Did Plaxico Buress shoot his chances of a productive end to his career in the foot? Giants fans don't seem to be concerned, but they are concerned that their chances of having a productive passing game were shot in the foot.

The Giants drafted wide receiver Hakeem Nicks in the first round, wide receiver Ramses Barden in the third round, tight end Travis Beckum in the third round, and have Mario Manningham returning from what could be called a developmental year. That's a terrific incoming group. Lack of NFL experience, adjusting to the speed of the NFL game, the high quality of defenders in the NFL, the complex offenses....there is much for these four to get used to before they'll do well. The preseason will be our preview to gauge how they'll do. Hopefully it won't happen, but all three rookies could have a developmental year in 2009. That must be of great concern to Giants fans and to Eli Manning fantasy owners.

Steve Smith is a fine young wide receiver that should start opposite Domenik Hixon. Hixon did fine in Plaxico's place, but struggled at times. Hixon was a big play wide receiver the Broncos were thrilled to draft once upon a time. After his release, the Giants have discovered that big play ability the Broncos couldn't. Hixon must step forward this season and become an impressive wide receiver not just some young talented guy. It's time for him to come through for the team. Smith would destroy defenses in the slot with his sharp cuts, body control, and soft hands. He will, however, have to play lined up out wide unless one of the rooks can step forward. Nicks is the common favorite to start, but again watch the preseason. Barden is an enormous 6 foot 6 inch man that should be able to catch lobs for touchdowns right off the bat. Usually people write that and it's not likely a team will just put a player in for lob passes. The Giants did just that when they had Anthony Mix and Buress. There's videos on youtube where you can see Eli snap the ball and just heave it instantly, before he's taken three steps backward. This play is in their playbook and Barden should thrive in that role. According to many, Barden still needs time to ripen and won't be an impact player in 2009. I disagree(although preseason may change my view). I have seen Eli loft passes up high, as if Mix or Buress were the target, right over Hixon and Smith's head. Manning is very comfortable with the tall wide receivers and that's something that can't be brushed off. Manningham has looked terrific in the spring and it's quite possible that carries over into the preseason. He has the inside track to start and push Smith inside to the slot. Sinorice Moss is a little bugger that may have to replace Hixon in the return game to earn a spot.

The Giants are loaded at tight end. Kevin Boss is young but has a wealth of experience already. Beckum probably walks in with the biggest play making ability right off the bat. Darcy Johnson looks uncomfortable to me. He seems more like a defender that got the chance to play offense. He is hard nosed and has a ridiculously explosive first step most runningbacks covet. Last preseason, he turned and "blew up" a defender with his shoulder down and that first step and just took off for a long touchdown. The regular season, however, only saw him get a few red zone looks and not much else. Martrez Milner was a fine prospect the Falcons drafted in the second round in 2006. He was on the practice squad in New York last year. He picked the wrong team to try and win a roster spot, but by the same token if he beats any of the aforementioned three out, you know he's starting to realize his potential. I've been told Milner's attitude was a problem in Atlanta but he's been excellent with New York. Former Jaguar Tight End George Wrightster could not crack the Giants offseason roster at tight end. Michael Matthews is a rock of a blocker but not much of a pass catcher. Lee Vickers is a former defensive end and the Giants simply like to move defensive ends around too much. Coughlin demands his tight ends be strong blockers first! This was an issue with Shockey. Ideally, Matthews and Vickers would be cut and they'd have four tight ends with good hands and quality blocking. Chances are, one of these blockers will replace one of those receiving tight ends on cut down day.

Manning has had it easy(to a degree) with an enormous soft handed wide receiver to chuck it to when under pressure. Buress is gone. Manning may take some extra sacks for taking too long and may struggle in 2009. 2010 or 2011 could bring a wealth of fine young wide receivers. 2009 is that in-between difficult year.

Brandon Jacobs wants the team to put everything on his back and he'll ride them off into the sunset. He just might have to do that. Look for Jacobs to finally catch some passes this year as well. The Giants have long felt that Jacobs up the sideline is too much for any defensive back to handle, but they've struggled to get him the ball there. Derrick Ward's departure leaves an opening at the all important second runningback spot in new york. Rookie Andre Brown should fend off Danny Ware and Ahmad Bradshaw to win this spot. Bradshaw is working hard for a more prominent role than that of the fourth quarter/third runningback role. He may earn more carries and catches, but he won't see much work outside of the fourth quarter. Should Bradshaw win the second runningback role, look out! because that well built small-ish runningback is very exciting.

