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Friday Transcript: Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo

Eric from BBI : Admin : 10/16/2015 5:55 pm
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo

October 16, 2015

No real opening statement, I’m just going to open it up. It’s hard for me to go back to last week but, certainly, if you have any questions on it, then I will, but it’s kind of onto Philadelphia and that’s where we’ve been. It seems like forever that we played a game, but that’s the way it is in the League. And we still have forever to go before we actually play, at least that’s the way it feels. I’ll open it up.

Q: Do you think you’ll have Beason and some more defensive linemen available?

A: I think so. We’ve got some guys that practiced limited. They’re not all full-go right now, but I’m optimistic. I think we all are. That’ll be a good thing.

Q: Why do you think teams have had success throwing the ball to their running backs against you guys?

A: I know somebody mentioned that to me. You know, it’s one of the things that sometimes I lose sight of. Now I’m thinking back to certain plays that I can remember. In one of the games, we were man and DK (Devon Kennard), out of the backfield, they got a touchdown on one. Those are the ones you remember, I’m sure. I could tell you this, that until that was brought to my attention, it wasn’t something that we were sitting there saying we’re struggling covering the back. Maybe, I’d like to think this, I’d like to think that the ball is going to the back more often because we’re doing something better down field. And there is an emphasis we talk about all the time that we’re going to play deep to short. We’re not going to allow the deeper throws to be completed. Now I think we can do better at that than we have. Without looking at every coverage, when you ask that, the one that sticks out is when they score a touchdown. I don’t think I have anything specifically on that.

Q: How much tougher is it without Prince?

A: Yeah, challenging. Although we have a lot of confidence in Hosley. Jayron, he’s a good football player and we felt good about him when he went in and played against Atlanta when DRC was hurt. But I look at it, that weakens you a lot of different ways: special teams, depth at corner, it affects the nickel spot. So there’s a trickle down anytime you lose one of your top guys, especially on the edges when it’s really important in this day and age in football. That’ll hurt us a little bit from depth, special teams, but we have a lot of confidence in Jayron going in there.

Q: Brandon Meriweather was a guy who sort of came in middle of training camp and it seems like he’s been a pretty important piece for you.

A: Yeah, I love that guy. He loves football, he’s into it, he’s really smart. He’ll come over all the time. When he first got here, I had to calm him down a little bit because he had a lot of—I mean he’s played a lot of football, been in a lot of different systems, but now that he has a little comfort level, he’s great to bounce things off. I always believe in checking with guys that actually play the game, whether you put something in new or decide to do things a certain way. And he’s great that way and he’s good for the other players. He’s played a lot of football, his experience has been good for us.

Q: He had a reputation, deservedly so probably, for some illegal hits. He hasn’t had any this year.

A: Yeah, I wasn’t aware of that reputation (laughs).

Q: Have you seen a change in his approach?

A: It’s hard for me to say that there’s a change. You know like I know what you’re talking about and that’s in the past, but it’s not like I watched every play that Brandon played. I don’t know if those were just isolated plays, but look, we believe in aggressive football players, we don’t believe in hurting people. But I think Brandon has played some good football for us and, again, I think the most important thing he’s brought to us is he’s able to settle things down, he’s a smart football player, he’s had a lot of experience, so that’s been valuable. Really valuable.

Q: Can familiarity with a quarterback help you in a week like this?

A: Sam Bradford? Yeah, I have to say he’s a good football player. We believed in him when we took him in 2010, I still believe in him now and I think he’s really kind of finding a groove here, unfortunately for us. But he’s in a system, it takes a lot for people in systems to get used to it. I always felt he was a very accurate thrower and he still is. The day we went to work him out in Oklahoma, and that year we worked out a bunch of quarterbacks, but I wasn’t the only one that was impressed by it, but it was as impressive of a quarterback workout that I’d been to and I haven’t been to a lot. And especially throwing the long ball. I mean every single long ball he threw was just right there, so that’s a concern and he can still do that. I think they’re doing a good job with him.

Q: Do you go in and follow his tendencies or is it really more about the scheme and playing it?

