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Eli Manning

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Predicted order of finish in the NFC East: Fourth

Coach: Tom Coughlin, first season, ninth season overall (68-60).

2003: 4-12 (fourth in NFC East). The Giants lost their final eight games, leading to the dismissal of coach Jim Fassel (58-53-1) after seven seasons.

Key additions: S Brent Alexander, CB Terry Cousin, LB Carlos Emmons, LB Barrett Green, DT Norman Hand, QB Eli Manning, WR James McKnight, OL Shaun O'Hara, DT Fred Robbins, OG Chris Snee, OL Barry Stokes, QB Kurt Warner, OG Jason Whittle.

Key losses: LB Michael Barrow, QB Kerry Collins, DT Cornelius Griffin, K Mike Hollis, LB Dhani Jones, RB Dorsey Levens, RB Brian Mitchell, LB Brandon Short.

Pre-snap read: Coughlin's first task as he takes control of the Giants was to pick a starting quarterback, and he went with the former NFL MVP (Warner) over the No. 1 NFL draft pick (Manning). Coughlin, the former Jacksonville Jaguars coach, also must blend 20-plus new players into the Giants' holdovers. The offense will have three new starters on the line, and that doesn't count Stokes, a free agent who will miss the season with a back injury. If the line miraculously comes together and manages to keep Warner upright, the Giants have the playmakers — RB Tiki Barber, TE Jeremy Shockey and WRs Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard — to be successful. They need to cut down on turnovers after tying for second in the league with 38 last year. The team's minus-16 turnover ratio was tied for the worst. The defense will have five new starters, including DTs Hand and Robbins and LBs Emmons and Green. They were brought in to improve a unit that surrendered the fourth-most points last season.

What to expect: Manning will be starting by midseason, which means the season will be over for the Giants by that time.

The line on the line: Injuries and inexperience doomed this line last season, and it could be more of the same in 2004. There are three new starters, and LT Luke Petitgout is the only sure thing — if his back stays healthy. Grade: D

Offensive leaders
Pos.	Player	2003 statistics
QB	Kurt Warner	365 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB	Tiki Barber	1,216 yds, 4.4 avg, 2 TD
WR	Amani Toomer	63 rec, 1,057 yds, 5 TD
WR	Ike Hilliard	60 rec, 608 yds, 6 TD
TE	Jeremy Shockey	48 rec, 535 yds, 2 TD

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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