Giants Spoil Cowboys’ Billion Dollar Party

The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Jerry Jones’ new infinity dollar stadium by a score of 33-31. Last week I ranked the top ten games of this rivalry since the turning of the millennium. If I were to remake the list, this game would likely only be bested by the Giants’ playoff win.

Let’s look at what made this game so great.

If Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips were a cartoon character, he’d be Gil from the Simpsons.

The offensive game ball goes to Eli Manning and his two wide receivers of choice: Mario Manningham and Steve Smith. ESPN lists Eli Manning as having “targeted” a receiver 34 times. 13 went to Smith and 13 to Manningham, leaving only eight for the rest of the team. As opponents start to focus more on these two, others in the Giants offense will have to step up.

Last week I said Mario Manningham’s game reminds me of Greg Jennings of the Packers and Steve Smith of the Panthers. What I meant was “Mario Manningham is Jerry Rice.”

Seriously though, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but Super Mario looks like he could become the number one receiver this team has been missing since a bit of real estate became available in Plaxico Burress’ thigh. He had ten receptions, 150 yards and a TD, and he looked as good as anyone could have expected. With the ball in his hands, he’s as slippery as a jellyfish.

Steve Smith really opened my eyes too. Where as I thought Manningham could one day turn into a big receiving threat, I always thought Smith was destined to remain a slot receiver/ third down specialist. But his performance this season is changing my mind.

His numbers (10 receptions, 134 yards and a TD), are almost identical to Manningham’s, yet Mario seems to be getting more buzz. He just has the ability to get open, which can’t be taught easily. He made Orlando Scandrick look like a second-teamer all day.

Once Hakeem Nicks and Domenik Hixon return, Eli Manning will have a full shed of tools to choose from on offense, not one of which includes Sinorice Moss.

Speaking of the third best wide receiver named Moss currently in the NFL, it’s been a rough time going for Sinorice. I don’t want to use the word “useless,” but he’s not a factor on offense, he’s never been anything more than ineffective as a kick returner, and now he can’t even fall correctly. Moss failed to fall on a Felix Jones fumble on a kickoff, instead trying unsuccessfully to run with it. Luckily Bryan Kehl was there to pick up the pieces, but Moss’ days could be numbered.

Kehl had another big special teams play, downing a Jeff Feagles punt inside the five after Terrell Thomas whiffed on it. Kehl just picked up the pieces all day on special teams.

Eli Manning had one of his best games as a Giant, statistically speaking and in every other possible measurement: tangibles, intangibles, outtangibles, and semi-tangibles. 25-for-38, 330 yards, two TDs, zero INTs, 110.6 QB rating. If you still think he’s overrated…well I can’t think of a clever and snappy way to finish that statement, so I will just have to disagree. Respectfully, of course.

I’m not afraid of heights, but I am afraid of weights. As in, a video screen that was as much as a 747 jet hanging above a football field, suspended by a bunch of metal strings. If I was on that field, I’d be looking up every other minute to make sure that video screen wasn’t about to fall on me.

Defensive game balls go to Kenny Phillips and Bruce Johnson. Phillips, is playing with an injured knee, and Johnson was an undrafted free agent. Both made key plays on defense. Johnson positioned himself well to intercept an errant Tony Romo pass and return it for a touchdown. Phillips also positioned himself nicely in centerfield for his second interception of Romo. As for his first interception…

On his first interception, Phillips was beaten by Jason Witten, but Romo threw the ball behind his receiver. The ball hit off of Witten’s outstretched hand, and the ref ruled it incomplete. Unfortunately, the ball never hit the ground. The pigskin bounced off Witten’s foot and stuck into the unsuspecting arm of Kenny Phillips. Phillips ran it back to the end zone, pleading for the zebras to let the play continue.

Replays confirmed that it was an interception, but the touchdown was disallowed because the play was whistled dead. Fortunately, the Giants scored on a 22-yard Manningham reception on the ensuing drive. But this could have been a key missed call by the ref, who was standing only a few feet from the play. Yes, it was a fluke play, but the ref was in perfect position to see the ball.

The debut of Michael Boley should give the Giants someone who can help cover tight ends and running backs in the middle of the field. It’ll take some more time for him to be fully acquainted with the defense, but No. 52 was all over the place on Sunday night. He and Kenny Phillips led the Giants in tackles, each with seven.

