- Joined
- Sep 11, 2007
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It's no secret that the most impactful FA acquisition since Randy Moss has been playing lights out. According to Pro Football Focus, Brian waters has allowed a whopping total of 12 pressures in the entire season. Further, he did not allow a single pressure in seven of 18 total games he has played this season. With the majority of Superbowl hype coming down to the Patriots O Line vs the Giants D Line this is a major...well, story line.
There is a lot of concern regarding this matchup, and somewhat rightfully so, but the Giants defense doesn't scare me. I think part of this concern is from the game that shall not be named, but in this game the Patriots are playing with the best offensive line they have ever assembled. Pass rush gets a lot of hype, as do pressure defenses. Make no mistake, pressure defenses are highly effective against passing offenses but they have one fatal flaw. If you get them blocked, you will eat them alive. The Giants are a little unique in that they get there with less players and place more defenders in coverage, but they don't have the personnel in back of the D-Line that other great defenses have. Be it the 46, The Rex Ryan 34, or The **** LeBeau zone blitz, all pressure defenses are easily carved if you can block them. When your biggest concern is maybe getting Logan Mankins a little help you are in a very nice place. In 2007, the Giants D matched up against the Patriots O better than any. In 2011, the Patriots O matches up against the Giants D better than any.
The biggest concern is not the line vs line, it is how the Patriots will play the slot corner. More on that later, though.
There is a lot of concern regarding this matchup, and somewhat rightfully so, but the Giants defense doesn't scare me. I think part of this concern is from the game that shall not be named, but in this game the Patriots are playing with the best offensive line they have ever assembled. Pass rush gets a lot of hype, as do pressure defenses. Make no mistake, pressure defenses are highly effective against passing offenses but they have one fatal flaw. If you get them blocked, you will eat them alive. The Giants are a little unique in that they get there with less players and place more defenders in coverage, but they don't have the personnel in back of the D-Line that other great defenses have. Be it the 46, The Rex Ryan 34, or The **** LeBeau zone blitz, all pressure defenses are easily carved if you can block them. When your biggest concern is maybe getting Logan Mankins a little help you are in a very nice place. In 2007, the Giants D matched up against the Patriots O better than any. In 2011, the Patriots O matches up against the Giants D better than any.
The biggest concern is not the line vs line, it is how the Patriots will play the slot corner. More on that later, though.