I honestly think that the Giants have reached the extent one can scheme a pass rush without a strong presence at edge rusher. Leonard Williams is good as an interior rusher, but he’s only one guy, and if he’s neutralized, the defense can’t get after the quarterback. The defense can’t get pressure on the quarterback, the WRs have more time to get open from the DBs, positive play for the opposing team. I’ll admit to feeling embarrassed watching the Giants’ three-game skid in December, Graham having the DL play contain, and the quarterback having all day to throw.
Right now, the Giants have Lorenzo Carter (coming off Achilles injury and didn’t impress me before then), Oshane Ximines (coming off shoulder surgery, same story), Kyler Fackrell, Jabaal Sheard, Niko Lalos, Cam Brown, and Carter Coughlin, who combined for less than ten sacks (including 1.5 by Markus Golden who is no longer with the team). Are we satisfied with the guys we have now, or should the Giants pursue a better edge rusher in FA or the draft?
Easier to find a great corner....which could offer same results
While I certainly wouldn’t mind a premium Edge Rusher via the draft, I wouldn’t go nuts if we didn’t
WR, pass rush and bolstering the OL and secondary would be my biggest needs this offseason. Bonus if they can get a reliable TE to replace Engram, I'd rather have someone that can catch an NFL pass consistently.
But Giants would have a better Defense if they could rush 4 and get quicker pressure from the edge. Today they can’t.
Here is what must happen:
1. Purge the players that don't fit regardless of "cap implications" since the cap ain't going up. Just eat the damage this year. As for Solder, much depends upon when they speak to him and see his desire and know he is healthy enough to play swing. It makes no sense to cut him to save money NOW when you need a swing tackle. We save big cutting him in 2022 season end.
2. Sign that key UFA. And that may be a WR.
3. Draft Well.
4. Resign L. Williams and D. Tomlinson as you should always keep your own UNLESS they are offered ridiculous outside money that we should NOT MATCH. You could actually get a #3 for both of these guys.
I really think Gregory Rousseau is the guy at 11 if hes there. A Chandler Jones-type ER. hes got some of the same flags JPP had coming put which may push him perfectly to our range. JMO.
I do believe that we Absolutely need more weapons on offense to make it work.
Seeing that D was a strength and the O was a major problem almost all year. I would say the best course of action would be to invest heavily in O weapons and supplement the D with vet minimal types like we did with Fackrell.
That also seemed to be the Belichick way of doing thing. He would figure out what was there biggest weakness. Invest in said weakness then supplement the minor weaknesses with Vets and cast offs.
We kinda did it with Pettis. He had a good game last week. Now let's see if the change will be good for both of them.
Patriots, Rams, and Titans have all built to this spec and fared well enough. The key to the 3-4 base is it's easier to find bodies to fit and be multiple, whereas 4-3 base needs better athletes, more speed, and then you really need the Edge talent to be the motor. You have to be proficient in creating a pipeline for the DL and backend, in order to control the contract costs.
Not seeing a ton of answers at #11 in the draft either, unless they love Rousseau. UFA options have not been worth the coin in recent years either.
Sound drafting means at it's core not forcing picks, whether that be at edge rusher, WR, or what have you. Get impact players. This is a roster that quite frankly can still use upgrading in most all areas.
Patriots, Rams, and Titans have all built to this spec and fared well enough. The key to the 3-4 base is it's easier to find bodies to fit and be multiple, whereas 4-3 base needs better athletes, more speed, and then you really need the Edge talent to be the motor. You have to be proficient in creating a pipeline for the DL and backend, in order to control the contract costs.
Not seeing a ton of answers at #11 in the draft either, unless they love Rousseau. UFA options have not been worth the coin in recent years either.
You can't rush the passer with just three guys, especially if they're slow and can't keep pace. Playing contain doesn't work because the quarterback has enough time to throw. It's why the Giants had George Martin as a nickel rusher on the DL and Lawrence Taylor as a rushbacker.
Not to say that we don't need an ER, but it may not be the priority many think it is.
To me, it's all about difference makers. We have ditch diggers. We have role players. We even have a nice crop of good starting players. But really, other than Williams/Lawrence and Bradbury we are short on star power.
I was going to start a thread going over the list of potential stars that could be had in the trade market. The Giants need to make a list and call those teams. If a stud is disgruntled and can be had, Giants need to make the call.
A stud Edge Rusher would improve this team a lot. That's the bottom line. It helps close games.
A stud Edge Rusher would improve this team a lot. That's the bottom line. It helps close games.
yep