The Giants got destroyed on the ground, allowing 251 rush yards. Offensively, they compiled only 97 yards. Not too un-shabby. Coughlin will have a lot to work on this week before the Giants travel to Tampa. I’m not that worried, because the talent is definitely there on both lines, but they need to figure out a way to start controlling the line of scrimmage the way they did last season.

Next time they play the Cowboys, they can’t expect to win if they get dominated like that in the trenches again.

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NFC Power Rankings: Week 2

1. Giants (2-0) – They had trouble establishing and stopping the run, but they won a big game against a good team in a tough environment.  The receivers sure don’t look like a weakness to me. (Last Week: 1)

2. Falcons (2-0) – Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons is paying big dividends. Matt Ryan looks like a young Peyton Manning.  Believe the hype. (4)

3. Saints (2-0) – Drew Brees is looking like an early MVP candidate (not really going out on a limb there).  This offense, with everyone healthy, is the best in the league.   I’m a reluctant believer. (7)

4. Vikings (2-0) – Didn’t look good trailing 10-0 to the Lions, but they pulled away in the end.  I still want to see how Favre responds to a challenging defense, but it’s important to see that he can win a game when Adrian Peterson doesn’t go bonkers. (3)

5. Eagles (1-1) – This would have been a totally different game if McNabb were healthy. They were torched by the Saints offense, which seems to be a trend so far.  Still, I expected more from their defense. (2)

6. Cowboys (1-1) – They controlled the running game, but couldn’t get anything going through the air.  They struggled to stop Eli Manning when it mattered. (5)

7. Packers (1-1) – After last week’s defensive display against the Bears, their effort against the Bengals was a big let down.  Their passing offense should be fine, but how does Greg Jennings go without a reception? (6)

8. 49ers (2-0) – Frank Gore is one of the best, and when the offensive line is opening up holes for him like they did on Sunday (207 yards on 16 carries), the 49ers won’t have to rely on the passing game (which is definitely not a bad thing). (11)

9. Cardinals (1-1) – Kurt Warner had the most efficient game in NFL history (24/26).  As long as he stays healthy, their offense should roll. (12)

10. Bears (1-1) – Perhaps a season-saving win over the defending champion Steelers. Jay Cutler showed why he’s worth so many draft picks, converting twice on two big red zone touchdowns.  I’m still not sold on them without Brian Urlacher. (13)

11. Panthers (0-2) – After his last two games (25/41, 308, 1 TD, 1 INT), this should be considered an MVP-type performance by Jake Delhomme.  They kept it close against the Falcons, so I expect them to start winning some games. (8)

12. Seahawks (1-1) – Defense could do nothing to stop Frank Gore.  If Matt Hasselbeck is out for a while, it could mean another top ten pick for the Seahawks next April. (10)

13. Redskins (1-1) – Ugly performance against a bad Rams team.  They won, but I’ve become really concerned about this offense.  They could muster up only three field goals. (9)

14. Buccaneers (0-2) – It’s tough to win when your offensive line allows the QB to get hit this often, especially when he has to attempt 50 passes a game.  Byron Leftwich was hit 12 times this Sunday, but it probably felt like closer to 100 for him. (14)

15. Rams (0-2) – The Rams offense moved the ball inside the Redskins’ ten yard line three times, and came away with a total of seven points for the game.  That’s a bad team. (15)

16. Lions (0-2) – They played the Vikings tough, but they can’t afford to turn the ball over three times against a quality opponent.  Some promising young players give fans reason for hope. (16)

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Top 10 Cowboys vs. Giants Games of the Millennium

Cowboys Vs. Giants. One of the great rivalries in all of sports.

Sunday, September 20th, the Cowboys will host the Giants as they debut their new, 1.2 billion dollar Cowboy Stadium on Sunday Night Football.

The game, which pits two of the NFC’s best, promises to be a thrilling, meaningful game, keeping in tradition with the history of this rivalry.

Although many rivalries would struggle to scrape together ten important and exciting games since the turn of the millennium, this rivalry had no problem producing ten games worthy of recognition.

Whether this game is won on a last second field goal or a Hail Mary pass that bounces off of the over-sized video screen and into the waiting arms of a receiver, this game begins a new era in the great history of this rivalry.

Begin Slideshow

Giants-Redskins: Five Keys To Beating Washington

1. Stop Portis

When game planning for the Washington Redskins, it all starts with Clinton Portis.  Although he’s been around for what feels like 10 years (this will be his eighth year), he is only 28 years old. He tired down the stretch last season, but he is still one of the best in the game.

