Perhaps I"m being entirely too optimistic, but when I look at the return of Victor Cruz and the addition of a true receiving back like Shane Vereen, I can't help but feel we're about to witness Eli Manning's best statistical year of his career, regardless of how the offensive line progresses.
Personally, I think the line is going to be much improved with Flowers making them better at two positions.
So how good does the defense have to be for the Giants to contend? Can the Giants make the playoffs with a defense ranked in the lower half of the league?
I'm actually pretty optimistic about the defense, but I extreme confidence in where the offense is going as opposed to cautious optimism when it comes to the defense.
Thoughts?
We assume the offense puts up points, but nothing is cast in stone in the NFL......how this defense plays in the fourth quarter will determine this team's success...
Kennard missed camp last year...big improvement right there as he goes into his sopomore year.
Cromartie was hurt and Prince was out...Huge improvement
Moore will step up....
Beason is back
You've added Ellis and the kid from Dallas....big improvement
Collins over an ineffective Rolle.....
The two FA linebackers provide speed and athleticism.
And then you've got Odi....
Every single unit has been upgraded big time and this can be a big time Defense.
Cant believe they ignored CB.
Barring another ridiculous string of injuries of course.
He made plays, missed plays.....he has to improve to be average...
Cromartie was hurt and Prince was out...Huge improvement
Can both stay on the field this year? But right now, our corners, if healthy, are the strength of this defense....
Moore will step up....
Big assumption....
Beason is back...
Once again, for how long?
You've added Ellis and the kid from Dallas....big improvement
You make it sound like these are all pro's...
Collins over an ineffective Rolle.....
How many downs of professional ball has Collins played? He is a rookie...he will make mistakes.....He is a future player....
The two FA linebackers provide speed and athleticism.
You can say they are better than JW, Herz, and Paysinger....after that, remains to be seen....
And then you've got Odi....
The hippy, dippy, DE is a rookie....it will be a learning process for him...
Every single unit has been upgraded big time and this can be a big time Defense.
I have no idea what kind of defense we have...it will be a new defense with Spags.....hopefully for the better,,,,,but it will be a work in progress, not a big time defense...
I think we could crack the Top Ten .
I really think Moore is gonna step up . I like
the Depth at DE . Ellis can be a Nice pickup and
help the Run D . Beason stays Healthy big If .
Kennard keeps getting better . Not sure about the depth
but we added a few new bodies . I just like wha
I see on Paper if they stay relatively healthy and
Play up to there capabilities . I think were gonna
be solid Spags is a Players coach who will get
the best out of everyone .
Klaatu : 4:53 pm : link : reply
To shut Doomster the fuck up.
I said I hope they will get better as the season progresses.....but a big time defense? You think this is a big time defense? Hope I'm wrong....
i have a feeling it will be different this year.
Kennard missed camp last year...big improvement right there as he goes into his sopomore year.
Cromartie was hurt and Prince was out...Huge improvement
Moore will step up....
Beason is back
You've added Ellis and the kid from Dallas....big improvement
Collins over an ineffective Rolle.....
The two FA linebackers provide speed and athleticism.
And then you've got Odi....
Every single unit has been upgraded big time and this can be a big time Defense.
1. Get healthy and Stay Healthy
2. Develop Young Players
3. Win Early - let offense and specials win us games.
4. Get Turnovers
We have talent. We are improved from last year. Our DL should be much better with additions of younger & talented Selvie & Ellis. Moore should be improved as he was only 21 as a rookie and clearly needed some maturation. Owa will play cause he'll be on special teams and hopefully can make an impact as the year moves on.
At LB, if Beason can pull out on more "savvy year" on the field where he stops the run and lines people up right (he's smart) we'll be fine. Kennard will start and he can rush the passer and stop the run. We may rotate McClain and the new LB's a bit.
Our DB's are actually worse this year "on paper" than last year but we were DECIMATED with injuries last year and never had a chance. I have high hopes that 3rd year man C. Taylor blossoms along with our 2nd rounder L. Collins. N. Behre can hit and play specials. 5th rounder Thompson is a special teamer who may get to suit up on game days for that reason and see at least some defensive formations as he learns the game. Last year's #7 Bennett could be a better safety than corner.
I think Spags has more charisma and respect of the players. He has the magic of 2007 behind him. I think he and TC re-uniting could spur this team on defense.
Imagine if JPP, Hankins, Beason, Cromartie have probowl type years and the rest are at least "average" for their positions. No "holes" you can attack like last year (safety / middle of field)?
I can see us finishing in the 12 to 16 range overall if we stay healthy. Better if Moore become a top pass rusher along with Kennard from OLB.
You're like a broken record. You're also an asshole.
Kennard missed camp last year...big improvement right there as he goes into his sopomore year.
Cromartie was hurt and Prince was out...Huge improvement
Moore will step up....
Beason is back
You've added Ellis and the kid from Dallas....big improvement
Collins over an ineffective Rolle.....
The two FA linebackers provide speed and athleticism.
And then you've got Odi....
Every single unit has been upgraded big time and this can be a big time Defense.
"Beason is back"
To what? Playing an average of just under 5 games per yer for the last 5 years? I'm not holding my breath.
To count on Beason is a risky move but maybe he can get us half way thru the season before breaking down for one reason or another. The young guys at LB and secondary are all except Collins and maybe Kennard have physical limits to what we can and should hope for them truthfully. How quickly can they fill and find roles for these players and develope trust in each other and the new system no one knows.
We are all worried about the defense but its a new year very seldom does what worked last year work again this year. Our last player to put together three excellent years was Tiki, damn that was a long time ago. So dont expect the defense to suck all year long they will get better, however dont expect the offense to soar above real expectations either. We are a team without an identity and until we gain one we will remain middle of the pack or lower in the NFL.
I think we improved in offense, defense, and special teams. It's all about health.
Did I mention health?
The run defense needs to be massively improved this year. When you can't get off the field the other team wears you down and the Giants offense can't get on the field.
Having said that:
- Our CB's look good but have little depth
- I like our Safeties but they are young. Collins, Taylor, and Behr need to grow up fast
- DE's look improved
- LB's improved by just getting healthy
- DT's look much better; Hankins with more experience and that load from the Jets
If we can just stay from DB injuries we should be a lot better.