With egos squashed, can Giants rebuild once-fearsome defense?
Article By cbrown.tsn on 15th June, 2010
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—When the Giants' defense collapsed, so did their 2009 season.
After starting 5-0, the Giants finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Their defensive demise was the most surprising part of their fall. Only the Lions and Rams surrendered more points than the Giants, who gave up at least 40 points on five different occasions last season.
"I was really shocked," defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said. "We had a high expectation level, and this group is so talented. For us not to go out and perform the way we can was really strange. I couldn't believe it."
If the Giants' defense is a nightmare again this season, they can only dream of making the playoffs. Has enough been done for this unit to make a major improvement?
A look at five key questions the Giants' defense must answer:
1. Will changing coordinators make a dramatic difference?
Chris Canty says the Giants players must put in the work if they want to have a better season than 2009. Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan was fired and replaced by Perry Fewell. Giants coach Tom Coughlin really had no choice but to make a switch. The players lost confidence in Sheridan, who also clashed with star defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
Changing coordinators can make a difference. We saw it last season, when Gregg Williams helped the Saints win a Super Bowl in his first season as defensive coordinator. However, Fewell must prove he can get more from the Giants' personnel than Sheridan did. At least Fewell has a captive audience. After last year's embarrassment, all egos have been put in check.
"I can only speak on my behalf, but there might have been a little complacency not doing the due diligence, the work that it takes to be successful in this league," defensive tackle Chris Canty said. "One thing Bill Parcells told me a long time ago: 'You've got to earn your victories in the...
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After starting 5-0, the Giants finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Their defensive demise was the most surprising part of their fall. Only the Lions and Rams surrendered more points than the Giants, who gave up at least 40 points on five different occasions last season.
"I was really shocked," defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said. "We had a high expectation level, and this group is so talented. For us not to go out and perform the way we can was really strange. I couldn't believe it."
If the Giants' defense is a nightmare again this season, they can only dream of making the playoffs. Has enough been done for this unit to make a major improvement?
A look at five key questions the Giants' defense must answer:
1. Will changing coordinators make a dramatic difference?
Chris Canty says the Giants players must put in the work if they want to have a better season than 2009. Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan was fired and replaced by Perry Fewell. Giants coach Tom Coughlin really had no choice but to make a switch. The players lost confidence in Sheridan, who also clashed with star defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
Changing coordinators can make a difference. We saw it last season, when Gregg Williams helped the Saints win a Super Bowl in his first season as defensive coordinator. However, Fewell must prove he can get more from the Giants' personnel than Sheridan did. At least Fewell has a captive audience. After last year's embarrassment, all egos have been put in check.
"I can only speak on my behalf, but there might have been a little complacency not doing the due diligence, the work that it takes to be successful in this league," defensive tackle Chris Canty said. "One thing Bill Parcells told me a long time ago: 'You've got to earn your victories in the...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
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