Despite not even having the chance to defend their Super Bowl title by missing out on the playoffs, Giants fans voted in a nypost.com poll to keep most of the team intact for the 2013 season. Of the 39 players and coaches listed, there were only six whom Giants fans did not want to see back with the team.
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell (32%), cornerback Corey Webster (28%), defensive end Osi Umenyiora (36%), linebacker Keith Rivers (44%), defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (44%) and offensive tackle David Diehl (45%) were the Giants fans wanted gone. Of those, Umenyiora, who has had declining production and many contract squabbles with the Giants in the past, and Webster, who became the team’s No. 1 cornerback by default, have probably played their last games as Giants. Defensive end Justin Tuck (63%) wasn’t a lock to return, according to fans.
The rest of the management and coaching staff should stay as general manager Jerry Reese (90%), head coach Tom Coughlin (90%) and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride (57%) are welcome back, according to fans.
On the offense, tight end Martellus Bennett (85%), and wide receiver Victor Cruz (98%) are both free agents who likely will be back in 2013. Receivers Rueben Randle (93%) and Hakeem Nicks (92%) and running backs Ahmad Bradshaw (77%), David Wilson (97%) and Andre Brown (88%) all aced the fan test.
Perhaps the most disturbing number was four percent — the percentage of fans who think Eli Manning should not be a Giant next season.
Osi Umenyiora (Getty Images)