The 2008 New York Giants season was the franchise's 84th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their fifth under head coach Tom Coughlin. The team looked to defend its Super Bowl XLII title along with trying to become the first team since rival 2004 New England Patriots and the first NFC team since division rival 1993 Dallas Cowboys to win consecutive Super Bowls. They improved upon their 10–6 record from 2007, becoming NFC East champions and finished with the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the only time in the Tom Coughlin era. Despite a franchise best 11–1 start and clinching the number 1 seed for the first time in eight years, the Giants lost three of their last four games, including their first playoff game against the Eagles 23–11, ending their season. The Giants were the only NFC team from the 2007 playoffs to qualify for the 2008 playoffs.
For the first time since 1992, Michael Strahan was not on the opening day roster.
The 2008 season was the first and only time in franchise history the Giants qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. This was also the first time that the Giants made the playoffs the year after making the Super Bowl, after missing the playoffs in 1987 (following win in Super Bowl XXI), 1991 (following win in Super Bowl XXV), and 2001 (following loss in Super Bowl XXXV).
The 2008 Giants led the NFL in rushing and set a franchise record with 2,518 rushing yards. Their running attack was headlined by the trio of Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw, respectively nicknamed "Earth, Wind, and Fire." The Giants became the fifth team in NFL history with two players to rush for more than 1,000 yards: Jacobs (1,089) and Ward (1,025).Previous teams: 1972 Dolphins, 1976 Steelers, 1985 Browns, 2006 Falcons Ward signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the season while Jacobs and Bradshaw won another Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011.
Offseason
Player and personnel moves
Releases and injuries On February 29, the first day of free agency, Giants free agent linebacker Kawika Mitchell left the team to join the Buffalo Bills, safety Gibril Wilson went to the Oakland Raiders, and linebacker Reggie Torbor joined the Miami Dolphins.Friday roundup: Active Dolphins sign McCown, Wilford , National Football League, accessed on January 3, 2009.
On March 14, free agent defensive tackle William Joseph departed to join Wilson with the Raiders.Siegel, Dan.New York Giants: Ward Stays, Joseph Goes, Bleacher Report, March 15, 2008, accessed on January 3, 2009.
On April 10, defensive tackle Manuel Wright was released.New York Giants Transactions, National Football League, accessed on January 3, 2009.
On June 9, 15-year veteran, and seven-time Pro-Bowler, Michael Strahan retired and joined the Fox NFL Sunday team.Strahan goes out on top after 15-year career, Associated Press, ESPN, June 11, 2008, accessed on January 3, 2009.
On August 26, undrafted rookie free-agent Terrance Stringer was waived.Terrance Stringer, SS, Free Agent , accessed November 06, 2014
Draft class
Round Selection Player Position College 1 31 Kenny Phillips Safety Miami (Fla.) 2 63 Terrell Thomas Cornerback USC 3 95 Mario Manningham Wide receiver Michigan 4 123 Bryan Kehl Outside linebacker BYU 5 165 Jonathan Goff Linebacker Vanderbilt 6 198 Andre' Woodson Quarterback Kentucky 199 Robert Henderson Defensive end Southern Miss NOTES: The Giants move up one overall position in the first round due to the forfeiture of the New England Patriots first round draft pick. Giants traded RB Ryan Grant to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a sixth round pick. Giants traded their 7th round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Placekicker Lawrence Tynes in the previous season.
Staff 2008 New York Giants staff Front office President/CEO – John Mara Chairman/Executive Vice President – Steve Tisch Senior vice president/general manager – Jerry Reese Vice president of player evaluation – Chris Mara Assistant general manager – Kevin Abrams Director of pro personnel – David Gettleman Assistant director of pro personnel – Ken Sternfeld Director of college scouting – Marc Ross
Head coaches Head coach – Tom Coughlin
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Kevin Gilbride Quarterbacks – Chris Palmer Running backs – Jerald Ingram Wide receivers – Mike Sullivan Tight ends – Mike Pope Offensive line – Pat Flaherty Assistant offensive line – Robert Nickens Offensive quality control – Sean Ryan Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Steve Spagnuolo Linebackers- Bill Sheridan Defensive line – Mike Waufle Defensive backs – Peter Giunta Secondary/safeties – David Merritt Defensive quality control – Andre Curtis
Special Team coaches Special teams coordinator – Tom Quinn Assistant special teams – Thomas McGaughey
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Jerry Palmieri Assistant strength and conditioning – Markus Paul
Final roster New York Giants 2008 final roster Quarterbacks David Carr Eli Manning
Running backs Ahmad Bradshaw Madison Hedgecock FB Brandon Jacobs Derrick Ward DJ Ware
Wide receivers Derek Hagan Domenik Hixon Mario Manningham Sinorice Moss Steve Smith Amani Toomer
Tight ends Kevin Boss Darcy Johnson Michael Matthews Offensive linemen Kevin Boothe G/T David Diehl T Adam Koets T Kareem McKenzie T Shaun O'Hara C Grey Ruegamer C/G Rich Seubert G Chris Snee G
Defensive linemen Jay Alford DT Jeremy Clark DT Barry Cofield DT Leger Douzable DT Mathias Kiwanuka DE Jerome McDougle DE Fred Robbins DT Dave Tollefson DE Justin Tuck DE Renaldo Wynn DE Linebackers Chase Blackburn OLB Danny Clark OLB Bryan Kehl OLB Antonio Pierce MLB Edmond Miles MLB Gerris Wilkinson OLB
Defensive backs James Butler SS Kevin Dockery CB Michael Johnson FS Sam Madison CB R. W. McQuarters CB Kenny Phillips SS Aaron Ross CB Terrell Thomas CB Corey Webster CB
Special teams John Carney K Zak DeOssie LS Jeff Feagles P Lawrence Tynes K Reserve lists Plaxico Burress WR (NF-Inj.) Craig Dahl S (IR) Reuben Droughns RB (IR) Jonathan Goff LB (IR) Kay-Jay Harris RB (IR) Robert Henderson DE (IR) Sammy Knight S (IR) David Tyree WR (IR) Osi Umenyiora DE (IR) Guy Whimper OT (IR) Anthony Wright QB (IR)
Practice squad Rashad Barksdale CB Taye Biddle WR Mike Fladell G Travonti Johnson S Cliff Louis G Martrez Milner TE Micah Rucker WR Andre' Woodson QB rookies in italics Pro Bowlers in bold 53 active, 11 inactive, 8 practice squad
2008 season
Preseason schedule Week Date Time Opponent Result Game site Record NFL Recap 1 August 7, 2008 7:00 P.M. at Detroit Lions L 10–13 Ford Field0–1Recap 2 August 18, 2008 8:00 P.M. Cleveland Browns W 37–34 Giants Stadium1–1Recap 3 August 23, 2008 7:00 P.M. at New York Jets L 7–10 Giants Stadium1–2Recap 4 August 28, 2008 7:00 P.M. New England Patriots W 19–14 Giants Stadium2–2Recap
Regular season The Giants began their title defense in the traditional NFL Kickoff game like previous champions when they played the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium. Traditionally, this game is usually played on the first Thursday following Labor Day in the United States. This day fell on September 4, 2008.
