Loading ...One thing has been apparent as the New York Giants have meandered to a 3-2 record: the defensive line is not what we're used to seeing from Big Blue in recent years. Chris Canty returning from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list in a couple weeks should be a boost, but the Giants sure need some help on the outside as the pass rush and run containment just haven't been there, leaving Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora scratching their heads.
And for our money, Mathias Kiwanuka is our best bet for helping the defensive line reassert its ability to control a game.
Before we talk about Kiwanuka, let's point out that the only five NFL teams have less sacks than the New York Giants. And that's only half the problem: Demarco Murray ran for 131, LeSean McCoy for 123, and both DeAngelo Williams (4.5 yards per carry) and Trent Richardson (67 yards and a touchdown in the first half) were gashing the Giants up until their teams fell behind and had to throw the ball.
But really, we don't think anyone who has watched the Giants through five games will even try to dispute that the line hasn't been itself. Gumble seemed surprised at the line's lack of pressure last week, but Collinsworth (who apparently does his homework a little better) solemnly admitted two weeks ago that this unit just may not be what it once was.
So, in steps Kiwanuka. He's physical enough to set the edge with an offensive tackle in his face and as quicker than most guys his size when he has to beat a running back to the outside.
Firstly, he puts a fourth healthy body in the defensive end rotation; Tuck does not appear in any position to be playing the amount of snaps he's been seeing. Secondly, he allows Umenyiora to shift into a more pass rush focused role, where he thrives; we've seen too many running backs (and quarterbacks for that matter) use Umenyiora's upfield move against him to run for big games…and Tuck has failed to seal his edge off a handful of times himself.
The kicker: the Giants have PLENTY of talent to fill in at linebacker when Kiwanuka puts his hand in the ground.
If/when Keith Rivers is healthy this seems like a no-brainer to us. But in the meantime, we like seeing young Jacquian Williams on the field and, crazy as it may sound to some of you, Spencer Paysinger looked pretty good in short yardage situations last week (a situation where Kiwanuka also thrives as a DE).
Look, we (read: me) wrote about Kiwanuka playing DE way back in the preseason and he popped into our mind when our Monday Morning Hangover didn't contain much revelry in the prior day's win and instead was filled with worry about the defensive performances that have seen guys like Brandon Weeden and Josh Freeman have enough time in the pocket to chew our defense up.
There's plenty of time for this season and the team to evolve, but five weeks is a big enough sample size for us to know that there IS a problem that needs fixing. Canty might be one solution, but there's no difference makers at defensive end you can bring in off the street at this point.
Good thing the Giants have one playing linebacker.
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The first prescription is to have Canty and Benard return. As well as Rivers. Then let them play as a full unit for a few weeks. If there are still the same struggles then the bye week would be a good week to look at this type of change.
Kiwi Canty Linval Jpp
Boley Herz Rivers
Prince Hosley Web
Phillips Rolle
Just what the doctor ordered
in about 6 weeks
the trick is to get there at or about 7-4/6-5
Repost
GOAT56 says:
October 10, 2012 at 1:32 PM
kinsho,
I’m not pretending. Look you obviously think SF is great. I don’t, it’s really that simple. Yes, they beat 2 teams playing badly, very decisively. I’m not as impressed as you were. If want to really look it they haven’t beat a good team yet. If I’m overrating Philly then you are certainly overrating GB, Det, NYJ and Buf. There’s not a 500 team in the bunch. The only good team they played, they lost to in Minn. I see this game as 2 very good teams playing each other that need to prove they can beat other good teams. Nothing we should be in awe of or need some perfect game to win. They are simply another good opponent like Philly was.
http://overpixelated.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/picard-facepalm2.jpg?w=450&h=302
You argue that SF hasn’t beaten a 500 team without even noting that WE HAVEN’T BEATEN A 500 TEAM EITHER.
As I said, I’m a realistic fan. You’re being a hardcore homer at this point. Do we have a shot at winning? Of course. Are we the favorites? No.
FYI, Green Bay is a good team that should be over 500 were it not for the replacement refs.
