Post by plax on Apr 28, 2014 11:59:57 GMT -5
New York Giants' Positional Review -- DEFENSIVE END
Can Jason Pierre-Paul return to his 2011 form and have a successful 2014 campaign?
Today we turn to the defensive side of the ball where the defensive end group will be discussed.
2013 Overview
Do not be fooled by the double digit sack total that Justin Tuck posted in 2013, as the Giants defensive end unit was one filled with disappointment. If there was one thing in the past decade that people knew about the Giants, it was that they had a gruesome pass rush. Whether it was Michael Strahan or Osi Umenyiora or Justin Tuck, the Giants knew how to get to the opposing quarterback and it set the tone for many games. It was the pass rush that hindered Tom Brady in 2007 when the Giants pulled off one of the biggest upsets in all of sports. Move to 2013, where the Giants defensive end group only mustered 19 sacks! Justin Tuck recorded 11, where six (6) of them occurred against the Redskins and 8.5 of which occurring in the last four (4) weeks of the season, overall. Mathias Kiwanuka (somehow) posted six (6) sacks during the year, and Jason Pierre-Paul had the worst season of his career, only putting up two (2) sacks. While the Giants did post 15 sacks from the defensive tackle, linebacker, and secondary positions, the bulk of the sack total should be put up by the defensive ends.
This will be discussed more in-depth later in the week, but the Giants linebackers and secondary units were not as bad as people made it out to be. Both units were actually quite productive, but when the quarterback has 4+ seconds to make a pass, not many secondary units in the entire league would be able to be productive and hold the offense. Overall, a terrible year for the group and probably the most disappointing unit as a whole for the Giants in 2013.
Assessing each player at the position
Jason Pierre-Paul -- Nagged by injuries all throughout 2013, Jason Pierre-Paul never got a chance to produce the way he wanted to during the year. He was shut down for the season after the loss to Dallas in week 12 (a game that practically ended the Giants season) in hopes to be 100% coming into 2014. Pierre-Paul made it a priority to be in better shape in 2014, and he did just that. Shedding 15 pounds, Pierre-Paul is now at a playing weight of 270 pounds. Not only will that help him be quicker off the ball, but with the back troubles he has suffered in 2013, there won't be as much pressure on his back, helping him in that area as well. With Tuck gone, Pierre-Paul is now the "man" of the defensive end core. Yes, "JPP" was the one that offenses had to worry about, but Tuck was always the "man" there. Lastly, Pierre-Paul may be in line for a contract extension this offseason, so if there was a time to showcase how lethal he can be, 2014 is the year.
Robert Ayers -- Formerly of Denver, Robert Ayers is not well-known throughout the league, but he is actually one of the more productive defensive ends in the league. The aspects of Justin Tuck's game that he excelled in were his ability to stop the run while being able to rush the passer and be productive. Via PFF, Justin Tuck ranked 8th in the league against the run in 2013. Robert Ayers? 9th. Ayers ranked significantly better in run stop percentage, pass rush productivity, and had a better pass rushing grade (+3.9 as opposed to +0.8 by Tuck). It goes even further; Robert Ayers is three years younger, has almost 900 less snaps of mileage on him, and is making 64% less money than Tuck (Ayers is on a 2-year deal worth $4,000,000 while Tuck is making $11,000,000 on a 2-year deal). The thing that Tuck had over Ayers was his leadership, but it can be easily argued that safety Antrel Rolle and linebacker Jon Beason were the leaders of the defense in 2013. So while the national media suggests the the loss of Justin Tuck will be sorely missed, Giants fans are not sweating as they got a replacement who was just as good in 2013 and can provide more in 2014 and beyond.
Damontre Moore -- Damontre Moore was pegged as a first round prospect heading into the 2013 NFL Draft, but lowered his stock with a poor combine, among many other things. The Giants took the former Texas A&M product in the 3rd round and was eased into the NFL as a rookie. Moore made his mark on special teams more than anything else, but he is expected to get a lot more playing time in 2014, he needs to. It would not be shocking to see Moore play a bit of strong-side linebacker in 2014, as well.
