My Steve Smith Blog

The New York Football Giants had great expectations for the 2009-10 NFL Picks season an started of like they were going to win the NFC East by winning their first 5 games, beating divisional opponents Washington and Dallas the first 2 games of the season. After a 44-7 home win against the Oakland Raider the team went South, losing their next 4, this sports handicapper really believes the team didn't know what hit them in the 5th game when they went to New Orleans and lost 48-27 to the eventual Superbowl champion Saints. The giants finished the season with a 8-8 record and were 6-9-1 against the spread, going over the betting odds total 11 times, under 4 times and they had 1 push. The Giants offense ranked 8th in the NFL in total offense averaging 366 yards per game, 11th in passing yards with quarterback Eli Manning averaging 251.2 yards per game through the air, 17th on the ground averaging 114.8 yards per game, Brandon Jacobs led the rushing attack with 835 yards and New York ranked 8th in the NFL in scoring averaging a little over 25 points per game, running back Ahmad Bradshaw led the team in touchdowns with 7. The Giants defense suffered a setback early in the season when all everything safety Kenny Phillips when down with a knee injury and didn't play again in 2009-10. The defense allowed 26.7 points per game which is not acceptable for the talent they have, this team just quit on coach Tom Caughlin. Teams averaged 214 yards through the air on the Giants and almost 111 on the ground.

Just like his brother Peyton, Eli Manning is a student of the game and one of the hardest workers you will ever see. The young receiving group led by Steve Smith who had 1,220 yards last year will start to mature and know their roles, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nix will also be valuable options to throw too. This sports handicapper also believes that it is Bradshaw who should be the starter at running back, this kid is a star in the making, he can run inside or outside and break the big run, Bradshaw is a flat out game breaker and the team has to utilize his talents better in 2010-11. The offensive line is also solid.

The defense will be without leader and signal caller Antonio Pierce at middle linebacker, he has retired. The defensive line should be steady but needs establish the pass rush again this season, the Giants defensive end dropped off last season and will have to step it up. Kenny Phillips returns at safety, this kid is going to be the best in football real soon, the giants also brought in Phillips fellow University of Miami Alumni's Antrelle Rolle from the Arizona Cardinals to form one of the best safety tandems in the entire NFL. New York will finish 9-7 in the NFC East and will battle the Dallas Cowboys for a wildcard playoff spot.

Greg C Nelson