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Following a Spring where the New York Giants signed free agents Damon “Snacks” Harrison and Olivier Vernon the expectations for the newly bolstered defensive line have risen exponentially. The Giants defense was 30th in Sacks in 2015 with a total of 23 and their pass rush was virtually invisible. The free agency acquisitions starting alongside Jason Pierre Paul and Jonathan Hankins should provide a marked improvement in the team’s pass rush and an ability to stifle the opposing teams’ running game at the point of attack. Reserves for the defensive line may include DT Jay Bromley, DE Owa Odighizuwa and DE Kerry Wynn. They should provide depth although there is not a strong pass rushing threat backing up the likely starting front four. All things considered, the significant weakness does not lie there. The first place that you’ll find issues is in the Linebacker corps. The Giants have continued to try and upgrade in recent years with low round draft picks and serviceable players via free agency.
The Giants used a fourth round pick to choose B.J. Goodson from Clemson while using free agency to sign journeyman linebacker Kelvin Sheppard from the Miami Dolphins and the injury plagued Kennan Robinson from the Washington Redskins. According to reports Goodson has a nice combination of size and strength and can play all three linebacker positions so there’s potential and training camp will be an opportunity for him to showcase his abilities. Sheppard and Robinson will join Devon Kennard, Jasper Brinkley, Mark Herzlich, J.T. Thomas, Jonathan Casillas and B.J. Goodson in training camp where they’ll all be vying for a starting position. Thomas, Brinkley and Kennard are probable starters with the remaining players ready to battle it out for a roster spot but nothing is guaranteed.
Last season, the Giants defense was dead last in passing yards allowed, with an average of 298.9 yards per game. One could make the argument that this group of linebackers lacks a single impact player that possesses versatility when it comes to both pass rushing and coverage skills. Unless they’re able to cover the middle of the field opposing teams will take advantage of the soft spot within the Giants defense. Though the defensive line’s potential is significant, can it succeed at such a high level that the deficiencies behind it are overshadowed? It remains to be seen. The answer to that question will surely begin to reveal itself once the Pre-Season begins.
Dan Evans is a Contributing Writer for PureSportsNY.com You can follow him on Twitter at @DanEvansPSNY