Their record may not have reflected it, but the New York Giants made progress last season, their ninth since winning Super Bowl 46. Much of it can be credited to a defense that had to step up after the loss of Saquon Barkley devastated the offense.
The Giants go into the offseason with nine defensive free agents to re-sign or cut loose, but two matter more than others. Once they decide what to do with defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson, the objective should be to land a productive edge rusher. Fortunately for the Giants, one of their wide receivers has an idea and a connection to land him.
The New York Giants have reason for optimism
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The two big questions about the New York Giants in 2021 will be about their offense and the two guys they want handling the ball the most. Daniel Jones regressed last fall after a promising rookie season, but he was dealing with new coordinator Jason Garrett’s scheme. After 24 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions as a rookie, Jones finished with 11 and 10, respectively, in 2020.
Naturally, the offense felt the effect of losing running back Saquon Barkley. After beginning his career with a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Barkley suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last September. Aside from depriving the Giants of a steady 4.5 yards a carry – Wayne Gallman filled in respectably, by the way — the loss of Barkley cost Jones a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Barkley made 143 catches and caught six TD passes in his first two seasons.
If Barkley and Jones are clicking and the Giants come up with a top-end receiver in the draft, the offense should be able to shoulder its share of the load.
The missing piece on the New York Giants defense
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The Giants improved from 30th to ninth in scoring defense last season, in large part due to a turnaround in the giveaway/takeaway department, and the Giants owe much of up to tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and end Leonard Williams.
Tomlinson has given the Giants 64 remarkably consistent starts since being drafted out of Alabama. He logged career highs for tackles for loss and quarterback hits in 2020.
Williams was a puzzling midseason acquisition from the New York Jets in mid-2019, costing the Giants a pair of draft picks despite the fact that it was his contract year. The Giants signed him to a one-year deal before last season, and Williams delivered with 11.5 sacks and 30 quarterback hits.
It’s going to be challenging for the Giants to re-sign both 26-year-old defenders to contracts that they deserve coming off that season and also acquire an important missing piece: Their first bona fide edge rusher since they let Jason Pierre-Paul go in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The good news is that there are free-agent options …read more
Source:: Sportscasting
Dustin Johnson highlights | Round 3 | Genesis | 2021
In the third round of The Genesis Invitational 2021, Dustin Johnson recorded three birdies against 3 bogeys to remain even through 13 holes before play was suspended due to darkness. Johnson is 7-under-par for the tournament. The PGA TOUR returns to iconic Riviera Country Club for The Genesis Invitational. Tournament host Tiger Woods will be in attendance but won’t play as he is still recovering from a back procedure last month. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and defending champion Adam Scott are among the headliners. Notables in the invitation-only field include major champions Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, and Francesco Molinari, plus world No. 2 Jon Rahm. Two-time FedExCup winner Rory McIlroy looks to finally lift the trophy at Riviera after holding a piece of the lead Sunday a year ago only to fall to T5. In addition to reigning champ Johnson, FedExCup winners in the field include Justin Thomas, Brandt Snedeker, and Jim Furyk. Here you can find everything you need to stay up to date with the world’s foremost golf tour. Check in for highlights from every tournament plus player profiles, swing analysis and all the greatest shots and amazing moments. Teryn Gregson presents the craziest moments from around the world of golf in ‘Good, Bad & Unusual'.