Defenders have their say in tweaks to New York Giants' scheme

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Throughout the spring, New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo spoke of numerous tweaks he and his staff were planning to make in year two of his tenure.

While some have been visible -- the addition of a new practice session devoted specifically to the young players for example -- other changes haven't been as noticeable, unless disclosed by McAdoo or a player.

For example, linebacker Jonathan Casillas revealed that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, entering his third season in his second go-round with the Giants, has opened things up and allowed his players to have more input into the type of plays they like and what they believe might make them more successful.

"Spags, I think since his first year to now, he's let his guard down a little bit," said Casillas, last year's defensive captain. "He's let us, as the players, kind of dictate to him in what we like to do and what we're comfortable with."

Casillas said the change in Spagnuolo is a result of the players buying into the system. The Giants executed it well enough last season to be a top 10 defense after languishing at the bottom a year earlier.

"Spags is definitely a guy that's willing to listen to players and even the coaches underneath him to get certain things ironed out," said Casillas, who revealed he has met with his defensive coordinator to offer his take on tweaks to the playbook.

Nine defensive starters return for the second year in this system.

"I think we can be as good as we want to," Casillas said of the defense. "And I say that because you can't go from what we did last year. It's a new year -- similar guys, but not the same."

Maybe not, but the goal of helping the team add a fifth Super Bowl title to its franchise history certainly hasn't changed, nor has the defense's goal of becoming one of the most dominating units in the league.

The Giants received some sad news before the start of Tuesday's practice when they learned of the passing of Jayro Ponce.

Ponce was the 9-year-old cancer-stricken Giants fan from Texas whose wish to meet receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fulfilled the week before training camp. Diagnosed with a malignant Rhabdoid tumor last December, Ponce had taken a turn for the worse recently, his body finally surrendering to the disease.

"I'm praying for his family. Praying that they have peace," said center Weston Richburg, whose father Danny was instrumental in arranging for Beckham to meet Ponce.

"They put on their Facebook post that Jayro received his healing, and he did. It may have not turned out the way we wanted, but there is a divine plan as to how everything goes, and I am a firm believer that God works everything out for the good. It may not seem good to us now, but I think there will be good to come out of this."

Richburg, who met Ponce in April, spoke last week about how humbled he was to have had the opportunity to meet Ponce and his family. Sporting a black wristband with "Team Jayro" emblazoned in yellow lettering, Richburg said that Ponce's plight was a good reminder that no matter how sore he becomes after a hard day's worth of work on the gridiron, there are those who have it worse.

PK Mike Nugent has been signed to compete with the relatively unknown Aldrick Rosas for the kicking position.