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Post by Roosevelt on Jun 14, 2023 21:19:17 GMT -5
Giants hope offseason additions can help bolster run defense
Some things are difficult to figure out.
This is not one of them.
“Starting with Mr. Mara at the owners’ meeting, he said we need to get better in the run game,’’ Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said.
Martindale was referring to a conversation he had with team co-owner John Mara in late March in Phoenix.
The subject matter was not exactly groundbreaking for Martindale.
He knew his unit showed plenty of encouraging signs in his first season with the Giants, but there was one glaring deficiency.
The Giants finished the 2022 season ranked 27th in the NFL in run defense, allowing 144.2 yards per game.
There were readily apparent reasons why this was such a struggle.
Leonard Williams, who never missed a game in his first eight seasons split between the Jets and Giants, was forced to sit out five games with nagging neck issues.
The lack of depth on the interior of the defensive line forced Dexter Lawrence and Williams, when he was available, to spend too much time on the field, wearing down.
There was also an absence of a dependable, ball-seeking inside linebacker to clean up with tackles.
Fixing these problems this offseason was a priority for general manager Joe Schoen.
A’Shawn Robinson
The Giants signed two veteran defensive tackles — A’Shawn Robinson, 28, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, 29 — who showed great proficiency in stuffing the run at their previous NFL stops.
The one big-ticket free agent signed by Schoen was inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, who had 132 and 151 tackles the past two seasons for the Colts.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Less should become more for Williams and Lawrence, who rarely came off the field last season. Lawrence played 82 percent of the snaps on defense, a career high, and Williams despite his neck discomfort played 75 percent of the snaps.
Williams, a bona fide workhorse, has never averaged less than 73 percent of the defensive snaps in his nine years in the league.
Now, with Robinson and Nunez-Roches on the scene to take some of those snaps, the plan is for Williams and Lawrence to do more with less.
“I feel great about it,’’ Williams said Wednesday as the Giants wrapped up their mandatory minicamp practice schedule. “Me and Dex a lot of times had to take a lot of snaps. I think this year we’re gonna have a great rotation with those guys we just added. We trust those guys, and I don’t think there’s gonna be any type of drop-off when the rotation starts happening.’’
Taking snaps away from a player can sometimes be tricky. These big guys, though, are all for it.
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Post by Rangers13 on Jun 14, 2023 21:26:42 GMT -5
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Post by TheAussieGiant on Jun 14, 2023 21:32:29 GMT -5
I thought our rotation early on looked really good with our DTs. When Nick Williams(?) went down that seemed to really effect our run game. Then Leo started having the neck issues and was never able to play to his potential. Excited to see what they can do this year.
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Post by GameTime on Jun 14, 2023 21:40:24 GMT -5
run stopping should significantly better.
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Post by BigBlueDog42 on Jun 15, 2023 8:57:12 GMT -5
Giants hope offseason additions can help bolster run defense
Some things are difficult to figure out.
This is not one of them.
“Starting with Mr. Mara at the owners’ meeting, he said we need to get better in the run game,’’ Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said.
Martindale was referring to a conversation he had with team co-owner John Mara in late March in Phoenix.
The subject matter was not exactly groundbreaking for Martindale.
He knew his unit showed plenty of encouraging signs in his first season with the Giants, but there was one glaring deficiency.
The Giants finished the 2022 season ranked 27th in the NFL in run defense, allowing 144.2 yards per game.
There were readily apparent reasons why this was such a struggle.
Leonard Williams, who never missed a game in his first eight seasons split between the Jets and Giants, was forced to sit out five games with nagging neck issues.
The lack of depth on the interior of the defensive line forced Dexter Lawrence and Williams, when he was available, to spend too much time on the field, wearing down.
There was also an absence of a dependable, ball-seeking inside linebacker to clean up with tackles.
Fixing these problems this offseason was a priority for general manager Joe Schoen.
