New York Giants - NFC East Preview

N.Y Giants - NFC East Preview Things are looking glum for the 2007 New York Giants with the retirement of star running back Tiki Barber and the extended holdout of pass rushing specialist Michael Strahan. Quarterback Eli Manning and Head Coach Tom Coughlin are on a white hot seat to produce wins now. Unfortunately the running game and defense is being reworked. SportsBetting.com has the New York Giants at 30 to 1 odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl.

With a new offensive coordinator the Giants will be trying to use more long passes and power running. Eli Manning is playing in the pressure cooker know as the big apple. The pressure is on Manning to be a top-echelon Quarterback now. Eli has poise in the pocket and a very strong arm but he woefully inaccurate. The running game will be handled primarily by 265 Lb. banger Brandon Jacobs. Behind Jacobs will be grinder Reuben Droughns. While the duo will not likely break games open with big plays they will be beat up opposing defenses.

WR Plaxico Burress is inconsistent but when he is on can be great. TE Jeremy Shockey can create mismatches for almost any linebacker or safety that is assigned to cover him. With Burress and Shockey both going 6-5, Manning has two huge targets that he can throw to. The release of the teams top O-lineman LT Luke Petitgout is shocking. While the team still has very good lineman across the board the loss of Luke could affect pass protection.

The defense has a new offensive coordinator so an adjusment period could take place. New York operates out of a 4-3 that will be blitzing often this year. Team leader Michael Strahan has still not reported to camp and it is uncertain if he will return at all. DE Strahan is coming off a bothersome foot injury so is own effectiveness will be under scrutiny if he does decide to come back. Michael is the NFL's all-time sack leader primarily because of his variety of pass rush moves and incredible strength. At the other end slot the Giants are in good hands with Osi Umenyiora. Osi has become a premier pass-rusher and has improved his efficency against the run. The heart of the D-Line is suspect. Both defensive tackle positions might be torn up inside by power running backs.

LaVar Arrington is gone but this group can be team strength. OLB Mathias Kiwanuka is a high energy player who has great size and speed. MLB Antonio Pierce is the leader of the linebacking core. Pierce has excellent technical ability and very good instinctive reactions. The cornerbacks are suspect with an aging Sam Madison and an insecure Corey Webster. The Safeties have two playmakers in Will Demps and Gibril Wilson. Both guys play the game with lots of hunger and fury. The special teams lost a reliable leg in Jay Feely and have replaced him with the inconsistent Lawerence Tynes. Punter Jeff Feagles is excellent at dropping punts inside the 20 with precision. The return and coverage units have good personnell.

The 2007 New York Giants will struggle. Expect a few early losses followed by the media calling for Coughlin's head. If the Giants win more than 6 games it will be a surprise.

Brad Marchetti Opening Day New York Giants Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale

20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great

Coaching: 50
Quarterback : 55
Backs : 60
Receivers : 65
Offensive Line : 60
Defensive Line : 40 (Without Strahan)
Linebackers : 60
Secondary : 45
Special Teams : 60

SportsBetting.com has posted NFL odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl:

Arizona Cardinals
45 – 1

Atlanta Falcons
60 – 1

Baltimore Ravens
20 – 1

Buffalo Bills
100 – 1

Carolina Panthers
25 – 1

Chicago Bears
15 – 1

Cincinnati Bengals
15 – 1

Cleveland Browns
150 – 1

Dallas Cowboys
20 – 1

Denver Broncos
20 – 1

Detroit Lions
75 – 1

Green Bay Packers
45 – 1

Houston Texans
100 – 1

Indianapolis Colts
8 – 1

Jacksonville Jaguars
30 – 1

Kansas City Chiefs
60 – 1

Miami Dolphins
55 – 1

Minnesota Vikings
50 – 1

New England Patriots
5 – 2

New Orleans Saints
15 – 1

New York Giants
30 – 1

New York Jets
40 – 1

Oakland Raiders
75 – 1

Philadelphia Eagles
20 – 1

Pittsburgh Steelers
25 – 1

Saint Louis Rams
45 – 1

San Diego Chargers
6 – 1

San Francisco 49ers
20 – 1

Seattle Seahawks
20 – 1

Tampa Bay Buccanneers
50 – 1

Tennessee Titans
60 – 1

Washington Redskins
50 – 1