Giants Linebackers - Return to Glory?

Just the mere mention of New York Giants football used to evoke images of hard-nosed cold weather, tough defensive minded play, led by a stellar linebacking crew. Distant memories and images of Sam Huff from the fifties, to the days of Bill Parcells’ Big Blue Wrecking Crews of Harry Carson, Brian Kelley, Brad Van Pelt, Gary Reasons, Carl Banks and of course the incomparable Lawrence Taylor. LT, who single handedly revolutionized NFL defenses as the first “blind side” pass rusher and changed the game forever. Pepper Johnson, who played alongside Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor and Jessie Armstead, a five time Pro Bowl selection, also continued the great linebacking play. It was as if the baton was handed down one star to the other, without pause, like Ruth and Gehrig to DiMaggio to Mantle. Let’s not forget most recently, the just retired former Pro Bowler Antonio Pierce. A true warrior, who anchored the defense at middle linebacker from 2005 until sidelined by injury late last season. Even with Pierce in the lineup, in the last few seasons, the Giants seemed to be constantly drafting, signing and shuffling new players on both the strong side and weak side linebacker position, never able to find the right fit or keep a cohesive unit together on the field for any extended time or number of games, due to under-performance or injury.

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Current Linebackers Depth Chart:

MLB: Keith Bulluck, Jonathan Goff, Phillip Dillard, Gerris Wilkinson.

OLB: Michael Boley, Clint Sintim, Chase Blackburn, Bryan Kehl, Adrian Tracy, Kenny Ingram, Zak DeOssie.

Key Addition: Bulluck. Just signed recently by the Giants to replace Antonio Pierce. Will he be fully recovered from ACL surgery this past winter?

Surprise X Factor: Clint Sintim. The former second round pick is being given the starting spot at strong-side linebacker. At least going into training camp. A gifted pass rusher off the edge with a huge wingspan, he needs to improve in coverage and against the run.

Rookie to watch: Phillip Dillard. A natural leader, the fourth round pick was a stand out player at Nebraska and played alongside number two overall pick DT Ndamukong Suh.

Outlook:

Keith Bulluck, a recently signed free agent, could be a huge upgrade and addition, should he be fully recovered from ACL surgery on his left knee seven months ago. Bulluck, 33, brings 10 years of experience in a tough Tennessee Titans Defense to the table and is a former Pro Bowler. A tackling machine, he will also bring much needed leadership to the position. He played outside linebacker at Tennessee but should be able to transition to the middle since he played some middle linebacker on third downs for the Titans and was a middle linebacker at times while at Syracuse. Bulluck claims his knee is at 90-percent and will compete for the starting job with Goff, the rookie Dillard and the oft-injured Wilkinson. Michael Boley, and athletic weakside linebacker was banged up last season and needs to remain healthy in Fewell’s new system.

I expect Bulluck to return to form and help bring back the swagger to the Giants defense. Sintim, after a year under his belt, could be a formidable force on the outside. Look for him to bring the pressure and get some sacks.

Big Blue should be a wrecking crew again.

By: Mitchell D. Schlau
ProFootball-fans.com New York Giants Correspondent