2012 NFL Preview: New York Giants
By Keith Myers
Another day, and another team previewed for the 2012 NFL season. Our tour around the league stops this time with the NFL Champion New York Giants. The Giants put together an incredible run at the end of the season and in the playoffs, but were pretty mediocre before that. The Giants were the perfect example of peaking at the right time. Now the only question is if they can keep it going.
"Biggest Team Need Heading Into Offseason: Running Back, Safety, Tight End"
"Key Free Agents Retained: Chase Blackburn, Terrell Thomas, David Carr, Steve Weatherford, Domenik HixonKey Player Additions: Keith Rivers, Martellus Bennett, Sean Locklear, Shaun RodgersKey Players Leaving: Brandon Jacobs, Mario ManninghamQuick Thoughts on Draft: The Giants had another good draft for a team placed at #32. They got the running back they wanted in David Wilson, and also the wide receiver they might need in Reuben Randle from LSU. They also drafted a beast of a man in Adrien Robinson, who at 6’4″ 264 lbs, will be the athletic big target TE of the future.Quick Thoughts on 2012 schedule: Rated as the toughest schedule in the NFL, but the travel schedule is light. The Giants only travel west of the Mississippi twice, when they visit Dallas and San Fran; And as we say around here “It’s not who you play, but when you play them” Season starts off with a Wednesday night game, then Sunday, then Thursday…..the life of a Super Bowl Champion.Most Interesting Roster Battle: The best battles will be along the offensive line. Right Tackle Kareem McKenzie is gone and the Giants currently have 15 linemen on the roster. This will be the one to watch. Smaller battles at Safety, Tight End, and Linebacker will be intriguing as well.Biggest Strength Heading Into 2012: ELI. The offense has really stepped up at the right time for the Giants.Biggest Weakness Heading Into 2012: Defensive backfield. Too many guys returning from injuries have left question marks.Biggest Question Still To Be Answered: Will Osi play?2012 Prediction: Too early to predict much, but Eagles will be better as will the Redskins. Somewhere in the area of 10-6 is my guess right now."
Its hard to argue against a team currently hoisting around the Lombardi Trophy. The Giants had an unbelievable 8 week stretch at the end of the year and in the playoffs. It was an amazing run, and they deserved that championship.
But this isn’t about last year, it’s about 2012. The offseason has seen a lot of talent leave New York for pasture of a lesser green variety. It’ll be interesting to see how that effects the team. I would guess that it wont be much until injuries start to take their toll. The Giants are still very talented, but they aren’t nearly as deep as they’d like to be.