After the New York Giants season was ended prematurely by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the playoffs last year, GM Jerry Reese examined his team’s needs and figured the best way to build a championship team was through the defense.
After all, that was the winning recipe that enabled his team to defy Superbowl odds and topple the 18–0 New England Patriots a year earlier. So Reese wisely added pieces that could enable his team to rotate in fresh players and keep an already aggressive defense running without delay.
Addressing the weak side position, the Giants went out and signed former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley in February.
Boley is a quick, versatile linebacker with good coverage skills, who can blitz the quarterback, and can also stop the run.
While Boley’s return will be delayed until week two of the regular season because of a suspension, the extra rest could be a blessing in disguise as he has been recovering from hip surgery this summer.
By early September, Boley should be ready to step in as a starter. If his return is still delayed, then backup Bryan Kehl, a promising 2008 draft pick out of BYU, could fill in until Boley’s fully recovered.
After all, that was the winning recipe that enabled his team to defy Superbowl odds and topple the 18–0 New England Patriots a year earlier. So Reese wisely added pieces that could enable his team to rotate in fresh players and keep an already aggressive defense running without delay.
Addressing the weak side position, the Giants went out and signed former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley in February.
Boley is a quick, versatile linebacker with good coverage skills, who can blitz the quarterback, and can also stop the run.
While Boley’s return will be delayed until week two of the regular season because of a suspension, the extra rest could be a blessing in disguise as he has been recovering from hip surgery this summer.
By early September, Boley should be ready to step in as a starter. If his return is still delayed, then backup Bryan Kehl, a promising 2008 draft pick out of BYU, could fill in until Boley’s fully recovered.
After solidifying the linebacker position, Reese went out and landed former Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Rocky Bernard and former Cowboys defensive-end Chris Canty.
Bernard, a stout, 6’3”, 308-pounder figures to rotate in the middle alongside starters Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Jay Alford, and Fred Robbins. Canty, 26, a 6’7”, 304-pound bruiser will play some defensive tackle, but could also be used at defensive-end, creating a fearsome rotation with Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka.
With the surplus of players, the Giants have even created a new defensive alignment, a 5–1–5 nickel package that has Umenyiora, Kiwanuka, and Tuck on the field at the same time. Such a formation will allow Tuck to move inside and outside, allowing him to fully utilize his strength and speed.
With a fresh rotation of players, the Giants D-line will also create matchup problems for offensive lines that use the same five players on every down.
In addition, the constant influx of players on different downs will also give players like Tuck, Robbins, and Cofield time to rest and avoid injury. Down the stretch last year, all three players were hampered by injuries and the defense suffered as a result.
The Giants ranked third in the NFC, and fifth in the NFL, in overall defense last year. With the additions of Boley, Bernard, and Canty to an already powerful defensive unit, this year’s defense could be downright scary.
This of course doesn’t even include an improved secondary with second-year man Kenny Phillips taking over at safety and another year under the belts for cornerbacks Corey Webster and Aaron Ross.
During last week’s practices, Kenny Phillips showed exceptional athletic ability with three interceptions.
Monday Morning Quarterback
During the Giants Monday morning practice this week, Eli Manning threw a beautiful pass downfield to wideout Sinorice Moss, who was covered tightly on the play by Terrell Thomas.
Moss, who has made a nice comeback this offseason, also caught a rollout pass by Manning a few plays later and had a hauled in a sideline grab off his fingertips.
Rookie wide-receiver Ramses Barden again continued his exciting play, leaping over two defenders and hauling in a 35-yard pass from Eli Manning.
As for the Giants defense, they had another fine outing. Tuck made a nice play stuffing Brandon Jacobs and Fred Robbins busted through the line for a sack.
