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Burning Questions in the NFC East: Training Camp Edition

August 1st, 2010 at 10:22 AM
By Kyle Langan

As the first practice of training camp inches closer, one can begin to sense the tone of camp and the 2010season itself. The Giants themselves will be looking to bounce back from losing 8 of their final 11 games in the 2009 season and prove that they belong in the discussion for  and NFC East title.

While The NFC East itself is the topic at hand, lets take a look at which questions will need answering this summer from the 4 corners of The NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys:

Will Dallas be able to handle the expectations for the 2009 season?

Nearly every year The Cowboys’ ability to handle the pressures being placed on them is in question. But in 2010, this may prove an even bigger issue than usual for The Boys’.

Coming off of their first playoff win on over a decade and a half, Dallas has their fans believing that they can indeed take the next step. With The Superbowl itself being held in Dallas this coming February, many (especially Jerry Jones) are expecting a home game for The Cowboys.

No one is mincing any words when it comes to this issue. Dallas knows exactly what is expected of them.

No matter how you spin it, that can be a lot to handle for any team.

Will the injury bug prove endangered in Texas yet again?

In 2009 Dallas finished the season with no one on injured reserve. The chances of that happening 2 years in a row are slim to none. As camp gets underway in 2010, one of the major issues facing this team will be avoiding injuries once again.

The New York Giants:

Will Perry Fewell turn around what was an abysmal defense in 2009?

After the 2009 season came to a close, the first move that The Giants made was to fire defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and replace him with a coordinator known for his pass defenses in Perry Fewell.

Fewell brings a totally different attitude to the table than does Sheridan, and a lot more experience.

The Giants went out and got Fewell some new pawns in the form of Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, Keith Bulluck, Jason Pierre- Paul, and Linval Joseph. Kenny Phillips, Aaron Ross and Chris Canty will also be returning from injury.

With that type of talent and depth, Fewell should be able to assemble a strong defense.

Can The Giants overcome nagging injuries to their offensive line and running backs?

Last season, Kareem McKenzie, Rich Seuburt, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Brandon Jacobs all dealt with nagging injuries which they managed to play through, but not necessarily effectively.

If the offensive line can not remain healthy, second year man William Beatty will be thrust into action  at left tackle and David Deihl will kick inside to guard, shaking up the offensive line.

Eli Manning will need protection if he is to thrive and build on his 2009 numbers, and the line must be healthy for this to happen.

If Jacobs and Bradshaw can also overcome injury, it will be a huge boost to the offense and play action passing game.

The Washington Redskins:

How will the veteran presence of both Donovan McNabb and coach Mike Shanahan change the culture in Washington?

Before Washington is to see any success in 2010, they must undergo a major culture change. Donovan Mcnabb is a player whom has kept Philadelphia in the mix for over a decade, and Shanahan a coach who has won 2 Superbowls.

This should demand instant respect from the rest of the team as 2010 gets underway.

While this may seem like a minuscule detail, for a team which has seen so little success over the last decade it is paramount.

How will the Albert Haynesworth situation end?

Since Mike Shanahan arrived and announced that he would be running a 3-4 defense, it has been a constant soap opera with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Haynesworth has expressed his displeasure with playing in a 3-4, and has even demanded a trade. But coach Mike Shanahan has not blinked as of yet. Shanahan has demanded that he report to camp and play in the scheme used by Washington.

This will be a situation worth monitoring as camp moves forward.

The Philadelphia Eagles:

How will such a young team cope with the loss of veteran leader Donovan McNabb?

Donovan McNabb has been a fixture in Philadelphia sports for the last ten years, and has brought The Eagles to 5 NFC Championship games. Now, Philadelphia sports an even younger team than ever before, with young Kevin Kolb at the helm.

Kolb will have youngsters Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, and Lesean McCoy to work with, but will the inexperience come back to haunt them in 2010?

Don’t forget that in the past 2 years Philly has also lost Brian Dawkins and Brian Westbrook.

Out with the old, in with the new.