A: In this particular one, I think it’s really the system and the scheme. I mean they have—we all know that it’s a defining scheme, what they’re trying to do and how they do it. They don’t change very much, which is a credit to them, and they find people that can fit in it and they get them to play well in it and that’s about what they’re doing right now.

Q: So it’s different than your familiarity with Tyrod Taylor?

A: Yeah, I guess that would be a true statement. Because when we played Tyrod, I knew how good of an athlete he was, I knew it was option football, he could carry the ball and it didn’t change too much. But when you take drop-back pass, I mean that’s the same drop-back. It’s similar to what we—when I say similar, Sam dropping back and throwing the ball looks the same to me as it did in St. Louis because that doesn’t change in football. Some of the routes are a little bit different and the protections are a little bit different. Look, we’ve got a great deal of respect for the quarterback we’re facing. Obviously, I know him well. He’s a good athlete. He’s a better athlete than people give him credit for, too.

Q: Facing two quarterbacks previously in Taylor and Kaepernick and now with Sam, Sam obviously doesn’t have that same run threat. Does that give you more of a chance to be maybe a little bit more aggressive up front than maybe you were?

A: Little different. Yeah, little different. Yeah, it might. It’s a different challenge now. So a guy can beat you with his feet, now Sam, I look at him, can beat you with his arm. So you do some things different that way, but anytime you play a quarterback who can sit there and pick you apart because he’s actually a good football player, you’ve got to find ways to what we say, ‘get him off the spot,’ so he can’t get settled in there. So we’ll be trying to do that and I’m sure they’ll be trying to find ways for us not to do that. That will be the game within the game.

Q: How did you think Trevin Wade played and what does he bring to the table now with Prince out?

A: Just got done making a statement watching practice. The thing about Trevin Wade, he’s a fierce competitor. I mean the guy loves playing football and goes out there and competes. He’s really smart. He came up to me at the end of practice today asking about a leverage thing and made a lot of sense to me, so we do that. He’s played a lot more football than I had recalled. He’s been on other teams. I think he’ll fit right in there if he’s got to go for Mac (Trumaine McBride) and I don’t think we—I think he’s played enough reps in there that it’ll help us. I don’t think we’ll lose anything.

Q: So you expect McBride to be ready to go?

A: We hope. We hope. He didn’t do much today. Jeez, we need to play with somebody. We need somebody to go out there, so hopefully they’ll all be there. We’ll see.

Q: Is Sproles a pain in the neck to prepare for?

A: You want to know something about Sproles? He’s probably one of the greatest guys I’ve worked with. We had him in New Orleans and you talk about a character. So I know these guys, I know some of these guys personally. Very much a challenge. I’m not going to say pain in the neck. I guess when you said that I’m thinking ‘Man, he’s not a pain in the neck, he’s a good guy.’ He’s a challenge because of what he does. You see it. It’s a linebacker on him and he beats them all the time and even safeties. So we’ve got to find the right people to do the right thing to get some help somewhere because he is a main featured guy in it, no matter what down it is. I mean he’s in there, he’s a featured guy. You can see they have special packages for him. They put two running backs in there and it looks like it’s the Sproles package because they find ways to get to him. Great deal of respect for him.

Q: You like to substitute a lot, obviously based on moving personnel in and out, that’s always been said to be the challenge against the Eagles. So do you have to change the way you approach the game?

A: A little bit. I’m hoping the officials help us and he’s where I’m going with that. By rule, by rule, when they change people—I’m talking about the Eagles—we’re supposed to be allowed the opportunity to get our personnel in there. Does that always happen that way in the game? (Laughs) Not always. So you’ve got to make a decision, we were talking about it this morning. You know when you want to match personnel and they get them in pretty quick and you’re half a second behind and now you’re relying on the officials to do it right and it’s hard, hard for them, hard for us. So that was a long way to answer the question. It is a challenge and we’re going to have to pick our spots.

Q: Can you or Tom mention that before the game? I mean you do meet with these people before the game, can you at least remind them?

A: Yeah, you’d have to ask Coach about that. I mean that’s his territory.

Q: But you can do it.

