Worried about this defense

[Stash]

First off, let me preface any further comments by saying 'Yes!', I am very happy with the win on Sunday night. Tons of positives to be sure.

But having said that, I am very much concerned about this team's defense and their prospects moving forward.

I am wondering if we may not be playing an outdated scheme taught by a coach who the game has passed by?

While the NFL continues to create new and more innovative offenses, we seem to be playing a straight-forward, more-predictable, 'bend-but-don't-break' defense.

A defense most recently carved-up at the college level.

In watching Sunday night's game, I saw a defense and specifically a pass defense, carved up by a one-dimensional pass-only attack.

We had made the Giants completely and utterly one-dimensional, to the extreme of getting their starting running back benched! Complete domination in that area, which is to be applauded by he way.

However, despite facing a one-dimensional attack, we allowed the opponent to pass for 450 yards?

We allowed not one, not two, but three 100 yard receivers?

We allowed Victor Cruz to score not one, not two, but three touchdowns?

The pass defense that I saw this week has me greatly concerned, especially given the quality of quarterbacks we will face this season.

Hopefully, this is a bump in the road and the result of players still learning the system, otherwise, I fear this may not be corrected and we may be looking at a long season full of offensive shoot outs where we would have to hope to out score our opponents of force 5 or more turnovers every week.

As is said, I am very happy with a week one win, but what I saw from this pass defense has me seriously concerned. Hopefully, it's just in my nature to worry.

 

[bayeslife]

Keep in mind the nature of how those yards were gained. On two pass plays, the Giants gained about 130 yards from busted coverage. And in the 4th quarter, Manning picked up free yards off of prevent defense while we were ahead by 3 scores.

This from a defense playing their first regular season game in the 4-3.

And when the game was on the line, they got it done.

 

[Staubacher]

Keep in mind the nature of how those yards were gained. On two pass plays, the Giants gained about 130 yards from busted coverage. And in the 4th quarter, Manning picked up free yards off of prevent defense while we were ahead by 3 scores.

This from a defense playing their first regular season game in the 4-3.

And when the game was on the line, they got it done.

Yup and until that busted coverage right before the half they were absolutely dominant. They also had a first and goal stop as well as the strong finish at the end.

Definitely some things to clean up like the open passes over the middle but arrow pointing up!

 

[Risen Star]

We may be running an outdated scheme with a coach who can no longer handle salt and sugar but I don't think we'll have a quality defense until we get some talent along the DL no matter what scheme or coach.

Our DL depth chart is an embarrassment.

 

[Smith22]

1) The players are still learning this scheme. It will take some time. Most teams wont have the fire power at WR that NYG does.

2) Getting Spencer back should help provide some additional pass rush.

3) They are probably 2 players away (DT/S) from becoming a consistent top 10 type defense.

 

[ctrous25]

Keep in mind the nature of how those yards were gained. On two pass plays, the Giants gained about 130 yards from busted coverage. And in the 4th quarter, Manning picked up free yards off of prevent defense while we were ahead by 3 scores.

This from a defense playing their first regular season game in the 4-3.

And when the game was on the line, they got it done.

that my friend pretty much sums it up. I've heard people talk about that all week long now even the so-called experts but if they knew anything about football then they would realize that in situations that we were and being up three scores you play that prevent defense and also the blown coverage in the first half with cruz.. which I realize need to new addressed but can be easily fixed IMO

 

[Smith22]

My concern is the teams refusal to add another corner. If Mo gets injured during the game, we are down to 3 corners and no bench. I know we have someone on the practice squad, but that won't help much if we suffer 2 injuries at DB during a real game.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Until the linebackers quit biting hard on play-action and drop into their zones faster, the middle of the field will be wide-open like it was on the 57 yarder to Nicks... and several subsequent plays.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It's not the scheme, the defensive line or the lack of extra corners on the roster...

Eliminate the communication problems and get the linebackers to drop properly into their zones and a lot of this pass defense stuff will be fixed.

 

[Smith22]

It's not the scheme, the defensive line or the lack of extra corners on the roster...

Eliminate the communication problems and get the linebackers to drop properly into their zones and a lot of this pass defense stuff will be fixed.

Playing ONE game in transitioning from a 3-4 to a 4-3 cover 2 had no impact? I'm sure it contributed to the lack of communication. I would say team chemistry is probably not there either considering how many starters on defense were hurt last year. 6 or 7 quarters of preseason football won't fix that.

Missing Ratliff and Spencer had no impact? The guys we replaced them with were basically street free agents. Yes, they did do a good job, but Spencer and Ratliff would clearly be harder for offenses to handle.

 

[Vintage]

if only we had an exotic, multi front, new age defense like Green Bay

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Playing ONE game in transitioning from a 3-4 to a 4-3 cover 2 had no impact? I'm sure it contributed to the lack of communication. I would say team chemistry is probably not there either considering how many starters on defense were hurt last year. 6 or 7 quarters of preseason football won't fix that.

