THERE is no clear-cut evidence that Steve Spagnuolo as a novice coordinator is a major factor in the pathetically inept performance of the Giants defense. The real culprits are the same players who during the summer lauded Spagnuolo and the aggressive scheme he imported from Philadelphia.
In his first year calling the shots, Spagnuolo is learning that a coordinator can patch here, mend there, but cannot game plan his way around a critical absence of talent. The front office assembles the roster. In an age when the safety position is emerging as a new weapon, the Giants are remarkably impoverished there. The linebackers are a mismatched trio; the cornerbacks are either past their prime, not yet in their prime, or never going to have a prime. The rush generated from the ballyhooed defensive end rotation is missing in action.
Is it a lost cause? Absolutely, as far as this group growing into a dominant unit. Is this the worst defensive personnel in the NFL? Absolutely not, and a rise to mediocrity at this point, after two losses and 80 points allowed, is an attainable goal.
Here are some steps to help:
* Make the move: First-year general manager Jerry Reese was bemused in the days leading up to the NFL Draft that so many predictions had the Giants using their first-round pick on a linebacker. Unbeknownst to those outside the organization, Reese knew of the plan to move defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka to strong side linebacker, which, in Reese’s view, eliminated the need to fortify the position with a high draft choice. Everyone anticipated growing pains for Kiwanuka, but what’s transpired is alarming, and this experiment must end. Sure, getting Kiwanuka on the field is a priority, but by the time he develops into a serviceable linebacker the season could be ruined. Also, Michael Strahan is almost definitely in his final year, meaning Kiwanuka would slide back to end next season anyway.
Justin Tuck has the only two sacks thus far and has to be on the field. When he’s not subbing for Strahan at end, move Tuck inside to tackle. Kiwanuka can be the swing end and must line up in obvious pass-rush situations. If this hurts the run defense, so be it. Without pressure on the opposing quarterback, the Giants have no shot.
* Let youth be served: Rookie Aaron Ross already has supplanted R.W. McQuarters as the nickel back. As soon as Ross shows he can compete at this level, move him into Sam Madison’s starting spot. Ross and Corey Webster, for better or worse, are the cornerbacks of today and tomorrow. The sluggish development of Webster, in his third year as a former second-round pick, has been a killer, but there aren’t any other options.
* Don’t stop with Kiwi: Removing Kiwanuka from the linebacker mix shouldn’t be the only change at a spot that has been woefully inadequate. Kawika Mitchell was a low-key free-agent addition from the moribund Chiefs defense, signing for the veteran minimum largely as an insurance policy. He’s more suited to the strong side, and, suddenly, surfaced as the starter on the weak side, a place for playmakers. Mitchell isn’t going to cut it there. Move him into Kiwanuka’s vacated strong side spot and get second-year Gerris Wilkinson (coming off a knee injury) up to speed as quickly as possible and give him a try on the weak side. When Wilkinson was drafted (in the third round out of Georgia Tech) the Giants insisted he’d be a starter before long. Well, why wait?
* Light a fire: Everyone knew Strahan didn’t need to be in Albany for training camp to get his full ration of cafeteria food or join in the bowling night festivi- ties. The real selfishness of Strahan’s 36-day holdout is now being realized. He clearly is rusty and playing himself into football shape. “To expect there wouldn’t be some time involved in the process I think is a little bit unrealistic,” Tom Coughlin said. No kidding. Strahan is in denial by stating the holdout has nothing to do with his lack of impact in the first two games. By the time he hits his stride, it could be too late for the team. Perhaps Strahan should have thought about that scenario while he was soul searching in Southern California.