Big Blue View
The New York Giants’ defense has been vastly improved over the team’s last three games. It makes you wonder, as BBV’s Chris Pflum did in an earlier post, has things might have turned out had the Giants moved on from Shane Bowen and turned the defense over to Charlie Bullen earlier.
The Giants, after being historically bad against the run most of the season, have given up 3.7 yards per rushing attempt over the past three games. That is fifth-best in the NFL. They have given up 270.3 yards per games, third-best in the league. They have given up 18.3 points per game, seventh-best in the NFL.
The Giants have been more creative, more disruptive, more disciplined, and more effective during that time span.
Bullen had never called defensive plays before taking over from Bowen. Does the 41-year-old think he has shown that he can be a full-time NFL defensive coordinator?
“I’m really not that concerned about that,” Bullen said. “It’s just been a great honor and privilege for me to even be in this position and the way it came about, of course. So, I’ve just enjoyed having the opportunity to work with the players and coaches to make this as best as we can and try to win games. That’s where my focus is at right now.
“I tell the players, all that stuff takes care of itself. Just work hard, compete, do your best to win and improve and that stuff takes care of itself, so that’s really not on my mind at all right now.”
Still, it is hard not to wonder if the Giants would have won more games if Bullen had been given the keys to the defense earlier.
Here are more takeaways from Bullen’s weekly press availability.
Since being benched twice in three weeks by interim coach Mike Kafka for missing practices and meetings, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has been a different player.
After generating just a half-sack in his first 12 games, Carter has 3.5 sacks in the last four games. He has 10 quarterback hits in that span after having just 12 in the first 12 games.
The difference? Bullen says it is a “desire to be great” by Carter.
“He’s committed to it and we’ve talked a lot about him committing to his process and making some tweaks and changes, which is great, and it’s just been more of that,” Bullen said. “He’s learned a lot in his rookie year and I think you can’t always force the process as well. So, I think it’s just been continued commitment by him off the field and then on the field, he’s had some success. I think now, at this point, he’s in a little bit of a groove and a rhythm and gaining confidence and so that’s what you’re seeing on the field, for sure.”
Alexander, a rookie defensive tackle selected in Round...
