Time To Tweak The Secondary

The New York Giants defensive backfield has certainly had their ups and downs through the first month-and-a-half of this season, and some changes need to be made.

Pat Ragazzo

Despite six good quarters versus the Buccaneers and Redskins, the Giants defensive backfield has been brutal for most of the season.

Defensive coordinator James Bettcher hasn’t really helped his team’s case either. For some odd reason, Bettcher refuses to double cover top tier receivers such as Mike Evans (three touchdowns, eight catches, 190 yards) and Adam Thielen (two touchdowns, seven catches, 130 yards), and it has come back to bite him.

While Jabrill Peppers has been playing at a high level since the second half of Week 3, both free safety Antoine Bethea and slot corner Grant Haley have struggled tremendously. If it weren’t for inaccurate throws by Case Keenum, Haley would have given up three touchdowns in a two-game span versus Washington and Minnesota, where he allowed one to Thielen. As for Bethea, it is starting to look like his best years are behind him because he is not doing the job over-the-top, which has led to some big plays in the passing game. Not only that, but his tackling angles have killed the defense in the running game as well.