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Looking Towards The Future: Giants’ Defense

by John Fennelly on January 8th, 2010 at 8:27 am

I never do this, but today its’ snowing in New York City and I feel like thinking ahead. I normally never ask for anything, but today I am……

For defensive coordinator, I am endorsing Romeo Crennel.  I am not a fan of retreads, but Crennel is no ordinary retread.  He’s an accomplished coach whose strategies are proven and effective.  He is well-respected and will bring this Giants defense back to the level the East Rutherford faithful are accustomed to.

I expect to see him signed by next week. That’s not a prediction, that’s a demand.

Who stays, who goes…..

D-line: Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Jay Alford, Chris Canty, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora

LB: Michael Boley, Clint Sintim, Jonathan Goff, Chase Blackburn

Secondary: Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson, Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas, Bruce Johnson, Aaron Ross

The rest can go……

In free agency and/or the draft, I want to see several things happen.  The Giants need a linebacker that not only motivates, but scares opponents.  They also need a safety and/or any able bodies who can cover in space.

Some names from the draft (providing they all are eligible) that must be considered…….Rolando McClain, LB Alabama; Sergio Kindle, LB Texas; Ricky Sapp, LB Tennessee; Taylor Mays, S USC; Brandon Spikes, LB Florida;

Get one (or more) of these players and you wont have to worry about speed or power behind the d-line ever again.  If a trade has to happen to get this done, then make it happen.

In free agency, under either set of rules (capped or uncapped) they can grab both Darren Sharper and Richard Seymour – two veteran presences that can also still make plays. Sharper isn’t what he used to be but he won’t get toasted like CC Brown or Aaron Rouse did this year.

Seymour pressures the passer and is a run stopper.  And did I mention, he and Crennel have a long-standing relationship….

If they sign Seymour, Osi Umenyiora may be expendable in a trade that could help them move up in the draft.

All the defensive problems are fixable,  after all……

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About John Fennelly

Managing Editor of SNY.tv's Giants Football Blog - the ultimate destination for New York Giants' news, opinion and entertainment. View all posts by John Fennelly →
  • BlueXLII

    Seymour is a scumbag, no thanks… of course if he were a Giant I’m sure I would change my mind

  • igs

    While I like Crennel’s pedigree, I can’t help but think this would set the organization back several years and draft picks. Think of the Jets transition to 3-4 when Man-Genie came in. Think of how many great draft picks they lost in the process. Here is my argument:

    1 – The Giants actually only have two 3-4 players that are starting quality, Sintim and Tuck. The other guys are either pure 4-3 (Osi, Kiwi, Cofield, Robbins, Tollefson, Boley) or not starting material (Canty, Clark, Goff, Kheil).

    There is the possibility that Osi transitions to OLB. But why? I think he’s done pretty good as a DE. WOuldn’t you say so?

    2 – If Crennel does do well, how long is it before he gets his second chance at HC? Not necissarily a reason t be gunshy, but certainly something to think about.

    3 – Doesn’t Dick Juaron run a 4-3? Wasn’t Spags once an assistant in the Giants org? There are 4-3 people out there. And in here.

    • http://www.blognyg.com John Fennelly

      I hear you….but they are looking to change things up and everything is in play..they may stay in a 4-3 under Romeo for all I know

      Crennel is a very good coach…the defense had no respect for Sheridan.. they will have respect for Romeo

      Spags was a Philly assistant before joining the Giants

  • igs

    Right, right, right. He was a Jim Johnson guy. But still, I think, my point being that they can find a competent 4-3 coach, be he an established guy or a young assistant. You got Carolina (wouldn’t it be great to pluck one of Fox’s assistants), Philly, and a few other teams.

    Crennel should be able to learn the 4-3 however. It is less complex than the 3-4.

  • http://aviscogitations.wordpress.com/ Avraham

    I think you have to stay in a 4-3. Certainly at least until you have better linebackers. The way I see it, the Giants NEED to make LB their first priority.

  • cebern8

    In my opinion, the Giants draft thought process should be as followed:

    1. Take Rolando McClain if he is available at 15. I doubt he will make it to 15 but he would be the perfect fit for our D. I don’t know if he slips past Denver. However, if Brandon Marshall ends up leaving Denver might address WR and McClain may slip.

    2. If McClain is not available take Taylor Mays or Earl Thomas. I am a bit concerned Mays might be too much like Laron Landry in that he is weak in coverage. However, his skill set is very appealing and would pair nice with Kenny Phillips. This is a very deep draft and if the Giants address safety early they can still get a very good ILB with their 2nd rounder. Specifically, if they went this route they can take someone like Daryl Washington from TCU with their 2nd rounder. Washington is a beast, led an excellent defense and he could contribute immediately.

    3. If the Giants are determined to take a LB with their first pick they should think about trading down. If they do this they could likely land Spikes later in the 1st round while adding a potential 2nd or 3rd rounder.

    4. There are other approaches to take. Trading Osi, looking at a DT in the 1st., and RB(Best, Dwyer etc) in the 2nd. However, I definitely think addressing ILB and Safety with the 1st two picks are the best route. And I really think if McClain is off the board and they take a LB at 15 they are over-drafting and making a mistake while they could address the need with a solid player in round 2.

    5. Even though some may disagree I think the Giants are ok at corner. If Javier Arenas is available in the 2nd he is also someone the Giants should really think about. He is a excellent returner and will give the Giants a true homerun threat they have lacked on returns over the years.
    Also, the Gmen should really look into acquiring some more picks if they can pull it off by moving some players to target a safety, ILB and RB in first two rounds if they can add an additional 2nd rounder.

  • rcfriedberg

    I think they need to do what it takes to get Mclain. He is a beast, big, strong, pretty fast, very smart, and super-fiery. I’ve read grades for him form #6 overall to mid-first round. If it takes a first and a third to go get him, do it.

    I want no part of Taylor Mays. I’ve watched him a lot this year – terrible angles on balls (and people with the ball), beaten in the open field, biting on the play action too much. He is a fill the gap run-stopper at S, I don’t want that.

    Washington would be good, Jones form Mich. St. good too or Woodward from South Carolina. Spikes is going to drop in the draft, too slow, too slow to make reads. He needs a really good combine to fix that. Finally, target Mt. Cody in the 2nd rd – big boy who can move forward and clog the running lane. He’ll be better than people think.

    Also – don’t spend a nickel more than minimum on Blackburn. I’d keep Kehl as well.