By Brian Moore
June 27, 2009

Is Kiwi playing LBer or DE? Thoughts on that?

He will play defensive end this year, though I suspect we still could see him in a stand-up position from time to time. I think keeping him at end , his most natural position, is a smart move. Doing so not only allows him to play to his strengths, attacking and moving forward, but it gives the Giants exceptional depth at end. The Giants now have two starting Pro Bowl defensive ends and a former #1 draft pick as their primary reserve.

How will Osi's return impact the defense? Can he regain his Pro Bowl form?

It's huge. He is one of the very best pass rushers in the NFL and he changes the way an offense has to block the Giants. According to Umenyiora, his knee has been messed up for years and the surgery he had has fixed a long-standing issue that affected him. If true, he should be even better than he was in 2007.

Spagnuolo has become the head coach of the Rams. What changes do you expect from the new defensive coordinator?

I am not sure. He says the defense will be very similar, with perhaps less zone blitzing (dropping linemen into coverage). But all that remains to be seen.

Can Hixon be an NFL "#1 WR"?

I'm going to mimic Giants' GM Jerry Reese here and say there are only a handful of game-changing wide receivers in the NFL. Can Hixon be one of those? That's doubtful. But that doesn't mean Hixon can't be a very good receiver. He's hard-working. He's fast. He can catch. And he dramatically improved last year.

Is Smith best suited for a predominant role in the slot?

That's unknown because that's all he's really played for the Giants since he was drafted two years ago. This year, he will have his opportunity to start outside.

Where does Barden fit in?

It's unlikely Barden will see a lot of playing time this season unless there are a lot of injuries at wide receiver or he really comes on fast. Barden has tremendous tools and seems to be a smart and dedicated player, but he has a lot to learn about the game. His challenge is to show enough on special teams so he can be activated on game-day. If he's active, he obviously could provide a great target in the red zone in these special situations.

Is Tyree all but done?

I wouldn't count him out, but he's got a lot of competition at WR. Barring injury or some unforeseen roster move (i.e., a trade), the Giants are sure to keep Hixon, Smith, Manningham, Nicks, and Barden. Sinorice Moss and David Tyree could be competing for one roster spot. Health may be a determining factor as Tyree and Moss have had a hard time staying healthy.

How many WRs do the giants traditionally keep?

Six, but seven is not completely out of the question.

Does Mario and Sinorice's recent good play in the spring alter their roster plans any?

Who makes the team will be determined in training camp and the preseason. Manningham is very talented, but still is pretty raw. Moss has to demonstrate that he can earn the trust of Manning, make plays against starting-caliber corners, and stay healthy.

In 2008, the Giants used their running backs in fairly specific roles during set times of the game. In 2007, Jacobs was hurt and Ward was hurt with each doing very well in the other's absence. What happens in 2009? Does Jacobs play more of a featured role (like in 2007 when Ward was out) or is it more similar to 2008? Does Bradshaw move into Ward's role as a promotion of sorts? Where does the rookie Brown fit in then? Or is it simply a new year, a new plan with the running backs?

I think the Giants will use their backs like they did last season. Of course, injuries can change a situation. Jacobs will start, but Ahmad Bradshaw and/or Danny Ware will see a lot of playing time. I'm a big fan of both Bradshaw and Ware. I think they are even better backs than Ward (who I liked a lot before his breakout season). I wouldn't be shocked to see Ware get more snaps than Bradshaw. I'm not saying that will be the case, but it wouldn't surprise me. Ware is very talented. I thought Brown was one of the steals of the draft. He catches the ball very well out of the backfield and is a better pass blocker than most rookies. But he's got a lot of competition in front of him. The Giants are loaded at running back.

Can Jacobs hold up all season if he was featured? Many think he can't catch solely because Ward was the receiving back, can he?

What's your definition of "featured"? If you mean the main man at running back, he was that in 2007 and 2008, though both years he got hurt. The Giants don't want Jacobs to receive all the touches at running back. But he'll see most of them (20-25 times a game).

The Giants receivers struggled without Plaxico late in the season. During the same time, Jacobs was playing thru two sore knees. Was the offense a problem without a star WR (Plaxico) that fans should be concerned with in 2009 or do you attribute the struggles to simply injuries taking their toll?

Personally, I think the Giants (and Eli) missed Plaxico Burress. Most fans don't realize or appreciate how good Burress is. He commands special attention. But you really have to look at the last few games. The Giants' offensive line played their worst game of the season against Dallas. The Giants' offense played well against the Panthers. The Giants treated the Minnesota game like a preseason game and still almost won. The Giants really missed Burress against the Eagles in the playoff game, but the Giants' pass rush (due primarily to injuries) was lacking in that game, and Eli made a really bad decision in the first quarter that changed the initial tone of that game.

