| This series of analysis on the 32 NFL teams takes a look at where teams have been over the last three years for each position - where they have ranked in the most notable categories and the hard statistics produced. This is to give a view of each team heading into training camp and what they most likely need to improve on this season and where their strengths lie that likely won't need any changes. Ending each team review is a brief summation of what to watch in training camp in August to uncover those developing situations that you can take advantage. Combining where teams have come from and what they have done in free agency and the NFL draft gives you the very same thing that NFL coaches are looking at as they attempt to improve their team for 2009. |
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Training Camp Opens: August 3
Head Coach: Tom Coughlin (6th year)
Stadium: Giants Stadium Surface: FieldTurf
2009 Schedule 2009 Roster 2008 Statistics 2008 Record: 12-4
| QB |
Carries |
Rush YD |
Rush TD |
Pass |
Comp |
Comp % |
Pass YD |
YPP |
Pass TD |
Int |
Rank YD |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
26 |
23 |
0 |
522 |
301 |
58% |
3244 |
10.8 |
24 |
18 |
20 |
10 |
| 2007 |
31 |
70 |
1 |
544 |
302 |
56% |
3376 |
11.2 |
23 |
20 |
22 |
14 |
| 2008 |
28 |
20 |
1 |
491 |
298 |
61% |
3353 |
11.3 |
23 |
10 |
18 |
9 |
Quarterback - Eli Manning is looking to get paid. Scratch that; Eli Manning is looking to become the highest paid player in the history of the game. Yes, he has a Super Bowl ring but his numbers are more good than great. He’ll need to state his case for a payday while at the same time auditioning new go-to receivers, which could make the task significantly more difficult. Manning certainly has the defense and running game to fall back on, but those aren’t likely to put any more dollars in his pocket come contract time.
| RB |
Carries |
Rush YD |
YPC |
Rush TD |
Target |
Rcv |
Catch % |
Catch YD |
Rcv TD |
Rank YD |
Rank TY |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
426 |
2121 |
5 |
14 |
108 |
77 |
71% |
668 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
9 |
| 2007 |
435 |
2076 |
4.8 |
14 |
123 |
72 |
59% |
518 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
7 |
| 2008 |
471 |
2484 |
5.3 |
18 |
88 |
60 |
68% |
514 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
Running Backs - The Giants have consistently posted one of the league’s top rushing attacks, attributable at least in part to one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Derrick Ward broke up the dual 1,000-yard backfield by heading south to Tampa, but Ahmad Bradshaw and/or rookie Andre Brown should step in behind that line and keep the Big Blue ground machine churning. With Ward gone and both Bradshaw and Brown unproven, however, the question will be how much of the workload can Brandon Jacobs handle? His punishing style isn’t conducive to staying healthy, and despite rushing for 1,000 yards over the past two years he’s missed eight games in that span. The key for Tom Coughlin will be to figure out just how much Bradshaw and Brown he can get away with… or how much Jacobs he can use before Brandon hits the wall.
| WR |
Target |
Rcv |
Catch % |
Catch YD |
YPR |
Rcv TD |
Ranks YD |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
279 |
146 |
52% |
1872 |
12.8 |
17 |
22 |
8 |
| 2007 |
303 |
164 |
54% |
2118 |
12.9 |
15 |
23 |
15 |
| 2008 |
330 |
199 |
60% |
2383 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
Wide Receivers - While the locker room may be a better (safer?) place sans Plaxico Burress, the absence of a go-to target down the field was obvious in the latter portion of the Giants’ season. Amani Toomer is also gone, leaving the Giants to hold open tryouts for a go-to receiver. While they have a roster full of candidates, there isn’t a sure thing in the bunch. Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon are the likely starters, with David Tyree and Sinorice Moss fighting for playing time as well. Rookies Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden have the size to replace Burress, but you can count on one hand the number of rookie receiver success stories in the NFL.
| TE |
Target |
Rcv |
Catch % |
Catch YD |
YPR |
Rcv TD |
Ranks YD |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
129 |
78 |
60% |
704 |
9 |
7 |
13 |
8 |
| 2007 |
120 |
72 |
60% |
765 |
10.6 |
5 |
10 |
16 |
| 2008 |
64 |
39 |
61% |
456 |
11.7 |
8 |
24 |
6 |
Tight Ends - Receptions from the tight end position were down significantly without Jeremy Shockey, yet the Giants got more touchdowns from tight ends than they’ve had in any year since 2004. Is Kevin Boss Eli’s new go-to guy? Perhaps, but the Giants also have a shiny new toy in rookie Travis Beckum, who was a top prospect prior to busting his leg as a senior in college.
Training Camp Fantasy Angle - The Giants directed most of their offseason attention on defense, but they’ll enter training camp with a plethora of questions on the offensive side of the ball—especially since they’re considered one of the more serious NFC contenders. Which receiver emerges as Eli’s go-to target and which back will pick up Ward’s slack will be the focal points of the Giants’ preseason—and the answers to those questions will yield some intriguing fantasy sleepers.
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