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Perry Fewell thinks the Giants are starting to execute better on defense, even if the numbers don't show it.

(John Munson/The Star-Ledger)

EAST RUTHERFORD — After a dismal stretch in which it looked like the Giants defense could not stop a nosebleed, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's group responded with a solid, if unspectacular, performance last week against the San Francisco 49ers.

To be sure, we're not comparing them to the '85 Bears just yet, but coming off of a game in Seattle where they gave up 510 yards of total offense, yielding only 333 yards to the Niners is quite the accomplishment by comparison.

But it is also safe to say that the Niners' mediocre offense is not in the league of the Dallas Cowboys, who come to town this Sunday night for a prime-time rivalry game with the league's sixth-ranked offense and number two rushing offense, led by DeMarco Murray.

You might recall in their previous meeting in Dallas, the Giants defense let up 423 yards of total offense, led by Murray's 128 yards on the ground and receiver Dez Bryant's nine catches and 151 yards. The Giants also allowed backup tight end Gavin Escobar to score two touchdowns.

So before we can say anything definitively about the Giants defense turning a corner, they will have to put together consecutive solid performances. For Fewell, finding that consistency has been the ultimate challenge.

Here are this week's defensive observations for the Giants' 31st-ranked unit.

1. Better "execution" in the red zone

One of the first questions posed to Perry Fewell on Thursday touched on what the defense did differently that led to a vastly improved performance against San Francisco. Fewell's answer was as short and vague as it can get.

"Execution," he said.



In looking at the numbers from that game, it's not all that clear what the Giants did well. The much-maligned rush defense still gave up 148 yards rushing, though they limited the number of big runs that hurt them in previous games, especially with Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick on zone-read plays. The pass rush did little to harass Kaepernick, registering only one sack.

What the Giants did do is get timely stops in the red zone. Despite moving the ball with consistency, and being afforded great field position, courtesy of five Eli Manning interceptions, the Niners failed to capitalize and were 0-for-4 inside the Giants' 20-yard line. If the Giants' defense can hold the Cowboys to a similar inefficiency in the red zone, they will, at the very least, keep their offense in the game.

2. Success with the "new approach" to installing the game plan

The operative word for the Giants' defensive players last week was "simplify" — as in their approach to installing the defensive game plan. Players and coaches denied that this was in an effort to combat the numerous injuries that have hampered the defense, but it is clear that all of the new faces shuffling in and out of the lineup played a role.

Fewell said he thought the players responded well to the simplified approach and that it showed on the field.

"I think [the new approach] did have a good effect," Fewell said. "We installed it and we walked through it. We came back and installed it and watched it on video. I think the way we re-taught it had a positive effect, definitely."

3. Spencer Paysinger will rotate in at linebacker in passing situations

Linebacker and leading tackler Jacquian Williams looks increasingly unlikely to suit up against the Cowboys as he recovers from a concussion sustained two weeks ago. Fewell indicated that he would feel comfortable giving backup Mark Herzlich the majority of the snaps in Williams' place for the second straight week.

"I thought Mark played with a lot of passion," Fewell said. "I thought he played with a lot of heart. He made some football plays for us in the football game. He brought some toughness to the defense."

Indeed, Herzlich played a solid game last week, especially against the run, where the Niners came in with one of the top rushing offenses in football. Herzlich had six tackles, one for a loss, and a pass deflection against San Francisco.

The Cowboys certainly will lean on Murray heavily as they do in most games, but they are also more likely to air it out than San Francisco. In passing situations, Fewell said to expect Spencer Paysinger to see some playing time, as he is a bit more athletic and might do a better job covering the Cowboys' very good tight ends.

4. DRC's status

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie practiced fully on consecutive days on Wednesday and Thursday for the first time in weeks, a good sign for the Giants secondary, who will need him in a big way against Dez Bryant.

Rodgers-Cromartie's IT band injury, which causes him discomfort in his back, leg, and hamstring, is one that requires rest more than anything else, so Fewell said that it us up to the cornerback to inform the coaching staff when he needs to come off the field for a spell, as he did last week against the Niners.

"We never know [about Rodgers-Cromartie's availability] because he sometimes he is going along well and he will tighten up in the ball game, and sometimes he needs a little bit of relief," Fewell said. He added that, "we don't sub him in and out," meaning that Rodgers-Cromartie is not on a strict snap count. As long as he is healthy enough to be on the field on Sunday, the Giants will count on him to slow down Bryant.

5. The plan for Dez Bryant

Of course, Rodgers-Cromartie's injury does complicate matters for Fewell in the sense that it prevents him from planning for his top corner to cover Bryant, the Cowboys' top receiver.

Rodgers-Cromartie talked on Thursday about looking forward to the challenge of covering Bryant, but based on his injury and snap counts the last several games, it would seem unlikely that he would be covering Bryant on every series, especially given how much the Cowboys move him all over the field.

So who is the next man up? Logic would dictate that cornerbacks Zack Bowman and Jayron Hosley could see some time across from Bryant, but Fewell pulled a name out of his hat on Thursday that most reporters in the room probably weren't expecting: newly signed cornerback Chykie Brown.

"I am very confident in Chykie Brown," Fewell said. "He has come in and he has done a nice job for us in the couple of weeks he has been here. Very good student in the class room, does it with a smile, loves the challenge. I am very encouraged by what I see from him."

Brown might not be a household name, but he does have a decent amount of experience, having been a contributor on the Ravens' 2012 Super Bowl team. Unfortunately, Brown was picked off of the waiver wire for a reason: He has largely struggled in coverage this season.

Before being released by the Ravens, Brown allowed 54-yard touchdown pass to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. He also allowed a game-winning touchdown pass to Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green in the season opener. Pro Football Focus gives him a -4.6 grade overall.

We saw what happened to poor Chandler Fenner, the Giants cornerback who he was thrust into action during the last Giants-Cowboys game in Dallas and promptly helped give up a 44-yard catch-and-run to Bryant. If Brown ends up covering Bryant for any extended amount of time, it might be time for Giants fans to hide their eyes.

Nick Powell may be reached at npowell@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpowellbkny. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.