Stopping San Francisco 49ers’ Read Option Paramount For New York Giants
By Joe Pietaro
@MuscleSportMag
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
After being carved up by the combination of Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch last Sunday, the New York Giants have to deal with an even more lethal combination this week against the San Francisco 49ers. Colin Kaepernick is more of a threat running the pistol formation, and Frank Gore can be just as bruising as Lynch.
The Seattle Seahawks gained 350 yards on the ground in the comeback win against the Giants and also scored five touchdowns running the football (four for Lynch, one for Wilson).
Defenses have trouble keying in on a certain player because Kaepernick can hurt you with his legs and arm, especially with a deep receiving corps that includes Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Stevie Johnson. Plus, he is elusive and can throw accurately on the run. Factor in a running back like Gore, and the Giants have their work cut out for them again.
As a unit, the Giants had many breakdowns in their defense and assignments were blown when players were not in their right spot on the field. The Seahawks were able to capitalize on that, and Wilson was able to make them pay when the strategy was to stop Lynch first. So the plan going into practice for the 49ers was revised. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell told the team’s website:
“We tried to change our approach this week in how we taught it. Then we also worked hard and put a lot of energy and effort into making sure that we explained exactly what the assignments were and we also walked through the different assignments and we’ve just continuously, mentally and physically and verbally, gone through option-football assignments.”
If that sounds like something that should have been worked on during training camp, then it is no wonder that the Giants are currently ranked dead last defensively in the NFL. At 3-6, they in all likelihood would have to run the table to make the playoffs. So another loss this week would appear to be the unofficial end of their postseason hopes.
Joe Pietaro is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MuscleSportMag, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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