Giant changes make good defense great

Sporting News, The, August 6, 2001 by Gary Horton

Whether it is out of salary-cap concerns or a fear of tinkering with success, Super Bowl teams tend to rest on their laurels. Most Super Bowl teams in the past five years have either been forced to unload talent to meet financial ceilings or simply have failed to realize the need for change in certain areas of weakness.

Not Jim Fassel. Not Ernie Accorsi. Not the Giants.

The Super Bowl losers were aggressive in their offseason approach. Fassel, the Giants' coach, recognized the problem he had at cornerback and addressed it in the draft. Fassel also recognized the need for more speed in the front seven, and Accorsi, the general manager, made it possible for the Giants to sign highly touted free-agent defensive end Kenny Holmes. Moves such as those have turned a good defense into a great one, putting the Giants one step closer to winning their first NFL championship in the Fassel-Accorsi era.

Let's look at how the Giants have improved their defense.

* Secondary: Jason Sehorn had his best season last year, and the Giants rewarded him with a contract that made him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. Sehorn showed his appreciation by going through a rigorous training program. He even scheduled his marriage to actress Angie Harmon around the team's voluntary workouts.

At the other cornerback spot, the Giants entered the offseason needing an upgrade. Dave Thomas was a marked man last season. His inability to turn and run in man-to-man coverage made him a constant target, as opponents routinely attacked him deep. This forced defensive coordinator John Fox to frequently use an extra defender to help Thomas in the deep third of the field. That cut into Fox's capability to blitz, his forte.

The addition of rookie cornerbacks Will Allen and Will Peterson should enable Fox to do more blitzing. Both players have terrific man-to-man skills. This will allow the Giants to pressure quarterbacks into making poor decisions more than they did last year. Thomas should make a fine nickel back--he was excellent as a third corner in Jacksonville--where he does not have to make as many plays in the vertical passing game.

Fox will be confident testing his young corners, because Shaun Williams and Sam Garnes are among the league's top safety tandems. Williams arguably was the best free safety in the league last season after playing three different positions in his first two years in the league. He has the size and strength to play close to the line and stop the run, but he also has the speed and range to cover the pass downfield.

Garnes is one of the most consistent playmakers in the league at strong safety. He not only is a physical specimen (6-3, 225), he has exceptional instincts and takes precise angles to the ball. In terms of coverage skills, there is little difference between Williams and Garnes.

The Giants are trailblazers of a league trend: interchangeable safeties. The tactic enables defenses to counter the use of motion, which offenses implement in an attempt to create mismatches against strong safeties, who are usually less adept than free safeties at covering down the middle. With Williams and Games able to cover equal ground, the Giants have the luxury of experimenting with Allen and Peterson right away.

* Line: Tackle Cornelius Griffin burst onto the scene as a rookie last season with his ability to get off the snap and make plays in the backfield. His worst game as a reserve was better than Christian Peter's best game as a starter. Griffin is an instinctive player who has adjusted to the pro game quickly. He keeps in excellent shape and won't have any trouble replacing Peter, who was lost in free agency. Griffins quickness will be an ideal complement to the physical style of Keith Hamilton, the team's other tackle, who had 10 sacks last year.

Holmes will replace Cedric Jones, another free-agent defector, at right end and should be a solid complement to left end Michael Strahan, who had his best season in 2000. Jones also had his best season last year, but he has trouble getting motivated and relies too much on his natural ability to make plays. Holmes is a more complete player. He developed into a solid run defender with the Titans and has always been able to use his speed and ability to change direction to get after the passer.

* Linebacker: Brandon Short will replace Ryan Phillips, who was a liability in coverage and appeared to lose a step last season, as the outside starter opposite Jessie Armstead. Short showed flashes of great play as a rookie last year and, at 6-3, 255, has a rare combination of size and speed. He is a bit raw, but middle linebacker Mike Barrow and Armstead will mentor Short throughout training camp. Armstead is coming off his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl season, and Barrow has a recharged battery since arriving in New York last offseason.

The changes should keep the Giants' defense among the best in the NFL. It lacks a weak link. By knowing their personnel and making shrewd financial decisions, Fassel and Accorsi have created a unique blend of veteran and young players, a combination that all great defenses in the past have boasted. Don't be surprised if this unit's depth, talent and added speed provide the Giants with another shot at challenging for the Super Bowl trophy in January.