Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen searching for answers
In the NFL every play matters. That’s why New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has been spending a lot of his time trying to figure out why his defense continues to give up four of five explosive runs every week.
“The explosive runs is an area we’ve got to improve. And it’s three to four runs a game. And then you’ve got another 20, 22 that you feel pretty good about,” Bowen said on Thursday. “So we’ve got to do a good job finding ways to eliminate those.
“Making sure we’re tackling. Making sure we’re fitting things appropriately. Playing with fundamentals. Being where we’re supposed to be. Getting off blocks.”
The Giants are last in the NFL, allowing 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. They have also given up the most 20+ yard runs (15) and 40+ yard runs (4), per NFL.com.
Bowen and the Giants apparently use a different measure to judge what qualifies as an explosive run.
“As you go back and watch [the first 10 games] I think there were 33 running back ones that were explosive. Which is too many,” Bowen said. “And really that’s what’s setting us back behind everything. So I mean just the percentages. Over 85% of the snaps you feel pretty good.
“It’s 2.5 per rush. Whatever. That’s really good run defense.
“And then you get these explosive in there and it just kind of escalates everything. So, we’ve got to make sure we do a good job of eliminating those and minimizing those. Right?
“Like we might give up a 10-, 12-yarder but let’s not turn that thing into 25 or 30.”
Putting 3 into 2
With the expected return of Kayvon Thibodeaux this from his fractured wrist, the Giants now have Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Azeez Ojulari — who has five sacks in the five games Thibodeaux has missed — for two spots.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Bowen said. “Obviously with Azeez coming on and the impact he’s been able to have for us he’s earned the opportunity to play. It’s really good to be getting Kayvon back out there.
“Seeing him going back through it. Kind of see where it progresses with him this week. See where we’re at come Sunday. But optimistic with him. And we’ll see where it goes. But it’s a good problem to have.”
Those missing takeaways
The Giants, stunningly, have not had an interception since Week 1. None of their defensive backs have one, with linebacker Darius Muasau having the team’s only interception.
Usually, a combination of a good pass rush — the Giants are second in the league in sacks with 36 — and a heavy reliance on zone defense would be a recipe for interceptions. That hasn’t been the case for the Giants this year.
“I wish I had an explanation because then I could probably have a solution,” Bowen said. “I think we just got to make them when we have chances. There’s a couple that we haven’t made when we’ve had some chances to get them.”
One thing Bowen would like to see is his pass rushers place more emphasis on separating the quarterback from the ball when the opportunity arises.
“I think the one that’s glaring to me is with all the sack production and the pressure production not being able to get [the ball] off the quarterback,” Bowen said. “Quarterbacks are the number one fumblers in the NFL year after year after year. When you get opportunities to get it [the ball] off them and you’re back there making sure we don’t miss opportunities to get off the quarterback because we’ve missed a handful.”
