The 2009 New York Giants defense is an embarrassment and its time to clean house, especially after their showing against the Eagles this week in the NFL.

The New York Giants have always prided themselves with playing great defense. From the early days at Giants stadium (1976 - 2009), defense has always been the name of the game. In a game where the offense always gets the glory, it were NY Giant Hall-of-Famers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson that helped define “D-Fence” in NFL Football.

Over the last 25 years the Giants have had 5 coaches: Bill Parcells (1984-1990), Ray Handley (1991-1992), Dan Reeves (1993-1996), Jim Fassel (1997-2003) and Tom Couglin (2004 - present). In all these years except the current 2009 season, Defense defined the Giants. But no longer.

So what is the problem with the Giants defense?

Sure, you could use the excuse that injuries have plaqued the Giants defense but the other NFL teams and past Giant defenses have had to deal with the same issues. Some might argue that the Giant offense isn’t controlling time of position and therefore not giving the defense sufficient rest - THAT’s BULL!

The problem with the NY Giants defensive problems starts with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan (in his first year) and ends with the lack of talent and depth on the defensive line and especially it’s secondary. To see opposing QB’s sit in the pocket for ever and seeing opposing receivers wide open in the secondary - it’s hard to watch - and even harder to swallow!

If you are questioning whether the Giants Defense are the cause of their problems consider this statistic in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles @ Giants stadium (12/13/2009):

The Giants lost 45-38 despite outgaining the Eagles 512-374 and holding the advantage in time of possession by nearly 10 minutes.

For the record, the New York Giants have given up over 40 points in three games in 2009 - just absurd for an NFL team that prides itself on defense.

So if Tom Couglin and the Giants really want to compete in 2010, they will need to have the defensive reserves audition in the final three weeks of the NFL season. Then its time to look for a new defensive coordinator and defensive talent in the off-season - the Giant Fans will demand it!

According to the AP, Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to sentence former National Football League player Dana Stubblefield to probation for lying to sports doping investigators about his drug use. 

They say the lenient sentence is warranted because he provided names of players, trainers and others associated with the NFL who he says used and distributed performance-enhancing drugs. Prosecutors say that NFL officials have interviewed Stubblefield and are investigating his claims.  It is expected that Stubblefield will receive 2 years probation when he is sentenced in San Francisco federal court later today.

Stubblefield’s played defensive line for the San Francisco 49ers (1993-1997 and  2001-2002), Washington Redskins (1998-2000) and Oakland Raiders (2003).  He was the NFL defensive player of the year in 1997 while with the 49ers.

Stubblefield’s name and those of several of his Oakland Raiders team members were found on the list of clients of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative that had given performance-enhancing drugs to Marion Jones, Barry Bonds and others.

On January 18, 2008, Stubblefield admitted lying to Federal Investigators about using performance-enhancing drugs during his career.