You could say a lot of things about the New York Giants so far this season and many of your complaints probably are accurate. Giant’s GM Jerry Reese, for instance, agrees with a ton of people that the team needs to be simply more aggressive on both sides of the football. He told media earlier this week that he wants to see the offense take more risks and the defense to improve as well.
With all the questions surrounding the offense let’s sit back and talk about the Giant’s defense. In particular, the pass rush. New York only has 13 sacks this year with Jason Pierre-Paul leading the way with 3.5 sacks this season. That’s simply not good enough and with games coming up against quick feet quarterbacks (Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick), they are going to have an even harder time bringing the QB down.
Jon Beason is out for the season with a lingering foot injury at LB and DT Cullen Jenkins is still likely to be out a few more weeks with a calf injury. Now although the team likes the production they have been getting from Jameel McClain at linebacker, will Coughlin try to rotate some fresh blood into the lineup to help keep the guys energized to go after these quick quarterbacks?
That seems to be the way it is looking and GM Jerry Reese brought up a name that he thought needs to see more time on the field. That name is Damontre Moore. The second year pass-rusher was drafted in the third round of the 2013 draft and was brought here with the intent to bring immediate help in certain situations with the teams pass rush. Playing limited snaps so far, Moore has 12 tackles and 2 sacks this year. Young and hungry for a chance to prove his worth, Damontre has been patiently waiting for a chance. Now it finally seems like that chance has arrived.
On Wednesday Tom Coughlin spoke on the idea of rotating Moore into the lineup more frequently after being brought up by the GM Jerry Reese earlier in the week.
“[Moore is] a guy that we’ve got to get, particularly at this time of year, to do some more rotation of that front to try to keep the guys as fresh as they can, particularly when you’re playing against [Colts quarterback] Andrew Luck,” Coughlin said. “You’re going to need that and we would like to be able to get into a system maybe where we can do some more rotating with Damontre Moore and Robert Ayers, as well.”
With Moore likely looking at an increase in playing time he stated that although he gets excited when friends and family text him about the coach and GM talking positive about him, he is more focused on proving to his team that he can be counted on once he gets out there.
“This second half of the season, I want to make sure I’m more fundamentally sound and studying my opponent more, doing all of the little things and making sure I don’t leave anything to chance. I have to prove I know my scheme and make sure my teammates know they can trust me not to make mistakes.”
As for the wait for his chance to breakout Moore said, “I am waiting for it. Good things come to those who wait. It’s just like that other old saying, anything that’s worth having, you’ve got to work hard for. It’s only a matter of time right now.”
And although the 22 year old said when it comes to improving technique, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he did say with a chance to prove himself, “I think I can make some things happen.”
Bobby O’Hara: PureSportsNY