How will defensive coordinator Sean McDermott fare in his second year?

The Eagles’ defense had a down year in 2009, but it was overlooked of course due to drama surrounding Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb as usual.

Many of the players including Asante Samuel have expressed their lack of trust in the scheme McDermott was employing.

This will be worth monitoring as the season presses on in 2010.

Once again, I see no way that The NFC East is not the most competitive division in football this season.

CBS Sportsline has live giants training camp updates.

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Posted in 2009 Giants, 2010 Giants, Aaron Ross, Ahmad Bradshaw, Albert Haynesworth, Antrel Rolle, Brandon Jacobs, Chris Canty, Dallas Cowboys, David Diehl, DeSean Jackson, Deon Grant, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Giants Training Camp, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jerry Jones, Kareem McKenzie, Keith Bulluck, Kenny Phillips, Kevin Kolb, Linval Joseph, New York Giants, Perry Fewell, Philadelphia Eagles, Rich Seubert, Washington Redskins | 89 Comments »

Eli and the Giants Rank Among Sports’ Richest

July 22nd, 2010 at 8:13 AM
By Kyle Langan

In a recent piece called The 2010 Fortune 50 Sports Illustrated counted down the 50 highest paid athletes in the year 2010.

Eli Manning ranked 13th overall, tied with C.C. Sabathia with a total of $26,500,000. Though their total earnings were fairly dead even, Eli managed to make $7,000,000 in endorsements, while Sabathia made a mere $500,000. Eli’s brother Peyton, who ranks 9th overall, raked in over $15,000,000 in endorsements, by far the highest of any NFL player. In yet another impressive statistic, Eli ranked 43 overall in 2009. Even though football hasn’t started yet, its safe to say it has been a great year for Eli already.

Among NFL players, only Peyton (9th) and Matthew Stafford (11th) fared better than Eli (13th).

One can only hope that Eli’s stock rises as much as a quarterback in 2010 as it did financially.

The Giants themselves have not fared too badly either.

Forbes has them ranked as the 7th richest sports franchise, at $1.18 billion. The Giants were purchased by Tim Mara in 1925 for $500.

The Patriots, Redskins, and Cowboys were the only NFL teams that ranked higher than the Giants (don’t worry The Giants were the most watched NFL team in 2009 though according to ratings).

This may not remain the case for long though, as the Giants will be looking at a lucrative deal with regards to the naming rights of the new stadium.

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Posted in 2010 Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Eli Manning, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Peyton Manning, Washington Redskins | 87 Comments »

Giant Weakness: Special Teams

July 20th, 2010 at 8:49 AM
By Rich O'Callaghan

I am confident that the New York Giants have improved offensively and defensively over the off-season due to additions and the improved health of both units. However, the team still has one major weakness that they will have to overcome to become elite once again in 2010. Of course I am talking about special teams. Why do I think the Giants special teams will struggle?

