GIANTS AT A GLANCE
	Kent Graham
	Last year: 98-8, third place in NFC East Key returnees:: DL Michael Strahan (15 sacks); RB Gary Brown (247 carries, 1,063 yards); WR Ike Hilliard (51 receptions, 715 yards); S Percy Ellsworth (5 INTs, 2 TDs); LB Jessie Armstead, QB Kent Graham (1,215 yards, 7 TD's) New faces: QB Kerry Collins (Saints); TE Pete Mitchell (Jaguars); OL Luke Petitgout (first-round pick) New places: WR Chris Calloway (Falcons); QB Danny Kanell (Falcons); DL Chad Bratzke (Colts); DB Carlton Gray (Chiefs); LB Corey Miller (Vikings) Watch out: Promising CB Jason Seahorn missed the entire season with knee injury suffered last year in a preseason kick-return experiment. And RB Gary Brown was hurt badly in a motorcycle accident during the past offseason. Better than '98: Strong-armed Collins could upgrade passing game -- if he stays out of trouble off the field and can beat out incumbent Graham. Worse than '98: Who will step up to replace Bratzke's 11 sacks from a year ago?

The Giants seethed in '98 when critics suggested their surprise title run the previous season was built on a soft schedule, a weak division and good fortune. But their protests seemed hollow when New York stumbled to a 3-7 start against better opponents. The Giants did rally to win their final four games and five of their last six to finish 8-8. But they landed third in the division and out of the playoffs, and their division title appeared to be a one-year aberration.

Now the Giants are committed to confirming last year's slip was the accident and their standing atop the NFC East was life the way it should be.

"We can be better than last year, even better than we were two years ago," said two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jessie Armstead. "We've got all the guys that have been here and played at a high level, and it's time to step it up and play at an even higher level.

"We always got something to prove. We really got something to prove that it wasn't a fluke when we won in '97."

To do that, the Giants must improve on offense. Over the last five years, their "attack" -- and that word is used generously -- has ranked 28th, 29th, 30th, 27th and 29th in the NFL. The last two seasons, that disappointing offense has been under the guidance of Jim Fassel, who was hired as head coach in part because of his reputation as an offensive master. The Giants dedicated their offseason to upgrading their offense, and early in the preseason, when they were scoring points and piling up yards in bunches, they looked like a different team. But the real test begins Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay.

This time, the Giants believe their offense will earn high grades. As always, they should have a solid but unspectacular rushing attack. But the passing game, where the Giants haven't ranked higher than 20th since 1988 and haven't had a quarterback throw for 300 yards since 1993, should improve. Quarterback Kent Graham has the arm strength to throw the deep pass, a component virtually ignored by the Giants in recent seasons.

Chris Calloway, the team's leading receiver the last four seasons, was released to give more playing time to the younger, faster, more dangerous players behind him. His replacement, Amani Toomer, has blossomed into an outstanding wideout and should team with Ike Hilliard, Joe Jurevicius and Brian Alford to give the Giants their most lethal passing attack in memory. Fassel also brought in free agent Pete Mitchell to give his offense a weapon it has lacked: a tight end who can catch passes. Fassel is dusting off parts of his playbook he hasn't used since arriving in New York.

Defensively, the Giants should again have one of the NFL's better units. Armstead and defensive end Michael Strahan are among the best players in the league at their positions. If Jason Sehorn recovers from his knee and hamstring problems, he adds speed and coverage ability to an already formidable unit.

If they are to return to the playoffs, the Giants must upgrade their special teams, which have been awful the last two seasons.

The Giants have spoken of their resolve to prove they're legitimate championship contenders. Now they have to play the part.

Here's a position-by-position look at New York's roster:

		Surprisingly, the Giants have been very explosive during the preseason. Jim Fassel loves a quick-hitting offense, and he's got some weapons in Ike Hilliard, Amani Toomer and a receiving tight end in Pete Mitchell. Once Gary Brown is healthy, he can be a heck of a running back. The question is at quarterback. Kent Graham and Kerry Collins are both 240-pound quarterbacks, and they're working off a quick three- and five-step release. These guys are built like pocket passers, but right now Graham is showing that he can make the adjustment to a quick release. If Graham can continue to be successful, it will be a huge plus. The Giants offense was clearly their problem last season because the defense played quite well.

