Linval Joseph-unheralded Reason for New York Giants Success in 2012

In the 2010 N.F.L. draft the New York Giants spent their first two round picks on Defensive linemen-Jason Pierre Paul and Linval Joseph. Everyone knows the kind of impact Jason Pierre Paul had on the New York Giants season this year with his 16.5 sacks, 86 tackles, and numerous passes defensed at the line. Pierre Paul was arguably the defensive M.V.P. of the season (I say M.V.P. an award that doesn’t exist because no defensive player had has much positive impact-Jared Allen was great, but the team was awful. Pierre Paul’s emergence got the Giants into the playoffs and their Superbowl victory). What was often over-looked though was the terrific play of 2nd round pick Linval Joseph.

Giants fans noticed Joseph, the massive space eater, making plays all season, especially in the run game. But Giants fans were not the only ones who noticed, according to Profootballfocus and their star “run stopping efficiency” Linval Joseph was the fifth best run stopper in the entire league last year. It was due in large part to Joseph’s play that put teams in 2nd and 3rd and long situations for Pierre Paul, Tuck, and Osi to get after the quarterback. Joseph played as well against the run as Vince Wilfork-a pro bowl player who had (Joseph also had 2 sacks, Wilfork had 3.5) but without all the fanfare.

What is interesting here too is who appears as one of the worst run stoppers in the league this year, none other than recently desperately New York Giants defensive tackle Barry Coefield. The guy Joseph essentially replaced. Not surprising is the poor pay of Colts Defensive tackles in their ineffective defensive concept.

Also interesting to note is how effective Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey was this year. I remember Dave Razzarno former 49ers scout saying before the 2011 N.F.L. draft that Casey wasn’t the sexiest pick, but in three years if teams could do a re-mock with the production over the next three years Casey would be a top 7 pick. So far he’s showing his worth is weight in gold (or white and sky-blue, whatever color the Titans blue is).