Olivier Vernon Stepping Up In A Major Way For Giants Defense
The signing of defensive end Olivier Vernon was one of the New York Giants’ biggest offseason moves.
Vernon signed a five-year, $85 million deal to move away from Miami for the first time in his life. He was born and raised in Miami, played at the University of Miami, and spent the first four years of his professional career with the Miami Dolphins.
The beginning of Vernon’s Giants tenure left many wondering if he would live up the expectations that come with a big free agent contract, especially in the Big Apple.
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Vernon had one sack in his first seven games. There were rumblings that general manager Jerry Reese overpaid for a player who wasn’t as good as advertised. This was before Vernon turned the corner.
Entering this Sunday’s crucial game against the Dallas Cowboys, Vernon has 49 tackles and eight sacks. He has at least one sack in his last five games. In consecutive games against the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded two sacks apiece.
Vernon has a chance to become the first Giants player to record a sack in six consecutive games since Hall of Famer Michael Strahan did it in the 2003 season.
The Giants are 8-4 and sit as the No. 5 seed in the NFC Playoff picture. They are looking for their first season sweep of the 11-1 Cowboys since 2011.
In the season opening 20-19 win, Vernon was instrumental in stopping the run by limiting the effectiveness of tight end Jason Witten. Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott was held to 51 yards on 20 attempts. Vernon is also excellent in pass coverage.
Vernon will have to be at best for the rest of the season due to the loss of fellow defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul had surgery for an injured groin suffered in the Week 13 loss to the Steelers. He will miss the remainder of the regular season.
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