After hours and hours of deep deliberation and time debating at length all the ins and outs of the New York Giants organization, from the potential draft picks this upcoming off-season, to the reason the Giants used to wear those awful red jerseys...we finally have the answers to your questions.
Apologies if we did not get to yours, but rest-assured knowing that we will do this again soon and will certainly find time to hit other people's questions. But for now, here are the answers:
SEAN CARROLL
- fanfor55years:
Q: Who among the current members of the roster do you expect to see gone next season?
A: This is always a tough one to say unless there is a really obvious answer a la Edgerrin James in Arizona. Additionally, there can be tons of different possibilities here, so I will go with the ones I believe are most possible.
First and foremost, the sad reality is that Derrick Ward will probably be scooped up by another team. He won’t get the money he deserves here and he has earned the right go be a starter somewhere else…he’s learned how to shine and I respect whatever decision he makes. So look for Mr. Ward to be on a team hurting for a quality RB with some experience under his belt. Next I would say that Sinorice Moss is likely nearing the end of his time with the Giants. He wanted to “shock the world” but aside some junk-time TD’s against Seattle, he has not done much of anything. He had his shot, but now it’s time to go. The last Giant I see leaving, and I’m sure I’ll take some heat for this, is Amani Toomer. He’s still a player, still a contributor, still a clutch guy on the field…but he’s one of the eldest guys out there and he knows it’s high time he step aside.
- DEMO3356:
Q: Why is there no attempt to get anything out of Sinorice Moss? Why not try and get his speed and explosiveness out there. Use him like Philly uses Jackson with some quick hitters, End arounds, Screens or at least have him return kicks. My concern is if he is not going to be used why didnt they Activate Tyree who at least contributes big time on Special teams?
A: DEMO, as you saw in my answer above, I see Moss as a lost cause. He may have some quick burst speed, but the fact is that he’s a small guy who has dropped a lot of passes and has not done a single thing to set himself apart from the rest of the bench players. I think there was a lot of hope in Moss but not a lot of turnout, so his departure is on the horizon. As for Tyree, I think they had other needs for the roster spots. With Hixon being a proven threat now, they got to keep him on the roster and out on the field while keeping Moss on the bench for whenever he’s needed. Not to mention we also have two kickers and an otherwise full-house. Tyree’s locker in Giants Stadium may very well have been kept intact only because he’s a Super Bowl hero. Hixon is better in almost every way, plain and simple.
- MentalHockey:
Q: Do you think the Giants will try to sign Ward to a long-term contract? How much will their ability/inability to lock-up Jacobs play into their decision? And if we don't sign Ward, is the front office going to be content with Ware and/or Droughns as the backup(s) or will we target a RB sometime during the offseason?
A: I honestly have no idea. My guess is that the Giants will not hang on to both Jacobs and Ward, and due to Jacob’s being a phenomenon and an anomaly, they simply have to keep him. I’m sure they would love nothing more than to keep the running game the way it is, but after playing like they have been, the demands from Ward and Jacobs will be too much for the Giants (again, this is all speculation, but I feel confidant in it). My guess is Jacobs does not want to be anywhere but in NY/NJ and the team feels the same…no way he leaves. Droughns is definitely not anything more than a last resort at this point. Ware is a “wait-and-see” situation, but certainly looks promising. However, Ahmad Bradshaw is just salivating at the thought of being the alternate to Brandon Jacobs and given everything we have seen from him, we should be salivating too. All that being said, I would love to have Jacobs, Ward and Bradshaw as the trio once again next year…but it just ain’t gonna happen.
- norm:
Q: If the Giants repeat or even go deep into the playoffs, do they have even a remote chance of hanging onto Spags?
A: I would say yes. Steve Spagnuolo is a tremendous coordinator and I’m sure he’ll be courted every off-season. However, the bottom line is that his heart is in NY right now. Plus, he’s being smart. By waiting around and racking up a few years under Coughlin where he continues to take this defense to the top and helps bring the Giants to the playoffs/Super Bowl (knock on wood), he is only padding that resume so that he can more or less write his own ticket when he does decide to leave…not to mention demand a big, ole’ paycheck. So yes, I see no reason we have to automatically wave goodbye to Spags just because we do well.
HAZEM KISWANI
- daburton:
Q: As I see it, Plaxico is bound to kick it back into high gear at some point. With that said, which matchups do you like for Plaxico in the weeks to come and which game do you think it finally clicks again between him and Eli?
A: Well, this is possibly the worst slump of Plaxico Burress' career with the Giants. He has been seeing a lot of double coverage, a lot of attention in pass defense, and the Giants do have other weapons to get the football to. That said, the Giants expect more from Burress. According to Coughlin's comments about Plax the last two weeks, Burress has been practicing well and he's itching to have a big game. Fortunately for Plaxico and the Giants offense, the Giants next three matchups come against Arizona, Washington, and Philadelphia. Burress has seen plenty of success against Philadelphia and Washington in his time with the Giants, and Arizona does not have the cornerbacks to match up well with Burress, especially considering the fact that Rod Hood is nicked up for the Cards.
