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Who are you pulling for to start at linebacker?

Eric from BBI : Admin : 6/13/2016 1:58 pm
57 Keenan Robinson

59 Devon Kennard

55 J.T. Thomas LB

52 Jonathan Casillas

53 Jasper Brinkley

91 Kelvin Sheppard

94 Mark Herzlich

93 B.J. Goodson
The best players  
djstat : 6/13/2016 2:00 pm : link
I am not pulling for anyone because I have not seen them play yet. Though I am done with Mark H. Nice story, bad player on defense.
The first thing is, I'd like to see Kennard come back and play  
Ira : 6/13/2016 2:02 pm : link
like he did in 2014. I'd like to see Brinkley and Robinson share the mlb spot in run and play situations. I'd like to see Thomas earn his contract.
honestly, BJ...but it's a long shot.  
Bold Ruler : Mod : 6/13/2016 2:04 pm : link
.
I really want to see Goodson in the middle  
PatersonPlank : 6/13/2016 2:05 pm : link
With Kennard and Robinson outside. That could be a big upgrade over last year.
Would love to see  
ryanmkeane : 6/13/2016 2:06 pm : link
Kennard-Goodson-Robinson
I think the KGR line would be great...  
Dan in the Springs : 6/13/2016 2:10 pm : link
it would mean that Goodson won out a starting job. Wouldn't that be great? With Kennard and Goodson we'd have a good young pair of LBers to build on.

Robinson may not be the long-term solution at LB, but I'd love it.

Realistically though, I don't think Goodson wins a starting job against healthy competition, so I'm pulling for Kennard-Robinson-Thomas.
Kennard - Goodson - Robinson (starters)  
BigBlue1092 : 6/13/2016 2:14 pm : link
Thomas - Brinkley - Casillas (reserves)
Goodson  
sjnyfan : 6/13/2016 2:15 pm : link
I really like him. He brings a similar mind and skillset as Stephone Anthony, whom he took over as starter for when he graduated. Anthony had more than 100 tackles his rookie season. I think Goodson can have a similar impact.

Brinkley too slow  
GeorgeAdams33 : 6/13/2016 2:17 pm : link
Casillas too light. Take away the three oldest guys and I got:

WLB: Robinson-Thomas

MLB: Shepherd-Goodson

SLB: Kennard-Brad Bars (pass rusher)
My ideal scenario  
Jay on the Island : 6/13/2016 2:28 pm : link
Goodson looks great from day one and shows that he can make the calls and ends up starting in the middle and the two OLB's are Kennard and Robinson.
Goodson, Kennard and Robinson  
Big Blue '56 : 6/13/2016 2:29 pm : link
.
jesus  
mattlawson : 6/13/2016 2:32 pm : link
how about wishing for 3 decent LBs that are consistently productive. I'll take consistently good trio over 1 great stud.
Kennard - Goodson - Robinson  
Mason : 6/13/2016 2:33 pm : link
Their backups Williams, Brinkley and Casillas
I think it will be  
BillT : 6/13/2016 2:34 pm : link
Kennard, Robinson and probably Casillas. Kennard is a lock. Robinson's problem has be health. He has enough talent and experience to keep him as the starter if healthy. Casillas seems to be ahead at the moment at WILL so I'll go with that.
A lot of jobs are up for grabs  
guineaT : 6/13/2016 2:38 pm : link
If he's healthy and good to go Kennard has the SAM job. the rest is let the nest guy play.

Ideally Robinson, Thomas and Casillas compete for the job at WILL. While Sheppard, Goodson and Brinkley vie at the MIKE.

Several of these guys can play multiple spots or fill specific roles based on down and distance. So if you don't win a starting position don't sulk, get ready to contribute when called on.
nest = best  
guineaT : 6/13/2016 2:39 pm : link
^^^
I am rooting  
ANGPASS : 6/13/2016 2:41 pm : link
for injury not to determine the outcome.
My take is the following  
ArcadeSlumlord : 6/13/2016 2:59 pm : link
any combo of:
57 Keenan Robinson
59 Devon Kennard
93 B.J. Goodson
53 Jasper Brinkley
91 Kelvin Sheppard

these guy should never see live playing time on def, specials or cut them PLEASE:
55 J.T. Thomas LB
52 Jonathan Casillas
94 Mark Herzlich
Here are mine  
Sy'56 : 6/13/2016 3:02 pm : link
Robinson

Brinkley

Kennard

I think that is the smartest thing to do at the start. We need to see which Robinson we have here...and Brnkley earned at least a 2 down spot. I would like to see Goodson be the #4 guy that is the one to come in when someone goes down with injury or needs a series off. Before the end of the year I think he will be in the starting lineup.

I think Herzlich won't make the final roster.
Thomas and Casillas....  
Patrick77 : 6/13/2016 3:27 pm : link
Just kidding. I don't want them on the field ever.

Goodson would be my pull. I would love to see a rookie come in and light it up from the get go. Herzlich is a nice special teamer and story but a horrible linebacker, Kennard has shown promise occasionally when healthy, the rest are likely depth players going by the Giants past history in bringing linebackers.
Any three of....  
MOOPS : 6/13/2016 3:29 pm : link
Robinson, Kennard, Brinkley, Sheppard and Goodson.
The keys are the ability to stay healthy, anticipate and fill holes and the desire to play like crazed dogs.
I tend to agree with Sy's comments  
Jimmy Googs : 6/13/2016 4:26 pm : link
and wishing for Goodson to be the goods.




