The New York Giants’ defense has been vastly improved over the team’s last three games. It makes you wonder, as BBV’s Chris Pflum did in an earlier post, has things might have turned out had the Giants moved on from Shane Bowen and turned the defense over to Charlie Bullen earlier.
The Giants, after being historically bad against the run most of the season, have given up 3.7 yards per rushing attempt over the past three games. That is fifth-best in the NFL. They have given up 270.3 yards per games, third-best in the league. They have given up 18.3 points per game, seventh-best in the NFL.
The Giants have been more creative, more disruptive, more disciplined, and more effective during that time span.
Bullen had never called defensive plays before taking over from Bowen. Does the 41-year-old think he has shown that he can be a full-time NFL defensive coordinator?
“I’m really not that concerned about that,” Bullen said. “It’s just been a great honor and privilege for me to even be in this position and the way it came about, of course. So, I’ve just enjoyed having the opportunity to work with the players and coaches to make this as best as we can and try to win games. That’s where my focus is at right now.
“I tell the players, all that stuff takes care of itself. Just work hard, compete, do your best to win and improve and that stuff takes care of itself, so that’s really not on my mind at all right now.”
Still, it is hard not to wonder if the Giants would have won more games if Bullen had been given the keys to the defense earlier.
Here are more takeaways from Bullen’s weekly press availability.
Abdul Carter’s commitment to be great
Since being benched twice in three weeks by interim coach Mike Kafka for missing practices and meetings, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has been a different player.
After generating just a half-sack in his first 12 games, Carter has 3.5 sacks in the last four games. He has 10 quarterback hits in that span after having just 12 in the first 12 games.
The difference? Bullen says it is a “desire to be great” by Carter.
“He’s committed to it and we’ve talked a lot about him committing to his process and making some tweaks and changes, which is great, and it’s just been more of that,” Bullen said. “He’s learned a lot in his rookie year and I think you can’t always force the process as well. So, I think it’s just been continued commitment by him off the field and then on the field, he’s had some success. I think now, at this point, he’s in a little bit of a groove and a rhythm and gaining confidence and so that’s what you’re seeing on the field, for sure.”
Darius Alexander’s “continued improvement”
Alexander, a rookie defensive tackle selected in Round 3, has improved steadily throughout the season.
“We talked about Abdul, I think it’s been much the same for DA. He’s just been working every week and focused on trying to get better and it’s kind of coming together for him now at this point in the season,” Bullen said. “And that’s what you’re seeing. But he’s stayed focused and steadfast and tried to get better and it’s paying off now. Has it been perfect? It never is for anybody, but he’s been working the whole time and I’m proud of him.”
Bullen lauded Alexander’s effort in collapsing the pocket on last week’s interception of Geno Smith by linebacker Bobby Okereke.
“On Bobby’s interception, DA had a great rush, a power rush on the guard, and was able to walk him back and affect (Raiders quarterback) Geno’s (Smith) throw,” Bullen said. “So as great of a play as it was for Bobby, DA was as much a part of that and ended up contacting Geno to the ground. That was part of last week’s game plan is just getting hits on him early, and that was in the first quarter. He kind of felt us the rest of the day, but that was an early blow that we talked about. And DA, that was a result of him striking with power, using his length, running his feet.
“So, that rush for sure is a high-praise moment for him, but he also did it in the run game as well. There are a couple clips where he’s striking and running his feet. And a couple weeks before that, he was striking blocks really well and not running his feet. So, here he was just continuing to work and took it to the game, run and pass. It was great to see.”
Brian Burns getting what he has earned
Burns is the only Giant voted to the Pro Bowl, a reward for his career-best 16.5 sacked. Bullen praised Burns for his commitment to improving.
“It’s been remarkable to see just how much or how he approached his process this year and how intentional he was and so he’s gotten some payoff from that,” Bullen said. “Every great pass rusher has a freebie or two every year in the sack department, so he’s had some fortuitous moments in that regard. But again, it’s reward for the work that he’s put in, so that’s how I see that.”
See More:
