The New York Giants hired Don Martindale as their next defensive coordinator. A few days ago, Patrick Graham interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders for the same position after missing out on the Minnesota Vikings head coaching gig. On February 4th, the Raiders hired him as their next defensive coordinator under Josh McDaniels.
Martindale recently parted ways with the Baltimore Ravens after four seasons as their defensive coordinator. Before the Ravens hired him in 2018, he spent one season in the same spot with Josh McDaniels in 2010 with the Denver Broncos. After his tenure in Denver, he spent a few years as the Ravens linebacker coach before he was promoted.
Here are three things to expect with Martindale as the next New York Giants defensive coordinator:
What to Anticipate With Don Martindale as Defensive Coordinator
Lots of Blitzing
During his time with the Baltimore Ravens, Martindale loved to blitz the quarterback. His defenses ranked first in blitz percentage from 2018 to 202o. The 2021 campaign was the only outlier where the defense ranked sixth in blitz percentage, due to immense injury and personnel issues.
Blitzing is one thing as pressuring the quarterback is another. Martindale’s defenses through his four seasons ranked third, fifteenth, fourth, and twenty-fourth in the NFL. His defense’s sack numbers ranked in the middle of the pack in his tenure. From 2018-21, his defenses ranked 11th, 21st, 14th, and 23rd in sacks.
Though the sack numbers aren’t too special, there is much more to rushing the passer than just getting sacks. Over the past few seasons, the Giants have had a tough time pressuring the quarterback consistently, let alone getting to him. Martindale’s aggressive defense should get the Giants back up on their feet on what their championships were built on.
Matthew Judon and Calais Campbell were nominated to the Pro Bowl with Martindale as their coordinator. Azeez Ojulari is a definite fit for the incoming scheme.
Building Through the Secondary
In the last few seasons, the New York Giants have made the secondary the head of their defenses. Last year, the Giants added Adoree Jackson in free agency, and the year before they added James Bradberry. In last year’s draft, they added Aaron Robinson and Rodarius Williams, also adding Darnay Holmes the year prior.
In Martindale’s defense, both parts have to work together. While the front is aggressive and constantly getting after the quarterback, the secondary has to hold up and play tight man coverage. That is where many see James Bradberry as a non-suitor for Martindale’s scheme. In 2020, Patrick Graham went against his repertoire and played a zone-heavy defense.
Bradberry benefited and had the best season of his career with three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, and a Pro Bowl nomination. When Graham switched between zone and man in 2021, Bradberry struggled and played inconsistently. The New York Giants can easily get rid of Bradberry by trading him or cutting him. Releasing him saves 12 million in cap space.
James Bettcher blitzed heavily when he was the defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019, but remained unsuccessful due to his stubbornness and the lack of qualified personnel.
The Giants may definitely draft a defensive player within the first few rounds such as Kyle Hamilton, to fit Martindale’s scheme. To note, Aaron Robinson is a great fit since he played well in man coverage last season and has the physical traits.
Great Against the Run
Despite a defensive lapse in 2021 for Martindale’s unit, he always puts out the best run defenses. In his four-year tenure, his units ranked fourth, fifth, eighth, and first against the run. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had this to say on Martindale’s run-stopping units: “We have had a great run on defense, and I am very proud of what has been accomplished and the work he has done.”
He had C.J. Mosley the first year of his tenure, which helped the team’s defense in the trenches. The Ravens drafted Patrick Queen in 2020 to be Mosley’s official successor as the starting inside linebacker.
Many call into question whether Blake Martinez fits the scheme or not. However, Martinez is coming off of a torn ACL and the Giants can save eight million by releasing him.
The Giants missed Martinez and Dalvin Tomlinson, as the team ranked 25th against the run. Leonard Williams and Austin Johnson played on an average scale, but double teams bulldozed Danny Shelton and the linebackers could not make the needed run stops in the trenches.
There are a few names to keep an eye on in free agency at inside linebacker, but drafting Devin Lloyd, Kyle Hamilton or Nakobe Dean could help turn this defense into a consistently productive unit in the trenches year after year. With Martindale as defensive coordinator, either of those players would be immediately put in a position to succeed.
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