Can the New York Giants make it two in a row?

The 2008-2009 NFL Regular Season kicks off this August and the team to watch this year is of course the defending Super Bowl Champions the New York Giants.

Many experts did not give credit for the Giants playoff run last year since they were not a championship caliber team. But fortunately for the Giants, things went their way and became the Super Bowl Champions. And now, the New York Giants are coming this season in full throttle and will be among the elite teams in the 2008 NFL Season.

2007 Super Bowl Champions New York Giants

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is now the leader of this team together with Wide Receiver Plaxico Burres. Giants’ fans expect him to be at full health at the start of the NFL Season. Giants’ Running Back team led by starters Brandon Jacobs and Madison Hedgecock are expected to deliver some offense as Brandon Jacobs the 260-pound battering ram who gained 1,009 yards last season in just slightly more than 10 games. He figures to be the starter and the heart and soul of the Giants’ smash-mouth running game. Madison Hedgecock on the other hand signed as a free agent after being waived by St. Louis in September, started all season and blocked with a fury. The Giants have a formidable backup at this position having Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward and Reuben Droughns. Bradshaw was a rookie phenom and should be used that way again. Ward was valuable when Jacobs was injured and then he, too, suffered an injury. Droughns filled a situational role on short yardage but will have to work hard to make the squad.

With the key addition of Mario Manningham out of Michigan who is considered to be the premier Wide Receiver in the draft. Although the Giants lost some key guys in Kiwika Mitchell, Reggie Tarbor, and Michael Strahan, but they are deep at almost every defensive position as proven in their Super bowl run, and this should not be too much of a problem to handle. The only question now remains the fate of Jeremy Shockey who is making some noise in the off season.

Overall, look for the Giants to have a solid regular season and the defense will be the focal point for the Giants this year but don't expect another Super Bowl appearance.