The question mark is at tight end. Kevin Boss made big plays after Shockey broke a leg in December, but the second-year pro has to do it over the course of a full season and become a better blocker. The running game averaged about a yard less after Shockey was hurt.

“During the regular season we didn’t feel we were the best team,” Manning said. “When we got to the playoffs, we got some confidence. We played better football than anyone else and we kept that great confidence going. We still think we can play better. No one is giving us much credit and that adds to the fire and makes us say let’s go earn it.”

Defensively, replacing Strahan will not be easy. Outstanding against the run and pass, he was the undeniable leader of the team.

However, the Giants, who led the league in sacks last season, might have the NFL’s best pass rush without No. 92. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora is coming off a 13-sack season that got him to the Pro Bowl, Tuck had a career-best 10 sacks and strongside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka had 4.5 sacks before breaking a leg midway through the season.

Tackles Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins have looked great in camp and Pierce is out to prove he is the leader of the defense.

The secondary returns starting cornerbacks Aaron Ross and Corey Webster and the safety position is four deep with Michael Johnson, James Butler, free agent-signee Sammy Knight and rookie Kenny Phillips, the first-round draft pick who has been the star of training camp.

The go-for-broke unit should improve in its second season under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

The only concern is weakside linebacker, where newcomer Danny Clark, Gerris Wilkinson and rookie Bryan Kehl are looking to replace Kawika Mitchell, who was signed by Buffalo as a free agent.

“A lot of people didn’t think we could do it last year and there are a lot of people that don’t think we can do it again,” punter Jeff Feagles said. “Certainly Tom has told us the next step is to go out and put it behind us. We have the ring to remind ourselves how great of a season it was. When you go through that type of season, it makes you believe that you can do it again.”

Veteran Amani Toomer remembers the 2001 season, the year after the Giants lost to Baltimore in the Super Bowl. Players came to camp and went through the motions, thinking they were a lot better than they were. They went 7-9.

“It’s different this year,” Toomer said. “Every time I’ve been on a team that has won there has been a sense of urgency and I feel the sense of urgency here. When I’ve been on a team that thinks we’re really good, we end up doing really bad. I think every team that has been successful has had something to prove and we do.”

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