John:  First thing this does is shake up the leadership from the player's perspectives.  Coughlin never really had a grip on this team and really it was up to Tiki and Strahan to rally the troops. Defensively the Giants have shown that they're a much better team when Strahan is on the field, not so much that he's the best player on the field, but he energizes the D to the point that they play better as a team. Now they're talking w/ Simeon Rice, who is second among active DE's in total sacks (behind only Strahan), and he can fill a void as a veteran leader, but Strahan has always been a Giant and a new face is not gonna replace that leadership role, even if he plays better.

I think he'll have to be. He's proven he can break through the line, run over linebackers, and scare the pants out of anyone in the secondary, however that may cost him the second half of the season.  Droughns was one of the many RB products that Denver has produced, and was great there, but it's shown that they have a fierce O line in front, as when he went to Cleveland, he never really regained his forcefulness he had in Denver.  Jacobs has proven to this team that he deserves the shot, and with as many potential passing threats and Eli continuing to improve he shouldn't have to be running every down other than to spread the field and pick on the 3rd n short or when on the goal line.

Eli Manning gets a lot of criticism by people who don't really believe that he has ever shown what you would expect from a first round draft choice.  How would you rate his performance last season, and what do you expect this season with the absence of Tiki Barber?

I think the biggest factor we haven't seen Eli really step out is b/c he's never really had control of the team.  When the brought in Warner, it was to help show Eli what it takes to be a QB in the NFL and instead of going w/ that, they threw him in 8 games into his first season. If you heard Eli's comments about Tiki leaving, you'll pick up that he wasn't pleased, and this is exactly what he needs.  When he's fired up, people start looking to him the way they did to Tiki.  When he goes into that 2 min offense and he's taking the helm and calling the plays, they perform really well, much like his big brother. I think this year we'll see a brand new leader, the only one the team will look to in the huddle, and as long as the line gives him enough time, he'll have a pro bowl year.

What were some of the key additions to the team this off season?

The biggest gains were Reuben Droughns and Kawika Mitchell, anyone else they picked up will be on the practice squads. From the draft  perspective...Aaron Ross can make an impact early on, but most who have seen him at camp aren't thrilled by him.  Steve Smith, however, is moving up very nicely.  And most likely will be the #3 WR this year. If Kawika Mitchell doesn't pan out Zak DeOssie might get a few plays at LB and  Jay Alford will get a nod or two at D-Line.

What holes have yet to be filled by the Giants, and do you foresee them being able to fill them before the season starts?

The biggest whole is def in LT.  Luke Pettigout, while he's notorious for false starts (Seattle comes to mind), was a very capable blocker on both the run and the pass.  Now they have some versatile guards in Ruegamer and Seubert that are capable at LT but aren't proven rock solid solutions.  There has been talk with Cleveland  to acquire Kevin Shaffer, so they're trying to address it but the asking price is quite high. The secondary seems to always being an issue for the Giants, their pass defense is always ranking in the bottom quarter of the league.  They've addressed this last year by picking up Demps, Madison, and McQuarters, and still didn't improve much.  Now they've addressed it w/ picking up Ross in the first round and adding Steve Spagnuolo as the D Coordinator, the Eagles LB and Secondary coach (which the Eagles pass D always ranks near the top).

What should we expect from the NY Giants this season?

The Giants have something this year that they haven't had in quite a few, and that's a much easier schedule than in years past.  Last year, they and Cincinnati had the two toughest schedules in the league based on 05's records.  They're facing a questionable Green Bay team, an Atlanta team that's in complete disarray, rebuilding teams like San Fran, Miami, Detroit, Minnesota, and Buffalo.  However they still have to play Dallas and Philly twice, as well as Chicago and New England. There are some question marks as to how will the running game will hold up, and will the O line take care of  Eli, but the D should have some new life in them, even w/o Strahan, and will be among the best run defense teams in the league.  Overall, I see them as a solid 10 and 6 team, but still falling short in the first round of the playoffs.

What team in the NFC East will provide the most trouble for the Giants?

Playing in the NFC East is grueling, as every game is a hard fought slug fest.  Washington will play tough but don't have what it takes to make it in the division.  Dallas has only improved but we need to see a full season of Romo to get a real good impression of how the team will play.  So, I'm going w/ Philadelphia, the Giants played them 3 times and lost two last year and will be looking to make amends for that.  Until proven otherwise Philly is still the NFC East champs.

Well that's all the questions I have, John thanks for the interview.  I'll go ahead and leave you with the last word.