Work-in-progress defense comes together at right time
Where would the Giants be without Steve Spagnuolo?
He was given nearly $200 million in upgrades following last year’s defensive disaster, yet he immediately predicted this would be a work in progress. Sure, the influx of talent was striking, but the longtime defensive coordinator knew getting all the new pieces to fit together would take time, patience and plenty of trial and error.
He was dead-on. Since Week 5, the Giants have allowed an NFL-low passer rating of 70.0. Since Week 7, they have the best scoring defense in the league, giving up only 14.9 points a game, and are the best in third-down defense, allowing a conversion only 29.6 percent of the time. Without a dominating defense, the Giants already would be starting to stuff some of their belongings into large black plastic bags, preparing for a getaway following their New Year’s Day regular-season finale. With a dominating defense, the Giants are 10-4, and their next victory clinches a playoff spot.
Spagnuolo, the mastermind of the 2007 championship defense, is at it again.
“He’s done a really good job,” Damon Harrison said Monday. “Historically, the defense speaks for itself because it’s a Super Bowl-winning de- fense, championship defense. It was just a matter of getting everyone in the right position and getting everyone to buy in and used to playing with each other. That’s tough when you bring in a new group like we’ve done this offseason. It’s a credit to him in getting guys to buy in and play together.”
Harrison is one of the high-priced young veterans signed to do exactly what they have done. His looming presence is the main reason the Giants are fifth in the NFL against the run.
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins and defensive end Olivier Vernon have been godsends at their positions. Rookie corner Eli Apple is a starter and strong contributor.
Even a lesser-known addition, such as linebacker/Redskins castoff Keenan Robinson, has worked out.
The best news for the Giants is the unit is surging at the right time, limiting the Cowboys to seven points and the Lions to six points in dispatching a pair of first-place teams the past two weeks.
It sure seems as if the Giants on defense actually have exceeded expectations.
“Not at all,” Harrison said. “You hear me say it time and time again. We’re still not where we should be or where we want to be right now. We’ve had some really good moments, and we’ve had some not-so-great moments. It was great to have some successes every now and then, but we just want to be more consistent.” Coach Ben McAdoo said with the short week, it is imperative he has his players “stick and move’’ through meetings and practice.
Eli Manning said he watched Sunday night as the Cowboys beat the Buccaneers to make it extremely unlikely the Giants can overtake Dallas for the NFC East title.
“I wouldn’t say I was bummed,’’ Manning said. “I would’ve liked to see Tampa win, but I was excited about our win. We have to do what we can do and worry about our games and what’s ahead of us.’’