But the Giants had little trouble with Portis last year. In two wins against the ‘Skins, Portis was held to 106 total rushing yards (that’s 53 rushing yards per game, for those without mathematical brain functions).

If the Giants can stuff Portis on first and second down, forcing the Redskins’ passing offense to move the ball, they’ll be in good shape.

 

2. Force Jason Campbell To Make A Mistake

Jason Campbell is a game manager who doesn’t win many games by himself, but he rarely turns the ball over. Last season he had only 13 touchdown passes, but he threw only six interceptions.

If the Giants are successful in bottling up Portis, Campbell will be forced to air it out.

This will be the first test for the defensive line that some (me) think will be the best in the game. Aside from sacking Campbell a few times, the D-line will try to pressure him into throwing a turnover or two.

This could be a low-scoring, defensive game where field position is invaluable. One Campbell turnover could be the deciding factor.

 

3. Keep an Eye on Santana Moss

If Giants can shut down the Redskins’ run game like I think they can, the Redskins’ next best offensive weapon will be Santana Moss. Moss is a burner who can get behind the defensive backs in a hurry; he can change the score in a hurry.

It’d be a shame to see the Giants dominate the trenches only to give up a long touchdown pass on a freak play. Chris Cooley is a very good tight end, and Malcolm Kelly could be a good red-zone target, but Moss is the man the Giants’ defensive backfield needs to focus on stopping.

 

4. Contain Revamped D-line

In what should surprise no one, the Redskins made the biggest splash of free agency (in terms of money and weight) when they signed “Fat Albert” Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million contract. The 6’6″, 320-pound behemoth adds a new dimension to their defense. He is arguably the best defensive tackle in football, and he will help Washington stop both the run and pass.

Rookie defensive end Brian Orakpo is also a dynamic player with high expectations. With Orakpo coming off the edge and Haynesworth coming up the gut, the Giants’ offensive line will have its hands full trying to protect Eli Manning and open holes for Brandon Jacobs.

If the Giants are going to get anything going offensively, they’ll need their offensive line to be in midseason form, especially with the probability of the Redskins loading up the box to stop the run.

 

5. Catch the Ball

This one is fairly simple.

Giants receivers didn’t have all that much trouble getting open this preseason. They did, however, have problems holding on to balls. 

With the Redskins defense daring the Giants to pass it, the receivers will have to make sure they actually catch the ball. Doing so will not only help move the ball, but it will force the Redskins to protect against the pass, which will benefit the running game.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Five Giant Predictions! Plus Five Things That Won’t Happen

Before every season, there’s always one buffoon who decides to make some bold predictions that end up being way off by the end of the season. Today, I get to be that buffoon.

Some of these predictions are bolder than others. But even the safest prediction can come back to bite you in the behind.

If I am close on even three of these predictions, I’ll consider it a success.

As a bonus, I have also included five things I predict will not happen.

Enjoy.

Begin Slideshow

How the New York Giants’ 53-Man Roster Should Look! Plus Preseason Finale Notes

I’ll get to my suggested 53-man roster in a bit, but first…

Preseason Game Four Notes:

Well the receivers certainly looked like, dare I say, NFL caliber receivers.  It didn’t hurt that they were playing against the Pats’ second teamers.  But they ran the routes well and made the plays they should have made, without dropping many balls.

Sinorice Moss had the huge game he needed to stick on the roster or maybe to raise his trade value.  He had 35 yards and two touchdowns, as well as a dropped pass.

Derek Hagan didn’t look so bad either, although most of his contributions were on special teams.  He did have a key eight-yard reception on a fourth and seven, but he also dropped a pass.

Hakeem Nicks had another long touchdown reception.  Coach Coughlin might not name him a starter, but it’s looking more and more like he’ll be the Giants’ most productive receiver.

Michael Matthews had a great block on Kevin Boss’ 44 yard catch and run.  He is a valuable blocking tight end, which should allow him to make the team over Darcy Johnson.

Andre Woodson showed that last week’s nightmare was not a fluke.  I’m not sure he  should even be on an NFL practice squad.

Rhett Bomar had a rough game as well, but he gets much more leeway.  The rookie has seen very little playing time this preseason, and was playing with lesser receivers.  Shaun Bodiford dropped a catchable pass and seemingly ran the wrong route on another play. 

Bomar threw an ugly interception, but he looks like he has the makings of a very good quarterback.  He has a quick release and puts some zip on his passes.  He has great athleticism and mobility. 

