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Can the New York Giants Repeat as Super Bowl Champions?

Written by Jimmy Boyd on August 18, 2008

Last season the New York Giants managed to shock the world. After an inconsistent regular season, the Giants blazed their way to a Super Bowl championship. Their post-season run consisted of 4 away wins against some of the top teams in the NFL, including the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Everybody is asking themselves, will this form carry over to this season?

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In my opinion the Giant’s performance in last years post-season was stunning and absolutely brilliant but nothing more then just a great streak. After a steady start to their regular season last year the Giants hit many speed bumps before somehow ending up with an NFC wild card spot. Their 10-6 record might have been enough to sneak them into the playoffs last year but will not be enough this year because teams with young talent such as the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings won’t be so accommodating. They have made adjustments to their teams so they will be able to compete.

Some key components to last year’s championship team are now gone which means trouble for New York. Kawika Mitchell who anchored their defence and Gibril Wilson who was one of their better secondary players both have been signed to other teams. Also Jeremy Shockey has now moved on and Michael Strahan has retired. The Giants may be able to cope but it is not going to be easy. One interesting pickup is backup quarterback David Carr, a consistent quarterback but I fail to see where he will be producing for this team without an injury to Eli Manning. Luckily, the nucleus of the team is still intact. Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Plaxico Burris and Osi Umenyiora all have agreed to further their careers in a Giants uniform. This is good news but it is going to be very hard to match last seasons magical run to glory.

Without many key changes and an aging defensive line, the New York team seems to have peaked. Now, much lies on the shoulders of QB Eli Manning. Manning has seemed to have turned a corner after last years playoffs but only time can tell if his capabilities and competitive spirit is consistent. Eli is now 27 and will be heading into his fifth year in the early stages of his prime, but one player cannot win a Super Bowl, it takes an entire team.

All in all even with a mostly unchanged team from last year I don’t believe they can make the same run to the big stage this season. An improvement needs to be made in both the offensive and defensive aspects of their game if they want to have any shot of repeating. Without any change, in my opinion New York is destined for mediocrity this season and may have trouble making the playoffs. Only time will tell how the New York Giants will do but it will be interesting to follow their progress throughout the 2008-2009 NFL season.

For a contrarian view, check out why Fox Sports says that the New York Giants are repeat contenders.

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