How will the New York Giants respond now that Michael Stra-han has retired? Time will tell, but the last time the Giants lost a Hall of Fame-caliber player, they won the Super Bowl.
That would have been last year, when Tiki Barber, arguably the best tailback in franchise history, walked away to become a talking head. And boy, did he talk. He told the world, among other juicy tidbits, that Eli Manning wasn’t a leader and coach Tom Coughlin was your basic pink slip waiting to happen.
Don’t sweat it, Tiki. So you swung and missed. Stuff happens in the media game. Some of us experts picked the Lakers to beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals.
While he wasn’t much of a prognosticator, there was no denying Barber’s talent. Or defensive end Strahan’s. And now both are gone, along with outspoken tight end Jeremy Shockey, shipped to New Orleans this week for a couple of draft picks.
It’s Manning’s team now. Question is, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Did he turn the corner last season or simply pick a good time to get on a roll?
With NFL training camps opening this week, Manning’s encore performance looms as one of the top five questions in the NFC. The five, in particular order:
1
Can Eli Manning’s playoff success carry over to the 2008 season?
Yes, he outplayed Brett Favre on the Frozen Tundra, and yes, he led the G-Men to a fourth-quarter comeback in the Super Bowl. But the stats don’t lie. Before that, Manning was a pedestrian quarterback with a superstar last name.
He threw 23 touchdown passes in 2007 but also accounted for 20 interceptions. The Giants got rid of one potential problem when they dealt Shockey, a harsh critic of Manning’s, to the Saints. That leaves Manning’s favorite target, Plaxico Burress, who is grumbling about his contract.
Not that the Giants haven’t been down these roads before. They had won two Super Bowls before last season. Their records after those two seasons? Try 6-9 in the strike-shortened 1987 season and 8-8 in 1991.
2
Who will win in the Brett Favre-Packers front office spat?
Now that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has gotten involved, you have to think a resolution is near. But while it remains to be seen where Favre will land, this much is clear: The loser in this game will be Aaron Rodgers.
If Favre returns as the starter in Green Bay, Rodgers will waste yet another year of his career on the bench. If not, Rodgers will be second- guessed by fans and media every time he makes a mistake. And you thought Brian Griese had it rough succeeding John Elway.
3
Will Jessica Simpson be allowed in Texas Stadium?
Yes. In fact, the TV networks will insist on it. The lovely and talented — well, lovely, anyway — Ms. Simpson gets more camera time than her boyfriend, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
There are those who wonder about Romo’s lifestyle. Last year, he and Simpson were spotted in Cancun before the Cowboys’ playoff game. Then there was the couple’s infamous trip to Las Vegas, where Romo, according to Robin Leach’s blog, lost $2.5 million, give or take an Escalade or two.
For all the inevitable rumors that swirl when a Hollywood hottie hooks up with an NFL quarterback, there’s no questioning Romo’s ability. You want a stat? Try this one on for size: Romo in 26 career starts has thrown 55 touchdown passes.
Now for that other stat, the one that won’t go away: He’s 0-2 in the playoffs, and the Cowboys have scored a mere 37 points in those two games.
4
Is Tarvaris Jackson capable of leading the Vikings to the Big One?
On one hand, the powers that be in Minnesota say Jackson is their man. Question is, what are the Vikings’ decision makers saying behind closed doors? The answer can be found in the form of a question: Why do you think Brad Childress and his offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, were talking to Favre?
Jackson, a second-round draft pick in 2006, is a poor man’s Vince Young. He can run, but he threw nine touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season. If he doesn’t become a player, it wouldn’t be because the Vikings didn’t have a running threat to keep the pressure off him.
Adrian Peterson appears to be the NFL’s next superstar tailback. Not only that, the Vikings have arguably the best offensive line in the business. Then there’s the defensive line, which was exceptional in 2007 and figures to be better this year, what with tackles Pat and Kevin Williams clogging the middle and ex-Kansas City Chief Jared Allen coming off the corner.
5
How much of an impact will Shockey make in N’Awlins?
Yes, he had worn out his welcome in the Big Apple. But the guy is a four-time Pro Bowler who won’t turn 28 until next month.
If he can lose the controversy and limit his play calling on Bourbon Street, Shockey could be the most significant offseason acquisition in the league. He has something to prove and he will be in the perfect offense to do it.
It’s not like he will have much to learn. Shockey caught 74 passes as a Giants rookie in 2002. The G-Men’s offensive coordinator that season? Sean Payton, now the Saints’ head coach.
Footnote on the Saints: Drew Brees threw 28 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions in 2007. One of those touchdown passes and nine of those picks came in the first four games. After that, Brees threw for 27 TDs, with only nine interceptions.
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
