Loading ...When the Giants drafted Clint Sintim in the second round of the 2009 draft, fans everywhere were extremely excited. Sintim looked the part of a star NFL linebacker at 6’3 256lbs he could rush the passer and stuff the run. Fans and writers were dubbing him the next great Giants linebacker, the next in a line of players that includes Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Carl Banks and Jessie Armstead. As a rookie, Sintim was learning how to play outside linebacker in the 4-3 defense (he played in the 3-4 at UVA) and he sat behind veteran Danny Clark on the Giants depth chart. Sintim finished the season with just 20 tackles and a sack, but did show flashes that he could be great one day.
The 2010 season was supposed to be the year that the Giants unleashed Clint Sintim on the NFL. When Sintim burst onto the scene pressuring quarterbacks and putting big hits on ball carriers each week. Veteran linebacker Danny Clark was gone and it seemed Sintim had zero challengers for the starting strong side linebacker spot. It was time for him to make an impact.
This has all changed over the last few days, as the Giants have been lining up several players other than Sintim on the strong side of the defense, and Sintim has been taking fewer and fewer reps with the first unit. Sintim has struggled during the preseason so far, failing to show flashes or make the significant impact that was expected from him in 2010. I focused on him on every one of his snaps, and he looks indecisive and has often been tangled up with blockers and driven out of plays. He needs to do a better job of shedding blockers and finding his way to the football if he expects to get significant playing time for the Giants this season. I cannot help but wonder if Sintim did not see any challengers to his starting position and assumed it would be handed to him on a silver platter. He does not seem to be playing with the fire or the urgency of Jonathan Goff, who has been impressive as the Giants starting middle linebacker, and looks like he held off all challengers for his starting position.
It looked like newly signed linebacker Keith Bulluck would be the Giants starting middle linebacker when he signed with the team on July 24th, but Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News is reporting that the Giants informed Bulluck on Monday that he will not only be playing in the middle. Bulluck now will be learning the responsibilities of an outside linebacker in Perry Fewell’s defense, the position where he was a two time All-Pro as a member of the Tennessee Titans. The Giants have also been using defensive end Mathais Kiwanuka as a strong side linebacker in their Big Base defense, and speedy linebacker Gerris Wilkinson has been seen taking reps on the strong side with the first unit, all moves that take reps away from Sintim.
I do think that Sintim will likely remain the starter on the strong side of the Giants defense for the time being, and I hope that these personnel moves light a fire in him, and he starts making some impact plays. He is still very young and adjusting to the NFL, and I am by no means calling into question his long term potential, but he is still a work in progress and is far from a finished product. It does look like Sintim will be part of a rotation, and he may have a hard time holding onto his starting position unless he starts to make some strides and improves his play. It is clear however, that a position that once looked set in stone for the Giants now looks to be a question mark, and the Giants now have a competition on their hands.
Notes:
- It was very disconcerting to hear that defensive tackle Chris Canty injured his groin at practice today. Canty was the Giants’ big free agent last summer, but struggled with multiple leg injuries throughout last season, which stopped him from playing to his full potential in 2009. The coaching staff has praised Canty so far this preseason and he was playing much better on tape, but this injury is clearly another setback. Even if this injury proves to be minor, I hope the Giants shut Canty down for the next few weeks, so he can play in the opener at 100%.
- Another significant injury hit the Giants during the preseason showdown with the Steelers on Saturday night when cornerback Aaron Ross injured his foot. The injury was originally diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis, but he flew to Charlotte today for a second opinion on the injury. If Ross is out for a significant amount of time, it will be a big blow for the Giants, who already lack cornerback depth in 2010. Ross was slated to be the nickel back, a duty that would fall to the talented but unproven Bruce Johnson, and there is little depth behind him as Courtney Brown, D.J. Johnson and Seth Williams were battling for the fifth corner spot. Look for the Giants to join the Baltimore Ravens as teams scouring the waiver wire for experienced cornerback depth once teams begin to trim their rosters.
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Who is this Rich character?
It is Tuesday, where’s the New Girl???
I heard that Aaron “Blessing In Disguise” Rouse was recently released.
Maybe Reese still has him on speed dial…
Was he released by his UFL Team?
I still stand behind that, if KP doesn’t get hurt, Rolle isn’t here. And if KP comes back 100% some day, KP + AR = best safety tandem in team history. And, loosely, a blessing.
Whats the matter KD? I’m not attractive enough for you?
Nope…You have hair on you back. And that weekend in vegas that we had was a disaster after you left me for the Elvis impersonator.
I am moving on to Sedrena…
Clearly we have different definitions of “a disaster”
I never should have stayed at the Belagio craps table after you said you were bored…even though I was up $2,500.
Serynea is who I am waiting for.
