2008 New York Giants Predictions & NFL Picks
June 13, 2008
The New York Giants rode the us-against-the-world theory all the way to a Super Bowl Championship in 2007. Even after that victory, nobody is really believing they were the best team in football last year. So now the Giants will have a great mindset heading into fall practices to try and prove their naysayer’s wrong. The Giants will have a chip on their shoulders and they will compete in the strong NFC East again in 2008. Info Plays gives you a team preview of what to expect in the Big Apple this season with our 2008 New York Giants predictions below.
Offense:
Eli Manning had a remarkable playoff run and proved he could win the big game. He is the one that led a miraculous final drive to win Super Bowl XLII in on of the most dramatic finishes in the NFL’s history. He just has to avoid the big mistakes and throw the ball as consistently as he did in the playoffs and the Giants’ offense could take off this season.
Who could possibly replace Tiki Barber? That question got answered in a big way last season as Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward had great starts in 2007. Then Ward broke his leg, and Ahmad Bradshaw became the perfect compliment to Jacobs’ bruising style. Throw in veteran Reuben Droughns, and the Giants have the back to hit teams in a variety of ways.
Plaxico Burress showed a lot of heart by playing basically the entire season on one ankle, and at times on one knee. If he comes back healthy this season, there is no doubt he will be in the Pro Bowl by the end of the season. Amani Toomer is a veteran that Manning can trust to get first downs and tough yards. The chemistry between Manning and second-year man Steve Smith blossomed in the playoffs. There’s also Jeremy Shockey, who when healthy is still one of the game’s best tight ends. Shockey just has to get his head screwed on straight and prove that he wants to be part of this team before the season starts.
David Diehl has proven he can play every spot on the offensive line, and he might be moved again this season. Left tackle was his best spot last year in an experiment turned into a gold mine. He’s really symbolic of the entire offensive line. There appears to be only one future Pro Bowler in their starting five with right guard Chris Snee. But together, they’ve become one of the best units in the league. Left guard Rich Seubert, center Shaun O’Hara and right tackle Kareem McKenzie prove that the sum is greater than the individual parts.
Defense:
The Giants offer one of the best defensive lines in the league. Tom Brady was battered and bruised in Super Bowl XLII as the Giants just kept throwing more fresh bodies at home on every play. Their depth runs so deep that one of their most promising ends in Mathias Kiwanuka had to be moved at linebacker for now. Michael Strahan is gone to retirement, but the Giants still have Osi Umenyiora on the other side and up-and-coming star Justin Tuck to fill Strahan’s shoes on the other side. Defensive tackles Cofield and Robbins are both solid and stout stopping the run, but the Giants are looking for more of a pass rush from these two.
Kiwanuka started to look like a solid linebacker when he broke his leg. Coaches are planning on leaving him there, unless Strahan’s retirement changes that decision by the start of the season. Antonio Pierce in the middle is the anchor of a corps that does have some question marks on the weak side. They lost Kawika Mitchell to free agency and took on veteran Danny Clark to push Gerris Wilkerson for the weak side spot. Weak side linebacker is clearly the Giants’ biggest weakness heading into 2008.
The secondary thrived due to the tremendous pass rush the Giants were able to muster last season. They’re young and full of potential as well, so this unit should only get better. Aaron Ross is big and fast and will be a star some day. Corey Webster salvaged his career with a great playoff run. High hopes ride on speedy Kevin Dockery and Terrell Thomas, an injury-prone second-round pick out of USC. New York brought in veteran Sammy Knight to replace Gibril Wilson, who left to free agency. First-round pick Kenny Phillips was the biggest addition via NFL Draft and the Giants want him to be what Brian Dawkins is to Philly at safety.
Info Plays 2008 New York Giants Predictions:
With the Giants still having a chip on their shoulder, we feel New York will compete for the NFC East crown this season. They likely won’t be able to overcome the Cowboys, but a return trip to the playoffs is basically a shoe-in. The Giants will finish 2nd in the NFC East and will have to settle for another run at the Super Bowl from the Wild Card spot as a No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
