The 2011/2012 New York Football Giants Thread

[beng]

Since we nearly have a new CBA in place... time for a new thread.

Concerns:
Bradshaw's Health
Jacobs ability to pound the ball
The WR core & Its health
I like the defense, and I think the secondary will be much better (barring injuries)

Here's a good season preview from NFLTouchdown.com

Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants are no stranger to roller coasters. In fact, I bet the team visits a theme park before and after every game. It would make sense, since the franchise and its fans endure a roller coaster ride each season—chock-full of unpredictable uproar and positively bone-chilling excitement.



Last Season Recap

The Giants were off to a wild and whacky start last year—taking care of Carolina (31-19), but then getting their ass handed to them by Indianapolis (38-14) and Tennessee (29-10). New York came back with much more fire, roughing up the Bears (17-3) and Texans (34-10) and holding on against Detroit (28-20) and Dallas (41-35) in shootout fashion before the Week 8 bye.

The team was off to a hot start to November—blowing up Seattle (41-7) on the road, but followed with two division defeats against the Cowboys (33-20) and Eagles (27-17). Eli Manning and company got back on track in the next three tests, nudging by Jacksonville (24-20), blowing up Washington (31-7) and winning comfortably over Minnesota (21-3).

It wasn’t a fairytale ending, though, as the G-Men suffered an earth-shattering meltdown at the Meadowlands against Philadelphia (38-31) in the closing seconds, endured insurmountable embarrassment at Green Bay (45-17) and wrapped up the season with a win against Washington (17-14), but failed to make the playoffs from losing tie-breakers to the Packers and NFC East foe Philadelphia.



2011 Schedule

But the Giants will make their way back into the postseason in 2011, right? It’s tough to say at this point, especially since the NFC East is always up for grabs and I don’t watch the division with a set of binoculars. Still, this is a speculative series and I must toss in my two cents.

You can bet the entire organization wet its pants when the schedule was released for the upcoming season. It’s not too daunting on the surface with six playoff teams on the docket. But beneath the surface-level, it’s practically death-defying.

The team begins its conquest with Washington on the road and St. Louis at home on Monday night—the same two teams New York faced to start the 2006 season. The next four opponents are somewhat of a breeze with away games against the Eagles and Cardinals and the Seahawks and Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium before the Week 7 bye.

But then the scary part of the schedule kicks into swing.

After the bye, the Giants go toe-to-toe with Miami, who excels on the road, before facing back-to-back afternoon road tests against New England and San Francisco. November doesn’t get any easier for the G-Men—wrapping up the month with Philly back at home and the Saints in New Orleans.

The last five games aren’t a day at the beach, either.

First is Green Bay, next up is Dallas on the road, before battling Washington at home, facing the most-hated non-divisional opponent with the high-powered New York Jets and finishing with “America’s Team” at the Meadowlands.

For your average 10-6 team (2010 record), this schedule would present a difficult challenge.

For the G-Men, it’s an absolute nightmare. Sure, the first six games should be handled well, but this is a team that fades down-the-stretch, instead of suffering slow starts like San Diego. Therefore, the 10 tests after the bye week need to provide some relief, but they don’t, not in the very least. If the schedule was set up a little differently, I think you would see a reasonable amount of change in the overall outcome. With that said, Coughlin should cross his fingers because he’s on the hot seat, and if results aren’t shown, he’ll receive most of the blame, and the boot.



Offseason To-Do List

Aside from having to reverse an on-going recently historical trend, there are other things the Giants must do in order to crack playoffs and have a shot at another Super Bowl this season.

Add additional repairs to the offensive line for better protection should be at or near the top of the list. Linebacker also needs an answer—probably now more than ever.

I can’t remember the last time the Giants had a problem pounding it out in the ground game, but the days are numbered for Brandon Jacobs and confidence in Ahmad Bradshaw’s ability to stay healthy is rather slim. Danny Ware, Charles Scott and Da’Rel Scott won’t be taking on a large chunk of the load, either, so expect New York to sign someone via free agency.

The Giants are a “very strong organization that could put it all together again in 2011 after a few down years” and still possess a “great young group of receivers,” as NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora points out, as well as a “scary group of defensive linemen and secondary keeps improving.”

I agree with Jason in that the Giants could put it all together, but I don’t think they actually will at the end of the day—at least not in the upcoming season.

New York Giants 2011 Season Prediction: 9-7

Big M... your thoughts??