A’Shawn Robinson
The Giants signed two veteran defensive tackles — A’Shawn Robinson, 28, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, 29 — who showed great proficiency in stuffing the run at their previous NFL stops.
The one big-ticket free agent signed by Schoen was inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, who had 132 and 151 tackles the past two seasons for the Colts.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Less should become more for Williams and Lawrence, who rarely came off the field last season. Lawrence played 82 percent of the snaps on defense, a career high, and Williams despite his neck discomfort played 75 percent of the snaps.
Williams, a bona fide workhorse, has never averaged less than 73 percent of the defensive snaps in his nine years in the league.
Now, with Robinson and Nunez-Roches on the scene to take some of those snaps, the plan is for Williams and Lawrence to do more with less.
“I feel great about it,’’ Williams said Wednesday as the Giants wrapped up their mandatory minicamp practice schedule. “Me and Dex a lot of times had to take a lot of snaps. I think this year we’re gonna have a great rotation with those guys we just added. We trust those guys, and I don’t think there’s gonna be any type of drop-off when the rotation starts happening.’’
Taking snaps away from a player can sometimes be tricky. These big guys, though, are all for it.
He hit the nail on the head here the depth was a huge issue they have 2 of the best DTs in the league, If they had the proper depth it's possible Williams wouldn't have missed those games and played the remainder of the season at around 70% those neck injuries are tough to deal with. |
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Post by BigBlueDog42 on Jun 15, 2023 8:59:27 GMT -5
I thought our rotation early on looked really good with our DTs. When Nick Williams(?) went down that seemed to really effect our run game. Then Leo started having the neck issues and was never able to play to his potential. Excited to see what they can do this year. Yea Nick Williams really hurt Davidson did also these 2 guys are a pretty big step up from Davidson and Williams it should improve big time. |
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Post by Kruunch on Jun 15, 2023 8:59:47 GMT -5
I thought our rotation early on looked really good with our DTs. When Nick Williams(?) went down that seemed to really effect our run game. Then Leo started having the neck issues and was never able to play to his potential. Excited to see what they can do this year. Let’s be real.. The front seven belonged on the back nine all season long. We were getting steamrolled from jump. It doesn’t help to lose Leonard Williams brother from another mother Nick mid-season. And having our 5th round pick D.J. Davidson get knocked out early. It left our depth bone dry. Which then made Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams log serious minutes. We added more meat to our bone with the additions of Robinson and Roches. Those massive mountains will keep our heat seeking missile Bobby Okereke free to seek and destroy. Giving up big chunks of yards on the ground is soul crushing to a defense. It’s the one thing that the league didn’t put its grubby little hands in to benefit the offense. It’s who wants it more.. |
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3days
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Posts: 4,701
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Post by 3days on Jun 15, 2023 10:25:10 GMT -5
It is nice to see a GM who realized that you must be able to stop the run.
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Post by ThatGuyRich on Jun 15, 2023 10:57:16 GMT -5
Just by adding those 2 big run stoppers and getting everyone healthy should improve the run defense considerably. God knows this will help our defense.
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Post by Fletch842 on Jun 16, 2023 6:44:08 GMT -5
run stopping should significantly better. assuming Thibs makes some improvements going into year 2, and Ojulari stays somewhat healthy, our pass rush should be as well. |
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Post by GameTime on Jun 16, 2023 7:19:09 GMT -5
run stopping should significantly better. assuming Thibs makes some improvements going into year 2, and Ojulari stays somewhat healthy, our pass rush should be as well. I am big fan of Thibs. I have a feeling I may not like his "persona" as time goes on but I think he is going be a great NFL player. Most rookie Edge players are just sent out there to play. Thibs had all kinds of responsibilities. Calling the DL protections, dropping off into coverage etc. He got burnt on several QB run options but he will learn that going forward. Aziz just has to be on the field and he will produce. Big issue for him of course |
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Post by jb456 on Jun 16, 2023 8:13:36 GMT -5
run stopping should significantly better. This was a major weakness last year. It should be better and we need it to be. |
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Post by Rangers13 on Jun 16, 2023 8:23:04 GMT -5
I do wish we were a 4-3 defense though.
