New DC James Bettcher and his impact on the New York Giants defense
By Sean Dyer
Linebackers
The New York Giants have neglected their linebackers for as long as many of us can remember. Perhaps switching to a 3-4 defense will force them to add talent to the middle of their defense.
“Joker” Outside Linebacker: Olivier Vernon
James Bettcher used Chandler Jones in this role for the past two seasons, another converted 4-3 defensive end. Jones (6’5″ 265 lb.) and Olivier Vernon (6’2″ 262 lb.) are similar in size and OV should be able to make a similar adjustment. If he does, he’ll likely see his sack numbers increase as Jones put up 11 sacks in 2016 and a career-high 17 sacks in 2017.
It’ll be interesting to see Vernon drop into coverage but as the “Joker”, he’ll primarily be rushing the passer, which is what he does best.
OV’s stout run defense also won’t be lost at outside linebacker as he can still set the edge and force running backs inside to be swallowed up by Harrison and Tomlinson.
“Mike” Inside Linebacker: B.J. Goodson
After Kevin Minter and Karlos Dansby played this position in Arizona, B.J. Goodson fits in well.
Minter and Dansby are both known as run stuffers and the 3-4 defense allowed them to focus on the run with another inside linebacker alongside them to worry about dropping into coverage.
When healthy, Goodson looked good in 2017 as the Giants middle linebacker. He struggled, however, when dropping into coverage. Bettcher’s 3-4 scheme should be able to hide Goodson’s weakness a bit and allow him to play the run, which he showed signs of being very good at this past season.
“Will” Inside Linebacker: Landon Collins
I know this sounds crazy but hear me out.
In Arizona, Bettcher’s “Will” inside linebacker was Deone Bucannon who is 6’1″ 211 lb. and was a college safety. Bucannon excelled at linebacker, totaling 112, 91, and 82 tackles in his last three seasons.
Landon Collins is similar in size at 6’0″ 218 lb. and ever since he’s entered the NFL, I’ve wondered how he’d do as an undersized, rangy linebacker.
This thought was at the front of my brain during Collins’s rookie year when he was struggling in coverage. 2016 certainly calmed my concerns about Collins at safety but I still think he could be a beast in a Bucannon role.
Collins put up 112, 125, and 104 total tackles in his first three seasons. Wouldn’t it benefit the Giants defense if he made those tackles closer to the line of scrimmage?
This is likely just a pipe dream and New York will find a new linebacker in their expected linebacker overhaul this offseason. But I couldn’t resist bringing up the idea of Collins flying around making tackles at inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
“Sam” Outside Linebacker: Devon Kennard
Right now, Devon Kennard is set to become a free agent. But out of all the Giants free agent linebackers, Kennard is the most likely to be re-signed.
Alex Okafor, Markus Golden, and Haason Reddick all played this position for the Cardinals and Kennard could be Bettcher’s next “Sam” OLB.
Kennard has played outside linebacker, defensive end, and even a little defensive tackle in New York’s 4-3 scheme. Kennard was the Giants pass rushing linebacker the last few years which should help him transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Again, the Giants are likely overhauling their linebackers this offseason, but if Kennard returns, he’ll compete to be the starting “Sam” outside linebacker.