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Don't count out 'D' too soon

Defense picks up where it left off last year, even without two main cogs

Bob Glauber

September 5, 2008

There is no question the Giants defense would be a lot better off with Michael Strahan back in uniform, not popping out of a giant replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he did before last night's regular-season opener.

And the loss of Osi Umenyiora to a season-ending knee injury is incalculable; take away two great pass rushers who totaled 22 sacks last season, and there is trouble.

But what too many people fail to realize - especially those who write off the Giants as possible repeat champions - is that the bookend defensive ends left behind might be just as good as Strahan and Umenyiora. And just as importantly, the man in charge of deploying the players with his brilliant schemes is back, too.

With Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka at the ends, and Steve Spagnuolo under the headset, this defense has a very good chance to be nearly as good as the unit that sparked an improbable Super Bowl run last season.

Maybe that's why Spagnuolo called his defensive captains, including Tuck, the day after Umenyiora was injured. He told them this year's defense was better than last year's at this point. Then again, at this point, the Giants were in the process of giving up 80 points over their first two games.

"It was huge that he said that we were all improved over last year," Tuck said. "It meant a lot for us to hear that."

Now, I'm not guaranteeing anything here, because further injuries can easily deplete the defense. But I am saying that this unit can still be among the best in the NFL, and that it's not ridiculous to think that another special season is possible. There is talent on the field, and just as importantly, there is brilliance on the sideline. The combination should be good enough to keep the Giants in contention.

"I think it's huge what Spags has done for our team," Tuck said. "It's to the point where he knows what we're thinking and we know what he's thinking."

Spagnuolo was very much on his game last night, dialing up the right formations for whatever the Redskins threw the Giants' way. If Jason Campbell went back to pass, Tuck and Kiwanuka - and occasionally newly acquired linebacker Danny Clark - were in his face. If Clinton Portis carried the ball, the Giants swarmed him.

The Giants streaked to a 16-7 first-half lead and held on, thanks to a solid performance by the offense, but as much by a breathtaking showing by the defense. They limited Washington to just 51 total yards in the first half, including 17 net yards passing. Portis had just 34 yards on 10 carries. The Redskins' only score came on their final drive, courtesy of a kickoff return that gave Washington possession at the Giants' 45.

Yet for all their dominance, there is no telling how long the Giants will hold up. Another key injury - especially to Kiwanuka or Tuck, or linebacker Antonio Pierce - and the equation changes. And what the Giants don't have this year is the luxury of the defensive line rotation that they enjoyed in 2007.

You saw that at the end of last night's game, when the Giants stopped the Redskins from a late fourth-quarter scoring drive. You saw it when Kiwanuka went down on the final play of the game; he got up slowly and walked off under his own power, although coach Tom Coughlin said Kiwanuka's ankle would be evaluated.

The situation might eventually improve because of the acquisition of defensive end Jerome McDougle, who was released by the Eagles on Saturday. And the Giants are counting on scrappy Dave Tollefson and veteran Renaldo Wynn to offer some relief to Kiwanuka and Tuck.

But against offenses that are superior to the Redskins - and there are plenty out there, starting with the Cowboys - the lack of depth will potentially have a negative effect. And that's where Spagnuolo comes in. He can help offset the lack of depth with some of his ingenious schemes - blitzes from all over the field, including the secondary. He has a deep defensive backfield led by cornerback Aaron Ross and safeties Michael Johnson, James Butler and rookie Kenny Phillips.

The Redskins showed great interest in Spagnuolo for their vacant head coaching position after Joe Gibbs announced his retirement, although they never offered him the job. They didn't offer it because they got the distinct impression Spagnuolo wouldn't have taken the position if offered. He quickly re-upped with the Giants.

His presence will play a huge role in whether the Giants can successfully defend their title or whether they'll become just the latest Super Bowl champion to suffer the year-after malaise.

For now, it's one down, and a long, long way to go.

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Defense picks up where it left off last year, even without two main cogs

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