Here is my thoughts of the draft/offseason (they really go together) from 2 Nov

Bear in mind I have taken into consideration the fact that we will see alot of underclassmen (likely substantially more than the 50 we have had in recent years).
I don't think you can separate the draft from the rest of the offseason process, they are very much interlinked imho

What a difference a week makes. I thought the Eagles game will be a pivotal point in the season. Lets face it, we were soundly beaten in all phases by a team that was beaten by the Raiders just two weeks ago. I think the Saints showed teams how to beat the Giants deep and the Cardinals, and Eagles followed suit. I expect with teams like Atlanta, Dallas and San Diego we will see more of the same.

From recent performances, and where the team is at, I think we rebound to some degree, but it won’t be enough. I think we are looking at an 8-8 or 9-7 season with the Giants missing out on the playoffs to Dallas and/or Philadelphia.

Firstly, I am assuming there is a new collective bargaining agreement in place before next season. I think the NFLPA and the NFL will make an agreement, probably at the last minute in early Jan.

Here are my current thoughts for the 2010 offseason


Coaching Carousel
For right or wrong I think Coughlin could be fired this year. It is true that no-one works harder than Coughlin, but it seems at several points this season, we have been out-coached.

Our players haven't executed well at times, but also there have been several time when I don’t think our players have been put in the best position to compete and win games.

Our attiude is strong, we have the work ethic, committment and team focus. No-one prepared harder than Coughlin, but his system is reasonably rigid and doesn't seem to adjust well in games. But for whatever reason, this team doesn't have the tactical agility to adapt to dynamic in game situations.

I can’t help thinking if we had Spagnuolo as Head coach instead of Coughlin, we would be a very different team. Bottom line: Barring a monumental turn around, I think we will be looking for a new head coach.

Head Coach – Charlie Weis
Weis is a very, very good offensive minded coach. He develops very good schemes and more importantly, can make in game adjustments (which is my main criticism of Coughlin). We know he can explosive offenses (often without super star players). He now has head coaching experience and has proven he can build a team . Being head coach at Notre Dame is excellent experience of being under the media spotlight in NY. The fact that the Giants are his ideal job is gravy.

Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach – John Fox
With Weis as Coach, we need an experienced guy to handle the defense, particularly someone who is experienced with 4-3 defenses. I can’t see Fox surviving the annual end of season coaching purge. But there is no doubt that Fox is a very very good defensive coach, particularly with defensive backs. Fox has an excellent defensive mind, has had success with the Giants and is a good fit. I think Fox will build on the excellent groundwork we have from Spagnuolo/Sheridan and take it to the next level.

Special Teams Coach – Brian Polian
Currently Weis’ special team coach at Notre Dame; Brian is a very good coach and comes from the famed Polian family who have had much success in the NFL. Special teams has been a problem for some time for us, changes are needed.

Other coaches
For the most part I would keep the rest of the coaching staff. They are very good at what they do and have strong relationships with the players. This includes Gilbride, whom I think is very good schematically, knows the players well and perhaps has been hindered a little by Coughlin and his structured approach – but have no doubt Weis will be calling the plays.


Notes:
1. I have assumed that Aaron Ross is moved to FS over the back half of this season and does really well. This will allow Phillips to move into SS.

2. Diehl continues to struggle against speed rushers and regularly needs help in pass protection. William Beatty will seriously push him in camp; if Beatty is up to the task (which I think will happen), Diehl will slide inside to LG and pushing Seubert to the bench where he becomes a very valuable backup.


Free Agency

Giants Free Agents
Carr, Hixon, Moss, Whimper, Cofield, Robbins, Clark, Wilkinson, Dockery, CC Brown, Feagles

Resign – Hixon, Cofield and Carr to reasonable contract extensions (I assume Feagles will retire).

Consider contract extensions for Alford, Bradshaw, Umenyiora, Boss, Smith, M Johnson

Release Antonio Pierce
He proved he still has ability, but he is declining. The big reason is to save $ 4.75m against the cap. There is a lot to like about Pierce, but his contract far outweighs his performance.

Rocky Bernard has not performed as expected so far, and his status will be reviewed during the off-season. But Robbins will be gone and Bernard does provide solid veteran depth. If Cofield can be resigned then Bernard is likely on the way out particularly if we upgrade the position in the draft. This is a numbers game, Cofield isn't a super star, but he is young, experiences and is a very solid run stopper, particularly on running downs and he complements Alford and Canty well; plus he should be reasonably priced. Dominating the trenches up front will be a priority particulalry at DT.

This means Pierce, Moss, Whimper, Robbins, Clark, Wilkinson, Dockery, Brown and quite possibly Bernard will be plying their trade elsewhere in 2010.

Salary cap wise, I think we will be in decent shape. I think we will have enough for a very solid (but perhaps unspectacular) offseason.

