Giants: Drafting LB's

From the early days of Giant history to their switch back to the 4-3 in 1994 or 95, the Giant Defense was know for its legendary linebackers.    When they were in the 3-4, the seemed to be able to pluck quality LB's from thin ait---

Not so much in the last 20 years.   In fact, since about 1990, the only good linebacker the Giants have drafted was Jesse Armstead, and that was in 1993!  In fact, they got him in the 8th round because he'd been injured while playing like a crazed dog for the U.    And that was the end of their linebacker drafting magic.

And to Mel Kiper Jr.'s eternal consternation, the Giants seem to ignore the situation.   Of course, they've won 2 titles during this barren period in their linebacker story, but good sweet crap is it ever amazing to see how many they've passed on and whiffed on.

4-3 linebackers are asked to do one of three jobs in the standard set.   One is the middle linebacker.  He usually calls the defense.  This seams like an enormously important position for the Giants under Perry Fewell, as the only times they have ever looked cohesive under JF were when  Chase Blackburn rejoined them and they went on their SB 46 run, and this past year, when Jon Beason took over.   The MLB should also have great recognition, run to the right gap and be able cover some shallow routes.  If your team in playing a version of the Tampa 2, the MLB will also be asked to drop way back and cover the deep middle zone.  I think that's what Chase Blackburn was doing when he picked off that deep pass in 46.

In the 4-3, the Giants have had 3 notable players and Chase Blackburn.  Michael Barrow was the first rocking MLB the Giants had in the 4-3.   He was a very similar player to Jesse Armstead, maybe a few pounds heavier, but fast, quick and very instinctive.   A very good athlete but more player than athlete.

The second one was Antonio Pierce, who had been a UDFA out of college (I say this because the Giants didn't find him until he had proven himself with the Redskins).   Pierce was not a great athlete, but he was instinctive, tough and smart.   He wasn't quick or fast, but he could cover, and diagnose like Marcus Welby M.D..

Finally, they have Beason from the U, who's knees could explode at any time, but whom they liked in his draft and finally goth through a trade after he fell out of favor in Carolina.   Beason has more thump than Barrow or Pierce, and is also good at diagnosing.  He's playing on borrowed time, but as long as he can manage it, the Giants are once again solid at MLB,

The weak side LB in a 4-3 will sometimes blitz, but is mostly used in coverage on pass plays and to cover the outside run on run plays.  He should not only be good in pass coverage, but in pursuit as well.  He needs to be quick and fast.   The Giants have had one really good guy like this in their 4-3 history and that's Jesse Armstead.  Before John Foxx ever joined the Giants he had told people he would love to build a D around JA.  Then he did.   Jesse was a force against the run and pass as long as his high ankle wasn't sprained-- which he would always try to play through.

Anyway, it's been kind of ponderous that they haven't been able to find another LB like Jesse in the draft over all these years. Jacquian Williams might even be a better athlete than Jesse, but he has nowhere near the instincts, and in year 4 he is still a work in progress.   If he finally figures it out, we could be okay here, otherwise it could be Paysinger who's just okay but could stand a big upgrade.

Finally, you have the SAM or strong side linebacker position.   He plays on the tight end side and must jam the tight end, handle some coverage and zone drop assignments and cover and string out running plays to his side.  It calls for a good athlete with good instincts, but the Giants have always tried to force pass rushers there.

Corey Miller was actually a guy who knew how to play, but was tough to coach.  They'd play him at SAM to get him on the field, and he was okay, but he was at his best blitzing, which they rarely let him do.   Likewise Ryan Phillips.

Under Coughlin they have gotten into the stomach turning business of trying to convert collegiate pass rushers like Reggie Torbor, Clint Sintim and Adrian Tracy, all of whom would be far better off in 3-4 defenses, to be 4-3 SAM's.   They also tried it with Kiwi and screwed up his development.

Gerris Wilkinson was a good athlete who was inept at all three LB spots.

What they would be far smarter to do, but what has seemed to elude them is to grab a player who was a 4-3 SAM in college.  No fuss, no muss.  Draft a guy who plays the position.  Guys like that tend to be a little bigger than WIL's like Armstead, but they exist.

So, what the Giants should do in setting up their board, is take all of the 3-4 linebackers off of it, and draft from what's left.    They probably won't but they should, and you'll have ever right to a stomach ache if they once again pick a 3-4 LB.

Btw, they almost certainly will pick an LB this year.   They have Beason and McClean,  who will probably play SAM, but who's best position is as Beason's two down back-up on running plays.   Beyond that they have Williams, Herzlich and Paysinger, none of whom has proven anything.   So they'll probably pick a guy, let's just hope he's a 4-3 guy with good instincts and not a project.