New York Giants: Versatility key to Bettcher’s front seven
By Henry Buggy
A new era in Big Blue football is already underway.
The New York Giants have a new general manager in Dave Gettleman and hired the franchise’s 18th head coach, Pat Shurmur, last month.
Shurmur has since named James Bettcher the team’s new defensive coordinator, and Mike Shula has been appointed to the offensive coordinator position. All three coaches have had success in the NFL and are looking to turn around the G-Men after a disastrous season.
The Giants posted a franchise-worst 13 losses in 2017. The team was decimated by injuries, but poor coaching and a lack of effort at times clearly played a factor.
There is hope for 2018 though. The Giants are just one season removed from an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. Big Blue posted the league’s second best scoring defense in 2016 but fell all the way to 27th this past season.
It’s widely known that New York’s offensive line is the top priority this offseason, but the Giants do have some questions to answer on the defensive side of the ball. Bettcher brings a 3-4 base defense with him to the Big Apple but is known for running multiple different formations.
Versatility Key To Bettcher’s Defense
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians spoke about what to expect from New York’s new defensive coordinator earlier this month, via New York’s team website.
"“I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure. He can switch. Even in the base front, our 3-4 becomes a 4-3 a lot of times easily, and that’s the hard thing.”"
Big Blue already has some versatile players on the roster in Landon Collins and Damon Harrison. Bettcher’s ability to run different formations helped Arizona post three consecutive top six finishes in terms of yards allowed. Arians believes the Giants already have some of the pieces in place.
"“I think the pieces are there to be multiple. You don’t have to sit back and just say, hey, we’re this or that. That’s the beauty of Betts’ defense. You really don’t know what you’re getting week-to-week.”"
The changes are expected to have a bigger impact on Big Blue’s front seven.
Prepping For The Draft & Free Agency
Gettleman told Newsday that Bettcher met with New York’s personnel departments to discuss what he is looking for both in free agency and the upcoming 2018 draft.
New York Giants
"“We had a meeting with all the college personnel and all the pro personnel and we sat in there for an hour and a half and James gave us a clinic.”“It was terrific. He did a great job and now I feel like we really have a full understanding of what we’re looking for . . . It was a great hour-and-a-half session and Jimmy clinic-ed us and I really feel like we’re all getting on the same page.”"
The Giants will be looking for players that have the ability to line up at multiple positions in different formations.
Linebackers that can play outside in both a 4-3 and 3-4 will be coveted. As will 4-3 defensive ends that can transition to 3-4 outside linebackers. Big Blue will also seek 4-3 defensive tackles that can bump out as 3-4 defensive ends. The Giants may also seek another nose tackle, but Harrison has already proven with the Jets that he can fill that role.
Bettcher’s defense gives New York the ability to change their defensive formations and keep opposing offenses guessing.
Options That Can Fill Multiple Roles
Players with experience at different positions will likely be viewed as a bonus. Connor Barwin, Alex Okafor, and Trent Murphy are some notable veteran free agents that have played both defensive end and outside linebacker.
The Giants also have a decision to make with impending free agent Devon Kennard. A player that has the ability to play outside linebacker in both a 3-4 and 4-3 base defense.
In the draft, players like Marcus Davenport, Arden Key, Harold Landry, and Dorance Armstrong have the skill-set and size to play either defensive end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
Tremaine Edmunds and Uchenna Nwosu are linebackers that can play outside in either base formation. All of the players listed above could be off the board by the start of the third-round.
Along the defensive line, players like Vita Vea, Harrison Phillips, B.J. Hill, and Andrew Brown have the ability to line up as both 3-4 defensive ends and as 4-3 defensive tackles.
In free agency, veterans like Dontari Poe, Kony Ealy, Bennie Logan, Sheldon Richardson, Haloti Ngata, and Chris Baker have shown the ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line.
These are just a few options. But with limited cap space and an offensive line in desperate need of help, Big Blue’s personnel departments will have to find options that won’t come at a high cost.
The G-Men will probably look to add at least a couple defensive players in the upcoming draft and versatility will likely be a key factor in those selections.