New York Giants
Key Additions: LB Keith Bulluck, S Antrel Rolle, S Deon Grant, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, QB Jim Sorgi, DT Linval Joseph
Key Subtractions: LB Antonio Pierce, P Jeff Feagles, LB Danny Clark, QB David Carr, DT Fred Robbins, CB Kevin Dockery,
The Giants enter this season 2 years removed from a Super Bowl win and one of the worst collapses in franchise history last season. After starting 5-0 thanks in large part to a weak early schedule, the Giants collapsed to finish 8-8 in what owner John Mara felt "was more like 2-14." Tom Coughlin is entering the year before the final year of his contract, and the outcome of this year will likely determine his future with the team. Although I believe he deserves an extension baring anything disastrous, another year without the playoffs might mean his time may be over with the Giants. The Giants fired defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan one year after taking over for Steve Spagnuolo. Sheridan appeared to have not formed a bond with the players, even having one walk out during training camp. His schemes were questionable and down right odd at times. But Perry Fewell takes over who is known for being a hands-on aggressive coach whos system creates a lot of turnovers. The defense gave up 31 TD's through the air last season, second worst in the league. The Giants went out and addressed that problem by making Antrel Rolle the highest paid safety in the league and added depth with Deon Grant. Rolle is expected to start alongside S Kenny Phillips if he is ready. If not, Grant, who is a veteran player with plenty of experience, will slide in no problem. One of the problems last season were too many receivers getting behind safeties and making big plays in the passing game. That was partially due to injuries in the secondary and terrible play by the secondary. The Giants at corner have the personnel. Corey Webster played great the year they went to the Super Bowl. Opposite him will be either Aaron Ross, injured for most of last season, or Terrell Thomas. If Ross is healthy he should have the edge. Regardless the other will play in the nickle package and give the Giants a nice rotation. The Giants lost linebackers Danny Clark and signal caller Antonio Pierce. They signed Keith Bulluck from Tennessee and will look to replace Pierce both on and off the field. Michael Boley played great towards the end of last year, but was injured for some of the year and missed time. Clint Sintim is expected to move in and replace Danny Clark. Gerris Wilkinson is waiting and adds some good depth. The Giants last year struggled on the defensive line and failed to get the the quarterback with some consistency and stop the run. They gave up 21 TDs on the ground last year. Basically, they couldn't get off the field or hold opponents to field goals. Osi Umenyiora was visibly frustrated and was removed from his starting position last year, being replaced by Mathias Kiwanuka. One of Umenyiora's main problems was his inability to stop the run. He was used by Bill Sheridan mainly as a pass rush specialist and was put too many times in pass coverage against TE's and RB's where he, and other DE's, were consistently burned. Justin Tuck was bothered all year by a shoulder injury after he was kneed in a dirty play by Dallas OT Flozell Adams, who is now in Pittsburgh. Tuck and Umenyiora must get back to 2007 form and apply more pressure on the quarterback and get off the line of scrimmage better. Inside the Giants lost long time pro DT Fred Robbins, but still have plenty of depth. Chris Canty should start after converting from a 3-4 DE to a 4-3 DT alongside veteran Barry Cofield. Jay Alford missed all of last season but should be ready to go, they signed Rocky Bernard last season, and the Giants drafted Linval Joseph this year. With the personnel the Giants have this year and a fresh face in Perry Fewell that will not tolerate inconsistent play, the Giants will be a much improved defense this season.
Offensively, Eli Manning is coming off one of the best regular seasons of his career. He threw for over 4,00 yards and 27 Td's. Mannings high numbers are much to do with his much improved decision making and emergence of his wide receivers, but partially due to the fact the the Giants were playing from behind in a lot of games. Manning is a former Super Bowl MVP and will do even better this season. David Carr is gone, but Jim Sorgi is in. The Giants are hoping they don't see him on the field after preseason. The Giants last year however, did not run the ball well. This was due to Brandon Jacobs battling through injuries and the ineffectiveness of the offensive line. Jacobs numbers were way down, 835 yards averaging 3.7 yards per carry and only 5 TD's. The troubling number there is the yards per carry number. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry the previous two seasons. Hes not the home run hitter, hes the bruiser between the tackles runner. He needs to get back to that this year. Expect Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware to see more time as well as the Giants will rotate more. The offensive line is where the Giants aren't really set as they head into camp. C Shaun Ohara and G Chris Snee will start. Rich Suebert should be the other starting guard and Karim Mackenzie should be the starting RT, but William Beatty will challenge David Diehl at LT. Bottom line is the best player out of camp will start, and if they don't play with consistency, they will be replaced. The line has been intact for a lot of years and is a stronghold of the team. They need to return to that this season. Steve Smith was second in the NFL in receptions last year and broke the Giants record for receptions in a season. He is Eli Mannings go to guy. Hackeem Nicks had a decent rookie season who has the explosiveness to be the deep threat the Giants need. Mario Manningham and Ramses Barden need to step up now that Domenik Hixon is out for the year with a torn ACL. Kevin Boss played well last year and is a very reliable tight end.
