New York Giants: Find Playmakers for Eli

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

The New York Giants were an afterthought in 2007, but made their way to a Super Bowl title. In 2008, the Giants found a way to earn home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, only to last one game. Their playoff loss to Philadelphia was certainly disappointing, but the fact that they earned the top seed after the drama they went through was impressive in itself. Now, it's time for the Giants to re-tool, reload, and get back to the Super Bowl.

Free Agents: CB Kevin Dockery (RFA), S James Butler (UFA), K John Carney (UFA), RB Brandon Jacobs (designated franchise player), DE Jerome McDougle (UFA), CB R.W. McQuarters (UFA), OL Grey Ruegamer (UFA), LB Rich Scanlon (UFA), WR Amani Toomer (UFA), RB Derrick Ward (UFA), QB Anthony Wright (UFA), DE Renaldo Wynn (UFA)

Draft Picks: 1 (29); 2 (45, 60); 3 (91); 4 (127); 5 (158); 6 (189); 7 (220)

Needs

1. Wide receiver. Even if Plaxico Burress is allowed to return, the Giants could use another playmaker at the position. Toomer is not expected back, which leaves a second hole. Steve Smith caught 57 last year, but was never a consistent threat. Same for Domenik Hixon, who is a solid but unspectacular receiver. With Burress gone, Eli Manning looked lost at times, especially in the playoff loss to Philadelphia. Ideally, the Giants find a way to pry Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals, but at the very least, you can expect them to use a high pick on a receiver. The reality is that they can't afford to try getting through another season without more than one reliable target for Manning to throw to. Getting Burress back would be nice, but it might do more harm than good in the locker room.

2. Cornerback. The Giants have some quality players at corner, but they're not getting any younger. Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are good, but McQuarters and Sam Madison are both well into their 30s. Unless the Giants find a way to upgrade their cornerbacks, it's going to be increasingly difficult for them to cover teams that have any depth at receiver.

3. Defensive tackle. I am probably being picky here, but the Giants could use a bit more depth up the middle. I keep thinking about how the Panthers abused the defensive front in Week 15, and figuring they could at least add a couple more big bodies to the mix.

Tracking NFL Free Agents

Brandon Jacobs, Running back
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY GIANTS
The Latest: The non-exclusive tag means that Jacobs is still able to sign elsewhere, but would cost two first-round picks as compensation. He'll spend at least one more season in New York because of that.

Bill Kostroun, AP

Chris Johnson, Cornerback
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - 4 years, terms not announced
The Latest: Oakland wasted no time locking up Johnson with a multi-year deal, and now can focus all its attention on making sure Nnamdi Asomugha is lined up at the Raiders' other cornerback spot.

Paul Sakuma, AP

Karlos Dansby, Linebacker
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY CARDINALS
The Latest: For the second straight season, the Cardinals used the franchise tag on Dansby. He can still negotiate with other teams, but likely will spend next season in the desert - whether he wants to or not.

Ross D. Franklin, AP

Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 14 starts, 51 tackles (41 solo), 8.5 sacks
The Latest: The Titans promised Haynesworth that they wouldn't franchise him for the second straight year, so he'll become a free agent.

Mark Humphrey, AP

Kerry Collins, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 16 games played (15 starts), 2,676 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, 80.2 QB rating
The Latest: Despite his age (36), Collins feels he is in line for a big contract -- comparable to whatever Kurt Warner receives.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 117 tackles (85 solo), 3.5 sacks, 3 INTs
The Latest: The franchise tag rules mean that Lewis would become the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history at more than $11 million if the Ravens went that route. Baltimore would prefer to re-sign Lewis.

Rob Carr, AP

Terrell Suggs, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 68 tackles (53 solo), eight sacks, two INTs
The Latest: Suggs suggested that he, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott all take hometown discounts and stay in Baltimore, so he wants to be there. He's a cheaper franchise tag option than Lewis.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 82 tackles (61 solo), 1.5 sacks
The Latest: Is there room for Scott in Baltimore? With the franchise tag likely landing on Terrell Suggs and the Ravens doing all it takes to sign Ray Lewis, it doesn't look like Scott is a priority.

