GIANTS REPORT CARD

QUARTERBACKS: F

There was a dramatic second-half swoon last season by Eli Manning (14 of 32, 121 yards, 2 INTs) and Giants hope this isn’t the start of another one. Off-target and out-of-sorts.

RUNNING BACKS: A

The performance of Tiki Barber (19-141) demanded more carries. Burst for 46 yards got Giants back, briefly. Time for Brandon Jacobs (2-9, 2 TDs) to ditch the pregnant football scoring celebration.

WIDE RECEIVERS: D

No Amani Toomer means extra attention on Plaxico Burress (4-48). Nifty sideline work by David Tyree (4-38) but Tim Carter (no catches) was invisible.

TIGHT ENDS: D

Ridiculous that Jeremy Shockey (1-15) so underutilized. Wasn’t even thrown to in first half. Maybe he should report in as an eligible receiver.

OFFENSIVE LINE: C-

LT Bob Whitfield stepped in for Luke Petitgout, and was beaten like a drum by DE Alex Brown (two sacks). Block by Rich Seubert sprung Barber for 21 yards.

DEFENSIVE LINE: C

Rookie Mathias Kiwanuka impressive on first career INT and 32-yard return. Bad roughing penalties on Fred Robbins and William Joseph.

LINEBACKERS: B

Antonio Pierce (15 tackles) tried to make up for all the injuries. He was terror vs. the run (Thomas Jones needed 30 carries to get 113 yards).

SECONDARY: C-

Sam Madison (hamstring) re-injured himself. WR Muhsin Muhammad (7-123, 1 TD) too much for Corey Webster. Will Demps missed tackle on Jones’ 26-yard gain. Gibril Wilson (nine tackles, forced fumble) extremely active.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Switch to Derrick Ward on kick returns got some desired north-south running and may have sparked Chad Morton on punt returns, as he broke off a 36-yarder. Coverage solid, thanks in part to smart punting.

KICKING GAME: C

Don’t blame Jay Feely for 52-yard FG into the wind. What’s Feely supposed to tell the coach, I can’t make it? Guys on the field have to stay awake, though. Jeff Feagles did the right thing by punting the ball away from Hester.

COACHING: F

Open the floodgates and let Tom Coughlin have it. Trying long FG instead of pinning the Bears back defied logic. Exactly what he’s not supposed to do: Put his players in bad positions. Coughlin knows better, doesn’t he?