New York Giants
2010 record: 10-6, 2nd in NFC East
Last playoff appearance: 2008, 0-1 in playoffs (23-11L PHI)
General Manager: Jerry Reese (2007-present)
Head Coach: Tom Coughlin (2004-present)
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Gilbride (2006-present)
Defensive Coordinator: Perry Fewell (2010-present)
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings
OFF: 24.6 Pts (7th); 380.3 YDS (5th); 242.6 PASS (10nd); 137.5 RUSH (6th)
DEF: 21.7 Pts (17th); 310.8 YDS (7th); 209.5 PASS (9th); 101.2 RUSH (8th)
Russ’ Outlook: There are very few signs to suggest that the Giants will have a similar or better season than 2010 (no matter what the Giants Vice President of Communication thinks). The Giants have lost players to free agency or to salary cuts and have not seemed to fill the holes presented. They signed a free agent that decided to retire while losing their tight end. They could have resigned wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Steve Smith but did not offer the same guaranteed monies as other teams. On defense, it will take time until Osi Umenyiora decides if his heart is Big Blue.
Besides internal issues, most of the Giants opponents have grown stronger. The Eagles have become a front runner for the NFC Championship Game. The Cowboys appear stronger with Tony Romo back at quarterback. They play the Super Bowl Champions, playoff teams in the Saints, Jets, Seahawks and improved teams such as the Cardinals and 49ers.
The Giants will have to come together as a team quickly and will need to have monster efforts from their top players to achieve the same record as 2010. I predict an 8-8 season from the team that I support the most.
Projected Starters
QB- Eli Manning
RB- Ahmad Bradshaw
FB- Henry Hyonski
WR- Mario Manningham
WR- Hakeem Nicks
TE- Travis Beckum
LT- William Beatty
LG- David Diehl
C- David Baas
RG- Chris Snee
RT- Kareem McKenzie
LE- Justin Tuck
DT- Linval Joseph
DT- Chris Canty
RE- Osi Umenyiora
SLB- Mathias Kiwanuka
MLB – Jonathon Goff
WLB – Michael Boley
CB- Corey Webster
FS- Antrel Rolle
SS- Kenny Phillips
CB- Terrell Thomas
Fantasy Performers
1) Hakeem Nicks, WR
2) Ahmad Bradshaw, RB
3) Brandon Jacobs, RB
4) Eli Manning, QB
2011 Schedule (all times EST)
Week 1- Sep 11 at Redskins, 4:15pm
Week 2- Sep 19 vs Rams, 8:30pm (MNF)
Week 3- Sep 25 at Eagles, 1:00pm
Week 4- Oct 2 at Cardinals, 4:05pm
Week 5- Oct 9 vs Seahawks, 1:00pm
Week 6- Oct 16 vs Bills, 1:00pm
Week 7- Bye
Week 8- Oct 30 vs Dolphins, 1:00pm
Week 9- Nov 6 at Patriots, 4:15pm
Week 10- Nov 13 at 49ers, 4:15pm
Week 11- Nov 20 vs Eagles, 8:20pm
Week 12- Nov 28 at Saints, 8:30pm (MNF)
Week 13- Dec 4 vs Packers, 4:15pm
Week 14- Dec 11 at Cowboys, 8:20pm
Week 15- Dec 18 vs Redskins, 1:00pm
Week 16- Dec 24 at Jets, 1:00pm
Week 17- Jan 1 vs Cowboys, 1:00pm
Moves
Free Agent Acquisitions:
Stacy Andrews, G – Signed from Seahawks
David Baas, C – Signed from 49ers
David Carr, QB – Signed from 49ers
Daniel Coats, TE – Signed from Broncos
Ben Patrick, TE – Signed from Cardinals
Gabe Watson, NT – Signed from Cardinals
Steve Weatherford – Signed from Jets
Free Agent Losses (and those unsigned as of 8/12/11):
Chase Blackburn, LB
Kevin Boss, TE – Signed by Raiders
Courtney Brown, CB
Keith Bulluck, LB
Plaxico Burress, WR – Signed by Jets
Barry Cofield, NT – Signed by Redskins
Deon Grant, S
Derek Hagan, WR – Signed by Raiders
Madison Hedgecock, RB
Michael Johnson, CB – Signed by Lions
Steve Smith, WR – Signed by Eagles
Jim Sorgi, QB
Danny Ware, RB
Re-signed:
Rocky Bernard, DT
Kevin Boothe, G
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB
Michael Clayton, WR
Mathias Kiwanuka, DE
Jamon Meredith, T
Bear Pascoe, TE
Dave Tollefson, DE
Trades:
None of note
2011 Giants Draft Review:
The Giants had missed the playoffs in 2010 by a game and went into the draft looking to reinforce positions that they felt that they needed assistance. However, the Giants typical style is to draft the best available player as an pure athlete can fit into the Giants roster.
Overall Draft Grade:
B
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft
Rd 1, Pick 19: Prince Amukamara, CB – Nebraska- Amukamara was considered the best pure cover cornerback and was quickly selected by the Giants when he was still on the board at 19. It is felt that Amukamara will help strengthen a part of the Giants defense that fell vulnerable at times. The Ginats had other needs, but they could not pass up the talent that Amukamara had.
Grade: A
Rating: 10
Rd 2, Pick 52: Marvin Austin, DT – North Carolina – Austin was suspended for illegally taking gifts from an agent. Tom Coughlin is a disciplinarian. If Coughlin can keep Austin out of trouble, this could be a great pick. He has great strength and quickness and could quickly work into the Giants defensive line rotation.
Grade: B
Rating: 8
Rd 3, Pick 83: Jerrel Jernigan, WR – Troy – The Giants did not need a wide receiver this early. However, during the draft the Giants knew they had an injured slot receiver and they felt Jernigan can step in and fill that role. Later in the draft there were many more receivers available and this pick seems questionable in the 3rd round.
Grade: C
Rating: 6
Rd 4, Pick 117: James Brewer, T – Indiana – The Giants offensive line is aging and had injuries in 2010. This pick is the start of reinforcing the line with younger players that need time to develop before making a significant impact on the roster. However, with experience at Indiana, he has played against good competition for years while at college.
Grade: B-
Rating: 7
Rd 6, Pick 185: Greg Jones, LB – Michigan State – A highly productive linebacker in college fills a need that the Giants had throughout 2010. In college he played in the middle, but will probably be moved to the outside as he is only 6 foot tall. He should immediately be a special teams player for the Giants.
Grade: B+
Rating: 8
Rd 6, Pick 198: Tyler Sash, S – Iowa – A player with an ability to get to the ball, Sash is projected as a special teams player and as a third safety in the Giants defensive scheme. The Giants like players that have a knack for the ball but more importantly play the game as it is supposed to be played. That is the type of player that Sash is.
Grade: B
Rating: 7.5
Rd 6, Pick 202: Jacquian Williams, LB – USF – The Giants kept the 6th round defense run by drafting a linebacker that many people did not even have on depth charts. This was a confusing pick, but there must have been a reason for Williams to be on the Giants draft roster. If he makes the roster, he would be only a special teams player.
Grade: C-
Rating: 6
Rd 7, Pick 221: Da’Rel Scott, RB – Maryland – Scott had the fastest time of the combines of all running backs. He was probably drafted as in insurance policy in case Ahmad Bradshaw decided to leave the Giants, which he did not. He has the potential of a 3rd down back.
Grade: C
Rating: 6
2010 Stat Leaders
QB: Eli Manning: 339-539, 4002 yards, 62.9%, 7.40avg, 31 TD, 25 int, 85.3 rating
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw: 276 car, 1235 yards, 4.5avg, 8 TD
WR: Hakeem Nicks: 79 rec, 1052 yards, 13.3avg, 11 TD