There didn’t seem to be any way for the Giants of 2009 not to dominate on defense.
The Giants headed into training camp a year ago brimming with talent, depth, a perfect mixture of experience and youth, playmakers galore and answers for every imaginable question. There was familiarity with a first-year coordinator promoted from the ranks and the summer was all about finding the best combinations to make the most mayhem.
It worked, until it didn’t, until the injuries and the infectious ineptitude conspired to turn gold to tin and produce one of the worst defensive seasons in the proud history of the franchise. It was unfathomable failure and it cost Bill Sheridan — the man entrusted to stir the mix — his job.
The Giants tomorrow report to camp at the University at Albany and in the next 20 days the priority is clear: Put the shattered defense back together.
Every starter on offense returns, making this about continuity and consistency for Eli Manning and Co. Only a handful of the fixtures of a once-mighty Super Bowl defense — Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Corey Webster, Barry Cofield, Aaron Ross — remain.
A needed and expected change blows in, starting at the top, where the most significant newcomer of all just might be Perry Fewell, who hopes to follow the footsteps of Bill Belichick, John Fox and Steve Spagnuolo in leading a fearsome Giants defense into a Super Bowl.
Unlike the studious Sheridan, Fewell arrives from Buffalo with the reputation as an emotional coach, a whirlwind, exhorting, sprinting the sideline, working up a sweat as he demonstratively attacks the role of defensive coordinator. He will be seen and heard, from tomorrow afternoon’s first practice of camp and on into the summer.
“He has an upbeat presence about him, and I don’t think there is going to be any problems between the players and coach,” said Umenyiora, who had more than his share of problems with Sheridan.
Fewell’s main task for the next month will be to evaluate players he has never coached while incorporating his new scheme, involving new athletes.
The safety position is revamped with the free agent-signings of Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant, who begin camp as the starters as Kenny Phillips makes his way back following last season’s left knee surgery. Keith Bulluck just last week was brought in to start at middle linebacker, though he’s 33 and coming off left knee surgery. Jay Alford returns at defensive tackle after missing all of 2009 with a knee injury. Clint Sintim after negligible contribution as a rookie, in only his second season has been handed the strong side linebacker job.
The two top draft picks, Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph, figure to push for playing time. Fewell must juggle egos as he determines if Umenyiora deserves to reclaim his right end spot in what should be a high-level competition with Mathias Kiwanuka.
The schedule leading up to the Sept. 12 regular-season opener includes 30 practice sessions and four preseason games. Fewell probably will need every minute to sort it all out.
“Hey, I want as much competition, I want them to fight for the job,” said Fewell, who was on Tom Coughlin’s staff in Jacksonville and last year implemented a 3-4 defense as Buffalo’s interim head coach for the final seven games of the season. “That is what we do. That is what the NFL is all about. There are no handouts. There are no give-outs. You have to fight every day. You have to fight every day for a victory.
“So we are looking forward to the competition and fighting for our jobs and being the best defense we can possibly be.”
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The Giants yesterday cleared roster space for their two unsigned draft picks — Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph — by waiving linebacker Kenny Ingram and defensive end Ayanga Okpokowuruk.