Screaming LB is enticing peek at how fearsome Giants defense can be
The ball was slightly low and behind Odell Beckham Jr., a pass from Eli Manning that was not going to be completed. Had it been a perfect throw, perhaps Beckham would have been able to make the catch. In this case, with the slightest imperfection in the offensive execution, cornerback Janoris Jenkins had no trouble blanketing Beckham and smacking the ball away.
From a nondescript play on a picture-perfect Wednesday at spring minicamp, on to the summer and training camp and proceeding to the games that count, this must be the goal of this year’s Giants defense: Make the offense do every little thing precisely and exactly, or else nothing is going to get accomplished.
“To be honest, man, it’s all about that trophy,’’ cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said. “We got to go out there and try to get some shutouts. I think we have that capability of going out there and shutting guys out. When everybody’s on one accord and we’re banging, we’re pretty good.’’
When everybody is in accord and they’re banging, this defense has the right, and the résumé, to expect greatness. Three of the four linemen could be Pro Bowlers. Three of the four starters in the secondary could be Pro Bowlers. The linebackers are solid, versatile and, in B.J. Goodson, potentially explosive.
Consider this vignette: Goodson, being groomed for the starting middle linebacker job in just his second NFL season, makes the calls for the entire defense. Recently, he gave some direction to Rodgers-Cromartie, a 10-year veteran. Goodson’s message to DRC not only was forceful, but also quite loud.
“I almost had to get on him the other day, he kind of yelled at me a little bit, and I had to realize that’s my linebacker and he don’t know me like that, so I’m gonna let him have that,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said. “I let it go this time. Not next time.’’
The decibel level was not appreciated, but what about the content of Goodson’s call?
“He was correct, but just say it to me,’’ DRC said. “Don’t yell.’’
As much as the veteran cornerback wants Goodson to lower the volume, he loved what it revealed about the 24-year-old from Clemson.
“Yes, sir, that shows the thing that’s built inside of him, he’s unafraid out there and he comes to play,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said.
If Goodson is the real deal, this defense will get even more formidable. In 2016, the Giants finished second in points allowed (17.8 per game; only the Patriots allowed fewer), tied for third in run defense, tied for fourth in interceptions and first in fewest touchdowns allowed (just 26).
This success was derived despite the assimilation needed with Jenkins, Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison, Olivier Vernon and Keenan Robinson arriving as free agents. This success was achieved despite first-round pick Eli Apple receiving significant snaps as a rookie, and with an undrafted rookie safety, Andrew Adams, starting 13 games.
The only significant loss is defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, and in time, second-round pick Dalvin Tomlinson figures to be a credible replacement. Promising free safety Darian Thompson played just two games last season before eventually landing on injured reserve, so he can be viewed as an addition.
“We got all the guys back, all the guys know what they’re doing, it’s like second nature now, building,’’ safety Landon Collins said.
There is no reason for the Giants to accept anything less than greatness from their defense, given the money and draft picks invested in rebuilding from the dark days of 2015 — when this proud franchise put on the field one of its worst-ever defenses.
The talent is on hand, as is tremendous continuity. A year ago, this defensive system was new to more than half the starting unit. Now these players know what to expect and what coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants from each one of them.
Plus, the man calling the shots knows them far better now than he did when he put it all together last year.
“I say to the guys sometimes, ‘Look, guys, we’re in graduate school now, we’re there, where we can put something a little more complex in,’ ’’ Spagnuolo said. “That was a whole gradual thing last year. We kept it simple, built on it.’’
It all adds up to a defense that has a right to expect dominance.
“That gives you a lot of confidence, because these are your guys,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said. “You already went to battle with ’em. You come back, you know what you got. You’ve been there before, so this time you go all the way.’’