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Wednesday, July 18
Updated: August 17, 1:26 AM ET
 
Giants: Looking for a repeat
By Tom Oates
Special to ESPN.com

The Giants made it all the way to the Super Bowl last season, then lost all of the brownie points they had built up when they were crushed by the Ravens, 34-7. That caused people to wonder if the Giants deserved to be there in the first place. The NFC has produced a lot of one-year wonders lately, and New York could be another if everything doesn't break right for the Giants like it did last year.
 
CAMP AT A GLANCE
 Kerry Collins
Kerry Collins threw 22 TDs and 13 INTs last season.
  Location:SUNY-Albany, Albany, N.Y.
Rookies report: July 26
Veterans report: July 26
Preseason schedule:
 Aug. 10: at New England
 Aug. 18: Jacksonville
 Aug. 25: N.Y. Jets
 Aug. 31: at Baltimore

Even though they caught breaks with good health and an easy schedule, the Giants weren't a fluke. Their season was marked by the re-incarnation of Kerry Collins as a frontline NFL quarterback, the emergence of Tiki Barber as Marshall Faulk Lite and the resurgence of the once-proud defense. However, reaching 12 wins again will be difficult even if things go right because the road schedule is brutal and there is a serious lack of depth, particularly on the offensive line. The Giants have had the usual complement of post-Super Bowl distractions, but their personnel changes -- such as replacing defensive end Cedric Jones with big-ticket free agent Kenny Holmes -- were mostly upgrades.

Man in the spotlight
Lost in Barber's breakout season was the fact that first-round draft pick Ron Dayne was marginal early and hit the wall late. Coach Jim Fassel had so little confidence in his 260-pound rookie halfback by the end that he didn't hand him the ball once in the Super Bowl. Dayne needs to be quicker and more aggressive as a runner, so he's dropped about 10 pounds, which should also improve his stamina. The Giants must develop a one-two punch at halfback because Barber isn't big enough to touch the ball almost 300 times like he did last season.

Key position battle
The weakest link on a strong defense was cornerback, something that was exposed in the Super Bowl. Although Jason Sehorn was torched by the Ravens, it was aging Dave Thomas whom the Giants had to hide all season. This year Thomas will have his hands full holding off the challenges of rookies Will Allen and William Peterson, the top two draft picks. Allen, a first-round pick, has great speed and could beat out Thomas by the opener. If he doesn't, Peterson could because he's taller and perhaps even more gifted than Allen.

Biggest adjustment
The Giants' Achilles' heel was special teams, leading to the dismissal of oft-criticized coach Larry Mac Duff. Fred von Appen was brought in to breathe life into the units, but he'll have a new cast of specialists. Long-time kicker Brad Daluiso wasn't re-signed, which leaves von Appen to choose between rookie John Markham, who booms his kickoffs, and journeyman Jaret Holmes, Daluiso's backup last year. Reliable Brad Maynard was lost in free agency, which leaves the punting job to unknown Rodney Williams. It's clear von Appen's job won't be easy.

Rookie report
Besides the cornerbacks, the Giants added valuable defensive depth with fourth-round end Cedric Scott. The other fourth-rounder, quarterback Jesse Palmer, has a big arm and a so-so college career on his resume. By this time next year, he could be Collins' backup.

Offseason moves
Players signed Players lost
RB Tiki Barber (re-signed)
CB Jason Sehorn (re-signed)
DE Kenny Holmes (signed as free agent)
 DE Cedric Jones (released)
TE Pete Mitchell (signed with Lions)
DT Christian Peter (signed with Colts)
LB Ryan Phillips (signed with Raiders)
Giants' complete offseason moves







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Redskins: New general in town
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AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 Kerry Collins talks with Mark Malone following the Giants' preseason victory over Jacksonville.
wav: 546 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Coming off a Superbowl appearance, Tiki Barber will be working hard now that the surprise factor is gone.
wav: 169 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

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