Free Agency Signings

LB Demeco Ryans, Houston.
Ryans is a quality, young (25) MLB that is a huge upgrade over Pierce. He has not been happy with Houston and I think the Texans will choose to franchise Robinson instead of Ryans, particularly with the emergence of Cushing. Certainly the Texans have been very reluctant to pay him what would have been a reasonable deal, which further indicates that he could be available. Ryans is an ideal fit for the middle of our defense. The Giants give him the opportunity to play on a legitimate playoff contender behind a dominant Dline.
*other options include Barrett Ruud, D'Qwell Jackson, Derrick Johnson and Karlos Dansby

CB Richard Marshall, Carolina
A good young (24) CB on a bad team. Marshall is a the type of CB we like and gives as a very good group of corners. Marshall also has more speed than Webster, Ross or Thomas giving us better match ups against quicker receivers (which have caused us some problems). This also gives us the option of moving Aaron Ross (or perhaps Terell Thomas) to FS if need be. The Giants give Marshall the chance to play on a legitimate play-off team with his former head coach.
*other options include Dunta Robinson and Marlin Jacskon

TE Anthony Fasano, Miami
Fasano is a young (25) blocking TE to complement Boss and Beckum. The Giants give him the chance to play on a legitimate play-off team in his home town. Fasano is solid at best in the passing game and is really a very good #2. Also there are alot of good receiving TEs available in both free agency and the draft.
*other options include Jeff King


Draft

Going into the draft we don't have a huge amount of needs and can generally take the best player available. We do need to upgrade LB, DT and secondary depth at some point. I have assumed the Giants are picking in the 15-20 range.

1. DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse (6-4, 293, 5.05)
(2007-09: 31 GP, 130 Tackles, 27.5 TFL, 6 sacks)
Jones is a very strong, mobile NT, who is very disruptive despite regular double teams. John Fox knows the value of being strong up front. Jones gives us that anchor we haven’t really had since Keith Hamilton and substantially upgrades our DT rotation.

2 OT Selvish Capers, West Virginia (6-5, 298, 5.00)
Capers is the powerfull, agile, athletic bookend OT who could play either side. Capers is too good to pass up. We did get Beatty last year, but McKenzie has had injuries at times and Diehl struggles with speed rushers. Capers gives us a pair of bookend tackles to develop for the future, with Diehl likely moving back to LG eventually.

3. S Darrell Stuckey, Kansas (6-1, 205, 4.50)
(2007-09: 34 GP, 226 tackles, 10 TFL, 1.0 sack, 7 Int (71 yds), 15PBU, 1 QBH, 3 FR, 3 FF)
Stuckey is a good all round safety. Deep coverage has been a real problem and there is some uncertainty with Phillips long term future. He gives us more quality depth and another stud special teamer.

4. LB Pat Angerer, Iowa (6-1, 235, 4.50)
(2008-09: 22 Games, 196 tackles, 10 TFL. 2 sacks, 6 int (72 yds), 7 PBU, 3 QBH, 2 FF)
Angerer is a fast, athletic, instinctive but undersized MLB who may shift outside to WLB for us. Boley has shown how a fast, athletic WLB transforms our defense, Angerer gives us valuable depth and a stud special teamer.

5. CB Syd’Quan Thompson California (5-9, 191, 4.50)
(2008-09:34 GP, 179 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 6 Int (204 yards), 30 PBU, 1 FF)
Thompson is a very good all round CB, that lackes elite measurables. Thompson has been very productive and can also return punts. The CB class is very deep, but Thompson is excellent value here providing good depth and and excellent special teamer.
Giants trade up to the late 4/early 5 using the 7th round pick to draft Thompson

6. P Zoltan Mesko, Michigan (6-5, 231, 4.75)
(2006-09: 45 GP, 237 P, 10,074 yds, 42.5 ave, 66 Long, 73 I20, 0 blocked)
Mesko is a strong leg punter who is used to cold weather football. Mesko is an ideal replacement for Feagles and helps considerably with Field position.



Possible Roster

- With this offseason in mind, my 2010 depth chart would be something like:

Offense (26)
QB - Manning, Carr, Bhomar
WR - Smith, Nicks, Manningham, Hixon, Barden, Hagan
TE - Boss, Fasano, Beckum/Johnson
RB - Jacobs, Bradshaw, Brown, Ware
FB - Hedgecock
OT - McKenzie, Beatty, Capers
OG - Snee, Diehl, Seubert, Boothe
OC - O'Hara, Koets

Defense (25)
DE - Tuck, Umenyiora, Kiwanuka, Tollefsen
DT - Canty, Alford, Jones, Cofield
SLB - Sintim, Kehl, DeOssie (LS)
MLB - Ryans, Goff, Blackburn
WLB - Boley, Angerer
CB - Webster, Marshall, Thomas, Thompson, B Johnson
SS – Phillips, Stuckey
FS - Ross, M Johnson

Special Teams (2)
K - Tynes
P - Mesko

does anyone have any thoughts?

I am curious to see how my thinking changes over the course of the season.

I have to admit the one thing I am most uncertain about is Coughlin's sacking. But at the moment I think Sheridan could be in trouble (lthough I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at the moment)