I say it is FS. We just don't have a proven guy. I believe L. Collins, D. Thompson and N. Behre are all more "in the box" safeties. I believe B. Jackson has the most pure FS talent, to play middle fielder, but he is coming off an ACL and has never played FS for a full season in the NFL.
The next position of weakness is LB. I'm not too happy with Thomas though I'm hopeful with better DL play he shows better.
What position do you think is weakest and most need of upgrade?
For early season, we just have to hope that the DL holds its own. The key to this defense is the DL. It is a veteran group at least and the depth (Owa, Bromley and Wynn) was here last year. I expect we will struggle early.
The good news is that I do truly believe that our offense will be scoring and keeping us in games. We just have to stay healthy through camp on both sides of the ball. The OL and DL tends to play better with continuity so getting through camp without any major dings will be key.
Lastly, I think our special teams will keep us in games too. I love D. Harris and the coverage units plus punting / kicking should be well above average. Lets hope they really excel early in the year to give us an advantage. We just have to win by 1 point every game!
I disagree. Last year's defense was historically bad, and replacing underachieving or oft-injured players was paramount this offseason. While it may take time to gel, the talent level has increased dramatically, and that should pay big dividends down the road. If that's not a "good formula for success," I don't know what is.
We have better players.....like I said before, these guys need time to work together and get their communication skills on the same level, and maybe that hole will shrink....
Meanwhile, we have D. Thompson who has been vocal in the secondary, lining players up in only his first offseason, flying around the field, making plays that has earned his playing time over the other incumbent safeties, all of which have not been able to either show enough to deserve to start, stay healthy enough to start, or a combination of the two. How many games has Jackson even played in so far in his career? They aren't going to take playing time away from someone who has been turning heads this far for someone who, if you take his injuries into consideration, has barely played. Collins and Thompson will start, and we will probably be seeing the duo back there for awhile.
Imp, our biggest question mark is at LB. Ideally, Robinson, Sheppard, and Kennard are the starters. I like the potential of that group, but I'm still unsure. I don't know enough about Sheppard and Robinson to say whether or not they can handle full time starting gigs, and Robinson has had injury issues in his career. Kennard, as we have seen, has great potential, but he too has injury concerns. JT Thomas, Casillas, and Brinkley are adequate backups, but I don't want them starting. If those first 3 I mentioned can stay healthy, it will go a long way towards improving our defense.
This isn't true of Hankins. He's now paying the 3-tech not the 1-tech as Harrison is now playing that spot. Also, Kennard and DRC have no real competition at SAM and LCB so them staying put is a good thing.
We have better players.....like I said before, these guys need time to work together and get their communication skills on the same level, and maybe that hole will shrink....
This year we have likely starting MLB Robinson, who has speed and can cover.
We have S L. Collins moving to SS "in the box" where coverage is more about balls in front of him rather than attempting to trail where he clearly sucked last year as a FS for the middle.
We have CB Jenkins who I believe will play the nickle while Apple take the outside and that will be an improvement over CB Wade, last year's nickle.
You also have to hope the safety play improves. I'm talking returning B. Jackson, rookie D. Thompson and N. Behre all playing roles and improving over what we had last year.
The Defensive Line was upgraded. Our depth should be adequate there as well except for the need for one more DT.
Assuming our CB and S play improve and Robinson brings speed to the middle we'll be much, much better.
lacked for a number of years and will be in position to
make plays on the long ball our Defense can become a
strength .
Thats answering the Question so far so good I wanted the
Clemson Safety because he is a good hitter and Very Fast
I'm optimistic that Darian is a Baller ......
lacked for a number of years and will be in position to
make plays on the long ball our Defense can become a
strength .
Thats answering the Question so far so good I wanted the
Clemson Safety because he is a good hitter and Very Fast
I'm optimistic that Darian is a Baller ......
