The New York Giants solidified their secondary this offseason with two solid free agents signings.
First, they went out and added a lockdown cornerback in former New Orleans Saints starter Paulson Adebo. They followed that up by inking Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland. Not only did they add talent and depth at each position, they added leadership as noted by head coach Brian Daboll on Tuesday.
The Giants need players who have more of a ballhawk mentality in their defensive backfield. Last season they had just five interceptions, next to last in the league, and no player had more than one.
On Monday, general manager Joe Schoen explained his mindset and strategy behind the moves.
"Both of them, instincts and ball skills. The ability to take the ball away is something we struggled with last year in terms of creating turnovers. Both of those guys have a history of taking the ball away and they both have instincts," he said. "Obviously, [Tyler] Nubin had 13 interceptions at Minnesota. You've got guys back there now who have really good ball skills. I have a lot of faith in our defensive line that if we can create some leads during the season, those guys can pin their ears back.
"Then have guys on the back end that can take the ball away, are instinctive, route-savvy, and also good tacklers. The other part of that is Adebo and Holland, Tae Banks, Dru Phillips, Nubin, all those guys are under contract. They will be with each other for the next three years. Tae, as well, if we do his fifth-year option."
The Giants aren't done. They know that Deonte Banks struggled last year and may not be developing into the player they had hoped when thy took him in the first round two years ago. They have a new set of coaches in the secondary this season and Daboll hopes to create better synergy within the unit.
"I think (secondary coach/pass game coordinator) Marquand (Manuel) has done a nice job," Daboll said. "(Cornerbacks coach) Jeff Burris is a former first-round pick that I think he can help in certain areas with some of the players. (Cornerback) Tae Banks was a first-round pick. It'll be a good experience."
They better hope so. Last year the Giants went 11 consecutive games without an interception. That drought was the longest since the NFL began recording defensive statistics in 1933.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants expect Paulson Adebo, Jevon Holland to transform defense
