Loading ...As injuries continue to mount, the New York Giants are moving players around to find their best defensive setup. Keith Bulluck, who spent the entire month of August playing middle linebacker, moved to outside linebacker on Monday, where he spent the last 10 years playing with Tennessee Titans. Bulluck, who had surgery to repair his ACL last December, said this:
“At this point it doesn’t matter,” Bulluck said after practice. “It is a different system. So the last month or so, I’ve been practicing at the middle linebacker and the last two practices I have been at the outside linebacker. I just want to get out there and help and contribute and be the best linebacker I can be for this team.” (ESPN.com)
The Giants brought Bullock along slowly after signing him just before training camp. He was prepared to play middle linebacker when he initially signed, but the veteran is willing to do whatever is best for the team.
Jonathan Goff has been starting at the position since spring, and with Antonio Pierce retiring, he looks to be the next man in line if Bulluck stays on the outside. But since Bulluck can play either position, it will all depend on how quickly he acclimates to the new terminology and defensive structure of the Giants, and how he ultimately contributes from here on out.
Rich briefly alluded to this in the prior entry when he was talking about Clint Stintim losing his starting spot. Bulluck definitely brings competition to the table here, and the Giants have several options for their defense depending on what type of play they want to run.
Here’s the question: With all of these defensive moves, will the Giants have a cohesive defensive unit ready to go in two weeks when the season kicks off? In short, it depends on how healthy everyone will be. Take injuries, aside from the known injuries, out of the equation, and the Giants have a ton of weapons on defense. Implementing the new defense brought by Perry Fewell as well as moving players around could be touch-and-go. They have two pre-season games to play around with it before testing the defense on the Carolina Panthers. Even if it’s not 100%, the G-men shouldn’t struggle mightily with Carolina — despite how their season ended last year.
The move with Bulluck will create competition among the players, which will gear them up to play their best. That’s what Fewell and Tom Coughlin are looking for. Coughlin admitted that creating competition could be beneficial for the team. Even with all of the injuries the Giants are facing, they have enough depth that healthy competition will give them the best players to start, and still leave them with key depth. Moving players around on a regular basis will also help should another player become injured.
The bottom line is that the Giants are trying to figure out what works best. If the defense that Perry Fewell wants to implement gets done correctly, and he can get the best player the Giants have at each position, Big Blue is going to be tough this year. Especially if they can figure out how to move guys around for situational plays.
Think of it this way, they get three weeks to practice their new strategy before facing the Indianapolis Colts. That will be the first real test of this Giants defense. Let’s re-visit this issue after that game and see how the G-men are holding up.
Other Notes:
- Cornerback Aaron Ross has been placed in a walking boot and will miss the remainder of the preseason. Terrell Thomas is expected to start alongside Corey Webster when the regular season begins.
- Groin injuries continue to be a concern for the Giants as both Travis Beckum and Chris Canty missed practice today.
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Reposting this discrepancy amongst the beat writer’s as to Ross’ injury :
Ralph says Ross has a “partial tear” of his Plantar Fascia.
Mike G describes it as “inflamed.”
Between the two, I tend to believe Mike G.
Ralph often seems to err on the side of the sensationalistic,
See my post at 2:32 PM down below. Good gut call on your part, Norm.
Oops! 2:30 PM I mean.
# Ralph Vacchiano QB Jim Sorgi says he hopes to return to practice on Monday and play next Thursday vs Patriots #NYG
Holy shit! She lives!
Ha ha, I told you I would pop in :)
BAM!
MikeGarafolo Coughlin: “No, there’s no tear.” RT @bengalee28: Does Ross have a tear or not? I have seen conflicting tweets…
For what it’s worth, he also said Vacchiano’s report on Andrews’ six-year contract was “a joke” and that was why he “didn’t report it.”
Just sayin…
Oh … Hi, Serena!
LOL!
REPOST from last thread since I got hit with the UPDATE UP TOP right after I posted.
Tennenbaum would never do it. He’s too smart. Woody I bet would.
I love Osi and he’s cheap so I’d rather not trade him, also I don’t know how he fits in a 3-4, that’s why I mention Sintim. But I have to assume the Jets would ask for 2 #1’s which is what it took for Cutler and Jared Allen.
As for the money part, I’d always overpay a Superstar as opposed to overpaying a very good player like Rolle or Canty. (Keep in mind I love the Rolle signing). But those 2 aren’t on Revis’ level. He’s the best CB in a decade, and he’s 25. (And I’m not forgetting how good Champ Bailey was when he was younger, but I think Revis is better.)
As for the Ross pick. I agree with Norm. The playoff and SB run in 2007-08 was the greatest sports month of my entire life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. And Ross was a big part of that. So I can’t call him a bust. But it’s clear the guy has some trouble staying healthy. He’s been banged up since his rookie year.
The plot thickens …
Ralph Vacchiano To clarify: S Antrel Rolle said CB Aaron Ross has a “partial tear” of plantar fascia. Tom Coughlin said “No tear.” Ross hasn’t talked. #NYG
Don’t be a h8r, Antrel!!
From the other thread for those who missed it … Mike G with a positive outlook on TT’s injury:
#@Crazy4BigBlue: Sore calf isnt toooo serious right homie?!?! Tell me my boy is gonna be okay PLEASEEEE #nyg
# Mike Garafolo – He’s good … homie.
UGH!
# Vinny DiTrani Antrel Rolle suffered full plantar fascia tear vs. Giants last year, says it is better than Aaron Ross’ partial tear.
# Vinny DiTrani Ross too upset to talk with media about his condition. After working hard to correct hamstring issues, he’s bummed out by new injury. 1 minute ago via web
Odds and ends from Coughlin’s presser today:
Q: I noticed that on punt returns Mario Manningham was out there…
A: He’s been involved in that really from day one, but now that we have no Ross, he’s back in the mix.
Q: Does Tim Brown still have a shot?
A: I hope so. I hope so. I’d like to see him take off with the ball as a returner.
Q: In last Saturday’s game, Adrian Tracy made some big plays. How has been throughout camp?
A: He’s getting better. He is getting a little bit better. I was impressed with a couple of things he did here today, too.
Q: How significant is that move for him from end to the outside?
A: Well we’ve done that before. Clint Sintim did it. So naturally it’s a different spot but it’s a spot that he can, at this level, play, and the nice thing is that you can rush him too.
Q: How is Shawn Andrews coming along?
A: He’s coming. He’s had a lot thrown at him and of course he came in at a point in camp when we had a lot of stuff for him, but he definitely feels better and is getting used to his pads. He’s been away from that for a while. He’s in two positions. He’s getting a lot of stuff thrown at him but he’s responding well.
Q: Do you think he might get some snaps against the Ravens?
A: I hope to be able to play him a little bit.
Q: At guard or tackle?
A: I haven’t even thought about that.
http://www.giants.com/news/transcripts/story.asp?story_id=44233