Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
The New York Giants were an afterthought in 2007, but made their way to a Super Bowl title. In 2008, the Giants found a way to earn home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, only to last one game. Their playoff loss to Philadelphia was certainly disappointing, but the fact that they earned the top seed after the drama they went through was impressive in itself. Now, it's time for the Giants to re-tool, reload, and get back to the Super Bowl.
That last one might take you by surprise, so I'll explain. The Giants dominated perhaps the best passing attack in league history with a cornerback crew consisting of the rookie Aaron Ross, the achy Sam Madison, R.W. McQuarters, James ButlerCorey Webster and Kevin Dockery. No slight on any of those guys, but there's not a Lester Hayes in that group. The Giants dominated because of the way their defensive line and linebackers got after the quarterback. Take away a QB's time and protection and you take away a good chunk of his effectiveness.
That's why the Jets should forget about forking over heaps of cash for Samuel and concentrate on upgrading their anemic pass rush this offseason. He's a fine corner but the Jets could have a dozen of them and it wouldn't make a whit of difference if they don't start treating offenses the way the Giants treated the Patriots on Sunday. Samuel is a fine player but he shouldn't be wearing a Jets jersey next season.
When Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants refused to lie down for the undefeated New England Patriots, they knew and understood the potential consequences. Unfortunately, those consequences landed three key starters on the sidelines.
According to Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger, Madison didn't suffer an abdominal strain as previously reported; he actually suffered a pulled muscle in his rib cage. It's an injury that supposedly causes tremendous pain and has kept the veteran out of practice all week.
Should Madison and Dockery both find themselves on the sideline this weekend in Tampa Bay, the Giants will be forced to start Webster as they did in practice. And unfortunately, that's exactly what Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia wants to hear.
I was pretty adamant in pinning yesterdays 16-10 loss to the Giants on Shaun McDonald, who fumbled and was then mostly responsible for two game-losing interceptions in the final two minutes. But like any decent team -- the 49ers don't apply in this instance -- no one in the Lions locker room was pinning the blame on McDonald except for Shaun himself.
Roy Williams put the loss on himself for making too many mistakes, including the inability to take advantage of blown coverage and extend for a catch with nothing but the end zone in front of him. That touchdown would have won the game like both of McDonald's chances could have. But the Free Presspins the loss on Mike Martz.
A few minutes earlier, Kitna heaved an end-zone prayer to McDonald that might have been a touchdown but was wrestled away by James Butler for a pick. And though Kitna maintained that was a great defensive play, Butler is 6-feet-3 and McDonald is 5-feet-10. Those plays work better when the personal stats are reversed -- as in 6-5 Calvin Johnson against 5-8 Kevin Dockery, which resulted in the Lions' only touchdown.
After promising to take more shots downfield and utlilize the player so fast he fell from grace in the blink of an eye, the team actually followed through, targeting Lelie six times. The results? Two catches, 52 yards. Marvel at the gaudiness.
Lelie was so excited after his first catch of the millenium season, a 47-yarder down the sideline, that he spiked the ball and moved the team back five yards. In all fairness, he was just obeying team policy of pairing every good play with an undisciplined penalty. It's a 49er specialty. Later, Dilfer tried to hit Lelie deep in the endzone on 3rd-and-21, and not only could the speedy guy not beat his man downfield, he had to commit offensive pass interference to prevent Kevin Dockery from getting to the ball. Luckily, the Giants declined the penalty, because those 10 yards made all the difference in the battle for field position.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: it's nice to have Lelie back in vintage form.
Would it be a New York Giants football game without a few devastating injuries? If you answered no, you're right on, and I'm not here to disappoint you.
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora and running back Brandon Jacobs have both been lost for the night, possibly longer, after suffering a pair of knee injuries. While both players were able to walk off under their own power, the Giants have already scheduled them for MRI's tomorrow.
Due to Umenyiora's injury, Michael Strahan, who had been serving as a reserve, was forced back into his starting role. Normally, William Joseph would have taken that spot, but he also suffered a back injury prior to the game, and is unavailable.
In replace of Jacobs, the Giants have turned to a running back by committee.
Update: Cornerback Kevin Dockery was carted off with an ankle injury.
The most frustrating part of being a Giants fan over the last three years has been the overwhelming amount of injuries. Not once in those three years have the Giants managed to play through a season without a significant injury. In fact, they'd consider it a good year if they only suffered a single significant injury.
Unfortunately, with a little over a week to go until the regular season begins, the Giants are once again facing those injury demons. It began early in the offseason when fullback Jim Finn was placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum and was promptly followed by cornerback Michael Stone going down with a hip injury.
Over the course of the next few weeks, the Giants lost tight end Darcy Johnson (knee), wide receiver Michael Jennings (Achilles), defensive tackle Marcus Bell (knee) and defensive end Dek Bake (back).
Giants Training Camp Notebook is a cliff notes style post aimed at giving Giants fans up-to-date news about the most recent training camp practices.
- After an impressive performance on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers, defensive end Justin Tuck found himself working with the first team today. Although Tom Coughlin didn't admit it, Tuck will probably be the "go to guy" should Michael Strahan choose to retire.
- Eli Manning looked quite promising in practice today; his passes were crisp and accurate. After struggling early in camp, Manning seems to have turned it around. And although the box score only showed a three for five in Saturday's preseason game, Eli also demonstrated a new found field awareness. Albeit slowly, Eli is starting to give Giants fans a reason to be hopeful.
- Cornerback Kevin Dockery and some defensive coaches got an ear full from Coach Coughlin this afternoon after Dockery put Jared Lorenzen on the ground. Lorenzen, who was wearing a red jersey, appeared to be injured on the play and eventually left practice. He was later seen with a wrapped knee.
Giants Training Camp Notebook is a cliff notes style post aimed at giving Giants fans up-to-date news about the most recent training camp practices.
- Many people thought cornerback Kevin Dockery was going to "break out" last year, but unfortunately that never happened. However, with the new season comes a new opportunity and so far Dockery is making the most of it. He had another good practice yesterday and his constant motor is earning him a ton of respect in the locker room.
- Brandon Jacobs leads as intensely as he plays. Yesterday during sprints, he happened to notice that fullback Robert Douglas was merely jogging and it was on from there. Jacobs lit into Douglas and you can bet that he'll never jog during sprints again.
Giants Training Camp Notebook is a cliff notes style post aimed at giving Giants fans up-to-date news about the most recent training camp practices.
- Injury problems continued to hound the Giants yesterday. In a matter of mere-moments they had to cart two, count them, two players carted off the field. The first was linebacker Gerris Wilkinson, who appeared to injury his right knee in 9-on-7 drills. The second was offensive lineman Todd Londot, who hurt his left ankle in the same drill. To make matters worse, safety Gibril Wilson also had to sit out with back spasms.
- Rookie wide receiver Steve Smith continues to blow people away. He had another great day of practice yesterday which included an "amazing catch" for a touchdown over Kevin Dockery.
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer. 
We learned several things during the Super Bowl. Among others, we learned 
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I was pretty adamant
Heads up, 9er fans. 
Would it be a New York Giants football game without a few devastating injuries? If you answered no, you're right on, and I'm not here to disappoint you.
The most frustrating part of being a Giants fan over the last three years has been the overwhelming amount of injuries. Not once in those three years have the Giants managed to play through a season without a significant injury. In fact, they'd consider it a good year if they only suffered a single significant injury.
