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New York Giants Defending NFC champs primed for repeat run
New York opens its training camp at SUNY-Albany in Albany, N.Y., on July 26. By Jon A. Dolezar, CNNSI.com The Giants return most of the key pieces from their Super Bowl XXXV runner-up team, and they added defensive end Kenny Holmes from Tennessee. Another combined 1,700-yard, 13-touchdown season from running backs Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne won't hurt. The Giants can make the playoffs if … Kerry Collins plays like he did in the NFC Championship Game and not in the Super Bowl. Collins' first half against the Vikings was sensational, but his four interceptions and 38.5 percent completion rate in the Super Bowl left Giants fans wishing the other half of the enigmatic Collins made the trip to Tampa. Pivotal games: Sept. 10 at Denver; Dec. 30 at Philadelphia. The defending NFC champs get off to a challenging start by opening brand-new Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver. The Giants close out the season at Philly in a game that could impact the NFC East race and playoff seeding. On the hot seat: Wide receiver Ike Hilliard had a highly publicized rift with head coach Jim Fassel, engaging in a game of he said-he said about whether his coach called him a "cancer." Hilliard's talent is undeniable, but his offseason ruffling of the coach's feathers question his ability to join Collins and Barber as offensive leaders for the Giants. Up-and-coming: Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin was one of the biggest rookie surprises last season with five sacks. Griffin flew under many teams' radar screens as a rookie, but his 1.5-sack Super Bowl performance will make opponents more aware of him in his sophomore campaign. Sports Illustrated's season preview will post Aug. 29.
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