I’m well aware that we haven’t beat anyone of note yet. My point was neither has SF. Doesn’t that make both teams similar?
I said this was like the Philly game maybe you don’t realize that we were the underdogs then as well. I never said we should be the favorites but much like the Philly game this is an even game going in. That’s my point. Think about if you said we had a “shot at winning” against Philly. Sounds as silly to as this game.
FYI GB got a tough call. Many teams have gotten tough calls. there were several tough calls against Sea that gave GB the go ahead TD. GB could have easily lost to NO as well. There’s always an excuse for GB. The truth is they are just an another team right now.
Look you can go ahead and be the scared fan that believes everything they say on ESPN. I will be here gloating if we win and pissed if we lose. With a healthy Eli there is no team we should lose to any week. Of course there are tougher match ups like @Philly, SF and Pitt but we are at a level that we should expect to win every week.
So question if you were a NE fan would you think you “have a shot to win”? Or would you go expecting to win but knowing it will be a tough battle?
You seriously can’t bear losing this argument, can you? Just bad argument after bad argument with you.
1. The teams that the Giants have beaten have a combined record of 2-12. The teams that the 49ers have beaten have a combined record of 7-12. So no, both teams aren’t similar.
2. GB got more than a tough call. It was the call that ended the referee debacle. There’s a big difference between a tough call and a game-winning call.
3. The 49ers aren’t the Eagles. Repeat after me. THE 49ERS AREN’T THE EAGLES.
And to answer your last question, I’d rather be a realistic fan than a delusional one.
With that said, we CAN still beat the 49ers. I never said we don’t stand a chance against them. I said the 49ers are the favorites. Giants are underdogs here. Man up and accept it.
1. We’ve played worse teams than the bad teams the 49ers have played. Is that even an argument worth having?
2. That screwjob was rough, but it was NOT “the call that ended the referee debacle.” Progress had already been made prior to that call, and sure, that probably was the last straw, from a PR perspective. But let’s be real–teams get shafted all the time, whether it’s by the refs or by coaching mistakes or player mistakes.
3. The 49ers are closer to Philly then they are to Dallas. Both play tough, physical defense led by a top notch front 7 and a pretty good back 4. Sure, the 49ers are better at this defensive approach, but they’re commensurate in makeup. Their offense, on the other hand, isn’t NEARLY as threatening or scary as Philly’s, ineptitude and turnovers notwithstanding. Between Vick, Lesean and D-Jax, that is the absolute FASTEST offense in the business, probably ever. They’re playing sh*t football right now, but let’s not make them out to be a dumpster fire.
4. What are you pansies even arguing about in the first place?
Also, seeing Bradshaw explode makes me think patience. Bradshaw much like Tuck, Osi and Webster was clearly struggling. All these players are proven performers and the player with the least track record is Bradshaw. So I think we need to give our proven vets at least half the season and more likely until the bye before we consider anything drastic like switch Kiwi’s position. Like several of us have stated mixing Tracy in for 10-15 snaps is something that could be done right now.
This can’t hurt to try, especilly with the limited number of snaps Kiwi is playing. Something has to change. Tollefson used to get several snaps per game even with the Big (small ) 3 playing well. We haven’t seen anyone used in the Tolly roll yet this year……I few snaps at DE for Kiwi sure isn’t going to hurt anything the way the other 3 are playing….
Good article. I’d argue that Kiwanuka, Tracy and Ojomo need to see more snaps at defensive end. Not only are they full of energy and talented, but the two old stalwarts (Osi and Tuck) can also get some much-needed rest.
That is a good move only if Kiwi’s not lost any size and strength. Kiwi was only about 260 in the first place. However, the bottom line is someone needs to share snaps with Tuck. He’s just not able to shoulder the load. Tracy would do just fine IMHO. And a combination of Tracy and Kiwi would work.
All that provided Rivers is ready to go. If Rivers is not ready, then for God’s sake give Tracy some play. What in the hell could it hurt? He could show up like Randal did Sunday. The kid needs to play if he’s healthy enough to do so. And Coughlin needs to have a heart to heart with Tuck.
