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The New York Giants have done a number of good things with their rebuilt defensive line through the first two games of the 2016 NFL season. One thing they haven’t done is sack the quarterback, as the only two sacks the Giants have generated have come from blitzing defensive backs. Landon Collins and Leon Hall each recorded sacks Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Coach Ben McAdoo isn’t worried about that.
“We’ve been very aggressive attacking the receivers. Getting up and challenging the receivers to throw off the timing and rhythm of the quarterback. Yesterday (Sunday vs. the Saints) you saw a quarterback that does a great job of getting the ball out of his hand quickly. When you can disrupt the timing and rhythm, it throws him off a little bit. We feel the sacks will come,” McAdoo said.
“We may not be getting the sacks, but we’re getting some pressure on the quarterbacks. We’re doing a nice job challenging receivers in coverage. They may have to hold it a tick longer with some pressure in their face. It’s hard to be explosive that way.”
The “what if?” game
McAdoo wouldn’t bite when asked Monday what he would have done if Victor Cruz had not made his 34-yard catch in the final moments to set up Sunday’s victory. Recall that the play happened with the Giants facing third-and-8 at the New Orleans’ 36-yard line.
Placekicker Josh Brown had earlier missed wide left from 53 yards, and a field goal from there might have been 54 yards. Go for the three points? Punt? Go for the first down? The coach was having none of speculating about what might have happened.
“There were a couple of options. I’m not going to deal in hypotheticals,” McAdoo said. “I thought Eli made a great decision there. Victor did a nice job of ripping the ball away from him (cornerback Ken Crawley).”