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Their pride was wounded, their machismo unceremoniously smashed in the mouth. They dishonored and occasionally disgraced the tradition built by the likes of Emlen Tunnell and Andy Robustelli and Sam Huff and Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson and Michael Strahan. By Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. And they know it.

And so the mission statement, the mandate for Big Blue now, is to be feared again.

The definition of Giants defense must never change, and this is how defensive coordinator Perry Fewell defines it:

“Smashmouth ... hard-hitting ... a defense that, when offenses have to come in, they fear. And they say, ‘Oh s--t! We got to play the Giants!’ ”


These days, Fewell might be groaning, “Oh s--t, we don’t have Jason Pierre-Paul or Antrel Rolle.”

Rolle (ankle sprain) vows to return for the regular-season opener in Dallas. JPP (back surgery) isn’t as certain about showing up in time to chase Tony Romo as general manager Jerry Reese is.

They are the two most indispensable members of a defense that listened to a fiery address from Fewell at the start of training camp.

“Well, obviously, I don’t think we played to our potential in 2012,” Fewell told The Post. “I felt like we needed to become a more physical defense, and I felt like that we, as a defensive unit, can play better as a whole. Sometimes we didn’t play as a unit. We played individually.”

Inexcusable.

I asked Captain Justin Tuck why he thinks this pass rush-obsessed defense can be feared again.

“That’s what our mission is, that’s what our goal is, and I think guys are willing to kind of sacrifice the ‘Me’ for the ‘We’ as a unit,” Tuck told The Post, “and that’s how you become a feared group, when you got 11 guys playing together as one.

“We saw last year what it is when you have six guys playing as one or eight or two or whatever it may be. I think our focus is making sure that we’re on the same page as a defense. I know the talent that we have in that room, and I think because of those traits, we can be a feared defense.”

Why weren’t the Giants a “We” unit in 2012?

“I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter,” Tuck said. “Last year is last year, and we’re moving forward and making sure that we are 11 guys as one this year.”

The Giants made a concerted effort to add toughness and size on defense, signing tackle/end Cullen Jenkins (6-foot-2, 305 pounds), welcoming back tackle Shaun Rogers (6-4, 350), drafting tackle Jonathan Hankins (6-2, 320). Bigger Blue.

“We’re Giants,” Fewell said. “I think that was a conscious effort to get bigger, to get stronger, to be better against the run.”

Everyone is on notice, remember.

“I just want a mentality that goes out there and plays 100 percent every play,” Fewell said, “and to take a quote from LT, ‘Go out there as crazed dogs.’ I think that’s what defense has to get back to. It’s a lot of rules in this game that don’t allow us to do a lot of things that we normally used to do, but we’ve got to find a way to make sure our defense makes that offense uncomfortable. Whatever they get against us is going to be earned.”

Tuck is 10 pounds lighter at 265.

“I think when you think back to seeing all the great defenses that have been around here,” Tuck said, “and you see those posters and those plaques and you used to watch those NFL Films of just a dominant Big Blue defense — and I’ve been a part of it myself — I think that’s something that you have to strive to be every year, and when it doesn’t happen, and when you don’t showcase that same pride as far as going out there and holding up all the great attributes that have come before you, sure your pride’s going to be hurt.

“If it doesn’t hurt, you’re in the game for the wrong reason.”

Tuck and his fellow defensive ends will be switched from side to side this season.

“It makes us less predictable,” Tuck said.

Fewell won’t rule out employing a 3-4 at times.

“We have guys that fit a lot of different defensive combinations, and so I’m going to build a defense based on our personnel,” he said.

Jenkins has opened eyes.

“We’re going to take advantage of his versatility,” Fewell said. “He’s very explosive. He’s much stronger than I initially thought he was, and he is violent in his reactions.”

Asked if Jenkins could be a fourth pass-rusher in the NASCAR package, Fewell said: “No question.”

Mathias Kiwanuka has made a seamless move from outside linebacker back to defensive end.

