The moment the New York Giants brought on Wink Martindale as their defensive coordinator, it was evident that the emphasis would be on superior man coverage corners and an intensified focus on blitzing the quarterback.
These strategies were heavily utilized during the first half of the 2022 season. However, the absence of appropriate personnel disrupted the Giants’ rhythm and momentum.
Martindale had to rely more heavily on zone coverage than preferred during the latter half of the season, owing to a dearth of depth in the defensive backfield. Injuries also hindered the team’s progression, with Leonard Williams grappling with durability issues for the first time in his career and Azeez Ojulari making only nine appearances.