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Could the Giants' linebackers be better than we think?

June 27th, 2012 9:04 AM
  • Could-the-Giants-linebackers-be-better-than-we-think
  • New-England-Patriots-tight-end-Aaron-Hernandez-is-tackled-by-New-York-Giants-middle-linebacker-Chase-Blackburn.-Mandatory-Credit-Mark-J.-Rebilas-US-PRESSWIRE
  • Giants linebackers Michael Boley (59), Chase Blackburn (93), and Mathias Kiwanuka (94)
  • New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is tackled by New York Giants middle linebacker Chase Blackburn. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

    • Last year, despite their Super Bowl victory, there was no doubting the fact that the New York Giants linebackers were the weak link in an otherwise solid defense. With the exception of Michael Boley, who missed time with a hamstring injury in the middle of the season, there was no one in the linebacking corps who had more than a year of experience at the position in the NFL. As a result, Perry Fewell opted more often than not to go with three safeties and two linebackers rather than risk putting multiple rookies out there at once. In fact, it wasn’t until the front office remembered that they had Chase Blackburn’s number in the rolodex around Week 12 that there was any sort of consistency at middle linebacker.

    This year, however, that could change. No, there is still no one on the team who will be confused with the Patrick Willises or Brian Urlachers of the league, but the depth and versatility that they now have could make up for the lack of Pro Bowl-caliber talent.

    Boley was a godsend for the team on the weakside last year, and they might try him in the middle more this year to change up the look. Meanwhile, with a full year of experience under his belt as a strongside LB/pass rushing end, Mathias Kiwanuka should be someone who can give opposing offensive coordinators fits as they try to figure out where he’s going to line up. He’s at his best when he’s going after the quarterback, but proved himself more than capable of playing the run or dropping into coverage after lining up in a two-point stance. As for last year’s crop of rookies — Greg Jones and Jacquain Williams — they will now have to compete for playing time, but showed enough speed and guile last year to get regular reps in the rotation as long as they continue to work hard and improve. Either one (along with second-year pro Mark Herzlich) could challenge Blackburn for the most reps in the middle if he starts to recede from last year’s solid performance.

    Then there’s newly-acquired Keith Rivers. The Giants picked up the former 9th overall pick from Cincinnati during the offseason in exchange for a fifth rounder as a way to bolster their already dominant pass rush. The Giants boast the best crop of defensive ends in the league, but didn’t really have anyone last year outside of Kiwanuka who could blitz from the linebacker position, and Rivers is here to change that. With Boley, Blackburn, and Kiwanuka penciled in as the starters, Rivers is probably going to be in the role of a blitzing specialist, but one that can further vary the looks that Fewell throws at the opposition.

    — Craig Lowell

    Examining a position group that could exceed its preseason expectations:

    Read the original post from espn.com

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