We look at what worked in former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme, and what would a new defensive coordinator need to change.
The Wink Martindale era as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants seems to have reached its end. Instead of diving into all of the conjecture surrounding his departure, this seemed like a good time to reflect on his tenure with the team and his effect on the defense.
In 2022, his defense showed promise, and we heard his name kicked around in conversations for head coaching positions. In 2023, the offensive regression and some personnel changes led to a step back in overall performance, especially in the first half of the season.
The second half seemed to mirror the unit many believed had the opportunity to be a top-five unit in the NFL. There was a lot to admire about Martindale’s defense and some things that still remain a head-scratcher.
We could not possibly go through all of them individually, so, as we would with players, let’s take a look at the good, the great, and the ugly of Martindale’s defensive schemes.
The Good: Pass Coverage
When most people think of a Wink Martindale defense, they think of aggression, but one thing he did as defensive coordinator for the Giants was show his ability to change up and disguise coverages.
Follow
When he took over, many believed the Giants would turn into a heavy man-to-man team, and while they did play a fair amount of men under Martindale, they also played a myriad of other coverage. The results of some of those confusing coverages were interceptions.
Other times, it forced quarterbacks to hold the ball longer and resulted in sacks, pressures, or misthrown footballs. One of the most impressive things was how many players would constantly be near the football on a pass. They did not always make the tackle, but it forced the quarterback to make tight-window throws.
The Great: Blitz Packages
Martindale has long been known for his ability to dial up blitzes that confuse offenses, get quarterbacks on the ground, or make them throw the ball away. That remained the case during his tenure in New York and while the team did not finish in the upper echelon in sack totals.
