A new NFL season
is right around the corner as training camp is quickly approaching.
Leading up to the start of training camp, we will have a run down
position-by-position for the defending Super Bowl Champion New York
Giants.
The second
position we will take a look at is linebacker.
The projected
starters for the Giants at linebacker are Michael Boley and Mathias Kiwanuka as
the outside linebackers, flanking middle linebacker Chase Blackburn. Projected reserves expected to make an impact
this season are Keith Rivers, Jacquian Williams, Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones and
Spencer Paysinger.
The Giants had
some additions to this unit, as they traded for Rivers from the Cincinnati
Bengals and added Jake Muasau. There
will be no linebackers from last season that are not returning this season.
The player to
watch in the linebacking corps is Rivers.
The Giants acquired him this off-season from the Cincinnati Bengals for
a fifth round pick. It is a low risk
move for the Giants, as Rivers has not been able to live up to expectations in
Cincinnati as the ninth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, suffering a rash of
injuries. A change of scenery may be all
that Rivers needs.
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Rivers will open
the season in the second unit but has a real chance to finish the season as a
starter at any of the three linebacker spots.
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said that he plans seeing what
versatility Rivers brings, potentially using him at middle linebacker at times
during camp. Rivers still has some
things to learn about the defense, but the Giants are hoping they had added yet
another versatile and athletic linebacker that is capable of playing both the
pass and run.
The linebacking
group has the potential to be a strength for the Giants this upcoming
season. They are a deep bunch, giving
the Giants more versatility than they have had in recent seasons. The competition will be fierce as players
like Clint Sintim, returning from his second serious knee injury in as many
seasons, will be fighting for a roster spot.
The added options
give Fewell the ability to play different types of defense. He says that he is more comfortable using
three linebackers this season, opposed to the three safeties he has used in
most sets the past two seasons.
Boley and Blackburn have become defensive coordinators on the
field for the Giants, relaying whatever Fewell says on the sidelines to their
teammates on the field. Communication
was a problem at times for the Giants defense last year so having more than one
player capable of relaying information from the sidelines and setting the
defense is important.
The rookies
Williams, Herzlich, Jones and Paysinger will look to expand on their roles from
last season and also continue to contribute on special teams.
The potential
weakness from this group is stopping the run.
Last season, the Giants were not strong against the run, making that a
point of emphasis entering training camp and the regular season. In recent seasons the Giants have been using
three safeties on the field instead of three linebackers; something that is
probable to change this season with veteran safety Deon Grant remaining
unsigned and Fewell being more comfortable with his pieces this season. Training camp will be the time that Fewell
and head coach Tom Coughlin figure out which combination of players works out
best for the Giants. Having so many
talented players is a good problem to have as the Giants have turned a position
thought to be a weakness from last season into a potential strength.
The wild card of
this group is Kiwanuka. General manager
Jerry Reese refers to Kiwanuka as a “joker” because of the versatility he
possesses. Kiwanuka has improved his
pass defense while still being a menace rushing the passer from either
linebacker or defensive end. He is
becoming more and more comfortable in his hybrid role and could see more time
as a pass rusher with the departure of Dave Tollefson. Versatility like Kiwanuka has is what makes
game-planning against the Giants defense so difficulty for opposing teams.
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