  • The Retirement of Jeff Feagles - After an illustrious 22 year career, Giants punter Jeff Feagles retired on April 30th at the age of 44. Feagles no longer had a big leg, but was still a fantastic directional punter for the Giants, who often pinned opponents deep in their own territory. Feagles holds records for: Most Consecutive Games Played (352), Most Career Punts (1,713), Most Punts Inside the 20 (497) and Most Punting Yards Career (71,211). His retirement was not unexpected, but his consistency will be greatly missed in 2010.
  • Rookie Punter: Matt Dodge - With the 221st pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Giants drafted punter Matt Dodge from East Carolina. Dodge is known for his big leg, and he can easily boot the ball over 50-yards. He does have to improve on his accuracy, and has had problems angling his punts in the past, which the Giants like to do strategically to keep the ball away from dangerous divisional return men like DeSean Jackson (Eagles) and Felix Jones (Cowboys). The Giants need Dodge to step up right away and fill the void left by Feagles’ retirement. I am cautiously optimistic that he is up to the task, but he is an unknown entering the 2010 season. I am also hoping that Dodge will be able to kick the ball off for the Giants, because Lawrence Tynes was awful on kickoffs in 2009, and the Giants attempt to sign kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd fell through this off season, as he opted to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Lawrence Tynes’ Struggles - One of the biggest frustrations Giants fans have had over the past few seasons has been the up and down play of place kicker Lawrence Tynes. For example, Tynes biggest kick as a Giant came when he hit the game-winning 47-yard field goal in overtime at frigid Green Bay to win the 2007-2008 NFC Championship for the Giants en route to a Super Bowl victory. Of course, Tynes missed two potentially game winning field goals earlier in this same game. His inconsistency is maddening, and I often find it hard to watch as Tynes sets for a field goal attempt, even kicks that should be automatic. I feel that Tynes usually kicks the ball well in high pressure situations, but seems to miss a lot of easy field goals early in games. He is also terrible at kicking the ball off, and opponents usually have great field position when beginning drives against the Giants. I am hoping that rookie punter Matt Dodge can use his big leg and relieve Tynes of this duty, making him strictly a place kicker. I would love to see the Giants bring in a more consistent kicker to battle Tynes, as they have in the past, but so far Tynes had beaten all challengers for the job. I am shocked by how few reliable kickers are currently playing in the NFL. If you want your kid to have a decent shot at the league, have them practice kicking.
  • Domenik Hixon’s Knee Injury - Earlier this off season at OTAs, receiver Domenik Hixon suffered a torn ACL and was lost for the 2010 season. He was subsequently waived by the organization and was placed on the injured reserve upon clearing waivers on July 17th. Hixon was a speedy receiver who was a threat to beat a defense deep, but his real value came on special teams, where he was one of the best return men in the league. In 2009, Hixon averaged a respectable 22.6 yards per kickoff return and was second in the league in punt return average (behind Philly’s DeSean Jackson) with a 15.1 yards per punt return average, running one back for a touchdown. The Giants have many players who are capable of returning punts, but I consider some of the options (Antrel Rolle, Ahmad Bradshaw, Aaron Ross, Mario Manningham) too valuable for such a high risk job. It will be interesting to see if the Giants fill the return man role internally (Sinorice Moss, Tim Brown, D.J. Ware) or look outside the organization. The answer could be a player who has not yet been cut from another roster.

Entering 2010 the Giants have a lot of unanswered questions on special teams. It will be interesting to see how this unit comes together as training camp and the preseason unfold. The Giants have players capable of making their special teams surprisingly effective this coming season, but right now, I see the unit as the team’s biggest question mark, that could struggle and even cost Big Blue some games early on.

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Posted in 2010 Giants, Aaron Ross, Ahmad Bradshaw, Antrel Rolle, D.J. Ware, DeSean Jackson, Domenik Hixon, Felix Jones, Jeff Feagles, Lawrence Tynes, Mario Manningham, Matt Dodge, Sinorice Moss | 45 Comments »

Defensive Linemen Key to Giants Turnaround

July 14th, 2010 at 9:42 AM
By Rich O'Callaghan

The New York Giants defense did not meet expectations last season. We watched a defense that was regarded as one of the top in the league at the start of the year fall apart by seasons end. The Giants were unable to stop the run, rush the passer or cover opposing targets in 2009 and it was a major factor in the team’s 8-8 record. The defense is expected to rebound in a big way during the 2010 season for many reasons, starting with improved play from the defensive line. These are some of the defensive linemen who will need to have a major impact if the Giants are able to turnaround the defense in 2010 and once again become and elite unit:

