Versatility is everything on defense as are sacks and turnovers.
Watch the film on the history of the NY Giants. It is embedded in the team’s rich history of nasty, physical, and suffocating defenses.
Over the years, the Giants constantly had players capable of making bone-jarring hits, game-changing turnovers, and punishing quarterbacks with sacks, pressures, and QB hits all day long.
Luckily for the Giants, this defense seems bound with intriguing playmakers and versatile guys who can line up in multiple spots and different positions. Even more importantly, outside the team’s two pending free agents on the defensive line, the entire defense returns from 2020 into 2021 and will have familiar faces in a variety of exciting roles
After watching both Conference Championships, it was again evident to see how much defense still matters in today’s NFL, regardless of how many points teams score seemingly at will nowadays.
Both the Buccaneers and Chiefs won thanks to big plays from their quarterbacks and pass catchers, but their wins wouldn’t be possible without some impressive defensive performances.
The Buccaneers racked up five sacks with three from Shaq Barrett and two from the Giants own pass-rushing well in Jason Pierre-Paul with two more sacks. Add in two more tackles for a loss apiece for both along with eight total pressures on Aaron Rodgers, it’s easy to see why the Packers’ offense became flustered in the 4th quarter. They were unable to stop the two bookend pass rushers and they created a formidable pass-rushing duo all game.
The Chiefs followed suit with the same formula.
Four team sacks along with four additional tackles for a loss and 10 QB hits, Josh Allen was rattled all night and played his worst game in months. The red-hot Bills offense that has been nearly uncontainable for several weeks now suddenly looked vulnerable and hopeless with no chance to sustain momentum or move the chains.
The Giants did a great job of scheming up pressure and sacks this year thanks to the brilliance of Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham. With that being said, it’s no secret the Giants desperately need more pass rushers and help off the EDGE. Having a dominant and consistent presence in the backfield creating havoc for offensive linemen and getting in the heads of NFL quarterbacks is a real thing and it’s damn important.
The NY Giants need to find their “blue goose” pass rusher that Mr. Gettleman always seems to talk about yet shockingly doesn’t address the position year after year now. It’s been three full seasons under Gettleman’s helm and he has failed to address the most critical position on defense and one of the key spots on any football roster. With some proven commodities off the edge, it could do wonders for this young and exciting Giants defense.