A: Oh yeah, you’re allowed to do it. Look at it, that’s a challenging thing for the officials as well. You’ve got to make a quick decision as a decision-maker. They just put a wideout in, do we try to get so and so in and take the risk that we’re going to have 12 when they snap the ball. It’s like what Peyton Manning does to people.

Q: Can you replicate that in practice?

A: We try and I thought we did—I’ll tell you what, our scout team offense and Ryan (Nassib), I thought, did a good job today trying to get to it as close as we could, I don’t think you can get it exact but our guys get the deal. The one good thing about practicing against our offense is there were many times during training camp, like you say, where they’re going no-huddle and they’re going fast no-huddle. So we had a little bit of experience with it. I hope that helps.
While i don't always read the weekly transcripts, I have actually  
Jimmy Googs : 10/16/2015 6:18 pm : link
enjoyed reading Spags comments this season.

I don't know about you all, but he kind of provides an air of confidence that he will have the guys prepared each week.
Agreed and he's the second guy today (Beason) who loves  
Big Blue '56 : 10/16/2015 6:27 pm : link
Meriweather
Not saying our secondary has played lights out, but the  
Jimmy Googs : 10/16/2015 6:32 pm : link
Meriweather signing was a good job by Reese.

We were facing a crisis at Safety if Cooper Taylor got too many snaps.

I liked the Meriweather signing as well,  
Big Blue '56 : 10/16/2015 6:37 pm : link
but a ton of posters thought he sucked because of prior incidents on the field..Everytime we picked up someone, the responses were usually, "cut Meriweather."

Agree. Key comment he said regarding Meriweather...  
Jimmy Googs : 10/16/2015 6:44 pm : link
"I think the most important thing he’s brought to us is he’s able to settle things down, he’s a smart football player, he’s had a lot of experience, so that’s been valuable. Really valuable."

While we don't have a strong defense, our guys have played well at certain times in each game and maybe that is a function of guys like Meriweather on the field.
Right now,  
robbieballs2003 : 10/16/2015 7:33 pm : link
I am happy that we aren't blowing assignments. We are still learning how to play together. These injuries are a kick in the groin but all of this will pay dividends toward the end of the season and next year. Some guys are getting valuable experience. We dont hear that OO isn't getting reps because he is raw. His ass is being thrown into the fire. Moore, while nit performing as well as he could, is really getting his first true reps in meaningful games. Bromley has stepped up when called upon. Unga has done some great things even though we see his limitations. Collins is growing every game. Wade has been a pleasant surprise. Hosley has been rejuvenated as well. We are still in that growing phase but they are headed in the right direction. The last few years we never did anything well. At least we can hang out hat on stopping the run right now. The offense knows what we are capable of and they need to adjust their philosophy a little. We cannot sit back and hope to run the clock out and punt it away when we cannot. This offense has to have a killer's mentality and end these games themselves. And there is nothing wrong with that. The D will keep us in the game early and the O has to end the games at least until we get healthy and these pieces start to fit together.
I was wrong on Merriweather  
armstead98 : 10/16/2015 7:34 pm : link
I'll admit it. It's not the hits that bothered me, I just thought he was washed up. I expected him to be a major liability in coverage and to get picked apart.

While we haven't been good against the pass it's not his fault. He's been solid.
I wasn't against Merriweather because of the incidents  
jcn56 : 10/16/2015 7:45 pm : link
I just thought he had lost a step and couldn't physically play the position anymore. He's greatly exceeded my expectations.

Have to say the same applies for Spags. I wanted him back, and always liked him, but I never expected his unit to outperform in this way. If anything, with the talent we had, I felt badly for the guy. I thought he was walking into another no-win situation that was going to kill his reputation for good. Glad to see I was wrong there too!
Anyone ever gonna ask him  
David B. : 10/16/2015 7:47 pm : link
wtf is up with the 4th quarter Defense?
dilemma  
area junc : 10/16/2015 8:59 pm : link
chip will go no huddle and force us to keep Beason on the field (or off).
Spagnuolo  
RetroJint : 10/17/2015 8:46 am : link
sounds like a fuzz nuts when he said he had to be told that opposing RBs are hurting him catching passes. He had to be told? In this era of enhanced analytics ? This is the fourth press conference where he's at least feigned ignorance about statistical evaluations of his defense. Can you imagine the uproar if Fewell said something like that?

