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Giants To Be Without Devon Kennard, 2 Defensive Ends vs. 49ers

By Kenneth Teape

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The New York Giants have struggled all season getting a consistent pass rush on opposing quarterbacks. Without Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants have been forced to try and manufacture a pass rush in different ways, but nothing has really come of it yet. It won’t get any easier this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers, as the Giants will be without one of their strongest defenders, and arguably best pass rusher, Devon Kennard.

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Kennard, the second year linebacker from USC, came on at the end of last season because of his pass rushing prowess. It helped get him a starting spot this season, but he has flourished into much more than just a situational pass rusher. He has been one of the best defenders on the field week in and week out for the Giants no matter the situation they are going against.

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His athleticism had always helped him be a strong pass rusher, but he was finally blossoming more this season. He was excelling in defending the run, something that was a weak spot for him last season, but was also much improved in the passing game. No longer has he been the target of opposing defenses, and when he is he has made a play. His interception against the Buffalo Bills was week was a great show of athleticism and football ability, making an over the shoulder catch like a wide receiver.

His presence will be on the field. Unlike the defensive ends who have been rotating in together and have some similar skill sets, there is no other linebacker on the roster that has the talent or skills to replace Kennard. He will not be an easy player to replace, and it will take a group effort to do so, especially because his backup, Jonathan Casillas, is questionable for the game. If he misses it also, the Giants linebacker corps will be extremely diminished.

Kennard is not the only key piece on the defense missing the game, which makes his loss that much worse. Joining him on the sideline will be Robert Ayers. Ayers, who is the most versatile defensive end the Giants have on their roster in terms of stopping the run and rushing the passer, will miss his third consecutive game with a hamstring. One of his backups and players rotating in, George Selvie, is also out so the Giants defensive front will be without three main contributors.

That will not be an easy trio to replace, but the Giants have done a great job this season with a next man up mentality. They will have to put that to place again against the 49ers and their run dominant attack. This is not the game you want three of your main run stuffers missing, as the 49ers have dual threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the talented Carlos Hyde at running back.

But, that is what happens sometimes and the Giants will just have to scheme to play to their players strengths once again. Expect Mark Herzlich and possibly Jasper Brinkley to get more playing time. The Giants could also experiment with bringing one of their safeties, either Brandon Meriweather or Landon Collins, into the box as both excel in defending the run.

Whatever the Giants decide to do, it will require a team effort to replace the production of the three players that they will be missing against the 49ers.

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