T-Rock's Take on the Giants

First, I like the scat-back debate... Let me see if I can add anything to it:

I believe, Ralph, that the idea of the third-down back is to a) have someone who can catch the ball as well as run it to keep blitzing defenses off-guard, b) move well and quickly in open space to pick up big yards when it's third-and-deep and c) have someone who isn't in there on first or second down to give away tendencies and just pound the ball. No one knows if Bradshaw can do any of this; no one thought Tiki could do much more than that when he first started, and then no one really thought Tiki could become the all-down player he was.

As to your question, KC, there was quite obviously some unhappiness with Tim Lewis. Some younger guys -- Corey Webster, Gerris Wilkinson -- were so afraid to make a mistake that they crumbled; older guys -- Gibril Wilson, Sam Madison, Antonio Pierce, LaVar Arrington (before he was injured) -- were asked to do things that weren't strengths.

The biggest thing most players said, or didn't say but implied, was the way Lewis treated them. Barely a month into off-season workouts, Osi Umenyiora made sure to mention that Steve Spagnuolo "speaks to you like a man." That's a pretty damning statement about Lewis even though Osi didn't mention him.

As far as schemes, the phrase "read and react" has been replaced with "attack." Spagnuolo wants his unit to dictate the game, not sit back and read tendencies and opponents. There'll be some of that, of course, just as Lewis' scheme wasn't all passive, but the idea is to use the guys who go forward best and use a more aggressive coverage scheme for the DBs.

Speaking of D, let's run through the defense in the final installment of the preview:

DE

Hard to believe there would be question marks here, with Strahan and Osi and Justin Tuck. But those three managed a little more than a full season combined, with Strahan and Tuck coming off Lisfranc sprains and Umenyiora coming off a torn hip flexor. And now that Mathias Kiwanuka is a LB, there's not much behind them -- Adrian Awasom might have been a late-camp cut if Kiwanuka were still on the line, but Awasom should figure on playing quite a bit, especially early in the season. There's a chance the Giants might keep a fifth DE early on, so the competition between Tommy Davis, Charrod Taylor and Marquise Gunn could be one for the serious fans to watch.

Last word on the possible Strahan holdout, as my man over at Pro Football Talk reports is still a possibility: If he does hold out, even for a day or two, he'll have burned the little good will he has left with Giants fans and the organization. Strahan and Ernie Accorsi had a strong relationship, and 92 has gotten off on the wrong foot with Jerry Reese. If Reese showed anything with his February cut of Luke Petitgout, it's that this is his team, and he has the blessing from above.

We'll see if Strahan wants to put himself deeper in the hole by showing up late. I'm betting he's there.

DT

Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield did a solid job last season, so these are their spots to lose. William Joseph may have made himself useful by filling in at DE last season and at this year's mini-camp, but he's behind veteran FA Marcus Bell and slimmed-down Jonas Seawright appears ready to take his NFL career seriously. Rookie Jay Alford will play some, too.

LB

People are pumped about Kiwanuka, because he has the natural ability to do just about anything he wants. He's got to learn the position of SLB though, and that takes time. Pierce can help, but Pierce has other responsibilities. Which is why I'm fairly sure that Kawika Mitchell will be the starting WLB over Gerris Wilkinson -- Wilkinson needs some help too, and I doubt the Giants will want Pierce coaching out of both sides of his mouth on the field.

Wilkinson will play though, as will Chase Blackburn, though both have to way better on special teams. Zak DeOssie gets a roster spot because he should be this year's rookie ST terror; that may leave only one more LB spot for either Reggie Torbor or Tyson Smith. If Spagnuolo likes Smith more, then Torbor won't be around.

DB

Madison and McQuarters were running as the starting corners in mini-camp. I'd bet any amount of money that they won't be the starters in Dallas; McQuarters is too valuable at the nickel and the two of them starting would mean that Webster hasn't recovered from his hip injury or the emotional toll of Tim Lewis and that Aaron Ross, who should sign today or tomorrow, isn't ready for prime time.

Either way, that spells doom for the secondary.

Michael Stone has the edge on the CB/ST spot, which means there might only be room for one of either Kevin Dockery or E.J. Underwood. Dockery had some flashes and two INTs last season, and Underwood, who was ticketed for Dockery's spot before a shoulder injury KOed his season, might be the better player. I bet they'll both be in the league this season, but maybe not with the Giants.

At safety, Gibril Wilson is on an angry mission -- to get back to the player he was as a rookie. Will Demps should be healthy and prepared to have a better season -- his biggest hit last year was the one that sent Shockey into la-la-land in camp. And James Butler has worked into the rotation well. Jason Bell has the fourth spot pretty well locked up, so rookie Michael Johnson should be headed to the practice squad.

OK, then. I'm off in a few minutes to start my journey to Albany. Today is check-in, maybe some golf with Garafolo from that Jersey paper (don't read his blog, it just gives him a bigger head) and then Outback, the Peter Luger of Albany.

The fun is just starting, people!