over the mountain
09-24-2014, 04:46 PM
EAST RUTHERFORD -- This week's look at the defense examines some of the good and bad that has been put on the field by the Giants early this season.
After three weeks, the numbers aren't that impressive. The Giants are ranked 22nd in total defense, 22nd in pass defense and 14th against the run.
Some of the problems (including big plays) are addressed in this week's observations. Some of the strengths (cornerbacks), too.
It's a long season though, and we haven't even reached the quarter pole. The numbers should even out and, when all is said and done, it wouldn't at all be surprising to see the Giants with a Top 10 defense for the second straight year.
Some of the main reasons are discussed in the first and second of this week's observations.
1. Man Up
The last time Redskins coach Jay Gruden went against the Giants was 2012 when he was offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. His Bengals offense torched the Big Blue defense that day in a 31-13 victory where second-year quarterback Andy Dalton threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions.
A lot has changed for the Giants since, including a good chunk of the names. Most notable for Gruden is the approach defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is taking with his secondary. In Gruden's eyes, they are playing a lot more man coverage than they did in the past.
"I think so," Gruden said Tuesday morning during a conference call with Giants reporters. "That is just my impression of just watching them for the last 23 hours. I would say my impression coming in playing the Giants from playing them a couple years ago and studying them now, I think it is totally different."
It's an interesting comment considering Fewell and the Giants were criticized after the opener for playing too much zone. It could have been that Detroit just exploited the zone in the handful of opportunities they had. Or maybe a lot more man coverage is all relative.
Fewell insists the Giants still play plenty of zone coverage, although he wasn't very willing to put an accurate number on it.
'"I won't comment on that. We are doing a little bit of both. I think it is 50/50. I'll give you a 50/50 answer on that one," he said with a smile and laugh. "I won't answer that for an exact number because I will be helping [Gruden] out. I think we have man-cover guys and we try to take advantage of that. We also can play zones because it gives you vision. We like to do a little bit of both."
The reason Fewell gave for still playing a good chunk of zone was that if they went exclusively to man-coverage, it would make life too easy for opposing coaches. They would be able to call pick plays and rubs to free up receivers on a regular basis if the Giants still didn't mix it up like they are currently doing.
2. Dominant Corners
The reason the Giants have gone to more man coverage is the strength of their cornerbacks. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara have both played well, aside from Rodgers-Cromartie excusable struggles with Detroit's Calvin Johnson in the opener.
Their play changes the game, and makes life especially difficult for opposing coaches.
"Their corners are so good they can play a lot of man and bring safeties down in the box and get an extra guy down there," Gruden said. "If you want to throw the ball, they have two very good corners that are playing extremely well."
How well? Pro Football Focus has Rodgers-Cromartie ranked as their fourth-best cornerback through four games and Amukamara 17th. Atlanta, Denver and San Diego are the only other teams with a pair of cornerbacks among the Top 20.
Giants: Weekly defensive observations include Jay Gruden noticing more man instead of zone coverage | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/giants_weekly_defensive_observations_include_jay_g ruden_noticing_more_man_instead_of_zone_coverage.h tml)
above is a solid write up from the Giants perspective. I only posted half the article bc i didnt want to take up a whole page but i recommend the read.
Apparently they give up big passing plays and are pulling starting FS Brown but havent said who they are replacing him with.
After three weeks, the numbers aren't that impressive. The Giants are ranked 22nd in total defense, 22nd in pass defense and 14th against the run.
Some of the problems (including big plays) are addressed in this week's observations. Some of the strengths (cornerbacks), too.
It's a long season though, and we haven't even reached the quarter pole. The numbers should even out and, when all is said and done, it wouldn't at all be surprising to see the Giants with a Top 10 defense for the second straight year.
Some of the main reasons are discussed in the first and second of this week's observations.
1. Man Up
The last time Redskins coach Jay Gruden went against the Giants was 2012 when he was offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. His Bengals offense torched the Big Blue defense that day in a 31-13 victory where second-year quarterback Andy Dalton threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions.
A lot has changed for the Giants since, including a good chunk of the names. Most notable for Gruden is the approach defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is taking with his secondary. In Gruden's eyes, they are playing a lot more man coverage than they did in the past.
"I think so," Gruden said Tuesday morning during a conference call with Giants reporters. "That is just my impression of just watching them for the last 23 hours. I would say my impression coming in playing the Giants from playing them a couple years ago and studying them now, I think it is totally different."
It's an interesting comment considering Fewell and the Giants were criticized after the opener for playing too much zone. It could have been that Detroit just exploited the zone in the handful of opportunities they had. Or maybe a lot more man coverage is all relative.
Fewell insists the Giants still play plenty of zone coverage, although he wasn't very willing to put an accurate number on it.
'"I won't comment on that. We are doing a little bit of both. I think it is 50/50. I'll give you a 50/50 answer on that one," he said with a smile and laugh. "I won't answer that for an exact number because I will be helping [Gruden] out. I think we have man-cover guys and we try to take advantage of that. We also can play zones because it gives you vision. We like to do a little bit of both."
The reason Fewell gave for still playing a good chunk of zone was that if they went exclusively to man-coverage, it would make life too easy for opposing coaches. They would be able to call pick plays and rubs to free up receivers on a regular basis if the Giants still didn't mix it up like they are currently doing.
2. Dominant Corners
The reason the Giants have gone to more man coverage is the strength of their cornerbacks. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara have both played well, aside from Rodgers-Cromartie excusable struggles with Detroit's Calvin Johnson in the opener.
Their play changes the game, and makes life especially difficult for opposing coaches.
"Their corners are so good they can play a lot of man and bring safeties down in the box and get an extra guy down there," Gruden said. "If you want to throw the ball, they have two very good corners that are playing extremely well."
How well? Pro Football Focus has Rodgers-Cromartie ranked as their fourth-best cornerback through four games and Amukamara 17th. Atlanta, Denver and San Diego are the only other teams with a pair of cornerbacks among the Top 20.
Giants: Weekly defensive observations include Jay Gruden noticing more man instead of zone coverage | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/09/giants_weekly_defensive_observations_include_jay_g ruden_noticing_more_man_instead_of_zone_coverage.h tml)
above is a solid write up from the Giants perspective. I only posted half the article bc i didnt want to take up a whole page but i recommend the read.
Apparently they give up big passing plays and are pulling starting FS Brown but havent said who they are replacing him with.