  •  Osi Umenyiora - There is little doubt that the Giants pass rush specialist was not himself in 2009, managing just 29 tackles and 7.0 sacks, while being manhandled on the field by opposing offensive linemen for the majority of the year. Osi also fell out of favor with the Giants fan base by complaining about his playing time for much of the off season and stopping just short of demanding a trade. Gone is Bill Sheridan, the former Giants defensive coordinator who feuded with and ultimately benched him, which should quiet his complaints. Remember, Umenyiora missed the entire 2008 season with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, normally regarded as an injury that takes a full two years to recover from, and he should be much more effective in 2010 following another off season regaining confidence in his knee. If he can regain his 2007 form (52 tackles, 13.0 sacks) and once again become one of the NFL’s elite defensive ends, it will be a huge boost for the Giants pass rush. 
  • Justin Tuck - Make no mistake about it, Justin Tuck is a warrior and one of the most dominant defensive ends in the NFL against both the running and passing games. Tuck was a force to start the 2009 season, ripping the Redskins apart with 5 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and I was sure that he was finally going to get the recognition he deserves league-wide. That all changed on a cheapshot from Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams in a week two victory at Dallas. Tuck was tripped from behind and tore the labrum in his shoulder trying to brace himself, which clearly bothered him all season and required offseason surgery. If Tuck can return to 2008 from (67 tackles, 12.0 sacks) and avoid injury this season, the Giants defensive line will improve dramatically.
  • Mathais Kiwanuka - When I look back at the 2009 season, I think Kiwanuka was the best player on the Giants defensive line, somewhat because he was the most healthy player in the unit. Kiwi may not have been a dominant pass rusher, but he also did not have a lot of help, sacking the quarterback just three times. However, he was fantastic in run support, with 61 tackles in 2009. This is a big year for Kiwanuka, as it is the last season of his contract; I hope he stays a solid run defender while getting to the quarterback more often in 2010.
  • Chris Canty - The Giants big ticket free agent signing last offseason, Canty was bothered by serious hamstring and calf injuries which nagged the defensive tackle throughout the 2009 campaign, costing him eight games. Canty managed only 8 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2009, which was also his first season as a defensive tackle in the 4-3 alignment (Canty was previously a 3-4 Defensive End in Dallas). If he can stay healthy in 2010 and is able to grow more accustomed to playing on the interior of the line, Canty will be much more productive this season. 
  • Jay Alford - Entering the 2009 season, Jay Alford was my pick to be the most improved player on the Giants. Reports out of training camp boasted of his explosive first step and improved pass rush skills, and I was certain he would have a major impact for Big Blue. Then during a preseason game, Alford tore the MCL and partially tore the ACL in one of his knees, and he was lost for the season. This was one of the many injuries that really hurt the Giants defensive line depth last season, as it seems nearly every member of the unit missed major time with injuries. The good news is Alford has had nearly a full year to heal and rehab this injury. Although he may be a year away from being the player he was becoming before the injury, Alford is another talented lineman who is expected to play a big role this season.
  • Barry Cofield - Another player who had off season surgery prior to the 2009 season and did not seem right as the year went on, the Giants nose tackle and best “clogger” should rebound in 2010. Cofield managed only 35 tackles and 1.0 sack in 2009, following a huge 2008 season that saw him make 43 tackles and 3.0 sacks, while getting a great push in the middle of the defensive front. Cofield was a restricted free agent following last season, and was nearly traded to the Saints during the draft, so he has a lot to prove in 2010. 
  • Jason Pierre-Paul - I recently heard NFL analyst Chris Collinsworth on the Bill Simmons’ podcast The BS Report and he claimed that JPP was the most impressive rookie on film in the 2010 Draft Class, and one of the best players he has seen on film in 15 years studying tape of incoming rookies. Pierre-Paul’s combination of size, speed and athleticism is something to behold, and I am starting to think we will see a little more of him this season, which I once thought would basically be a “red-shirt year” for him. I have heard reports from practices where JPP is lining up all over the field, at both defensive tackle spots, both defensive end spots, even rushing standing up as a linebacker. I think new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell will work JPP into the game plan as the season goes on and we will start seeing more of him around midseason.
  • Linval Joseph - The Giants other rookie, who is drawing rave reviews early on, second round pick Linval Joseph is truly a mountain of a man. At 6′5 328lbs he is praised for how strong, quick and hard working he has been early on in his career. He may not make a huge impact this season, but I hope he gets worked into the defensive front in certain packages, like goal line or 4th and short where his size could be a factor. I think Joseph will eventually become an elite defensive tackle going forward, and think the sky is the limit for this kid.