- csherm91:
Q: I know its way too early to talk about the draft but what names have stuck out to you as possible choices for us?
A: Very early sherm, but of course everybody loves some draft talk. Watching the Giants this season, it's been really tough to find weak areas on either side of the ball. That said, the approach the Giants take come draft time will largely depend on what they can do with their potential free agents as well as the healthy return of Osi Umenyiora and development of young players like safety Michael Johnson, cornerback Terrell Thomas, and young linebackers Jonathan Goff and Bryan Kehl.
In the end, you still have to think the defense is the side of the ball the Giants are more concerned with upgrading. Names to keep an eye and ear to include two Wake Forest guys - LB Aaron Curry and CB Alphonso Smith, as well as S William Moore of Missouri, LB Brian Cushing of USC, and S Taylor Mays of USC. Now these are not necessarily guys I love, just some of the top defensive prospects that likely won't go in the top 10 of the upcoming draft.
- fanfor55years:
Q: Given how well Chase Blackburn has been playing, what are the chances that when Kehl and Wilkinson are healthy he is given a real chance to displace Danny Clark at SAM this season? Why wouldn't he be a logical choice for that spot since he's a real "downhill" linebacker?
A: If you recall back in preseason, I spoke about Chase Blackburn as a real candidate to win the weakside linebacker job, and that I felt he could do a solid job as a starter for this defense. It wasn't about physical talent or great athleticism, because that's not what Blackburn is about. It's the way he approaches the game. Now his opportunity has come and he hasn't disappointed coaches with his effort and intensity out there - something every defense needs from its linebackers. Don't expect Gerris Wilkinson to step back into this lineup anytime soon. His progress has been negated by injury after injury, and both Kehl and Blackburn have done more to warrant playing time now and in the future. As for the SAM spot, Danny Clark has quietly been very solid for the Giants. I believe he remains in the lineup, but even when Kehl comes back - you may see a platoon between he and Blackburn at the weakside spot. Blackburn is a guy that's going to give you 100% and do all he can to help his team win, and coaches trust guys like that out on the field.
- arigsbee:
Q: Who do you realisticly see the G-Men locking back up after this season? I know several players, including Jacobs, Webster, Ward, Tollefson, Dockery and others are going to need extensions. Who of these guys do you see us keeping around? Also, with some older vets like RW, Madison, Toomer, Droughns, Carney, etc...who do you see sticking around...and who do you see leaving?
A: With guys like McQuarters, Droughns, and Carney - you can almost be certain that those guys won't be back next season. Both Droughns and McQuarters are bottom of the roster guys that will likely have to give way to rookies and young talent next season. As for the running backs, I don't see any way the Giants let Jacobs get to free agency. Jacobs really embodies what this football team is - a physical, tough, wear you down football player that's too essential to the success of the offense to let walk. Couple that with the fact that Jacobs genuinely wants to remain with this team, and you have to think that the two sides will get something done in the near future. Ward however, will be very difficult to keep around. I'm almost certain that a team will step up and offer him a four or five year deal with starting running back money.
One very interesting situation is that of Amani Toomer. While still a very solid receiver that can contribute to this team, there are some young guns behind him really pushing for more playing time, including Domenik Hixon and rookie Mario Manningham. Toomer doesn't look like a guy ready to hang up the cleats, and his role will likely decrease as this season goes on and we go into next season. So it's certainly going to be interesting to watch that play out.
DAN MURPHY
- arigsbee:
Q: When Osi
returns next season, how do you view Kiwi's role? Do you think he'll
play at LB, and move to DE on 3rd downs and move Tuck to DT...or do you
see him as a rotational DE?
A: Great question – it is
certainly thought-provoking, isn’t it? To me, there is absolutely no
doubt that Kiwanuka continues to learn the LB position after Osi comes
back next season. While he is a sure-shot defensive end who delivers
predictable and consistent results, Kiwanuka will be most valuable to
us in the linebacker position. Let’s face it, when Osi Umenyiora
returns to the line, he is an upgrade over Kiwanuka. Not to take
anything away from Kiwi, but let’s not forget how valuable The Chief is
to this team and what a natural (Pro Bowl) pass rusher he is. I will
say this, and this might help give some better direction to my
answer…in case of repeated injury, the Giants are much better of with
Kiwi continuing to learn the strong side linebacker position. With him
being cultivated to become a permanent fixture there, the Giants can
reap the benefits of Mathias at LB and also will have an insurance
policy at DE should another need arise. I say this because I believe
in Kiwanuka as a SAM. In fact, he was starting to show signs of
permanent promise at the strong side before the injury to Osi. As far
as Tuck moving to DT on 3rd down, isn’t it already a foregone
conclusion that will happen regardless? Tuck is great lining up as a
tackle in certain situations and I don’t feel that will end –
regardless of who fills in at LE. If I didn’t believe Kiwi is a guy
who could handle that position, then it would be a no-brainer. In
addition to this, depending on our personnel next season (players and
coaches), don’t count out Mathias being used as an end in certain
situations. An argument can be made for both sides here but I think
the decision to move him to LB remains the correct one.
