Subscribe
Follow Us
The New York Giants are switching up their defense to new defensive coordinator James Bettcher‘s 3-4 scheme this season. Olivier Vernon, who will be going from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker, figures to be an important part of that defense, according to Bettcher.
Bettcher also says Vernon is doing a great job of getting himself ready to take on his new role on that defense.
“We know he is a dynamic guy,” Bettcher said this spring, via Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media. “He’s a guy that can rush from different angles, a guy that you can move around and put in different matchups, and he’s embraced everything that we’ve done to this point. I’ve loved working with him, and I think he’s making some great progress, not just in this scheme, but I think as I’ve looked at him as a player, he’s sharpening his tools right now.”
Vernon recorded 15 sacks over his two seasons as a 4-3 DE with the Giants. However, he isn’t completely alien to the 3-4, which is likely why the whole transition process has gone as smoothly as it has. Vernon played the position in spots during college and also got to play that role when he was with the Miami Dolphins.
Vernon’s role within the Giants D will be even more crucial this season following the departure of Jason Pierre-Paul. That means the spotlight will be primarily on Vernon to deliver that consistent pressure as the undisputed No. 1 guy on the team’s pass rush, which had just 32 sacks last season.
If he can successfully perform at a high level, the Giants' defense could just see some marked improvement from their disastrous performance last season.
