For a moment, let's pretend the year is 2007. The first model of the iPhone just debuted. Britney Spears is starting to fall off the rails. And the New York Giants just held perhaps the most prolific offense in NFL history to 14 points in Super Bowl XLII.
Now it's 2020. Britney's hair has grown back. The iPhone is on it's, essentially, 30th edition. But the 2020 Giants seem to have the same magic as 2007.
Since then, a lot has changed in New York. There's a new general manager in Dave Gettleman. The team plays in a new facility called MetLife Stadium. And the coaching staff and roster alike are entirely different. However, the schemes, statistics and overall attitude of this year's Giants defense under current defensive coordinator Patrick Graham seem to mirror that of Spagnuolo's from '07.
Giants Personnel
First, let's take a look at the type of players who anchored the defense in 2007, and how they compare to the current roster who has suddenly launched up the NFC East standings from worst to first.
In both cases, the epicenter of the Giants' success starts up front on the defensive line. In 2007, it was the likes of Barry Cofield, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan. This year's defensive line and edge rushers are loaded with studs. Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence and Dalvin Tomlinson have clogged the line of scrimmage and lead the Giants to the league's fourth best rush defense to go along with 27 sacks thus far.
In 2007, the heart and soul of the Giants defense came from captain Antonio Pierce, who called the signals on the field. This year, an off-season addition in Blake Martinez captains the defense. While Pierce lead the team in tackles in '07 with 102 to his credit, Martinez has mirrored his production and leads the Giants with 111 tackles with four games to go.
Finally, a combination of veteran leadership and young talent made up the Giants secondary 13 years ago. In 2020, not much has changed. The defensive backfield for the 2007 Giants was mentored by Sam Madison and Gibril Wilson. Rookie Aaron Ross and third-year player James Butler played a large part in the team's 20 interceptions.
This year, the experience of Logan Ryan and James Bradberry has allowed rookie Darnay Holmes and fourth-year player Jabrill Peppers to blossom. This, in turn, has already resulted in 14 interceptions for the G-Men.
James Bradberry:
— PFF (@PFF) December 1, 2020
? 85.2 Single Coverage Grade (1st)
? 15 Forced Incompletions (1st) pic.twitter.com/vXKCysKnS6
Do You Believe Yet?
Despite the statistical parallels between both of these Giants rosters, there is one immeasurable element that sparked the 2007 defense and has allowed this 2020 defense to peak at the right time. That being an attitude. An edge. A downright nastiness that is visually evident when re-watching a game from '07 or tuning in for a game this season.
The 2007 Giants had a catchphrase often echoed by Michael Strahan before every contest. In the mind of Big Blue, they were going to beat whoever they lined up against. And as Strahan so lovingly put it each week, "Stomp their a** out!"
I miss traveling the country to STOMP THEM OUT!!! @Giants #tbt #NoQBWantedToFaceUs pic.twitter.com/UZmDPekshC
— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) December 3, 2020
Whether it was stealing a victory on the road in the regular season, or sacking Tom Brady five times in the Super Bowl, the Giants of old did just that. Delivered punishment on a weekly basis, like an Amazon driver dropping packages on door steps as the holidays approach.
As the final quarter of the 2020 NFL season looms, a similar attitude is being preached in the current Giants' locker room. But, this time it's delivered a little more casually, with a single word rather than a riot-inciting catch phrase.
Belief.
Logan Ryan, who has turned into one of the New York Giants' most valuable free-agent signings, has brought up his belief in this year's team to the media more than once. His most recent statement coming as he jogged off the field in Seattle Sunday after clipping the Seahawks on their own field. "Do you believe yet?"
Giants CB Logan Ryan, jogging off the field, asked the few of us hanging out in the front row, “Do you believe yet?” Sort of, yeah. Heck of a win.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) December 7, 2020
Looking Ahead
So, while there may have been some doubt surrounding this team and their defense through the first seven weeks of the season, the familiar mojo of a dominant defense from 2007 is starting to ripple throughout the league. And like a young kid who wakes up to half eaten cookies on Christmas morning, there are reasons to believe.
The question is, can this year's New York Giants defense ride their momentum into the playoffs like 2007? Can Patrick Graham continue to disguise his weapons and confuse minds like Russell Wilson? Can they really shock the world?
It may be impossible to answer those questions right now. Players like Ryan and Martinez probably don't want to answer them anyway. But, until then, there's more than enough reason for the Giants defense, and their fans, to party like it's 2007.
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