The 2022 season revealed many surprises. Leonard Williams and the New York Giants defensive line were one. Many known truths were revisited and brought forth: For example, Coaching matters. That is to say, putting players in situations where they can succeed are just two dogmas realized from the season. Wink Martindale, the Defensive Coordinator, worked with the players that he was given; General Manager Joe Schoen constantly tried to upgrade the personnel. The New York Giants exceeded expectation and posted a winning record in their first season under Head Coach Brian Daboll.
The Giant defensive line is well represented, by some accounts, having two of the top 12 defensive linemen in the NFL; Dexter Lawrence (No. 3) and Leonard Williams at number 12. Subsequently, the perception that the defensive line was a strength will be examined here. The team gave up over 146 yards rushing per game, ranking 28th in the league. Pointing fingers, is easy to blame the back end of the defense. There are many holes that still need to be addressed, but ownership to the run (or lack) of run defense has to start up front.
Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence
Dexter Lawrence is a top defender in the run, and as a nose tackle had 7.5 sacks of the quarterback last year. The former Ram, A’Shawn Robinson, a stout run defender, was signed by the New York Giants as a free agent. A good signing, addressing both need and fitting in with limited cap space, Robinson will play left defensive end and will help to upgrade the line. And then there is Leonard Williams.
Williams is in his third and final year of $63 million contract that will net him $18 million this year. Statistically, he was 19th against the run, and 14th against the pass. He had 2.5 sacks this past year. The Giants have had talent recently on the defensive line, only to have the players leave as soon as possible. B.J. Hill (currently in Cincinnati) and Davlin Tomlinson (Cleveland) come to mind.
While both play the middle on the defensive line, a good comparison to Williams is difficult. Tomlinson left Minnesota for Cleveland, and the Viking quickly signed the ex-Saint Marcus Davenport, a defensive end, and perhaps a better comparison to Williams. The Saints traded three draft picks to select Davenport in 2018. While a solid player, Davenport did not live up to expectation in New Orleans, and hit the free agent market this off-season. Davenport just signed a $13 million contract with Minnesota.
Kicking the Tires
Before kicking the tires and not bringing back Leonard Williams for next season, one can contemplate Case Stengal. The New York Yankee manager commented on his left handed pitcher Tommy Byrne and being traded after the conclusion of the 1950 season. Byrne had won 15 games in both 1949 and 1950. In 1949 he led the league in walks, and for his 13-year career he walked 1037 batters, averaging 6.9 BB/G, the highest average of any modern day pitcher. Not a fan favorite, as between every pitch from the hard thrower there was a meditation in between. Games were lengthy, to say the least. This did not matter to Casey Stengel. Stengel’s observation? “Who is going to win 15 games for me now?”
Williams, while on declining trajectory, is still a good player. He is just not playing to his existing contract, and a future contract needs to reflect his current level of play. I am for finding a way to bring back Leonard Williams in the future. Who else is going to play right defensive end?
Barry Schustermann
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