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Post by Rangers13 on Jun 16, 2023 8:27:05 GMT -5
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Post by idkaname on Jun 16, 2023 8:29:14 GMT -5
Add some more beef with Kobe Smith
6'2 312lbs
The New York Giants have signed defensive lineman Kobe Smith. In a corresponding move, tight end/wide receiver Dre Miller was waived/injured.
Smith, 24, went undrafted in 2020 out of South Carolina, has never played in an NFL regular season game and has bounced around on the practice squads of several teams: Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Atlanta. He was most recently on the roster of the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.
Smith (6’2″, 312) will vie for a backup spot on the interior of the Giants’ defensive line which is deeper than it has been in recent years with the addition of free agent veterans A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches and rookie Jordan Riley.
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Post by Jomo on Jun 17, 2023 15:33:16 GMT -5
Add some more beef with Kobe Smith 6'2 312lbs The New York Giants have signed defensive lineman Kobe Smith. In a corresponding move, tight end/wide receiver Dre Miller was waived/injured. Smith, 24, went undrafted in 2020 out of South Carolina, has never played in an NFL regular season game and has bounced around on the practice squads of several teams: Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Atlanta. He was most recently on the roster of the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL. Smith (6’2″, 312) will vie for a backup spot on the interior of the Giants’ defensive line which is deeper than it has been in recent years with the addition of free agent veterans A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches and rookie Jordan Riley. WAs that pun intended?  |
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Post by GameTime on Jun 17, 2023 18:10:53 GMT -5
Add some more beef with Kobe Smith 6'2 312lbs The New York Giants have signed defensive lineman Kobe Smith. In a corresponding move, tight end/wide receiver Dre Miller was waived/injured. Smith, 24, went undrafted in 2020 out of South Carolina, has never played in an NFL regular season game and has bounced around on the practice squads of several teams: Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Atlanta. He was most recently on the roster of the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL. Smith (6’2″, 312) will vie for a backup spot on the interior of the Giants’ defensive line which is deeper than it has been in recent years with the addition of free agent veterans A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches and rookie Jordan Riley. Long shot but he will get his chances |
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Post by Blue Hulk on Jun 18, 2023 10:44:53 GMT -5
I do wish we were a 4-3 defense though. Nope. I made this argument years ago when I wanted us to switch to the 3-4. Trditional 4-3 defensive ends are a thing of the past. Guys are coming from defending spread offenses now, so finding the right pieces for the 4-3 got harder and harder evey year. Easier to build a 3-4 based on what comes out of college. Athletic, fast, smaller DE's that all get converted to OLB. A traditional 4-3 defensive end is not dropping back in coverage like Kayvon can. It makes more sense against pass heavy teams...But watching the games, you see 4-3 defensive sets all the time. |
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Post by bavarobeast on Jun 18, 2023 15:19:05 GMT -5
Robinson is going to be too productive to spend a lot of time on the sideline. Of course that is barring injury. He was essentially unstoppable in the SEC and is stronger and experienced. He “ could “ be our best pick up. Did I mention barring injury?
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Post by presumablygunner on Jun 18, 2023 17:56:12 GMT -5
Saquon or Nelson?