On March 26, the NFL, NBC, and the Republican National Committee agreed in principle to move the kickoff time of the opener to 7:00 pm EDT instead of 8:30 pm EDT to accommodate the 2008 Republican National Convention.
Week Date Time Opponent Result Game site Record TV NFL Recap 1 September 4 7:00 P.M. Washington Redskins W 16–7 Giants Stadium1–0NBC Recap 2 September 14 1:00 P.M. at St. Louis Rams W 41–13 Edward Jones Dome2–0Fox Recap 3 September 21 1:00 P.M. Cincinnati Bengals W 26–23 (OT) Giants Stadium3–0CBS Recap 4Bye week 5 October 5 1:00 P.M. Seattle Seahawks W 44–6 Giants Stadium4–0 Fox Recap 6 October 13 8:30 P.M. at Cleveland Browns L 14–35 Cleveland Browns Stadium4–1ESPN Recap 7 October 19 1:00 P.M. San Francisco 49ers W 29–17 Giants Stadium5–1 Fox Recap 8 October 26 4:15 P.M. at Pittsburgh Steelers W 21–14 Heinz Field6–1 Fox Recap 9 November 2 4:15 P.M. Dallas Cowboys W 35–14 Giants Stadium7–1 Fox Recap 10 November 9 8:15 P.M. at Philadelphia Eagles W 36–31 Lincoln Financial Field8–1 NBC Recap 11 November 16 1:00 P.M. Baltimore Ravens W 30–10 Giants Stadium9–1 CBS Recap 12 November 23 4:15 P.M. at Arizona Cardinals W 37–29 University of Phoenix Stadium10–1 Fox Recap 13 November 30 1:00 P.M. at Washington Redskins W 23–7 FedExField11–1 Fox Recap 14 December 7 1:00 P.M. Philadelphia Eagles L 14–20 Giants Stadium11–2 Fox Recap 15 December 14 8:15 P.M. at Dallas Cowboys L 8–20 Texas Stadium11–3 NBC Recap 16 December 21 8:15 P.M. Carolina Panthers W 34–28 (OT) Giants Stadium12–3 NBC Recap 17 December 28 1:00 P.M. at Minnesota Vikings L 19–20 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome12–4 Fox Recap
Standings
Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins NFL Kickoff game
With their Super Bowl championship title to defend, the Giants began their season in the annual kickoff game against their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, New York got off to a fast start as Super Bowl XLII MVP quarterback Eli Manning capped off the game's opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, kicker John Carney managed to get a 24-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants increased their lead with Carney nailing a 25-yard and a 47-yard field goal. Near the end of the half, the Redskins managed to get on the board as quarterback Jason Campbell completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santana Moss. New York's defense stiffened in the second half and allowed them to hold on for the victory.
With the win, not only did the Giants begin their season at 1–0, they also became the 9th-straight defending Super Bowl champion to win their season opener.
Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
Coming off their divisional home win over the Redskins, the Giants flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 2 duel with the St. Louis Rams. In the first quarter, the Giants drew first blood with quarterback Eli Manning completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress. In the second quarter, the teams traded 2 field goals, and the Giants led 13–7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with Manning completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amani Toomer. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to rally as quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 45-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torry Holt. Afterwards, the Giants pulled away with Manning's 18-yard touchdown pass to running back Ahmad Bradshaw, defensive end Justin Tuck's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Bradshaw's 31-yard touchdown run.
With the win, not only did the Giants improve to 2–0, but they also picked up their 12th consecutive road win.
Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Coming off their road win over the Rams, the Giants went home for a Week 3 interconference duel with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the first quarter, the Giants trailed early as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham kicked a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, New York responded with running back Brandon Jacobs getting a 1-yard touchdown run. Cincinnati replied with running back Chris Perry getting a 25-yard touchdown run, yet the Giants managed to tie the game with kicker John Carney getting a 24-yard field goal. The Bengals ended the first half with Graham's 30-yard field goal.