Big Blue View mailbag: Defensive alignments, expectations as season begins

Richard Vitto asks: I was hoping you could clarify how the defensive line actually gets set up. Most of the time it seems to me that they play only 2 down linemen with 4 linebackers. Maybe to start a game or a possession they use a true front seven but without really tracking I really don't think I see it that often. Can you give us a general sense of how often they are in a package with just 2 down linemen and extra dbacks? And when they are on that configuration who are the "starters" most often on the field?

Ed says: Richard, I could find and quote you numbers from last season. That, though, is pointless because the Giants have a new defensive coordinator and much different defensive personnel.

The "base" defense is considered a 3-4, with three down linemen with their hands in the ground. Again, though, that is kind of pointless. You will see some occasions where the Giants line up that way. You will see occasions where they line up with two down linemen and everyone else standing. You will see occasions where two edge defenders function as hand in the ground defensive ends, making the defense look like a traditional four-man front. You will see times when there is only one true defensive lineman. You will see times when there are none and an edge defender (probably Kayvon Thibodeaux ) functions as a pass-rushing nose tackle.

Teams play defense nowadays according to down-and-distance, game score, and the game clock. It is all situational. It is impossible to give you numbers on how often different packages are used until we actually see it.

That said, the guys I would consider true starters in the front are D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris , Arvell Reese, Tremaine Edmunds , Brian Burns , Abdul Carter , and Thibodeaux. The safeties are Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin . Dru Phillips is the nickel cornerback. I couldn't tell you who the Giants will decided to start at the outside cornberbacks slots — it is some combination of Greg Newsome , Deonte Banks , Paulson Adebo .

John Brenner asks: It seems to me that the Giants have developed a troubling pattern over the last 10 or 15 years of not looking ready to play at the beginning of the season. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but my impression is that they've lost the overwhelming majority of their openers and several times they haven't just lost, but have looked completely unprepared.

Do the numbers and your own observations support that impression? If so, what do you think has caused it across different coaches and rosters? And do you see any reason to expect something different against Dallas on Sunday under John Harbaugh?

Ed says: John, have you not been reading the website? We have been covering this topic for months. In fact, we have been talking about it for years. I asked Brian Daboll about it before both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Peter Smyth asks: This last week has been fan-torture. I can't wait for this long, (but hope-filled), offseason to end and find out how good this team really is. National media, and even local writers and hosts are tempering expectations and predict slight or medium improvement. Often, they sound like they haven't been paying attention to our team and are just writing us off.

As a BBV zealot, I have convinced myself the G-men will go on a run this season like Washington in 2024 and the Pats in 2025. I'm asking you to be my Giants-fan-therapist. Am I nuts to strongly think this could be our year? Even a Super Bowl victory? Help me!

Ed says: Peter, you are certainly encouraged to be as optimistic as you want to be.

Something I keep saying, though, is that the kind of one-year turnaround the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears experienced last season are still the exception rather than the rule. I think if that is what you "expecting" in 2026, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

Maybe it happens. I just wouldn't expect it to happen.

When I made my game-by-game predictions, the most optimistic predicition I could make is 9-8. I still believe that. Maybe the Giants win six games. Maybe everything falls their way, and they get into double-digits in the win column.

I feel better about this team because I know the track record of the guy who is now in charge. I just can't expect an overnight miracle. There is still a lot to be proven, and a lot of work to be done.

Doug Mollin asks: Saw a stat from Sharp Football that really caught my eye.

"The Giants were leading in games last year for more snaps than the following teams: Ravens, Chiefs, Bengals , Panthers , Vikings, Cowboys, Commanders, Browns, Buccaneers, Saints."

Along with blowing 5 double digit fourth-quarter leads, it really makes me think the Giants could make a bigger leap this year than many expect. Could have had 7 wins last year with a little better luck, better coaching, better execution. What chance do you give the Giants to surprise on the upside over the predicted 7 win total? Is 10 wins out of the question?

Ed says: Doug, as I said above, it's not out of the question. Neither, though, is being a six-win team. As I said above, I just wouldn't go into the season believing that it is automatic that John Harbaugh is going to turn the Giants into a 13-win team right away.

Art Stein asks: To your knowledge is there any exchange of information or knowledge between the Giants and Rutgers. Historically, do coaches from Rutgers ask questions or seek information from the Giants?

Ed says: Art, I don't know what kind of information you think Rutgers coaches might seek from the Giants. To my knowledge, there isn't anything other than the standard exchange of information about NFL Draft prospects.

John McGruther asks: Do you know any of the words which the offense are using for their play calls and instructions, under the new coaching staff? I always remember "Omaha" being heard in the Manning years.

Ed says: John, if I did that would be a problem. The rest of the NFL would know them, too.

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