Giant Report card

QUARTERBACKS: B

Make a few plays, don’t screw up, be careful. That’s the marching or ders for Eli Manning (16 of 31, 154 yards, 1 TD) when throwing through gusts. He passed his first wind test.

RUNNING BACKS: B

Rough going for Tiki Barber (26-68 rushing, 3-20 receiving), as Bucs swarmed him. If bruising Brandon Jacobs (7-41, 1 TD) is going to carry the load next season, he’s going to have to avoid contact once in a while.

WIDE RECEIVERS: B

If Plaxico Burress (7-86, 1 TD) played with this much focus and concentration every week, he’d be a Pro Bowler. Smartly came back to the ball vs. the wind and one-handed grab over Ronde Barber in end zone a thing of beauty.

TIGHT ENDS: C+

Little itty-bitty stuff for Jeremy Shockey (3-15) on his modest pass routes and did not exactly show vise-grip hands.

OFFENSIVE LINE: B

Tough going here when passing game is limited and all the world knows you’re going to run. Protection was fine and no penalties all a plus.

DEFENSIVE LINE: A

Michael Strahan didn’t get his record-breaking sack but he was a force, with four hurries and his usual mayhem vs. the run. Mathias Kiwanuka in first start got the first of what should be many more sacks.

LINEBACKERS: A

Antonio Pierce (eight tackles, one forced fumble) is manhandling opposing running games (40 rushing yards allowed).

SECONDARY: A

Not much in the way of extreme challenges, given the kid QB and the conditions. CB R.W. McQuarters had no problems.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B+

Bad and rare penalty on ace David Tyree on punt coverage kept alive Bucs possession and prevented the shutout.

KICKING GAME: B+

Old vet Jeff Feagles got the call nine times and hit some beauties early. Jay Feely hit a 31-yard FG and got two touchbacks.

COACHING: B+

Trap game? Don’t go there with Tom Coughlin. New parts in place for Tim Lewis but no issues. Might we have seen a little more of Jacobs, who was too big for the smaller Bucs?