Better late than never.. Giants D to make changes

[Nas]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-insider-rushing-defense-article-1.1990848

 

 

They’re supposed to be better than this. They wanted to be the Legion of Boom, wanted to be one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Instead, a Giants defense that has been anything but stellar is set to undergo a midseason makeover. After a roller-coaster seven weeks, the unit will almost certainly see changes on Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts as Big Blue (3-4) begins trying to claw back into the NFC East race.

 

“During this bye week, we had a lot of conversations about what’s going on with our defense, why we can’t make some stops in big spots that we need to make,” Giants general manager Jerry Reese said.

Get ready for more of youngster Damontre Moore and a larger dose of three-safety sets. Don’t be surprised to see fifth-round pick Devon Kennard on the field a lot, either, maybe even at middle linebacker (no, Jameel McClain, you don’t have to be the Mike all the time).

 

Injuries will drive some of these changes. Middle linebacker Jon Beason (toe) is officially done for the year, as are top nickel backs Trumaine McBride and Walter Thurmond. Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (calf) is on the shelf. But even when everyone has been healthy, this unit hasn’t been performing to the expectations of the coaching staff, surrendering 384.4 yards per game (27th in the league) and 24.1 points per game and suffering communication breakdowns at the worst moments (see: Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar’s first touchdown catch in Week 7).

 

So things will change, with Moore as the major X-factor. The second-year man has seen only occasional pass-rushing duty, but Reese thinks that should change.

“It seems like when he gets in the game, he makes something happen,” Reese said. “I think he’s progressing, but I think he needs to play a little bit more.”

Jenkins’ injury opens the door for more of Moore, with Mathias Kiwanuka, unproductive at defensive end in recent weeks, sliding inside and Moore rushing the passer opposite Jason Pierre-Paul. But while Moore has potential, he remains a work in progress as a run defender, a dangerous liability for a team that’s already being gashed for 4.4 yards per carry on the ground.

“He can do it,” said defensive line coach Robert Nunn. “He is a lighter body, not ideal, but he can play it.”

 

If Moore plays the run well, the pass rush may finally awaken, and that can only help a paper-thin secondary that is likely to pull Stevie Brown out of exile this week. Brown, once an interception machine, had been relegated to the bench after some early season gaffes, but he resurfaced as a nickel safety in Dallas, and he could be needed again against a Colts offense that heavily utilizes three-wide sets and boasts receiver T.Y. Hilton, a “mismatch issue,” as Antrel Rolle said on WFAN Tuesday. Not that Brown would mind.

 

“It’s something I did my whole senior year at college (at Michigan) and in Oakland (with the Raiders) as well,” Brown said while hosting a football clinic for mothers, in partnership with Bounty NFL Prints. “If they run it, I’ll definitely be happy.”

And if the defense can turn things around, the Giants will be happy, too.

 

SIMMS IN SIGHT
How’s this for longevity: Monday night’s game will be Eli Manning’s 159th start as Giants QB, tying the mark set by Phil Simms from 1979-93.

BEASON-ENDING SURGERY
LB Jon Beason will have his season-ending surgery on his right foot and toe on Wednesday morning. The team signed CB Mike Harris off the Detroit Lions practice squad, and when Beason is placed on injured reserve, Harris will replace him.

 

[JMFP]

Holy shit......the annual Perry Fewell Intervention.

[Sephiroth]

Holy shit......the annual Perry Fewell Intervention.

 

You mean, like that one time he changed the defense because it was too complicated?

 

You'd think this guy would learn the first time.

[CrazedDogs]

I don't understand how the defense can be 'so complicated' given that its so simple for offenses to move the ball on them.

[GA4M]

Doesn't matter what they try, this defense just doesn't have the players right now.

[Nas]

Holy shit......the annual Perry Fewell Intervention.

 

I almost spilled my coffee laughing at this one.

[Nas]

Doesn't matter what they try, this defense just doesn't have the players right now.

 

But how can we say that? I think a lot of lack of production can be attributed to coaching... the term "miscommunication" is now synonymous with Perry Fewel's defense. Even with those injuries we still have some of the best corners.. Shit I can't think of a better trio than DRC, Prince, and Rolle at safety.... But even I can complete a pass if my receivers had 6 seconds to get open...

[JMFP]

 

You mean, like that one time he changed the defense because it was too complicated?

 

You'd think this guy would learn the first time.

 

LOL......exactly.

[GA4M]

 

But how can we say that? I think a lot of lack of production can be attributed to coaching... the term "miscommunication" is now synonymous with Perry Fewel's defense. Even with those injuries we still have some of the best corners.. Shit I can't think of a better trio than DRC, Prince, and Rolle at safety.... But even I can complete a pass if my receivers had 6 seconds to get open...

I know what you're saying and I too think the coaching is soft for a better word. But these guys are all pros out there and they just look lost most times. I don't know if it's the coaching or not, but it just stays the same. I don't even care if we lose games right now, but at least lose looking like you could have won.

 

Same goes for the offense, they look like they're trying to keep from losing rather than being aggressive.

