Sintim Gets PT
Giants second round pick LB Clint Sintim missed much of the early year with a groin injury, and while he has been active for the last 4 games much of his playing time has been on special teams. That all changed last week when Sintim saw 11 snaps with the base defense. In those 11 snaps Sintim made 3 tackles and even drew attention from Roger Goodell, although the attention was for a late hit on Rivers that cost him 5,00 dollars. Still the news is good for Sintim who may be thrust into a starting job next year with Danny Clark’s 2 year contract coming to an end. Clark was signed as a stop gap until one of the younger LB’s developed, so far it seems like Sintim is the guy.
Sintim played in a 3-4 base defense in Virginia and showed early signs of being able to rush the passer and stuff the run, where Sintim needs work is in coverage, but the only way to get him that work is to strap it up and get him on the field:
“Until you go in between the lines, get your helmet on, strap it on and take live bullets, if you will, you’re not going to improve,” linebackers coach Jim Herrmann said. “Him getting in the game the last couple of games is good because he realizes, ‘This is fast,’ because you can’t simulate that in practice. As much as you try as a coach, you can’t.”
Look for more of Sintim down the stretch, especially since Sintim has bigger play potential then Clark. The key for any rookie is limiting the mental errors, and according to Sintim he made none in his 11 plays last week:
“More importantly, I didn’t have any MEs (mental errors), which is what I really wanted to focus in on,” Sintim said. “I knew coming into the week I’d have an opportunity to play a couple of series. I didn’t want to come out there and think too much or be scared or hesitant. I just wanted to play football and be confident.”
While the secondary has been under fire this year, there is no doubt that the Giants linebacking core is aging and could use a shot in the arm. Sintim could be the boost that unit needs.
