New York Sports

By KEVIN SHIELDS, WCBSTV.com
NEW YORK (CBS) ― The New York Football Giants are in the pole position at the season's turn after a strong first half of 2008, and look to be a lock for a top-three seed in the playoffs, if not for the number one spot. Consistent work from Eli Manning, teamed with very good play from the running game and excellent work on both lines, has the Giants' record at 7-1 and unbeaten in division and conference play.

The true test for the Giants remains in the second half, where they still have four games remaining against their NFC East foes. Their non-division schedule is also daunting, as they face two first-place teams (the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers), not to mention 5-3 Baltimore and the Adrian Peterson-led Minnesota Vikings.

One would have to figure that a 4-4 record in the second half would be good enough for a playoff bid, and a 6-2 finish would probably be enough for a top-two playoff seeding. Time will tell whether the Giants have that kind of run in them, and this stretch will certainly prove Big Blue's mettle.

A win in Sunday's matchup against bitter rival Philadelphia, the one division opponent they haven't faced, could provide some major momentum and create even more space between the two teams in the standings.

But before we get to the second half, here are the Giants' position grades in the first half of 2008:

Quarterback – B+: After Eli Manning's finish to 2007, highlighted by an historic playoff run and a Super Bowl MVP award, everyone predicted a breakout year for New York's franchise quarterback. While he hasn't been spectacular, Manning is doing everything that the coaching staff can ask of him – he's limiting his mistakes and playing efficient, consistent football. On pace for a career-best quarterback rating (89.7) and a fantastic touchdown-to-interception ratio (24-10), Eli is undoubtedly playing his best football. His renewed confidence this season has turned him into the quarterback that the Giants gave up so much for.

Offensive Line – A+: The Giants' O-line has been nothing short of incredible in 2008, and probably deserve three or four pluses. David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, and Kareem McKenzie have taken their renowned consistency and cohesiveness to another level this season, in both the air and ground games. Eli Manning has been sacked only 10 times on the season, good for 5th in the league, and the line has been opening gaping holes for the Giants' #3 rushing game.

Running Backs – A: One of the keys to success for the G-Men this season has been outstanding running back play. Brandon Jacobs is well on his way to his second consecutive 1,000 yard season, and Derrick Ward has provided a spark spelling Jacobs as a change-of-pace back. The Giants are first in football in yards-per-carry (5.2), thanks in part to Ward's league-leading 6.1 ypc average. Ward also has 185 yards receiving out of the backfield, perhaps the only area where fault can be found in Jacobs' 2008 season. Ahmad Bradshaw, in limited time, has also been very good, with 167 yards in just 31 carries.

Wide Receivers – B-: The Giants' receiving corps has been a bit of a mixed bag in the first half of the season. Manning has taken the "spread the ball" mantra and embraced the heck out of it, as no receiver has more than 35 receptions or 400 yards, while six players have double-digit receptions and three have 300+ yards. Plaxico Burress has been disappointing this season (31-390-3), failing to show that he deserves the two-year contract extension that the Giants ponied up for him that pushes his salary to about $7 million a year. However, his attitude-related absences have provided ample opportunity for the Giants to discover talent and depth at the position, as Steve Smith has emerged as one of the best 3rd down receivers in the league and Domenik Hixon has shown flashes of greatness.

Tight Ends – C+: The Giants definitely miss Jeremy Shockey catching balls out of the tight end spot, as Kevin Boss and Mike Mathews have combined for only 14 catches for 161 yards through eight games. Their problem hasn't been a lack of production, however, as much as a lack of targets by Manning as he looks to other Giants receivers. There are signs that Boss is turning it around, as he's caught a touchdown pass in each of the Giants' last two games. Boss and Mathews have been great in the pass-blocking game, helping the offensive line and double-teaming the opponents' best defensive ends.

Defensive Line: A: The most worrisome development for the Giants before the season kicked off was the dismantling of the defensive line thanks to a season-ending injury to Osi Umenyiora and the retirement of Michael Strahan. Luckily, the Giants had Justin Tuck and his 10 sacks in 2007 to replace Strahan, and he's been provided Pro Bowl-worthy numbers in 2008. He leads the Giants with 8.5 sacks, and is third on the team with 36 tackles as his run-stopping game develops. Plugging up the spot vacated by Umenyiora has been Mathias Kiwanuka, who moved back to defensive end after spending some time at outside linebacker. His 5.5 sacks have been impressive, and like Tuck, Kiwi has an explosive first step that often requires a double-team. Fred Robbins is having a fantastic 2008, and Barry Cofield has been solid as well.

Linebackers – B-: Defensive captain Antonio Pierce, despite missing some time this season due to injury, has been his usual self: a hard-hitting, sideline-to-sideline tackle machine. Danny Clark, one of the Giants' major offseason acquisitions, has been better than expected. Chase Blackburn and Brian Kehl have been exactly what the Giants expect, which isn't saying much, but they're competent enough.

Defensive Backs – A-: The Giants are second in the league in passing defense, allowing only 175 yards per game, and are fifth in the NFL with 11 interceptions. Three of those belong to Corey Webster, who has built off of his great 2007 playoffs and played very well – those three INTs are good for a tie for seventh in the NFL, and Webster is tied for fourth in the league with 12 pass deflections. Aaron Ross, the Giants best cover corner, has played well enough, considering he's matched up against each opponent's best receiver every time he lines up. Rookie safety Kenny Phillips has been solid and looks like he could become one of the league's best with a little seasoning and experience, and Michael Johnson and James Butler both have 30+ tackles.

Special Teams – B+: Ahmad Bradshaw (21.6 yards/return) and Domenik Hixon (10.2 yards/return) have been nothing to write home about on kick and punt returns, respectively. Kicker John Carney, who filled in for NFC Championship hero Lawrence Tynes when he was hurt, has been excellent and seems to have taken the now-healthy Tynes' job. Carney, the oldest player in the NFL at age 44, has hit 17 of 18 field goals (though none from 50+) and hasn't missed a PAT. Jeff Feagles, the second-oldest player in football, has averaged 43.4 yards, which in a full season would be his best total since 2001. He remains one of the league's best at pinning the ball deep in opponents' territory, ranking third in the league in percentage of punts inside the 20 (43.3%).

Coaching – A-: Coach Tom Coughlin couldn't get the team to embrace his hard-nosed disciplinarian style, and starting last season has become more of a players' coach – with great results. Coughlin knows how to get his players motivated, and has been able to isolate Burress from infecting team chemistry and focus. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been his usual self, devising brilliant blitz packages and cementing his status as one of the league's best – he'll be a head coach elsewhere before Giants fans would like to think. Off. Coordinator Kevin Gilbride has built his scheme around the run and limited Eli's mistakes with great success.

Biggest Surprises: Robbins, Hixon, Ward

Biggest Busts: Sammy Knight, Terrell Thomas

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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