Safeties have always played a major role in John Harbaugh’s defenses over the years. That is why Jevon Holland, whom the New York Giants signed last year to a three-year, $45.3 million deal last spring, will be a pivotal player for Big Blue this season.
Holland did not open many eyes with his play last year in Shane Bowen’s system and could be in for a big season under new coordinator Dennard Wilson. The Giants’ defense is much more like that of the one Holland played in Miami under Anthony Weaver, who, like Wilson, coached under Harbaugh in Baltimore.
“It’s completely different from last year, and then the year before that, with Weaver, he was from the Ravens, so there are similarities,” Holland told reporters this week at the Giants’ OTAs. “But just the way it’s called, the rhythm of the coach, it’s all different.”
Holland, who is in his sixth NFL season at just age 26, is a fungible player. He can play any style but is most effective when used properly. Last season, there was a lot of newness on the Giants’ defense, which led to breakdowns and huge plays by the opposition.
“I feel like we’re kind of in the same like two-high. At this point, I’ve had so many different defenses that I don’t think like one defense is like fitting my strength. I think it’s me that adapts to the defense, which is the reason why I can jump from defense to defense. So I just kind of find my role and like nestle in there and expand from there,” he said.
And the Giants want Holland to adapt back to the aggressive style Wilson will stress going forward. It’s a whole new ballgame in East Rutherford. Harbaugh has the entire team on task, practicing faster with a high attention to detail.
“You can tell that he’s done things a certain way that he’s comfortable with, and he kind of puts things in order,” Holland said of Harbaugh. “So we’re learning in a certain way, training in a certain way, OTAs are structured in a certain way. Yeah, the staff, you know, is kind of organized in a certain way so that we’re able to both see our performance and improve on it day in and day out and then get help when we need it.”
Holland will be asked to partner up with Tyler Nubin, who, like Holland, was a former second-round draft pick. Harbaugh likes what he sees from his two young veterans thus far.
“I like both those guys. I think they’re looking really good out there. They take control. They communicate. Javon Holland is a proven NFL high level safety, and he’s very young and just starting his career. And then Nubin, same thing. Coming out he was a guy that everybody liked. High draft pick. He looks good, too. He’s leaned up. He’s moving well,” Harbaugh said.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Jevon Holland poised for big year in Giants’ new defense
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
