The Giants have Super dreams this year.  They reached the promised land in 2007 and were primed to repeat before circumstances beyond their control derailed the juggernaut of 2008.  Now they believe they have corrected the flaws, filled the holes, and put the train back on track.  However, if they are to truly cleanse the bad taste left in their collective mouths by the unceremonious ending to 2008, they must have this years version of Warner or Brady.  They need “The Big Blue Breakout Player of the Year”.

When looking at The G-Men’s roster, any one of ten players could be the one to take that next step, however two in particular are most likely to be the ones sportswriters, less clairvoyant then I, will write about in hindsight.  These two, because of their potential, and maybe more importantly because of their positions, are the ones to watch in 2009.  Mario Manningham on offense and on defense, Mathias Kiwanuka.

Mario Manningham, who until now has been more famous for breaking blocks with his head and collecting mushrooms with his twin brother Luigi, has all the tools and the pedigree to be an impact player this year.

If we go back in time, to a point before his lost rookie season.  Before last years preseason injury.  And before his well documented troubles in college, we find a bona fide first round NFL prospect.  The skill set Manningham showed in college, blazing speed, elusive route running, and big play capability is just what the boys in blue need to make this offense unstoppable.

The difficulties receiver face in the transition to the NFL is well documented.  Even if Manningham’s rookie season was trouble free, it was still a long shot he would contribute last year.  Not so this year.  All reports coming from inside the team have Manningham putting all the distractions and pitfalls behind him.  There is no injury to hamper his speed, no personal issues to distract him from football, and no Plaxico Burress or Amani Toomer to keep him on the bench.  This is his time to shine.

Those of you who follow the beloved New Yorkers know a breakout performance from the wide receiver spot is critical to this years success.

My prediction?  By week two, Manning to Manningham will be the connection of choice.  Twelve hundred yards and ten touchdowns are not out of the question.  If Manningham makes the leap it will also free up the other receivers to do what they do best.  Domenik Hixon is a number two receiver, Steve Smith is better in the slot, and Sinorice Moss still needs to prove himself.  Manningham’s ascendance also allows Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden to be brought along slowly, and maybe become next years breakout player.

Unlike Manningham, Mathias Kiwanuka is an unusual choice.  He has established himself as a quality NFL player and has had success at this level.  He belongs in the discussion because this is the year he becomes a star.

He’s no longer learning a new position or making the transition back to an old one.  He is ready to become a pass rushing demon.  The kind the Big Blue brain trust envisioned when they drafted him.  This year he is ready to roam.  It not hard to imagine him with his hand on the ground on first down, dropping in coverage on second, followed by rushing as an outside linebacker on third and long.

The flexibility he brings to the table, coupled with the pieces brought in around him, make him a defensive coordinators nightmare.  It’s not out of the realm of possibility to see him with ten sacks, ten passes defensed, and three interceptions.  As is the case with Manningham, it is also Kiwi’s time to shine.

It’s easy to look back and analyze the why’s, how’s and who’s when deciding who was the breakout player of the year.  The hard part is seeing it before it happens.  In this case I don’t think it’s as hard as usual.  The Giants drafted both Mario Manningham and Mathias Kiwanuka to be impact players, and this year they fulfill their promise.