Giants Defense: A Defense

But they need to create more turnovers....especially in the Eagle game...

1 fumble and zero interceptions, just does not cut it....and just 4 sacks thus far.....

they have not been dominant.

They have played like a top 10 defense but unfortunately we needed them to be a top 3 defense and basically steal a game. Has not happened so far.

The defense hasn't been good enough. But Spags will get these guys tightened up. Not worried about the D yet.

of 3 second half points allowed ...that is pretty good.

turnovers and sacks, but another factor playing against them would be the game flow. Our offenses inability to score points is making the 2nd half of these games essentially kill the clock mode for our opposition.

Stafford passed the ball 4 times in the second half of the game. He went 3-4 for 15 yards. Dinking and dunking as to not turn it over. The 3rd and 4th quarter was essentially milking the clock time for Detroit. When it's 95% run, we're basically playing for a player to fumble, when that's their only task while running, protecting the ball.

Dallas ran 28 second half plays:
2 punts
1 field goal (started this possession at their own 48)
11 passes (7-11, 5 of these were completions of 10 yards and fewer)
14 runs

Our offense is putting the D in a situation where teams aren't even throwing the ball a lot since when it gets to the 2nd half, all they have to do is milk the clock. Turning the ball over to us would essentially be the only way of us getting back into these first two games. Even Dallas' two long second half plays were essentially check downs that grew to long gains (Zeke wheel route, and Dez slant).

our defense isn't exactly putting the offense in a position to succeed with its league worst starting field position. The inability of the D to force a 3 and out also makes it more difficult for the offense to get in a rhythm.

This was a D talked about as a top 3 D in the league and compared to the 86/90 Ds. While they've been 'good', they too have fallen short of expectations so far.

In comment 13609322 giants#1 said:

Quote:

our defense isn't exactly putting the offense in a position to succeed with its league worst starting field position. The inability of the D to force a 3 and out also makes it more difficult for the offense to get in a rhythm. This was a D talked about as a top 3 D in the league and compared to the 86/90 Ds. While they've been 'good', they too have fallen short of expectations so far.

While I agree with that premise, I think it more so works the other way. Our D is starting it's defense at the 34 yard line. Let's say they give up 15 yards and force a punt, you have the opposition punting from midfield essentially. The defense did it's job yet the offenses starting field position would be inside the 10, it would all point back to the offenses inability to even flip the field position. The first half against Dallas was an exercise in complete ineptitude by the offense to even total 20 yards.

Looking at some of the overall drives in the two games:
Dallas
8 plays, 33 yards- PUNT
9 plays, 51 yards- FG (Dallas started at their own 46)
14 plays, 41 yards- FG
6 plays, 35 yards- PUNT
6 plays, 65 yards- TD
7 plays, 51 yards- FG
5 plays, 40 yards- PUNT
9 plays, 38 yards- PUNT
11 plays, 34 yards- FG (Dallas started at own 48)

Detroit:
5 for 25- PUNT
9 for 54- TD (Detroit started at own 46)
6 for 9- FUMBLE
5 for 29- TD (started at our 29 after INT)
3 for -6- PUNT
6 for 37- FG
3 for 1- PUNT
8 for 22 PUNT
3 for 4 PUNT
9 for 47- TURNOVER ON DOWNS

65 is the longest TD drive we've given up, from 2 of the more efficient offenses in the league from last year. This has always been a bend don't break D once it gets in the red zone, and we're still doing that. Yes, a knock would be too many longer drives, and not getting off the field on 3rd downs, but for the most part, everything has been kept in front of us.

In comment 13609192 NYBEN1963 said:

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of 3 second half points allowed ...that is pretty good.

Certainly one of those stats that are skewed by the circumstances.

my defense of them might be a bit strong. We've played 2 of the better offenses from last year, and one game without our shutdown CB and starting MLB. I think Vernon and JPP look better than they have at any point last year (with the exception of JPP vs Cleveland last year...but that's Cleveland), and Collins has been Collins. They just haven't had many opportunities to take over the game with the position they're mostly put in. They're not Denver, but I think they are up there.

In comment 13609355 ManningLobsItBurressAlone said:

Quote:

In comment 13609322 giants#1 said: Quote: our defense isn't exactly putting the offense in a position to succeed with its league worst starting field position. The inability of the D to force a 3 and out also makes it more difficult for the offense to get in a rhythm. This was a D talked about as a top 3 D in the league and compared to the 86/90 Ds. While they've been 'good', they too have fallen short of expectations so far. While I agree with that premise, I think it more so works the other way. Our D is starting it's defense at the 34 yard line. Let's say they give up 15 yards and force a punt, you have the opposition punting from midfield essentially. The defense did it's job yet the offenses starting field position would be inside the 10, it would all point back to the offenses inability to even flip the field position. The first half against Dallas was an exercise in complete ineptitude by the offense to even total 20 yards. Looking at some of the overall drives in the two games: Dallas 8 plays, 33 yards- PUNT 9 plays, 51 yards- FG (Dallas started at their own 46) 14 plays, 41 yards- FG 6 plays, 35 yards- PUNT 6 plays, 65 yards- TD 7 plays, 51 yards- FG 5 plays, 40 yards- PUNT 9 plays, 38 yards- PUNT 11 plays, 34 yards- FG (Dallas started at own 48) Detroit: 5 for 25- PUNT 9 for 54- TD (Detroit started at own 46) 6 for 9- FUMBLE 5 for 29- TD (started at our 29 after INT) 3 for -6- PUNT 6 for 37- FG 3 for 1- PUNT 8 for 22 PUNT 3 for 4 PUNT 9 for 47- TURNOVER ON DOWNS 65 is the longest TD drive we've given up, from 2 of the more efficient offenses in the league from last year. This has always been a bend don't break D once it gets in the red zone, and we're still doing that. Yes, a knock would be too many longer drives, and not getting off the field on 3rd downs, but for the most part, everything has been kept in front of us.

Dallas and Detroit started with the ball in both games. Both times within the 25, so better than a TB. And in both games the D let the drive down the field with multiple first downs and pin the Giants offense deep (Giants started at the 6 and 16). An 'elite' defense needs to set a better tone off the bat than that. And being pinned inside your own 20 and especially within your own 10 further restricts your playcalling options.

In comment 13609362 ManningLobsItBurressAlone said:

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my defense of them might be a bit strong. We've played 2 of the better offenses from last year, and one game without our shutdown CB and starting MLB. I think Vernon and JPP look better than they have at any point last year (with the exception of JPP vs Cleveland last year...but that's Cleveland), and Collins has been Collins. They just haven't had many opportunities to take over the game with the position they're mostly put in. They're not Denver, but I think they are up there.

I like Vernon, but he was dominated by Smith. He did bounce back with a strong game against Robinson. One of the big reasons for success against Dallas last year was Vernon outplaying Smith.

If we had a normal offense this D would have the field position, and rest, to really tee off.

As that great football coach McAdoo says (all the time), complimentary football!