Missing Ratliff and Spencer had no impact? The guys we replaced them with were basically street free agents. Yes, they did do a good job, but Spencer and Ratliff would clearly be harder for offenses to handle.

I think I mentioned miscommunication... without delving into the reason for the miscommunication.

The problem wasn't the pass rush. A pass rush can always be better but it wasn't a pass rush problem that the middle of the field was left open repeatedly.

Miscommunication, not being use to the scheme and young linebackers are all good reasons.

 

[Rockport]

The defense's performance was a direct result of ignoring accumalting talent in the trenches. We'll have to outscore most teams to win. Any injuries along the OL will hurt us badly.

 

[TonyS]

I was happy with the way the D played as the field became shorter for the Giants closer to our end zone. I was not happy with the way our secondary is still lining up 20-30 yards off the line at the snap. I realize we are playing zone and trying to keep everything in front of us, but I still see too much of this opening up not only the short-medium range passes over the middle, but also medium-long range passes. This is a coaching issue IMO.

 

[conner01]

the fact this style of defernse was carved up at the college level means nothing, it's not only about a scheme but also about the talent you have.
lots of defenses, many coached by guys who people seem to think are very good were carved up last weekend. the 49ers are considered one of the best defenses in the league and they were carved up too, as vintage pointed out the packers were carved up too
we will have some breakdowns till we get more guys healthy and more time in the system. but one game really tells you nothing.

 

[Future]

The defense's performance was a direct result of ignoring accumalting talent in the trenches. We'll have to outscore most teams to win. Any injuries along the OL will hurt us badly.

I thought that talent in the trenches looked pretty good when the Giants had first and goal at the 2 and failed to score a TD.

Once Spencer gets healthy, I really like our front to be honest. Hatcher looks outstanding, Hayden looked strong and Selvie seems like a good rotational guy..

 

[sbark]

It's not the scheme, the defensive line or the lack of extra corners on the roster...

Eliminate the communication problems and get the linebackers to drop properly into their zones and a lot of this pass defense stuff will be fixed.

Agree........look at what the Giants were able to do ---remember they as a base defense also run the Tampa 2--cover 2...........They were able to double, and even drop a LB into pass defense to take away Dez and yet still cover well enough to force Romo to checkdown repeatedly.

If you liked the Giants Defense.......you'll like Kiffen's Tampa 2 when the kinks get worked out and some pieces on the DLine get back.

 

[Frozen700]

if only we had an exotic, multi front, new age defense like Green Bay

lol exactly.

I guess the Seahawks are outdated as well.

 

[Doomsday101]

First off, let me preface any further comments by saying 'Yes!', I am very happy with the win on Sunday night. Tons of positives to be sure.

But having said that, I am very much concerned about this team's defense and their prospects moving forward.

I am wondering if we may not be playing an outdated scheme taught by a coach who the game has passed by?

While the NFL continues to create new and more innovative offenses, we seem to be playing a straight-forward, more-predictable, 'bend-but-don't-break' defense.

A defense most recently carved-up at the college level.

In watching Sunday night's game, I saw a defense and specifically a pass defense, carved up by a one-dimensional pass-only attack.

We had made the Giants completely and utterly one-dimensional, to the extreme of getting their starting running back benched! Complete domination in that area, which is to be applauded by he way.

However, despite facing a one-dimensional attack, we allowed the opponent to pass for 450 yards?

We allowed not one, not two, but three 100 yard receivers?

We allowed Victor Cruz to score not one, not two, but three touchdowns?

The pass defense that I saw this week has me greatly concerned, especially given the quality of quarterbacks we will face this season.

Hopefully, this is a bump in the road and the result of players still learning the system, otherwise, I fear this may not be corrected and we may be looking at a long season full of offensive shoot outs where we would have to hope to out score our opponents of force 5 or more turnovers every week.

As is said, I am very happy with a week one win, but what I saw from this pass defense has me seriously concerned. Hopefully, it's just in my nature to worry.

Dallas has put numbers up like that as well when having to play from behind. Tampa 2 is not a shut down defense as one coach described it, the defense will force teams to go 10, 11 plays with the mindset they will create a turnover over the course of those 10, 11 plays. Now Dallas did give up some big gainers something they need to clean up, it is one thing giving up a 5 yard catch and another allowing the big gains after the catch, in a zone we need someone there to make the hit after the catch. This defense is not outdated and is used by other defenses it has worked with Rod Marinelli and Chicago as recently as last season

 

[bigdnlaca]

I would be worried if they gave up that many yards against a team like the Jags or the Raiders.

In this case, we are talking about a team that has a veteran qb that can make plays and a starting wr tandem that is one of the best in the league imo. They would of probably had close to the same stats against most defenses in this league.