We all know the OL, particularly OT's Flowers & Hart, must step up a LOT this year if Eli & the offense are to enjoy consistent success. This unit is quite possibly our "weakest link" going into the season, and quite frankly I don't think that statement is really debatable.
But the unit that has the potential to mask many an issue and win us many close games is our DL, and not just the starters.
I still think we should have paid DT Hankins the same kind of money he got from the Colts. He is a big over-rated but still solid and only 26 this year. He knew the defensive scheme and I think his best years were ahead of him.
Having said that, I do believe DT D. Tomlinson, though a rookie, will fill in well enough and stuff the run for us. DT Jay Bromley can play some though I don't see him as a true starter based on the last couple of years. Where I think we have potential is DE/DT OWA finally stepping up as a situational interior pass rusher. He has a very quick first step and is now healthy. I think it is critical for him to become a 3rd down pass rush force for us on the inside as neither Tomlinson nor Bromley are pocket pushers.
We should have good pass rush from our starting DE's, JPP and Vernon. They also stop the run very, very well. But I like what I saw from Okwara last year and think he could get some snaps spelling either one of these guys and keeping our DL fresh. I'm not sure if Okwara can possibly try being a 3rd and long INTERIOR pass rusher?
I like that we kept DE Wynn as he is solid against the run, plays specials and knows the defense.
Overall, I think we have the potential of a nice rotation. However, I would NOT be shocked if some veteran DT shook loose after June 1 that we would not try and sign them to shore things up.
If our offense becomes a "move the chains, control the ball more" type offense that can keep the defense fresh, this DL will feast and help our secondary create turnovers. A positive turnover ration is key to our having a winning season and pieces are in place to do that.
Thoughts?
My point here is that if the Giants staff utilizes the offense with a "time of possession, get long drives" type of philosophy (see New England) to help keep the defense rested, this DL should dominate most games.
The keys are how much OWA & Okwara step up (if at all...ya never know) cause you know rotation, depth and positional attackers to gain ground and dominate.
Again, we may miss DT Hankins this year (if D. Tomlinson can't handle it...as a rookie) or we may not (rotation of Tomlinson, Bromley and OWA works well). That is my one big question mark, an unknown.
4-3 teams rely heavily on the DL...and if defenses do not stop the run, nor pressure the QB.....their teams tend to lose.
The Giants can not pay everyone to big buck....signing Hankins could have lead to losing Collins or OBJ.
If we stay relatively healthy, we will be serious contenders
4-3 teams rely heavily on the DL...and if defenses do not stop the run, nor pressure the QB.....their teams tend to lose.
The Giants can not pay everyone to big buck....signing Hankins could have lead to losing Collins or OBJ.
If we stay relatively healthy, we will be serious contenders
Vernon, Tomlinson, Snacks, JPP - start
Wynn, Okwara, OWA - DE backups
Thomas, Bromley - DT backups
Do we carry 10 DL's or 9?
Now we're talking about 3 pro bowlers in the secondary and another 3 on the DL.
That's more than half our starters playing at a pro bowl level.
We've already proven it's not out of the question. Let's hope for a similar result relative to improvement on the OL in 2017.
Quote:
And our defense actually improved.....Thomas is more a hankins replacement then Bromley.
4-3 teams rely heavily on the DL...and if defenses do not stop the run, nor pressure the QB.....their teams tend to lose.
The Giants can not pay everyone to big buck....signing Hankins could have lead to losing Collins or OBJ.
If we stay relatively healthy, we will be serious contenders
Good point about the future and being able to afford everyone. There were a lot of whispers that Hankins was over-rated. I sort of forgot about DT Thomas really, given he was a camp pickup and sort of hasn't had much of a career starting.
Vernon, Tomlinson, Snacks, JPP - start
Wynn, Okwara, OWA - DE backups
Thomas, Bromley - DT backups
Do we carry 10 DL's or 9?
Where is Moss?
They only need one more DE to step up...so OV and JPP do not plaa lot. Of the snaps...create some kind of rotation. We need to stay fresh deep into the playoff😎
They only need one more DE to step up...so OV and JPP do not plaa lot. Of the snaps...create some kind of rotation. We need to stay fresh deep into the playoff😎
Avery Moss is a rookie so again, you just don't know how he'll be year 1. There is often much to learn. But look at UDFA Okwara from last year - who'd have thought he would be able to start? He held his own mostly.
They only need one more DE to step up...so OV and JPP do not plaa lot. Of the snaps...create some kind of rotation. We need to stay fresh deep into the playoff😎
My point wasn't about asking Moss to step right in. The above post gave a list of players that the Giants would keep on the 53 man roster. Whe. I said where is Moss I meant is he cut, on the PS or would he be the 10th DL. I doubt they keep 6 DEs unless they feel one of them could play the 3 tech.
If we had kept Hankins, I think we are better off for 2017 but not sure if beyond would be true given cap and our need to sign many this year and next.
4-3 teams rely heavily on the DL...and if defenses do not stop the run, nor pressure the QB.....their teams tend to lose.
The Giants can not pay everyone to big buck....signing Hankins could have lead to losing Collins or OBJ.
If we stay relatively healthy, we will be serious contenders
Quote:
And our defense actually improved.....Thomas is more a hankins replacement then Bromley.
4-3 teams rely heavily on the DL...and if defenses do not stop the run, nor pressure the QB.....their teams tend to lose.
The Giants can not pay everyone to big buck....signing Hankins could have lead to losing Collins or OBJ.
If we stay relatively healthy, we will be serious contenders
Put little stock in that. You can get away with anything for 3 or 4 games. After that, the opponents have enough film to see the sub's weaknesses and what the team is doing or not doing to cover up for them. Then it's Katie bar the door.
I am really looking forward to hearing about Tomlinson and his progress in the OTA's. It is almost impossible to judge the true talent without real pads and hitting, but we'll at least get a feel for where he is mentally with the game and such.
Maybe Tomlinson can do better in the same role as Hankins played, with Bromley and Thomas for relief, like last year. Tomlinson may even do more as the 3rd down tackle.
Maybe Tomlinson can do better in the same role as Hankins played, with Bromley and Thomas for relief, like last year. Tomlinson may even do more as the 3rd down tackle.
But we really do need DT D. Tomlinson to be the ANSWER cause Bromely and Thomas are stop gap guys, at best.