Loading ...Training camp is over, preseason has come and gone, and the New York Giants are now just days away from kicking off their 2010 NFL season, after a disappointing 2009 campaign that left a bitter taste in their mouths.
The Giants come into 2010 with a new defensive coordinator in Perry Fewell, along with some new additions on the defensive side of the ball in safety Antrel Rolle and veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck. New York’s defensive backfield is healthier than it’s been at any point over the past two seasons, with Kenny Phillips, Aaron Ross, and Corey Webster all expected to be ready for the first week of the season.
On offense, New York goes into the season with 10 of its 11 starters from a year ago, with the lone exception being Ahmad Bradshaw taking over the starting running back role, with Brandon Jacobs now becoming the “change of pace” back for the offense.
On paper, this looks to be one of the more talented rosters in the NFC, and arguably the most talented Giants roster since the start of the Tom Coughlin-Eli Manning era in New York. The question is – how well will the Giants handle a schedule that features seven games against 2009 playoff teams.
PROJECTED 2010 RECORD: 10-6
PROJECTED NFC EAST STANDINGS
1- New York Giants 10-6
2 – Dallas Cowboys 10-6
3 – Washington Redskins 7-9
4 – Philadelphia Eagles 6-10
OFFENSIVE MVP : RB Ahmad Bradshaw
One of the most dynamic runners in the NFL when healthy, Ahmad Bradshaw has taken over the starting running back role for the G-Men and the team expects a very productive season if #44 can play a full 16 game slate. Bradshaw has a terrorizing combination of quickness, vision, and power and will provide the Giants with a big play threat out of the backfield. But he’s not just a homerun threat. Bradshaw has shown that as long as he’s in the game, he can consistently run well between the tackles and has improved in his blitz pickup ability as a pass blocker. Expect big, big things from the fourth-year back as a lead runner in 2010.
DEFENSIVE MVP: DE Justin Tuck
Who else? This guy is one of the most complete and dominant defensive players in the league, and yet is probably one of the more under-the-radar defensive superstars in the league because he just goes to work and does his job week in and week out, year in and year out. But don’t expect a quiet year for Tuck in 2010, who seems anxious to put his injury-plagued 2009 behind him. Size, strength, athleticism, and an extremely active motor will make Tuck a headache for opposing offenses, and the foundation of the Giants front seven this season.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: WR Hakeem Nicks
After an impressive rookie campaign, expect Hakeem Nicks to be recognized as one of the league’s top wideouts at the end of the 2010 season. Nicks is a strong, physical receiver with very good hands that will consistently make plays for extra yardage after the catch. Nicks will be in position to do plenty of damage on slants, screens, and underneath crossing routes for the Giants passing game this season. The dynamic second-year receiver could easily finish with upwards of 1000 yards receiving and 8 scores in 2010.
THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS FOR 2010
Ahmad Bradshaw will be a candidate for the NFL MVP Award
Yes, the former seventh-round pick out of Marshall is that talented. Bradshaw’s excellent vision and rare combination of elusiveness and power in the open field make him the Giants most devastating offensive weapon going into this season, and this certainly looks to be the year that Bradshaw breaks out as a superstar in the league. Taking over the leading back role for the Giants, Bradshaw will see the most touches of his career both as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Expect those increased touches to turn into a special season for the Giants starting back.
The Giants will boast a top-5 rated NFL Offense
Eli Manning is at the prime of his career, and he’s just been handed the keys to a brand-new Ferrari. Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham are arguably the most talented young receiving trio in football, and running back Ahmad Bradshaw is one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the game when he’s healthy. Don’t forget about Brandon Jacobs playing the complementary back role for the Giants running game, and Kevin Boss providing consistency, dependability, and toughness at tight end.
Justin Tuck will have the best season of his NFL career
Tuck is the anchor of the defensive front seven for the Giants, and he’s surrounded with considerable talent on defense. He struggled through a shoulder injury in 2009, but Tuck is committed to having a bounce-back year for New York, and has looked up to the task in training camp. With Antonio Pierce no longer with the football team, Justin Tuck is being looked to as the leader of this Giants defense. Tuck is the type of player who likes to lead by example – with his play on the field. Expect the example to be something like 70 tackles and 14 sacks.
Closing Thoughts:
When you look at the NFC East this year – you see quite a bit of turnover. The Giants have undergone significant changes on the defensive side of the football, Philadelphia has a new starting duo at quarterback and running back, and the Washington Redskins are operating under a new head coach and new quarterback in Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb. But when you look for a winning formula – the teams that fits the description seems to be New York. The Giants have one of the league’s top young quarterbacks, in the prime of his career, along with an arsenal of weapons at his disposal, and a veteran defense led by a veteran defensive coordinator Perry Fewell – who knows how to get the best of his personnel. The Cowboys have significant issues along their offensive line, but have so many weapons that they should still be one of the league’s top 10-12 offensive units – and the team also boasts a top 10 defense with an explosive pass rush.
At the end of the day, New York looks poised to make a strong playoff push this season if they are able to come together quickly under Perry Fewell’s defense. The offense is stacked, the players are familiar with eachother and the scheme, and the unit is led by one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. The Giants addressed some of their issues on special teams with the acquisition of return-specialist Darius Reynaud, and the defense is loaded with talent and experience – led by one of the league’s most successful defensive coordinators.
The Giants are a darkhorse in the NFC this season, overshadowed by last year’s NFC powerhouses – Minnesota and New Orleans, and this year’s sexy pick – the Green Bay Packers. But the G-Men are right up there with those teams in terms of talent, and the upside is considerable with the 2010 edition of the New York Giants.
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Hillary should have taken that intelligent role model of a lady sarah palin.
if yall can’t sense the sarcasm in that then i feel for you.
Gotta be careful around here. Sometimes they don’t get the joke.
Quick hit up top
http://www.giants101.com/2010/09/08/dan-benton-to-join-pro-football-nyc-tonight/
good! maybe hell start running with the fire that made me go out and buy his jersey. hes a beast and i think this will get him going again. keep him fresh and healthy. these teams are going to be aiming for his knees all year. lets hope the line opens up some holes this year.