Gerris Wilkinson sounds like he's a man with a plan. Already this offseason he's added seven pounds of muscle (now at 235 pounds) and he plans to add at least five more before the start of the regular season. What's his motivation? He thinks the the starting weak-side linebacker spot is his to lose.
"I definitely feel I can step into that role," Wilkinson said.
Many, including myself, think the Giants should draft a linebacker in the first round. However, there are some potentially good linebackers available in later rounds. Quincy Black out of New Mexico comes to mind. He could possibly be had in round three. So if Wilkinson feels he's ready, maybe the Giants should take his advice and focus on another area of need.
"I feel like I've progressed from last year, gotten stronger in the weight room, just gotten a better grasp for playing at this level," Wilkinson said. "I feel like once we finish ... mini-camp I'll go into training camp ready to be a starting linebacker."
The Giants didn't draft this guy for nothing. They obviously had a reason to bring him on board and play him in all 16 regular season games. While he did fall out of favor with Tim Lewis, he might be just what the doctor ordered for new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The closer we get to the draft the more I think the Giants might pass on the linebacker in the first round and give Wilkinson his shot.
Ed
I have been saying for a long time that this kid is a "comer". He has lots of athleticism and was only lacking a bit of size since he has a reasonably lean frame. In my opinion he, Blackburn and (maybe) Torber, give the Giants really good depth along with Pierce and Mitchell and a later round LB or, and don't discount it, the possibility of using Kiwanuka as a "flex" guy who could start at a LB position and become a deadly pass rusher if there were some decent play from the safeties. Since it looks like Strahan will still be around this season, putting Kiwanuka in that position could be a stroke of brilliance because you would want to have three among Stahan, Kiwanuka, Umeniyora and Tuck on the field at one time if you want to pressure the QB. In any case, Wilkinson is a "keeper" and will, IMHO become a really fine player. He'll be a keystone long after Pierce and Mitchell and Stahan are gone.
I think we should draft safety or receiver in the 1st 2 rounds. I'm pretty confident in the linebacking corps, but the secondary is the weakest part of the defense. Which is the weaker position: Cornerback or Safety? I think it's safety, but a solid corner would definitely help!!
I'm not sold completely on a Jacobs/ Reuban Droughns
backfiield
They wouldn've had this problem had they signed Dominik Rhodes and his winning ways taking a very familiar to Eli winning ways and system to New York )( via Indianapolis and Eli's superbowl winning brother/QB Peyton )
Part of what made Tiki so succesful besides his great vision and natural cut back ability
Was his patience waiting for the blocks to develop
and being 5 foot 8 although listed at 5 foot 10
the second level defenders wouldnt be able to see him as he hid behind his blockers waiting for a crease to open
Brandon at 6 foot 5 and Reuben at 6 foot even dont have that luxury and are straigh ahead bashing runners more suited for a smashmouth style
And the Giants O-line although one of the best is a leverage and speed offensive line not a power line