The Giants offensive line is stacked. They are blessed with two pro bowlers in center Shaun O'Hara and guard Chris Snee. Left tackle David Diehl is a converted guard that is a terrific tackle that doesn't get enough credit. Former Jet Kareem McKenzie mans the right side for the other New York team. Rich Seubert is a street fighter of a guard but, he'll do. He fits in well here. The Giants lack depth along the offensive line and better keep their eyes on the waiver wire this summer. Rookie Will Beatty is somewhat of a project. Kevin Boothe bounced all around the line last year filling in whereever he could. Boothe can't play two spots at once(although he'd try) and the Giants have some serious issues here should two linemen miss time. This line is fantastic and they give Manning plenty of time. There is a limit to how long a line can hold back the defense and those young wide receivers are likely to remind the offensive line of that, too often this year.

The Giants defensive line is arguably the best in football. Mathias "Kiwi" Kiwanuka hasn't made a pro-bowl yet, but should have. Part of the reason is his two fellow studs along the defensive line and the retired star Michael Strahan. The pro bowl only has so many spots. Kiwi has learned the outside linebacker position, but should primarily play defensive end this year. Justin Tuck is an outstanding defensive tackle that can bounce outside and play end. Osi Umenyora is a pro bowler that will return from injury and provide a big spark for this defense in 2009. Most teams are concerned when a defense has one game breaking defensive lineman. The Giants have three. Inside the Giants have Barry Cofield who is stout against the run. They also added free agent Rocky Bernard who can get some sacks from the tackle spot. Another free agent is the "too tall" Chris Canty who stands at 6 foot 7 inches tall and played for former Giants coach, and Coughlin's friend, Al Groh at Virginia. The Giants signed him away from the Cowboys and plan to let his height and huge wingspan disrupt the opposing passer. There is more depth that I don't expect to make the team though.

At Linebacker, the Giants needed an infusion of talent and did just that. Antonio Pierce is the leader, the middle linebacker that is the coach on the field. He is a stout run defender and often plays at a pro bowl level, however he's getting old. Michael Boley comes in from Atlanta to start outside and also bring another(as if they needed another) pass rushing threat. Danny Clark begins his 10th year in the NFL. He was with Coughlin in Jacksonville and is a "can do" player. He was effective in 2008, but he will be the first to be replaced by youth-if any of the starting linebackers are. Rookie Clint Sintim(from Al Groh's Virginia again) is an NFL ready outside linebacker the Giants drafted in the second round that is looking to play. Chase Blackburn can play either linebacker position and provides valuable experienced depth. Zak DeOssie(son of former Giants linebacker Steve DeOssie) has made a niche for himself as a long snapper. Just like his dad, he made the probowl snapping. What he needs to do though is develop into a quality linebacker. Jonathan Goff and Brian Kehl are two 2008 drat picks that have impressed at times but haven't played too much. The monkey wrench in this whole cluttered mess of depth is third year player Kelvin Smith. Smith went to Syracuse and grew up not too far from Giants staidum. After struggling to find playing time in the NFL for two years, he wowed people in the spring and some are still talking about him. He is a middle linebacker with high energy that could quite possibly knock one of these recent draft picks onto the waiver wire. He could also become Pierce's heir apparent. HANG ON, it was spring and alot of players play well in shorts. He is a player that should be noted though.

As noted, the Giants have some terrific depth at defensive end and (for a change) at linebacker. New defensive cooridinator Bill Sheridan is going to toy with different alignments all summer. In the spring a 5-2-4 look was extremely effective as was a (solely) blitzing 3-4 which is pretty much the 5-2 just beginning a couple steps back. They have youthful speed, high caliber talent from three ends, and a terrific game manager at middle linebacker. There is very likely to be some clever alignments from this defense in 2009.

In the secondary, the Giants have spent two of their last two first round picks on defensive backs Aaron Ross and Kenny Phillips. Both look like they'll be good someday, maybe even top notch, but for now they're still raw. Corey Webster went from journeyman to star in 2007 and has kept his game at a high level ever since. Former seventh round pick, Michael Johnson has done well at safety but could be replaced by free agent C.C. Brown from Houston. 2008 second round pick Terrell Thomas needs to make a significant contribution and become the depth the Giants need. The Giants are quite wet behind the ears in the secondary and they'll have to apply pressure to limit their exposure. If this group matures in a hurry, the Giants will be a top defense in 2009.

The Giants made the Super Bowl and beat the Patriots. They are fighting every possible scenario to fall from grace through some exceptional work by general manager Jerry Reese. Keep in mind they have lost their all time best runningback(arguably), wide receiver, and defensive end. The loss of Buress may be the loss of their most talented wide receiver ever along with one of their most talented tight ends ever in Jeremy Shockey. Reese has been exceptional with plugging these holes and Coughlin has done well at keeping his team at a high level. This year will be yet another test for Reese's keen eye for talent, as it seems the young players are expected to contribute more and more each year. There will be bumps along the way in 2009. They could surprise, but this team is built to win it all in 2010 or 2011.

The Giants deficiency may be in special teams where they have a 42 year old punter, a kicker that missed alot of time in 2008, an ace(David Tyree) that many believe won't make the team and a return man that needs to shed that responsibility so that he can focus on playing wide receiver.