With mandatory minicamp starting, we've gotten a better glimpse at some of the bigger changes the NY Giants have made during the offseason. One of these changes came on the defensive side of the ball with new coordinator Shane Bowen taking over for Wink Martindale following his falling out. Drama surrounded Martindale and Brian Daboll, but that mess is now in the past.
Bowen brings a new defensive style and mindset, one that likely fits the Giants' current defensive personnel better than Martindale's ever did. This was highlighted by linebacker Bobby Okereke, who mentioned some of the biggest changes under Bowen. You can tell just how excited he is to make plays for his new DC too.
Bobby Okereke is excited about the changes for the Giants defense
While speaking to the media over in East Rutherford, Okereke was asked what was different between the current system under Bowen compared to the previous one with Martindale, to which Okereke responded by saying the following:
Bobby Okereke details the difference in systems between Shane Bowen and Wink Martindale pic.twitter.com/Uvhp6YOx3N
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 11, 2024
Hearing this shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Even if you don't know much about how Bowen operates his defense, knowing what we've seen with Martindale, what Okereke said sounds pretty accurate.
Martindale's system may have allowed for some big-time defensive plays or crazy formations that confused offenses, but it far too often had negative consequences for the Giants, especially when it came to adjusting to what opposing offenses were running.
Under Bowen, it seems like New York's defense will be much more prepared each week. At the very least, the defense will likely be much more prepared against complicated run and passing schemes, something that didn't happen often under Martindale.
Regardless, it's nice to see Okereke notice and comment on the changes thus far. The Giants need some stability on defense and it seems like Bowen could finally bring that in 2024. With playmakers like Okereke, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and others, it's hard not to find a system that will work well.