2008 Team Preview by RotoExperts.com Staff Writer Jon Williams. OVERVIEW
The Super Bowl Champions seem to have everything they need to return to the playoffs in 2008. They have a gutsy and talented quarterback, a solid and deep core of running backs, a nice mix of youthful energy, veteran experience at receiver, and a potentially dominating defense. The New York Giants also have a head coach who will never be satisfied with just one ring. But it isn’t all sunshine and roses for the Giants. Whispers of problems between Tom Coughlin and his players have persisted for years and have been suggested as the reason that running back Tiki Barber and star defensive end Michael Strahan chose early retirement, rather than completing their contracts. The Giants’ two best receivers are both complaining and becoming potential distractions. Plaxico Burress wants a new contract, one that pays him like a top five NFL wide receiver, and he refused to participate in mini-camp to make his point. Tight end Jeremy Shockey is perpetually unhappy, and the Giants made matters worse by not allowing him (he broke his leg in December) to watch the Super Bowl from the sidelines on crutches. If the Giants can’t put their public relations problems behind them, they could be in for a very long season. |
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses. Quarterback: Eli Manning (10), David Carr, Anthony Wright Running Back: Brandon Jacobs (3), Ahmad Bradshaw (7), Derrick Ward (15), Reuben Droughns Wide Receiver: Plaxico Burress (3), Amani Toomer (13), Steve Smith (13), Sinorice Moss, David Tyree Tight End: Jeremy Shockey (9), Kevin Boss (final rounds) Kicker: Lawrence Tynes
NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES
Additions: DE Renaldo Wynn, QB David Carr, LB Keith O’ Neil, SS Sammy Knight
Subtractions: DE Michael Strahan, S Gibril Wilson  | | Come see a New York team play in New Jersey. Photo Credit: nautical2k |
2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH Round Three: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan TOP POSITION BATTLES Running Back: Brandon Jacobs vs. Ahmad Bradshaw
Number two receiver: Amani Toomer and Steve Smith 2008 SCHEDULE Top fantasy matchups in bold Sept. 4: Washington Redskins
Sept. 14: at St. Louis Rams
Sept. 21: Cincinnati Bengals
Sept. 28: BYE
Oct. 5: Seattle Seahawks
Oct. 13: at Cleveland Browns
Oct. 19: San Francisco Giants
Oct 26: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov. 2: Dallas Cowboys
Nov. 9: at Philadelphia Eagles
Nov. 16: Baltimore Ravens
Nov. 23: at Arizona Cardinals
Nov. 30: at Washington Redskins FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 7: Philadelphia Eagles
Dec. 14: at Dallas Cowboys
Dec. 21: Carolina Panthers
Dec 28: at Minnesota Vikings  | ENGEL EYE ON: THE NEW YORK GIANTS | Brandon Jacobs is being picked too early in many drafts. As of July 6, he was ranked 23rd overall in Mock Draft Central's average draft position reports, ahead of Jamal Lewis and Maurice Jones-Drew. I absolutely love Jacobs' running style, and he's a thrill to watch. He hits defenders harder than they hit him. Yet his approach also leads to a high level of risk for injuries and the need for the Giants to have him share carries with other running backs. Jacobs may stay atop the depth chart when he is healthy, but his shared touches and risk factor makes me want to leave him alone until at least the fifth round, so I am sure I won;t have to own or worry about him this year. |
2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS  | | Is Eli fit enough for your fantasy team? Photo Credit: Endlessdan |
Quarterback:
To all those that have questioned his talent, Eli Manning can now provide the perfect answer: “I’ve won a Super Bowl.” Manning has certainly proved to be a capable NFL quarterback, but he did very little during the regular season to convince fantasy owners to take a chance on him as their starting QB. During the regular season, he managed to finish with less than 200 yards seven times and with one touchdown or less in 11 games. On the other hand, Manning did have an injury-plagued receiving corps that severely limited his options. He also seemed to develop a more aggressive attitude in the playoffs, which could make a huge difference in 2008. The Giants are counting on Manning’s leadership to bring this team back together and to coax them to perform the way they did against the Patriots and Packers in the playoffs. I still wouldn’t count on Manning as my number one QB, but if his receiving corps looks healthy come draft day, I wouldn’t hesitate to spend a late-round pick on him as my backup. The Giants made backing up Manning a priority in the off-season and signed a former number one overall pick, David Carr, to do the job. Carr should easily outperform incumbent Anthony Wright. Carr has a great arm and throws a very nice deep pass. He’ll be hoping to get into a game or two to prove he can be a starting quarterback somewhere in 2009. Wright will still be on the roster and has shown he can be a solid quarterback when pressed into action, but he isn’t very likely to get the opportunity. Running Back:
The Giants’ most talented running back isn’t Brandon Jacobs, it's Ahmad Bradshaw. Jacobs is a fine NFL back and is a great pick in fantasy drafts. He collected 1,009 rushing yards in 202 attempts –- good for a 5.0 yards per carry. The only real disappointments were his injury problems, which limited him to just 11 games and four touchdowns. The low number of touchdowns had more to do with keeping him healthy than with a problem in talent or ability on the goal line. In fact, he should be the primary back in the red zone this season. Despite Jacobs’ talent, Coughlin discovered just how big a difference Bradshaw could make on the offense. In the last game of the regular season, Bradshaw ran for 151 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. When Bradshaw became more involved, the Giants offense came together. Bradshaw has the power, the speed, and the hands to be an every-down running back. You can expect Jacobs to begin the season as the starter, but Bradshaw will be leeching more and more carries every week until he becomes the starter. Derrick Ward was very effective in the games that Jacobs missed. In eight games, Ward rushed for 602 yards and three touchdowns in 125 attempts. He also showed good hands, with 26 receptions for 179 receiving yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Ward proved to be almost as injury-prone as Jacobs. Ward suffered a broken fibula in December, providing Bradshaw with his chance to shine, but he is expected to be healthy for training camp. Reuben Droughns was expected to be the primary backup for Jacobs, but instead, he was more of a goal-line back. Droughns collected six touchdowns in limited duty, but can’t be expected to deliver a repeat performance. If Jacobs and Ward are healthy, he could even be cut before camp opens. Wide Receiver:
Plaxico Burress wants a new contract. He claims he was never satisfied with the six-year, $25 million contract he signed in 2005. He may have just earned that new contract. Burress was impressive in 2007, despite playing through severe injuries for most of the season: a sprained MCL in his left knee; a torn deltoid ligament in his right ankle; a torn ligament in his left pinky finger; and a first degree shoulder separation in the first half of the NFC Championship Game (which required a pain-killing injection to play in the second half). Burress caught 70 passes for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007 and is easily Manning’s favorite target. Amani Toomer is 34 years-old, but that hasn’t diminished his ability very much. Toomer is a possession receiver who Manning often goes to for key first downs. In 2007, he caught 59 passes for 760 yards and three touchdowns. The Giants still love Toomer, but they have a have a talented collection of young receivers who need experience and could begin to steal receptions in 2008. Steve Smith is the young receiver most likely to become a starter for the Giants this season. He spent his rookie season plagued by injuries -- a broken shoulder blade and a pulled hamstring -- that limited him to just five games, eight receptions, and 63 yards receiving. Similarly to Bradshaw, Smith established himself late in the season and in the playoffs, and that late-season impact will make it impossible to keep a healthy Smith off the field. Expect Smith to collect 40-50 catches with very nice yardage. Sinorice Moss, David Tyree and Mario Manningham only have value in dynasty leagues. Tight End:
Jeremy Shockey is not a team player, and that was never more apparent then when he was not at the Giants championship ring ceremony. But when we move beyond character issues, we have to acknowledge that Shockey is by far the best option the Giants have at tight end. The team tried very hard to trade Shockey in the off-season but were unable to secure a deal that brought back fair value, so Shockey will be a Giant again in 2008. Last year, he had a fairly typical season with 57 catches for 619 yards and three touchdowns. Unless you’re in a very unique fantasy league, you won’t need to draft a second tight-end. That is why it is hard to understand why Kevin Boss is receiving so much attention as a sleeper. Sure, he’s a talented receiver, but he isn’t better than Shockey and won’t be a fantasy producer, unless Shockey is injured or traded. Kicker:
Lawrence Tynes is not a very good kicker. He isn’t accurate from any distance and often fails in the clutch. This makes him an extremely poor choice for your fantasy team. Defense/Special Teams:
Losing DE Michael Strahan is definitely going to have an impact, but this team has a depth of defensive talent that should fill the gap. Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck are both extremely talented and should anchor the defensive line. They will collect double-digit sacks working with DT Fred Robbins and NT Barry Cofield. Mathias Kiwanuka has made the transition from defensive end to linebacker and is ready to become an elite NFL star in Steve Spagnuolo’s aggressive scheme. FS James Butler, SS Sammy Knight, CB Sam Madison, and CB Aaron Ross form a solid veteran backfield. The Giants think that rookie safety Kenny Phillips can step right into the starting lineup ahead of James Butler, but he’ll have to prove it in training camp. This is an elite defense that should only get better and better, and it is a top fantasy choice. Offensive Line:
The Giants have a great offensive line that provides Manning with plenty of protection and spurs great movement in the running game. The questions about David Diehl moving to LT have been answered – he’s fine. LG Rich Seubert was finally healthy and effective. RG Chris Snee was a stud blocking for the run, and he earned himself a six-year contract extension. The entire line returns in 2008 and should only improve with continuity. Do you have any questions, comments, or insults to toss Jon’s way? Email him at
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