[beng]

Anyone else read the news about Bradshaw becoming an unrestricted FA when the lockout ends? I dont know why, but I thought the Gmen had a contract in place. ...he wants to stay but his agent says he could see him going to Miami ...that would be a big problem IMHO.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/p...urn=nfl-370673

[beng]

Bump! Gmen are talkin to Plexiglass. Ugh

[eggman95]

I'm just happy they got a new punter

[beng]

Hallelujah to that!

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

Rumor was Osi wanted to be on the "Trading Block". He got his wish, Giants want a 1st rd pick for him.

Osi should just finish out the last(I think) year of his contract and force Reese to make him a better deal.

Bradshaw is still testing the waters of free agency, thinking he is going to get a lot of money for fumbling the ball. So now we are looking at Jason Snelling to fill that role, or at least force Bradshaws hand.

We still have yet to resign Boss or even look at Miller as a TE option.


I think if we lose badly this year, Reese might get fired along with Coughlin.

[beng]

Right now... you cant feel that great about this team as compared to the NFC East competition.

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

The best thing we did during this FA period was sign a punter. Dodge was horrible.

I still have high hopes for this team with 12 days till our first pre-season game.

[beng]

Bradshaw is back

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

^^ Just read about that, one less thing to worry about. Hopefully he can get his fumbling issue corrected this season.

All that is left is Boss and Smith.


Smith is coming off microfracture surgery on his knee. Kind of worried about him, but if the Giants can get him cheap they should go for it.

I still haven't heard any reason as to why Boss hasn't been resigned and why we haven't looked into Miller(if CAP isn't an issue).

[Big M]

Sorry, beng...I'm way late to the party.

I'm not going into this season expecting much. The schedule isn't pretty, but I still don't think it's THAT bad. I'm more worried about how good Dallas and Philly look. I wouldn't rule out a 9-7 wild card berth, though. I'd be pretty happy with that.

Plax - Thank God! I can't believe NYG even entertained this guy with a meeting. Of all things, this team does not have a weakness at WR, even if Smith can't come back at full strength. That said, I'm not crazy about the Jets getting him...I can imagine this idiot putting up a nice game or two and talking more trash about Coughlin. He won't be a top-flight receiver, though. Good luck, Jets.

Bradshaw - I'm very happy to have him back. I think Coughlin did a great job managing the backfield last season. Realistically, we weren't going to score a premier RB in an offseason like this. And I don't really think the running game was a problem.

Linebackers - I don't like what we have, and I see no solutions. If we can keep Osi, then Perry Fewell can just keep going with the DE's instead of LB's. Add Prince Amukamara as another cover guy, and they might not really need LB's all that bad afterall.

OSI - A lot of FA's are just relaxing and accepting 1-yr deals just to get on the field. Coming out of a lockout with a new CBA and abbreviated off-season is just not a good time to pull this crap. Good luck finding another team to give up a 1st Rd pick AND pay you top dollar.

I honestly think the Jets should go after OSI. Not sure if he could do as well in a 3-4, but whatever.

Osi's email to the AP:
"I hope there is a chance [to work things out with the Giants]. But who knows. What really annoys me is the hypocrisy of people clamoring for my head for asking for a new deal or to be traded...

Saying I have two years left on my deal, these contracts only mean something to us? Where is O'Hara? Where is Seubert? True inspirational football players. They were cut after being injured. They have years left on their deal. Why is (Brandon) Jacobs asked to take a pay cut? He has (two) years left on his deal.

The fact is in the business we are in, if you get injured, or they feel like you underperformed, they cut you without hesitation. But if you clearly outplay your contract, and ask for something to be done, you're a bad guy and not a team player. It's ridiculous.

How does a guy who had one good year (no disrespect to Charles Johnson) sign a deal and make more than both me and (Justin) Tuck combined? It's not right. Everyone in this business understands that is exactly what it is. Business. And just like none of us get upset when our teammates are released due to business decisions, the teams also don't get upset when something like this happens. It's just frustrating to see how people react to one thing, and not the other. Just be fair."

[beng]

Welcome back. I agree pretty much on all points. Osi, well, I can see where he's coming from, but no team will give a #1. Id like to see him stick around.

Coughlin's comments after the Bradshaw signing made me laugh:

Something like...

