National Football League

32 to 1: Pressure mounting on No. 27 Giants to turn it around

Published Jul. 6, 2014 11:24 a.m. ET

Mike Garafolo

There's no time to rebuild in the NFL anymore -- especially in the league's biggest market, with an aging coach and quarterback leading the way.

The Giants faced that reality this offseason and began what they hope is a quick, successful makeover with several changes to the offensive staff. One of them was the -- ahem -- retirement of coordinator Kevin Gilbride, who was replaced by former Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo. The change means Eli Manning will get rid of the ball quicker than he has in the past under Gilbride's downfield attack.

Meanwhile, the hopes for a dangerous offense could rest on running back David Wilson's appointment with a neck specialist later this month. Wilson, who had surgery this spring, expects to be cleared for contact, and the Giants will need his explosive presence in the backfield to complement new addition Rashad Jennings.

On defense, the Giants need Jason Pierre-Paul back in top form. He has only 8 1/2 sacks in the past two seasons combined after notching 16 1/2 in 2011. At the second level of the defense, linebacker Jon Beason is trying to rehab a broken foot suffered during OTAs. And in the secondary, there's a big change with the signing of cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

A source told FOX Sports the Giants have been so impressed with Rodgers-Cromartie they might at times have him man up on the opposing team's top receiver for an entire game and roll coverage elsewhere. That's a philosophy they haven't used in the past and, if successful, would allow them to provide coverage help and pressure elsewhere.

And speaking of pressure, look for a lot of it on those in high places if the Giants don't turn this thing around quickly. Last season featured just the second losing mark in coach Tom Coughlin's 10-year tenure with the Giants. He still has the energy and desire of a younger coach, but another losing season could result in ownership wondering if it's time to think about moving on.