Posted in 2010 Giants, Barry Cofield, Flozell Adams, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jay Alford, Justin Tuck, Linval Joseph, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, Rich O'Callaghan | 50 Comments »

How Tough Will The Road to The Super Bowl Be in the NFC?

June 24th, 2010 at 4:06 PM
By Kyle Langan

Each year, the focus of every team is primarily on winning their own division, then competing to seeding in the post season. Thinking about this process has me wondering: how tough will the road to the Superbowl be in The NFC?

Despite the fact that the defending champs reside in The NFC, I do believe it is the weaker of the two conferences. With The Colts in The AFC, that conference is always a tough road. Any team wishing to make it to the big game will likely have to beat Peyton Manning in his own building. Sure it has been done before, but its not easy. Factor in the ultra competitive AFC East  and AFC North divisions, and grabbing a wild card spot will be very tough in The AFC. There are three teams in both the north and east who could be considered playoff teams this coming year (Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Dolphins, Bengals, and Patriots). In fact, each of those teams had an outside shot at the post-season in 2009 with two weeks to go.

Then of course there are The Houston Texans, another very strong team.

What will make this conference so tough is the gauntlet of talent- saturated teams (such as Houston, The Jets, and Miami) combined with teams loaded with post-season experience (like Baltimore and Pittsburgh), topped off with the reigning AFC Champion Colts, led by the tremendous Peyton Manning.

Each pose a threat to make a run in their own respect.

In The NFC, The Vikings (with Favre) and The Saints still represent the two top teams in the conference. The Cardinals are sure to take a fall after losing all- pro quarterback Kurt Warner along with Karlos Dansby, Antrel Rolle, and Anquan Boldin.

If Green Bay doesn’t knock off Minnesota as division champions, they will likely secure another wild- card birth. This leaves the NFC East winner and one other wild card spot open.

I do not feel as if any team in The NFC South other than The Saints are complete enough to make a run. The Falcons and Panther have tough teams with a great attitude, bu Matt Moore’s lack of experience and Atlanta’s lack of defensive talent will hurt both of those teams.

The NFC East will be its usual chaotic self, with Philadelphia taking a fall this year. The most important thing that Donovan McNabb brought to to the table for Philly was that he was the glue that held all of the young talent on that team together. Their immaturity will come out in 2010.

The key to this conference is Brett Favre, and New Orleans.

Why New Orleans?

Well, in 2007 and 2008 they were 8-8 and 7-9 respectively. They could prove to be a one hit wonder and have another down year this year (they did get some absolutely insane breaks late in the year in 2009).

If they struggle and Favre doesn’t come back, The Packers, Cowboys,and Giants look to have the best shot at getting to The Superbowl.

The Giants Perspective

Speaking for The Giants, I love the spot they are in. Right now, Dallas is penciled in as NFC champs, with The Giants flying very far under the radar. No one expects much from The Giants after a terrible 2009.

This is where The Giants thrive.

Quietly, The Giants have made what is maybe the upgrade of the entire offseason in getting defensive coordinator Perry Fewell combined with a healthy Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle.

Fewell led a talent- bereft Bills defense to a very solid year, sporting the 2nd best interception total in The NFL, the best red zone defense in The AFC (Giants were the leagues worst last year), and The Bills themselves had a better yards per play average than did The Minnesota Vikings, who ranked 4th in The NFL in total defense.

Those upgrades alone, combined with having a more experienced receiving core for Eli Manning to work with will help get The Giants back to form, even if little else goes right for them.

Lets hope it leads to another playoff run.

Posted in 2008 Giants, 2009 Giants, 2010 Giants, Anquan Boldin, Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Karlos Dansby, Kenny Phillips, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFC East, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Perry Fewell, Peyton Manning, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers | 70 Comments »

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