By now, most Giants fans should know that both Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor have left NY to sign free agent contracts elsewhere. Mitchell was the starter linebacker on the weakside while Torbor was a backup but ended up starting 5 games on the strongside after Mathias Kiwanuka broke his leg. The Giants are also rumored to want to move Kiwanuka back to his natural position at defensive end meaning that it's possible the Giants could be down 3 linebackers.
To the outsider, it might look like the Giants are have gotten weak at linebacker. However, with the free agent addition of Danny Clark, who played for the Texans last year, and two good young linebackers in Gerris Wilkinson and Zak DeOssie, the Giants should have a fierce competition in camp this year. And of course there is a distinct possibility that the Giants draft yet another linebacker to add even more competition.
In a recent interview, Danny Clark boldly declared that he was going to come in and win the starting job at weakside linebacker. He explained that the weakside position in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme is very similar to the 3-4 strongside position he played last year in Houston. He also was very happy to get the chance to play for Coughlin again. Clark was drafted by Coughlin and the Jaguars in the 7th round of the 2000 draft. He was also extremely excited to be able to play in Spagnuolo's attacking-style defense. His good friend and former Eagles linebacker Shawn Barber told him that playing weakside in Spags' defense is going to send him to the pro bowl this year.
Unfortunately for Clark, there is a pretty big obstacle in his way. Gerris Wilkinson the Giants 3rd round pick in 2006, has been waiting to win that starting job for the past 2 years. Wilkinson is probably the fastest linebacker currently on the roster and would provide a much-needed boost to the pass coverage ability of the linebacking corps. In the few days between Kawika Mitchell signing with Buffalo and the Giants signing Danny Clark, many football "experts" practically handed Wilkinson the starting job so it should be a great battle to watch as we get closer to next season.
On the other side (strongside), we have Kiwanuka who may or may not be back at linebacker and last year's 4th round draft pick Zak DeOssie. I love what DeOssie brings to the table and would love it if he get convince Spags to let him start on the strongside. DeOssie has almost as big of a frame as Kiwanuka at 6' 5" and around 255 pounds (Kiwanuka is 6' 5" 265 pounds but a natural DE) but he's much faster. DeOssie is one of those blue-collar hard workers who has a motor that doesn't stop. He likens himself to Patriots' linebacker Mike Vrabel. Whether it's this year or next, I really think DeOssie is going to be a great starting linebacker for the Giants.
In the middle, there is no competitions really. It's pretty firm that Antonio Pierce will start with Chase Blackburn as his backup. Pierce is known for being the quarterback of the defense, often getting everyone lined up properly before the snap. He is a former pro bowler and a captain on defense.
So even though it may seem the Giants have lost some talent at linebacker, I think they have at least as much and probably more talent waiting to shine. It's all a matter of who stands out in camp and who Coach Spagnuolo feels is best at attacking opposing offenses.
To the outsider, it might look like the Giants are have gotten weak at linebacker. However, with the free agent addition of Danny Clark, who played for the Texans last year, and two good young linebackers in Gerris Wilkinson and Zak DeOssie, the Giants should have a fierce competition in camp this year. And of course there is a distinct possibility that the Giants draft yet another linebacker to add even more competition.
In a recent interview, Danny Clark boldly declared that he was going to come in and win the starting job at weakside linebacker. He explained that the weakside position in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme is very similar to the 3-4 strongside position he played last year in Houston. He also was very happy to get the chance to play for Coughlin again. Clark was drafted by Coughlin and the Jaguars in the 7th round of the 2000 draft. He was also extremely excited to be able to play in Spagnuolo's attacking-style defense. His good friend and former Eagles linebacker Shawn Barber told him that playing weakside in Spags' defense is going to send him to the pro bowl this year.
Unfortunately for Clark, there is a pretty big obstacle in his way. Gerris Wilkinson the Giants 3rd round pick in 2006, has been waiting to win that starting job for the past 2 years. Wilkinson is probably the fastest linebacker currently on the roster and would provide a much-needed boost to the pass coverage ability of the linebacking corps. In the few days between Kawika Mitchell signing with Buffalo and the Giants signing Danny Clark, many football "experts" practically handed Wilkinson the starting job so it should be a great battle to watch as we get closer to next season.
On the other side (strongside), we have Kiwanuka who may or may not be back at linebacker and last year's 4th round draft pick Zak DeOssie. I love what DeOssie brings to the table and would love it if he get convince Spags to let him start on the strongside. DeOssie has almost as big of a frame as Kiwanuka at 6' 5" and around 255 pounds (Kiwanuka is 6' 5" 265 pounds but a natural DE) but he's much faster. DeOssie is one of those blue-collar hard workers who has a motor that doesn't stop. He likens himself to Patriots' linebacker Mike Vrabel. Whether it's this year or next, I really think DeOssie is going to be a great starting linebacker for the Giants.
In the middle, there is no competitions really. It's pretty firm that Antonio Pierce will start with Chase Blackburn as his backup. Pierce is known for being the quarterback of the defense, often getting everyone lined up properly before the snap. He is a former pro bowler and a captain on defense.
So even though it may seem the Giants have lost some talent at linebacker, I think they have at least as much and probably more talent waiting to shine. It's all a matter of who stands out in camp and who Coach Spagnuolo feels is best at attacking opposing offenses.
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