guys and that means a lot. The players have his back....if a guy like Shockey pulled his "we were out coached" crap, players would put him in his place.

Third, it is the second year for the offensive and defensive coordinators, Kevin Gilbride and Steve Spagnolo now have guys with a year under their belts as far as the system. A lot of the early season confusion we saw, especially on defense, should be gone.Also, both coordinators know what guys can do and how much they can trust them.Basically, they should have more stability.

Fourth, last seasons amazing crop of rookies...Aaron Ross, Steve Smith,Jay Alford, Kevin Boss, Ahmed Bradshaw,ect, now have some significant NFL experience. Because of injuries and the Super Bowl run, these guys had to grow up fast and they all responded. That should pay dividends this season.

Fifth, new personnel. The Giants replaced off season losses through free agency with line backer Danny Clark and veteran safety Sammy Knight. But, I believe Jerry Reese might just have done it again in the draft. The Giants pass rush will again be solid but they have now added play makers in the secondary in Kenny Phillips and Terrill Thomas. We now could have tremendous depth at line backer with the additions of Bryan Kehl and Jonathon Goff. We added a big time player at wide out in Mario Manningham (even if he might score more touchdowns this season then questions he answered correctly on the Wonderlic test...6...ouch!). And Reese even procured a former Heisman candidate, Andre Woodson, to back up Eli Manningham..I mean Eli Manning.And what Giants draft would be complete without a pass rushing defensive end, Robert Henderson.

Finally, there are two key players returning who did not participate in the Super Bowl run. Mathias Kiwanuka was just really starting to come on at his new position before the season ending injury he suffered. He is an outstanding pass rusher and will cause fits for opposing QB's.Then there is our old friend Jeremy Shockey...yes I felt he would be traded, and for the right offer should have been. But the right offer never came along. Shockey is a pro bowl tight end who can change the course of a game. If he comes in with the right attitude...meaning keep your mouth shut and put team first...not a given, I admit, but if he does this offense could be dangerous. Imagine having Shockey, Burress, Bradshaw, Toomer and Manningham all on the field together.

Call me crazy...lots of people do, but what the hell do they know?? I am VERY optimistic. Giants fans, remember...you actually can comment on this site, we encourage it, let us know what you think.

If I am correct, we may have another one of these very soon: