2007 started late for QB Eli Manning and the New York Giants. After a 0-2 start threatened a playoff berth in the tough NFC East, Manning and Co. beat the unbeaten. Strahan leaves a champion, but his presence will be missed in 2008.
Eli Manning: Superbowl Quarterback
During the 2007 NFL season nobody would have thought QB Eli Manning would win a Superbowl MVP award. With a QB rating of 73.9 along with 23TD and 20INT, Manning’s best performances were in week 1 and 17, both losses to the Cowboys and Patriots, respectively. When the season was on the line though, Eli Manning played some of the best football of his career, with just one INT to go with 6TD in four playoff games. Cap that with a crucial TD drive near the end of regulation in Suberbowl XLII to beat the unbeaten Patriots and you have a MVP quarterback. If Manning can bring that play into 2008 over a 16 game stretch, he could just win the season MVP.
New York Giants Ground Game
The style of rushing the Giants like is to let 264 pound Brandon Jacobs break down the defense then allowing speedy Derrick Ward zoom past the defense. The other bruising back, Rueben Droughns, is used at the goal line to score, having scored 6TD in ’07. Rookie running back Ahmad Bradshaw also showed his speed ability late in the season.
Chris Snee leads a solid offensive line that allowed Jacobs to rush for 1,000 yards in ’07. If the offensive line plays to form in 2008, the Giants could very well have two 1,000 rushers. This would then take the pressure off Eli to be perfect and allow him to make the same kind of plays he made in the 2007 playoffs.
New York Giants Receivers
Wide receiver Plaxico Burress as of 7/2/08 is in a contract dispute with the Giants. He is asking for a new contract and this issue will most likely be resolved by opening day in September. If it’s not Eli and Co. could be in trouble at the receiver position.
Assuming Burress plays for the Giants in 2008 he should provide the type of solid play he displayed in ‘07 with over 1,000 yards and 12TD. Amani Toomer returns but he is inconsistent, dropping to many balls thrown his way. Second year receiver Steve Smith played just five games his rookie year due to injury, Smith will be the 3rd receiver and be counted on in third-down situations. Steve’s speed makes him a legitimate big play threat.
TE Jeremy Shockey most likely will not return in ‘08 making second year player Kevin Boss the #1 TE. Boss played solid during Shockey’s injury plagued ‘07.
New York Giants 2008 Defense
Defensive end Michael Strahan retired in the off-season leaving a huge void in the defense. His leadership will be missed in the locker room and on the field. The emergence of Justin Tuck in ‘07 and the strong play of Osi Umenyiora should help maintain the defensive line. Both players combined for 23 sacks in 2007. Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins are also solid interior lineman and linebacker Antonio Pierce leads a young line backing corps.
Cornerbacks Sam Madison and Aaron Ross combined for 7INT in ‘07. Their solid play is backed by safeties Sammy Knight and James Butler.
2008 Insight
Repeating as NFC champs won’t be easy, if Eli can perform like he did in the playoffs it would give the Giants a huge boost against opponents defenses. The running game should remain solid. The only question is how much Strahan will be missed on defense. The Giants have enough talent though to make the playoffs in 2008.