If the Giants cannot find room for him on the roster, it would be a shame to see another team steal him away from the practice squad.  I have a feeling that the reason he saw the field so sparingly is because the Giants coaches don’t want there to be much game film on him so no other team will want to gamble on adding him to their roster.  I don’t know if this will work…

Dave Tollefson is a player.  Hopefully he is not a casualty of the numbers game, because he could be a very useful rotation player on a less stocked team.  For the Giants, he would provide great depth, and would not be a weak spot if forced into action.

William Beatty looks more polished than I would have thought.  Hopefully he will not be forced into action, as continuity is one of the most important things for an offensive line.  But if he is forced into action, I’ll feel a lot better than I did when Kevin Boothe was playing.

He might only make the team as a place holder for Michael Boley (who is suspended for week one), but Gerris Wilkinson was all over the place against the Patriots.  He’s always been athletic, and he looked like an impact player on Thursday.

The offense made it into the red-zone (or “red area” as Howard Cross calls it) late in the game, but again failed to throw a fade to red zone weapon Ramses Barden.  I don’t understand how they can continue to not give Barden any action in the end zone.  Isn’t that why he was drafted?

Allen Patrick looked very good, sprinting for 50 yards on 8 carries.  Unfortunately, his chances of making the roster may be decided by other position battles.  If the Giants decide to go with seven receivers or three quarterbacks, they may deem a fourth halfback unnecessary.  It seems risky to go with only three half backs, but it wouldn’t be the worst idea.  Also, who knows what halfbacks will be available after other teams make their cuts.

Bob Papa gave a shout out to my High School, East Meadow High School!  Pats rookie lineman Rich Ohrenberger, the pride of East Meadow football, recorded one holding penalty against former Penn State teammate Maurice Evans.  His side of the line also gave up two sacks to the Giants’ first-teamers.

Not a great day, but it was just neat to hear them call his name.  Anyway, it’s tough when you’re a rookie going up against guys like Justin Tuck and Fred Robbins.  At least I imagine it would be tough…

And now, here is how I would structure the Giants’ 53-man roster:

Offense

QB: 3

Eli Manning, David Carr, Rhett Bomar

RB: 3

Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware

FB: 1

Madison Hedgecock

WR: 7

Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden, Sinorice Moss, Derek Hagan

TE: 3

Kevin Boss, Travis Beckum, Michael Matthews

OL: 9

Shaun O’Hara, David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, Chris Snee, Rich Seubert, William Beatty, Kevin Boothe, Tutan Reyes, Guy Whimper

Defense

DE: 4

Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Dave Tollefson

DT: 4

Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard

LB: 8

Antonio Pierce, Danny Clark, Chase Blackburn, Zack DeOssie, Bryan Kehl, Jonathan Goff, Clint Sintim, Gerris Wilkinson

CB: 5

Corey Webster, Therrell Thomas, Aaron Ross, Kevin Dockery, Bruce Johnson

S: 4

Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson, C.C. Brown, Sha’Reff Rashad

Special Teams

K/P: 2

Lawrence Tynes, Jeff Feagles

Practice Squad

Travonti Johnson, Vince Anderson, Allen Patrick, DeAndre Wright, Maurice Evans

Notes

Michael Boley is suspended for week one.
Stoney Woodson and Jay Alford are on IR
Adam Koets could make it over Reyes if healthy

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Giants Vs. Patriots Preseason Preview: What to Watch For

1. Derek Hagan Vs. Sinorice Moss

One of these two receivers will not make the team.  Hagan has been great in practice and had a solid game against the Jets, and I doubt the Giants would risk trying to put him on their practice squad.  Moss has been invisible lately. 

If he doesn’t do anything spectacular on Thursday, and perhaps even if he does, I expect him to be the odd man out. 

Maybe the Giants will try to trade Moss for a late round draft pick.

 

2. Hakeem Nicks

While starters Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith had games to forget, Hakeem Nicks had his coming out party against the Jets. 

It’ll be interesting to see when he is on the field, and for how long.  He has the highest upside of any Giants receiver, and he has dazzled in practice. 

Coach Coughlin likes to take it slow with rookies, but he can’t afford to keep Nicks off the field if he is the best option. 

The amount of playing time he gets on Thursday (and the amount of time he sees with the first teamers) could give us a hint as to what Coughlin is planning for the youngster.

It would also be nice to see fellow rookie wideout Ramses Barden get involved in the offense.

3. Young Linebackers

With the starters likely only playing one series, we should get a good look at some of the younger linebackers that could contribute on defense. 