“It’s a welcome transition for him,” Fewell said. “But again, I reserve the right to kind of play with Kiwanuka, because he’s such an outstanding athlete.”

You could do the same with precocious pup defensive end Damontre Moore, couldn’t you?

“Yes I could, “ Fewell said.

Fewell is fine with mixing and matching at linebacker.

“Our goal each year is to win the division, make the playoffs, have a chance to play in the Super Bowl, and that didn’t happen in ’12,” he said, “so we’ve got to make sure that we do something about that in 2013.”*

Quote (xnozx. @ Aug 14 2013 04:05pm)

Wow... that's so stereotypical not to mention racist...




 

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Cullen Jenkins continues to impress with his versatility up front.

He registered a sack in place of DE Justin Tuck in Saturday's preseason opener and rotated back and forth between end and defensive tackle again in practice Tuesday.

The former Eagle is looking plenty comfortable in his new home.

"He's fitting like a glove," Tuck said of Jenkins. "You talk about versatility, he can play all front four positions and he's a winner. He definitely wants to come in here and help us get back to the top of that mountain and I think he's having a great camp. Obviously you saw him flash a little bit in the game with Pittsburgh.

"I'm excited about what he's able to do and he's another guy we can throw in there at different positions to make it very difficult for offenses to pick up what we want to do and where we want to come from."

THOMAS FLASHES: Terrell Thomas received significant playing time again with the first-team defense as the slot corner as his potential comeback from a third ACL surgery progresses.

Thomas found himself matched up often against Victor Cruz and, after getting a similar opportunity in practice Monday, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell liked what he saw.

"He showed burst," Fewell said. "He showed the ability to come out of a break when he was in man coverage. … It was exciting to see him back in action."

Tom Coughlin did not commit to Thomas playing Sunday night against the Colts. He did say he expects Tuck (back) and Hakeem Nicks (groin) to see their first preseason action.

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Another day, another whirlwind of defensive maneuverings by the Giants.

It is becoming abundantly clear that the 2013 Giants defense will be an ever-shifting, now you see it, now you don’t array of formations and lineups. There are the traditional 4-3 defensive fronts but far more 3-4 looks than ever before, at least in training camp. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is mixing and matching up front and with his linebackers.

In the base defense, the look in Tuesday’s practice was Mathias Kiwanuka and Keith Rivers both standing up, with three defensive linemen: Cullen Jenkins, Shaun Rogers and Linval Joseph. There was a sequence in the 7-on-7 drill where Justin Tuck was a linebacker dropping in coverage.

“We’ll be very multiple,’’ Fewell said. “Personnel-wise, we have guys that fit a 4-3. We have guys that fit a lot of different defensive combinations and so I’m going to build a defense based on our personnel.’’

One change from previous years is Fewell is having his defensive ends switch sides, depending on matchups. In the past, for example, when Tuck was at defensive end he was on the left side and Jason Pierre-Paul was on the right.

“Schematics,’’ Fewell said. “Looking at the offseason, I thought that this would be a good change for us, so just schematics.’’

Other practice notables:

- OL James Brewer, not yet cleared from his concussion, did some running outside as the team practiced inside the field house. CB Corey Webster (groin) sat out again, as did rookie DE Damontre Moore (shoulder).

- CB Prince Amukamara continues to make plays. He ran step-for-step with Hakeem Nicks, leaped and came away with an over-the-shoulder interception of Eli Manning. Nicks appeared to stumble a bit coming off the line, which may have messed with the timing. Nicks, though, ran better than he has thus far in camp, showing glimpse of his old self. He looked especially quick on a slant and got open over them middle during a goal line drill.

- Rookie Justin Pugh continued to get work at left tackle with the second offensive line. At the end of practice, in the two-minute drill, Pugh was in at right tackle with the starters, replacing David Diehl.

“He’s got a ways to go, but he’s in there fighting,’’ Giants coach Tom Coughlin said of Pugh, who missed 11 days of camp with a concussion.

- Brandon Mosley was in at right guard, subbing for Chris Snee, who is gradually increasing his reps as he returns from hip surgery.

