The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants were an underdog when they defeated the then undefeated New England Patriots in the big game. They were an underdog to even make the playoffs going into the 2007 season and coming into the 2008 season, they were ranked well out of the top five in virtually all power rankings. Talk about disrespect for a team that did what no other could last year–defeat the Patriots and win the Super Bowl.

The underdog status of the Giants isn’t about to change anytime soon. A team with only one pro-bowler last season has now lost him for the entire 2008 season.  Osi Umenyiora and his 12 1/2 sacks will be watching the team’s games from the sideline, or the trainer’s room, as he rehabs the torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.

To exacerbate the Giants’ problems, future Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan recently turned down the team’s offer to come out of retirement and fill the shoes of the injured Umenyiora. While Strahan says he strongly considered the offer, he just couldn’t pull himself away from the Pina Coladas and engaging broadcasting career ahead of him. While I don’t blame the guy, as a Giants fan, we sure could use him.