Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen wants 'violence' to be trademark of new defense

After a frustrating 2023 season for the New York Giants defense that saw the unit finish 26th in points allowed, new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was brought in to turn things around.

Speaking this week on the process of building back up the defense, Bowen emphasized that hard-hitting gameplay is what he wants his defense's trademark to be under him.

"I'm hoping it's going to be speed and aggressiveness," Bowen said in an interview with former Giants center Shaun O'Hara, via the team website. "Regardless of scheme -- everybody's going to have scheme, we're going to have plenty of scheme -- but I want to make sure our guys are lined up, they know what to do, and they can play fast and aggressive ultimately. I want to maximize their abilities. I don't want to paralyze them before the ball is even snapped by overthinking.

"They're all here for a reason. God has blessed them with the skillset to be here. I want to make sure we can maximize that skillset and they're able to maximize that skillset. But hopefully [it will be] fast, aggressive, you'll see some violence from us and ultimately guys making plays."

Bowen comes to New York from Tennessee, where he spent six seasons, the last three as DC. Bowen's Titans defense ranked first in the league in red-zone scoring last year, and notably through his three seasons as DC the unit surrendered the fewest rushing yards per game in the NFL.

He'll attempt to replicate that success with the Giants, as stopping the run game proved to be a notable issue for them in 2023. Opponents recorded 140 or more rushing yards in seven games, and New York finished the season 29th in rush yards allowed and 30th in rushing TDs surrendered.

"You think run game, you think physicality, you think