Group pass rush getting results
The more the sacks, the fewer the scoffs.
When general manager Dave Gettleman said in the offseason that the Giants would rely on the defensive scheme of generating pressure on the quarterback, it sounded like a hope-andprayer strategy to make up for a talent shortage. Instead, a balanced pass rush is one of the early-season strengths of a young roster.
The Giants are tied for fifth in the NFL with six sacks through the first two games. More impressively, of the 13 teams with more than five sacks, only the Giants and the Cardinals do not have a player with more than one.
“It’s all of us trying to do what we’re coached to do and play ball fast,” linebacker Lorenzo Carter said. “I wouldn’t say it’s any different scheme. We’re working together better, we’re getting to know each other’s weaknesses and strengths, and we just play to that. All of us are out there hungry. Everybody is out there wanting to get the sacks, wanting to get the big plays.”
Carter, Kyler Fackrell, Blake Martinez, Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and B.J. Hill each have one sack.
That’s two outside linebackers, an inside linebacker and three defensive linemen. Or four starters and two backups. Or two third-year players (Carter and Hill) fighting for a long-term spot in this league, two run-stoppers not often regarded as pass-rushers (Martinez and Lawrence) and two pending free agents looking to get back to the top of their games (Fackrell and Williams).
The Giants, who are on pace for 48 sacks, haven’t had more than 36 in a season since 2014.
➤ In addition to having Richard Sherman, Solomon Thomas and Nick Bosa on injured reserve, RBs Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, DE Dee Ford, LB Dre Greenlaw and TE George Kittle all will be out Sunday for the 49ers. CB Ahkello Witherspoon is questionable and could be the eighth starter sidelined.
The Giants could be without reserve DBs Brandon Williams (questionable) and Adrian Colbert (doubtful). Sterling Shepard and Saquon Barkley are on injured reserve.
➤ In their previous six 0-2 starts since 2013, the Giants have stopped the bleeding with a Week 3 win four times. No players remain from the 0-6 start in 2013 and few from 0-5 in 2017.
“I think it’s a weak-minded thing to be able to spiral and to dwell on the unfortunate things that have happened in the past,” second-year safety Julian Love said. “I know everyone here is resilient.”