Guys like Jonathan Goff, Bryan Kehl and Clint Sintim have impressed, and could all be a big part of this defense in the near future. 

Kehl is the seasoned veteran of this group, and he has already played with the starters.  Sintim is a good looking rookie and Goff (who missed his entire rookie season due to injury) could take over for Antonio Pierce in a couple of years. 

If all three continue to develop, they could help bolster a linebacking core that was a major weakness last season.

4. Third String QB Battle

Eli Manning and David Carr have the top two spots locked up, but we should get to see an extended look at both Andre Woodson and Rhett Bomar. 

Woodson is near the end of his rope, despite looking good in practice.  He needs a great game to have a chance of staying on this team. 

Bomar has the higher upside, and a good game could force the Giants to keep him on the roster. They probably don’t want to risk stashing him on the practice squad, as another team would probably steal him away.

5. Will Beatty

With David Diehl hobbled, Second round pick Beatty will get the nod at the all important left tackle. 

Beatty was forced into action against the Jets, and was able to hold his own.  If the Giants’ offensive line runs into injuries in the regular season, Beatty may get the call, so this will be a good preview of what we hope we won’t have to see this season.

 

Bonus Thing To Watch For:

Rich Ohrenberger

You may be wondering why I have chosen to highlight the Patriots’ fourth round rookie offensive lineman.  Well I’m a sucker for name-dropping, and Ohrenberger happened to be in my graduating class in East Meadow High School (Long Island).  He is a really nice guy, who graciously autographed my yearbook on the last day of school.  Here’s to hoping that he becomes an all-pro lineman, so that I may sell my yearbook for a modest profit.

New York, New York Preseason Game: Giants Receivers Drop Ball

As John Madden says in his best-selling video game: “If the ball hits you in the hands, you gotta catch it.”

Giants fans everywhere got flashes of last season when Steve Smith dropped a deep would-be touchdown pass on Saturday night against the Jets.  Domenik Hixon, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks also had key drops in what was a sloppy loss to the Jets.

The receivers remain an enigma.  Despite looking great at times, they are the same inconsistent bunch that we saw last season after losing Plaxico Burress.  We knew it was a question mark heading into camp, and it still looks that way now.

I’d like to see Coach Coughlin start rookie Hakeem Nicks opposite either Hixon or Smith in the fourth preseason game to send a message to the receiving core. Nicks is probably the most talented receiver on the team and looks as much like an NFL starter as any of them.

Yes, he did have an ugly drop, just like Smith, Hixon and Mario Manningham.  But he is a future starter, and with his performance on Saturday, he proved that the future may be sooner than originally expected.  He looked great hauling in two long touchdowns (against third stringers), and as my Dad said, he already has the swagger part down.

Manningham had an up and down game.  You can tell Eli Manning desperately wants to get Mario involved in the offense.  It’s obvious that he has the skill to be a competent NFL wide receiver, but he can’t seem to get on the same page as his QB.  There were times when he couldn’t create separation or just couldn’t hang on to the ball.  At least he did cause a couple of Lito Sheppard penalties.

Other Notes:

• Speaking of Sheppard, any team who wants to move the ball against the Jets should just throw towards Sheppard.  If the refs are calling a tight game, he’ll be flagged for pass interference or holding every time.  I’ve never seen such a lazy performance by a corner back.

• Despite what Eli’s numbers may suggest, he actually looked pretty good.  At times, he even looked great.  The line usually gave him a lot of protection, and most of his throws were on the money.  If not for a few drops, he would have had two touchdowns, no interceptions and a much better completion percentage.

• I’m not as hard on Kevin Gilbride as some people, but some of his play calling on Saturday was just bewildering.  Running on third and four in the Jets’ red zone?  A run up the middle with Allen Patrick on the two point conversion? 

  These are perfect opportunities to lob a fade to rookie wide receiver Ramses Barden.  He was drafted to help out the Giants’ red zone offense. Why not test him out?  The red zone play calling worries me.

• Brandon Jacobs again showed his improving hands on a nice touchdown catch at the front of the end zone.  However, he gave the ball right back when Bart Scott stripped the ball away from his previously injured arm.  That was the last we saw of Jacobs.

• I’d like to see a shiftiness competition between Ahmad Bradshaw and Leon Washington.

• Mathias Kiwanuka looked like a starting NFL lineman, bringing pressure and getting after the quarterback.  He showed a great motor on his sack, but the defensive backfield also deserves credit for their coverage.
• The defense missed way too many tackles and gave up a couple of long touchdown passes, but I’m still not too worried.  One was a result of a CB falling down and the other was a miscommunication between Kevin Dockery and CC Brown.  If those two are starting on opening day, I’ll be more worried.