Quarterbacks
Graham led the Giants to a 5-1 record after taking over for Danny Kanell last year. When the Giants gave free agent Kerry Collins a $5 million signing bonus in February, everyone assumed Graham's days as the starter were numbered. But Graham has solidified his position with an excellent training camp and spectacular preseason performances.

Collins also had a strong camp, but it wasn't nearly good enough to unseat Graham. Now in his eighth NFL season, Graham understands the intricacies of Fassel's offense and has the coach's backing. Barring an injury, that should keep Graham in the job for a while. Grade: C+

Running backs
Gary Brown finally returned to practice Aug. 23 after recovering from injuries suffered in a June 26 motorcycle accident. Barring a setback, he will be the team's workhorse back. Brown is a tough, dependable runner who gained 1,063 yards and lost only one fumble last season.

The Giants still need speed in the backfield and are looking to veteran LeShon Johnson and rookie Sean Bennett to provide it. Tiki Barber is the third-down back. Veteran Charles Way is an above-average fullback, but his statistics declined last season. Grade: C

Receivers
The team that hasn't had a Pro Bowl wideout since Homer Jones in 1968 finally has some receivers to get excited about. Toomer, a disappointment his first two seasons, has emerged as Graham's favorite target. He came on during the last month of the '98 season and was the best player in training camp this summer. Hilliard is a dependable possession receiver who can pick up significant yardage after the catch, a Giants shortcoming in recent years.

Jurevicius is a tall target who can outleap defensive backs. Alford should provide much-needed speed. Mitchell, kept under wraps in the preseason, will be a major contributor when the season opens. Grade: C+

Offensive linemen
Center Brian Williams, who missed the last two seasons with a serious eye injury, has returned to provide strength and leadership in the middle of the line. Williams was one of the NFL's best centers when he went down in '97 and expects to return to form, although he sprained his left knee in a preseason game against the Jets.

Former center Lance Scott moved to left guard, but he suffered a knee injury that could open the door for top pick Luke Petitgout. Roman Oben is developing into a terrific left tackle, Ron Stone is a fine right guard and Scott Gragg is inconsistent at right tackle. As always, depth is a concern. Grade: B-

Defensive linemen
A year ago, this was the strongest unit on the team. But DRE Chad Bratzke took his 11 sacks to Indianapolis, where he signed a $30 million contract. His replacement is former first-round pick Cedric Jones, who has done little in his first three seasons. The coaches believe Jones can be an effective player if he stays healthy. If Jones doesn't, Bernard Holsey will replace him.

Strahan has 29 sacks over the last two seasons and might be the NFL's best defensive player. DTs Robert Harris and Keith Hamilton are above average. Grade: A-

Linebackers
Armstead, the weak-side linebacker, did not miss a game last season despite suffering severe pain from an ankle injury. He did not play to the high standard he had set the previous season, but he still made the Pro Bowl. Armstead is eager to inflict more damage this season. MLB Corey Widmer is a solid, cerebral player who continues to improve in his eighth season.

The weakest position on the defense is strong-side linebacker, where Marcus Buckley has made little impact. Third-year man Ryan Phillips is being given every chance to unseat Buckley. Scott Galyon is a smart, effective nickel linebacker. Grade: B+

Defensive backs
The Giants have what every team craves: three solid cornerbacks -- at least on paper. The key is keeping Sehorn, Phillippi Sparks and Conrad Hamilton healthy. Sehorn, the most talented member of the group, missed all of last season with a severe knee injury and this summer's training camp with a pulled hamstring. His return date is uncertain. Hamilton, who was a proficient replacement for Sehorn, was also slowed in camp with injuries. Sparks is a good cover corner and an outstanding tackler.

Sam Garnes, Percy Ellsworth and Shaun Williams give the Giants three solid safeties. Grade: B

Special teams
Brad Maynard is developing into one of the NFL's best punters, and Brad Daluiso is a strong-legged, accurate kicker. But the Giants' return units have been abysmal. Last year, they averaged just 7.2 yards per punt return and 19.5 yards per kickoff return. Fassel hopes to get a boost from Johnson on kickoff returns and Barber on punt returns. The coverage teams are better but still have plenty of room for improvement. Grade: C+

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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