New York Giants Have Defensive Changes in the Works

Pierce-less D Gets Much Needed Facelift

It apears the Giants’ coaches are reading our site.  They have been working out second-year MLB Jonathan Goff with the first team defense replacing Chase Blackburn, who took over after Antonio Pierce ’s neck injury.

Before the season, there was questions whether the Giants had enough speed at linebacker.  Those questions have been answered emphatically the past six games: NO!

Goff is a younger, faster, lighter option than both Pierce or Blackburn.  The objective of the MLB is to get to the point of attack sooner, not later, as the latter were doing.  Goff may be able to get to the open hole faster than the other two (we hope) eliminating those embarrassing big running plays (Leonard Weaver, Arizona in the red zone, Knowshon Moreno, etc, etc, etc…).

Osi To Get Fewer Snaps

According to Michael Lombardi of Inside the NFL and The National Football Post , the Giants plan on moving DE Osi Umenyiora around (including to the bench) so teams can’t steamroll him in the run game (like Denver did).

How novel.  This columnist suggested the Giants do this weeks ago.  Not just with Osi, but with all the lineman (like Steve Spagnuolo used to do).

Umenyiora has been over-pursuing trying to get to the passer, leaving him vulnerable to the run. Many have suggested that opponents have deliberately stayed away from Justin Tuck , who is the bigger of the two and a better run defender, opting to pick on the smaller Umenyiora.

The Giants will finally stop making it easy for teams to prepare for them.

It only took 13 weeks.

John Fennelly is a Senior Writer for Giants Football Blog