2003 GIANTS
	Jeremy Shockey caught 74 passes as a rookie.
	Head coach: Jim Fassel (7th year). 2002 record: 10-6 NFC East finish: 2nd Season opener: Sept. 7 vs. Rams Schedule | Depth chart

Heading into most seasons, coach Jim Fassel's task is apparent: Inject confidence into a Giants team that is not considered to be much of a contender. This time around, Fassel readily admits his job is quite different. His club is expected to emerge as a Super Bowl threat.

Clearly, the Giants aggressively and painstakingly addressed their key failing following their playoff collapse in San Francisco, using free agency to fuel an unprecedented bolstering of their entire special-teams operation. They signed a new kicker, punter, snapper and return specialist, clearing what management viewed as the last hurdle standing in the way of a well-stocked roster.

Twenty of the 22 starters from a year ago return, and the team feels it has upgraded its depth, especially along the defensive line with the additions of defensive tackle William Joseph and defensive end Osi Umenyiora in the draft. Unlike most Giants teams, the marquee attractions operate on offense, where quarterback Kerry Collins, running back Tiki Barber, tight end Jeremy Shockey and wide receiver Amani Toomer have the potential to form the most talented ball-handling group in franchise history.

Offense
Quarterbacks: The Giants believe Collins, 30, is coming into his athletic prime as a smarter and more resilient player than he ever was in Carolina or New Orleans. He's as durable as they come and set a franchise record last season with 335 completions. His 4,073 passing yards set a team record and were also tops in the NFC. Backup Jesse Palmer has no real regular-season experience and is an unknown. No. 3 quarterback Jason Garrett is very much akin to a player-coach. Grade: B.

Running backs: Barber has broken into elite status around the league, finishing first in the NFC last year with 1,984 total yards. He has outgrown his third-down role and is now the featured runner, which is the main reason why former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne is often relegated to the bench. Dayne has been supplanted by veteran Dorsey Levens, who will serve as the short-yardage back. Fullback Jim Finn provides blocking and won't get his hands on the ball much. Grade: B-plus.

Receivers: This is a deep group, led by Toomer, who set team records in 2002 with 82 receptions for 1,343 yards. He also caught a career-high eight touchdowns and is the big, physical target every team craves. The surprise re-signing of oft-injured wide receiver Ike Hilliard gives the Giants a fine possession receiver with run-after-the-catch capabilities. Speedster Tim Carter has looked good since returning from a torn right Achilles tendon that ruined his rookie year, but Ron Dixon continues to make more noise with off-field issues than his considerable potential and will miss at least the first six games on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Cover boy tight end Jeremy Shockey is the talk of the league, his over-sized personality and wild off-field exploits making him a tabloid dream. The kid can also play, catching 74 passes as a rookie (tops among TEs in the league) and injecting a fiery demeanor to the entire offense. Converted quarterback and safety Darnell Dinkins, rookie Vishante Shiancoe and Marcellus Rivers are Shockey's backups. Grade: A-minus.

Offensive linemen: Other than left tackle Luke Petitgout, it's a makeshift group of non-drafted overachievers handed over to offensive line coach Jim McNally, who specializes in turning clay into fine art. Petitgout is one of the better young tackles in the league and was rewarded with a new $30 million contract. Center Chris Bober was a pleasant surprise and is the brains of the bunch. Left guard Rich Seubert has a nasty streak and is tenacious. The real concern is on the right side, where right tackle Ian Allen is an unproven player and rookie David Diehl is expected to challenge seldom-used Tam Hopkins at right guard. Grade: B-minus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: This could again be a dominating group if defensive tackle Keith Hamilton makes a complete return from a torn right Achilles tendon and disposes of his off-field problems with the legal system following a drug arrest. Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin needs to shake off nagging injuries and rekindle the form that made him a rookie terror in 2000. Defensive end Michael Strahan is a menace and demands constant double-teams. He's equally adept at stopping the run and the pass, and he's one of a handful of franchise defensive linemen in the league. Defensive end Kenny Holmes can be effective if he's rested on occasion, which is where second-rounder Umenyiora, a pass-rush specialist, comes in. First-round pick Joseph will back up Hamilton, and the plan is that Joseph will eventually replace Hamilton. Grade: B-plus.

Linebackers: Middle linebacker Micheal Barrow had a rough year physically, but he remains the soul of the defense, the vocal and emotional leader. Weak-side linebacker Dhani Jones did an adequate job replacing Jessie Armstead, but he has yet to show he's a big playmaker. Strong-side linebacker Brandon Short is solid vs. the run. If Barrow should falter, the team believes Nick Greisen is more than ready. The team also is excited about the versatility of Kevin Lewis and the athletic potential of Wesly Mallard. Grade: B-minus.

Defensive backs: Few teams can match the Giants when it comes to having such a gifted pair of young cornerbacks. Cornerbacks Will Peterson and Will Allen both are aggressive and technically sound. The wait continues for srong safety Shaun Williams, a solid player but not yet the special one the Giants envisioned when they made him a No. 1 pick in 1998. Free safety Omar Stoutmire prevents big plays but is not a ballhawk; he has only four interceptions in 92 career games. Ralph Brown inherits Jason Sehorn's nickel-back spot. The Giants want to find ways to get safety Johnnie Harris on the field, and they are intrigued by rookie cornerback Rod Babers. Grade: B-plus.

Special teams
PK Mike Hollis was signed in the offseason to upgrade the kicking game, but he has been placed on injured reserve with a bad back. As a result, the Giants will go with Matt Bryant, the kicker they were hoping to improve upon. After running into trouble the past two years with rookie punters Rodney Williams and Matt Allen, the team switched gears and signed P Jeff Feagles, who is 37 with 15 years of NFL experience. He's adept at directional punting and is the league's career leader in punts inside the 20-yard line. The team thought the long-snapping problems of the past were solved with the signing of LS Ryan Kuehl from the Browns, but they were forced to place him on I.R., leaving the job to rookie Carson Dach. The Giants imported one of the best-ever kick returners in Brian Mitchell, who holds virtually every NFL record and will handle both kickoff and punt returns. Mitchell, 35, shows no signs of slowing down. Grade: B-plus.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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