Blackburn will again not be able to keep up with the Frisco running backs out of the backfield and over the middle. Much less covering WR’s on fly patterns………WTF was that anyway?
As for the Giants chances vs. San Fran:
Notice the Giants have only beaten scrub teams. Even thought Philly and Dulla$$ have been rightfully disparaged, they do possess pass rush and wide receiver talent. And of course they can run the football. The Giants could not beat them and as I said last week THEY SUCK.
You cannot have it both ways. You can’t dismiss either Dallas or Philly as being bad but talented. Because either way they beat the Giants. And they beat the Giants where the Giants are weak:
Pass Rush (Sad but true no real pressure so far this season)
Run Defense (Not against good teams)
Run Blocking (Don’t even try to say Cleveland defends the run like 49ers do)
Pass Protection (Eli was pressured in every loss so far)
The 9ers will be a much better rounded opponent than any the Giants have faced thus far.
The good news is the Giants are by far better than anyone the 9er’s have beat. The Vikings kicked their a$$ because the shoved the football down their throats. But the Vikes have the beefy O-line to do that to San Fran. The Giants quite frankly do not.
Quite simply the Giants had better excel in running the ball, defending the run rushing the passer and protection. If they do not show up in those areas, they will be destroyed. And no one will be surprised…..right?
Fact, the Giants have the talent (been there done that) to take out Frisco and many other top flight teams. But between the injuries, line backing, run game and lack of signature pass rush prowess, the team is basically meat for upper echelon ball clubs. Let’s see what they do………………….
Our offensive line has definitely kicked it up a notch, even against Philly. Will Beatty single-handedly kept up with Trent Cole.
It’s the defensive line that needs to kick it into gear for us to win this matchup. Giving Alex Smith enough time in the pocket is not good. If guys like Josh Freeman and Brandon Weeden can score multiple touchdowns on our defense whenever they have a clean pocket, a middle-tier quarterback like Alex Smith can do so as well.
If there’s no pass rush, I’d say our chances are highly slim.
The Whiners have fattened up on two teams that were down … way down. And they padded the scores with late TDs too.
I’m not saying this isn’t a tough game … but it’s not some wonder team we’re facing. They can be had. And the performance pressure is definitely on them.
The game can be won by us. But the Giants will have to perform better. Our defense will have to step up. Period.
Demo-
Saw your post on the last thread and it’s no surprise about the odds of the Giants on the road vs. home.
Anyway wanted to comment what you heard from King and Patrick on the radio. To me, these to guys were blatantly lied to by whatever executive in San Diego they spoke with. Accorsi tells a much different story of it either in his book or Ralph V’s book “the making of a qb”. As I remember it, EA was close with Marty, he had coached for him in Cleveland. EA called Marty to ask about AJ Smith and his response was something like “I’ve spoken to him maybe twice in the last 6 months.” The way it was told was that AJ hated Marty, and that AJ was a stubborn SOB. Jay Glazer has mentioned this as well. In fact the Eli deal was probably not going to get done because AJ was not returning EA’s calls and was really not willing to negotiate. EA was actually tipped off by a writer that Smith was going to take Eli then call the Giants.
Anyway the point is, Smith is notoriously stubborn. He does not bend for anyone. See Vincent Jackson holdout. And from everything I’ve read he is 100% in charge of all roster decisions. And it’s telling that he hired Norv Turner as his coach, a guy who I imagine has no desire to be a part of the grocery shopping.
So there is no way I can believe that all powerful AJ Smith, is going to let a coach, who he doesn’t even speak to, make the final call on a franchise QB. Especially when he disagrees with the pick. This just seems like AJ taking a shot at Marty, who by the way was a much better coach than people gave him credit for. I can’t imagine any guy having worse luck in the playoffs through out his entire career.
And bad job by Peter King for reporting something with out checking all the facts first. Because theres stuff in print that contradicts this report.
Tom Rock ?@TomRock_Newsday
JPP on Coughlin stressing underdog role in meeting: “I don’t know, I wasn’t paying attention. Honest … It was morning time. Who knows?”
The ****? I wonder….is it just JPP that’s not listening or are other players not listening either?