The Giants initially struggled in the post Simms-Taylor era. After starting 3–7 in 1994, the Giants won their final six games to finish 9–7 but missed the playoffs.[22] Quarterback Dave Brown received heavy criticism throughout the season.[23] Brown performed poorly the following two seasons, and the Giants struggled to 5–11 and 6–10 records.[3] Reeves was fired following the 1996 season, and replaced by Jim Fassel, former offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. Fassel named Danny Kanell the team's starting

quarterback, and the team finished 10–5–1 and made the playoffs in 1997.[3] After losing in the first round to the Vikings in 1997, the Giants needed four wins to close out the season to finish 8–8 in 1998.

Before the 1999 season Kerry Collins was brought in to helm the team. Collins was the first–ever draft choice of the expansion Carolina Panthers in 1995, and led the Panthers to the NFC Championship game in his second season. However, problems with alcohol, conflicts with his teammates and questions about his character led to his release from the Panthers.[24] The Giants finished 7–9 in 1999.[3] The 2000 season was considered a make-or-break year for Fassel. The conventional wisdom was that Fassel needed to have a strong year and a playoff appearance to save his job. After two back-to-back losses at home against St. Louis and Detroit, the Giants fell to 7–4[25] and their playoff prospects were in question. At a press conference following the Giants' loss to Detroit, Fassel guaranteed that "[t]his team is going to the playoffs."[26] The Giants responded, winning the rest of their regular season games to finish the season 12–4[25] and earn a bye as the NFC's top seed.

The Giants won their first playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, 20–10, and defeated the Minnesota Vikings 41–0 in the NFC Championship game.[25] They advanced to play the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. Though the Giants went into halftime down 10–0,[27] the Ravens dominated the second half. Their defense harassed Kerry Collins all game long, resulting in Collins completing only 15 of 39 passes for 112 yards and 4 interceptions.[27] The Ravens won the game 34–7.[27]

The Giants struggled after their Super Bowl loss and Fassel was replaced by current coach Tom Coughlin in 2004. Although Collins had several solid seasons as the Giants quarterback, he experienced his share of struggles. In 2004, the Giants completed a draft day trade acquiring quarterback Eli Manning out of the University of Mississippi.[28] Manning has been the team's starting quarterback since the middle of the 2004 season, taking over for Kurt Warner. Coughlin's tenure has also produced inconsistent results (a 25–23 record and two playoff appearances—both losses[29]) and spawned intense media scrutiny concerning the direction of the team.[30] During this period in their history, standout players include defensive end Michael Strahan, who set the NFL single season record in sacks in 2001,[31] and running back Tiki Barber, who set a team record for rushing yards in a season in 2005.[32] As of 2007, the Giants have made the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.

A Decade of Sins Deserves a Year Out The league needs to send a message in how it deals with Bill Belichick and his extensive video library of N.F.L. spy tapes.

New Deal for the Giants? Diehl Offensive tackle David Diehl signed a two-year extension with the Giants that will keep him under contract with the team through the 2013 season. Diehl, who had four years left on an extension he signed in 2005, will make $31 million under terms of the deal. Diehl has been a starter since being taken by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2003 draft.

Coughlin?s Playful Side Has Deep Roots in Florida Most people rarely see Tom Coughlin in anything less than full intensity. But those close to him have long said that the public image was only a partial reflection.

Giants See Potential and Take a Chance In the third round, the Giants took the talented Michigan receiver Mario Manningham, whose past had raised questions among teams concerning possible character issues.

At Round?s End, Giants Find What They Need At 6 feet 2 inches, 213 pounds, Kenny Phillips is a big, physical safety in the mold of the former Miami safety and Pro Bowl player Sean Taylor.

Giants Waiting Before Deciding on Draft Giants General Manager Jerry Reese would like to know before the draft if defensive end Michael Strahan plans to retire, but he does not expect a decision that quickly.

Hard Hits and Hard Work Motivate Giants Fullback Giants? fullback Madison Hedgecock has spent the off-season working on his family?s farm in North Carolina.

Ray Smith Poole, 86, Star With Giants and Ole Miss, Is Dead Mr. Poole was a former Giants All-Pro end and a three-sport star at the University of Mississippi.

Jets and Giants Fans May Pay for the Right to Pay for Tickets For the first time, the selling of personal seat licenses, which entitle a fan to the first call on season tickets, is a real possibility in the New York area.

Coughlin Signs Deal to Coach for 4 Years Tom Coughlin signed a four-year contract worth roughly $21 million to coach the Giants through 2011, completing a comeback on Friday just as surprising as the team?s recent championship run.