Is Devon Kennard the MLB next year?

Kennard is a really good blitzer from the edge. I wonder if he's as useful in the middle as he is as a threat on the edge.

Fewell's interview this week. He said no.

But on "Finding Giants", one of the scouts insisted his best position was MLB.

be up to Fewell

In comment 12043507 Eric from BBI said:

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Fewell's interview this week. He said no. But on "Finding Giants", one of the scouts insisted his best position was MLB.

Easy fix. Ignore the guy who won't be the DC next year.

and Kennard can learn from him. If we can sign/draft a good outside lb, with Beason, Kennard and the new player, we'll have a good linebacking corps.

regarding next season.

the guy was the worst signing in Giants history

he was completely injury-prone, Giants gave him 6 million per, and then, surprise-surprise, he was injured and contributed nothing

oh that's right, the BBI cognoscenti proclaimed in the offseason that Beason was not injury prone:

A good pass rusher and you want to move him to a non pass rushing position moving him out of position......stupid.thats what's wrong with this team and staff.draft a player and play him where he's not at his best....stupid

In comment 12043530 oipolloi said:

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the guy was the worst signing in Giants history he was completely injury-prone, Giants gave him 6 million per, and then, surprise-surprise, he was injured and contributed nothing oh that's right, the BBI cognoscenti proclaimed in the offseason that Beason was not injury prone:

Wow.

We are probably going to have to live (or die) with Beason at MLB next year. With the amount of holes that are on defense, they are going to have to take a chance and hope for the best injury-wise at some positions. I would be okay with the Beason/McClain combo going into next season provided we upgrade the other OLB spot.

Agree that he seems to have all the tools and potential to be a signal calling MLB. Something we have not had at a high level for a very long time. Maybe we will get a DC who knows WTF he is doing and see it that way as well.

he will be flanked by Kennard and another LB (McClain in all likelihood unless a replacement is brought in). You could do a lot worse than that trio.

is zero chance Beason is back next year on his current deal. He will have to take a big paycut to stay.

Article today says they want him to play SAM. Which means we'll need a WILL.

is not a long term answer anywhere now that he has his retirement contract. Time to look toward the future. We in effect let Joeseh go because we wanted to spend on Beason. Obviously that was a bad call as usual.

without seeing what he does in practice. Based on what I've seen, I'd prefer to keep him as an OLB because of his pass rushing skills. This guy can clearly get to the passer on blitzes which is something we need with our inconsistent 4 man rush.

He is big, fast, and hits like a ton of bricks.

Reminds me of Navarro Bowman.

But he likely will and likely be back. His injury this year wasn't directly related to his previous injury so he has as good a chance as the next guy to make it I would think.

next year.

He looks like a SLB to me. His notable plays have come off the edge. Imo he could b a good OLB (along with damontre moore) in a 34

He had microfracture surgery on his right knee and a torn achilles on his left leg. Those are both incredibly serious injuries from which guys generally do not fully recover. When you have those type of injuries, further leg problems often ensue. Hip problems as well.

Now, if he had dislocated his shoulder that would be an unrelated injury. But he tore a ligament in his foot just running across the friggin grass in an OTA!!!

Now, don't get me wrong, Beason is a tough SOB. Most guys would not even have attempted to comeback. But nobody can will their body to be healthy.

And as we saw this season, even if he comes back, he will likely be a shell of himself. Plus, even if he makes a full recovery from the toe, how long before something else goes? The chances of this guy playing all season at full physical capacity are not good. No way Giants are allowing him to eat up six million in cap space.

In comment 12043610 BillT said:

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But he likely will and likely be back. His injury this year wasn't directly related to his previous injury so he has as good a chance as the next guy to make it I would think.

If he's asked to take a pay cut, it's not likely he'll be back. I'd like to have him back on something reasonable, but no way in hell he's back on that current contract.