“I think Chris is starting to build up,’’ Coughlin said. “Yesterday he had a few, two out of every four, we’ll say. Today it seemed like he did a little bit more. I’m told that with this it’s the next day…and how they build up their endurance. It’s more of an endurance thing right now.’’

- David Carr came up big with a perfectly-lofted pass into the hands of WR Ramses Barden for a 25-yard gain.

- Curtis Painter, looking for WR Kevin Hardy deep over the middle, misfired and the ball was intercepted by CB Jayron Hosley. It was one of several impressive plays from Hosley, the second-year player who has been quieter this camp than he was as a rookie. Hosley’s best moment may have been when he ran stride-for-stride with Victor Cruz and was in the exact right spot to deflect Manning’s pass out of the air as Cruz reached out and grabbed nothing but air. Hosley also made a solid play defending against TE Larry Donnell to break up a pass from Carr.

- The play of the day had to be a pass from Manning that was not completed. He lofted the ball deep down the middle, where Rueben Randle appeared to have a step on safeties Stevie Brown and Ryan Mundy. All three players leaped for the ball and for a moment it looked as if Randle came down with a spectacular catch. He had his hands on the ball but as he landed the ball somehow was in Mundy’s hands. Interception? Hard to tell but unquestionably a solid defensive play.

- Rookie TE Chase Clement made a nice catch down the field but safety Will Hill was charging in and, if this was a game, would have no doubt leveled Clement.

- In the two-minute drill, Victor Cruz beat CB Terrell Thomas deep on the left sideline but Manning’s pass glanced off Cruz’ hands. Thomas didn’t hang with Cruz but he is getting increased reps, a good sign as he continues his comeback from his second ACL surgery in the past year.

- Coughlin said he expects Tuck and Nicks to make their preseason debuts Sunday night against the Colts. “I don’t foresee any reason why they wouldn’t jump into the rotation now,’’ Coughlin said.

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If they all stay healthy, the 2013 Giants will have a chance to shatter the franchise record for points scored set by the 1963 Y.A. Tittle Giants (448).

If you can’t dream in the summer, when can you dream?

In offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride’s dream, Eli Manning is an ascending quarterback. Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and an emerging Rueben Randle are the Three Amigos. David Wilson is a gamebreaker. Brandon Myers is a receiving upgrade over Martellus Bennett. The offensive line is smarter, tougher and deeper.

“We’ve been pretty good for a long time. ... I would be disappointed if we’re not one of the better offenses in the league, one that’s capable of controlling games, one’s that capable of winning games at the end when you got to drive the ball down to score a touchdown at the end,” Gilbride told The Post. “We finished first in the league in two-minute production again last year. ... I never like to make a prediction — I know that’s contrary to some people in this league — where we’re going to wind up.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Eli Manning

“But I’d be disappointed if we’re not a good football team and have a really strong offensive unit. ... But you never know, injuries are such a big part of it, and we got some guys that are going to have to show that they can play — the tight end position’s one, the tailback position, we got new guys there, so there’s a lot of ifs.

“Do I think they’re going to come through? Yeah I do, ’cause I believe in our guys and I know they’re working hard at it. But until you actually go out and do it on Sunday on a consistent basis, it’s hard for me to make any bold predictions.”

If they all stay healthy, no one will dare call him Kevin Killbride.

“When we had it going in 2007, 2008, you had Plaxico [Burress], you had Amani [Toomer], you had Steve Smith inside — that’s as good a group as you’re going to have,” Gilbride said. “Now, this group, can they be that good or better? We’ll wait and see. I think they can, but they’ve got to prove that.

“The running back, certainly David’s got more speed than anybody we’ve had. Speed is certainly an important part. Is it the only part? No, not by a long shot. It’s making good decisions, it’s ability to show some shake and bake, make people miss, can you do the other aspects of the game? Can you protect? Can you get open when we drop the ball off to you? If he can do those things and we can get him out in open space, I think he’ll be very dynamic. But there’s a lot of question marks. Do I think that those guys are going to come through? Yeah, I do. But they have to come through for us.”