Right now, the Giants defense is no better than last year's. It might be worse. Until this game, they've had their starting corners 9 of 10 available games between them. They have better personnel at the safety and linebacker positions. They have not had JPP, which is a big loss, granted, but Fewell also lost Ayers, Benson, McBride, Prince, Thurmond and Jayron, while having. DRC at half-speed most of the year. Guys like D Williams, Passinger and McLain are performing elsewhere at All-Pro levels, of course.

I wanted Pepper Johnson for DC. However, that choice was not made. What I did find encouraging is that Coughlin mentioned that Spagnuolo studied with Urban at OSU during one of the summers when he was with the Ravens. So this is the game I've been waiting for. Both Chip and Urban stole this offense from Rich Rodriguez. Let's see how the Giants play it Monday night.

I didn't expect miracles from Spagnuolo and the defense. That would not be fair. They do not have enough players to be a first-rate defense. But I hoped for one that, while giving up tons of yardage, would be able to steal the ball at key intervals. Well they are last in passing yardage so the first part came to pass. However they have no pass rush & might be the worst Giant defense, ever, in protecting fourth-quarter leads. Those comments might sit poorly with Spagnuolo disciples. Refute them if you will, then.
But, please, no visceral or mood rock rationales . And do not mention injuries as contributory. You will be soiling yourselves as you loyalists absolutely impaled Fewell without any consideration for the same.
Differences with Spags is obvious  
baadbill : 10/17/2015 9:08 am : link
Spags' scheme is attack based - don't let the offensive dictate - let your players play downhill. Aggressive. And that instills a different mindset that is infectious, not only amongst the defensive units, but the team as a whole.

That's was immediately evident in 2007. And it's been equally evident in 2015. You see the defense swarming to the ball. Playing with abandon. That's what you get with a Spags defensive scheme. It doesn't always mean success. But it sure beats sitting back and playing on your heels.
Retro  
crick n NC : 10/17/2015 9:12 am : link
You come off the same regarding Spagnuolo as those going after Fewell's head.
Retro Jint  
gidiefor : Mod : 10/17/2015 9:27 am : link
I think that's Spags way of diplomatically deflecting a reporter's question -- he goes on to illustrate what his priorities are in coverage. As I read it he is saying: look numbnuts -- thanks for pointing that out -- our priorities are covering for the deep ball and not giving up the big play. Runningbacks crossing the field should be covered, but if I ain't got a linebacker that can cover down there, we have to give that play up because of our priority coverages. We swarm down to prevent them from turning a catch under coverage into big play.
Gidiefor  
Jimmy Googs : 10/17/2015 9:30 am : link
exactly.
RE: Spagnuolo  
Big Blue '56 : 10/17/2015 9:33 am : link
In comment 12555048 RetroJint said:
Quote:
sounds like a fuzz nuts when he said he had to be told that opposing RBs are hurting him catching passes. He had to be told? In this era of enhanced analytics ? This is the fourth press conference where he's at least feigned ignorance about statistical evaluations of his defense. Can you imagine the uproar if Fewell said something like that?

Right now, the Giants defense is no better than last year's. It might be worse. Until this game, they've had their starting corners 9 of 10 available games between them. They have better personnel at the safety and linebacker positions. They have not had JPP, which is a big loss, granted, but Fewell also lost Ayers, Benson, McBride, Prince, Thurmond and Jayron, while having. DRC at half-speed most of the year. Guys like D Williams, Passinger and McLain are performing elsewhere at All-Pro levels, of course.

I wanted Pepper Johnson for DC. However, that choice was not made. What I did find encouraging is that Coughlin mentioned that Spagnuolo studied with Urban at OSU during one of the summers when he was with the Ravens. So this is the game I've been waiting for. Both Chip and Urban stole this offense from Rich Rodriguez. Let's see how the Giants play it Monday night.

