The New York Giants are going to throw the football a good bit in the 2015 season. When you have guys like Odell Beckham Jr., and Victor Cruz getting the football from a two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback in Eli Manning, its hard to argue with being pass happy. That being said the Giants high octane passing attack will set up great opportunities for their rushing attack.
The Giants are going to face a lot of sub packages designed to stop the pass. That means the defense has more defensive backs, there is less tonnage on the field to stop the run. If the Giants can get the ground game going out of primarily passing formations, it will behoove the team greatly.
More from GMEN HQ
- Giants News: Jon Feliciano headed to the 49ers, Joe Schoen signs CB to new deal
- Giants News: Darius Slayton won’t put up with Daniel Jones ‘slander’ moving forward
- NFL Rumors: Odell Beckham Jr. calls out teams even thinking about low-ball offer
- 4 LBs the NY Giants should target in the draft after signing Bobby Okereke
- New Daniel Jones workout clip has arrived and he looks fantastic
Imagine the Giants in 11 personnel. With Beckham Jr. and Randle out wide, Cruz in the slot, and Larry Donnell as a flexed out tight end. Sure there is a running back in the backfield but the defense is more concerned with the Giants passing arsenal than anything.
Now imagine the advantage of having Shane Vereen in that same set. It is no secret that Vereen is that pass catching running back of the Giants going into the 2015 season. In fact he has caught 146 passes in the past two seasons with the New England Patriots.
Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; New York Giants left guard Geoff Schwartz (74) during the 2014 Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With Vereen in the backfield the defense is thinking that they have another receiving threat for Manning to burn them with. But with Vereen in the backfield the Giants don’t tip their hand. They can run and pass out of this formation. Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams and possibly Akeem Hunt will also contribute by running the football. Vereen is just specially suited for this strategy.
Say the Giants go with four wide receivers. If the Giants could still run effectively out of this formation they will be unstoppable. The passing game will still be the most dominant part of the Giants offense but the running game adds another component to it.
So the best thing for the ground attack is to take what the defense gives them. If there are only two linebackers on the field, the Giants have got to be able to make them pay on the ground. Its just like in baseball when they put on the shift. You have to be able to hit the ball towards third base, where the fielders have vacated. Take what they give you is the golden rule in just about any sport.
So what happens if the defense catches on and puts their base defense out there again? The Giants simply light them up with the passing game. Either way Big Blue wins.
I know what you’re thinking is probably how bad the rushing game was in the 2014 season. If the Giants are in primarily passing sets wouldn’t that give less blockers for the running back? The answer is while the Giants don’t have a lead blocking fullback in the game, against sub packages they have plenty of motivation to run the football.
Ereck Flowers will improve the rushing game dramatically. If the rookie has struggles at left tackle, it will not be his run blocking that he has a problem with. Geoff Schwartz being back on the line will also help big time. Last season the Giants offensive line wasn’t ever at full strength. This season the running game has a chance to be the surprise element that takes them to the next level.