1999 record: 7-9, third in the NFC East.

Last five years: 36-43-1.

Coach: Jim Fassel (25-22-1 in three years as Giants head coach).

Playoff past: The Giants are 10-6 in the playoffs since the NFL/AFL merger, including two Super Bowl victories under Bill Parcells. They last went to the playoffs in 1997, Fassel's first season, where they were bounced out by the Vikings in a wild-card game Giants fans are still trying to forget. Somehow, the Giants blew a nine-point lead in the final two minutes and lost 23-22.

Outlook

The time has come for Jim Fassel's players to save his job.

In a game that is supposed to be marked by forward progress, the Giants have gone backwards in Fassel's three years as coach.

After shocking the football world by going 10-5-1 and making the playoffs his first year, the Giants have been not just mediocre, they've been boring in missing the playoffs the last two years.

Whether it's fair to blame the coach for the team's downfall, it is almost certain he will take the fall if the Giants don't go to the playoffs this season.

That became obvious when management gave Fassel a skimpy one-year extension that could hardly be construed as a vote of confidence.

Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne has impressed teammates with his speed and agility during training camp.(AP)

"There's a lot of pressure on all of us to win," said veteran linebacker Jesse Armstead. "As a player, we all can help make things happen around here. (Fassel's) done a lot for us. We have to respond back and put some wins on the board."

Fassel, who has always sounded secure in his beliefs, claims to be undaunted by the microscope he's under.

"I know they want to win badly," said Fassel. "Is part of that to get me out of the hot seat? Probably. Is it all because of that? No."

"I said at the end of last year that changes had to be made. We're not going to stay status quo. We're going to do everything we can to get better."

Judging by the dubious prognostications in almost every national publication, there are few believers outside the Giants dressing room. But in a strange way, the doomsday forecasts bring comfort to Fassel.

"I still have it framed in my house that we were unanimously picked last my first year," said Fassel. "We were the only team to be unanimously picked to be dead last in our division. We were also ranked 29th in the league. We ended up winning our division and I was Coach of the Year. "

If the Giants are to exceed expectations again, they need a drastic improvement offensively. It's odd that Fassel took the job with the reputation of being an offensive innovator. Almost every good thing the Giants have done the last three years has happened because of the defense.

Truth be told, Fassel hasn't had a lot to work with. He's had a slew of mediocre quarterbacks (Dave Brown, Danny Kanell, Kent Graham) and no cohesion to the running game.

There are reasons to believe that could change this year.

The Giants drafted a Heisman Trophy winner in burly Ron Dayne to jump-start the dormant ground attack, and early training camp returns have been encouraging.

Kerry Collins, with his personal life back in order, seems primed to finally be the quarterback he should be with such a gifted arm and big contract.

"The playoffs should be a must in our minds," said Collins. "For everybody's sake, this is the year that we really need to get to the playoffs."

If they don't, the coach will be sacrificed.

Schedule preview: The Giants have a chance to get off on the right foot with an less-than-daunting first three weeks. They open with the Cardinals at home, followed by the Eagles and Bears on the road. They'd be wise to build themselves a nice little cushion during that stretch, because the Redskins, expected to be the class of the division, if not the entire league, are in for a visit in Week 4. The most intriguing non-division game on the schedule is Nov. 12, when the defending Super Bowl champion Rams come to the Meadowlands. Last year, the Giants went to St. Louis and got throttled.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 17 overall, No. 24 rushing, No. 8 passing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 13 overall, No. 13 vs. the rush, No. 14 vs. the pass.

Key players lost from 1999: T Roman Oben (to Cleveland), T Scott Gragg (released), C Brian Williams (released), S Percy Ellsworth (to Cleveland), CB Conrad Hamilton (released), QB Kent Graham (released), RB Gary Brown (released), CB Phillippi Sparks (retired).

Key additions for 2000: LB Michael Barrow (Panthers), CB Dave Thomas (Jaguars), T Lomas Brown (Brown), G Glenn Parker (Chiefs), C Dusty Zeigler (Bills), QB Jason Garrett (Cowboys).

Rookies to watch: All eyes will be on Dayne, the rotund record-setting running back out of Wisconsin. He is expected to bring the juice back to what has been a dormant running attack. The Giants are also expecting big things from linebacker Brandon Short, the fourth rounder out of Penn State. Short was overlooked after playing alongside LaVar Arrington in college.

Offensive line: This is a largely new group. The question is whether it is any better. The Giants are hoping aging tackles Lomas Brown and Glenn Parker still have a little something left, and steady Bills castoff Dusty Zeigler replaces Brian Williams at center. The pass protection was better than adequate last year, but this group must open up more holes for the ground game.

Wide receivers/tight ends: This crew is better than people think. Amani Toomer is a blossoming player, having caught a team record 79 passes last year. Ike Hilliard has finally emerged into the player the Giants thought they had when they drafted him in 1997. Fassel has made it clear that big Joe Jurevicius needs to get his game to the next level. The talent is there. The Giants have a steady workhorse at tight end in Pete Mitchell.

Running back: Give the ball to Dayne, and clear a path. Not that the near 260-pound power runner can't create them on his own. If Dayne falters, the Giants have a decent fallback in Joe Montgomery, who has showed glimpses of potential when he's managed to stay healthy. Tiki Barber is one of the best third down backs in the league, and he's also a big receiving threat.

Quarterback: For better or worse, this will be Kerry Collins' team. Collins spent most of last year acclimating to the playbook and backing up Kent Graham. But he now appears ready to get his career back where it seemed headed before personal problems got in the way. Fassel loves Collins' arm and confidence. Now he just needs him to cut down on his interceptions. Long-time Troy Aikman backup Jason Garrett will spell Collins in case of disaster.

Defensive line: Michael Strahan must become Michael Strahan again. Last year, he was a sulky impostor, dropping down to 5½ sacks. His back gave his some problems in camp, which isn't a good sign. Veteran Keith Hamilton, an eighth-year pro, can still get the job done. Christian Peter has quietly become a competent young player, and has stayed away from the off-field problems that dogged him at Nebraska. The Giants can't afford any injuries here as it is one of their thinnest positions.

Linebackers: The leader of the linebackers and the entire defense is Jesse Armstead, who has been to the Pro Bowl the last three years. The Giants were shallow around Armstead last year, which is why they signed seven-year veteran Michael Barrow after he was released by the Panthers. Armstead and Barrow should thrive off each other being that they were roommates at Miami.

Secondary: The Giants are hoping -- OK, praying -- that Jason Sehorn can have his first healthy season since '97. Sehorn seemed on the verge of stardom before various leg ailments got in the way. But he's young enough to rebound. The release of Conrad Hamilton hurts a group that is lacking experience. That's why the Giants signed Dave Thomas, one of the most physically imposing defensive backs in the league. Shaun Williams, a former first rounder entering his third year, needs to step his game up.

Special teams: The Giants are above average in the kicking game. Brad Daluiso, recovered from a torn knee ligament, is consistent on field goals and has a strong leg on kickoffs. Brent Maynard is a skilled and strong punter. Tiki Barber, the jack-of-all-trades, is one of the best punt returners in the NFC.