The first “Inbox” of the 2010-11 NFL season has been filed. This edition Scott explores which New York football team is better, if Darrelle Revis will put his pads on for the Jets this season, and just how good the Giants’ wideouts are.
Which team has a better shot at reaching the Super Bowl: the Giants or Jets?
Mark, Livingston, N.J.
I’d love to give you a one-word answer in my lede, but first let me tackle a few points. New York has always been a Giants town first, Jets second. Especially over the last decade, the Jets simply weren’t as exciting as their co-tenants at the Meadowlands. Even when Brett Favre came to town, it was big news overshadowed by the Giants winning the Super Bowl the previous year. Then, Rex Ryan moseyed on in with his big personality and people started talking a little more. A year later, this offseason, the Jets went out and grabbed a future Hall of Fame running back (LaDainian Tomlinson), a Top 10 wide receiver (Santonio Holmes) and a young cornerback with potential (Antonio Cromartie). This may still be a Giants town, but there’s no denying that the Jets are a more interesting storyline.
I can remember watching the Jets hold off the New England Patriots in Week 2 last season and thinking, this team has what it takes to be very good. Then, four weeks later, I witnessed the Jets fall to the Buffalo Bills. They’d won three straight then lost just as many. It was not looking pretty. But with their backs against the wall, the Jets’ defense rose to the occasion and the offense began to mature. After that, the playoffs looked like a breeze for the Jets, aside from the AFC Conference Championship game, of course.
With a second-year quarterback at the helm, an offense and defense that now knows Ryan’s playbook inside and out, and an upgrade at the wide receiver spots, how can this Jets team not be better than their New York counterpart? My one fear is that the Jets will look like the Washington Redskins did in the early 2000s when they’d use free agency to nab the biggest names who would eventually underperform.
The Giants aren’t about the splash as much as the Jets. General manager Jerry Reese builds through the draft and uses free agency to fill in the remaining pieces. When the Giants won the Super Bowl, they didn’t have a boat load of big-name talent—Plaxico Burress, Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Michael Strahan, that’s about all. It’s a trait that made them interesting and unpredictable. But three seasons later, I’m not as confident in the remaining players from that championship squad. I’m convinced the Giants have seen the best years from Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka already; Jacobs is an injury concern; and Steve Smith, who did have a strong 2009-10, is their biggest wide receiving threat. That cream of the crop defense they were recognized for just a few years ago is no longer as dominating, and in my book, is on the outside of the league’s Top 10 best.
That said, the Giants still do have many pieces I’d take over the Jets. In a pick ‘em scenario, here’s who I’d choose:
Head Coach: Tom Coughlin (G) over Rex Ryan (J)
Quarterback: Eli Manning (G) over Mark Sanchez (J)
Running Back: Shonn Greene (J) over Brandon Jacobs (G)
Wide Receivers: Santonio Holmes/Braylon Edwards (J) over Steve Smith/Mario Manningham (G)
Tight End: Kevin Boss (G) over Dustin Keller (J)
Cornerback: Darrelle Revis (J) over Corey Webster (G)
Linebacker: Bart Scott (J) over Michael Boley (G)
Kicker: Lawrence Tynes (G) over Nick Folk (J)
Offense: Jets over Giants
Defense: Jets over Giants
Team: Jets over Giants
Will Darrelle Revis play for the Jets this season?
Francis, Belmar, N.J.
I have no reason to believe Revis will hold out this entire year, or even any part of the season. I can see him coming back after Week 4 of the preseason, once all of the practice games have been played. New York opens the season against the Baltimore Ravens, who have Anquan Boldin, and then face the New England Patriots and Randy Moss in Week 2. You can bet Revis won’t want to sit on his couch as opposed to lining up against those top wideouts, Moss especially.
Sure, cash is the main factor, and right now it doesn’t look like the Jets are willing to give him what he’s asking for. The Jets dug their own grave on this one though. Throughout last season, coaches and management kept calling Revis the best corner, if not defensive difference maker, in the game. How can you do that then not pay him like so? I don’t know which side is going to budge first, but the Jets need Revis on the field come Week 1 to have a chance against two playoff-potential opponents.
Are the Giants going to be okay at wide receiver?
Bill, Manhatten, N.Y.
Wasn’t that the question mark heading into last season? Did I just answer a question with a question? Yes, the Giants will be fine at wide receiver, as long as Hakeem Nicks’ knee injury isn’t too serious. Nicks returned to practice Monday, so it doesn’t appear to be.
Let’s take a look at the Giants’ Top 3 wide receiver leaders from last season:
Steve Smith: 107 receptions for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns
Mario Manningham: 57 receptions for 822 yards and five touchdowns
Hakeem Nicks: 47 receptions for 790 yards and six touchdowns
This is a young group: Smith is in his fourth year, Manningham his third and Nicks his second. All three have to be very comfortable in head coach Tom Coughlin’s offense, and especially at ease with Eli Manning tossing them the ball. I’d venture to say two from this trio could have 1,000-yard campaigns.
Keep sending those questions in: scott at scottstanchak.com
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