Schedule:
1 Sun, Sep 12 Carolina
2 Sun, Sep 19 at Indianapolis
3 Sun, Sep 26 Tennessee
4 Sun, Oct 3 Chicago
5 Sun, Oct 10 at Houston
6 Sun, Oct 17 Detroit
7 Mon, Oct 25 at Dallas
8 BYE
9 Sun, Nov 7 at Seattle
10 Sun, Nov 14 Dallas
11 Sun, Nov 21 at Philadelphia
12 Sun, Nov 28 Jacksonville
13 Sun, Dec 5 Washington
14 Sun, Dec 12 at Minnesota
15 Sun, Dec 19 Philadelphia
16 Sun, Dec 26 at Green Bay
17 Sun, Jan 2 at Washington
The Giants have the 7th hardest schedule in the league and opponents were 135-121 lase season. They catch the AFC South and NFC North this year, two divisions with three or more competitive teams. Manning Bowl II takes place Week two in Indianapolis. The Giants finish the season with 3 of their last 4 games on the road. The Giants played well in their division last season but lost both games to Philly by big numbers, and Washington is no longer a pushover. The Giants should contend for the division and a playoff spot this season.
Tennessee Titans
Key Additions: LB Will Witherspoon, CB Tye Hill, DE Jason Babin, DE Derrick Morgan, WR Damian Williams
Key Subtractions: TE Alge Crumpler, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, C Kevin Mawae, RB LenDale White, LB Keith Bulluck
The Titans resurrected their season last year and saved Jeff Fishers job after starting out 0-6 and finishing 8-2. Chris Johnson and Vince Young had a lot to do with that. Johnson did not rush for under 100 yards in the final 10 games of the season and Vince Young threw 10 TD's. The Titans look forward to seeing what they can do with a full season with this duo. Chris Johnson is Mr. Everything for this offense, everything they do revolved around him. He has a lot of expectations this season and its unrealistic for him to live up to them all. If he can produce 75% of what he did last year, it will be good enough. Johnson no longer has a reliable backup behind him as Lendale White has moved on. Vince Young needs to play for a full season like he played the final 10 games of last season. Kenny Britt had an excellent rookie season last year with 701 receiving yards. He and Justin Gage will look to carry the load for Vince Young.
The Titans lost Pro-Bowler Kyle Vanden Bosh to free agency, but they hope that first round pick Derrick Morgan will replace him. The Titans run defense was in the top 10 in the league last season in total yards, and opponents rushed for 4.3 yards per carry. They lost Keith Bulluck but picked up Will Witherspoon in free agency. The Titans major concern is in their pass defense, which was 31st in the league last year only ahead of the Lions. They allowed 31 TD's through the air and opponents averaged 258.7 passing yards per game. Cortland Finnegan should play alongside Tye Hill, who signed as a free agent this year. Those two need to play a lot better and bring those numbers down and put their offense in a better position.
Schedule:
1 Sun, Sep 12 Oakland
2 Sun, Sep 19 Pittsburgh
3 Sun, Sep 26 at NY Giants
4 Sun, Oct 3 Denver
5 Sun, Oct 10 at Dallas
6 Mon, Oct 18 at Jacksonville
7 Sun, Oct 24 Philadelphia
8 Sun, Oct 31 at San Diego
9 BYE
10 Sun, Nov 14 at Miami
11 Sun, Nov 21 Washington
12 Sun, Nov 28 at Houston
13 Sun, Dec 5 Jacksonville
14 Thu, Dec 9 Indianapolis
15 Sun, Dec 19 Houston
16 Sun, Dec 26 at Kansas City
17 Sun, Jan 2 at Indianapolis
The Titans have 2nd hardest schedule in the league and opponents were 140-116 last season. They catch the NFC East and AFC West and play in the high powered AFC South that has two explosive offenses through the air. The pass defense can not play like they did a year ago or it will be a long season in Nashville. They do catch Pittsburgh before Ben Roesthlisburger will be eligible to return. They do have a lot of home games late and games on the road are in warm weather or indoors.
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