"We'll stress three things... ball security, ball security and ball security" LMFAO

[Big M]

Osi no longer allowed to discuss trades with other teams. Giants just wanted him to see that no one would give up a 1st round pick. Osi is reportedly pissed. Honestly, I'm surprised that the Jets didn't make a serious run at him. Not that I want him to go there, but it makes a lot of sense for the Jets.

NYG has an offer on the table to Kevin Boss, but he's exploring options and is flirting with Oakland. And it looks like the Raiders are seriously interested.

[beng]

...Are there any other impact TEs out there?

Is Osi going to keep holding out? That sucks

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

Boss signed to Oakland, 4 yrs 16 million.

I really hope Jerry Reese gets fired after this season. What the hell is he doing? We haven't even resigned Smith yet, and we let Boss walk out the door. That doesn't include the Osi drama he can fix.

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

More bad news out of Giants land.

Prince is out with a broken foot, Patrick retired, and we just lost Smith to the Eagles.....






Who wants to set up the lynch mob for Jerry Reese, Coughlin and Eli?

[Big M]

Losing Steve Smith is bad PR (especially to Philly), but he's coming off of a scary knee procedure. And we have depth at WR. I love Nicks & Manningham, and have been hoping to see more of Victor Cruz since last year against the Jets.

Prince is going to hurt. That should come out to like 6 to 8 games. And he'll probably suck when he gets back due to missing training camp.

I'm most pissed about losing Boss, and Patrick retiring isn't helping. Patrick is so silly for signing here and retiring right away.

[beng]

I agree with you on Boss. I think that's a big mistep by Reese

[Matt_Mkv]

last night's offense
last night's defense

Jason Pierre Paul

[beng]

Love Pierre Paul... dude is a freak. Ronenfels is the thrid stringer? I didnt know that. He actually looked pretty good out there. Is Cruz projected to get any looks with the 1st/2nd team this year?

[Big M]

It seems wide open after Nicks and Manningham. No one wants to make a prediction on #3 and down. I hope Hixon grows into what seemed to be his potential a couple seasons ago. Wouldn't mind Cruz getting on the field either, but I doubt it will happen unless there's an injury or if he really lights it up every time he gets out there.

Osi finally ended his hold-out.
The fans thank you, Osi! Good luck on a big year and trying again next August

[Matt_Mkv]

Really looking for Hixon to step up into that role, He has a nack for making plays with the ball in his hand. Also Cruz needs to prove he's not just a one hit wonder.

[beng]

They had a nice segment on Hixon on the NFL network the other day. Not sure how I missed it, but I never realized how high people were on him when he came to the league.

[Matt_Mkv]

Really? I didn't think he was highly regarded out of the draft. I just hope he can fully jump back from that injury.

[Big M]

Well, there goes Terrell Thomas for the season. Torn ACL.

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

I was hoping it wasn't an ACL, the D has taken a few too many hits this offseason.

I have to say though the game is great tonight, everyone has been on point for the most part.


Can't wait for this Saturday, I get to watch the Giants whoop the Jets ass in person.

[beng]

Prince, now Thomas... Johnson and Witherspoon... the secondary has been decimated.

[eggman95]

I was hoping it wasn't an ACL, the D has taken a few too many hits this offseason.

I have to say though the game is great tonight, everyone has been on point for the most part.


Can't wait for this Saturday, I get to watch the Giants whoop the Jets ass in person.

I'll be there too

Let's just hope the weather holds up

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

I'll be there too

Let's just hope the weather holds up

The game was moved to 2pm Saturday so we should have good weather

[beng]

Nice. ...family party... Im lookin forward to some fall micro brews and some football.

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

A lot of talk about people wanting the game cancelled tomorrow. Michael Kay is going berserk on ESPN radio about how the NFL is only after money and what not.


I had to pick up my tickets off ebay, so I hope they don't cancel it.

[Big M]

That fool goes berserk about everything.
Safe travels to the game, bro. Be loud!

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

I know, now he wants to call Christi and demand that he steps in. Kay needs to stick to calling Yankee games because he is starting to piss me off.

I plan to be loud, I just got to find blue face paint; doing the whole William Wallace setup . That of course depends on the rain factor, I don't want to ruin my jersey.

Plus I'm going with one other Giants fan and 2 Jets fans, so I have to show them how its done.

Now if I had section 300+ I wouldn't mind the cancellation, but I have section 148. I think that's the big thing that is on my mind.

[Big M]

Looks like they moved it to Monday night, Bubba.

[Bubba 2.0 GLS]

I saw that, at least the tickets are still valid and I can enjoy the game.