[Jian]

Just wanted to send out a big hello to everyone on this board. I love football and have been a fan for many (I've been a NY Giants fan for 39 yrs) years. My favorite team won the Superbowl this year and now I can't get enough info and chat hehe.

[azrael492]

Welcome to GTG Jian. Do you think the Giants can repeat this year? Will they have Shockey with them or do you think they trade him away?

[Jian]

Hi Azrael!

Do I think they can repeat? Yes I do, but I don't think the odds of them doing it are very good. I expect the talent level to be even better than last year. I expect the defense to be better than last year, with the new crop of rookies, and another year under Spags.
The schedule is a little tougher than last year and the NFC East is a meatgrinder. The teams are all built to beat the east rivals in personnel and scheme (like the HUGE Dallas offensive line vs. the east defenses). It will be very difficult to take the road thru the playoffs again, and it may be even tougher to win the NFC east.
The Giants won't catch anyone by surprise this year, and if the injuries fall differently this year who knows if they even make the playoffs.
I guess that's why they play the games......

Jian

[bears9]

Welcome to the forum Jian, how did the Giants draft?

[Jian]

Hi Bears!

I think the Giants had a good draft. For first impression I'd say about a B.

The biggest need was at safety and that was addressed with the first pick. I think Phillips will be starting before the season is halfway over, if not right from the beginning.

Thomas was a bit under the radar for most people, but he's a solid corner with all the skills you need at the nfl level, and he can tackle and blitz very well, so he is good all around which our defense really requires. He gave up a total of 2 TD's the last 2 years and that's with USC so it was real solid competition. The cb may very well be the last line of defense (on a safety blitz, for example) so tackling is key in the Giants defense.

Manningham was rated as a first round talent before he lied to people at the combine about failing drug tests in college. He was arrested for having someone else's (on the team) prescription for vicodin, but it was all dropped because he had his own prescription for the same drug and I consider it a non factor. Our all time leading receiver is also from Michigan and I expect Amani Toomer will take MM under his wing and mentor him.
If MM can contribute this year(which I really do expect), it'll really OPEN up the Giant offense. Shockey is still here and he will help keep the defenses honest. Last year everyone was double teaming Plax but with this corps of receivers it will really be at their peril to do that again this year.

The Giants selected 2 LBs in the 4th & 5th rounds. I expect they will BOTH contribute this year, at the minimum on special teams and later in the year possibly in the regular defense.

Andre Woodson in the 6th round is a steal just for his potential. He was expected to be a first rounder going into last year and he started off well but fell off and his stock droppped. Check his numbers they're crazy. Something like 72 TD and 18 Ints in his carreer in the SEC. How could they not take a chance on him hehe

So "Yes" I think the Giants really helped themselves this year in the draft. Their biggest concern on defense was the secondary and they're immediately better. 3 young solid corners is almost a necessity with teams going more and more to 3 & 4 WR sets. I believe the Giants defense will be "Terrors of the NFL" on 3rd and long. They'll use the "4 Aces" even more then last year with the improvements in the secondary.

Jian

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Jian

Hi Azrael!

Do I think they can repeat? Yes I do, but I don't think the odds of them doing it are very good. I expect the talent level to be even better than last year. I expect the defense to be better than last year, with the new crop of rookies, and another year under Spags.
The schedule is a little tougher than last year and the NFC East is a meatgrinder. The teams are all built to beat the east rivals in personnel and scheme (like the HUGE Dallas offensive line vs. the east defenses). It will be very difficult to take the road thru the playoffs again, and it may be even tougher to win the NFC east.
The Giants won't catch anyone by surprise this year, and if the injuries fall differently this year who knows if they even make the playoffs.
I guess that's why they play the games......

Jian

The NFC east is a tough division. It will be hard to make it through when everybody seems to improve every year.