With the NFL Draft set to kick off on Thursday night, the Giants must wait for 31 other teams to make their picks before selecting their newest player. Since 2004, the Giants have hit home runs with each of their first round picks. All eight of these players (Eli Manning, Corey Webster, Mathias Kiwanuka, Aaron Ross, Kenny Phillips, Hakeem Nicks, JPP, and the Prince) have each won at least one Super Bowl championship and have been instrumented to the Giants success. How many other teams can boast such an impressive track record?

The Prince dealt with injuries last year and didn’t make a huge impact, but the raw ability is there and he’ll have this chance to set-up this season after Ross signed with Jacksonville. Outside of the Giants, the Ravens (Michael Oher, Ladarius Webb), Packers (Aaron Rodgers, BJ Raji, Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb), and Lions (Matt Stafford, Ndamukong Suh) have posted similiar success, but do not have the depth of talent that the Giants have obtained.

While it’s nearly impossible to predict who the Giants will draft, Mike provided some draft profiles here, here, here, and here. Of note, I really, really Stanford TE, Coby Fleener. Fleener kind of reminds me of Kevin Boss and his production is something the Giants sorely missed last year. However, the Niners pick ahead of the Giants and Jim Harbough recruited Fleener at Stanford. Granted, the Niners have Vernon Davis, Mario Manningham, Michael Crabtree, and Randy Moss but adding Fleener would give Alex Smith another target and blocker.

Ultimately, the Giants will likely stick to their guns and pick their best available player. Don’t be surprised if Jerry Reese drafts another high upside defensive end that turns into an All-Pro in two seasons.

Just like David Tyree, Giant fans will always remember Mario Manningham for his historic catch in the Super Bowl. While Giant fans will enjoy Super Bowl memories for years to come, Manningham will move on and join the San Francisco 49ers. Manningham and the Niners agreed to a two-year deal last weekend, signaling the end to his era in New York. 

The Manningham departure was really no surprise. The Giants have two great wide receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz and a plethora of internal options that will need to step up, just like Cruz did in 2011. Jerrell Jernigan and Ramses Barden will have the first crack to replace Manningham. In addition, the Giants may turn to the NFL Draft to fill the need. 

While the Giants will search for his replacement, Giant fans will always remember Manningham’s superb 2011 post-season. Manningham’s three post-season touchdowns and 39-yard reception Super Bowl reception will go down in Giant lure.  

Last night’s Super Bowl was an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. It had all the makings of an all-time classic. Brady vs. Eli. Belichick vs. Coughlin. Revenge for the Pats. Ascension for Eli. The game was great. When the dust finally settled, the Giants laid claim to a 21-17 victory. 

When looking back at the game, two huge plays stand out and that ultimately shaped the outcome…

Tom is now 1-3 vs. NYG

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Before the regular season even began, football fans heard endless rants about the Philadelphia ‘Dream Team’ and how this team was destined for greatness. The Giants were regarded by many as an outcast team with a lame duck coach and shoddy defense. However, the Giants proved to be the best team in the NFC East, winning nine games, including some big wins against New England, the Jets, and Dallas twice. Even after winning their final two games, the Giants are not receiving the credit they deserve. Every ‘analyst’ and ‘expert’ is predicting that the Packers, Patriots, and Saints are by far the favorites to hoist the Lombari Trophy in Indy. However, here are six reasons why the Giants can win it all..

Deja Vu All Over Again??

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Eli couldn’t convert a fourth down for the third straight time–and that sealed the Giants fate. With 2:00 to go, Eli’s third, fourth down attempt was batted down at the line of scrimmage, sealing the win for the Niners.

The San Francisco 49ers showed America (without Frank Gore) that they are for real with a 27-20 against the Giants. Playing their second straight game without Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs and DJ Ware combined for 89 yards on the ground. Eli threw two beautiful touchdown passes to Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham. Eli did throw a key interception that turned into seven San Francisco points.

The Giants are still sit atop the NFC East with a 6-3 record, but are starting to feel a little heat by the 5-4 Dallas Cowboys. The Giants and Cowboys haven’t played yet, but I expect a hard fought contest.

The Giants will host the stumbling Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday night at Metlife Stadium. The Giants can put the 3-6 Eagles away for good next weekend.

On the other side of town, the ‘Clueless’ New York Giants have watched Kevin Boss, Barry Cofield and Steve Smith leave via free agency. The Giants have only added center, David Baas from the 49ers to a five-year, $27.5 million deal. Losing two of Eli’s favorite receiving weapons and essentially rebuilding the offensive line will leave many key questions on offense. On defense, the Giants haven’t addressed their linebacking core and watched Osi and Prince go down with injuries. 

In my mind, the loss of Kevin Boss is absolutely inexcusable. Boss has averaged 550 yards and 5 TDs over the last two seasons, providing Eli with a great red zone target. The emergence of Hakeem Nicks has definitely helped in the red zone, but Boss drew cover and the Giants will try to replace that production with Travis Beckum, who has 21 career receptions. 

I’m not losing sleep over Steve Smith leaving for Philadelphia. Eli still set career highs in completions and touchdown passes last season with Smith had 48 catches in nine game last year before suffering a knee injury. Expect Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham to be key cogs in the passing game with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs sprinkled in. 

The NFC East is going to be one of the toughest divisions in football. The Eagles have reloaded and the Cowboys are finally healthy. Do I think the Giants are a playoff team right now? I don’t, but things happen. If the Giants front seven can finally start playing together, I think they’ll have some success. Will that be enough to compensate for Jerry Reese’s ‘clueless’ off-season? Only time will tell. 

As the Draft inches closer, speculation grows as to where certain prospects will land. Let’s take a deeper look at the Giants’ drafts over the past decade, and see if we can spot any trends or habits.
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Put the coroner on speed dial, Dallas’ Super Bowl hopes are flatlining. And you can thank the Giants.

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The G-Men survived to win their third straight game, in which they looked unimpressive at times but found ways to win. Eleven penalties committed by the Lions helped a lot, as did the three turnovers our defense forced.

The Lions lost their 24th straight road game, amazingly tying the NFL record they set from 2001-03. Somebody help them out…

It was a lot closer than we would have liked. But as they say, a win is a win. I’ll take a 4-2 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC right now any week.

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The New York Football Giants suffered through a disaster last week against Tennessee, dropping to 1-2 on the 2010 campaign. Week four is a new week, though, and with a new week comes the challenge of stopping the 3-0 Chicago Bears in the first Giants primetime game in the New Holy Land.

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