How Can The Giants Tailor Their Defense To A Changing NFL?

[RoanokeFan]

http://www.giants101.com/2013/01/15/...-changing-nfl/

Excerpt: "It is nearly impossible to ignore the presence of mobile quarterbacks in the modern NFL. This past weekend, the nation witnessed incredible performances by Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. The NFC East itself features the fantastic (though banged up) Robert Griffin III.

Once considered a college exclusive scheme, the read- option has made its way into the NFL. Over what seems like the last seven or eight weeks, outside linebackers, defensive ends, and safeties have had their world turned upside down. Suddenly they have a whole separate area of the field to defend.
The New York Giants have been victimized by the mobile quarterback for years. So it begs the question: how can the Giants need to tailor their defensive scheme to address these fleet footed quarterbacks?

Improve the Interior

The ability to contain a mobile quarterback is heavily predicated on winning the battle up front on defense, particularly in the middle.

The most overlooked aspect of the Giants failures in 2012 was the lack of interior pressure. Linval Joseph showed some promise in spots, but Chris Canty was a non-factor too often. Behind the two of them, there was not a whole lot of production.

Rocky Bernard had a bit of a renaissance in 2011 but age caught up with him in 2012. Marvin Austin has not shown enough promise to even be on the roster on opening day next season, barring an other-worldly preseason.

Too often the Giants played Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul on the interior and opponents took advantage in the run game. This also could have been a contributing factor to the wear and tear on the two ends. It is time for the Giants to consider keeping Tuck and Pierre-Paul on the outside more often while rotating the stout Mathias Kiwanuka in with them to give them a blow during games.

On the interior, look for the Giants in investigate in a defensive tackle during free agency. One name to keep an eye on may be Richard Seymour. Don’t forget, the Giants added Shaun Rodgers last offseason. They won’t be scared off by age.

The Oakland Raiders are not likely to bring back the 33-year-old, but he is still one of the most scheme diverse defensive linemen in the NFL. That is something the Giants value highly.

Oakland also has another pending free agent by the name of Desmond Bryant, who achieved the highest rating of any interior defender according to Pro Football Focus (a +16.5 on 645 snaps). Bryant was a better pass rusher than run stopper, but the Giants could use some of that as well.

The Giants would also like to inject some youth here by way of the draft. At the absolute latest, The Giants will add another body here by the third round of the draft." Read more...

[Cool Papa B.]

They need speedy, more athletic LB's. Jaquain Williams and Rivers will have to have bounce back years.

And of course you need to keep developing and drafting speedy DE's.

[PennState1]

Between Wilfork, a really promising young LB corp and the addition of a free agent shut down CB, the pats have gone from one of the worst defenses in the league to a stout unit heading to the Superbowl again. The signing if Talib was HUGE. We really miss Coefield and need to improve in the middle to take advantage of the talent we have on the outside. It's a shame that Alford went down as he was looking so promising and would be maturing right about now. Our Gmen need to find a nasty big body who can push the center of the line and move the QB off his spot in the pocket. Our sack count will explode and we will disrupt opponents running game. Our play in the middle was absent this season.This is why the Ravens brought in Cody from Alabama. He is green but watch what he does over the next 3-5 years.

[wrek537emc]

I think it was the Seahawks v Skins game, both teams kept constant pressure on the opposin QB by having a quicker guy, capable of running them down.

[CDN_G-FAN]

interesting article, and excellent point.

everyone thinks that you need speedy front seven players, but if you think about it, your LBers or DEs will never be as fast as the players they're trying to cover and the nature of the option provides those faster players a head start on every play.

but if your interior linemen are getting consistent penetration, the advantage of this read option offense gets cloudy and its effectiveness can be called into question.

that's true for probably every system in the league other than washington's where their zone blocking scheme adds a whole new wrinkle to party.

[sheepdip]

Man I have been saying this for days DT DT DT DT DT. How many times have we been gashed up the middle ?? Pitts game, Skins games, a lot of other games too. Still thou I would have loved to see RG3 healthy vs a 49ers LB corps to see how he would do on the edges.

[embeshAtYa]

EXACTLY!!!! Got to be able to rely on the front four to win battle. Absolutely painfull to watch opposing rbs just jog through the middle of our defense... No doubt about it we need change in the middle. Not sure about Rodgers. I say stiff kick to the rear

[Redeyejedi]

While i agree another DT is a need I dont think the Giants will throw the towel in on Austin yet. I think they give him 1 more year before going with a high pick unless someone to good to be true falls right in there lap. Its not like the Giants havent spent resources inside. The most ignored spot on the roster has been DE.

[Toadofsteel]

While i agree another DT is a need I dont think the Giants will throw the towel in on Austin yet. I think they give him 1 more year before going with a high pick unless someone to good to be true falls right in there lap. Its not like the Giants havent spent resources inside. The most ignored spot on the roster has been DE.

We spent a 1st rounder on JPP not too long ago... OL is by far the most ignored unit on the roster.

[Rudyy]

We spent a 1st rounder on JPP not too long ago... OL is by far the most ignored unit on the roster.

JPP is one person. Tuck is done, Osi is gone. Canty was so so last year. Our LBers are to no use and we are thin at CB. Oline is a must but they were not as bad as the dline.