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New York Giants
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:51 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - Improving unit should continue to grow in 1998... Danny Kannell played decent in his first year as a starter. He will be #1 on the depth chart to start training camp, but will get a battle from Kent Graham who was signed away from Arizona this offseason. Graham has started in the past, and is very familiar with Jim Fassels West Coast offense. Kanell should also improve now that he has gained some experience. Regardless of who starts, the Giants have to open up the offense. They were very tentative late in the year, as they wanted to keep the pressure off their young QB
RB - The Giants want to run the football, and have a lot of able bodies in this unit. Tiki Barber is coming off a solid rookie campaign, and gives them a home run threat any time he touches the ball. He was a little injury prone last season, and has to do a better job of not taking on contact, and holding onto the football. Tyrone Wheatley should also continue to see action... he is coming off his best year as a pro, despite splitting time. Charles Way is the most versatile FB in the NFL. This unit is in exc. shape, and won't be a huge concern in the upcoming draft.
WR - This unit needs some upgrading...they have tried to do it through the draft, but have been unsuccesful. Thomas Lewis has been a 1st rd. bust from day 1... he's rarely healthy, and when he is, he drops way too many balls. Amanit Toomer was another high draft pick who hasn't contributed much as a WR. Toomer has been slow to pick up the offensive system, but has contributed as a PR man. Veteran Chris Calloway is the only consistent WR. They really need to add another veteran FA this offseason via FA. Sean Dawkins is the best WR left, but he like Calloway, has marg. speed. Look for the Giants to look to the draft again for help.
TE - Have some bodies, but head coach Jim Fassel doesn't have that athletic guy he is looking for to help in the West Coast offense. They signed Alfred Pupunu after the season, and he would be a nice fit if he's healthy. Howard Cross and Aaron Pierce are better fits as role players. The Giants are in a unique spot drafting #24 overall. They are in an area where a lot of big name guys may be off the board. TE is a huge need, and you can expect them to take a long hard look at Oklahoma State's Alonzo Mayes if he is still on the board.
OL - Unit showed a lot of improvement this season... nobody made more strides than young LT Roman Oben... he has always been athletic, but really developed a mean streak this year. The biggest problem area is at OC, where they used a lot of different bodies last season. Veteran Brian Williams missed the whole season with an eye injury. They like youngster Derex Engler, but he too was hurt for much of the season. OG Lance Scott filled the void in there absence, but is more of a backup type. Other than OC, this is an improving group, especially in terms of run blocking. Look for them to possibly add a young OC somewhere in the draft.
DL - Unit really stepped up when they had to last season. It's a non-descript no name group that plays hard. DT Robert Harris is a new player inside... his quicks never showed up at the DE spot. DE Michael Strahan should continue to play well, but needs to take on more of a leadership role... these guys self destructed in their playoff loss last season. The biggest area of concern is the lack of consistent pressure. 1996 1st rd. pick DE Cedric Jones has been a huge disappointment. They need to add a pass rush DE in the upcoming draft.
LB - One of the more underappreciated units in the NFL., led by Pro Bowl OLB Jesse Armstead. Armstead has gone from a nickle LB to one of the better LB's in the NFL. They are also solid at SLB with Corey Miller, and MLB Cory Widmer. However, there is a lack of veteran leadership in this unit. Backup Marcus Buckley was re-signed, but they could still use a veteran type guy with playoff/ Super Bowl experience. The depth here is good, so LB won't be a huge area of concern in the upcoming draft.
DB - The secondary is also a solid defensive unit. DC's Phillipi Sparks and Jason Sehorn are a solid duo, but Sparks looks very close to losing a step. The loss of FA DC Thomas Randolph leaves a void in their nickle package. DC Conrad Hamilton saw action there last season, but was flagged for too many P.I. calls. They could add a DC in the draft. In a surprise move the club re-signed troubled FS Tito Wooten. SS Sam Garnes is coming off a solid rookie campaign.
ST - The return units are in good hands with Amani Toomer... he has been a sparkplug, and is a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball. The kicking game is a huge ? PK Brad Daluiso was re-signed, but he was up and down last season, costing them at least one game. Rookie PT Brad Maynard will get better, but has to improve under pressure.
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