TGS 2007 Football Preview Bonus: New York Giants

NEW YORK GIANTS—It’s’ no secret that the rumor mill whirrs faster in New York than anywhere else. The tabloidy Daily News and Newsday, not to mention a variety of other dailies in the tri-state, make sure of it. And, indeed, they had all but buried Giants HC Tom Coughlin (left) after last season’s team wheezed into the playoffs at 8-8 and was immediately dumped by the Eagles in the wildcard game. To their chagrin, however, management pulled a surprise, and instead of giving Coughlin the boot, rewarded him with a one-year extension. Still, that only caused a temporary pause for the rumors. And since coaching chatter goes with the territory in New York (after all, they’ve been talking about replacements for Yankee manager Joe Torre for the last five years), it’s full speed ahead again as the new (or is it old?) topic is already on the table: who is likely to succeed Coughlin...in 2008. Names from Bill Cowher to Bill Parcells to Charlie Weis have already been prominently mentioned in the speculative Giants coaching search, which is nonetheless considered a fait accompli by many in the Big Apple.

The only hitch is that Coughlin is still employed as coach, and, from what many sources tell us, he actually maintains a solid base of support from the players. Still, a lot of insiders are concurring with the overwhelming consensus that indicates this year will probably be it for Coughlin, especially since the team appears to be in a transition phase. Hardly the recipe for a coach that probably has to win now, and win big, to save his job.

First-year GM Jerry Reese, however, has his own agenda, and unlike Coughlin, winning now doesn’t appear to be the top priority. After taking a close look at last year’s aging and injury-plagued roster, Reese’s first act was deciding (correctly) that it was time to rebuild. Although the Giants are quickly getting younger, it’s hard to find a position on the roster that actually looks strengthened from ‘06. Reese wasted little time stripping away some of the veteran core, releasing long-time LT Luke Petitgout, plus two big name LBs, LaVar Arrington & Carlos Emmons. Meanwhile, star RB Tiki Barber has a new job hanging out with Matt Lauer, Amy Robach, and Al Roker on NBC (right). Reese then proceeded to dabble in the free agent market as gingerly as the Mets are handling Pedro Martinez’ recovery from rotator cuff surgery, the only additions of note being LB Kawika Mitchell, on a 1-year deal, and journeyman RB Reuben Droughns, part of a committee to replace Barber. The draft was also rather low-key and filled with several long-term projects, with first-round pick CB Aaron Ross from Texas the only rookie that figures to start right away.

Thus, entering training camp, Coughlin’s agenda includes finding a new featured RB to replace Barber, a new LT, a PK to replace FA departure Jay Feely, a new safety, and at least a pair of linebackers, while hoping that some of last year’s injured (such as WR Amani Toomer) can come back at something near 100%. Not to mention working in a pair of new coordinators (o.c. Kevin Gilbride & d.c. Steve Spagnuolo) who had different assignments on the staff a year ago.

In this sea of change, however, remains QB Eli Manning (left), now officially the face of the franchise following Barber’s retirement, but still giving mixed signals about how far he can actually carry the team. In the past two years, it hasn’t been past the wildcard round, and without Barber to lean on any longer, we’re not sure Manning can even get the team that far in the fall. Amidst several admittedly breathtaking performances has been an alarming penchant for mistakes (35 picks the past two seasons) as well as the sort of late-season “dead arm” reminiscent of an overused member of the Mets’ bullpen deep in August. Coughlin and Gilbride have also decided it will take using two RBs, bruising short-yardage specialist Brandon Jacobs (9 TDs in ‘06) and the aforementioned Droughns (758 YR last year with Cleveland), to share Barber’s rushing load. Rugged TE Jermey Shockey (131 catches the past two seasons) remains a reliable underneath target for Manning, with rangy, 6-5 WR Plaxico Burress (17 TD catches since ‘05) the acknowledged big-play threat. Once Toomer went down last midseason, however, opponents began ganging up on Burress, and if Toomer isn’t fully recovered from those knee problems, it might be up to USC rookie Steve Smith to take downfield pressure off Plaxico. And finding a replacement for Miami-bound PK Feely (61 FGs since ‘05) was still on the to-do list for Coughlin and Reese entering summer.

Meanwhile, d.c. Spagnuolo must figure out if aging DE Michael Strahan (sidelined extensively 2 of the last 3 years) is still durable enough for every-down duty, and hope that the injury bug that has thinned recent G-Men LB crews doesn’t resurface. MLB Antonio Pierce, however, was a revelation in ‘06, ending up in the Pro Bowl.

Bottom line...It will be hard not to view Coughlin as a man heading for the gallows this fall. The various roster moves, along with the unmistakable youth movement, present quite a heavy load for a coach trying to save his job. There is nothing to indicate the “D” is about to dominate anybody, and Manning hasn’t proven he can carry an offense himself, much less one minus Tiki. We know the drill; get ready for the whirring rumor mill once more.

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