A Preview of The 2007 New York Giants: Offense...
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by Ssj3alucard
As Seen on 3rdstringsafety.blogspot.com
Quarterback: It’s make or break time for Eli Manning. While enjoying some success over the first three years of his career, Manning has also suffered maddening inconsistency. The spotlight will shine brighter than ever before on Eli, due to Tiki Barber’s retirement and entrance into the media world. This means that more of the offensive focus will be on the passing game. New offensive co-ordinator Kevin Gilbride and new quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer will retain much of the old playbook while attempting to revive an offense that went flat over the last eight games of the 2006 season.
Manning will also be forced to take on more of a leadership role in Barber’s absence. Many people have questioned his toughness as his body language during games has not always been encouraging. However, the franchise quarterback does not seem deterred by the added responsibility.
“We are going to have to see what we will be able to do better this year than last year from an offensive standpoint,” Manning Said. “A lot of that comes during training camp. Our offense is going to change because we have a new coordinator and we are just going to see in what ways we are going to be better than last year.”
Behind Manning, journeymen Anthony Wright and Tim Hasselbeck will compete with “The Hefty Lefty” Jared Lorenzen for two backup spots, with Hasselbeck likely being the odd man out.
Running Backs: With the aforementioned Barber’s retirement, Brandon Jacobs will get a chance to carry the load for the first time in his career. Formerly a short yardage specialist, the 6-4, 264 pound running back showed flashes of big play potential during his first two NFL seasons. While no one doubts, Jacobs ability to pound the ball between the tackles, he will have to become a more complete back by improving his pass-catching and blocking skills in order to stay on the field on third down as well as improve his 3.7 yards per carry average from last year.
In an effort to hedge some of the risk of turning the starter’s role over to Jacobs, the Giants traded for Reuben Droughns, who has been a 1200 yard rusher with both the Browns and the Broncos. Last year, he ran for 753 yards and four touchdowns while battling injuries. Droughns figures to spilt carries with Jacobs and form a powerful tandem of backs that will wear defenses down.
One player to watch on the Giants is 7th round draft pick Ahmad Bradshaw from Marshall. He has a shifty running style, and is said to remind some of a young Tiki Barber. Bradshaw fell in the draft due to off-field concerns and could be a steal if he can stay on the field.
Wide Receivers: Plaxico Burress continues to be an enigma. His skills and size should put him into the elite level of receivers. However, his tendency to take plays off and lack of chemistry with Eli Manning has held him back. Last year, Burress caught ten TDs as his rapport with his starting quarterback improved. The question this year will be if he can take the next step and become a true game-changer.
After Burress, the receiver situation gets crowded. Amani Toomer made the transition from number one receiver to secondary option beautifully, learning to run shorter routes and become Manning’s safety valve. When he went down in week nine last year with a torn ACL, Manning’s numbers sharply declined. While Toomer figures to start opposite Burress out of camp, it will depend on how well Toomer recovers from his surgery and how soon he can be 100 percent.
Toomer will have to hold off two promising rookies in Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith. Moss’ rookie season was cut short by injuries and lack of practice time, but figures to be more involved in the Giants offense this season. His skills are suited very well to the third receiver, meaning he will be lining up in the slot.
Smith is a true wild card. Not to be confused with Carolina’s Steve Smith, he is a 2nd round draft pick out of USC. While he does not feature tremendous size at 5’11, he is a very polished receiver who runs sharp routes and shined during mini-camp. People have begun comparing him to a shorter version of Toomer.
Jeremy Shockey returns at tight end. The blonde-haired lion will try again to return to Pro Bowl form, as he battled injuries and averaged only 9.1 yards per reception. “It doesn’t take many balls downfield to improve that,” said tight ends coach Mike Pope, who has been Shockey’s tutor since he came into the league. “Hopefully, something that we can come out of this camp with is the ability to push the ball downfield more.”
Offensive Line: The Giants line was rock solid last season, until left tackle Luke Petitgout was injured and the team was never able to find a competent replacement.
Petitgout was released in the offseason and David Diehl will slide over from guard to play left tackle. Many wonder whether Diehl has the natural athletic ability to play the premier position on the offensive line.
Outside of Diehl, the line figures again to be amongst the NFC’s best. Rich Seubert has finally recovered from the broken leg he suffered in 2004 opener and will take over the left guard spot. Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee and Kareem McKenzie all played very well last season and will return.
