In a major shakeup, the New York Giants have replaced Don ‘Wink’ Martindale as their defensive coordinator. The team has hired former Tennessee Titans’ assistant coach Shane Bowen to take on the role. Bowen is known for running a “simpler” defensive scheme that has been compared to the New England Patriots’ style of play. This appointment comes after talks with Titans staffers who worked under Bowen.
There has been some conflicting information regarding the Giants’ coaching staff. While ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Giants have been in talks with Bowen’s assistants in Tennessee, a report from NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton suggests that the team plans to bring back most, if not all, of their current defensive staff under Bowen’s leadership.
Regardless of who makes up his staff, Bowen is expected to implement a 3-4 base defense that can vary based on the game plan, according to SNY.tv’s Connor Hughes. Bowen’s defensive units with the Titans were known for their similarities to the Patriots’ approach. They focused on taking away their opponents’ strengths and forcing them to rely on their secondary options.
Giants’ head coach Brian Daboll, who previously worked as an assistant in New England, will likely appreciate the Patriots-like style of defense that Bowen brings. This could help improve the Giants’ defensive rankings, which were underwhelming under Martindale’s tenure. Despite blitzing frequently, the Giants struggled to perform well on defense, ranking 26th in points and 27th in yards this season. They also allowed an average of 5.6 yards per play, including 4.7 yards per rush.
In contrast, Bowen’s Titans defense was highly effective. They consistently kept their opponents’ points per game low and excelled in the red zone. The Titans ranked 10th, 11th, and 16th in points allowed per game under Bowen’s guidance. They were particularly dominant in the red zone, ranking seventh in 2021 and first in both 2022 and 2023.
Bowen’s expertise lies in pass rush, as noted by Jordan Raanan of ESPN. He has a track record of developing players like Harold Landry and is known for his ability to teach and mentor his players. This makes him a valuable addition to the Giants’ coaching staff.
Overall, the Giants’ decision to hire Shane Bowen as their new defensive coordinator brings hope for improvement in their defensive performance. Bowen’s Patriots-like approach and his experience with successful pass rush strategies could be the key to turning around the team’s defensive struggles.
The New York Giants have made a significant change to their coaching staff, bringing in a new coordinator to help outside linebacker Harold Landry III achieve double-digit sacks in the upcoming seasons. This news is a positive development for the Giants, as the position group experienced both highs and lows throughout the previous season.
One of the highs for the Giants’ outside linebackers was the breakout performance of Kayvon Thibodeaux, according to PFF NY Giants. In 2022, Thibodeaux recorded 39 quarterback pressures and 4 sacks. He followed that up with an even more impressive season in 2023, tallying 43 quarterback pressures and 13 sacks.
However, there were also issues within the position group that led to the dismissal of position coach Drew Wilkins. This decision reportedly escalated tensions between the new coordinator, Brian Daboll, and defensive coordinator Martindale, as reported by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
While the new coordinator, Bowen, is known for his emphasis on pass-rushing, the Titans’ sack totals under him were not particularly impressive, according to Nick Falato of SB Nation’s Big Blue View. In 2021, the Titans recorded 42 sacks, with Harold Landry contributing 12. In 2022, the sack total dropped to 39, with Denico Autry leading the team with 8 sacks. However, in 2023, the Titans saw a slight improvement with 45 sacks, and Autry leading the team with 11.5 sacks.
Overall, the Giants’ defense struggled to generate sacks, finishing the season with just 34. The hope is that Bowen’s arrival will help improve this number. However, some doubt his ability to adequately replace Martindale, as the Giants missed out on other prime candidates for the defensive coordinator position.
The Giants conducted interviews with Dennard Wilson, former defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens, but he ultimately decided to join the Titans instead of replacing Bowen. Another prime candidate, Bobby Babich, also chose to take a promotion with the Buffalo Bills.
The Giants’ search for a defensive coordinator was delayed due to missing out on their top targets. According to Jordan Raanan, there was concern among candidates about the pressure to show progress after a disappointing season under Brian Daboll and his coaching regime.
Now, it is Bowen’s turn to build a working relationship with Daboll and help improve the underperforming Giants defense. Only time will tell if this coaching change will lead to the desired results for the team.
