Bleacher Report - Articles by Adam Rado

New Defense in New York

Adam Rado — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:54:47 -0400

With a new season comes new challenges, new personnel, and new adjustments to make to your teams scheme. This is no different for the New York Giants.

Like every team the New York Giants are going to have to adjust to different players and different coaches. The biggest challenge that the Giants will have to overcome is adjusting to new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan. After the loss of former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnolo to the St. Louis Rams, Sheridan has inherited the fifth highest rated total defense.

Sheridan has said he will not be changing a lot. One thing that he is looking to change is in the pass rush. Sheridan looks to keep his pass rushers attacking the quarterback where Spagnolo would have them drop back into coverage.

Key additions to the Giants defense has to make Sheridan confident. Osi Umenyiora is making his return after a season ending injuring. Umenyiora was coming off of a great season with 52 tackles and 13 sacks, not to mention a Super Bowl ring.

A slew of other players have been added to the defense, such as Chris Canty from Dallas, Michael Boley from Atlanta, and Rocky Bernard from Seattle.

"You can never have enough pass rushers," Sheridan said in an interview with NFL.com.

So many players get injured in a season that having depth can only help. Depth is just what the Giants have this year. With Sheridan there will be less zone blitzes and more attacking the quarterback. The Giants were sixth in the NFL in sacks last season.

With more pressure on the quarterbacks, coverage will have to step up. Corey Webster is now the veteran defensive back and a lock down defender. Last years first round draft pick Kenny Phillips will have to step up his game as well. Coming from Miami, New York hopes to get the same production from their safety as players like Ed Reed and Sean Taylor before him.

I expect a lot of zone coverage and cover two formations while the quarterbacks are being forced to make quick decisions. Keeping their eyes on the quarterbacks will help this young and athletic defensive backfield to run freely and make for more turnovers.

Expect the Giants to boost their offensive numbers as the defensive keeps them on the field. With depth on the line the defense will be able to make subs in and out, keeping them fresh.

2009 NFC Preview: Giants Repeat

Adam Rado — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:49:32 -0400

The NFC East is the strongest division in the NFL.

Over the 2008 season, the NFC East had the best record against all other teams in their conference.

The division consists of the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and the Philadelphia Eagles. All teams have been consistently competitive over the past five years and all possess powerful defenses.

Over the 2008 season, this hard-nose division housed the third, fourth, fifth, and eighth top ranked defenses.

The scary part of this scenario is that this division is getting stronger.

The Eagles and the Giants are both coming off of playoff appearances and hungry for another year in the postseason. The Cowboys have, arguably, the most talented roster and the Redskins just signed $100 million-man Albert Haynesworth, as well as DeAngelo Hall and rookie Brian Orakpo.

With the boost to their already strong defense, the Redskins are in a do-or-die year with head coach Jim Zorn. The group started strong with a 6-2 record and, if they can right their ship, they could be playoff-bound.

Teams with a good defense are always going to win games. The Cowboys have the best pass rusher with DeMarcus Ware, who racked up 20 sacks last season; also, the Redskins bolstered up their defense with Hall and Haynesworth.

The Eagles lost their leader and seven-time Pro Bowler Brian Dawkins to the Denver Broncos as well as cornerback Lito Shepphard to the New York Jets.

As for the division's champions, the New York Giants, they are only looking stronger. They gain back their Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora from season-ending injury. They acquired Rocky Bernard from Seattle, Michael Boley from Atlanta, and took Chris Canty from Dallas. This dominance at the line of scrimmage will translate into run stopping and quarterback intimidation.

The Giants were the divisions leader with a 4-2 record. Look for them to repeat their dominance. The Redskins will surprise the division with a second place finish and grab a wildcard spot.

The Cowboys will, once again, miss the playoffs and Jerry Jones will be on the phone pleading with T.O. to come back.

With a .500 record, the Eagles will hold down the bottom of the division while they miss their team's leader.

As the saying goes, "Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships."

New York: Giant Expectations in 2009

Adam Rado — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:10:59 -0400

Only a year and a half removed from winning Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants are looking to repeat their stellar year after making big adjustments in the offseason.

The Giants were a popular pick in the postseason last year as NFC East Champions. Unfortunately, their division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, knocked them off their quest to repeat, leaving the team with many questions.

How did we lose? What can we do differently? What offseason adjustments must we make?

The first big move made was not on the Giants roster, but rather with the coaching staff. Defensive mastermind Steve Spagnuolo decided to chase his dreams as a head coach, and replaced Jim Haslett in St. Louis for a contract worth nearly $12 million.

This was not their only key loss. Pro Bowl WR Plaxico Burress was released after shooting himself in the leg.

One of the best and most consistent Giants' receivers ever, Amani Toomer, has parted ways with the team. Derrick Ward signed a big contract with Tampa Bay after rushing for more than 1,000 yards. Veterans Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters are out of New York as well.

With all of this said, the best team in the NFC East is still the New York Giants.

Pro Bowl pass rusher Osi Umenyiora is set to return after missing all of last season. Mix that with Pro Bowl DE Justin Tuck, Chris Canty from Dallas, Rocky Bernard, Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins, and Mathias Kiwanuka, and you are looking at the deadliest pass rush in the NFL.

The Giants finished second in total defense last season. It's going to be scary for offenses in the NFC East to face a healthier, more experienced, and smarter New York Giants defense this year.

Only one team ran for more yards than the New York Giants last season.

Ahmad Bradshaw will be asked to step up this season in the absence of Derrick Ward, along with young and talented Danny Ware, who has drawn comparison to Ward. The Giants still hold the strongest offensive line in the game. Look for the backfield to rush for more than 2,500 yards again this season.

The one question mark on fans' minds this year is the passing game. The Giants need to fill the shoes of Burress and Toomer. Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, and Mario Manningham do not exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenses. This will allow the defense to stack the box, forcing Eli Manning to create plays.

The Giants need a No. 1 receiver. There is no question. If they could acquire a player like Anquan Boldin from Arizona, this would free up the offense to play more aggressively. If the defense doesn't respect the pass game, the whole offense suffers.

This was evident when Burress missed the last six games last season. The Giants went 3-3 during this span after a 9-1 start.

The Giants' first draft pick went to plug the wide receiver hole by drafting North Carolina stud Hakeem Nicks. Not only can Nicks catch the football with the best of them, but he can also use his big body to block. Look for Nicks to play a big role in this year's passing game.

After a close loss to the Eagles in the postseason, the Giants are hungry this year. Their defense is the strongest it has ever been. They have a true leader in Eli Manning and a powerhouse rushing attack. With work on the passing game, the Giants will be sitting on the throne of the NFC.