Thats the last time I wear heels.
Dirt says:
July 25, 2010 at 1:42 AM
… There needs to be competition However, note there wasn’t a quote from the Giants organization about the starting MLB slot.
…. Hell, maybe it’s Sintim they’re not sold on on 1st and 2nd down…
FF55,
I might need to hit you up for the Cowboys game. I’ll let you know next week if it comes through for me, if it’s still cool with you.
Okay, but you have to let me know next week. I just sold one on Ebay for $90, but still have one left. You don’t have to pay $90 since you’re a Giants 101′er but you have to let me know next week because I think I can sell the other for over $100 if you don’t want it.
Wow, don’t let me stand in the way of free market economics! I’ll definitely let you know, but won’t feel bad at all if you make yourself a few bucks!
KD, I am REALLY disappointed in you. For a guy who has a sense of humor how could you have not recognized that running clockwise means you’re running away (get it…shots fired, the Frenchies run as fast as their legs can carry them away)?
My respect for you just went down a peg. You need to get at least a dozen good ones up before I’ll reconsider.
Nope, I do not get that.
name a circular race that goes clockwise. in any sport.
Ky Derby, Preakness, Belmont. Daytona 500. Olympic 400m goes counterclockwise.
it is the sports coreolis effect…
Australian thoroughbreds
Toilets also flush backwards in their hemisphere
Running in the WRONG direction!!!! Shouldn’t need an advanced degree to “get” that. You know, like in the opposite direction from the finish line, and the opposite direction from the battle front. Geesh.
Formula 1
Re-posting because I am getting tired of the negativity floating around. Folks need to man up around here. We haven’t lost a regular season game yet. Let’s wait to see that before we start thinking about the next draft, shall we?
fanfor55years says:
August 24, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Oh man, the collective depression here at Giants 101 is beyond belief. I guess we should just turn the site into a 2011 draft analysis right now. Samard, please lead the way.
Or, you could stop being **** and start thinking beyond the increasingly concentrated collective “wisdom” that has you unable to see the forest for the trees.
You could start with the fact that this is almost certainly the most talented Giants team any of you have ever seen, top-to-bottom.
You could then segue into the fact that EVERY team is dealing with nagging injuries at this point in the season and that, objectively speaking, the Giants have not yet suffered as many critical injuries as have many other teams. Not only that, the Head Coach we all love to hate seems to have figured out that much as he would prefer guys practicing the smarter thing to do is allow them to get to the beginning of the real season in as good shape as possible.
You could then recognize that these days in the NFL the month of September plays a critical team-building role and that it usually isn’t until October that teams usually start to coalesce and identify exactly who and what they are going to be.
And then you might recognize that there are not really any serious injuries in what I’ve called the “core” of the team, which is more than a number of teams can say at this point. Not only that, we have our three top receivers and our three top running backs healthy. We have a healthy (and far more athletic than we’ve seen in years) linebacker crew. We have a great, and apparently fully healthy, safety pairing. We have two healthy stud cornerbacks.
Are there problems? Sure. Depth at cornerback. Special teams (what else is new?). Uncertainty about coaching. Some legitimate concern about the defense against the run up the gut (although no one seems to remind anyone that Kenny Phillips’ presence will have a very positive effect on that part of the defense, as will the slow maturation of Joseph, which seems to be ahead of schedule, and the flexibility of Tuck, who will be used inside more than anyone seems to credit at the moment).
But why waste a comment by pointing this out when most of you seem determined to have a permanent pity party? Boy, if this were a political blog I think most would have already decided that there’s no hope for the future of the country and we might as well all head to Canada or New Zealand.
As the French would say, “incroyable”.
Couldn’t agree more..Usually I am the one fighting with all the ankle grabbing, pillow biting,limp wristed pansies that pack the season in at the first sign of trouble.. Glad to hear someone else is as tired of it as I am..
You know I agree 100%. But I do understand the concern here. I think the vibe here is based a lot from how we finished last year.
Is Clint Sintim’s Starting Role In Jeopardy?
Yes.
I quit. Until the new girl.
Look for a post tomorrow morning, KD. I told you not to get your panties in a bunch and here you go, it’s only the 2nd day of the week! Try not to get them too tangled as you anxiously await my post!
For you UCF guys I have a question. What kind of a location is the intersection of Bearss Avenue and Route 41 in Tampa? To be even more specific, do you know anything about Turtle Creek apartments? I’m looking at it as an acquisition so wondering if you have any info I wouldn’t get from visiting and asking around.
Sorry I cant be of any help on that one..I live, work and spend 99% of my time on the East side of Orlando right by UCF..The only things in Tampa I’m familiar with are Mons Venus, Deja Vue, Raymond James and the Ice Palace