Giants '07 preview
The Giants' best player and most clutch performer over the past five years will be spending fall Sundays enjoying his retirement from the safety of an NBC studio.
And that's just the start of the Giants' problems.
As if replacing the irreplaceable Tiki Barber isn't enough of a headache, the Giants will be replacing a longtime starter at left tackle, breaking in two new outside linebackers, learning a defensive system from a new coordinator and adjusting to a new offensive coordinator.
In fact, there are so many changes in key places, the Giants have the look of a franchise that's – shhh – rebuilding. Not that they'll ever admit that, of course. There's too much at stake to utter the "R" word, especially for coach Tom Coughlin, who again might need to reach the playoffs to save his job.
GAME PLAN
Offense: Kevin Gilbride, promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, wants Eli Manning to become more of a downfield passer and is convinced Manning has the arm to do it. But that doesn't mean the Giants will stretch the field as if they're using a run-and-shoot. In fact, they would like to transition to more of a straight-ahead, power running game – something more suited to 6-foot-4, 264-pound running back Brandon Jacobs. That, Gilbride hopes, will open up space on the perimeter for Manning to attack.
Defense: If you can't beat them, steal from them. That's what the Giants did when they hired Eagles linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo as their new coordinator. The Giants' defense lacked aggressiveness under old coordinator Tim Lewis and, despite two great pass-rushing ends and decent speed in the back seven, blitzed ineffectively. Expect to see more pressure from linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks as Spagnuolo implements a blitz-happy scheme similar to Philadelphia's. And that should make Pro Bowl ends Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan even more effective.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
QB Eli Manning: Manning must step up and show why the Giants traded the farm for his draft rights in 2004. So far, all Manning has proved to be is maddeningly inconsistent with a few flashes of brilliance interjected. More than anything, he must be more accurate. Manning has increased his completion percentage each year in the league, but it still is not good (54.1 percent overall) – especially deep. Gilbride says better play-calling can get Manning into a better rhythm and thus be more accurate. No one doubts Manning's talent or his coolness under fire, though.
RB Brandon Jacobs: Physically filling the hole left by Barber won't be a problem for Jacobs, who dwarfs the Giants' all-time leading rusher by six inches and 50 pounds. But it might require a complete change in the philosophy of the running game. Barber stretched the field, ran to the outside and used his shifty moves to create holes. With Jacobs and No. 2 back Reuben Droughns – a smaller power back – the Giants' running game figures to become more smashmouth. Jacobs has more speed and moves than he has shown so far, but he is most effective when he uses his size to bowl over linebackers instead of trying to run around them. Droughns' game is similar.
OLB Mathias Kiwanuka: The coaches were so concerned about the outside linebacker spots that they shifted Kiwanuka to linebacker. He was an undersized end but is a huge linebacker with terrific speed. The coaches envision him lining up on the line on the strong side, leaving the offense to guess whether he'll drop into coverage or rush the passer.
CB Corey Webster: For better or worse, all of last season's starters in the defensive backfield must improve. At cornerback, veteran Sam Madison has lost a step and Webster looked more lost in his second season than he did as a rookie. The hope, though, comes in the departure of Lewis, the coordinator who apparently was so hard on Webster that he shattered his confidence. Webster already feels like a weight has been lifted, and he could show off his rumored ball sense in the attacking scheme. The only new help comes in top pick Aaron Ross. He is big and has a knack for finding the ball but is susceptible to smaller receivers who could come up with big plays underneath him.
VINNIE IYER'S TAKE
Just how valuable was Barber? His retirement will hurt both the team's offensive efficiency and its locker room. The defensive back seven isn't in good shape, either. Prediction: 6-10 (third in the NFC East).
FALL FORECAST
The Giants were 8-8 with Barber last season; how can they be better without him? The truth is, they probably can't. Jacobs is a star in the making, but to duplicate Barber he'll have to do more than accumulate yards. He'll need to carry a flawed offense on his back.
It won't help that the Giants will be burdened by a defense filled with holes. Add in a couple of aging stars returning from injuries and a quarterback who hasn't hit his stride yet, and things don't look promising for Coughlin. He salvaged a playoff berth and his job last season. He is not likely to do it again.
Ralph Vacchiano covers the Giants for the New York Daily News and Sporting News.
