New York Giants Offseason Guide

Disappointing. Pretty much sums up the season. Per usual, the Giants started off well, had a poor second half, and instead of scraping into the playoffs, the Redskins went on a run and put the Giants out of the playoffs. Of course, when the NFL gives you an awful schedule in the second half EVERY year, it's bound to happen. Anyway, the Giants had no excuses for missing the playoffs other than their own fault. They played downright poorly. Change is a coming.

The Giants have made three big cuts already to get under the salary cap: Michael Boley, Chris Canty and Ahmad Bradshaw. We'll get to each. Each has its merits and its detractions, but GM Jerry Reese is one of, if not, the best in the game. So, we're going to examine what the Giants need to do to not only succeed in 2013 but moving forward.

Quarterback
Not much here. Eli still has many good years left in the tank, but Curtis Painter is not a legitimate backup. Keeping David Carr as a backup is a good choice and they should look to drafting a young one in the late rounds to develop.

Running Back
Ahmad Bradshaw was released. As much as Bradshaw has been a key part to the Giants' success in two Super Bowl victories, he has been extremely injury prone. Now, Bradshaw can be brought back on a cheaper deal, so don't count him out yet. Based on statements by Reese, the Giants want to put David Wilson into the starting role. After working out of Coughlin's doghouse, he was fantastic in the return game and as a runner, getting 5 yards a carry. If Wilson and Andre Brown shoulder the load, the Giants must draft another back to put into the return game or sign another back. Henry Hynoski (Hynocerous or I call him Hank the Tank) will be back at Fullback.

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
The Giants have a priority of extending Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. They must do so. They're young, talented and bring two different skill sets. Nicks has been banged up, but he plays through injuries. The Giants have plenty of depth at WR if they keep Barden and Hixon. Hixon should be kept and Rueben Randle's role expanded to become a great #3. Martellus Bennett thrived as a starting TE and he must be brought back. Bear Pascoe offers a solid backup. Keeping things intact here is a priority.

Offensive Line
Now, I am an advocate of breaking this up. I know, the Giants allowed the least amount of sacks in the league, but some change is necessary. LT Will Beatty and LG Kevin Boothe are FA's. It is imperative Beatty is brought back: he was the best lineman on the team - he really shined. Boothe on the other hand, I am indifferent about. If there are no other options which are better, Boothe should be brought back. Center David Baas should have been a cap casualty but there are not other centers of high caliber available outside of Brian de la Puente. Chris Snee will start until he retires...or divorces Tom Coughlin's daughter. Then he'll be cut. Otherwise, David Diehl MUST GO. He was the epitome of awful - slow and allowed many sacks. Why he still on the roster, I do not know. Bring back Sean Locklear and give James Brewer a chance to start and draft a tackle.

Defensive Line
What a subpar year. How to improve this line: it's simple. Move Mathias Kiwanuka back to end to replace Osi Umenyiora's role. It might be a smart idea to move Justin Tuck to DT full time, but the Giants need a road-girding, run-stopping DT. Glenn Dorsey has been suggested as a better 4-3 fit DT. Alan Branch would be nice, as would Henry Melton but Melton is going to be paid very well. A run stuffer must go next to a Linval Joseph/Marvin Austin rotation. If Martellus Bennett is brought back, he might bring along brother Michael, a DE from Tampa who could replace Tuck. Michael Johnson from Cincinnati will probably be franchised but pass rush specialist Junior Galette from New Orleans would work too. This line needs a mini-makeover.

Linebacker
This is going to be rough, too. Chase Blackburn and Keith Rivers are FAs. I would advocate bringing back both. Blackburn is not great at any one thing, but he plays hard. No one plays harder than Blackburn on game day. But, there are more athletic linebackers. I would not start Mark Herzlich as some have suggested - he is awful in coverage. Awful. There are not many choices out there for free agents, so the Giants should target one in the draft, maybe even Manti Te'o (kidding). Phillip Wheeler would be a nice fit, as would Dannell Ellerbe, but my guess is the Giants will look at drafting one starter, signing another and going with an internal option like Jacquian Williams in another.

Secondary
Kenny Phillips and Stevie Brown (RFA) are free agents. Phillips plays well when healthy, but it goes year to year with him. Fortunately, there are a number of quality safeties available: Jairus Byrd, Dashon Goldson, Glover Quin and William Moore. The Giants should retain Phillips and Brown and let other teams pay for those safeties and stick with them along Antrel Rolle. Cornerback, on the other hand, the Giants should get themselves a free agent. Amukamara was solid. Hosley got burned a lot and needs more seasoning. Webster should get cut if he does not agree to a pay cut and demotion. Aqib Talib is talented and the Giants locker room and staff can keep his head on straight, but I am eyeing Cary Williams or Keenan Lewis. Pittsburgh likes to keep their own, so I would expect Lewis to stay there, but Williams came off a solid season as a Super Bowl champ. He's a great fit for the Giants.

Special Teams
No change here with Tynes or Weatherford. A kick returner might be in order if Wilson starts but Randle might be a good fit as he handles put returns already.

The Giants need work defensively and at RT. Jerry Reese has his work cut out for him.