As a fan of the team and a fan of underdogs I don't want to start getting into how good the Giants are or even start making predictions on the Superbowl.  My goal is to analyze the state of the NY Giants, where they are now, and what they need to do to stay relevant in a league that is full of surprises.

1 - Plaxico Burress is a problem.  Put aside all of the personal issues he has that does impact the term TEAM but notice that his head is just not in the game.  Great examples are the Browns game when he was responsible for at least one of Eli Manning's interceptions by not finishing his route.  Another is in the whooping of the Cowboys.  The first interception for a touchdown was due to Plaxico Burress running his own pattern with his head in the clouds. He also dropped a TD pass and another that were in his hands.  I do give him the fact that if Eli did not throw the route that was supposed to be run and adjusted to Plaxico that he had a touchdown as Burress blew by the defenders.  But I have been saying for the last two years, Eli is a timing pattern QB.  He is throwing to spots and in a timing format.  Burress needs to work with a QB like Tony Romo or a QB that improvises often to realize his potential.

2 - Defense was a concern in the secondary and in the middle with the linebackers but with the pure athletes that the Giants have somewhat rectified this shortcoming.  That along with great D coaching.  I am concerned against the better QB's in the league that the one weakness the Giants have shown is giving up that big play.  I am hoping they are growing and learning form that as that is just the thing that can do a team in during a tight game. 

3 - Eli Manning takes a beating regardless of what is going on from fans and non fans of him.  Fact is Eli is growing into a mature QB that needs receivers that run precise routes.  With a solid running game and an outstanding O line, Eli is in place to be in the Elite group of QB's for the season as long as he sticks with his quality route running receivers on most of his plays.  I would like to say that Plaxico Burress needs to go now, but somehow a part of me is thinking that he will be an important part and will make some big plays for the team.  If Eli realizes that he can't use Burress in normal timing routes and uses him as a second or third receiver when he gets open to make big plays, I think that Burress can remain relevant to the cause.  Or even use him as a first receiver if he makes that big burn on a defender which we have seen often in the past years. 

4 - Special Teams is a concern for me.  I am very concerned about never kicking a ball inside the 10 on a kick off and giving up field position on the 30 or better for the opposition.  This could haunt the Giants against the better teams in the NFL.  The Giants are very fortunate though to have Hixon and Bradshaw that get down the field very fast to keep this from being more of a problem.

All in all though, the growth and maturity of this Giants team is impressive.  The team cohesiveness is second to none.  And the talent across the board is competitive with the best of teams.  I want the Giants to remain doubted.  I want them to remain "underdogs".  This just adds to the team concept and makes them stick together to be the team that has impressed me as much if not more than any Giants squad that I have had the pleasure to root for in the past 3 and a half decades.