The Giant's offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride recently discussed the Giants upcoming OTA's and how they plan on working in the new receivers. Obviously they need to get them work with Eli Manning. With Burress and Tomer no longer with the team, someone is going to have to step up and be the go to guy for Eli Manning. The Giants have a good mix of receivers in Hixon, Smith, Manningham, Moss, Tyree and the new comers Nicks and Barden. David Tyree returns from his injuries from last season, how he fits in as a receiver will play out in training camp, but his special teams play should keep the Super Bowl XLII hero on the team for at least another year. Sinorice Moss enters his fourth year, if he doesn't earn a starting job in Albany this summer he will be gone. Mario Manningham if healthy this year should be a big part of this offense. Also figuring into the Giants passing attack are the tight ends Kevin Boss and the new third round pick Travis Beckum. Eli Manning will have plenty of weapons this season, it's up to Gilbride to get these guys all on the same page with Manning so he develops a comfort level with them.
Gilbride will also have a very powerful running game once again. Brandon Jacobs returns as the featured back. Ahmad Bradshaw should see more playing time this season with the departure of Derrick Ward. Danny Ware and the new guy Andre Brown fill out the stable of the Giants running backs. With Madison Hedgecock returning as the lead blocker for these guys behind a strong offensive line hopefully the run game puts up big numbers.
I must admit I'm not a big fan of Kevin Gilbride. I thought he called a terrible game last year against the Eagles in the playoffs. I actually was hoping that Al Davis was going to hire him to coach the Raiders, but unfortunately that didn't happen. Gilbride likes to pass to much sometimes. Buddy Ryan didn't sucker punch him in the mouth in Houston years ago and nickname him "Chuck and Duck" for nothing.
It's going to be Gilbride's responsibility to get all these young receivers acclimated into his system. These guys need to learn the routes and be in the right position on the field when the ball arrives. A lot of these pass plays are timing patterns and if the receiver runs the wrong route Eli throws a pick. With the strong running game the Giants have he needs to feed the beast, like he did in the playoffs en route to the Super Bowl the season before.
The Giant's defense should be a tough unit to score on this season. The offense shouldn't have to put up a lot of points to win games, see (2000 Baltimore Ravens). If Gilbride uses his power running game while mixing in the occasional pass play the Giants offense will be able to move the ball, control the clock and most importantly rest the defense.
How far the Giants go this year will depend a lot on Kevin Gilbride's play calling. I'm optimistically hoping for the best.
JJH
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