[Nas]

I know what you're saying and I too think the coaching is soft for a better word. But these guys are all pros out there and they just look lost most times. I don't know if it's the coaching or not, but it just stays the same. I don't even care if we lose games right now, but at least lose looking like you could have won.

 

Same goes for the offense, they look like they're trying to keep from losing rather than being aggressive.

 

In total agreement.

[NeMesiS]

 

But how can we say that? I think a lot of lack of production can be attributed to coaching... the term "miscommunication" is now synonymous with Perry Fewel's defense. Even with those injuries we still have some of the best corners.. Shit I can't think of a better trio than DRC, Prince, and Rolle at safety.... But even I can complete a pass if my receivers had 6 seconds to get open...

Exactly... The lack of pass rush is amazing to me... I think it's time to say it... JPP is a bust.

[MikeGL]

When you don't know how to do your job, you just say "it's a complicated system"

 

Yeah, scapegoating Perry

[Nas]

When you don't know how to do your job, you just say "it's a complicated system"

 

Yeah, scapegoating Perry

 

No.. .because even when we bring people from other teams...they have the same failures.. the common denominator is Fewel.

[MikeGL]

 

No.. .because even when we bring people from other teams...they have the same failures.. the common denominator is Fewel.

 

Yeah, so it's Perry

[Nas]

 

Yeah, so it's Perry

 

Remember his motto.. "Bend over and hope it doesn't hurt"

[Sephiroth]

 

No.. .because even when we bring people from other teams...they have the same failures.. the common denominator is Fewel.

 

That's true. And its not like this is the first time this has happened.

Also, its not like its the JaQuain Williams and DaMontre Moores of the team that's been saying this... its Justin Tuck and Antrel Rolle, two guys that know something about defenses.

[Nas]

 

That's true. And its not like this is the first time this has happened.

Also, its not like its the JaQuain Williams and DaMontre Moores of the team that's been saying this... its Justin Tuck and Antrel Rolle, two guys that know something about defenses.

 

It seems the Giants just can't get a good DC or at least keep them... I understand both John Fox (I love that guy... he's a Giant no matter what uniform he's wearing) and Spags became HCs.. .but damn... the names that shouldn't be mentioned are out there... I mean shit hire a "Coach" who can serve as an "Assistant DC" wink wink...

[JMFP]

 

No.. .because even when we bring people from other teams...they have the same failures.. the common denominator is Fewel.

 

 

 

That's true. And its not like this is the first time this has happened.

Also, its not like its the JaQuain Williams and DaMontre Moores of the team that's been saying this... its Justin Tuck and Antrel Rolle, two guys that know something about defenses.

 

 

We are going on 5 years with the same system, with the same up-and-down approach. Sitting at 27th in the NFL in defense.

 

Go to NFL.com, and then pull up the defensive stats under Spags v. Fewell. It shows me that Spags was more effective.

 

When in doubt, let the guys play.....I saw guys flying around with Spags.

 

If the defense continues to melt away in big spots (i.e., Dallas game), the Giants will be out of playoff contention by Thanksgiving. At that point, you have to wonder if it's time to address the defense in 2015 like they addressed the offense in 2014.

[GA4M]

Not defending Fewell, but Spags did hit the timing right when he was here. We were pretty much built with a few bodies missing. But it is time for him to be gone IMO.

[Nas]

Not defending Fewell, but Spags did hit the timing right when he was here. We were pretty much built with a few bodies missing. But it is time for him to be gone IMO.

 

Yet I've never seen a blitz from Fewel come even close to that fake pull back then blitz by Kawika in the Super Bowl.

[CrazedDogs]

They must not spend time practicing that. Seems like the Giants are the worst team I've seen in recent memory at timing their blitzes.

[GA4M]

 

Yet I've never seen a blitz from Fewel come even close to that fake pull back then blitz by Kawika in the Super Bowl.

This is how I look at the Giants, last year was the ugly end of a really good team. this year is the new start for us and things may not change much until TC, Eli and Fewel are gone, gona be some rough times I guess.

[Nas]

This is how I look at the Giants, last year was the ugly end of a really good team. this year is the new start for us and things may not change much until TC, Eli and Fewel are gone, gona be some rough times I guess.

 

 

But Eli has quite a few years left... his body is as good as ever... Coughlin doesn't draw plays or call them... Finally we got rid of St Glibride so maybe this offseason is when we do away Fewel... he sucks.

[GA4M]

 

 

But Eli has quite a few years left... his body is as good as ever... Coughlin doesn't draw plays or call them... Finally we got rid of St Glibride so maybe this offseason is when we do away Fewel... he sucks.

But he is in control of the coaches under him, I liked the old TC. That's why as much as people talk about Belichick, he gets every last drop out of his players no matter who they are and cuts them when most teams would waste another couple years on them.

[Nas]

But he is in control of the coaches under him, I liked the old TC. That's why as much as people talk about Belichick, he gets every last drop out of his players no matter who they are and cuts them when most teams would waste another couple years on them.

 

Correct and Coughlin is a horrible talent evaluator... getting rid of Gilbride wasn't the first time he was forced by others to make the move.. I can name a few other coordinators but I think you know who I'm talking about.