With the season slipping away and the beleaguered defense not getting any better, the Giants finally seem ready to shake things up.
It appears that defensive end Osi Umenyiora and defensive tackle Fred Robbins have been demoted out of the starting lineup just in time for the Giants' crucial game against the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow. Though Tom Coughlin wouldn't confirm any moves, end Mathias Kiwanuka and tackle Chris Canty were working in those spots with the first-team defense at practice Friday.
And after a six-game stretch in which the Giants have lost five games and given up an average of 31.7 points, nobody should be surprised.
And after a six-game stretch in which the Giants have lost five games and given up an average of 31.7 points, nobody should be surprised.
"At this point, if it saves our season, Coach would try anything to get this thing right," defensive end Justin Tuck said. "I don't see why it's a big deal."
It's a big deal, of course, since the Giants have only made one non-injury-related lineup change since their struggles began - benchingsafety C.C. Brown for Aaron Rouse. Also, Umenyiora is a former Pro Bowler who leads the Giants' anemic pass rush with five sacks.
It's a big deal, of course, since the Giants have only made one non-injury-related lineup change since their struggles began - benchingsafety C.C. Brown for Aaron Rouse. Also, Umenyiora is a former Pro Bowler who leads the Giants' anemic pass rush with five sacks.
But after missing all of last season due to knee surgery, he hasn't been the same.
That is evident by the fact that Umenyiora, who did not speak to the media Friday, has just two sacks in the last seven games. He also struggled against the run on Thanksgiving night in Denver when theBroncos, running often in his direction, gained 138 yards .
The Giants' run defense actually has been better lately and it's given up just 262 yards on 85 carries the last three games. "I think some of (the problems have) been overblown," defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. "I don't really think it's fair when people act like we're just a sieve out there."
Still, run defense was going to be a particular point of emphasis this week regardless, since the Cowboys rushed for 251 yards on just 29 carries in the Giants' 33-31 win in Dallas in Week2.
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Still, run defense was going to be a particular point of emphasis this week regardless, since the Cowboys rushed for 251 yards on just 29 carries in the Giants' 33-31 win in Dallas in Week2.
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