The New York Giants linebacker postion is blown wide open. So far, not one player has been penciled in as a starter for any of the three linebacker postions. Giants fans are used to open linebacker battles in the past, most recently the past few years, but it is uncanny to think that this year is no different. Last year veteran players Michael Boley, Chase Blackburn, and Mathias Kiwanuka already had their respective postions won before camp started. With Boley being unsigned and in legal trouble, Kiwanuka moving back to the DE and Blackburn moving on to the Carolina Panthers, the linebacker void has only grew larger.
This void is not necessarily a bad thing. Last year the linebackers were far from spectacular, if even noticeable (in a good way) on the field. Apart from Boley's three interceptions in the first three games, the core was lackluster. With a void so big, one word comes to mind- Emergence. The Giants do not just have a lousy crew of potential starters for the positions either. They have talent, they have speed, they have experience, and they have heart.
So far, the group that has been taking the first team snaps at linebacker are Spencer Paysinger, Mark Herzlich, and Keith Rivers. This may very well be the starting linebacker core for the game on September 8th against the Cowboys in Dallas. But with one bad practice, preseason game, or blink of the eye it can be Jacquain Williams- Dan Connor - Aaron Curry.
Curry is looking to jump start his career after many would describe him as a bust. After a dominant college career where he won the Butkus Award (top collegiate Linebacker) his senior year as well being named as an All-American, he was selected 4th overall by the Seattle Seahawks in 2009. From the start, Curry seemed unable to translate his game to the NFL. After spending two years in Seattle and last year in Oakland, he found a new home with the Giants where he hopes to work his way onto a starting role and begin the steps to live up to his top 5 potential.
It seems as though Williams and Paysinger are solidifying a case for themselves with their speed, quickness, and athleticism to be on the field for third downs, as well as red zones series. However, the New York Giants sixth round pick Jacquian Williams wants to grow out of that role that he held last year and solidify himself as a starter. He doesn't like the fact that he is plugged in. He is quoted saying, "My goal is to be the guy that we can count on, the guy that you never take out. I don't want to come out...".
Kyle Bosworth out of UCLA stands as the 7th linebacker in the depth chart, even so, he is still within with a realistic shot of winning a spot or seeing some action on the field.
Tune in on Saturday, 8/10 at 7:30 to watch the New York Football Giants play their first preseason game v.s. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
No comments:
Post a Comment