MOST IMPORTANT OFFENSIVE PLAYER
David Diehl. The second-year lineman enters his first season as right tackle and must hold up, or else.
MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Barrett Green. The free agent has to be a playmaker at weakside linebacker. If he’s not, the whole unit is in trouble.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Chris Snee. Tom Coughlin’s son-in-law brings a tough-as-nails persona and could be a fixture on the line for years.
STAR ON THE RISE
Eli Manning. It won’t be long before he starts to convince one and all he was worth the five draft picks the Giants unloaded to trade for him.
BIGGEST GAME
Sept. 19 vs. the Redskins at home. The second game of the season comes after the rugged opener in Philly. A loss in Week 2 could drop the Giants to 0-2.
BIGGEST COACHING DECISION
Knowing when to pull the plug on Kurt Warner and to entrust the team to Manning. Too early gets Manning in trouble, too late makes everyone around the team squirm.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF …
The Giants steal a few games because they are so well-prepared. Coughlin is fanatical about conjuring up unique situations for his team to study and dissect; the more rare and obscure, the better.
SURE TO MAKE BIG BLUE FANS GRUMBLE
Hearing radio man Bob Papa say “Tiki Barber up the middle, fumbles!” Seeing Ron Dayne tip-toe at the line of scrimmage. The Giants get a top-five pick in the 2005 NFL Draft but it’s the property of the Chargers.
THE GIANTS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF …
Warner starts 13 games. Jeremy Shockey starts 14 games. CBs Will Allen and Will Peterson combine for seven interceptions. Coughlin is caught smiling five times. Green has 110 tackles. Their turnover ratio is plus-eight.
THE GIANTS WILL MISS THE PLAYOFFS IF …
Manning starts 10 games. Luke Petitgout misses six games. Dayne doesn’t eat up yards. Michael Strahan’s sacks drop below double-figures. They don’t go at least 3-3 in the NFC East.
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Sizing Up Big Blue
QUARTERBACKS
Kurt Warner’s high-flying days are over, but if his right hand is healed and his head is clear, he should be fine. He won’t hold off Eli Manning, though.
RUNNING BACKS
Ron Dayne must prove he’s not a bust; he’ll get a legitimate chance to run the ball. Coughlin is not going to over-work Tiki Barber, so if Dayne can’t cut it, it’s trouble.
RECEIVERS
Veterans Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard have life in their tanks. If Tim Carter can’t stay healthy, there’s little speed or depth.
TIGHT ENDS
Jeremy Shockey must put his medical troubles behind him and become the team’s most dynamic force. Visanthe Shiancoe will make strides.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Should be better with added experience, but might not be good enough.
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE Michael Strahan is always a force. DTs Norman Hand and Fred Robbins have to do more than take up considerable space.
LINEBACKERS
Hard to believe whoever mans the middle will be anything other than ordinary, increasing the need for newcomers Barrett Green and Carlos Emmons to be better.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Is a more trim Shaun Williams at strong safety finally going to break through and be the kind of player the Giants expected him to be?
KICKER
Newly signed Steve Chr third kicker since camp
PUNTER
Jeff Feagles, at 38, remains effective.
COACHING
Tom Coughlin’s maniacal attention to detail is his so the Giants had better disciplined and smart, or
PREDICTION
Smarter and more disciplined will add to a few more wins, but coming off a 4-12 season, that’s no great shakes.
7-9
Last place, NFC East
*
THE SCHEDULE
Sept. 12 at Philadelphia 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 19 WASHINGTON 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 CLEVELAND 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Green Bay 1 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Dallas 1 p.m.
Oct. 17 Bye week
Oct. 24 DETROIT 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 at Minnesota 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 CHICAGO 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 14 at Arizona 4:15 p.m.
Nov. 21 ATLANTA 4:15 p.m.
Nov. 28 PHILADELPHIA 1 p.m.
Dec. 5 at Washington 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Baltimore 1 p.m.
Dec. 18 PITTSBURGH 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 26 at Cincinnati 1 p.m.
Jan. 2 DALLAS 8:30 p.m.
*
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Tom Coughlin’s reclamation project began at linebacker, where all three starters were dispatched.
LB MICHEAL BARROW: Starter for Redskins
OT CHRIS BOBER: Backup for Chiefs
QB KERRY COLLINS: Backup for Raiders
DT CORNELIUS GRIFFIN: Starter for Redskins
DT KEITH HAMILTON: Out of football
DE KENNY HOLMES: Out of football
LB DHANI JONES: Starter for Eagles
RB/KR BRIAN MITCHELL: Out of football
LB BRANDON SHORT: Backup for Panthers
