Don Martindale is aware of his Giants historical past.
He is aware of protection was the spine of the franchise’s 4 Super Bowl wins.
The Giants’ defensive coordinator is aware of this 12 months’s group will go so far as his aggressive unit takes them.
He is aware of Sunday’s house opener towards the Carolina Panthers is a chance for the Giants to construct their first 2-0 begin since 2016.
And everybody is aware of that lately, too many MetLife Stadium seats have been empty, if not crammed by impatient followers raining down boos.
So Martindale challenged the Giants’ followers to do one factor Sunday: “Be loud.”
“I know we’re talking about changing the culture and changing the culture defensively,” Martindale stated late this week. “This is one of the biggest changes you’ll see. This week, to bring back great defense in this facility … I know New Yorkers are loud. We need to be loud in that stadium.”
The Titans’ house crowd in Nashville final weekend, frankly, wasn’t that loud or imposing for the visiting Giants (1-0). They have been undeterred in scoring their upset win.
Martindale doesn’t need opposing groups to take pleasure in taking part in in North Jersey. He desires their offenses to “have to go on silent count” your complete recreation, beginning with Baker Mayfield’s Panthers (0-1) on Sunday.
“If you want to be part of changing this culture here with the Giants, be loud and have that place rocking where people don’t want to come to our stadium,” Martindale added. “We’ll take care of the rest and we’ll give you something to be loud about. But just be loud.”
For all of the speak about how Brian Daboll was going to revitalize the Giants’ offense, Martindale’s protection was the rationale the group received its season opener in Tennessee.
They held Derrick Henry and the Titans offense at bay, trailing 13-0 at half, till Saquon Barkley snapped the offense out of its funk.
That may not be a sustainable type of soccer, to lean so closely on Martindale’s protection and constantly win tight, low-scoring video games.
A final-second Titans subject aim miss, in spite of everything, helped the protection escape per week of questions on their last drive collapse in go protection.
Still, particularly in a rebuilding 12 months with low expectations, it’s thrilling for Giants followers to come back off a season-opening win on the highway and have an opportunity at a 2-0 begin with a hard-nosed protection main the way in which.
Martindale’s protection performs with an attacking type. They usually are not intimidated.
Edge rusher Jihad Ward, a free agent signing from Martindale’s Baltimore Ravens days, is the Giants’ chief up entrance. Internally, he was named their defensive participant of the sport in Week 1.
“He’s a physical, tough guy that is the character of what you’re looking for as a defensive player,” Martindale stated of Ward. “He sets the pace, especially in the run game on setting the edges and he took it personal that game and that’s what has made him who he is. And wherever I’m at, I hope I have Jihad Ward with me.”
Ward’s cost to Giants followers was extra to the purpose.
“Have some faith and believe,” he stated Thursday. “We’ve got to be loud. Can’t be quiet. Can’t be church mouses out there.”
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams was on Giants groups the previous two years that went 3-5 every season at MetLife Stadium. Those have been enhancements on the Giants’ 2-6 house file in three straight seasons from 2017-19.
But he is aware of that this upcoming three-game homestand towards Carolina, a shorthanded Dallas Cowboys group and the Chicago Bears presents an unlimited alternative to show the Giants’ fortunes.
“We need to do a good job this year of bringing back that home field advantage,” Williams stated. “It starts with winning. It starts this weekend. And we’re going to try to get that going.”
Former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo may need the kryptonite to counter Martindale’s mission: dynamic operating again Christian McCaffrey.
Titans operating again Dontrell Hilliard exploited Giants inside linebackers Tae Crowder and Austin Calitro for 2 receiving touchdowns in Week 1. And he’s no McCaffrey.
Panthers No. 1 receiver D.J. Moore can also be dynamic. But perhaps Martindale’s calling card can trump all of Carolina’s counters.
The Giants’ 48.6% blitz charge on opponent go performs in Week 1 ranked third within the NFL, per Pro Football Reference. The Browns blitzed the Panthers solely 15.6% final weekend and nonetheless hit Mayfield 10 occasions, getting previous Matt Rhule’s shaky offensive line early.
This will most likely be one other shut recreation. That will imply essential performs deep within the fourth quarter. That must imply one factor for the Giants’ protection.
“I need it to be loud in here, man,” Ward stated. “I need it to be loud. We need all the fans to show some love and support.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com