The only reason I've thought CB / S B. Jackson may be the opening day starter is that he has been on the team 3 years and knows the defense. He is coming off an ACL but if healthy he showed early in camp last year that he has some ability. Now camp news is what it is, the real games are what counts the most and B. Jackson hasn't played a real NFL game at FS.
If the Giants thinking is D. Thompson clearly has the most upside they may live with his early season (possible) learning curve mistakes. We were forced to live with S L. Collins playing sort of "out of position" as a FS mid-fielder last year due to injury. My understanding is that under Spags defense the safeties flip flop anyway meaning there isn't a "cemented" in the box vs mid-fielder each and every snap. Not sure.
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In comment 13037361 SGMen said:
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In comment 13037354 PatersonPlank said:
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He has no excuse now. He has an all-star team back there, with Jenkins, Snacks, Vernon, JPP, Collins, Apple, Hankins, and DRC.
Sure, Spags must come up with superb game plans and I believe he usually does. I'm not too worried about the defensive coaching right now.
I am hoping however that somehow Reese gets a proven veteran FS before July ends. LOL.
All the proven FS's that are going to be available, are the ones who have proven it many years ago. I'm going to have to disagree with you there, I do not want an aging veteran taking snaps away from Thompson or Behre. I'd rather let them sink or swim and see what we have.
But can Thompson truly man center field? Or is he truly an "in the box" type as some scouting has noted? I mean, if a true veteran FS were there (and I doubt very much that will happen) wouldn't you want them to fill our bggest hole and make our defense strong?
S L. Collins plays out of positon last year and it showed. He was horrible against the pass. I don't want to see that again.
Those are some legitimate concerns, especially with Thompson's 'slow' 40 time. I just have a feeling that what's available right now and beyond is going to be the same caliber of guys we picked up last year (Meriweather and Dahl. Yikes!). Those aging vets will still be available if we find out this preseason that Thompson isn't cut out to be a CF type of safety to complement Collins. We shouldn't sleep on Collins though, it looks like his goal is to get his weight down to the 210-215 range (read that somewhere this offseason). What if Collins surprised and showed that he has range to play deep?
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In comment 13037385 David in LA said:
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In comment 13037361 SGMen said:
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In comment 13037354 PatersonPlank said:
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He has no excuse now. He has an all-star team back there, with Jenkins, Snacks, Vernon, JPP, Collins, Apple, Hankins, and DRC.
Sure, Spags must come up with superb game plans and I believe he usually does. I'm not too worried about the defensive coaching right now.
I am hoping however that somehow Reese gets a proven veteran FS before July ends. LOL.
All the proven FS's that are going to be available, are the ones who have proven it many years ago. I'm going to have to disagree with you there, I do not want an aging veteran taking snaps away from Thompson or Behre. I'd rather let them sink or swim and see what we have.
But can Thompson truly man center field? Or is he truly an "in the box" type as some scouting has noted? I mean, if a true veteran FS were there (and I doubt very much that will happen) wouldn't you want them to fill our bggest hole and make our defense strong?
S L. Collins plays out of positon last year and it showed. He was horrible against the pass. I don't want to see that again.
Those are some legitimate concerns, especially with Thompson's 'slow' 40 time. I just have a feeling that what's available right now and beyond is going to be the same caliber of guys we picked up last year (Meriweather and Dahl. Yikes!). Those aging vets will still be available if we find out this preseason that Thompson isn't cut out to be a CF type of safety to complement Collins. We shouldn't sleep on Collins though, it looks like his goal is to get his weight down to the 210-215 range (read that somewhere this offseason). What if Collins surprised and showed that he has range to play deep?
I have noted previously that I really like S N. Behre who is coming back from injury. I would not be shocked at any safety scenario working itself out. We just have really all unknowns outside of Landon Collins.
And maybe Landon Collins is forced to play the same role, but hopefully not. I think Landon would be a demon playing closer to the LOS and stuffing the run, tackling the pass that is shorter range and in front of him. Back pedaling and playing centerfield isn't his strong suit as evidenced by his play last year.
The same could be said of Berhe. It's not like he's flashed skills other than jumping off the trainer's table.