MLB. He played it as a sophomore at USC (which was a rough transition from DE) and he was just starting to get the hang of it when they decided to put him back on the edge due to the depth numbers. I don't think he'll ever be an explosive pass rusher in the NFL (though he's gotten some sacks against some pathetic pass-protecting teams of late) but he is a smart, tough guy who would give you some physicality in the middle. MLB may indeed be his ideal position at some point.

I believe his contract was written as a year to year prop. Additionally, I beleive his base salary was tied to game day active status. In essence he is taking a pay cut for this year, based on a credit to our cap next year. That being said, I think you can roll with Beason penciled in the middle next year, but you better have a strong contingency plan.

As far as money, i don't think he got a break the bank type deal. I think it was like <4mil/year. A hell of a value if he plays 16 games. again, a cap credit if he doesn't.

Mcclain is under contract, he is a valuable "utility LB" I can't imagine we don't draft at least 1 (maybe 2) LBs. hopefully in the 3-5 rd range. and then you can add a mcclain type in FA. plus JW may have some value + may play for cheap as a prove it type deal.

In comment 12043660 dancing blue bear said:

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I believe his contract was written as a year to year prop. Additionally, I beleive his base salary was tied to game day active status. In essence he is taking a pay cut for this year, based on a credit to our cap next year. That being said, I think you can roll with Beason penciled in the middle next year, but you better have a strong contingency plan. As far as money, i don't think he got a break the bank type deal. I think it was like <4mil/year. A hell of a value if he plays 16 games. again, a cap credit if he doesn't. Mcclain is under contract, he is a valuable "utility LB" I can't imagine we don't draft at least 1 (maybe 2) LBs. hopefully in the 3-5 rd range. and then you can add a mcclain type in FA. plus JW may have some value + may play for cheap as a prove it type deal.

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Agent3/13/2014: Signed a three-year, $16.8 million contract. The deal contains $6.03 million guaranteed, including a $4.4 million signing bonus. Another $2.2 million is available through incentives. Beason is eligible for an annual $750,000 in per-game roster bonuses throughout the contract's life. 2014: $730,000 (+ $70,000 workout bonus), 2015: $3.6 million (+ $100,000 workout bonus + $1.375 million roster bonus), 2016: $2.8 million (+ $100,000 workout bonus + $1.375 million roster bonus), 2017: Free Agent

Rotoworld

In comment 12043530 oipolloi said:

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the guy was the worst signing in Giants history he was completely injury-prone, Giants gave him 6 million per, and then, surprise-surprise, he was injured and contributed nothing oh that's right, the BBI cognoscenti proclaimed in the offseason that Beason was not injury prone:

in the HISTORY of the NYG ?? how long have you been a fan ??

Much in the mold of Carl.Banks - a guy who can defend the run, rush the QB and stay with TEs, it need be.

it's a little higher then i thought, though there is a refund coming from missing games, and not sure how the incentives are structured, but i doubt he hit any this year. anyway. . .
my thoughts on beason remain the same. If you think he will be over this last injury, and feel ok about his health, it's not a terrible $ for a very good MLB. If there is something comparable out there in FA or the draft that is cheaper and/or more reliable, by all means do that.

I'd play Kennard at the same spot next year (to start). He seems comfortable, and is productive.

problem with him in the middle is 1. not sure if he is fast enough to play 'sideline to sideline' and 2. not sure if he is fluid enough for coverage (ie. 3 down backer. 3 his strength this year has been setting that edge and rushing the passer. seems foolish to unsolve that problem

A straight line demolition derby kit, but I think he will have trouble in coverage & breaking down in space. Very impressive player, though, who should be able to throw some tight ends around. Penetration plays. And a good rusher who already can counter and come off an offensive tackle. Smart. Willing to learn.

Will make stars out of Kennard,Moore,Hankins Taylor,Bromley,Berhe.

But so did Fewell... So.... He's probably best suited to play MIKE.

with Beason for next year.....to cut him only saves about 1M.....what can you get for that to replace him?