G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 92 catches for 904 yards, four touchdowns
The Latest: The only way Housh returns is if the Bengals franchise him. Otherwise, he'll sign a lucrative contract elsewhere -- possibly with Philadelphia, where he's already expressed interest in playing.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 40 tackles (33 solo), one interception
The Latest: Asomugha's numbers are skewed by opponents' fear of throwing anywhere near him. The Raiders will use the franchise tag on him if they need to.

Greg Trott, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-18-2009 @ 1:10PM

yungyung said...

Get Eli help...he sucks like I've said over and over again, and it was even more evident when Plaxico was gone and couldn't draw double teams anymore for Eli. Now hes going to get a big contract, people need to stop riding that superbowl BS, if they hadnt made the playoffs, or won the superbowl they probably thinking of a new qb right now because during the 2007 season he was terrible. How bout we get Donovan McNabb some help, they Desean but he keeps dropping passes...Houshmanzadeh for '09.

2-18-2009 @ 1:13PM

And getting Plaxico wont harm the locker room, everybody on the team said they want him back, even Eli said that, because he knows he makes him look good.

2-18-2009 @ 1:18PM

jbotz29 said...

Who wrote this article? Madison has already been cut and Mcquarters rarely ever plays corner, I know Docerky and the rookie Thomas arent all stars but how hard is it to get simple facts straigt.

2-18-2009 @ 1:23PM

FRANKIE IS GOD said...

This article was written without any knowledge at all. The Giants cut Sam madison last week so he's not even one the team. Plus how could you nake DT as a weakness, because of one game? LB is a concern that everyone acknowledges and it's not even on the list.
to YungYung - Superbowls eli -1 Donovan - 0

Lex Kobo said...

Dont be salty toward Eli, hes got a ring and made the playoffs 4 out of 5 seasons, the haters need to shut their mouth. I would love to have Plax back just as much as anyone, truth of the matter is he is going to jail. Donovan is a choke artists, I haven't seen him win when it really matters, Eli has, so stop with the nonsence.

2-18-2009 @ 1:31PM

Frankie and jbotz, you guys are correct, this artical was writtin with very little knowledge. Ross and Webster are a great tandem, and this writer seemed to have looked over Thomas. he wasnt spectacular this season, but i didnt see many mistakes. Dockery is as good of a 4th courner as any team could ask for. I think linebacker is a concern, but we have some young guys from last year who could step up. WR goes w/o saying as our #1 priority. Id love to see Anquan Bolden, or dare i say...... chad johnson?

2-18-2009 @ 2:08PM

mmarcarp1160 said...

well we all know recivers is where we need to go to even think about contending...i would like to see plax back with another strong reciever opposite him...(did i say boldin?)..hmm..well....t.j. would be nice and chad would be great...only issue is his personality in which i dont think t.c. could or would tolerate him...i say give up a draft pick for boldin...we need to get him signed!!!....i also agree with the lb position..we need at least one good play maker back there and let our young guys come into the fold ....i say put mathias back at lb also...i know hes a de buy nature...but he didnt really do much last season and i feel hes a little skinny in the upper body for de...we need another bigger guy up there we can rotate with osi and tuck to keep our d-line fresh as well as maybe a good solid rotating guy for the inside of the d-line...but....we will have to see what jerry does in the offseason and draft...i feel he will address the positions that need help....GOOO GIANTS 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2-18-2009 @ 2:16PM

xereev said...

Good god this article is horrible. Do some research you hack.

1) Linebacker isn't even mentioned.

2) Lack of depth in Receiver class of 2009 compared to Linebacker position indicates we will most likely go there.

3) Giants have historically drafted talent over need.

4) Safety over Cornerback if you’re going to even list those as needs.
go there.

2-18-2009 @ 5:03PM

facemonkey429 said...