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What has Bennett Jackson done to deserve the starting spot?
The same could be said of Berhe. It's not like he's flashed skills other than jumping off the trainer's table.
You have to hope he and everyone else stays healthy so the coaches can figure out who can do what best. I would not be surprised if we sort of rotated safeties. I believe four safeties are active on game days and all four play, with 2 being the dime / special role guys.
Now, does a lack of "upside talent" force his hand this year and D. Thompson starts? We shall see...
You can't have depth in this era of the cap. Besides you guys want Bob lily and Mean Joe Green backing up the defensive tackles.
Fact is, the depth is pretty sensation given the circumatances.
DE ..odi, Wynn
Dt.. Bromley, FA
CB.. Apple, Wade
LB.. Brinkley, Robinson, Kennard, Cassillas, Thomas, Sheperd (pick your starters )
Safety (see above)
Sure we're going to be hurt if Vernon, Harrison, Hankins, JPP, Cromartie or Janoris are hurt. But once you pay a qb 20 million per year finite resources do not provide enough to have starters on the bench.
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I think you guys are out of touch.
You can't have depth in this era of the cap. Besides you guys want Bob lily and Mean Joe Green backing up the defensive tackles.
Fact is, the depth is pretty sensation given the circumatances.
DE ..odi, Wynn
Dt.. Bromley, FA
CB.. Apple, Wade
LB.. Brinkley, Robinson, Kennard, Cassillas, Thomas, Sheperd (pick your starters )
Safety (see above)
Sure we're going to be hurt if Vernon, Harrison, Hankins, JPP, Cromartie or Janoris are hurt. But once you pay a qb 20 million per year finite resources do not provide enough to have starters on the bench.
Agree, but you need more than two pass rushers for Spags D to really excel (unless the two you have stay healthy and have an unbelievably awesome season)
The wild card is the "blitz" which Spags likes. I do like LB Robinson and his speed/quickness to do some of this. I like S L. Collins to do some "run blitzes" which could lead to sacks.
My crazy wildcard pass rusher is FB / DL Nikita Whitlock. He was a superb pass rusher as I understand it in college, though undersized for a DL. He has now bulked up to 250 and has a year of experience. He flashed some quickness last year as a pass rusher in limited snaps.
I just wonder if this young man, with increased size and little experience, can't come in an surprise as a situational pass rusher, special teamer and backup FB. He has versatility which helps add value and maybe justify a roster spot. We just need to get "lucky" with someone who can help.
If you can't get to the QB consistently in this league you ain't winning consistently. Denver proved in the SB with Miller what pressure can do. We proved in 2007 and 2011 what fine DL play can do: win you the big game. I believe we have pass rush from starters BUT we need backups that can bring heat too. So does Bromley develop this year and replace Snacks as a de facto pass rusher? We have to hope so.
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2 consider is Spagnuolo really does not like starting rookies. no coach does but Spags is staunchly against it if there's another option. look at 08 when KP came in game ready but still sat behind Butler + Mike Johnson even tho he was a 1st round pick and clearly more talented
Very good point about Spags likely not really wanting to start a rookie unless he must. Last year, he had no choice in starting L. Collins. Injuries forced his hand.
Now, does a lack of "upside talent" force his hand this year and D. Thompson starts? We shall see...
Kenny Phillips played in every game as a rookie, splitting time with both Johnson and Butler, and starting three games when Butler got hurt. And if Spags was hesitant to start him from the get-go, it probably had more to do with his confidence in Johnson and Butler - who were, after all, key components of his Super Bowl- winning defense - than a lack of confidence in Phillips. BTW, Butler was third on the team in tackles, Johnson was fourth, and Phillips was sixth. In interceptions, it was three, two, and one, respectively.
I think the Offense will be much improved and it wasn't bad last year.
I think the Offense will be much improved and it wasn't bad last year.
The key areas we need to improve are redzone offense and run game. If we can control the ball for longer each game via a better run game and even a better short pass game we'll go far.
