2006 New York Giants Preview

2006 preview of the New York Giants pro football team from the Maddux Sports professional handicappers. Don't forget Maddux Sports' expert handicapping tips once the NFL Season rolls around for Winning NFL Picks and be sure to view our free NFL odds page featuring live up to date point spreads from 16 quality sportsbooks.

This team looked promising the first half of 2005 and then started to fall apart slowly, completing its disintegration in a humiliating 23-0 playoff loss to the Panthers. Much of the blame was heaped on Eli Manning (557 ATT, 294 COMP, 3,762 YDS, 24 TDs, 17 INT), who threw 10 interceptions and only 4 touchdowns in his final six starts.

If Manning can get back on track, he’ll have no dearth of talent at receiver. The list of ball catchers includes WR Plaxico Burress (76 REC, 1,214 YDS, 16.0 AVG, 7 TDs), WR Amani Toomer (60 REC, 684 YDS, 11.4 AVG, 7 TDs), TE Jeremy Shockey (65 REC, 891 YDS, 13.7 AVG, 7 TDs) and RB Tiki Barber (54 REC, 530 YDS, 11.4 AVG, 2 TDs). Barber (357 ATT, 1,860 YDS, 5.2 AVG, 9 TDs)—a brilliant rusher-- has the ability to pop up anywhere there’s a scoring opportunity.

The Giants offense line did yeoman service last season, opening holes for Barber and keeping opponents away from Manning (28 sacks allowed). They are solid.

The defensive line features two prime ends—Michael Strahan (11.5 sacks) and Osi Umenyiora (14.5 sacks). Together, they were responsible for 63.4% of the team’s 41 sacks. Although the linebackers—Antonio Pierce, Carlos Emmons and LaVar Arrington-- are all good players, they are also all injury prone. Health is a big issue here.

The corner positions should be better manned with the departure of Will “I’m All Thumbs” Allen and the addition of reliable Sam Madison (Miami) and continued good play of Corey Webster. Will Demps (Baltimore) offers an upgrade at FS and Gibril Wilson is tough at SS.

2006 New York Giants Predictions

When disciplinarian Tom Coughlin took over as coach, the team hated him and his style. He still may not be feeling much love from the players, but he is getting respect because they’ve seen that the “my way or the highway” approach does work. This is a talented team that on its September 10 opener against Indy pits Manning-a-Manning. Wow, talk about sibling rivalry! If Eli can hold himself and the team together all season, the Giants could be in the playoffs again, as it stands now we will call for the Giants to take 3rd in the NFC East in 2006.

For more info on the Giants NFC East division rivals check out the Eagles, Redskins, and Cowboys team previews from the MadduxSports.com experts.

For more info and news on the 2006 New York pro football team visit the Giants team page at NFL.com.