Yesterday I polled the readers of Giants Football Blog about what they think the Giants should do to improve this offseason. Rather than focus on one comment, I want to highlight a couple of good points that were mentioned.

From RedMarauder07…

I’d stay away from a DeAngelo Hall trade. DeAngelo seems like a “me first” type of player in the mold of Asante Samuel. Jerry Reese has pieced together a group of solid team guys, and I wouldn’t change upsetting the team chemistry of a championship team.

From Biggie Smalls…

DHall was very close to Vick from his College Days at VaTech.. I think its safe to say he worshiped Vick on some levels. This past season was probably very tough on him . He got into it with his (soon to be resigning early) head coach — whch Ill give him a pass on b/c of the circumstances.

I think a year in NY with Sam Mad and Knight watching over him.. and a more competitive environment and this supposed reputation as Me First Player will go away.. Similar to what happened to Plaxico after a year playing with Toomer.

From KoKo…

LBs in the Giants scheme aren’t paramount to success, but I do think good defensive back player is. I like Webster and Ross, but I don’t trust Webster yet. Ross should start next year. Madison and McQuarters are okay, but old in the tooth. I’d rather keep Madison around as a mentor/spot starter and just cut bait with McQuarters at this point.

So CB/Safety in the 1st round. LB in the second or 3rd. Getting another offensive tackle would nice too, but hey we still have Whimper.

Again that is assuming Strahan returns. If Strahan does retire. I’d move Kiwi back to DE, so the rotation of Tuck/Kiwi/Osi would be similar to the one that gave them great success during the playoffs. Then I would draft a LB in the 1st round and/or make a play for RFA Michael Boley. He might cost a bit more then what Reese wants to spend, but I think it would be worth it in the long run.

From Big Ern…

Guys can get better once they become more comfortable in a system, but replacing a great posession receiver like Amani Toomer with a guy who gets knocked for dropping balls and not running great routes is a step back in my opinion.

I would rather see the Giants roll the dice on a guy like Justin McCareins who looked great before getting stuck in a feeble Jets offense. He’s a guy with great hands and character who I think would be a big time WR for the Giants and not cost much.

I agree with Marauder and Biggie, that if the Giants were to acquire Hall, which seems dead in the water right now, he’d have solid veterans to keep him in line, much like they molded some great young players in the 07-08 campaign.

I know some folks disagree with me that the Giants could use another receiver, but I am not sold on Steve Smith just yet. I’m not saying he can’t be the kind of player that gives Plaxico Burress the space he needs, but I think you need to add more depth with Amani Toomer getting near the end of his career. Big Ern has the right idea with a McCareins type receiver.

Keep those comments coming, its evident that we have some of the smartest football fans on the web reading Giants Football Blog.

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On Giants 101, Rich O’Callaghan provides a great recap of the results of this year’s NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Among the defensive ends who raised their stock were Auburn DE/OLB Quentin Groves, who ran the best 40 yard dash out of all of the defensive linemen with a 4.57, and DE/OLB Vernon Gholston, who tied Wolverine left tackle Jake Long for the combine bench press lead, with 37 reps of 225 lbs,

Wide receivers of note were V-Tech’s WR Eddie Royal, who led all wide receivers with 24 reps on the bench, Indiana WR James Hardy, who Rich wonders could be the next Plaxico Burress, and Michigan State WR Devin Thomas, who ran a 4.40 40 yard dash. Limas Sweed out of Texas ran a 4.4 40 with a 37 inch vertical leap and is expected to go in the first round.

Among the running backs that impressed were Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall out of Illinois, and the highly touted Darren McFadden, who ran an impressive 4.33 40 yard dash. Mendenhall ran a 4.45 and Stewart was right behind him at 4.48. Chris Johnson, out of East Carolina led everyone at the combine with a 4.24 40-yard dash.

Purdue tight end Dustin Keller was the most impressive at his position, with a 4.55 in the 40 yard dash to lead TEs and had the second best bench press among his peers with 26 reps of 225.

Dominique Rogers-Cromartie of Tenn St and cousin of Charger corner Antonio Cromartie appears to be the first CB to be selected. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash and led his peers in the vertical jump and the broad jump. Aquib Talib of Kansas ran a 4.42 40 yard dash and was second among corners in both the broad and vertical jumps. Both Rogers-Cromartie and Talib appear to be first round candidates. Tracy Porter of Indiana ran a 4.37 40 yard dash and could be in the mix for a mid to late first round draft.

Josh Barrett led safeties with an impressive 4.35 40 yard dash.

Asked if the Giants should trade down, O’Callaghan writes.

I think the Giants should stay right where they are, and grab a Keith Rivers or Kenny Phillips, or DeSean Jackson, or Rogers-Cromartie, or Mike Jenkins, or Tracy Porter. One of these guys will fall to us, probably more than one.

For a full rundown of combine action, and whose stock fell as a result of their combine showing, head over to Giants 101 where Rich O’Callaghan breaks down the results.

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