Nov 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (99) during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants defense took some heat in 2014. Logically so–they ranked 29th in total defense and 30th against the run. But, they quietly did one thing pretty well: rush the passer. New York, surprisingly, ranked 4th in all of football with 47 sacks last year. This, all done with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell at the helm.
Fewell, a very good coordinator in his own right, and Steve Spagnuolo are different coordinators. Fewell blitzed, but Spags, as we know, is very aggressive with the front seven. This could only be a good thing for the Giants, right? Well, yes, but they may be without the guy, Jason Pierre-Paul, who generated 12.5 of those sacks last year.
So, how will Spags be able to repeat a successful 2014 pass rush campaign without the team’s top pass rusher? There are a few players who can step in and produce, lets get into who they are.
Next: Jonathan Hankins