MOST IMPORTANT OFFENSIVE PLAYER
Tiki Barber. No one else on the roster can do what he does and, actually, he might be underrated as far as his value.
MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Sam Madison. The veteran cornerback acquired in free agency has to be a reliable cover man and prove he hasn’t lost much from his glory days in Miami.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Sinorice Moss. He’s been slowed all summer with a strained quad, but once he’s healed, those screens and reverses will come fast and furious for this polished receiver from the University of Miami.
STAR ON THE RISE
Antonio Pierce, middle linebacker. Severe ankle injury robbed him of the accolades he deserved down the stretch of last season. He’s an old-fashioned, no-nonsense, thinking-man’s player with a nasty disposition on the field.
BIGGEST GAME
At Dallas, Oct. 23. Monday Night Football tunes in for GiantsCowboys at Texas Stadium, a game the Giants need to win to gain the upper hand in the division.
BIGGEST COACHING DECISION
Finding a way to keep the galaxy of stars in the offensive constellation happy. Barber, Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Jeremy Shockey all need the ball and only one can have it at a time.
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF . . .
Barber approaches the career year he had last season. He’s in superior shape and primed for what could be his last go-round with the Giants. Plus, he’s darn good.
SURE TO MAKE BIG BLUE FANS GRUMBLE
Seeing William Joseph pushed off the line of scrimmage. Hearing radio man Bob Papa exclaim “Eli Manning is down and he appears shaken.” Watching Terrell Owens prance around the Giants Stadium end zone. Listening as Tom Coughlin tries to explain why his team, once again, is so heavily penalized.
THE GIANTS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF . . .
Manning completes 58 percent of his passes. LaVar Arrington plays in 14 games. Brandon Jacobs scores 10 TDs. Madison and Corey Webster combine for eight interceptions. They beat the Colts in the season opener.
THE GIANTS WILL MISS THE PLAYOFFS IF . . .
Manning misses two games. Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora don’t combine for 23 sacks. Luke Petitgout’s back spasms force him out of three games. They aren’t 2-1 before the bye week. Burress is fined three times.
THE SCHEDULE
Sept. 10 INDIANAPOLIS 8:15 NBC
Sept. 17 at Philadelphia 1:00 FOX
Sept. 24 at Seattle 4:15 FOX
Oct. 1 Bye week
Oct. 8 WASHINGTON 1:00 FOX
Oct. 15 at Atlanta 1:00 FOX
Oct. 23 at Dallas 8:30 ESPN
Oct. 29 TAMPA BAY 1:00 FOX
Nov. 5 HOUSTON 1:00 CBS
Nov. 12 CHICAGO 1:00 FOX
Nov. 20 at Jacksonville 8:30 ESPN
Nov. 26 at Tennessee 1:00 FOX
Dec. 3 DALLAS 1:00 FOX
Dec. 10 at Carolina 1:00 FOX
Dec. 17 PHILADELPHIA 1:00 FOX
Dec. 24 NEW ORLEANS 1:00 FOX
Dec. 30 at Washington 8:00 NFLN
(Starting times subject to change beginning Nov. 12 due to national TV game selections).
SIZING UP BIG BLUE
QUARTERBACKS
Don’t stay up nights worrying about Eli Manning’s development. He’s headed for stardom soon enough; for now he’ll be plenty good. He’d better stay healthy, as neither Tim Hasselbeck nor Jared Lorenzen scares any opponent.
RUNNING BACKS
Can he continue to defy the odds and continue to get better after the age of 30? That’s the question for Tiki Barber, the best back in franchise history. Look for bruising Brandon Jacobs to pick up some of the load.
RECEIVERS
Moody-but-physically-dominant Plaxico Burress and steady Amani Toomer are a formidable starting duo, and if speed demon Tim Carter proves the summer was no fluke and rookie Sinorice Moss is as good as advertised this is quite a unit.
TIGHT ENDS
No team feels comfortable matching up with Jeremy Shockey, who is learning to keep his raging competitive fury in check. Visanthe Shiancoe can block but hasn’t developed into much more.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The same solid gang returns intact and should benefit from the continuity. Get used to guards Chris Snee and David Diehl; they’re going to be around a long while.
DEFENSIVE LINE
No team can boast two ends like Pro Bowlers Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and few teams have such young talent in reserve akin to Justin Tuck and rookie Mathias Kiwanuka. Up the middle will be a problem, unless Fred Robbins suddenly finds his motor and rookie Barry Cofield is the answer at nose tackle.
LINEBACKERS
Is LaVar Arrington the real deal? If he is, this is some group, with heady Antonio Pierce in the middle and Arrington imposing his physical will on the strong side. If Carlos Emmons isn’t healthy enough, rookie Gerris Wilkinson may have to be.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Corey Webster appears ready for a big push forward and must have Sam Madison to lean on for veteran guidance. Safeties Will Demps and Gibril Wilson are better hitters than in coverage and R.W. McQuarters has experience at nickel back.
SPECIAL TEAMS
All the ingredients are in place for dominance here, with two skilled returners in Chad Morton and McQuarters, plus one of the best coverage men in the league in Pro Bowler David Tyree. The coach, Mike Sweatman, is also top-flight.
KICKERS
Jay Feely had an excellent first year with the Giants, other than his nightmarish showing in Seattle, and he wants to attempt the big field goal. At 40 years old, Jeff Feagles is entering his 19th season after seriously considering retirement. The Giants are relieved this directional specialist reconsidered.
COACHING
Tom Coughlin has every detail covered and is certainly not conservative in the way he attacks a game. But can he inspire players to go the extra mile for him?
PREDICTION 11-5 – NFC EAST CHAMPS
This is a good team with most of the necessary pieces in place, including a rising star at quarterback. The schedule is rugged, but not impossible, and the Giants each week will put more playmakers on the field than most of their opponents.
