It has been a major source of wonderment as to just how new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan plans to handle his job. He learned much of what he knows under the new St. Louis head coach, Steve Spagnuolo, who in turn learned a great deal under Philadelphia coordinator Jim Johnson.
So will Sheridan produce a "copy cat" defense or create diversions and off-shoots of his own? If Spagnuolo's defense, especially in pass rush, was a mirror of what the Eagles do (and have done), doesn't it make sense for Sheridan's defense to mirror that proven concept? The bottom line to all this, however, is the personnel on hand -- and for now, the Giants appear to have the best front seven in the league.
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY
The Giants addressed their weak depth along the defensive line when they signed DTs Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. They can also expect the return of Pro Bowl DE Osi Umenyiora, fully healed and healthy from his knee surgery which cost him the entire 2008 season. WLB Michael Boley is a clever addition but not nearly enough by itself, while SS C.C. Brown is simply a stop-gap in case sophomore Kenny Philips, the No. 1 pick last year, still needs more time.
Offensively, perhaps the only position that doesn't need an immediate fix is quarterback -- and that will be true only as long as Eli Manning remains healthy.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Wide receiver: If only half the confusing reports of an aborted trade with Cleveland for WR Braylon Edwards are true, then the Giants clearly feel their most glaring need is exactly that, someone to intimidate defenses as a replacement for the troubled Plaxico Burress. This is a good year for wideouts and one of the top six or seven should drop to the Giants' 29th position -- if they don't trade up to get one of the blue-chippers first.
2. Tight end: The backups behind starter Kevin Boss are Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson, and neither is overly impressive. There are three or four prime tight end candidates in the draft; the Giants like Jared Cook of South Carolina, and he could be there when they pick 13th (from New Orleans) in the second round.
3. Inside/middle linebacker: It would appear they have taken care of the outside position with the UFA signing of Michael Boley and the expected improvement of a pair of last season's rookies, Bryan Kehl and Jonathan Goff. Now it's time to shore up an older Antonio Pierce, who showed signs of slowing down last season, especially in pass coverage.
MEDICAL WATCH: DE Osi Umenyiora said he is 99 percent healed from his knee surgery which cost him the entire 2008 season. He doesn't feel any pain and he thinks he'll be better this season because he was forced to do considerable leg work, something he hasn't done in the past because of sore knees.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: RB Brandon Jacobs: Tendered at $6.621M; signed four-year contract Feb. 25.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--K John Carney did well for the Giants on an interim basis but will not be offered a new contract at the age of 44.
--DE Jerome McDougle is unlikely to return.
--CB/KR R.W. McQuarters is on the bubble and if he'll take a reduced salary he might be re-signed.
--G/C Grey Ruegamer is a 10-year veteran and is useful; he is also not overly expensive.
--LB Rich Scanlon probably won't be back.
--WR Amani Toomer, the Giants' all-time leading receiver, will probably not be offered a new contract after 12 years with the team.
--QB Anthony Wright spent the year on injured reserve and probably won't get even that chance again.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)
--RB Kay-Jay Harris (not tendered as ERFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--CB Kevin Dockery (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation).
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--QB David Carr: Potential UFA; $2.1M/1 yr, $1M SB.
--RB Brandon Jacobs: FFA; $25M/4 yrs; $13M guaranteed.
--RB Danny Ware: ERFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--DT Rocky Bernard: UFA Seahawks; $16M/4 yrs, guarantee unknown.
--LB Michael Boley: UFA Falcons; $25M/5 yrs, $11M guaranteed.
--S C.C. Brown: UFA Texans; $1.4M/1 yr, $400,000 SB/$300,000 base guarantee.
--DE Chris Canty: UFA Cowboys; $42M/6 yrs, $8.5M SB/$17.25M guaranteed.
PLAYERS LOST
--SS James Butler: UFA Rams; $14M/4 yrs, guarantees unknown.
--S Craig Dahl: Not tendered as ERFA/Rams; terms unknown.
--RB Reuben Droughns (released).
--SS Sammy Knight (released).
--CB Sam Madison (released).
--RB Derrick Ward: UFA Buccaneers; $24M/5 yrs, guarantees unknown.
--DE Renaldo Wynn: UFA Redskins; 1 yrs, terms unknown.