So you have to hope he can play next season.....if he has a bad year, you can easily cut him the following season, and net 3.6M....

according to overthecap

but that leaves 3.8 dead money,which is tough to swallow.

total cap number would be a ridiculous 7.3 million--which is why it is just an awful contract

i'm a big Jerry Reese supporter but Beason is a deal he deserves to be slammed for. He was basically bidding against himself.

He won't be around.
Baba Booey Teeth - ( New Window )

a starting FS to replace Demps / Brown combo and a starting LB to replace Williams. We also need a starting DT, IMHO, a veteran with something left in the gas tank as Cullen Jenkins may be a backup for one more year if he doesn't retire. Patterson is gone and Kuhn is clearly a backup.

We have to hope the Giants have Moore, Hankins, Bromley and JPP on the starting DL and LB's UFA, Beason and Kennard.

Now, if we got a good LB and the young guys develop this defense could bounce back. If we draft poorly, get nicked up, mess up with UFA choices, etc., we could be in a for another long year on defense.

Beason was credited by many on this site as well as sports media, with turning the Giants season around and rekindling the defense. Yes, different injuries have kept him out, but there is also a good chance he can play next season.

I don’t see the logic in moving Kennard to MLB. He has excelled on the outside. Providing Beason is healthy, he at MLB with Kennard and McClain could be formidable.

In comment 12043530 oipolloi said:

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the guy was the worst signing in Giants history he was completely injury-prone, Giants gave him 6 million per, and then, surprise-surprise, he was injured and contributed nothing

This is a joke, right?

It would be incredibly foolish and only a matter of time until his understudy took over his role or they have to go shuffling the starters around due to inadequate depth, again destroying any chance at continuity. It's just at that point now, the body is simply finished. It was a nice albeit brief turnaround but his tenure here will have echoes.

Beason reminded the FO what a standout LBer can bring to a D after allocating the bulk of defensive resources on the front and back four. I gotta think that once again seeing physicality, intensity, and leadership in the middle had a lot to do with bringing in guys like McClain and Kennard, and I believe it will continue to make ripples if Reese is given another year (that's not an opinion or speculation, merely taking into account that it's been discussed).

I know Fewell said he sees Kennard on the outside but theres a strong chance it's not up to him as he very likely may find himself working his way back up from db coach somewhere. If things do play out like that and Kennard finds himself as the man in the middle he's gonna need 2 OLBs (I think McClain May stick as a relatively cheap mentor but despite the numbers I think he's starting his last games as a pro). FA pickings are slim with BBI argument magnet Sean Weatherspoon, Bruce Carter, Justin Durant, and Geno Hayes being the only guys a non-scout like me are knowledgeable of and who I wouldn't mind bringing in.

If we have to go another year with this regime, miss the postseason 6 out of 7 *just to be sure* and Fewell keeps him outside he still needs a lot of help. One of the previously mentioned OLBers would still be in play, likely Durant or Hayes in this scenario.

They're also gonna need a MIKE, because relying on Beason amd/or McClain is a serious yet sadly typical Coughlin mistake. In this case you could theoretically find a starter in the draft, a handful are uncovered every year despite the continued de-emphasis on the position. My FA dream would be Mason Foster, he'd pair with Kennard to potentially form one of the most physical duos in the league. The cap room will be there too, although there are numerous needs. As such I'd also be happy with under the radar signings like Craig Robertson from Cleveland.

I know the Giants are expected to have quite a bit of wiggle room, but I wonder how much it really is. After Eli's number comes down and some bad contracts are purged are we talking about a 2005 spending spree, especially if we're talking TC gearing up for one last run? Is a FA period featuring the additions of Bulaga, Durant, Hayes, and a serviceable safety possible? Because that spot is gonna see a lot of turnover.

On a side note, insomnia sucks.

