Giants Draft Options: Outside Linebacker
...posted by Rich Resch...
When the injury to Osi Umenyiora forced the Giants coaching staff to move Mathias Kiwanuka back to Defensive End, the Giants were left with a hole in their linebacking core. Although this weakness was not immediately glaring, both Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck faded down the stretch and the problems became clear. When the Giants’ front four could not get sufficient pressure on the Quarterback, the Linebackers were exposed as the obvious weakness in the Giants’ defense.
With Osi returning this season, I believe the Giants will keep Kiwanuka at Defensive End and use a 3-man rotation similar to the one that won them the Super Bowl (Tuck has already implied that he is in favor of this type of system). Although Antonio Pierce looked slow and confused down the stretch, he will be back at Middle Linebacker next year, as he should be. Adding better, faster Outside Linebackers will compensate for Pierce’s flaws in coverage, and allow the Giants to have a unit that is more dominant than the one that held the undefeated 2007 Patriots to 14 points.
Here is a look at some of the gentlemen who could help fix the holes in the Giants’ Linebacker core.
Click names for video highlight.
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1. Aaron Curry (Wake Forest) 6-3, 245
Not gonna happen.
2. James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) 6-3, 240
He played Inside Linebacker in college but has the ability to play outside. He has good speed and range, but lacks some of the physical tools of other top linebackers in this draft. He has great football smarts and gets the most out of his abilities. Would have been a much higher pick if he had opted for the draft last season. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Giants drafting him with the 29th pick in his first mock draft, although it’s hard to see him falling that far.
3. Brian Cushing (USC) 6-3, 250
The reviews on Cushing are mixed. While many believe he is the second best Outside Linebacker in the draft due to his great athleticism and football smarts, others believe that his game will not translate well to the pro level. He can play both Inside and Outside Linebacker, as well as Defensive End. While this shows good versatility, it could also indicate the he does not have a true position. He has battled injuries throughout career.
4. Clint Sintim (Virginia) 6-3, 250
Based on a lot of mock drafts, Sintim could be the best linebacker available for the Giants at pick 29. However, some scouts say that Sintim’s value is solely as a pass rushing linebacker in a 3-4 system. Others scouts say that he plays the run and pass effectively, and that he would be a great fit in the Giants system. If the Giants think he can excel in a 4-3 system, Sintim could be the most logical match.
5. Clay Matthews (USC) 6-3, 240
Every knock against Cushing could also be applied to Matthews. He has injury concerns, although not as great as Cushing’s. There is also question of whether he has a true position, and he is not great in coverage. He does have a great feel for the game, though, and is still getting better.
6. Marcus Freemen (Ohio State) 6-1, 240
Slightly undersized compared to other prospects, Freemen makes up for it with great speed and athleticism. Still, his lack of strength and blitzing ability could hurt him. The Giants may be better off with the guys they already have on the roster such as Brian Kehl and Jonathan Goff.
Keep an eye on:
Gerald McRath (Southern Miss) 6-3, 220
Jonathan Casillas (Wisconson) 6-2, 230
Zack Follet (California) 6-1, 240
Tryone McKenzie (South Florida) 6-1, 240
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I’ve watched Sintim play a bit, and he has some rather beastly qualities. If the Giants feel that he could fit into Bill Sheridan’s system, I wouldn’t mind seeing him taken in the first round. Laurinaitis would also be a great pick, but I can’t see 28 teams passing on him.
It is possible that Cushing, Laurinaitis and Sintim will all be off the board by the 29th pick, so the Giants may consider trading up for one of the aforementioned Linebackers, taking a Wide Receiver, or drafting a Defensive End and moving Kiwanuka back to Linebacker (although if it were up to me, the Kiwanuka at Linebacker experiment would be over). They could even trade out of the first round and draft a couple of quality second round Wide Receivers or Linebackers. The possibilities are endless.
Dear “Rich Resch”,
I disrespectfully disagree with you regarding for Antonio Pierce (with the exception of your slow and confused statement). It was obvious last season that “AP” was awful in coverage, mediocre in tackling and proficient in making tackles 1-3 yards after the first down was picked up. It is the middle linebacker who is often responsible for the tailback on 3rd and longs. How many times did a QB dump off and the tailback picked up the first? “AP” is always applauded for his intangibles, most notably his smarts and leadership. Fair, but what are his tangibles? Fat and slow? Bill Parcells has smarts and leadership, but that doesn’t mean I want him out there starting at MLB. In summation, Antonio Pierce is washed up, and I consider these pro Pierce rants to be yellow journalism.
I agree with Rich and with BradshawStole…
Pierce will be back next year, however he has clearly lost a big step. But also agree that having better LBs to play along side him will help a lot.
Not only is Pierce horrible in coverage and tends to tackle guys from behind rather then head on, meaning the oppositions player has gotten more positive yards then he probably should have, and miss his gaps…
The other thing that Pierce seems to be doing is get dumb penalties. He plays with emotion, but sometime it seems like he can’t hold his emotions in check and I notice him yelling at teammates more often than he should.
Personally I’d rather have a Ray Lewis over an Antonio Pierce – even if Pierce knows our defense. But he’ll be back as he is seen as the leader. I hope Tuck takes over that role next year.
I hope next year is the last year of Pierce, but sadly there is no one else the Giants have that can step in quick enough.
It would be nice to see the Jints use a #1 to pickup a LB. I can’t remember the last time a Ginats LB made the Pro Bowl, was it Michael Brooks? Former Bronco?
Anyway, AP is a cerebral player (not much physical talent) and he was ALWAYS horrible in pass coverage.
Ray Lewis? Umm, no. He’s probably the most overrated player in the NFL right now along with Brian Urlacher and Brett Favre. Anyone else?
Let’s pick up a LB and no Laurinitis either please. He doesn’t have the physical talent to excel at the NFL level.
As for receiver? Just buy a holster, give it to Plaxico and bring him back. A 6′5″ WR is almost irreplaceable.
haha i agree with giving him a holster
thing is…he’s got to deal with court case in march, and its very possible he might be going to jail, if that’s the case, regardless if the giants want to bring him back, they might not be able to
Peirce is a smart LB but he’s waaa out of shape. Here’s how the giants should draft:
1st Round – Clint Sintim – OLB 6’3” 254 – Virginia
2nd Round (From Saints) – Kenny Britt – WR 6’4” 205 – Rutgers
2nd Round – Phil Loadholt – LT 6’8” 343 – Oklahoma
3rd Round – James Casey – TE 6’4” 240 – Rice
4th Round – Sherrod Martin – FS 6’1” 188 – Troy State
5th Round (From Saints) – Darryl Richard – DT 6’4” 290 – Georgia Tech
6th Round – Kory Sheets – RB 5’11” 203 – Purdue
7th Round – Wopamo Osaisai – CB/KR 5’11” 199 – Stanford
7th Round (From Saints) – Patrick Turner – WR 6’5” 221 – USC
Free Agent – Steve Rehring – LG 6’7” 333 – Ohio State
Free Agent – Brad Lester – RB 5’11” 192 – Auburn
Free Agent – Ronnie Palmer – ILB 6’3” 245 – Arizona