It is no secret that the Giants once-dominant defensive line fell off production-wise last year. Star defensive ends Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul combined for 10.5 sacks, way down from totals in years passed. However, defensive line coach Robert Nunn believes that his group of players is ready to get back to form in 2013.
Nunn started off by saying, ?Justin (Tuck) has probably had his best offseason since I?ve been here. I think he?s in the best physical shape and seems to be in a great state of mind.?
He also believes that injuries were a huge factor?for Tuck?s down production last year and that if he can stay healthy, he will be back to his 2011 form. Though he only missed one game in 2012 due to a shoulder injury, Tuck was nagged by the injury for the entire year. He put up his lowest sack total and second lowest tackle total (45) since becoming a full-time starter in 2006.
Another veteran Nunn had high praise for is Mathias Kiwanuka, who is making the switch back to defensive end full-time after being an outside linebacker hybrid for the past few season. Nunn praised Kiwanuka?s locker room presence, ?The toughness he brings, the leadership he brings to that group, we?re looking forward to that. We need toughness and he?s just that.?
Kiwanuka is coming off a season in which he totaled three sacks in limited pass rushing duty. However, he is returning to his natural position of defensive end, which he played throughout college and for the first three seasons as a Giants before moving to outside lineback. In 2008, Kiwanuka had a career high in sacks with 8, all as a defensive end.
A newcomer to the defensive line is making waves with Nunn as well.
Second round pick Johnathan Hankins has caught his coach?s attention while running with the second team during the summer. ?He?s really surprised me,? Nunn said. ?He?s gotten right with his body. He has worked, he has trimmed up, he?s gotten stronger. If he continues to do that, he is another young player I think can contribute to the this team. He?s looked good.?
Hankins, who was an All-American and an all Big-Ten member at Ohio State last year, has a lot of work to do to catch up to starting tackles Linval Joseph and Cullen Jenkins, but he has already beat veterans Marvin Austin and Shaun Rogers up the depth chart. On the second team he is playing alongside veteran newcomer Mike Patterson. It sounds like Nunn is not afraid to throw ?Big Hank? into the lineup if he can keep his weight down and conditioning up.
The Giants defensive line is looking to replace ten total sack from last year due to the departures of key contributers?like Christ Canty and Osi Umenyiora, along with defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. They will rely heavily on Jenkins, but there is no doubt that Hankins and draft classmate Demontre?Moore have the talent to step in and contribute to the team.
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