New York Giants

Rodgers-Cromartie: If you know anything about Spags, you know his defenses get after it

Published Apr. 21, 2015 10:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Giants are back for the start of the offseason workouts, and they are excited about some of the changes made in the offseason. Although the offensive players will be greeting a familiar coaching staff, most of the defensive players will be meeting new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for the first time.

During his first stint as Giants’ defensive coordinator, a position Spagnuolo held in 2007-08, his defense was known for its aggressive style. His defense was also known for its success—his 2007 unit stifled the 18-0 Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, holding them to just 14 points. Some players, like cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and linebacker Jon Beason, are aware of what he had accomplished with the Giants.

“It’s very exciting,” cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said, according to Michael Eisen of Giants.com. “If you know anything about Spags and what he has done in this league, you know his defenses get after it. He’s already gone to the Super Bowl with this team. You are excited to play for him and get back to playing that type of defense.”

“I was always a fan of his from afar,” linebacker Jon Beason said, according to Michael Eisen of Giants.com. “Now having the opportunity to play for him is something I really look forward to it. I did have a conversation with Antonio Pierce and Jonathan Vilma (linebackers who played for Spagnuolo) and they all had good things to say about him. I am looking forward to it and just trying to do my part and make sure I live up to the hype.”

However, there is one player who is familiar with Spagnuolo on a personal level after having played under him when he was a senior defensive assistant to Jim Harbaugh with the Ravens. Jameel McClain, who spent his last six seasons with the Ravens before 2014, talked about his personal playing experience under Spagnuolo.

“Everyone on the defense is going to find out about Spags,” McClain said, according to Michael Eisen of Giants.com. “There isn’t really anything I have to tell them. He is a smart man. He is an honest man. He is a fair man. That is everything that every player wants all together. That is all they need to know about him. The rest of that is that they just go out there and play and we will be great.

“I think everybody will love Spags, not just people on the team, but fans. They already know about Spags. They know what he brings to the game. Everybody will buy in and we will have a great defense off of what he brings to the game, too.”

If Spagnuolo can recreate what he established during the 2007-2008 season, the players will stay excited all season long.

(h/t New York Giants)