While the Giants have had their share of gifted offensive players, defense has been the cornerstone of their championship clubs. Sam Huff and Andy Robustelli fueled the ornery defenses of the '50s. Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks and Harry Carson were the faces of the '80s defenses, and the furious pass rush led by Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan was the bane of Tom Brady's gridiron existence. All were central figures in five total NFL titles.
So when the Giants picked seven defensive players in the 2019 NFL Draft, it was supposed to beef up a wayward unit that long defined the team during its greatest eras.
Yet, Big Blue's defense was still mauled last year, ranking 30th in points allowed (28.2), 28th in passing yards allowed (265.1), and 25th in total yards allowed (377.3). Some of that comes from rookies adjusting to the breakneck speed and he-man power of the NFL. But high draft picks, such as Dexter Lawrence and DeAndre Baker, have to leave a wider footprint on the field.
So the Giants snagged another seven defenders in the 2020 NFL Draft - a safety, two cornerbacks, and four linebackers. With three of those linebackers picked in the seventh round — including Mr. Irrelevant, Georgia's Tae Crowder — you wonder what impact, if any, they will have on the team this season.
But the G-Men didn't seriously address another defensive eyesore — pass rush. They sacked the quarterback just 36 times, which ranked 22nd in the league. They were 25th in interceptions, with 10, and were 26th in forced fumbles with nine.
All of these stats are influenced by a pass rush. A robust defensive line is what makes a feared defense. Look at the San Francisco 49ers, who slugged their way to the most recent Super Bowl with four first-round picks on their d-line. Linebackers can also harass the quarterback, but the Giants don't have one certified sack specialist.
Markus Golden led the Giants with 10 sacks, and he's nowhere near a new contract with the Giants. So who picks up the slack? Lawrence had just 2.5 sacks. Lorenzo Carter sacked the QB 4.5 times, same with Oshane Ximines. The 28-year-old defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson notched 3.5 sacks. So, right now, no current member of the Giants had 4.5 sacks in 2019.
For all his obvious talent, free agent Jadeveon Clowney would cost a fortune, is too indifferent on the field, and brittle off of it. Former Viking Everson Griffen won't be quite as expensive, but he turns 33 in December, and hasn't had double-digit sacks since 2017. The Giants signed former Packers LB Kyler Fackrell, who had 10.5 sacks in 2018, but just six total sacks in his three other seasons. Fellow former Packers LB Black Martinez, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Giants, has 10 total sacks in four NFL seasons.
For his part, Giants GM Dave Gettleman, leaned back on his bromides, talking about teamwork and not needing a 'blue-goose" pass rusher, whatever that means. Gettleman danced around the meat-hook reality that they don't have the plan or the personnel to pound the opposing quarterback. Unless they overpay for Golden (he reportedly wants $10 million per year); for Clowney (who wants nine-digits over the life of his contract); or for the aging Griffen; the Giants have to go with what they got — which didn't get them much last year.
Twitter: @JasonKeidel