2010 NFL Preview: New York Giants
The New York Giants got off to a fast start in 2009 and it appeared as if they were going to be Super Bowl contenders. Everything was clicking on all cylinders.
Then the luck went for the worse.
After the 5-0 start and Super Bowl hopes heightened, the Giants lost their fight. They lost their toughness, and with a banged up lineup and less talent, somehow Eli Manning had the best season his career despite the G-Men losing eight of their final 11 games, which included a 41-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the final game at Giants Stadium. Guess who the Giants open up the 2010 season against at the New Meadowlands Stadium? The Carolina Panthers.
The question is: Can the Giants get back their winning ways in 2010. Can Tom Coughlin keep these guys motivated, or will they turn a deaf ear and falter. Technorati will go inside the New York Giants.
Recap:
- 2009 Record (8-8, 3rd NFC East, missed playoffs)
- Key Additions: QB Jim Sorgi (Indianapolis Colts), LB Keith Bulluck (Tennessee Titans), FS Antrel Rolle (Arizona Cardinals), S Deon Grant (Seattle Seahawks).
- Key Departures: QB David Carr (San Francisco 49ers), DT Fred Robbins (St. Louis Rams), OLB Danny Clark (Houston Texans), ILB Antonio Pierce (retirement) CB Kevin Dockery (St. Louis Rams), SS C.C. Brown (Detroit Lions), P Jeff Feagles (retirement).
Overview
Offense:Eli Manning is back under center for the Giants (even after that monster hit he took from the New York Jets), and despite having career bests in completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns, the Giants missed the playoffs for the first time since his rookie season. He did all of this without his former #1 receiver, Plaxico Burress. He, like his brother Peyton, turned virtually young and known receivers into stars in Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nicks, who will be mentioned in a moment. Although Manning improved his game, other parts of the Giants offense fell due to poor performance and injuries.
The main hit was in the run production department. Derrick Ward left for Tampa Bay, and that worked out well, didn't it? Brandon Jacobs suffered a knee injury at the start of the season, and did not perform to his best, and Ahmad Bradshaw did very well on the season, but ended up getting hurt towards the end of the season, so the team became one-dimensional, especially during the latter part of the season, and when a team is one-dimensional, they are not effective on offense.
Continued on the next page
Follow Technorati