Boy, were we in rough shape when Coughlin arrived in 2004!

I looked at the Sporting News 2004 Pro Football Draft Guide last night. Reading the "Team Needs" section, and reviewing the "Projected Depth Chart" made me fully realize that we sure got a whole lot smarter in our draft selections and free agent acquisitions once Tom Coughlin arrived on the scene! Gosh, was our roster pretty putrid! It's also interesting to note that Sporting News gave no chance of us selecting a franchise QB in the 2004 draft when this was originally published.

TEAM NEEDS:

1. Offensive Tackle
Ian Allen struggled as the starter on the right side last year, but Jeff Hatch isn't ready to replace him, and left tackle Luke Petitgout is returning from back probelems. What does it all mean? The Giants could add as many as two tackles in the free-agent market and/or the draft. Iowa's Robert Gallery is the one they're targeting with the fourth overall selection. They also could draft a development type such as Cal State Sacramento's Martko Cavka or UC-Davis' Brad Lekkerkerker in the late rounds.

2. Safety
Omar Stoutmire yields too many big plays for an experienced starter. Johnnie Harris, an unrestricted free agent expected back, is declining. Shaun Williams is coming off a season-ending knee injury and disappointing year, but he was hindered by Stoutmire and injuries at corner. Williams should bounce back if the team adds a safety who doesn't need to be protected in coverage as much as Stoutmire. The Giants could select Miami's Sean Taylor with the fourth overall pick, but drafting Gallery there and using a second-round selection on a safety such as Georgia's Sean Jones, Iowa's Bob Sanders or Purdue's Stuart Schweigert makes more sense.

3. Outside linebacker
New York is expected to re-sign unrestricted free agent Brandon Short, but it's unlikely Dhani Jones, an unrestricted free agent, will return. Wesly Mallard, Kevin Lewis and Quincy Monk provide adequate depth but aren't starting material. Georgia Tech's Keyaron Fox and Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman should be available on Day 1.

4. Defeensive tackle
The Giants want to re-sign Cornelius Griffin, an unrestricted free-agent, but he may be too expensive. If he bolts, this becomes a big need. William Joseph failed to make an impact as a rookie, though he still has the potential to develop into a solid starter. With Keith Hamilton expected to retire and Lance Legree lacking bulk, the team needs a tackle who can push Joseph. If a free agent isn't obtained, Mississippi State's Tommy Kelly, Stanford's Amon Gordon and Iowa State's Jordan Carstens will be good values if they slip to Day 2.

5. Cornerback
Will Peterson and Will Allen form a good starting duo, but depth is needed. Ralph Brown, an unrestricted free agent who probably will return, is an inconsistent open-field tackler and lacks height. Arkansas' Ahmad Carroll, Texas' Nathan Vasher and Florida's Keiwan Ratliff are third-round prospects capable of replacing Brown in the nickel package right away.

6. Quarterback
Jesse Palmer and Jason Garrett aren't expected back. The Giants probably will sign a free agent to back up Kerry Collins and then use a late-round pick on a developmental prospect. Washington's Cody Pickett, LSU's Matt Mauck and Michigan State's Jeff Smoker are Day 2 prospects with upside.

7. Inside linebacker
Mike Barrow continues to play at a high level, but he is aging. Nick Greisen makes his biggest contributions on special teams. The Giants need to start molding a possible replacement for Barrow while also improving their depth. Oregon State's Richard Siegler, Kansas State's Bryan Hickman and Northern Iowa's Jonathan Harrell could be steals on Day 2.

8. Guard
David Diehl did an adequate job as a rookie starter last season. Rich Seubert missed 10 games with an ankle injury, and Wayne Lucier and Scott Peters struggled in relief. Alabama's Atlas Herrion, Wake Forest's Tyson Clabo and UTEP's Trey Darilek are projected late-round picks who could spell Seubert.

9. Defensive end
Kenny Holmes opted to void his contract and is expected to be replaced in the lineup by Osi Umenyiora. Keith Washington, an unrestricted free agent who's expected to return, adds depth. Adding an explosive situational pass rusher would help keep the starters fresh and, hopefully draw attention from Michael Strahan. Western Michigan's Jason Babin, Virginia Tech's Nathaniel Adibi and Florida's Bobby McCray are Day 2 possibilities.

THE OUTLOOK:

It appears that the Giants will end up with Gallery unless a team leap-frogs ahead of them to select the Iowa tackle. After that, the Giants must focus on defense. Ideally, they would draft a potential starter such as Jones at safety in the second round, and then get a cornerback such as Vasher or an outside linebacker such as Lehman in the third round. The Giants have needs at defensive tackle and defensive end, but they spent high picks on Joseph and Umenyiora last year. They might look for a tackle such as Gordon or an end such as Adibi in the fourth round and try to fill the other need with a free agent. In the final rounds, they'll need to address depth issues in the interior of the offensive line and at inside linebacker and quarterback.