A Preview of The 2007 New York Giants: Defense
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by Ssj3alucard
Defense: New Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is installing a brand new playbook during training camp similar to the one he learned while learning under Jim Johnson in Philadelphia. It will feature a blitz-heavy look that will be a departure from the hybrid 3-4 look that departed coordinator Tim Lewis used last season.
Defensive Line: The defensive line figures to be solid again. Michael Strahan and Osi Umeniyora form one of the most dangerous pass rushing tandems in the league when healthy. Both are recovering from injuries but expect to return to form this season. Justin Tuck will back up both end positions. The tackle position will be a rotation with several players. Barry Cofield, a steal in last year’s draft, Fred Robbins, and Marcus Bell all figure to be prominently involved.
Linebackers: The Linebackers will again be led by Antonio Pierce. He is quickly making his mark as one of the best in the game and figures to be dominant again this season. Flanking him has been the problem. This season, Mathias Kiwanuka will move from defensive end to outside linebacker. The athletic former first round pick features the nesscesary skill set to make the shift, but will need time to figure the new position out. On the other side, free agent pickup Kavika Mitchell and second year player Gerris Wilkinson will battle in camp for the starting spot. Mitchell is known as one of the better coverage linebackers in the league. Wilkinson’s strength is his natural athletic ability, but he may need more experience before becoming an impact player.
Cornerbacks: The defensive backfield was a point of contention last season as the Giants finished 28th in pass defense. At cornerback, veterans Sam Madison and Corey Webster figure to start. Both looked lost in Tim Lewis’ zone scheme last year, but will be allowed to play more press coverage. Madison played press coverage his entire career in Miami, and Webster excelled in man-to-man coverage at LSU. R.W. McQuarters will compete with first round draft pick Aaron Ross for the nickel spot.
Safeties: Gibril Wilson returns at safety. Wilson has become a fan favorite with his big hits, and nose for the ball. This year, Wilson will be blitzing more and will be allowed to flow to the ball more frequently. At the other safety spot, Will Demps will look to bounce back from a down season which saw him recovering from a broken foot. Demps missed many tackles, and was frequently out of position last season, but did revert to form over the last month of the season.
Kicker: Lawrence Tynes was brought in from Kansas City to compete with Josh Huston for the kicker spot. Huston has the stronger leg, but is unproven in the NFL. Tynes was on the Chiefs last year and struggled with consistency.
Punter: Jeff Feagles will return as the team’s starting punter. He is amongst the best ever to punt in an NFL game. While he lacks leg strength, he can place punts beautifully inside the 20 and is remarkably consistent for age 41. [1]
