The New York Giants were once known for their fierce pass rush. All four of their Super Bowl championships were buoyed by the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Leonard Marshall, Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck.
Since 2012, the Giants have not been able to produce the required press needed to play the kind of defense that won them those four Lombardi Trophies. The result has been six losing seasons in seven years.
One huge reason is they have not put a lot of draft stock in retooling their pass rush. They have not taken an edge rusher in the first two rounds since they selected JPP 15th overall in 2010.
Since then, they’ve dropped the ball. In 2013, they took Damontre Moore in the third round. You know his story. Devon Kennard was a fifth rounder in 2014. He wasn’t given a second contract. Owa Odighizuwa (3rd round, 2015) was a bust. B.J. Goodson, a fourth rounder in 2016, was not the answer. The jury is still out on two recent third rounders in Lorenzo Carter and Ohshane Ximines.
So, which team’s defensive strategy should the Giants be following? It’s pretty easy if you ask me and the Maras don’t have to look far.
Just look to Chris’ in-laws, the Rooneys. You know, the owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have led the NFL in sacks in each of the last three seasons. In 2017, they racked up 56. In 2018, they tied Kansas City for the league lead with 52. Last season, Pittsburgh was tops in the NFL with 54.
The Steelers have not drafted an offensive player in the first round since they took guard David DeCastro back in 2012. They value defense and have selected some quality players in the first round that have made a difference: T.J. Watt, Bud DuPree, Ryan Shazier, Devin Bush.
The Giants? They’ve taken offensive players. Good ones, granted (Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard, Will Hernandez), but where has it gotten them? It’s time for the Giants to seriously think about building a championship defense again.
The Steelers know the way.
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