NFL
Dennard Wilson Calls Out Giants’ Defensive Effort After Saints Loss
The coordinator criticized tackling and pursuit in Thursday remarks, warning that players must correct their habits or face changes.
Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson criticized his players’ tackling and pursuit after their Week 6 loss to the Saints, warning that continued poor effort could lead to personnel changes.
Wilson made the comments Thursday, October 22. NFL.com’s Kevin Patra reported his remarks Friday, citing NJ.com. Wilson said missed tackles had allowed plays to escape, particularly in the passing game, and that the effort to reach the ball fell below the standard he expected.
The Giants missed 18 tackles in the game, with 12 players missing at least one, according to Next Gen Stats figures cited by NFL.com. That measure is separate from Wilson’s assessment of effort.
Wilson said he confronts those plays in team meetings and expects defenders to correct their behavior. He also made clear that remaining on the field depended on responding: “if you don’t change the behaviors, we have to change the players.”
New York’s next test is a Week 7 visit to Houston, where the defense faces C.J. Stroud.