• I am comfortable with David Carr as the backup quarterback.  Yes, he takes too many sacks, but he was also playing behind the second team offensive line.

  He is considered a bust after being selected first overall by the Houston Texans so many years ago, but part of that is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Houston’s patchwork offensive line was one of the worst of all time.  He never had a chance. 

  With the Giants, he has shown his great arm strength and mobility.  Given a healthy offensive line, I think he could be a very productive quarterback.  Hopefully we’ll never find out.

Giant Glut Of Defensive Linemen: The Defensive Ends

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the New York Giants have the deepest and most talented defensive line in all of the NFL.

It also would not be an exaggeration to say that if the Giants’ defensive line can stay healthy, they can be the heart of the best defense in the NFL.

Maybe those two statements are premature, but looking over the Giants’ current roster, it’s hard not to get excited about the unit’s potential.  Former Giants’ general manager Ernie Accorsi believed that you can never have too many pass rushers.  It is clear that current GM Jerry Reese has a similar vision.

Headlining the unit are pro bowl defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

Tuck was on his way towards a monster season in 2008, before the Giants’ lack of depth caught up with him.  He wore down towards the end of the season, and his performance noticeably dropped off.  He also suffered from the flu towards the end of  the season.  Still, he recorded a healthy 12 sacks.

Umenyiora hopes to be at 100 percent after knee surgery kept him out of the entire 2008 season.  Osi totalled 13 sacks in 2007, his last full season.  A combination of Tuck and a healthy Umenyiora is as good as any other starting defensive ends in the league.

Mathias Kiwanuka is talented enough to start on most teams, but will be relegated to a backup role this season.  Like Tuck, Kiwanuka played well towards the beginning of last season, but his performance dropped as he wore down.  His eight sacks are solid, but I am confident he would have recorded more if he were given more plays off to save his stamina.

Tuck, Umenyiora, and Kiwanuka will all be on the field in obvious passing situations.  This threesome should give any offensive line fits when they are together.

Other defensive ends of interest include Maurice Evans, Robert Henderson, and Dave Tollefson. 

Evans, whom the Giants signed as an undrafted free agent, was a starter at Penn State until he was suspended for an off-field incident.  Early reports in rookie mini-camp were encouraging.

Henderson was a sixth round pick in 2008 and spent the season on the practice squad.  Tollefson played a handful of games and recorded 3.5 sacks last season, proving that he can make contributions and provide solid depth.

Excellent depth should allow new Giants defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan to rotate linemen more.  This will allow them to keep their stamina late into games, and late into the season.

If all goes well, this unit could be better than the one that sacked Tom Brady five times in Super Bowl 42.

Up Next: The Defensive Tackles

NY Giants Sign Second Rounders Clint Sintim and William Beatty

According to the New York Giants’ official Web site , the Giants have signed both of their second round picks: outside linebacker Clint Sintim and offensive tackle William Beatty.

Clint Sintim, the OLB out of Virginia, was drafted 45th overall with the second-round pick the Giants received from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for tight end Jeremy Shockey (the Giants also received a fifth-round pick, with which they selected quarterback Rhett Bomar of Sam Houston State).

William Beatty, OT from University of Connecticut, was selected with the Giants’ late second round pick, 60th overall.

Sintim is expected to make an immediate impact, although it is still unknown exactly how he will be used.  Heading into the draft, some were concerned that he struggled in coverage.

But the Giants believe he is athletic enough to be competent in coverage, while also bringing many other positives.  He is a great blitzer off the edge, and he should help the Giants’ already dynamic pass rush.  The playmaking Sintim compiled at least 70 tackles and a combined 20 sacks in his final two collegiate seasons.

At 6-6, 305 lbs., William Beatty is already a mountain of a man, and he could still tack on some extra weight.  He is athletic for his size and should turn into a gifted pass blocker.

The Giants hope that he will not be forced into action this season, but the reality is that right tackle Kareem McKenzie has had his share of injury problems over the past couple of seasons.  Beatty is not ready yet, but he should be an upgrade as a backup offensive lineman.

The Giants waived wide receiver Micah Rucker and linebacker Kelvin Smith in order to add the two rookies to the depth chart.

With Giants players reporting to training camp on Sunday, only their first round pick, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, remains unsigned.

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