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New York Giants’ Pass Rush Could Use More Robert Ayers

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By @teapester725

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When the New York Giants were at the top of their game and winning Super Bowls, it was behind the play of a talented defensive line. In recent seasons, the play of the defensive line has faltered, and the Giants’ win-loss record has reflected that. Thus far in 2014, the defensive line looks to be coming alive once again. A driving force in the turnaround is free agent acquisition Robert Ayers.

Ayers was signed this offseason from the Denver Broncos with a reputation of being an above average run stopper at the defensive end spot. The Giants were hoping he would continue to do that, and add some pressure in the passing game as well. He has done that and more, ranking second in Pro Football Focus rankings for 4-3 defensive ends.

Against the Washington Redskins in Week 4, Ayers was constantly in the backfield, registering two quarterback hits and one hurry in only 18 snaps. He also registered sacks in Week 1 and 2, already almost halfway to his career high through only four games. Mathias Kiwanuka, the player ahead of Ayers on the depth chart, on the other hand was virtually nonexistent in the pass rush after recording a strip sack on the Redskins’ first drive of the game.

Ayers has played about 48 percent of defensive snaps thus far, compared to 78 for Kiwanuka. Those are numbers that should come closer together sooner than later. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has to realize the impact that Ayers is having and make the most of it. Ayers is playing significantly less than Kiwanuka, yet their stats are essentially identical.

With Jason Pierre-Paul playing great football on the other side of the defensive line, the Giants need to get the players on the field who will produce with easier matchups. Pierre-Paul has been playing well enough that teams are starting to game plan against him once again, using plenty of double-teams. That leaves the opposite defensive end in one-on-one situations, something the Giants need the player occupying that position to win consistently for their defensive scheme to work.

In Week 5, the Giants will be taking on the banged up Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons lost three offensive linemen in Week 4, and two of them, center Joe Hawley and tackle Lamar Holmes, will both be out for the season. The Falcons were so shorthanded, tight end Levine Toilolo was forced to play right tackle.

With a depleted offensive line attempting to block for a statuesque Matt Ryan, it is imperative for the Giants to manufacture pressure. The Falcons struggle on the road and Fewell playing his most productive players along the defensive line more will only cause them more problems. The pass rush showing up again in Week 5 will give the Giants a huge edge. Ayers, like the rest of the defensive line, has a big opportunity to make some noise against backup offensive linemen.

Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725 or join his Google network

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