Certainly many things to consider but the key to me

But I don't disagree with you either.

The ripple effect that a healthier and focused JPP, OV and Harrison have will be huge. Less risk for the LBs because the front four should be capable of pass rush and run stuffing on its own so coverage areas can be compressed and tightened and there won't be so much reliance on exotic anything to get heat. When your front four can do those two things, the LBs are freed up and with our so so talent there it's essential that they are clean to attack and drop into coverage.

We also essentially played with 10 people when Dahl or Meriweather were back there, the difference that any warm body who can run will have on the deep patrol will be huge. Collins will be freed up more and not relied on to play centerfield which SPags really does use a lot. We played a lot of single high when he was here the first time and it allowed our SS to be an extra defender where needed.

If the Giants had an average (versus league leading number again) number of injuries / starts lost by starters, the Giants would have made the playoffs in 2015.

Let's see if the changes at the head coach, assistance coaches (especially training / conditioning) as well as signing / drafting / retaining players with less injuries pan out in 2016.

I agree a stronger pass rush (I can't recall a weaker pass rush, especially prior to JPP's return in all my years watching the Giants) is a defensive key (especially for a Spags defense).

On offense, a second legitimate threat besides Beckham is key (other than obviously Eli's health). That needs to be Shepard, Cruz or Perkins IMHO.

The combination of the two of them, the return of Hankins and acquisition of Harrison inside make this a formidable line. I think the best in the NFCE. The Eagles line of Curry, Cox, Logan, Graham is very good as well but I think only Cox is better man for man.

Injuries are key but that's true for every team in the league. The Giants have has epic injuries going back a half a dozen years. Hopefully, we'll get a break this year.

If he comes back and has a legit contract-year kind of season he will be one of the top stories in the NFL.

the Giants need their elite players to hold up their end of the bargain. They have a lot of solid role players and even if some weren't quite ready last year they should be ready this coming season. It's gonna come down to the big boys. JPP, Vernon, Hank and Snacks and the DBs. The D typically feeds off the guys upfront...the big boys need to get it done.

Is how much improvement Landon Collins makes in terms of pass coverage and ball skills.

Your pass defense is only as good as your weakest link.

Pass-rush and corners won't matter if teams find ways to isolate Collins and attack him in the pass game.

Collins MUST be much better in pass coverage for this defense to be where it needs to be.

The Giants historically and notoriously signed free agents who have played well against them - even when the player's record was mediocre against all other opponents.

I sure hope Vernon is an exception.

I don't care if they overpaid for Vernon, Snacks and the one handed JPP.

30 sacks from all the D-line players would probably get the Giants into the playoffs.

don't really get this comment:

Quote:

What bothers me about the Vernon signing is Ivan15 : 2:34 pm : link : reply The Giants historically and notoriously signed free agents who have played well against them - even when the player's record was mediocre against all other opponents.

There have been relatively few "notorious" FA signings made by the team. The giants have been fairly decent with FA evaluation, getting decent value for mid-tier guys, and avoiding the high profile misses like Hayneswoth, Asamouga, etc.

Health, and health. Those are 1, 2 , and 3. Can't even evaluate a player when a player does not play, nor what a teams potential is. We are at this point lost to what this team is or is not at this point. Injuries lead to this, and a coaching change also, the injuries lead to the coaching change also, or at least contributed.

Is finding that "somebody" who can stop the OPEN WOUND HEMMORHAGE that is the middle of the field ...

Uani Unga, Landon Collins, etc., etc. all tried and FAILED; The Giants tried to fix the problem via the draft (Floyd), but were leap-frogged by the Bears.

Now they brought in Keenan Robinson from the Skins (not sure that's going to work).

The best possible answer, in my mind lies in the good health of at least one of the following three players, coming back heathy from injury - Devon Kennard, Cooper Taylor, JT Thomas

Ivan15 is right. canty was always all world against us and was one of the only players seubert had trouble with. j.t.thomas had the game of his life against us w/the jags, as did keenan robinson last year.

now - vernon terrorized everyone + is clearly a very good player

Anthony Davis must have been a stone cold killer against us.

Has to start out with Injuries . We could live with a few
going down especially where we have little or Depth a Starter on the O-line could be devastating .
Two would be JPP can he make tackles like he use to he has it all as far as Physically and Leadership very Important piece of the puzzle .
Does Cruz make it through the season and puts up the numbers RR as much as he was an enigma he still managed on paper some good stats that need to be replaced .
Sheppard will be good I'm not sure its a total wash but if Cruz has a better than average year we will be Top
5 Offense . Can Spags get the most out of his guys
especially Apple and D.Thompson not only will we be a much better Defense but create a Ton of Turnovers ,
Lastly McAdoo influence and in game management can he get
the most out of everyone . I think were in for a big year
been awhile that I have felt this much anticipation .

Last year it literally hurt watching the Giants defense, it felt like they could not stop anyone or 3rd down. I looked it up. They were dead last, opponents converting at a staggering 47% rate. If I could look it I bet it was even worse in the 4th quarter if I could find those stats and I bet inside of 2 minutes it was dismal. We gave up 4.4 yards per rushing attempt. Yes, we need a pass rush, we also need to stop the run. I do not think there is only one key here. All iknow is if we don't play better on 3rd down this year I am going to need XANAX

In comment 13001281 Manny in CA said:

Quote:

Is finding that "somebody" who can stop the OPEN WOUND HEMMORHAGE that is the middle of the field ... Uani Unga, Landon Collins, etc., etc. all tried and FAILED; The Giants tried to fix the problem via the draft (Floyd), but were leap-frogged by the Bears. Now they brought in Keenan Robinson from the Skins (not sure that's going to work). The best possible answer, in my mind lies in the good health of at least one of the following three players, coming back heathy from injury - Devon Kennard, Cooper Taylor, JT Thomas

Huh? 2 of those may not make the 53.

My point about the ripple effects means

JPP should see less attention that should lead to success.....much like Ayers when JPP returned.

3rd down and middle of field with TE...hopefully a QB running for his life will be less effective....

Especially if there long 3rd downs.

I like that. I hope we get serious ripples at every level of our defense.

There exist no definitive solution to the cover problem - down the middle (then extending to the sidelines); just patches ...

In the close games (and the blow-out vs. the Vikings), we had no solution.

This year, even with all the progress that has been made to bolster the roster, it won't matter because enemy defenses will continue to attack this weakness with gusto.