June 3, 2008

Michael Strahan, Jeremy Shockey

Mission accomplished: Compensating for the loss of S Gibril Wilson, the team drafted S Kenny Phillips, who stands a great chance to start as a rookie. Second-round CB Terrell Thomas also adds depth to a secondary that could look different by September. Eli Manning has some new insurance behind him with veteran David Carr and draft pick André Woodson, and the team added several bodies at linebacker — including veteran Danny Clark, who could start, and intriguing rookie Bryan Kehl.

Unfinished business: The team is waiting to find out what happens with two in-limbo stars, DE Michael Strahan and TE Jeremy Shockey. Strahan could opt to retire, which would cause some shifting on defense, and though team officials say Shockey will return, he has yet to show up and say much about his status. The team needs to settle on starters at weak-side linebacker and at safety, and there are five QBs vying for three spots. One could get cut before the team reports to camp in July.