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Read: LB Kehl gives take on linebacker competition

by Jon Schneider on March 25th, 2010 at 7:50 pm

In a blog post from Mike Garafolo’s Giants blog on NJ.com, Bryan Kehl expresses his opinion on what the linebacker situation looks like going into both off-season workouts and the draft.

In  regards to the earlier date, that being the NFL draft, Kehl seems to think that the Giants will be drafting very high at the linebacker position. Especially middle linebacker.

“My guess is they’re going to draft a middle linebacker. Maybe first round. I think first round,” Kehl said

Besides a possible high-talent coming in at the middle linebacker position, all of Jonathan Goff, Gerris Wilkinson, Chase Blackburn, and Kehl will be vying for reps at the spot.

On the other two sides, Michael Boley pretty much has the WILL locked up heading into workouts, and the SAM job seems to be 2nd year linebacker Clint Sintim’s job to lose. That leaves Kehl, along with the three other veteran backers all basically competing against one another.

Out of those players, Kehl believes he’s ultimately the longshot to win the job. According to Kehl he’s fourth in the “hierarchy” of linebackers currently with the Gmen. He believes both Goff and Blackburn are starting off higher on the food chain than him and fellow LB Wilkinson.

Keep in mind. Everything written above is BRYAN KEHL’s opinion…although Garafolo seemed to actually think it was a pretty good one.

In terms of what the front office and Jerry Reese are thinking, well, the GM told Sirius radio that both Kehl and Wilkinson were in the mix for that starting job.

Personally, I think there going to go with someone who could fill that MLB spot in the 2nd round of the draft, latest, possibly first round. If Rolando McClain is there, I don’t see any reason why to pass up, or possibly trade up to get. If not there, I sure wouldn’t mind waiting around to possibly the third round and grabbing a steal with Penn State LB Sean Lee.

Lee, who I’ve watched extensively, just has a plain knack for getting to the ball at the line of scrimmage. There’s always that extra sense of urgency with him it seems as soon as the ball is snapped. He’s definitely a guy whom you wouldn’t have to question his work ethic, and a lot of times, that’s what makes a good MLB.

  • touchdownmaker

    Great post. I agree that Mclain is the target, but Lee would be an excellent choice also. I am not sure if he will drop to the third. If he does and the Giants pick him up that woudl be amazing.

    I think Weatherspoon is a guy the Giants should look into as well.

  • JaymanJD

    I Know i said this in an earlier post but I really hope this is all a Smoke screen. I am one of the few who now believe going after a middle linebacker in the first round would be a mistake especially if they could grab a Sean Lee later and here is why. I believe the Giants have a few MAJOR NEEDs all of which could be argued for as more important than the other. In my book those few MAJOR needs are DT, MLB, and OFline. I believe that when you have three MAJOR needs of almost equal importance you take the best available player at that MAJOR need position. At 15 I believe the best players available would be either Mike Iupati G or Bryan Bulaga OT. The Giants line is getting old fast Except for Snee and Beaty. They could use an upgrade at either guard or RT. This would not be a popular or Rockstar move like Mclain but I feel a LB can be scooped up later but there might be a chance to scoop up a dominant ready to start right away OFlinemen. I hope Mclain is off the board and Iupati is the man. Maybe I just have more faith in Goff than most. The kid has been in the game a long time I have more faith he could step in and lead the defense than a rookie like Mclain remember the MLB is the usually the play caller and leader of the defense do we really want that in the hands of a rookie not me. A highly rated Offensive lineman is more likely to come in be instantly productive than a highly rated rookie MLB.