AS A DIE HARD GIANTS FAN, THE OFFENSIVE LINE COULD USE SOME BEEFING UP BECAUSE ELI WOULD ALWAYS TRY A STAY IN THE POCKET BEFORE FINDING HIS RECEIVERS BUT BEFORE HE COULD HONE IN ON ANYONE THE POCKET WOULD START TO CRUMBLE & HE'D GET FLUSHED OUT OF THE POCKET & ELI IS NOT A VERY MOBILE QUARTERBACK. TOM COUGHLIN NEEDS TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE WITH HIS PLAYERS BECAUSE IF HE JUST STANDS THERE WITH HIS FINGERS UP HIS %$# THEY'RE GOING TO WALK ALL OVER HIM & THAT WHOLE PLEXICO BURRESS MESS WOULD HAVE MADE ME CUT HIS SORRY %$#. WHAT PERSON IN THEIR RIGHT MIND CARRIES A CONCEALED WEAPON INTO AN ESTABLISHMENT, IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BODY GUARDS... BY ALL MEANS USE THEM... THEY ARE THERE FOR YOUR PROTECTION... IT'S WOULD THEY GET PAID TO DO. THIS WHOLE FIASCO GAVE THE TEAM A BLACK EYE, IT ALSO TOOK CONCENTRATION AWAY FROM WINNING IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE OF ALL THE MEDIA ATTENTION. IF YOU TAKE THE MEDIA OUT OF THE EQUATION THE TEAM CAN CONCENTRATE ON WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES & WEAK SPOTS IN THEIR OFFENSE OR DEFENSE & THE COACHING STAFF ALONG WITH THE TEAM OWNERS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO ACTUALLY CAN GET THIS ACCOMPLISHED.

2-19-2009 @ 11:01AM

Red White & YOU said...

The offensive line needs to be beefed up??? Are you serious? They have if not the BEST line then one of the BEST lines in the league. 2 thousand yd rushers. The sacks went from 24 last yr down to 11 this past season. O'Hara, Snee probowlers. Diehl 2nd alternate and you want to beef up the line? Please the O-line is the LAST thing that needs help. Eli is a pocket passer, without Plax double teamed its gonna take much more time to find open recievers..THE O-LINE NEEDS NOTHING CHANGED. PLEASE DON'T EVEN GO THERE. Some TRUE fan you are

2-18-2009 @ 5:50PM

waterlillies10 said...

eli is a good quarterback, next year he will be back contending for the division, giants are very good. with him and payton getting mvp's in the superbowls , nice family. it was a nice story hoever this year was different we got to see the cardinals robbed.the stealers are what most people think of as paper champions so there you go

2-18-2009 @ 8:37PM

SONONITALIANO said...

AM I LIVING IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE?..SOMEONE SAID ELI SUCKS..AND WAS TALKING UP MCNABB?!..ASK DONODONTSHOWUP`S TEAMMATES ABOUT THE SUPER BOWL WHEN HE WAS THROWING UP ON THE SIDELINE..AT CRUNCHTIME...ELI IS NOT GREAT..HE MAY NEVER BE..BUT HE BROUGHT HIS TEAM BACK..WITH 2 MIN LEFT..WON A SUPER BOWL..WON MVP..IN POSSIBLY..THE BIGGEST SUPER BOWL OF ALL TIME..END OF CONVO..

2-18-2009 @ 8:42PM

YUNGYUNG..I WASNT GOING TO WASTE MY TIME..BUT YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT A KNOWLEDGEABLE FOOTBALL FAN?..THAT SUPER BOWL B.S.?!..ARE YOU AN IDIOT?..QUARTERBACKS ARE JUDGED BY WHAT THEY DO IN SUPERBOWLS..AND BY THAT I MEAN..WINNING THEM..I DIDNT WRITE THAT RULE..BUT IT IS A FACT..GO ASK DAN MARINO..AND LAST I CHECKED..ELI:1..HOW MANY FOR MCNABB?

2-19-2009 @ 10:23AM

dave said...

are you serious? cornerback the #2 need? Ross, Webster, Thomas, and Dockery who wil be back after they extended that 2 round offer
awful awful article you have no idea what your writing about how about lb? we have four youngquality corners quit writing you suck at it

2-22-2009 @ 9:01PM

Eddie McBud said...

Pick up Berrian Giants, the Vikings wont be needing him. Numbnut Childress just said he wants Tarvarian Jackson to be pushed for HIS starting job, so Berrian wont get many passes thrown his way while Jackson is going 6 for 19 for 78 yards and a pick. It`s seems to be impossible for this guy to lose his job no matter how bad he sucks. Childress or Jackson.