National Football League

Giants seemingly at crossroads after '09 collapse

Published Aug. 24, 2010 10:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

This is one of those years when it's hard to speculate about the New York Giants.

After collapsing horribly in the second half of last season and missing the playoffs for the first time in four years, are they a franchise about to spiral into mediocrity just three years after winning the Super Bowl? Or was 2009 just a fluke? A strange year that started with five straight wins, got disrupted by injuries and ended with an 8-8 record.

Even the players are unsure what to expect.

''This year is definitely a crossroads,'' defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. ''Either last year was an aberration or that's the type of team we are, a .500, non-playoff team. That's the point where we are at right now. We made some changes and now we have the opportunity to show it was an aberration. But nothing is guaranteed.''

One thing that is certain is this is a more humble team heading into 2010.

There has been little talk about the Super Bowl or even the playoffs. Redemption and change have been a far more common themes.

''Last year was something, hopefully, we learned from,'' defensive end Justin Tuck said. ''It was something that we can build off because I've said it, we got spoiled. We thought we were just going to walk in here again and make the playoffs, and it didn't happen. Hopefully, that was an eye-opening experience. We know what it takes to get back to the promised land, but now we've just got to go do it.''

There have been a lot of changes since last season, both on the field and on the coaching staff.

Former Buffalo Bills interim coach Perry Fewell has taken over as defensive coordinator and injected energy into a unit that gave up 427 points last season, including 85 in the last two games.

Defensive line coach Mike Waufle also was fired after a year a highly talented line failed to put much ensure on opposing quarterbacks and didn't do much in stopping the run.

Safeties Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant were signed as free agents in the offseason and linebacker Keith Bulluck, who is coming off ACL surgery, was signed late. He gives the Giants a veteran middle linebacker who can replace Antonio Pierce, who was released after last season.

Tuck and safety Kenny Phillips are back after offseason surgery and former Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora has something to prove after a dreadful '09 season. The draft also added five defensive players led by end Jason Pierre-Paul and tackle Linval Joseph, the first and second-round choices.

Eli Manning and the offense were outstanding last season and they return intact.

Manning, who has started 87 straight games, threw for career-highs of 4,021 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. Receiver Steve Smith caught a franchise-record 107 passes and the offensive line returns three Pro Bowlers - center Shaun O'Hara, guard Chris Snee and tackle David Diehl.

If there is a question mark on offense, it's the running game. Ahmad Bradshaw seemingly has taken over from Brandon Jacobs as the No. 1 back in a system in which both should play.

However, New York went from the league's top rushing attack in 2008 to a middle of the pack team. Part of the problem was that Jacobs and Bradshaw played all last season with injuries and the offensive line was not at good as it was in past years.

The line should be better this year with all five starters healthy, and with second-year pro Will Beatty and the recently signed Shawn Andrews, a two-time Pro Bowler, ready to fill in when needed.

The receiving corps also should be better with second-year pro Hakeem Nicks and third-year pro Mario Manningham ready to contribute more.

Manning downplayed the idea that the Giants were at the crossroads.

''Hopefully, I know where we are going,'' he said. ''I think we have good players. Every year is an important. I don't think one year is more important than the next. I think we have great talent on this team and I am looking forward to a fun season.''

While special teams don't get a lot of notice, the Giants have to be concerned about their punting game with the retirement of 44-year-old Jeff Feagles. Rookie Matt Dodge has been given the job of replacing the 22-year veteran. The seventh-round draft pick has a powerful leg, but he has been inconsistent much of training camp.

New York also has to replace return specialist Domenik Hixon, who suffered a major knee injury in minicamp.

Cornerback Aaron Ross was handling the punt returns for the first two games of preseason but he suffered a foot injury against Pittsburgh this past weekend. Second-year running back Andre Brown needs work on the kickoff returns.

The Giants will open their season on Sept. 12 in the New Meadowlands Stadium, the $1.6 billion facility co-owned by the Jets and Giants. Their opponent will be the Carolina Panthers, the team that embarrassed them 41-9 in their final game at Giants Stadium last year.

It was one of two performances that infuriated co-owner John Mara down the stretch.

''How can you watch the final two games of last season and not be angry? We were never competitive and were embarrassed. Our fans were angry, I was angry, our organization as a whole was angry,'' Mara said.

''But that was last season and it has to be left behind,'' he added. ''I feel much better about this team and this season. We are looking forward, not back.''

The question is which Giants team will show up for 2010?