Plaxico's case has been in the news often the last few months. Any thoughts? Would the Giants take him back if he agreed to play at a cheap rate? If he played for the Jets, would that be a sore spot for Giants fans?

I don't really think about Plaxico all that much anymore since he's no longer a member of the team. The entire episode is a tragic waste, but he did it to himself. I thank Burress for being one of the most significant factors in the team's seventh NFL Championship, but it was time to move on given his unrepentant attitude since the shooting. The Giants have ZERO interest in bringing him back. The Jets? Not to me. The Jets are not a rival. The Eagles, Cowboys, or Redskins would be a different matter.

Eli is due to be a free agent in 2010. As of now, 2010 will be an uncapped year which would translate to the teams that offer the most money land the big free agents. Is his contract status a major concern for Giants fans or is their confidence the team will work it all out with Eli's agent?

Eli will be re-signed before he hits free agency, probably before or during training camp this year.

At times over the years, Coughlin has had the tight end stay in to block more than many would have liked. Kevin Boss wasn't overly productive in 2008. Although the Giants drafted a tight end, with their plethora of wide receivers, are they switching toward getting more wide receivers on the field and less involvement from the tight end as a receiver?

I'm not sure I agree with your premises. Coughlin had his tight end stay in to block more than Jeremy Shockey or his groupies would have liked. Also, I wouldn't say Boss was unproductive. He was sixth on the team in receptions and first on the team in touchdown catches. Shockey has never caught as many TD's as Boss in a season. The Giants didn't really draft a tight end; they drafted an H-Back (stand-up tight end). No, I expect the tight end to remain a very important part of the Giants' Giants offense as blockers and receivers. I also wouldn't be shocked to see the Giants carry three tight ends plus Travis Beckum.

If the NFL switches to an 18 game schedule, as has been proposed, what would you suggest the two added games be?

It doesn't matter to me. The schedule is the schedule.

Former #1 overall pick David Carr was one of the most sacked quarterbacks in NFL history when he played for the Texans-a rate of sacks that one could argue no quarterback could ever succeed with. He has been holding a clipboard for a while now with the Giants. He has had time to shake off those hits and regain his confidence some. Can he be a starting NFL quarterback again someday? Are you confident he can play well if Eli's out?

I thought signing Carr last year was a mistake and I was wrong. He really looked sharp when he played both in the pre- and regular seasons. He looks like he could once again be a starter in this league. If I was the Vikings, I would have gone after him if he had hit the free agent market (which he didn't). Yes, I feel better about our back-up quarterback situation than I have had in years.

Albert Haynesworth was an all-pro "beast" in the interior of the Titans defensive line. He signed a 100 million dollar contract with Washington. Do NFC east opponents have to adjust in any way with him around next season?

Oh sure. He's a dominant player. He demands special attention and he's joining a defense that was already one of the best in the NFL.

From Philly to Dallas, are you pleased Terrell Owens is no longer in the division or are you going to miss him from an entertainment aspect?

Terrell Owens didn't play very well last year. He'd have to you think it was because of Tony Romo, but that was not the case. Still, he is one of those players who can still take over a game from time to time. So I'm glad to see him go. Entertainment aspect? He doesn't entertain me. I'd be embarrassed if he were on my team. I think he's an embarrassment to the NFL. I'll be glad when he's out of the league.

Billy Miller had more yards receiving than Shockey with the Saints in 2008. Any thoughts?

I'm just glad the Giants were able to trade him for a #2 and #5. What a waste of talent.

Eli came in for Kurt Warner late in the season and didn't do so well his rookie year. Chad Pennington learned on the sidelines. Dave Brown struggled. Browning Nagle struggled. As a New York fan, when is the last time you saw a rookie come in and do well at quarterback? Does history tell you that it would be unwise for Jets fans to expect much of Sanchez in 2009 if he starts?

I would contend that Dave Brown and Browning Nagle struggled because they sucked. When was the last time I saw a rookie quarterback come in and play well? Last year in Baltimore and Atlanta. Quarterback may be the most demanding position in all of sports. And most rookies ( regardless of position ) struggle. There is so much to learn both off and on the field. It my opinion it is never wise to COUNT on a rookie. That doesn't mean he can't do well, but I wouldn't base my team's fortunes on rookies and expect it to be smooth sailing. Could Sanchez play well in 2009 in New York? Sure. But I think his only chance to do so would be if the Jets play very good defense and run the ball well, and then not ask Sanchez to do too much.