PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 27

NEW YORK GIANTS

Okay, now the fun starts.  After dumping into the bottom five spots teams whose fans can't complain all that loudly over their placement, we venture into the realm of the franchises whose fans hold legitimate (in their minds) hope for a strong season.

And a strong season these squads still might have.  But someone is going to end up being not very good this year, and we need to identify several of those someones as we work our way toward the top 20.

The Giants earn the No. 27 spot for a variety of reasons.  Their head coach is a lame duck, even with the for-appearances-only one-year extension aimed at making him not an obvious lame duck.  Their new G.M. might be a lame duck, too, but might not yet realize it -- especially since he's been spending a lot of his time calling out current and former players in the media.

The roster hasn't changed dramatically, with the biggest absences being TiVi Barber and (for now, possibly for longer) Michael Strahan.  Though having these two guys out of the locker room will have a positive impact on the overall team chemistry, their talents will be missed.

And that's the biggest problem with this Giants team -- the overall talent.  Few names jump out and grab the attention as great players.  Osi Umenyiora has the potential to be a great defensive end, but he seems to be more concerned about being paid like one.  Mathias Kiwanuka was pushed from defensive end to linebacker, and now might be shifted back to defensive end if Strahan calls it quits, or is traded.

On offense, folks continue to wait for Eli Manning to play -- and to lead -- like his brother.  Frankly, we don't think it will happen until Eli decides that he truly loves football.  His demeanor suggests that he is a reluctant participant in the family business, and until he embraces what he is (and what he could be), he'll continue to be just another mid-level performer.

The team will generally be mid-level at best until it brings in a new coach who can get the most out of the players, and gets rid of the players who were assembled based on what they can do on the field, and not on how they will interact. 

Key departures:  RB Tiki Barber, DE Michael Strahan (if he retires or if he's traded/released), LT Luke Petitgout, LB LaVar Arrington, K Jay Feely, CB Frank Walker, TE Visanthe Shiancoe.

Key arrivals:  RB Reuben Droughns, LB Kawika Mitchell.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  WR Steve Smith.

Coach's current job security:  Week-to-week.