GIANTS 101

The New York Giants open the 2010 season at home on Sunday against a young and scrappy Carolina Panthers’ team. After a promising 5-0 start last season the Giants fell apart and finished with an 8-8 record, much of which was due to injuries to several key defensive starters. Who are the impact players who will lead a Giants defensive turnaround this season, and get them back to their winning ways?

• Justin Tuck - The Pro Bowl defensive end is clearly one of the most physically gifted players in the NFL, but a cheap-shot from former Cowboys offensive tackle Flozell Adams in week two last season injured Tuck’s shoulder, which killed his productivity. Tuck is back, healthy and has assumed the role of a team leader this season. All indications are that this will be #91’s best season, and a healthy Tuck will definitely boost the Giants’ pass rush.
• Mathias Kiwanuka - The Giants other starting defensive end is a solid run defender, who struggled rushing the passer last season, managing just 3.0 sacks (his career high is 8.0 in 2008). Kiwi is in a contract year, and he will have to show his improvement in the pass rushing department if he expects the Giants to give him a new contract. The Giants still have pass rushing specialist Osi Umenyiora and the raw athletic freak Jason-Pierre Paul on the roster as well, so Kiwanuka needs to be productive this season if he wants to return in 2011, and he has the skills to make it happen.
• Osi Umenyiora - No longer a starter, Osi has stopped complaining about his role, and is now embracing entering the season as the Giants pass rushing specialist. Despite a lingering injury to his hip, which the Giants training staff will keep an eye on all season, Umenyoria has looked like his productive and explosive old self this preseason. By managing his snaps and limiting Osi to mostly just pass rushing, I expect him to have his most productive season since 2007.
• Chris Canty – The Giants big money free agent acquisition last summer, the massive (6′7 310lbs) Canty struggled with injuries last season, injuring his calf and then his hamstring, and playing hurt all season. He showed up at camp this summer in the best shape of his life, and was playing like the force he should be, until struggling with a minor groin injury. If the Giants can get Canty on the field at 100% in the opener on Sunday, it will greatly impact the interior defensive line, and free up their Pro Bowl ends to make plays.
• Barry Cofield & Rocky Bernard – Two veteran tackles who played poor football last season, Cofield (knee) and Benard (shoulder) were both injured in 2009. While Bernard looked great this preseason, Cofield continued to struggle, and there is speculation that he is unhappy with his contract. If the Giants can get both of these players once again playing at a high level, a rotation of them, rookie Linval Joseph and Chris Canty should give the team their strongest interior defensive line play in years.
• Jason Pierre-Paul & Linval Joseph - The Giants first two draft picks in April both play on the defensive line, and I think both are talented enough to have an impact on the defense this year. I expect we see Joseph as a member of the defensive tackle rotation early on, at first for a few snaps a game, and then more as the season progresses. His sheer size (6′5 335lbs) strength and quickness will be tough for offensive linemen to deal with right away. Jason Pierre-Paul has all of the athletic talent in the world, but is extremely raw, and I think he is a year away from showing us just how dangerous he really is. That being said, I think we still see him contribute this season in obvious passing situations, where he can make plays and bring pressure with his natural talent alone.
• Jonathan Goff - When the Giants signed veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck late this off season, it was expected that Bulluck would win the starting middle linebacker job from the inexperienced Goff, and take over the position for the opener. Goff outplayed Bulluck in the middle during training camp and the preseason, and fought to hold onto the starting position, as Bulluck shifted to his more natural strong side position. I expect Goff to play well this season, especially as a run defender, and hope to see him commanding the Giants defense on first and second downs.
• Michael Boley - New defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s defense is all about speed, and Boley is the Giants’ fastest linebacker, so I expect him to excel in this system. Boley finished second on the Giants in tackles last season (84 total) despite missing five full games due to injury and played hurt for much of the season when he was on the field. I think that if he stays healthy, Boley will finish the 2010 season as the Giants most productive and consistent linebacker.
• Keith Bulluck - One of the greatest and most consistent linebackers in the NFL over the past decade, Bulluck is still working his way into form, after a knee injury ended his 2009 season and his lengthy career with the Tennessee Titans. The Giants signed Bulluck to be an inside linebacker, but with Jonathan Goff playing well in the middle and Clint Sintim struggling to shed blockers on the strong side, the team made the decision to slide out Bulluck to his more natural position. Bulluck is a experienced player and a natural leader who should be solid on the field, while mentoring the Giants young linebackers off it.
• Corey Webster & Terrell Thomas - The Giants starting corner back tandem is extremely underrated by NFL experts, and I think they are poised for a fantastic season, as an improved pass rush will make their jobs easier. Keep your eyes focused on Thomas in the early going, he is a player that does not get the credit he deserves from the New York media. He led the Giants in tackles (85 total) and interceptions (five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown) last season, while notching 1.0 sack and forcing a fumble. These numbers should be even better in 2010, aided by the improved Giants pass rush.
• Aaron Ross – The man who cannot stay healthy, Ross is one of the Giants mist gifted athletes, but just cannot get on the field. After dealing with three hamstring tears last season, Ross looked to help the Giants at nickel back and as a punt returner this season. In the second preseason game Ross suffered plantar fasciitis injury in his foot and missed the rest of the preseason. There is some optimism that Ross will be able to return for the opener this Sunday, and he returned to practice on a limited basis today, but he will likely be a game time decision. With the inexperienced Bruce Johnson as the nickel back behind Ross, the Giants could certainly use him.
• Antrel Rolle - A free agent addition this off season, the ball-hawking safety proved his worth this preseason, intercepting passes from both Mark Sanchez (Jets) and Tom Brady (Patriots) and returning them long distances each time. Rolle’s athleticism and play-making ability should stand out instantly in 2010, because not having a decent safety killed the Giants starting in week three last season (the first game Kenny Phillips missed due to a season ending knee injury). Rolle will be a difference-maker for the Giants in 2010.
• Kenny Phillips - The Giants top safety was nothing short of awesome during the first two weeks of the 2009 season, as he had 13 tackles and two interceptions in the first two contests, both Giants victories. Then Phillips was diagnosed with a career threatening knee condition, and underwent surgery, ending his season. Without Phillips, or any reserves capable of replacing his production, the Giants defense and season fell apart. Phillips returns this season, and says he is 100% recovered, but I am still a little skeptical on this. I think the Giants will be substituting veteran Deon Grant in for Phillips every few series and giving him a breather as he gets his legs back under him. Of course Phillips (or Grant) playing next to Antrel Rolle is a huge upgrade over the Giants safety tandem last season, and if Phillips is eventually playing every snap (with Rolle), the Giants should have the best pair of safeties in the NFL.

NOTE:

• Running Back Brandon Jacobs is unhappy with the media after he was reported to be unhappy with a reduced role earlier this week,  answering all questions on the subject with a “Next Question” today, before firing off “You think I’m stupid, aren’t you? You guys are funny man.” Storming away and shouting a profanity.
• Kenny Phillips will officially be starting on Sunday against the Panthers, replacing Deon Grant, although I will not be surprised if Grant rotates into the game, giving Phillips breathers as he regains confidence in his knee.
• Rookie linebacker Phillip Dillard (hamstring) and safety Michael Johnson (personal reasons) were the only Giants who did not practice today, while center Shaun O’Hara (Ankle), cornerback Aaron Ross (foot) and linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (groin) were limited.