2008 New York Giants Off-Season Preview

Off-Season Looks Bright for the Super Bowl Champs

That was my prediction for the 2007 New York football Giants. I wondered if Eli Manning could be the elite quarterback that the Giants desperately needed him to be. My doubts about the offense didn't stop with Eli. The offensive line worried me, as did the backfield. I had minimal faith in the defense. There was even part of me that believed head coach Tom Coughlin would be out of a job before the beginning of December.

Oh, ye of little faith.

The Giants completed an improbable postseason by doing the unthinkable, beating the unbeatable (and undefeated) England Patriots">New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII. As the franchise and its fans continue to celebrate, one cannot help but look ahead to the 2008 NFL season. The Giants stunned the world by winning the Super Bowl. Can they do it again? The new champs must address a few issues, even before the 2008 NFL Draft. Here is a first glance at the 2008 off-season for the Giants.

First issue facing the Giants during the 2008 off-season: Jeremy Shockey

Shockey has been the backbone of the offense for several years. When he suffered a season-ending leg injury against the Redskins in week 15, it forced Eli Manning to become the undisputed leader of the squad. As my boy Sean pointed out during hour four of the 23-hour Super Bowl pre-game show, Shockey was Eli's "crutch." Without the loudmouthed tight end, everything rested on the shoulders of Eli. Manning was fantastic during the last four games of the season en route to becoming Super Bowl MVP.

Obviously, backup Kevin Boss will not catch as many balls as Shockey. However, he has shown that he can be a reliable tight end (remember that little romp during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl?) and, truth be told, he's a better blocker than Shockey. This is especially nice considering the weapons the Giants have in the backfield.