EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Two of the top three cornerbacks were out. Weakside linebacker Michael Boley was suspended and a couple of defensive linemen are still getting in shape.
Despite the drawbacks, the New York Giants defense is looking very good one game into the season, and the scary part is that it should get better.
“Week 1, Week 1, Week 1,” middle linebacker and defensive captain Antonio Pierce repeated Monday, trying not to get too excited about the unit.
Still, it’s hard not to be impressed by the defense’s play in the 23-17 season-opening win over the Washington Redskins.
New York limited the Redskins to 51 snaps on offense, ending six of their 10 series in four plays in less.
While Washington gained 272 yards, 149 came on scoring drives at the end of each half. New York led 17-0 on the first touchdown drive. It was up 23-10 and playing a prevent when the Redskins scored with 1:42 to go.
n’s other 20 runs netted 51 yards, with 16 coming on a late scramble.
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions and claim to be the greatest team in the NFC East or in Giants history,” Pierce said. “We’re off to a good start. We have to stay healthy.”
The Giants are deep on defense, especially the line which features Pro Bowlers Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck and includes Mathias Kiwanuka, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield and free agent acquisitions Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard.
Umenyiora, who missed last season with a knee injury, had a grand slam on one play, sacking Jason Campbell, forcing a fumble, recovering it and scoring.
“When the coaches and the front office made the roster, they made it like we have 25 starters,” Pierce said. “You and I have heard that before, but I look at our D-line and they have all been starters.
“Our linebackers have all been starters and everyone in our secondary has started, so it doesn’t matter who is in or out,” Pierce said. “It’s not a 1-A, 1-B team. We’re all starters. If you want to be the best team in the NFL you have to have 25 guys on defense like that, and 53 guys on the roster like that.”
Canty, who is coming off a hamstring injury and was limited to 20 players, said all he was trying to do on the field was not mess things up.
tep out there into that huddle, and you just feed off that.”
What also was important was that the defense, which was ranked No. 5 overall last season, ran smoothly under new coordinator Bill Sheridan, who got a Gatorade bath after the game.
“Oh man, he is composed,” strongside linebacker Danny Clark said. “I can’t say I was surprised. He had the practice reps in the preseason. He did a great job of getting us lined up and the communication was great, getting his point along to our defense.”
It showed on the field.
When Washington ran a gadget play to Antwaan Randle El on its second play from scrimmage, Chase Blackburn – who was starting for Boley – smelled it out and combined with Tuck for an 11-yard sack that killed the drive.
Free agent rookie defensive back Bruce Johnson stepped in with Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery out with hamstring injuries and had three tackles and a forced fumble.
Cornerback Corey Webster was asked to blanket Santana Moss. He limited Washington’s best receiver to two catches for 6 yards, and added an interception.
“It’s Details U. around here,” Webster said. “You have to be very detailed and sharp. They want you know what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it and how you’re supposed to do it so all the coaches have to do is say ‘good job’ or correct this little thing or that little thing.
Ross, who has been sidelined since training camp, can’t wait to get back.
“We trained really hard this offseason, everybody stayed in contact with each other,” he said. “We feel like a unit. Hopefully, it can carry us a long way.”
Coach Tom Coughlin felt there was room for improvement.
“The last drive is the one that really sticks in my craw,” he said. “And it wasn’t the scramble that particular play. And even the touchdown play. It should have been defended better. And that is what I mean, we have things that we can look at and see and say, “Hey, you know what we can do this better. We know how to play this better.”’
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