- troplaya:
Q:
If and when we beat Carolina for the number one slot in the NFC, what
do we do for the final game of the season? Do we approach the Vikings
the same way we went about last year in week 17, play everyone. Or do
we do what all of the other teams who lost in the playoffs did last
year. Rest the starters??
A: Who’s doper than Tropa?
Good question. Man, did I struggle with this one in the past. Last
season was such a roller coaster of emotion not only for us but for the
Giants as well. Last year, looking back on it, the 2007 Giants needed
that game to get charged up for that great postseason run. It’s simple
– without the decision to play that game like it was week one, the
Giants do not get to the Super Bowl. The Giants looked like a
completely different team in the playoffs because of that game against
the Patriots. So the question surfaces yet again- do we do the same
(if possible) and hope history repeats itself? I say no. I say that
if the situation presents itself that we rest our guys. I answer with
that for three reasons. First, there is too much to be lost in a
meaningless game at the end of the year. I feel that the only reasons
we went at the Pats like we did in week 17 was because we owed to all
of the NFL to attempt to stand in New England’s way and because the
coaches didn’t feel we were ready. The Vikings will hardly pose such a
concern and there isn’t the same confidence to be gained against a
mediocre team. But there is much to be lost. Look at what is
happening to MeanBearPig Jacobs this week. For that reason it is not
worth it. Secondly, doing as well as you have in the regular season,
you have earned a right to have an opportunity to rest your men and
gear up for another postseason run: take the opportunity to do so.
Lastly, this Giants team doesn’t need a “keep your players in game
mode” game. This is one of the most mature and intelligent teams in the
NFL and if the last 12 months have not reflected that, then what have
we proven? Last year, yes…this year, absolutely not. Take two weeks
off (with the bye) and come to play. We are not Indianapolis…Coughlin,
Spags, and Flaherty won’t allow complacency or a lack of preparation to
ensue.
- daburton:
Q: Does Kenny Philips have
the starting safety spot under control or does James Butler take what
was his when he returns back from his injury?
A: It is
definitely something to think about. I feel that bringing Butler in
after his recovery is counterintuitive. In most situation, when a
player gets injured it gives an opportunity for another guy who steps
in and then, in turn, relinquishes the position when the original guy
returns. However, there is a different dynamic here. We already knew
that Phillips was going to be the guy for the future at the safety
position but he need to get his feet wet, study the position, and
become more experienced. Sometimes there is no better way to procure
that experience than to just throw them out there (i.e. Eli Manning
against 5 of the 6 best defenses in the NFL in his first season). It
wasn’t necessarily the same circumstance but Butler got injured and
that is exactly what has occurred. To put Butler back in as a starter
would be foolish and retard the progress of Kenny Phillips. KP isn’t
inexperienced enough to hurt the team so why the hell not now? He is
already an upgrade over Butler because he can inflict that big hit that
can energize a defensive squad. You hear a lot of talk about how smart
Butler is on the field but I don’t care about that over the raw talent
that KP possesses. I feel better having Butler rotate in for Phillips
rather than the other way around. Kenny is the starter now and to
place Butler back in would be retroactive in a bad way.
- norm:
Q:
Is there a chance that the Giants lose Marc Ross to a GM position
somewhere? Given that he has been instrumental in helping Reese
orchestrate back to back boffo drafts, you'd think his stock as a
prospective GM is probably pretty high right now. Are you guys aware if
he's on the radar of any teams who might be looking for a GM this
offseason?
A: Boy, have we had some studs in scouting and
player personnel over the years haven’t we? Marc Ross is just the
latest addition to our prized stable. The answer is no for the next
few years, Norm. Ross, who was only 34 when he took aver boss duties
of the scouting department has simply not cut enough wood to afford a
GM title just yet. While his stock, unlike the market, is rising every
week, Ross is very green and not ready for that responsibility as soon
as next season. A couple of questions must be answered for Ross to
have eventual appeal as GM type. One, how much of his current system
is an extension of the Acorsi/Reese machine? And, can he take a team
that is in a trough and build them into a great team with the draft?
Ross hasn’t has the opportunity for either just yet. Hypothetically,
which won’t happen, the teams that would love a hot-shot new GM would
include: Oakland, Cincinnati San Francisco, Kansas City, Washington,
and Seattle. As far as I know, Marc Ross isn’t being looked at right
now. I am more worried about Steve Spagnuolo’s future here.