I didn't expect miracles from Spagnuolo and the defense. That would not be fair. They do not have enough players to be a first-rate defense. But I hoped for one that, while giving up tons of yardage, would be able to steal the ball at key intervals. Well they are last in passing yardage so the first part came to pass. However they have no pass rush & might be the worst Giant defense, ever, in protecting fourth-quarter leads. Those comments might sit poorly with Spagnuolo disciples. Refute them if you will, then.
But, please, no visceral or mood rock rationales . And do not mention injuries as contributory. You will be soiling yourselves as you loyalists absolutely impaled Fewell without any consideration for the same.


I understand where you're coming from and agree with some of your points..I supported Fewell until it became untenable for me(as a fan) and agreed with the decision to make the change..

Here's what I like about Spags: He attacks, his blitzes are disguised better, he has his players swarming the ball and perhaps most importantly they are tackling much better and eliminating huge YAC while also being paper thin (at the moment) depth-wise..

The injury situation on BOTH sides of the ball were massive vis a vis key players(and some of their backups) the last two years and cannot, imo, be compared to this year, not even close, at least to date..

It also APPEARS that Spags is a better teacher than Perry was, but I'll concede that might be totally subjective on my end..
I was wondering what Retros angle was  
BigBlueShock : 10/17/2015 9:36 am : link
As I read the first couple lines. Then he spills the beans when he admits he wanted Pepper Johnson. There it is....

Anyone watching this defense and suggesting that it may be worse than Fewells cannot be taken seriously.
Retro is right  
armstead98 : 10/17/2015 10:55 am : link
How can you ignore analytics completely? Spags sounds like an old geezer unwilling to embrace anything new.

Is there a job in the world where this is acceptable? In my line of work, as I'm sure most, anyone not willing to at least take a look at what the analytics are saying gets fired.
This game is a great test for Spagnuolo.  
Big Blue Blogger : 10/17/2015 11:27 am : link
The Eagles' talent on offense is pretty mediocre overall: good at RB, LT, and maybe TE, very ordinary elsewhere. But they run a gimmick offense that forces any DC to earn his pay. Add the injuries, and Spagnuolo will need to bring his "A" game, especially if Eli and Co. don't bring theirs. I doubt there is a coach alive who knows Sam Bradford's tendencies better, which should be good for a couple of turnover opportunities.

The thing that strikes me most about Spagnuolo this year is how comfortable he seems, for a guy who reputedly had a massive stick up his ass from at least 2009-2012. When he was rehired, a lot of us assumed he would try to position himself for another shot at the big chair. Now I wonder if maybe he sees his career path as more Dick LeBeau than Bill Belichick.
You know Spags will have a plan ...  
Torrag : 10/17/2015 11:38 am : link
and he'll have some adjustmenst ready and can make some more on the fly if he has to. That's another difference between him and fewell.
I don't see a need for Spagnuolo to pore over stats.  
Big Blue Blogger : 10/17/2015 11:44 am : link
He and his staff break down game tape, play by play, second by second. Immersed in that level of detail, I don't think he needs statistics - he's studying the root cause of the numbers.

When Coughlin takes the podium and rattles off stats, I sometimes think he's trying to fill media time without sharing anything the reporters couldn't get from nfl.com. He knows the deeper reality behind the numbers, but he's not going to waste time trying to explain it to an ignorant audience - so he speaks a language they can understand. Gilbride was different: he seemed to enjoy sharing the complex narrative. Spagnuolo is somewhere in between: he doesn't go into a lot of X and O stuff, but he also doesn't pretend that stats tell the whole story.
RE: Retro is right  
BigBlueShock : 10/17/2015 11:47 am : link
In comment 12555164 armstead98 said:
Quote:
How can you ignore analytics completely? Spags sounds like an old geezer unwilling to embrace anything new.

Is there a job in the world where this is acceptable? In my line of work, as I'm sure most, anyone not willing to at least take a look at what the analytics are saying gets fired.

Well, I'd say the exact opposite. You need to look beyond the analytics and understand the situations. They are 2nd in the NFL against the run. They are last against the pass, which sucks of course, but when you break it down, as unacceptable as it is, there are other reasons aside from simply saying Spags is a "geezer" or isn't any better than Fewell. Looking at numbers only is lazy analysis and is right in the wheel house for fans that love to complain and find any fault they can.

The Giants have had leads in the 4th quarter of every game. Several games were double digit leads. A huge portion of the passing yards and points have been given up in the 4th quarter. Teams trying to come back, Spags not wanting to give up the big play in those instances, instead making them dink and dunk to the RB and TE, lack of pass rush and lack of depth (some of that due to injury, some not) all contribute to these ghastly numbers.

Or, we can just blame Spags and say he sucks.
Take the Dallas game as an example.  
Big Blue Blogger : 10/17/2015 11:53 am : link
The average Giant fan knows that our linebackers and safeties got torched that night, because Tony Romo was 22-23 throwing to his backs and TEs, for 199 yards and 3 TDs. Horrible.

Does Spagnuolo know those numbers? Probably not, and he doesn't need to. He has broken down each of those 23 plays, and knows exactly what went wrong on every one of them. With that kind of exhaustive, bottom-up information, the top-down view provided by statistics isn't all that important. If Witten and Escobar had dropped a couple of easy TDs, the stats would look a lot better, but the tape wouldn't.
RE: RE: Retro is right  
armstead98 : 10/17/2015 12:07 pm : link
In comment 12555202 BigBlueShock said:
Quote:
In comment 12555164 armstead98 said:


Quote:


How can you ignore analytics completely? Spags sounds like an old geezer unwilling to embrace anything new.

Is there a job in the world where this is acceptable? In my line of work, as I'm sure most, anyone not willing to at least take a look at what the analytics are saying gets fired.


Well, I'd say the exact opposite. You need to look beyond the analytics and understand the situations. They are 2nd in the NFL against the run. They are last against the pass, which sucks of course, but when you break it down, as unacceptable as it is, there are other reasons aside from simply saying Spags is a "geezer" or isn't any better than Fewell. Looking at numbers only is lazy analysis and is right in the wheel house for fans that love to complain and find any fault they can.

The Giants have had leads in the 4th quarter of every game. Several games were double digit leads. A huge portion of the passing yards and points have been given up in the 4th quarter. Teams trying to come back, Spags not wanting to give up the big play in those instances, instead making them dink and dunk to the RB and TE, lack of pass rush and lack of depth (some of that due to injury, some not) all contribute to these ghastly numbers.

Or, we can just blame Spags and say he sucks.


By no means am I saying he should rely only on analytics, that's insane. But in an age where analytics are changing the ways we do everything from research to sales to marketing to coaching why would you write them off completely as he has done in previous interviews?

Maybe he's being loose with his words but he comes across as a ludite. Just pointing that out.

And don't get me wrong, I love the guy. I was thrilled that he came here instead of Fewell and still am. These comments just raise a few red flags for me, that's all.
Retro  
JonC : 10/17/2015 12:12 pm : link
The book was out on Fewell, and the players were close to public revolt over his lack of teaching and communication skills. It was time to move on.

I see a defense playing with much more confidence, urgency, purpose, energy, better tackling, you name it. As robbie, it's now a learning and growing phase.

David B, they have no pass rush in the fourth quarter. Spotty during the first three q's, non-existent in the fourth when they're tired and already short on bodies.
RE: I was wrong on Merriweather  
Disgruntled NYGfan : 10/17/2015 3:46 pm : link
In comment 12554824 armstead98 said:
Quote:
I'll admit it. It's not the hits that bothered me, I just thought he was washed up. I expected him to be a major liability in coverage and to get picked apart.

While we haven't been good against the pass it's not his fault. He's been solid.


Agreed. I was wrong about him too, and I am happy to admit that.
I'm guess some of you never heard of the term "gamesmanship."  
gidiefor : Mod : 10/17/2015 4:20 pm : link
Spags saying he doesn't really look at stats -- doesn't really mean anything to me other than that he is deflecting the reporter's question.

He's talking to his guys too - and he wants to keep the positive aspect of what he's preaching in front of them and everybody else.

You have to read between the lines a little -- unless you ain't able to do that -- or you have a need for him to spout on about the stats -- he'd probably thank you for pointing it out to him too
I wish someone would have asked Spags  
Jersey55 : 10/17/2015 4:53 pm : link
what is the problem with the lack of any pass rush? its my opinion that until we develop some pressure on the QB our defense is going to struggle mightily.
Problem with pass rush is their guys have  
Jimmy Googs : 10/18/2015 8:10 am : link
better pass blocking skills than our guys have pass rushing skills.

