Inside Look at the New York Giants – Questions at the Receiver Position

NFL Football Futures Betting
NFL SNEAK PEEK: NEW YORK GIANTS

The New York Giants looked in great shape to defend their Super Bowl title last season, as they won eleven of their first 12 games, with seven efforts of 29 points or more during that stretch. Then they lost momentum, dropping three of their last four games to chalk up a 12-4 regular season (also 12-4 ATS) before getting eliminated by the Eagles in the playoffs. That was a disappointment for sure, and they go into the season having to fill some spots at wide receiver.

Will the Giants be able to do enough to overcome some improved teams not only in the conference, but in their own division?

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

BetOnline Sportsbook Odds
To Win NFC East

NEW YORK GIANTS +165
Dallas Cowboys +250
Philadelphia Eagles +210
Washington Redskins +550

To Win Super Bowl: +1000
To Win NFC title: +450
To Reach Conference title game: +225
Under 10 wins -155
Over 10 wins +125

The first thing anybody notices about the New York Giants is that they are going to be without two of the wide receivers who have been dependable for them over the last few years – Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, who were both let go in the off-season – for different reasons, of course. However, what they have is a large cast of people they can choose from, and that includes Steve Smith, who caught 57 passes, along with Dominik Hixon, Sinorice Moss and the underachieving Mario Manningham. They also went into the draft looking for help, and came out with Hakeem Nicks, a physical, speedy receiver out of North Carolina, and 6’5" Ramses Barden, a small-college legend at Cal Poly They also went and got some depth at the tight end position, picking up Travis Beckum of Wisconsin in the third round to join Kevin Boss. There may not be a Pro Bowl receiver in this bunch, but there is some balance in the passing attack, and Eli Manning (3238 yards, 21 TD’s) ought to be able to maintain some decent numbers.

It’s the running attack that cannot fail. What may have been disconcerting for Giants fans is that they lost one member of the "committee" when Derrick Ward took off for the Bucs. The bruiser is back, though. Brandon Jacobs gained just about five yards a carry last season, and he will have every opportunity to improve upon his 1089 yards. He also has a great nose for the goal line, scoring 15 touchdowns last year. Ahman Bradshaw is the backup, but the Giants don’t want to be in a position where they have to depend on him. Danny Ware is also expected to share some of the backup load. Whoever carries the ball is going to be running behind one of the league’s very best offensive lines, which sent center Chris Snee and guard Shawn O’Hara to the Pro Bowl last season.

This defensive line is going to be a monster. The Giants are going to be among the NFL’s premier teams at rushing the passer; you know that already. Now Osi Umenyiora, who missed all of last season, is back to line up with Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck in a revolving door of fresh ends that will terrorize the quarterback. The Giants also went out and signed free agents Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard, who will most likely start at the defensive tackle positions.

Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is still a dependable, solid veteran. he will need some help, though. That’s why they can’t afford many more mistakes from former Falcon Michael Boley, who signed a free agent contract in the off-season, then was suspended for the season opener for violating the league’s drug policy. He is also coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. The Giants spent a second-round draft pick on Clint Sintim, a linebacker out of Virginia who is adept at getting after the passer but played a 3-4 alignment in college.

There is reason to be secure in knowing that the cornerback positions will be manned by Aaron Ross and Corey Webster, and free safety Kenny Phillips, the former first-rounder out of Miami, is quite possibly a star in the making. Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who helped build this defense, moved on to the head job in St. Louis, and so linebacker coach Bill Sheridan moves up to take his place. One should expect very little basic change.

The Giants do something that is so valuable in the NFL, which is to make QB’s throw the ball faster than they want. We don’t suspect there will be much problem finding guys to catch passes, and as long as this team can control the ball on the ground with Jacobs, they are headed to the playoffs. Matching last year’s 12-win total could well happen (which means OVER 10 at +125 in the BetOnline NFL football futures odds) and an appearance in the conference title game (at +225 at BetOnline) wouldn’t be a shocker.