New York Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher looking to coach an aggressive defense in his second year with Big Blue.
There were numerous issues with the New York Giants in 2018 that led to a 5-11 record. You could talk about the offensive line, many like to blame the quarterback, and some prefer to blame the coaching.
But one of the bigger issues was the defense. They were 24th in the NFL with 371.4 total yards allowed per game. The defense also ranked 23rd in the league with 252.8 passing yards allowed per game, and that’s with a secondary that included Janoris Jenkins and Landon Collins for much of the year. And the pass rush you ask? An abysmal 30 sacks on the season, tied for second-to-last in the NFL.
But going into year No. 2 as the Giants defensive coordinator, James Bettcher is looking to coach a more aggressive defense.
“I think, and this is the truth, you do what you feel needs to be done for your players to have success and also to put your defense as a group in position to have success, and your team,” Bettcher told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “However that is. That might be a bunch of pressure, angles, all this stuff, but if that’s not what’s best then you don’t do it, because that’s not good coaching, that’s putting round pegs in square holes.
“I know what my DNA is, I know what our DNA is, and that’s attacking, aggressive scheme, 100%.”
Upping the aggressiveness in 2019 is an absolute must for this defense. There needs to be more pressure on the quarterback, period. If you can get consistent pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback, he will make a mistake at some point.
With edge rushers such as Lorenzo Carter and Markus Golden, the Giants need to get in more quarterbacks’ heads this year. Rookie defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence also wants to prove he can rush the passer, so he could be an impactful asset as well.