Mathias Kiwanuka -- Kiwanuka has been shifting around for a few years now, going from defensive end to linebacker on numerous occasions. I do not even remember him posting six sacks in 2013, but more credit to him. A CAP casualty heading into the off-season, Kiwanuka decided to take a pay-cut. It is not known whether he will play defensive end in a backup role or as a linebacker in a timeshare with the newly acquired Jameel McClain, and I doubt the Giants know either. The draft will most likely dictate where the Giants tend to go with "Kiwi" in 2014. Speaking of the draft:
2014 NFL Draft
Addressing the defensive end position is not among the big needs for the team in the draft that kicks off in only 11 more days, but if a guy falls that the Giants like, they should definitely take him. It is not that the Giants lack talent at the position, because they have a lot of talent, they just need to play like people know they can in 2014. Some players who could pique the Giants interest include Scott Chricton of Oregon State, Kareem Martin of North Carolina, Dee Ford of Auburn, and Demarcus Lawrence of Boise State. Chricton is an all-around defensive end who could be the long-term starter opposite Pierre-Paul. Dee Ford is a devilish pass rusher who would no doubt help the Giants off the edge. Kareem Martin is the closest replacement for Tuck and can be the pick at 43 for the Giants. Demarcus Lawrence reminds many of former Giant Osi Umenryiora due to his size and speed off the edge. The Giants might not want two undersized defensive ends, however.
If I had to guess, the Giants will not go defensive end early in the draft, but do not be surprised if they help the defensive ends by bolstering the guys in between them.
Conclusion
The Giants know they have talent up front and not making a big splash at the position in free agency is an indicator of such. They improved the back seven of the defense in free agency, and the groups can help each other in 2014. With a bolstered secondary, the Giants defensive ends will have more time to get to the opposing quarterback, and if the defensive ends can play at a high level, they will make the job of the secondary a whole lot easier.
The Giants pride themselves on their pass rush, and they hope to be able to say that again in 2014.
Can Jason Pierre-Paul return to his 2011 form and have a successful 2014 campaign?
Today we turn to the defensive side of the ball where the defensive end group will be discussed.
2013 Overview
Do not be fooled by the double digit sack total that Justin Tuck posted in 2013, as the Giants defensive end unit was one filled with disappointment. If there was one thing in the past decade that people knew about the Giants, it was that they had a gruesome pass rush. Whether it was Michael Strahan or Osi Umenyiora or Justin Tuck, the Giants knew how to get to the opposing quarterback and it set the tone for many games. It was the pass rush that hindered Tom Brady in 2007 when the Giants pulled off one of the biggest upsets in all of sports. Move to 2013, where the Giants defensive end group only mustered 19 sacks! Justin Tuck recorded 11, where six (6) of them occurred against the Redskins and 8.5 of which occurring in the last four (4) weeks of the season, overall. Mathias Kiwanuka (somehow) posted six (6) sacks during the year, and Jason Pierre-Paul had the worst season of his career, only putting up two (2) sacks. While the Giants did post 15 sacks from the defensive tackle, linebacker, and secondary positions, the bulk of the sack total should be put up by the defensive ends.
This will be discussed more in-depth later in the week, but the Giants linebackers and secondary units were not as bad as people made it out to be. Both units were actually quite productive, but when the quarterback has 4+ seconds to make a pass, not many secondary units in the entire league would be able to be productive and hold the offense. Overall, a terrible year for the group and probably the most disappointing unit as a whole for the Giants in 2013.
Assessing each player at the position
Jason Pierre-Paul -- Nagged by injuries all throughout 2013, Jason Pierre-Paul never got a chance to produce the way he wanted to during the year. He was shut down for the season after the loss to Dallas in week 12 (a game that practically ended the Giants season) in hopes to be 100% coming into 2014. Pierre-Paul made it a priority to be in better shape in 2014, and he did just that. Shedding 15 pounds, Pierre-Paul is now at a playing weight of 270 pounds. Not only will that help him be quicker off the ball, but with the back troubles he has suffered in 2013, there won't be as much pressure on his back, helping him in that area as well. With Tuck gone, Pierre-Paul is now the "man" of the defensive end core. Yes, "JPP" was the one that offenses had to worry about, but Tuck was always the "man" there. Lastly, Pierre-Paul may be in line for a contract extension this offseason, so if there was a time to showcase how lethal he can be, 2014 is the year.
Robert Ayers -- Formerly of Denver, Robert Ayers is not well-known throughout the league, but he is actually one of the more productive defensive ends in the league. The aspects of Justin Tuck's game that he excelled in were his ability to stop the run while being able to rush the passer and be productive. Via PFF, Justin Tuck ranked 8th in the league against the run in 2013. Robert Ayers? 9th. Ayers ranked significantly better in run stop percentage, pass rush productivity, and had a better pass rushing grade (+3.9 as opposed to +0.8 by Tuck). It goes even further; Robert Ayers is three years younger, has almost 900 less snaps of mileage on him, and is making 64% less money than Tuck (Ayers is on a 2-year deal worth $4,000,000 while Tuck is making $11,000,000 on a 2-year deal). The thing that Tuck had over Ayers was his leadership, but it can be easily argued that safety Antrel Rolle and linebacker Jon Beason were the leaders of the defense in 2013. So while the national media suggests the the loss of Justin Tuck will be sorely missed, Giants fans are not sweating as they got a replacement who was just as good in 2013 and can provide more in 2014 and beyond.
Damontre Moore -- Damontre Moore was pegged as a first round prospect heading into the 2013 NFL Draft, but lowered his stock with a poor combine, among many other things. The Giants took the former Texas A&M product in the 3rd round and was eased into the NFL as a rookie. Moore made his mark on special teams more than anything else, but he is expected to get a lot more playing time in 2014, he needs to. It would not be shocking to see Moore play a bit of strong-side linebacker in 2014, as well.
Mathias Kiwanuka -- Kiwanuka has been shifting around for a few years now, going from defensive end to linebacker on numerous occasions. I do not even remember him posting six sacks in 2013, but more credit to him. A CAP casualty heading into the off-season, Kiwanuka decided to take a pay-cut. It is not known whether he will play defensive end in a backup role or as a linebacker in a timeshare with the newly acquired Jameel McClain, and I doubt the Giants know either. The draft will most likely dictate where the Giants tend to go with "Kiwi" in 2014. Speaking of the draft:
2014 NFL Draft
Addressing the defensive end position is not among the big needs for the team in the draft that kicks off in only 11 more days, but if a guy falls that the Giants like, they should definitely take him. It is not that the Giants lack talent at the position, because they have a lot of talent, they just need to play like people know they can in 2014. Some players who could pique the Giants interest include Scott Chricton of Oregon State, Kareem Martin of North Carolina, Dee Ford of Auburn, and Demarcus Lawrence of Boise State. Chricton is an all-around defensive end who could be the long-term starter opposite Pierre-Paul. Dee Ford is a devilish pass rusher who would no doubt help the Giants off the edge. Kareem Martin is the closest replacement for Tuck and can be the pick at 43 for the Giants. Demarcus Lawrence reminds many of former Giant Osi Umenryiora due to his size and speed off the edge. The Giants might not want two undersized defensive ends, however.
If I had to guess, the Giants will not go defensive end early in the draft, but do not be surprised if they help the defensive ends by bolstering the guys in between them.
Conclusion
The Giants know they have talent up front and not making a big splash at the position in free agency is an indicator of such. They improved the back seven of the defense in free agency, and the groups can help each other in 2014. With a bolstered secondary, the Giants defensive ends will have more time to get to the opposing quarterback, and if the defensive ends can play at a high level, they will make the job of the secondary a whole lot easier.
The Giants pride themselves on their pass rush, and they hope to be able to say that again in 2014.