Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Anyone remember the good old days of Week 5, when we thought the Giants had one of the top defenses in the league? In a span of three games, the Giants have become a porous unit that is susceptible to the home-run ball -- among other things. Thanks to Marty Callinan of ESPN Stats & Information, I have some interesting numbers for you:
In Weeks 3 through 5, the Giants allowed just 403 total yards -- or roughly an average first half for Drew Brees and the Saints. Of course, those games were against the Bucs, Chiefs and Raiders, who now have a combined record of 3-19. In the past three games against the Saints, Cardinals and Eagles, the Giants have allowed 1,272 total yards. And stopping the big play has been their Achilles' heel. In Weeks 3 through 5, the Giants allowed one pass of more than 30 yards. In Weeks 6 through 8, the defense allowed five passes in that range.
And it's not like the Giants have been solid against the run. They allowed one carry of 20 yards or more in Weeks 3 through 5. In Weeks 6 through 8, they've allowed three carries in that range, including 41-yard and 67-yard touchdown runs by the Eagles.
I think the Giants still have the personnel up front to be a solid defense, but coordinator Bill Sheridan needs to come up with a better game plan. Allowing C.C. Brown to get torched on a weekly basis isn't much of a plan. You have rookie cornerback Bruce Johnson hanging out on the sideline. Teach him to play safety. He can't be any worse than Brown and Michael Johnson right now.
Anyone remember the good old days of Week 5, when we thought the Giants had one of the top defenses in the league? In a span of three games, the Giants have become a porous unit that is susceptible to the home-run ball -- among other things. Thanks to Marty Callinan of ESPN Stats & Information, I have some interesting numbers for you:
In Weeks 3 through 5, the Giants allowed just 403 total yards -- or roughly an average first half for Drew Brees and the Saints. Of course, those games were against the Bucs, Chiefs and Raiders, who now have a combined record of 3-19. In the past three games against the Saints, Cardinals and Eagles, the Giants have allowed 1,272 total yards. And stopping the big play has been their Achilles' heel. In Weeks 3 through 5, the Giants allowed one pass of more than 30 yards. In Weeks 6 through 8, the defense allowed five passes in that range.
And it's not like the Giants have been solid against the run. They allowed one carry of 20 yards or more in Weeks 3 through 5. In Weeks 6 through 8, they've allowed three carries in that range, including 41-yard and 67-yard touchdown runs by the Eagles.
I think the Giants still have the personnel up front to be a solid defense, but coordinator Bill Sheridan needs to come up with a better game plan. Allowing C.C. Brown to get torched on a weekly basis isn't much of a plan. You have rookie cornerback Bruce Johnson hanging out on the sideline. Teach him to play safety. He can't be any worse than Brown and Michael Johnson right now.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Matt Mosley
Mosley, an award-winning writer for The Dallas Morning News for seven years, joined ESPN.com in January 2007. Mosley, a Baylor graduate, writes columns, features and blogs for ESPN.com.