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New York Giants' defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to retire, going out on top like several recent stars -- notably John Elway and Jerome Bettis. He's the fourth key defensive starter the Super Bowl champs have lost this offseason, joining Gibril Wilson, Kawika Mitchell, and Reggie Torbor.
We're still fairly high on the Giants defense for this season, however. Prior to Strahan's decision, we placed them 5th, and probably won't drop them much further. The most likely scenario is that backup Justin Tuck will move into the starting lineup; he had 10 sacks in a reserve role a year ago. That's not much of a downgrade from Strahan, if at all, although of course the depth will suffer. Torbor was filling in anyway for injured starter Mathias Kiwanuka, and Wilson will be replaced by either veteran Sammy Knight or top draft pick Kenny Phillips. The only concern is Mitchell; that job will be up for grabs in the preseason.
The Giants should still be easily a top-10 defensive unit -- outside our top 4 (Chargers, Vikings, Patriots, Cowboys) we don't see much difference in the next handful of teams.
ESPN's John Clayton talks about Strahan's retirement here.
—Andy Richardson
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