2009 NY Giants Off-season Report

Plaxico Burress is gone! Ok, I just had to get that out there now we can move on to 2009. Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin are still running the show even with coach Spagnuolo taking over in St. Louis it looks like their keeping business as usual bolstering the defensive front with skilled veterans in Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. Two veterans who are expected to see significant playing time in the deep rotation the Giants use across that defensive unit. Both are exceptional pass rushers from the interior, Canty can also be an effective run stuffer from the end position as he comes from Dallas where he played end in the 3-4. Possibly the biggest upgrade you will see this year out of this Giants defense will be a healthy Osi Umenyiora something we haven’t seen since this time last year, now with enough depth. Mathias Kiwaunuka will be able to slide back into his pass rushing end position with experience at outside backer that will just add to his overall versatility which is huge in this scheme. The glaring need from the defense last year was the linebacker position where there should be a open competition starting in a few weeks when the group heads to training camp in upstate New York. The only constant will be Antonio Pierce in the middle other than that last years free agent pickup Danny Clark will be competing with second year man from Vanderbilt Jonathan Goff who has shown some promise as a every down backer. Bryan Kehl from BYU another second year player who impressed towards the end of the ‘08 season will get his shot to start on the weak side but should be pushed by rookie Clint Sintim at least in 3rd down situations where Sintim is labeled as a pass rush specialist at this point in his young career. The Secondary is young but filled with talent Kenny Phillips should be primed for his breakout season living up to his expectations as a first round talent along with surprising Michael Johnson starting at both safety positions respectively. Coach Coughlin did not want to let Corey Webster see the free agent market so he inked a long term deal very early this off-season Webster is a very instinctive corner with all the skills to be shutdown for years to come.

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The 2009 draft selections did not come as a surprise to most Giants fans as they addressed needs early and often. The focus was on filling the gaps as most war rooms try to do on draft day but the Giants and Jerry Reese have been more successful than most over the recent years. The 29th overall selection gave them the best player on the board as well as covering there largest need, since the departure of Burress left them without a #1 target for Manning. The Giants hope Hakeem Nicks will fill that role sooner than later as the roster is currently filled with smaller slot and possession type receivers. Nicks needs to advance in his route running and knowledge of the offense quickly to earn his playing time coach Coughlin and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride will have no problem putting the most prepared players on the field even if that means starting the season with Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith until Nicks and even 3rd round selection Ramses Bardin are ready to make an impact. Bardin fits the stereotype big red zone receiver that can go up and get it, the role left to Burress in previous seasons. He is coming from a small school Cal Poly so his learning curve is expected to be slightly bigger than his counterpart Nicks but expect both to see significant playing time sooner than later this season. William Beatty the 6’7” tackle project from Uconn has the footwork and athleticism to become a dominate pass blocking tackle to cover Manning’s blind side for years to come, this is just the beginning of a youth movement on that excellent but aging offensive line luckily for Beatty he is entering into a situation where he is not expected to jump into a starting role although I wouldn’t be surprised to see him spell the often injured Kareem McKenzie before the years end. Beatty will have the time to be groomed into the offense and spend a season developing some much needed bulk on his frame which seems large enough to handle some extra weight without slowing the big man down.

By Robert Cabral
ProFootball-fans.com New York Giants Correspondent