Back to the New York Giants Newsfeed

Explaining 8-man defensive front spacing, which was Wink Martindale’s preference

Related Topics: Wink Martindale

The New York Giants will have a different defensive structure in 2024 under the guidance of Shane Bowen. The run-fit structure out of two high, split-field, coverages will mostly (but not all the time) be eight-man spacing, which was commonly used by the Titans under Bowen.

Seven-man spacing upfront is referred to as the defense being out-gapped, meaning the defense is minus-1 in the box with both safeties deep. Eight-man spacing is the defense being gapped out, meaning the defense has a plus-1 advantage against the run in the box, with a middle-of-the-field closed safety (Cover-1/Cover-3).