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If they all stay healthy, the 2013 Giants will have a chance to shatter the franchise record for points scored set by the 1963 Y.A. Tittle Giants (448).

If you can’t dream in the summer, when can you dream?

In offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride’s dream, Eli Manning is an ascending quarterback. Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and an emerging Rueben Randle are the Three Amigos. David Wilson is a gamebreaker. Brandon Myers is a receiving upgrade over Martellus Bennett. The offensive line is smarter, tougher and deeper.

“We’ve been pretty good for a long time. ... I would be disappointed if we’re not one of the better offenses in the league, one that’s capable of controlling games, one’s that capable of winning games at the end when you got to drive the ball down to score a touchdown at the end,” Gilbride told The Post. “We finished first in the league in two-minute production again last year. ... I never like to make a prediction — I know that’s contrary to some people in this league — where we’re going to wind up.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Eli Manning

“But I’d be disappointed if we’re not a good football team and have a really strong offensive unit. ... But you never know, injuries are such a big part of it, and we got some guys that are going to have to show that they can play — the tight end position’s one, the tailback position, we got new guys there, so there’s a lot of ifs.

“Do I think they’re going to come through? Yeah I do, ’cause I believe in our guys and I know they’re working hard at it. But until you actually go out and do it on Sunday on a consistent basis, it’s hard for me to make any bold predictions.”

If they all stay healthy, no one will dare call him Kevin Killbride.

“When we had it going in 2007, 2008, you had Plaxico [Burress], you had Amani [Toomer], you had Steve Smith inside — that’s as good a group as you’re going to have,” Gilbride said. “Now, this group, can they be that good or better? We’ll wait and see. I think they can, but they’ve got to prove that.

“The running back, certainly David’s got more speed than anybody we’ve had. Speed is certainly an important part. Is it the only part? No, not by a long shot. It’s making good decisions, it’s ability to show some shake and bake, make people miss, can you do the other aspects of the game? Can you protect? Can you get open when we drop the ball off to you? If he can do those things and we can get him out in open space, I think he’ll be very dynamic. But there’s a lot of question marks. Do I think that those guys are going to come through? Yeah, I do. But they have to come through for us.”

Quote (xnozx. @ Aug 14 2013 07:16pm)

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Clear to me "work ethic" questions about Rueben Randle had little to do with how hard he worked + more to do w/ studying away from team #NYG

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@art_stapleton has that part of his game seen an improvement since last season?

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@James_Joseph_26 Yes. It's the biggest change in his game. He studied notes in the offseason, came back focused + knowledgeable.

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@art_stapleton seemed like he started to recognize the work ethic required towards the latter half of last year.Happy to see he's progressed

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@James_Joseph_26 That's just it: everyone assumed "work ethic" meant not working hard. All along it was about putting in extra work

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@art_stapleton very true, a lot of people don't recognize the mental ability and knowledge that goes into every play.

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@art_stapleton Collinsworth made the "work ethic" a huge deal bringing it up on SNF. Lets see what he says this year

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@millerzombie Collinsworth got it from in the building. He interpreted it as being lazy on the broadcast + imo did not give proper context

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Jason Pierre-Paul still isn’t practicing as he continues to recover from June back surgery, and his status for the regular season opener in Dallas remains unknown.

But the Giants’ most dangerous defensive end is progressing, and coach Tom Coughlin said he was particularly “encouraged” by JPP’s Thursday workout. The Giants were off Thursday, but Pierre-Paul went through an intense workout at the facility.

“He worked well (Thursday),” Coughlin said. “He ran well, He worked in the weight room.”

Coughlin added that JPP was “a little sore” on Friday, so the Giants trainers slowed him down. But the coach indicated that he didn’t view Pierre-Paul’s Friday rest day as a setback.

“He’s sore today, probably because he hasn’t been running,” Coughlin said. “He’s not ready to come out two days in a row and do what he did (Thursday), but I’m encouraged by what he did.”