NFL Football Views

Despite Tom Coughlin’s adamant denials, the Giants, minus Strahan, are a shell of their former selves. They moved Mathias Kiwanuka from defensive end to SAM linebacker in hopes of getting their three best pass rushers (Strahan, Kiwanuka and Osi Umenyiora) on the field. Without Strahan, though, the Giants have a glaring weakness at the left defensive end spot. They can move Kiwanuka back to defensive end; but after spending much of the offseason transitioning him to linebacker, a switch right before the season would seem a little unfair. Signing free-agent Simeon Rice would go a long way toward replacing Strahan’s pass-rush skills; but having played exclusively at right defensive end throughout his career, Rice would be asked to be more of a base end (run stopper) with the Giants — hardly his strength. The best scenario would be for Strahan to surrender his hopes of landing a new deal and report before the regular season begins.