what I thought were some fatal offseason mistakes, such as keeping
coach Tom Coughlin and failing to upgrade the secondary enough (I love
Aaron Ross, but could not believe they didn't add anyone else), I will
give a quick rundown of what they need to do this offseason. I am
going to focus on the defense because there isn't as much room for
them to maneuver on offense, and because I like defense better.
The first crucial step is resigning Gibril Wilson. He's one of the top
two free agent safeties (the other being Ken Hamlin), knows the team,
the system, etc., and he has a cool first name. Enough said.
Resigning Kawika Mitchell would be good too, if it can be done for a
reasonable price. Mitchell is a solid linebacker and just finished a
really good season. Letting him go would leave a big hole at outside
linebacker (already one of the team's biggest weaknesses).
The only reason Mitchell isn't a higher priority is the other free
agent linebackers available. Signing Lance Briggs, or Karlos Dansby
(although Dansby might get a long term deal from the Cardinals, while
Briggs will most likely never talk to anyone from Chicago again) would
be a huge upgrade. Mitchell is solid and Mathias Kiwanuka is a good
pass rusher, but Briggs would give them another monster run stopper to
go with Antonio Pierce, and someone that can cover good tight ends and
running backs, which is Pierce's weakness.
The biggest free agent they should be chasing though is the same guy
who could've, and should've, crushed our Super Bowl hopes: Asante
Samuel. He, like Briggs, was franchised this past year, meaning he
will be getting a long term deal from somebody. The Giants biggest
hole is cornerback. Like I said, I love Ross, but beyond him they
don't have much. Corey Webster made some big interceptions in the
playoffs, but he also gets beat a lot and Sam Madison has been one of
the worst number one corners in the league for a couple years now.
Imagine replacing him with Asante Samuel. If they can't get Samuel,
Marcus Trufant is also a free agent.
As for the draft, from what I've read, all the top offensive lineman
and corners will be gone by the Giants pick, but they should be able
to get one of the top linebackers. Whether they manage to sign Briggs
or not, a linebacker should be the pick. Other top draft needs after
that should be depth at corner, o-line and wide receiver.
And lastly, the only thing the offense really needs to do- make Eli
watch every throw he made last season, so he can see how much better
he is when he slows it down a little and doesn't throw the ball as
hard as he can, as fast as he can every single time. That's when his
footwork gets screwed up and he loses all his accuracy.
In short, if the Giants can land one of the top defensive free agents,
the defense should be good enough to repeat by itself, as long as Eli
doesn't screw it up.
Keywords: aaron ross, antonio pierce, asante samuel, corey webster, eli manning, Giants, gibril wilson, karlos dansby, kawika mitchell, ken hamlin, lance briggs, marcus trufant, mathias kiwanuka, sam madison, tom coughlin
