10 Reasons Why New York Giants Fans Should Be Excited For 2015 NFL Season

10 Reasons Why New York Giants Fans Should Be Excited For 2015 NFL Season

By Matt Turner

July 2, 2015

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10 Reasons Why New York Giants Fans Should Be Excited For 2015 NFL Season

Victor Cruz New York Giants — It's tough to play any worse than the Giants did last season when they went 6-10. Fortunately, they're entering the second year with their new offense, they should have a rejuvenated defense and some new faces will allow for plenty of promise in 2015. Here's what Giants fans should look forward to most.

It's tough to play any worse than the Giants did last season when they went 6-10. Fortunately, they're entering the second year with their new offense, they should have a rejuvenated defense and some new faces will allow for plenty of promise in 2015. Here's what Giants fans should look forward to most.

10. Contract Years

Prince Amukamara New York Giants

10. Contract Years

Prince Amukamara New York Giants — Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning, Prince Amukamara, Rueben Randle and Jason Pierre-Paul (if he plays under his franchise tag) will all be playing in the final year of their contracts. Most players step up in that year as they’re setting themselves up to get paid. Hopefully all or most fulfill that mantra this season.

Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning, Prince Amukamara, Rueben Randle and Jason Pierre-Paul (if he plays under his franchise tag) will all be playing in the final year of their contracts. Most players step up in that year as they’re setting themselves up to get paid. Hopefully all or most fulfill that mantra this season.

9. Questionable Moves By NFC East Rivals

Jason Garrett Dallas Cowboys

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9. Questionable Moves By NFC East Rivals

Jason Garrett Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray and are fighting with Dez Bryant. The Eagles gained Murray and Kiko Alonso but lost Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin while bringing in injury-plagued Sam Bradford. The Redskins haven’t done much and don’t seem to be on the track to leading the division again. While the Giants are still improving, this could be a good chance for them to make some headway in the division.

The Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray and are fighting with Dez Bryant. The Eagles gained Murray and Kiko Alonso but lost Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin while bringing in injury-plagued Sam Bradford. The Redskins haven’t done much and don’t seem to be on the track to leading the division again. While the Giants are still improving, this could be a good chance for them to make some headway in the division.

8. A Favorable Schedule

Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins

8. A Favorable Schedule

Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins — Nine of the Giants’ opponents finished .500 or worse in 2014 (including the Redskins, who they play twice), and only three teams they face won 10 or more games. While several of those teams look better than they did last year, the Giants are included in that. If the Giants can’t take advantage of that, they’re going to be in for another rough, rough season.

Nine of the Giants’ opponents finished .500 or worse in 2014 (including the Redskins, who they play twice), and only three teams they face won 10 or more games. While several of those teams look better than they did last year, the Giants are included in that. If the Giants can’t take advantage of that, they’re going to be in for another rough, rough season.

7. A Full, Healthy Season from JPP

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants

7. A Full, Healthy Season from JPP

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants — Giants fans finally saw some flashes of the Jason Pierre-Paul who recorded 16.5 sacks in 2011. Although he only put up 12.5 last year, 8.5 of those came in the final five weeks. Back problems have slowed him down recently, but if he’s finally 100 percent healthy, the Giants may once again have one of the best defensive lines in football.

Giants fans finally saw some flashes of the Jason Pierre-Paul who recorded 16.5 sacks in 2011. Although he only put up 12.5 last year, 8.5 of those came in the final five weeks. Back problems have slowed him down recently, but if he’s finally 100 percent healthy, the Giants may once again have one of the best defensive lines in football.

6. Emerging Young Players

Johnathan Hankins New York Giants

6. Emerging Young Players

Johnathan Hankins New York Giants — Of course there’s Odell Beckham Jr., but there’s also Johnathan Hankins, Devon Kennard, Damontre Moore, and Weston Richburg. All of them had solid 2014s and all are headed for the spotlight in 2015. Each of the four are 24 and younger, meaning they haven’t come close to their full potential yet. The Giants will need their stars to play like stars in 2015, but if these four in particular step up, expect a big season from New York.

Of course there’s Odell Beckham Jr., but there’s also Johnathan Hankins, Devon Kennard, Damontre Moore, and Weston Richburg. All of them had solid 2014s and all are headed for the spotlight in 2015. Each of the four are 24 and younger, meaning they haven’t come close to their full potential yet. The Giants will need their stars to play like stars in 2015, but if these four in particular step up, expect a big season from New York.

5. An Improving Offense

Eli Manning New York Giants

5. An Improving Offense

Eli Manning New York Giants — Eli Manning had one of the best seasons of his career under first-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo last year. Another year with the system will help him and all the other players. Some players along the offensive line should improve, Manning will get Victor Cruz back and the addition of Shane Vereen should help the pace of the offense as a pass-catching back.

Eli Manning had one of the best seasons of his career under first-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo last year. Another year with the system will help him and all the other players. Some players along the offensive line should improve, Manning will get Victor Cruz back and the addition of Shane Vereen should help the pace of the offense as a pass-catching back.

4. The Rule of Four

Eli Manning Tom Brady

4. The Rule of Four

Eli Manning Tom Brady — Every four years since Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning took over, they’ve defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Coincidence? We’ll find out this year. This alone has me excited for the season.

Every four years since Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning took over, they’ve defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Coincidence? We’ll find out this year. This alone has me excited for the season.

3. Steve Spagnuolo’s New Defense

Steve Spagnuolo New York Giants

3. Steve Spagnuolo’s New Defense

Steve Spagnuolo New York Giants — The defensive coordinator for the first of the two Super Bowls the Giants played against the Pats has returned. Many forget the dreadful start to the season Big Blue’s defense had in 2007, but they quickly turned it around. Expect similar growing pains this year; however, also expect a much more aggressive defense, especially if the DEs play to their full potential.

The defensive coordinator for the first of the two Super Bowls the Giants played against the Pats has returned. Many forget the dreadful start to the season Big Blue’s defense had in 2007, but they quickly turned it around. Expect similar growing pains this year; however, also expect a much more aggressive defense, especially if the DEs play to their full potential.

2. “The Return”

Victor Cruz New York Giants

2. “The Return”

Victor Cruz New York Giants — For those who follow Victor Cruz on social media, you’ll know this as the title he’s given his comeback to football. He was a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver before his injury, and if he can come back close to 100 percent, Manning will have two very reliable WRs at his disposal. As a local and fan-favorite, it’s hard not to be excited to see Cruz step onto the field, which will hopefully lead to a lot of salsa dancing.

For those who follow Victor Cruz on social media, you’ll know this as the title he’s given his comeback to football. He was a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver before his injury, and if he can come back close to 100 percent, Manning will have two very reliable WRs at his disposal. As a local and fan-favorite, it’s hard not to be excited to see Cruz step onto the field, which will hopefully lead to a lot of salsa dancing.

1. Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr New York Giants

1. Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr New York Giants — Face it: He’s the only reason anybody watched the 6-10 Giants last year. Despite everything else on the list, OBJ will likely be the focal point of anything the Giants do this season. Defenses know what he’s capable of, and it’s time to find out if he can repeat his monster rookie season. Giants fans sure hope he can.

Face it: He’s the only reason anybody watched the 6-10 Giants last year. Despite everything else on the list, OBJ will likely be the focal point of anything the Giants do this season. Defenses know what he’s capable of, and it’s time to find out if he can repeat his monster rookie season. Giants fans sure hope he can.

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