With the players reporting to camp today, I thought it was probably a good time to put "pen to paper" to record some thoughts that have been rattling around in my head regarding the 2009 Giants.
By Thanksgiving of 2008, the Giants had established themselves as the best team in all of football and eliminated all the earlier off season talk about the fluke that was their 2007 Super Bowl trophy. Although the 2008 campaign went down in flames over the last 5 weeks of the season, any lingering doubts about the legitimacy of this team was permanently erased. They are the real deal and indisputably part of any serious discussion of likely candidates for the 2009 edition of the Lombardi trophy.
Presented below are three random thoughts/observations as 2009 camp opens: (1) Biggest Hurdle For Success? (2) Must Fun Position to Watch? (3) Dark Horse Surprise Player?
Biggest Issue For Success?
Can The Giants Maintain Their Running Game?
There are very few running backs in all of NFL history I would chose over Brandon Jacobs. He is an unstoppable force that moves the chains on a consistent basis. But more than that, he sets a tone while doing it. He literally intimidates opponents which, since these are NFL professionals we are talking about, is quite a statement. He plays with such intensity and violence that the adrenalin high carries over to his teammates on both sides of the ball. I prefer his style - and believe it more effective overall for team success - than the home run hitters (even more than my favorite of all time, Gayle Sayers).
But the very nature of his style of play is such that he is only effective as the first 1/2 of an overall running attack. He is - and always will be - part of a committee. The primary piece to be sure, but only one component of the overall engine none the less. Last year Derek Ward was the perfect compliment to Jacobs and, when all was said and done, that duo led the Giants to end the season as the #1 rushing team in all of football.
The Giants wisely signed Jacobs to a long term deal during the off season but were forced to let Ward walk. In 2009 Jacobs will be complimented by Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware, and fourth round draft choice Andre Brown. Ware and Brown are, to the public, virtual unknowns. Bradshaw, on the other hand, showed great promise and was a significant contributor to the Giants 2007 Super Bowl run. So much so that any rational observer has to question his lack of touches in 2008.
The running game is central to the Giants success. This is a team that is going to win championships, first and foremost, because of its defensive dominance. An integral factor in achieving their defensive success is limiting the opponents' total possessions. And that is accomplished, first and foremost, with their running game.
Many observers this off season have pointed to the loss of Plaxico Burress as the primary obstacle facing the Giants in 2009. But this team is not going to win - or fail to win - a Super Bowl because of the passing game. The passing game is critical. Don't get me wrong. It's role, however, is as a compliment to the primary goal of the offense - possession of the football with methodical time crunching drives. The primary goal of the Giants' passing game is to keep defenses honest and off balance (and take advantage of defenses that don't), thus allowing the running game room to breathe and flourish.
Thus, the most critical question for me heading into 2009, is whether the Giants' offense can control the ball and limit opponents' possessions as they did so well through the first 12 games of 2008? And the answer to that question - and in my mind the entire season - is in the hands of Bradshaw, Ware and Brown.
Most Fun to Watch?
Wide Receivers.
A very rare thing is happening in 2009. I cannot recall the last time (if indeed it ever occurred before in history), a NFL team lost both its #1 and #2 wide receivers from the end of one season heading into the next. And then, add to that, not bringing in any veteran replacements.
When 2009 is in the history books, one of the following players will end up being the leading wide receiver for the New York Giants: Dominik Hixon, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, or Ramses Barden. Whomever wins that distinction, that player's name will surely be a surprise. Never has such a young and inexperienced group of wide receivers constituted the entire receiving corp of an NFL team. By definition they are going to grow with every game. Indeed with every play. There will be mistakes but there are going to be some fantastic plays too. One thing is for certain - it is going to be exciting - and fun - to watch.
Dark Horse Player to Watch?
Terrell Thomas
In the minds of most observers, the two starting defensive corners for the NY Giants 2009 season appear to be set in Corey Webster and Aaron Ross. Webster, magically, came into his own during the 2007 playoff run and carried that forward in 2008. Ross seemed to experience some sophomore jitters in 2008 but he has the physical tools and is expected to take major strides in his third full season in 2009.
But the player that caught my eye last year, especially later in the year, was Terrell Thomas. He showed flashes that told me the day could be coming very soon when he is the top dog of this group. I don't know if 2009 will be that year but my eyes are going to be firmly focused upon Terrell Thomas and I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants coaching staff are forced to find ways to get him on the field. Watch this kid.