In comment 12043586 TMS said:

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is not a long term answer anywhere now that he has his retirement contract. Time to look toward the future. We in effect let Joeseh go because we wanted to spend on Beason. Obviously that was a bad call as usual.

That's a patently false statement. Joseph is gone because the Vikings paid him more than the Giants thought he was worth. Having Hankins as the replacement DT was the driver, not anything to do with Beason.

The guy can't stay on the field! I don't know if Kennard is MLB material, but I would never let Beason get in the way of my decision making.

I believe he'll perform best when pointed downhill in a straight line. The instincts, the burst, the power, just let him wreck the edge with the DE and potentially take away one side of the LOS. I believe he could play on the traditional strongside (weakside via PF), but his strengths are best utilized downhill.

In comment 12043501 BeerFridge said:

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Kennard is a really good blitzer from the edge. I wonder if he's as useful in the middle as he is as a threat on the edge.

The real question is, how many games will he miss due to injury! If healthy he will be MLB.

You don't save 3.5M by cutting him, because 900K of that is guaranteed....you would net about 1M, and what kind of LB can you get for that?

And yes, Beason is tied into the LJ decision....this was another decision by Reese, similar to the Beatty and Baas situation, where he was backed into a corner where he needed a player for those positions, and really had no options...he tried to "win now" with those decisions....same at MLB...he needed one, there was none out there...so he overpaid for a guy with a history, and I don't think there was a real market for him.....that money could have been used to keep LJ, and we would have been set at DT for the next few seasons, instead of relying on an injured Jenkins and a part time Patterson.....

As for Kennard, he is just an average linebacker, if that, right now.....he looks a lot better than he really is, when compared to the poor play at that position over the last 3 years.....He could get better....he could get a lot better....but we really don't know until it happens.....he has made a few plays, and he has missed a few too....until he plays a full season, and we see him out there against the better teams, we really don't know what we have in him.....I thought we had something in JW, and how has that turned out? Hopefully, DK is not a JW......

NYG assigns a value to a player, a maximum contract number, and they stick to it.

I heard the number maxed out at $5M per season, Vikings gave him $6M+. It's that simple. If $5M had been enough, they would have re-signed LJ, and found the money as required.

In comment 12043582 MookGiants said:

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is zero chance Beason is back next year on his current deal. He will have to take a big paycut to stay.

Unless there is a caveat based on injuries, he will be back next year. You would be looking at a dead money hit of over $3,800,000!

the player NYG basically signed instead of LJ was DRC.

They gambled on DT youth and depth and spent the UFA dollars on the secondary last offseason.

It is whether it makes cap sense to cut him.

Ideally, Beason will take a pay-cut. The guy is clearly a great team-player, though that doesn't always translate when money is the issue.

IMO, keeping Beason with that contract probably makes sense for another year based upon
-the cap hit for cutting him is significant
-if healthy (yes - a big IF) - he's a very good and useful player

Having Beason, Kennard and McClain is a good start for next season. We really have nothing else after them, so taking Beason out of that equation is not attractive either.

Widmer

Beason will be the MLB next year
her guess is that Kennard takes over MLB in 2016
mine too

the future given his past injuries. But these injuries are unrelated and he's got a great work ethic. Yeah he's got a China doll stigma right now. But there's no reason to think that he can't come back next year and if he stays healthy and that's a big IF. .. He can be the impact player he was last year.

Beason is guaranteed $900K in base salary. I highly doubt they cut him next year.

not to be confused with the free safety which is really the strong safety. Or the free agent right guard who played left guard until he got hurt or the rookie center who plays left guard or the green zone which is really the red zone. No playing time for you at WR if you can't play specials unless you're Moore than no playing time for you because you can't play the run in non contact practice. It's simple you're late if you're on time and make sure you know your assignment on defense.

Devon Kennard is the guy we have needed. Yeah we will have a healthy Jon Beason back next season for x amount of games which is less than the length of a regular season. I expect the Giants to keep Kennard at OLB until Beason does wind up on IR next season.