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Post by Rangers13 on Jun 18, 2023 21:24:35 GMT -5
saquon blocks? I’ll take Nelson |
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Post by TEM on Jun 19, 2023 6:15:59 GMT -5
saquon blocks?I’ll take Nelson I think he does. Not that I take stock in any of PFF's methodology. But is fun to debate. 2022 NFL season's best pass-blocking running backs: Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard and more www.pff.com/news/nfl-2022-nfl-season-best-pass-blocking-running-backs-saquon-barkley-tony-pollard1. SAQUON BARKLEY, NEW YORK GIANTS PFF pass-blocking grade: 75.5 Pass-blocking snaps: 83 Pressures allowed: 6 2. TONY POLLARD, DALLAS COWBOYS PFF pass-blocking grade: 75.3 Pass-blocking snaps: 56 Pressures allowed: 5 3. JAMES CONNER, ARIZONA CARDINALS PFF pass-blocking grade: 73.8 Pass-blocking snaps: 84 Pressures allowed: 4 4. SAMAJE PERINE, CINCINNATI BENGALS PFF pass-blocking grade: 72.7 Pass-blocking snaps: 52 Pressures allowed: 2 5. JAMAAL WILLIAMS, DETROIT LIONS PFF pass-blocking grade: 72.3 Pass-blocking snaps: 58 Pressures allowed: 2 6. DEVIN SINGLETARY, BUFFALO BILLS PFF pass-blocking grade: 69.4 Pass-blocking snaps: 82 Pressures allowed: 8 7. DERRICK HENRY, TENNESSEE TITANS PFF pass-blocking grade: 66.9 Pass-blocking snaps: 56 Pressures allowed: 4 8. RHAMONDRE STEVENSON, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS PFF pass-blocking grade: 64.8 Pass-blocking snaps: 88 Pressures allowed: 5 9. NAJEE HARRIS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS PFF pass-blocking grade: 64.4 Pass-blocking snaps: 99 Pressures allowed: 8 10. PATRICK RICARD, BALTIMORE RAVENS PFF pass-blocking grade: 62.1 Pass-blocking snaps: 98 Pressures allowed: 8 |
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Post by Rangers13 on Jun 19, 2023 6:40:53 GMT -5
saquon blocks?I’ll take Nelson I think he does. Not that I take stock in any of PFF's methodology. But is fun to debate. 2022 NFL season's best pass-blocking running backs: Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard and more www.pff.com/news/nfl-2022-nfl-season-best-pass-blocking-running-backs-saquon-barkley-tony-pollard1. SAQUON BARKLEY, NEW YORK GIANTS PFF pass-blocking grade: 75.5 Pass-blocking snaps: 83 Pressures allowed: 6 2. TONY POLLARD, DALLAS COWBOYS PFF pass-blocking grade: 75.3 Pass-blocking snaps: 56 Pressures allowed: 5 3. JAMES CONNER, ARIZONA CARDINALS PFF pass-blocking grade: 73.8 Pass-blocking snaps: 84 Pressures allowed: 4 4. SAMAJE PERINE, CINCINNATI BENGALS PFF pass-blocking grade: 72.7 Pass-blocking snaps: 52 Pressures allowed: 2 5. JAMAAL WILLIAMS, DETROIT LIONS PFF pass-blocking grade: 72.3 Pass-blocking snaps: 58 Pressures allowed: 2 6. DEVIN SINGLETARY, BUFFALO BILLS PFF pass-blocking grade: 69.4 Pass-blocking snaps: 82 Pressures allowed: 8 7. DERRICK HENRY, TENNESSEE TITANS PFF pass-blocking grade: 66.9 Pass-blocking snaps: 56 Pressures allowed: 4 8. RHAMONDRE STEVENSON, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS PFF pass-blocking grade: 64.8 Pass-blocking snaps: 88 Pressures allowed: 5 9. NAJEE HARRIS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS PFF pass-blocking grade: 64.4 Pass-blocking snaps: 99 Pressures allowed: 8 10. PATRICK RICARD, BALTIMORE RAVENS PFF pass-blocking grade: 62.1 Pass-blocking snaps: 98 Pressures allowed: 8 That settles that. Let’s look at the stats!!!! I believe Nelson got about $60 million in guarantees and Barkley blocks so we had pony up north of $60 million in a Guarantees. The guy not only rushes but blocks too. Fun debate |
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