New York Giants Season Preview
Rushing Offense
The Giants finished the season last year with the most rushing yards of any team while running on the 7th most carries. Brandon Jacobs returns as arguably the best combination of size and speed in any backfield in football. Ahmad Bradshaw, to whom I still credit with the turning point of the Giants' Super Bowl winning campaign with an 88 yard touchdown run in Buffalo, Week 16 of the 2007 season. Look for his career 6.1 yards per carry average to drop in his increased role, but an effective campaign. Danny Ware has the capacity to contribute too. Three talented backs behind such a solid offensive line, and with the devastating blocking ability of Madison Hedgecock give the Giants all the weapons to recreate last year's success.
Passing Offense
The Giants finished the season last year with the 18th most passing yards on the 21st most passing attempts. Despite playing in the toughest division in football, the Giants ranked 7th in team passer rating. Eli Manning returns to lead a young, raw group of Wide Receivers. Expect Domenik Hixon and Hakeem Nicks to alternate as Eli's first option. Steve Smith is also looking to expand on his role as a consistent third down option. 6'6 Ramses Barden adds a threat. Reports from camp indicate that the unproven Mario Manningham gives the offense its most explosive threat after the catch. Kevin Boss is a hard-worker who can block and catch downfield. Factor in Sinorice Moss who seems ready to get more time with the offense after his two first quarter touchdown catches against New England, Derek Hagan, Travis Beckum, and Darcy Johnson give Eli plenty of fresh options throughout the season.
Overall Outlook
The loss of the go-to option in Plaxico Burress is much more tragic off the field than it will be on the field. I remain in the small minority of fans by maintaining that Eli did not fold down the stretch last season. I place the blame on a harder schedule than the Giants had been facing during their 11-1 start and the abysmal play calling of Kevin Gilbride. Don't get me wrong, I think Gilbride has done a phenomenal job meshing the offensive line and deserves to be the Offensive Coordinator, but he can't call plays- which has really hurt the team in two respects.
I hated the way the Giants utilized their three-headed rushing attack last season. I'd much prefer Jacobs to be the fresh option late in the game when the defense is worn down. I'd really like to see the Giants try to open up the game with Bradshaw getting 60-75% of the work, Jacobs getting a couple of carries, and the occasional carry for Ware. This strategy also gives the Giants a fresh Jacobs in the red zone, which can be a tremendous advantage.
The Giants' past struggles to run an offense up to the potential of its players has lost the team a key weapon who was one of my favorite Giants.e I've been a believer in Kevin Boss since watching him take over for Jeremy Shockey after Shockey fractured his fibula right before the Super Bowl run- but he's not as dangerous on the field as Shockey was and lacks the presence to bring a safety out of the box. Shockey's presence would make defensive coordinators think twice before sending an additional man to play the run this season, especially without Plaxico. Somewhere along the road, the Giants removed Shockey from their game plan and limited him from being the best he could be. I agreed with Shockey every time he publicly announced he felt the team was outcoached. Despite achieving great results the past two seasons, the offense could be better- and should be.
This season, the Giants need to create a more elaborate passing scheme. With such a solid offensive line and intelligent personnel at the "skill positions" the Giants are one of the few teams who can afford to mix it up with overlapping pass routes and delayed screens to Boss, Beckum, and the backs. By waiting until the linebackers blitz or drift into coverage, the Giants can attack the short field effectively and create more manageable third downs- a task I believe is the key to this season. Loaded with talent at every position, the Giants offense can click this season and become really good. I can't wait to see how good the Giants offense can be this year.
