NFL 2006: New York Giants

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the New York Giants.)

Tom Coughlin's rebuilding process with the Giants took only two years to complete. Last season, New York won the NFC East championship, en route to an 11-5 mark. Now the reloading process begins.

With an already stout defense adding some key free agents and a solid draft class, the Giants look to improve upon last season and fight off the Eagles, Cowboys and Redskins in what has become the premier division in football.

Offense: This is a unit that scored over 400 points last season and is only going to get better. Barring injuries, New York may have the top offense in the NFC.

Eli Manning (3,762 yards, 24 touchdowns) improved dramatically in year two, but he still had bouts of carelessness and poor decision making (17 interceptions). Manning proved that he has just as much talent as big brother Peyton and another year older and wiser should make him a better leader. Tim Hasselbeck and Jared Lorenzen are capable backups.

Tiki Barber (1,860 yards nine touchdowns) has become and elite back and showed no signs of slowing down last season. He's a double threat as evidenced by his 54 catches last season. Brandon Jacobs is the backup and short yardage specialist who found the end zone seven times in 2005. Chad Morton is the third-down back. Jim Finn returns at fullback.

Plaxico Burress (76-,1214-7) shined last year in his first stab as a featured receiver, while Amani Toomer (60-684-7) is a solid number two. The addition of top draft choice Sinorice Moss makes this one of the most dangerous receiving units in the NFL. Tim Carter is the number four wideout.

Jeremy Shockey (65-891-7) had another solid season at tight end. The addition of Boo Williams from New Orleans and Visanthe Shiancoe provide depth at the position.

The offensive line returns intact with Shaun O'Hara at center, Chris Snee and David Diehl at guard and Luke Petitgout and Kareem McKenzie at tackle. Bob Whitfield, Rich Seubert, free agent Grey Ruegamer and rookie Guy Whimper provide depth.

Defense: A good Giant defense should be even better in 2006, thanks to some solid free agent pickups and draft choices. The linebackers are an especially strong group.

Defensive ends Michael Strahan (81 tackles, 11.5 sacks) and Osi Umenyiora (70 tackles, 14.5 sacks) combined for 26 sacks and two Pro Bowl berths. Rookie Mathias Kiwanuka and second-year man Justin Tuck will see plenty of action in reserve roles. William Joseph returns at defensive tackle with either Fred Robbins, free agent Junior Ioane or rookie Barry Cofield taking over for the departed Kendrick Clancy at the other inside slot.

Free agent Lavar Arrington looks to revive a career that went stagnant in Washington. He will be joined by middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions) and outside backer Carlos Emmons to form one of the top starting units in the league. Brandon Short (60 tackles), who came back to New York from Carolina, Reggie Torbor and rookie Gerris Wilkinson form the rest of this solid group of linebackers.

A huge shakeup in the secondary saw Will Allen, Will Peterson and Brent Alexander all shipped out of town. In their place, Sam Madison (Miami), R.W. McQuarters (Detroit) and Will Demps (Baltimore) were brought in. Madison (55 tackles, two picks), McQuarters (60 tackles, two interceptions), Corey Webster and Curtis Deloatch (56 tackles) will battle for starting spots at the corners. Gibril Wilson (112 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions) and Demps (52 tackles) are the starting safeties. James Butler, Quentin Harris and rookie Charlie Peprah are the backups.

Special Teams: Jay Feely (148 points, 35-42 field goals, 43-43 extra points) and Jeff Feagles (42.1) return at kicker and punter respectively. Travis Dorsch has been brought in as competition for Feagles. Morton (9.6) or McQuarters (11.7) will return punts, while Willie Ponder (26.9) led the league in kick returns.

Outlook: The Giants have all the pieces in place to make another run at the division title and a potential conference championship. The defense got older, but it's actually better as far as talent goes. Tiki is no spring chicken either, but he still has some gas left in the tank. Moss and his 4.3 speed will make it a nightmare for defenses when he's in with Burress, Toomer, Barber and Shockey. The defense with Strahan, Umenyiora, Pierce and Arrington looks pretty scary. Also, Manning is in his third year and that's the time when most talented quarterbacks have a breakout year. Who knows, Coughlin may actually smile this season.

Prediction: Despite some old age and a lack of depth at the defensive tackle spot, this team looks like a legitimate contender for NFC East and conference championships. The division is unbelievably tough, but if the three new starters in the secondary gel and injuries and father time stay away from some, this could be a special year in Giant land. New York will finish 11-5 or 12-4.


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