Out With the Old, In With the New

The Giants open their 2010 season in less than five hours. The first game of any season brings excitement and enthusiasm. Every team stands on equal footing at the starting line with equal chances, at least theoretically, at the ultimate prize.

However, for the 2010 Giants, this is not simply another opening day game. It has far greater meaning and significance. It is the inaugural game in their brand new stadium against the very same team that embarrassed them last December in the final Giants' game ever played in the old Giants Stadium. Despite some changes, this is largely the same defense that in 2009 gave up the 2nd most points in Giants' franchise history. Despite some heralded changes - Fewell replacing Sheridan and the free agent signing of Antrel Rolle - an undercurrent of uncertainty remains.

That undercurrent can quickly translate into a loss of confidence if the going gets tough and they stumble. Moreover, unlike last year, the Giants don't start the season against the dregs of the league. Next week they face the Colts in Indy, a game they are unlikely to win. Lose today and they are probably staring an 0-2 start in the face. And teams that lose the first two games of a season are, overwhelmingly, long shots to make the playoffs. Since the league went to 16 games in 1978, only 11% of teams were able to overcome an 0-2 start and make it to the post season.

More importantly, this is a game the Giants should win. It will also provide a good test of the team's primary failure a year ago - their inability to stop the run on defense. With the ever increasing reliance upon passing in the NFL, the link between stopping the run and rushing the passer is often overlooked by fans. A successful running game is important to a passing offense because it forces the defense to honor both run and pass at all times. The flip side - eliminate an opponent's running game - enables the defense to focus on an all out pass rush. In 2009 the inability to stop the run forced the Giants to honor both run and pass at all times, and was, in my view, the primary cause of the diminished pass rush we all witnessed.

Not surprisingly, Tom Coughlin has openly stated that stopping the run is the first and foremost first step that needs to be taken to correct the ills of 2009. The Giants will get a stiff first test today. Last year Carolina became the first team in NFL history to have two running backs exceed 1,100 yards in the same NFL season. Thus, the Giants' run defense is, perhaps, facing the most difficult test it will face all year in the opening game of the season. Their measure of success against the run today will go a long way towards answering the lingering questions from 2009.

The other hangover from 2009 is the running game on offense. There has been plenty of talk all week about Bradshaw's ascension to starter at running back. However, I suspect the switch may have more to do with the weakening condition of the offensive line, and the need for a quick cut back runner, than it does about Jacobs versus Bradshaw. At the end of the day, I continue to believe that if the Giants are going to successful in 2010, they will need the angry, mean Brandon Jacobs of 2007 and 2008, lowering his shoulder and intimidating defenders.

So, the Giants begin 2010 facing a very important first game. Lose, and they almost certainly go 0-2, leaving them statistical long shots to make the playoffs before the season has barely begun. Beyond winning, however, their run defense, which literally shamed the franchise last year, faces a very stiff test against one of the best running teams in the league. One thing is certain - the fortunes of the 2010 Giants will be in much clearer focus as of 4:00 this afternoon.