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.
