BIG Blow To Giants

When seven time pro bowl defensive end Michael Strahan retired the Giants knew that they would have a void at defense end that would be tough to fill. But when you have a team with the likes of fellow pro bowler Osi Umenyiora also on that line, you can get by just fine. As long as you have one there there should be no problems, right?

New York, we have a problem!

The giants found out on Sunday that Umenyiora tore his left lateral meniscus in a preseason game the previous night against arch rival, the New York Jets. The injury, not expected to be serious according to early reports, will end up costing the all pro defensive end the entire season.

A loss of Strahan is bearable, but not good if you are looking to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. The loss of both all but assures that there will be no repeat. The Giants had penciled in Justin Tuck to replace Strahan at left end. Finding a replacement for Umenyiora might be a little more difficult. One of a group of three players is expected to be given an opportunity to win the right end starting job; defensive end turned linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, journeymen Renaldo Wynn, or second year pro Dave Tollefson, none of which have a whole lot of starting experience at defensive end in the National Football League. That group certainly does not strike fear in the opposition quite like an Umenyiora or Strahan does.

With the Giants out of the picture, I can't imagine a team will give the Cowboys much of a run now in the NFC, let alone the NFC East.

Be sure to check back with WAY Back Sports for our 2008 NFL Predictions which will be released later this week.