Will They Repeat as Division Champs?
What will the Giants look like when they man the field in 1998? Will they have a team that can rise to a Division Championship for a second year? Let's take a look at what they're up against.

The Giant's will be facing off against tougher teams - San Francisco, Green Bay, and Kansas City. All won division championships, and will be on the list this year, and you have to believe that our own NFC East division will be tougher itself.
This group which did poorly last year, will have an easier schedule for their wins, and be in a better position for draft picks. The Giants will be staffing their team by picking 24th, which holds a benign advantage in that they might not be spending as much on new prospects.
As the field thins out, Assistant General Manager Ernie Accorsi, strongly rumored to be taking over from current GM George Young, will have to shop hard for his bargain players to help supplement the team.

Here's the current situation. Going into training camp in July, Fassel has already committed to Danny Kanell, who was 8-3-1 as the starter. Kanell is signed up until 1999, and is getting a lot less than Brown, and this fast learning rookie will probably have to be locked up with a big raise and long term contract.
We have to remember that Dave Brown is really a team player, and has given his all for the Giants, taking the hard hits and remaining silent as they slowly formed a working offense. However, salary cap is an issue, and that brings us on to some other players.

Rodney Hampton made an appearance in the last game of the year, but for only eight carries for eighteen yards. Was that just to see if he's over the knee injury that kept him out for most of the year?
Hampton is one of the older and higher payed players on the team, but he is also the Giant's all time leading rusher, and you can't forget what his consistency can do for the running game. That's one thing that was missed last year as Wheatley, Barber and Way platooned the spot.

Tight end Aaron Pierce may seem costly when his stats are compared to a lower paid Howard Cross, and linebacker Corey Miller draws a top salary, but he is also the team leader.
More than salary issues go into these decisions though, as performance, durability, injuries, and age are also factors. As usual, the Giant's need help in the wide receiver spots, and that's where a hunk of the money will go.

All-Pros Jessie Armstead and Michael Strahan, as well as other stars, Robert Harris, Keith Hamilton, Chris Calloway, Tito Wooten, Phillippi Sparks, and Jason Sehorn (bound to be All-Pro next year), will all hopefully be back to buttress the core of the team.
Let's not forget one of our biggest stars, Jim Fassel, who will definitely be back.

Will the Giant's repeat in 1998 against a reinforced NFC EAST, and against division championship teams? We have to look back to 1997, at the progress that was made last year by this enterprising young developing team. If you look at the talent of the players and staff, and with the intensity and spirit they work at and bring on to the field, they are certainly up to the challenge.