Sometimes unusual strength and/or speed can help but we don't have that much of that either with our current crop of guys.

Lets talk next draft and maybe we can sort this out...

no better than last year - are you serious?  
bc4life : 10/18/2015 8:24 am : link
with their best DL out and several other injuries - still one of best run defenses in the league.

and just because he doesn't talk about a team weakness doesn't mean he doesn't know about it.

their issue has been pass rush - and that has mainly to do with talent and injuries - with the exception of Wynn every DE (Jenkins is not a DE) has missed multiple games due to injuries.
RE: Problem with pass rush is their guys have  
Jersey55 : 10/18/2015 10:26 am : link
In comment 12556413 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
better pass blocking skills than our guys have pass rushing skills.

Sometimes unusual strength and/or speed can help but we don't have that much of that either with our current crop of guys.

Lets talk next draft and maybe we can sort this out...


it may take until next years draft to sort out the pass rush problems but if we don't get more pass rush from the guys we have right now then that will be the reason we don't make the playoffs this year....
RE: This game is a great test for Spagnuolo.  
Shadow : 10/18/2015 11:40 am : link
In comment 12555186 Big Blue Blogger said:
Quote:
The Eagles' talent on offense is pretty mediocre overall: good at RB, LT, and maybe TE, very ordinary elsewhere. But they run a gimmick offense that forces any DC to earn his pay. Add the injuries, and Spagnuolo will need to bring his "A" game, especially if Eli and Co. don't bring theirs. I doubt there is a coach alive who knows Sam Bradford's tendencies better, which should be good for a couple of turnover opportunities.

The thing that strikes me most about Spagnuolo this year is how comfortable he seems, for a guy who reputedly had a massive stick up his ass from at least 2009-2012. When he was rehired, a lot of us assumed he would try to position himself for another shot at the big chair. Now I wonder if maybe he sees his career path as more Dick LeBeau than Bill Belichick.


^^^^^nails it
I think the only head chair he wants is with this team.
Who succeeds the Coach will be interesting.
Completely forgot  
giantgiantfan : 10/18/2015 12:38 pm : link
Bradford played under him, seems like ages ago. Hope that helps.
RE: I liked the Meriweather signing as well,  
Joey in VA : 10/18/2015 12:43 pm : link
In comment 12554773 Big Blue '56 said:
Quote:
but a ton of posters thought he sucked because of prior incidents on the field..Everytime we picked up someone, the responses were usually, "cut Meriweather."
Be honest, that has nothing to do with your ability to watch a player and evaluate him but watch that the Giants signed him and blindly believe in him. Based on his previous stint in DC it's impossible to project him as anything other than bad. Don't sit here and tell us how prescient you are and you knew what a player he was, you didn't know a damn thing.
RE: RE: I liked the Meriweather signing as well,  
Big Blue '56 : 10/18/2015 1:29 pm : link
In comment 12556774 Joey in VA said:
Quote:
In comment 12554773 Big Blue '56 said:


Quote:


but a ton of posters thought he sucked because of prior incidents on the field..Everytime we picked up someone, the responses were usually, "cut Meriweather."


Be honest, that has nothing to do with your ability to watch a player and evaluate him but watch that the Giants signed him and blindly believe in him. Based on his previous stint in DC it's impossible to project him as anything other than bad. Don't sit here and tell us how prescient you are and you knew what a player he was, you didn't know a damn thing.


Don't fucking start with me again, ya hear? Doesn't matter what I THOUGHT, what mattered was what the GIANTS THOUGHT and they felt he was good enough to put on the roster and that was, as most always, good enough for me..

They simply know a ton more about the guys they pick up beyond watching them on a flucking TV screen..Just because they have made some lousy decisions through the years, doesn't preclude me from the "wait and see" approach and giving them the benefit of the doubt..

They've earned it..
Jersey55 - no argument from me. Its a problem  
Jimmy Googs : 10/18/2015 2:32 pm : link
that is not easily fixed with scheme over better talent.

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