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Eli Manning was a different player in the Giants' final five games last year. Dan Pompei questions if he can do it for 16 games.

Dan Pompei

Well, it's tempting to say there is nowhere to go but down for the world champion New York Giants. But to say that would be ignoring that their regular season left much room for improvement.

In fact, for most of the year the Giants were considered a borderline playoff team that had an inconsistent passing game, a vulnerable secondary and a substandard takeaway/giveaway ratio.

So the question now becomes which are the real Giants? Are they the superhuman postseason team that shocked the world, or the slightly above average, inconsistent regular season team that every opponent believed they could beat?

In addition to expensive rings and a trip to the White House, the Giants walked away from what happened in January and February with a greater measure of confidence. They know what they are capable of.

That's especially important in the case of Eli Manning, who has been routinely questioned for his entire career. It isn't so easy to question the fifth-year quarterback anymore.

Manning was a different player in the Giants' final five games, starting with their regular season finale against the Patriots. He was a more composed player, and for the first time in his career, a money player. It was as if Manning became a leader just when leadership was needed the most. He became more adept at making adjustments on the sideline and at the line of scrimmage. And his decision making was better than it ever had been.

If Manning could play like that in the most important games of his career, he should be able to play like that in less important games this season. But can he do it for 16 games?

Those who see the cup as half empty will point out Manning led the league in interceptions last year.

Hot seat
If Jeremy Shockey were not in the middle of controversy, he wouldn't be Jeremy Shockey.

The tight end missed the Giants' playoff run after breaking his leg in December, and watched fifth round draft pick Kevin Boss do his job pretty well. Shockey reportedly was unhappy with how he was being used by the Giants coaches and made some noise about being traded. The Giants and Saints discussed the possibility at length.

Shockey kept his distance from teammates and coaches for most of the offseason. He even had a shouting match with general manager Jerry Reese. Now he is going to have to find a way to get back in his team's good graces.

Overheard at camp
It's difficult to imagine the Giants without Michael Strahan's leadership and pass rush. But we don't have to imagine anymore now that Strahan has made his decision official.

Replacing his game won't be easy, but the Giants have been preparing for Strahan's retirement for a long time. The plan is to play Justin Tuck at left end instead of having him bounce around the line like he did last year. Outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka also is expected to get some snaps at end, probably on nickel downs.

Comings and goings
The Giants will miss Gibril Wilson's steadying influence in the secondary, but they actually are replacing him with a more gifted player in first round draft pick Kenny Phillips (assuming Phillips starts). The Giants were fortunate the safety fell to them at pick No. 31.

The back seven of the defense will have some questions, as the Giants will have to replace Wilson and linebackers Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell, all of whom started in the Super Bowl.

Prediction
The Giants caught magic in a bottle last January and February. For anyone to expect them to keep that magic bottled up for a whole year would be unrealistic.

The Giants never were a dominant team as much as they were an opportunistic team with perfect chemistry at the right time. Duplicating that chemistry won't be easy. If the Giants win nine games, it won't be perceived as a great season. But it probably should be.

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