Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Rarely has a Super Bowl champion entered the following season with less regard than the Giants. They aren't even the talk of their own city since the crosstown rival Jets traded for Brett Favre.

Still, Eli Manning is the only quarterback in the competitive division with a Super Bowl ring, and his supporting cast is back mostly intact.

The major concern during the preseason was the condition of wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who missed most of that time with an ailing right ankle. Burress and veteran Amani Toomer are that much more important in the passing game this season with the departure of tight end Jeremy Shockey.

The defense has undergone some major changes, most notably in the pass rush. First, defensive end Michael Strahan retired, and then Osi Umenyiora incurred ligament damage in his knee during a preseason game and won't be back until next year. The Giants will count on Justin Tuck, a major part of the defensive line rotation last season, to get pressure on the quarterback.

The Giants also will be missing another Super Bowl starter in safety Gibril Wilson, who signed with Oakland in the offseason. His replacement is Sammy Knight, a starter with Jacksonville in 2007.

. . . for now. Eli Manning's MVP performance in the Super Bowl means no more bashing, at least until the Giants lose their first game.

-- Gene Wang