New York Giants: Olivier Vernon primed for success in 2018
By Henry Buggy
New York Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher wants his players to be “relentless.”
The former Cardinals defensive coordinator led Arizona’s defense to three consecutive top six finishes in terms of yards allowed.
He now takes over a defense that finished 31st in 2017. The New York Giants struggled against the run, in pass coverage, and getting after the quarterback this past season.
Big Blue’s defensive struggles were not due to insufficient talent. Injuries, poor coaching, and a lack of effort at times led to New York’s defensive downfall. Ben McAdoo’s stagnant offense didn’t help either.
The Giants had 10-of-11 defensive starters return following the 2016 season. Big Blue allowed the 10th fewest yards and had the league’s second best scoring defense en route to an 11-5 record that season.
Landon Collins and Damon Harrison were named first-team All-Pros in 2016. Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie earned second-team All-Pro honors as well.
Of the five players, Rodgers-Cromartie is the only one no longer with the team. The Giants cut the veteran cornerback this offseason. General manager Dave Gettleman also traded defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March.
The addition of Kareem Martin likely made JPP expendable. But make no mistake about it, Vernon is primed to be a star in Bettcher’s defense.
Importance of OLB Position
Collins, Harrison, and trade acquisition Alec Ogletree should all thrive in Bettcher’s defense, but the outside linebacker position may be the most important.
Martin, who has spent his entire NFL career under Bettcher, explained the importance of the position after signing with Big Blue, via New York’s team website.
"“I feel like the outside linebacker position is probably the most important. We have the most responsibilities. We’re expected to set the edge on the run, rush the quarterback and drop in coverage.”“As far as learning curve goes, there is a slight learning curve, but when JB, when he was in Arizona, he started with the outside linebackers, so he spends a lot of time with those guys to make sure that we understand the in’s and out’s of the defense because he’s going to expect a lot from us in that position. So he’s going to do his due diligence and spend the time with us to make sure that each individual in there can play to the best of their abilities in this defense.”"
Vernon has proven he can be a consistent playmaker through his first six seasons. The 27-year-old has amassed 44.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles.
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But he also has never been named to a Pro Bowl and has only had one season with double-digit sacks. Of course, sacks don’t define the greatness of a player, but there’s no question they help.
Understanding the Transition
Chandler Jones is coming off a career-year in his second season under Bettcher. He led the league with a career-high 17 sacks and finished third in the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year voting.
It wasn’t as though Jones came from a poor coaching staff before arriving in Arizona too. He had spent his first four seasons in the league under Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia in New England.
Jones explained to Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit the differences between the two defenses.
"“At first [Bettcher’s] coaching style was different for me. I wasn’t used to such an aggressive defense and so much blitzing. I thought, ‘This is tough. Teams are seeing us blitz and they’re getting rid of the ball quickly.’ Back when I was in New England, we wouldn’t blitz and quarterbacks would hold the ball more.”"
But with more time in Bettcher’s defense, Jones began to notice something.
"“Yeah, the ball might be getting out faster, but [Bettcher] is getting me more one-on-one matchups. He knows his X’s and O’s. He knows how to formulate and contort the defense so that his best players can get the best matchups possible. He really knows how to highlight players.”"
Vernon Set For Success
Bettcher will look to do the same for Vernon. The Giants new defensive coordinator explained how he plans to put him similar positions to succeed, via New York’s team website.
"“His versatility, his ability to rush from different angles. We’ve all seen him drop in space and flip his hips and do some of those things. If you went and looked at our tape in Arizona and you saw Chandler Jones, we didn’t make our money in Arizona on defense with Chandler Jones dropping and playing in space a bunch. It’s things that you do as great changeups, things that you do to allow you to attack offenses in different ways, and I think that’s how he’ll fit in.”"
Big Blue’s front office and coaching staff clearly believe Vernon can take that next step. He has already shown he can be a great defensive player, but in Bettcher’s defense, he has the potential to become one of the league’s elite pass rushers.
Vernon is taking the transition seriously. Big Blue’s top edge rusher is with the team for New York’s voluntary offseason workout program, something he elected to skip last year.
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Even if the Giants elect to use a high draft selection on an edge rusher in this year’s draft, expect Vernon to steal the spotlight in 2018.
He’s primed for success under Bettcher.