2011 NFL PREVIEW - New York Giants

NEW YORK GIANTS

2010 RECORD: 10-6-0
(2nd in NFC East)

HEAD COACH: Tom Coughlin

Offense: Quarterback Eli Manning had an up and down season in 2010, throwing 31 touchdown passes, but also throwing 25 interceptions. Manning finished with 4,002 passing yards and ranked ninth among NFC quarterbacks with a 85.3 passer rating.
The Giants will look for Manning to be more consistent this season. Sage Rosenfels is the backup quarterback.
The running game for the Giants keeps humming along and with Ahmad Bradshaw (1,235 rush yards, 4.5 ypc average, eight TD) and Brandon Jacobs (823, 5.6, nine TD) back once again, expect the team to continue to pound the ball at opponents in 2011.
The Giants finished sixth overall running the ball with 138 yards per game.
The wide receivers are led by Hakeem Nicks (79 receptions for 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns) and Mario Manningham, who made 60 catches for 944 yards and nine touchdowns.
After those two, it's a free for all as four others (Victor Cruz, Domenik Hixon, Michael Clayton and Devin Thomas) will have a shot in 2011. The tight ends will be Travis Beckum and Bear Pascoe as Kevin Boss is now with the Oakland Raiders.
The offensive line will see a shakeup in 2011 with David Bass at center replacing Shaun O'Hara. The guards are Chris Snee and David Diehl, who moves from tackle to guard on the left side of the line. The tackles will be Will Beatty and Kareem McKenzie.

Defense: The Giants can defend both the pass and the run as well as get after opposing quarterbacks.
Ranking in the top ten in the NFL is all three categories a year ago, the Giants have one of the better defensive units in the league.
Up front in the 4-3 scheme are ends Justin Tuck (11.5 quarterback sacks) and Jason Pierre-Paul (4.5 sacks), who will start while Osi Umenyiora (11.5 sacks) recovers from knee surgery. The tackles are Marvin Austin (rookie from North Carolina) and Chris Canty. Mathias Kiwanuka, who had four sacks, is also ready on the defensive front.
The linebackers include middle man Jonathan Goff with Clint Sintim and Michael Boley on the outside. Providing depth will be Phillip Dillard along with possibly Greg Jones and Jacquian Williams, both rookies. Adrian Tracy is also available.
The secondary has Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas at the corner spots with Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle playing safety. Thomas had five interceptions last season and Webster picked off four passes.
Providing back up will be Deon Grant (three interceptions) and Brian Jackson at safety with rookie Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) and Aaron Ross at cornerback. Amukamara is currently mending a broken foot.
The Giants allowed 101 yards rushing per game and 210 passing yards per game last year while registering 46 sacks and picking off 16 passes. They also finished 17th overall in scoring defense, allowing 347 points.

OUTLOOK: For the second consecutive season, the Giants missed the playoffs and once again Head Coach Tom Coughlin could be looking to be on the hot seat if the team hits the trifecta in 2011 on playoff absenteeism.
Manning put up some good numbers in 2010, but must cut down on the turnovers, especially the interceptions.
Look for the Giants to continue to run the ball often with the tandem of Bradshaw and Jacobs. The O-line is solid, yielding just 16 sacks a year ago and they open holes for the backs to run through on a regular basis.
The Giants can score (394 points ranked 7th in NFL) and the defense is solid, evidenced by the numbers they put up last season.
Avoiding injuries to key personnel and avoiding turnovers will be the key as the Giants look to battle the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East division crown in 2011.
An 11-5 finish looks to be in store for New York this year and a playoff spot as they look to return to past glory. How far the Giants go will depend on the defense and the consistency of Manning.

TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Washington
Week 2- vs. St. Louis
Week 3- at Philadelphia
Week 4- at Arizona
Week 5- vs. Seattle
Week 6- vs. Buffalo
Week 7- BYE WEEK
Week 8- vs. Miami
Week 9- at New England
Week 10- at San Francisco
Week 11- vs. Philadelphia
Week 12- at New Orleans
Week 13- vs. Green Bay
Week 14- at Dallas
Week 15- vs. Washington
Week 16- at NY Jets
Week 17- vs. Dallas