New York Giants Defense: In the Booth

Booth or not to booth…that is the question.  Being a sports fan or if you were fortunate to be athletically inclined you might find yourself over time asking yourself if chemistry is over rated?   Could I have played next to that guy I couldn’t stand to be around but still function as a well oiled machine. 

If I execute and take care of my assignment and he does the same, does it matter that we go our separate ways after the game?  Does it matter that we don’t pump each other up before kick off or tap each other on the helmet after a great play? 

Yes, it does matter.  Chemistry is the fine line between success and failure…the fine line between the championship game and winning the Super Bowl.  So why do so many people over look chemistry?  And if successful teams and successful players have chemistry with one another…why can’t players have chemistry with their coaches?

Last month the NY Giants new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan announced to the world he won’t be changing much…except for the fact that he will be calling the game from booth!  Is this what he considers not changing much? 

Why would he want to separate himself from his players during the heat of battle…especially after watching Steve Spagnuolo ‘s recent success over the past two years.  Being on the sidelines with your players is a vital part of a team’ success and continued growth within that unit. 

This closeness and willingness to be a part of what takes place on the field instead of a disconnected bystander will help grow the trust and bond between the player and coach.  This trust allows the player to be more emotionally invested in the success of the scheme. This so called “investment” increases the percentage of success.

Look back at the Defensive Coordinators in the last 25 years that have had success from the sidelines for the NY Giants.  Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, John Fox, Steve Spagnuolo all coached from the sidelines…and they are all winners.

These hands on coaches were a vital part of winning games on Sundays.  How many times over the years could you find a great Defensive Coordinator  on his knees with a white board drawing up plays, making adjustments, motivating their players and listening to direct  input from the big guys up front.

Looking back over the years... Mike Nolan, Johnny Lynn, and Tim Lewis all called the game from the booth.  They were disconnected from the warriors on the field and lacked the chemistry needed to be winners in the NFL. 

In 1993, Nolan took over much of the personnel from Bill Parcells.  After his first year the defensive had a steady decline in success.  D  Ranking- 1993-1996—fifth, 11th, 17th, 14th.

In 2006 on Defensive Coordinator Tim Lewis watch the Gmen finished 25th overall, 28th against the pass and 14th against the run, as the team barely made the playoffs at 8-8. His unit allowed an average of 342.4 yards a game. That was a 15 yards-per-game increase over the 2005 figure.

Under Spagnuolo in 2007, the Giants ranked seventh, led the league with 53 sacks and won the super bowl…harassing Tom Brady  along the way sacking him a season-high five times and holding down New England's potent offense in a 17-14 Super Bowl 42 upset win.  

In '08 New York ranked fifth in the league in total defense, giving up 294 yards per game and this was without seven-time pro-bowler Michael Strahan and fellow Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora who was lost for the season with a major knee injury.

Justin Tuck described Spagnuolo as "one of those coaches where he can kind of yell at the star player and get away with it because everybody loves him that much."

"I wouldn't say he's a player's coach, but he knows what it takes to motivate his players," cornerback Corey Webster said. "He gets us to work hard, but we have fun and enjoy it, so it makes us want to work even harder."

Antonio Pierce already commented that he prefers the DC on the sidelines.  It’s not too late for Coach Sheridan to change his mind.  Chemistry is not over rated…just ask the boys in blue.

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