Quietly, The New York Giants Have Greatly Improved Their Special Teams

Last year the New York Giants had one of the most impressive statistical teams in all of football, as well as one of the most successful teams as they finished the season 10-6. But there were two major issues that held the Giants back last year: turnovers and special teams. This off-season the Giants have done an excellent job of rebuilding their special teams. Even though they play in (ok, near) the city that never sleeps, people are sleeping on the Giants offseason.

Many Giants fans are going Chicken Little with the news that Nnadmi Asmougha has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. With the trade of Kevin Kolb, the top three cornerbacks for the Eagles right now are Asmougha, Asante Samuel, and Dominque Rodgers Cromartie. Easily the most talented top three cornerback group in the league. Brace these new developments with the fact that the Eagles have owned the Giants as of late, and you can see why Giants fans are panicking. Oh, I forgot to mention the Eagles also picked up an extra second round pick and DE Jason Babin who had 12.5 sacks last season. The Sky IS Falling.

Then Giants fans look at their offseason transactions and worry really sets in. They have yet to sign Ahmad Bradshaw back, and they cut Rocky Bernard (some reports dispute this though), Shaun O’hara, Rich Suebert, Madison Hedgecock, and there are rumblings that Steve Smith will start the season the P.U.P. list. Ramses Barden, the training camp superstar is on the Physically unable to perform list right now. Giants fans are panicking, but they are over looking an important aspect in the N.F.L. that can make a significant difference. Special teams.

How bad were the Giants special teams last year? They averaged an abysmal 6.1 yards per punt return with a season LONG of 22 yards. Their punt coverage teams were abysmal (just watch the DeSean Jackson punt return), their kick coverage teams were average. And their Kick returns were also poor. 19 yards per return with a long of 42 yards. And then their was Matt Dodge. From not kicking the ball out of bounds, to fumbling punts, to kicking lasers 60 yards, but with no hangtime, to kicking the ball barely 20 yards down the field. Matt Dodge was an adventure last year, and with the way the Giants have approached the off-season, the Special Teams unit of the New York Giants, has quietly, but significantly improved for the 2011 N.F.L. Season.

Jerry Reese and the Giants front office have been on the ball with special teams all offseason. It started in the draft when the Giants spent 2 picks specifically for special teams when they drafted return man Jerrel Jernigan, and drafted a guy that confused everyone, Jacquian Williams. Williams is a player whom they expect to come in and upgrade the coverage teams. The Giants also harped on the fact that both Tyler Sash and Greg Jones, two of their sixth round picks, were ideally suited for special teams until they learned the N.F.L. game speed and could compete for defensive snaps.

Then, under the radar, the Giants signed Larry Izzo to become the assistant special teams coach. A move that got little publicity because of the crazy offseason. But this is a move that Giants fans appreciate greatly. They really dislike their Special Teams coach Tom Quinn and hope that Izzo can improve the special teams coaching.

Then, the Giants made another under the radar move when they signed former Jets punter Steve Weatherford.

Weatherford is one of the top young punters in the league and puts Matt Dodge and his booming, but inconsistent leg on notice, and his job in serious jeopardy.

Last year, Steve Weatherford landed half of his punts inside the 20 yard line, which is impressive. On top of that he had 37.9 net for his punts, more than 3 full yards than Matt Dodge last season.

Meanwhile on the other side of the stadium, the New York Jets have seen their special teams go from elite to questionable. The Jets have lost Brad Smith to the Bills. Steve Weatherford to the Giants. And Antonio Cromartie might not be back either (other return man), but no one has noticed.

The Special team debacle the New York Giants suffered last year should be a thing of the past this upcoming season, and that could be more important to the Giants success this year than any big free agent signing.

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