New York Giants Preview: The Defense
One Mean Defensive Line Regains One Mean Umenyiora
Jun 11, 2009
Osi Umenyiora’s knee is feeling strong after surgery sidelined him for the entire 2008 season. So strong in fact that the Giants are cautiously letting him fully participate in OTA practices. Reuniting his superior explosiveness with the likes of Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck will keep many an opposing quarterback up at night.
Try hard role player Dave Tollefson will compete with last year’s sixth round pick, Robert Henderson, and some undrafted rookies for the privilege to back up the best defensive end trio in the league. That title hinges on Umenyiora’s health, though, because without him the defensive end depth will suffer greatly.
Canty and Bernard Add Mammoth Depth
Last year’s defensive tackle starters, Barry Coefield and Fred Robbins, wore down late in the year, contributing to the team’s one and done playoff appearance. Reinforcements have been found. Veterans Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard will combine with Coefield and Robbins, who are both recovering from offseason knee surgery, to make sure the defensive tackle position is not a liability again.
Jay Alford and a host of others will battle it out in training camp to make this tight roster. A quick glance at the reconstructed defensive tackle position should make Giants’ fans feel secure about General Manager Jerry Reese’s desire to get his team back to the Super Bowl.
Antonio Pierce: Ripped and Ready
Antonio Pierce is the key to the linebacking crew. Reports out of New York have indicated that Pierce is in the best shape of his life, a great sign indicating that he is primed for another Pro Bowl level year.
Solid but unspectacular veterans Danny Clark and Michael Boley join Pierce in the starting unit. The true wildcard is rookie Clint Sintim, who should find himself adapting to the NFL level by using his potentially potent pass rush skills in the team’s subpackages. Chase Blackburn and Bryan Kehl head up the solid competition hoping to secure the remaining linebacker spots.
Playmaker Needed: Phillips Up for the Challenge
Aaron Ross and Corey Webster form a solid pair of starting cornerbacks. Kevin Dockery and promising second-year pro Terrell Thomas are expected to be the primary depth and subpackage contributors. While rookies Stoney Woodson and DeAndre Wright lead the young group of corners competing for the one or two remaining openings.
Kenny Phillips could be primed for a breakout season where he becomes the secondary’s top playmaker. Former seventh round draft pick Michael Johnson has beaten the odds and proven that he can be a reliable NFL safety. The newly acquired C.C. Brown will have something to say about Johnson’s playing time, however.
Breaking Down the New York Giants Defense
The secondary looks solid, as does the core of linebackers. But it’s the Giants’ elite defensive line that will make both of those units perform even better.
Last year’s acclaimed defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo left in order to take the open head coaching gig in St. Louis. The team kept their defensive coordinator search mostly in-house, culminating in the hire of former linebackers coach Bill Sheridan, who will continue to employee the aggressive 4-3 approach that the team has become accustomed to. It will be fascinating to find out just how important Spagnuolo was to the defense’s success, because it will be the defense that ultimately makes or breaks the Giants in 2009.
A ball control offense is needed in support, though. Read about the New York Giants Offense.
