The Giants have finally made a move that has been rumored for months. Jerry Reese announced in his post-draft news conference that second year defensive end, Mathias Kiwanuka, will be moving to the strong-side linebacker position.When the Giants hired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, he made it very clear that he wanted Kiwi on the field as much as possible. With Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck both coming back healthy, his playing time was going to be limited unless they switched his position. So, with a good talent basically residing on the bench and a need for a linebacker, they will move Kiwi to the strong side.
Giants fans seemed to have a mixed reaction when this was originally brought up and I assume those feelings will carry over. I, personally, think this is a great move for the Giants. I think Kiwi will adapt well to the new position and will also lose a little bit a weight and add a bit of speed.
This will workout for New York in the long run.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-01-2007 @ 8:26AM
Lee said...
I like this move. I hope MK is on board with this. Though I would much rather see him continue to develop as a DE, I think he has the athelicism to excel as a LB.
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5-01-2007 @ 10:18AM
Anthony said...
I also think this is a good move. He def has the athleticism to play the linebacker position the only things he has to do is drop a little weight to gt speed and learn pass coverage schemes which I'm sure anyone he can do. GO BIG BLUE!!
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5-01-2007 @ 11:10AM
fanfor55years said...
Makes tremendous sense. You put your eleven best players on the field and make the scheme fit them. Assuming Umeniyora and Tuck stay healthy down the road, after Strahan moves on, Kiwanuka could well become a "flex" guy who can line up at end or LB and help create a ferocious pass rush but also hold down the fort on the strong side. The issue will be whether he can learn to cover routes and read and react on runs, which he didn't need to do previously. For this kind of move to work out he will need an excellent set of safeties behind him because when he rushes off the edge the tight end and outlet receivers will have some room if the QB isn't sacked. Looking to the next draft already, the Giants will need to get defensive backfield help. They got some this time around, but not enough.
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5-01-2007 @ 7:16PM
bruce heuer said...
i love this move! spag will incorperate a 3-4 scheme, so with AP and kawika at middle and wilkinson and kiwi on the edge as will and sam respectively, michael osi and fred or cofield at nose, our front seven is just fast, young and beast. also our secondary now with ross can get alot of support with all the pass rushers on the field at once
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5-01-2007 @ 7:59PM
damn said...
one questrions though fellas,,, wat number is kiwi going to pick for the LB position ,,, is he goin to stick with 97 or take the bummy LB number 55(55 fits him well)
GO G-MEN!!!!!!!!!!
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