Lance Medow: The simple reply right here is the well being and sturdiness of the roster, however you possibly can say that about all 32 groups within the NFL. So, let’s take it a step additional. In every of the final two seasons, the Giants averaged lower than 20 factors per sport, so that is the quantity to give attention to essentially the most in 2022. It doesn’t matter what the protection produces this yr, it is nonetheless going to come back again to the offensive facet of the ball, which depends on a number of components together with Daniel Jones’ consistency, the play of the offensive line in addition to the flexibility of the receiving corps. Many of the league’s strongest groups have a good suggestion what they’re getting out of their sign caller sport to sport and might depend on particular stats. Will the Giants get to that time this season or will manufacturing resemble extra of the Richter scale throughout a really robust earthquake? It is onerous to reply given the monitor report and the truth that there is a new teaching employees implementing a recent scheme – these components create much more variables.
With so many movable components on offense, you possibly can pin it on one particular participant. Though Jones will dictate a lot, the efficiency of Saquon Barkley together with the vast majority of the receivers will decide whether or not Jones can take his sport to the subsequent degree. The underside line is that this staff’s common scoring output will inform an terrible lot as to the place they go in 2022. Final season, the Giants scored 23 factors or much less in 14 of their 17 video games; and received simply two of these contests regardless of permitting 21 factors or much less 9 instances on the season.
Matt Citak: The success of the Giants’ protection may lie within the arms of the group up entrance. With Wink Martindale’s blitz-heavy protection in place, there is no denying that the Giants will get artistic in the case of sending stress at opposing quarterbacks. Besides, the unit goes to wish its gifted playmakers up entrance to make performs.
The Giants boast one of many league’s most gifted inside duos with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. Williams has been one of the vital constant inside defensive linemen since he entered the league in 2015. In every of the final seven seasons, he has registered not less than 700 defensive snaps and 45 quarterback pressures. His 44 quarterback hits because the begin of 2020 are tied for the seventh-most amongst D-linemen, and his 18.0 sacks are tied for fifth in that very same span. He was not too long ago named to the NFL Prime 100 Gamers of 2022. In the meantime, Lawrence recorded career-highs of 43 quarterback pressures and a 74.0 PFF move speeding grade final season and was ranked No. 19 by PFF of their listing of prime inside defenders this summer season.
Now let’s transfer to the sting, the place the Giants have two gamers whose upside is thru the roof. Azeez Ojulari registered eight sacks in 2021. The second-year OLB has placed on some muscle main as much as coaching camp, which ought to increase his power going up towards opposing tackles. Reverse Ojulari is No. 5 general decide Kayvon Thibodeaux, who put up some spectacular numbers throughout his years at Oregon. The 2 present the staff with their most gifted edge speeding duo in years, and whereas their standing for Week 1 stays within the air, they need to each be again on the sector quickly.
If all 4 of those gamers can keep on the sector, the move rush ought to discover loads of success this season, which in flip would supply a giant increase to the protection as a complete.