There is also an article today about Manning's efficiency last year with the long ball, 11 TD's and no interceptions, league's best rating. I think we'll see more of that. This OL, even the right side, ain't bad at pass protecting. Look for Eli to go deep more this year.
I think the Offense will be much improved and it wasn't bad last year.
Last year, 20 points or less would have put us in the Top 11, a far cry from where we ended up...at 30. I don't know if we can expect that dramatic a jump this year, but even getting to the middle of the pack would go a long way towards getting us to the playoffs if our offense doesn't take a step back.
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can hold the other teams to 20 points or less this team will win a lot of games and the NFC.
I think the Offense will be much improved and it wasn't bad last year.
Last year, 20 points or less would have put us in the Top 11, a far cry from where we ended up...at 30. I don't know if we can expect that dramatic a jump this year, but even getting to the middle of the pack would go a long way towards getting us to the playoffs if our offense doesn't take a step back.
I truly believe we'll be much improved with our pass rush and that we have 3 DL's that can push the pocket in Vernon, JPP and Hankins. JPP was showing that with surgery he can now grip with his 3 fingers. I believe the man is motivated beyond belief to make up for his miscue July 4th. He'd be a great story if he had 15+ sacks.
I do believe, if we stay and get healthy, that our defense is "middle of the pack" material. The DL should be much better against the run than last year; we should have better depth; and than there is the year #2 of the defense experience factor.
3rd or 4th option as our FS .
If Bennett is healthy and beats out Thompson thats fine
Mykelle hadn't shown jack shit and I think was a bad
pick I don't see him making the roster let alone starting .
Cooper Taylor can't seem to stay on the field we like his
size and speed not sure about his smarts or hands but
is worse came to worse I would rather see DRC at FS only
if injuries pile up then just stick Apple out at the CB
and let you next best guy play the slot .
Maybe its a bit much to ask of DRC but he has all the tools
Collins I think is poised for a big year at SS and if
DT Pans out as the starter and makes play like he did
in school then this D will be upper third or better .
3rd or 4th option as our FS .
If Bennett is healthy and beats out Thompson thats fine
Mykelle hadn't shown jack shit and I think was a bad
pick I don't see him making the roster let alone starting .
Cooper Taylor can't seem to stay on the field we like his
size and speed not sure about his smarts or hands but
is worse came to worse I would rather see DRC at FS only
if injuries pile up then just stick Apple out at the CB
and let you next best guy play the slot .
Maybe its a bit much to ask of DRC but he has all the tools
Collins I think is poised for a big year at SS and if
DT Pans out as the starter and makes play like he did
in school then this D will be upper third or better .
And no way DRC plays FS. He is not a tackler. He is not a good run defend guy as a CB and as a safety he'd be a pure liability.
but that said we should hope Jackson Thompson stay
healthy then the point is mute .
I just remember that when we drafted M Thompson that
it seemed a bit of a reach then add on the injury not
quite sure but he doesn't look to be a big hitter either .
but that said we should hope Jackson Thompson stay
healthy then the point is mute .
I just remember that when we drafted M Thompson that
it seemed a bit of a reach then add on the injury not
quite sure but he doesn't look to be a big hitter either .
This year, we'll have a lot of youthful competition in camp and that is a good thing overall.
But wouldn't it be great if S B. Jackson, N. Behre and M. Thompson all came back from injury and showed in camp that they had starting potential? The deeper you are the better you are as a team.
It is looking like the Giants will start S L. Collins and work with rookie S D. Thompson to be the opening day starters. But I also believe four safeties will be active on game days due to dime defenses and special teams. And all four safeties will play on defense and rotate around a bit.
Last word: look for N. Behre to surprise. He hits like a freight train and is healthy now. He just isn't a center-fielder type safety.
There has been some pub that LB Robinson could be the WLB on opening day with Brinkley at MLB on run downs. I don't know how this will play out but the bottom line is we don't have talent for WLB.