DMN Blog: What Strahan's retirement means for Giants ...

by Albert Breer

I'm not sure whether Michael Strahan coasted through the regular season at all. But I do know this -- During the playoffs, it was like his hair was on fire.

And so he will be missed by a chief competitor of the Cowboys, as Dallas opens defense of its NFC East crown and the Giants try to continue their reign atop the league.

Still, the Giants are well prepared. Remember, it was Justin Tuck who was the primary pain-in-the-neck on Super Bowl Sunday. Osi Umenyiora has already established himself as one of the best young ends in the game. And then there's Mathias Kiwanuka, the former first-round pick who was switched to "Sam" linebacker from end last year.

Kiwanuka broke his fibula in midseason and missed the stretch run and playoff drive, and the vaunted pass-rush was fine without him. Plus, Reynaldo Wynn was added as a fourth end.

At tackle, the Giants should have a three-man rotation of Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield and Jay Alford.