(ahem, did u see what i did there...)
Agree with Sy  
Johnny5 : 6/13/2016 4:34 pm : link
.
Cut Herzlich  
Glover : 6/13/2016 4:38 pm : link
Long over due. You can find UDFA LBs to play special teams, who might even have upside.
Can't sleep on  
Fish : 6/13/2016 4:48 pm : link
JT Thomas. Giants had a plan for him when they have him a deal. If healthy he will play often.
I agree with Sy  
Makogman : 6/13/2016 7:57 pm : link
W-Robinson
M-Brinkley
S-Kennard

There is an out-liar however; If Goodsen continues to show coverage and ball skills, along with run support, he may vault into the starting line up.

Goodson....  
Reb8thVA : 6/13/2016 7:59 pm : link
I would like to finally get a return on investment from a fourth round pick.
Herzlich - Beason - Ugna  
Vin R : 6/13/2016 8:17 pm : link
.
I really don't care  
Mike in Philly : 6/13/2016 8:28 pm : link
I just want them to stay healthy.
I want  
chopperhatch : 6/13/2016 8:49 pm : link
It to be Robinson-Goodson-Kennard. Nice round unit that can grow together over the years. Their abilities contrast each other's. Keep Brinkley as a thumper for short yardage. Casillas was pretty decent last year in coverage no? He also adds specials.

I personally like JT because he played hard and I think he actually looked pretty instinctive last year. But Shepard brings the wood too. I dunno, it's a pick'em for those two.
BJ and Robinson  
5BowlsSoon : 6/13/2016 9:06 pm : link
But I'm not holding my breath on Robinson. He seems to have the injury bug like many other LBers we bring aboard.
I think we'll see  
phil in arizona : 6/13/2016 9:10 pm : link
Thomas and Robinson on passing downs. Kennard, Thomas, and Brink on running downs.

Problem is, we're going to get caught with Brink and Kennard in coverage when teams pull the hurry up.
Based on the players on the roster, my choices:  
Anakim : 6/13/2016 9:11 pm : link
WLB - Keenan Robinson
MLB - BJ Goodson
SLB - Devon Kennard
I keep on saying this  
phil in arizona : 6/13/2016 9:12 pm : link
I think, collectively, we have a pretty good skill set at LB. It's just that everyone is kind of one dimmensional.
makogman  
gidiefor : Mod : 6/13/2016 9:14 pm : link
makes the point that the new Giants Linebackers coach may make a huge difference in this unit
Agree with Anakim and others  
Reale01 : 6/13/2016 9:18 pm : link
Hoping the following earn it

Kennard cause it would mean he was healthy
Goodson cause it wouldmean he was already better than Brinkly with a chance to get better
Robinson cause it would mean he was healthy and already better than Thomas with a chance to get better

Two of last years starters would be reserves. That points to a better unit.
RE: Here are mine  
BlueLou : 6/14/2016 4:49 am : link
In comment 12992318 Sy'56 said:
Quote:
Robinson

Brinkley

Kennard

I think that is the smartest thing to do at the start. We need to see which Robinson we have here...and Brnkley earned at least a 2 down spot. I would like to see Goodson be the #4 guy that is the one to come in when someone goes down with injury or needs a series off. Before the end of the year I think he will be in the starting lineup.

I think Herzlich won't make the final roster.


Agree with this Except, I don't like Goodson having to learn all 3 positions and prefer him focusing on backing up either Brinkley at Mike or Kennard at SLB. Then Sheppard backing up either MLB or SLB and Thomas behind Robinson at SLB. Casillas is a good ST player if they keep 7... same with Herzlich.

In any case I hope down and distance puts us in nickel, big nickel, or dime packages often and only 1 or 2 LBs on the field.
LB  
stretch234 : 6/14/2016 5:39 am : link
Regardless of who the Giants have had over the last 12 years, Witten gets open and converts 1st downs. You can't eliminate the 8 yard catch

Wash lines up Reed off the LOS and last year we had S on him and could not stop it

Phi, for years, has sent their TE up the seams in deeper patterns which we cant stop

Robinson is athletic and is better for an OLB position. JT Thomas played his best ball as an MLB in Jax. Casillas is the fastest LB on the team - you don't get rid of that

Best case - Kennard, Goodson, Robinson are starters with Casillas, Thomas, Brinkley off the bench

health as always as Kennard, Robinson, Thomas and Casillas all miss games
I'm not really pulling for anyone in particular.  
Klaatu : 6/14/2016 7:13 am : link
I just want everyone to stay healthy, and if they can then I'm looking forward to some real competition this summer. Cream to the top, chips falling where they may, and so forth.

Having said that, though, I would like to see Goodson turn out to be a decent player. Maybe not a starter this year, but a capable backup who could start somewhere down the road. Lord knows it would be nice to hit on a LB draftee.
2015 was a lost year for both Kennard & JT Thomas ...  
Manny in CA : 6/14/2016 5:09 pm : link

Their doing well would be the biggest "shot-in-the-arm" (next to Harrison & Hankins dominating at DT) that the defense could use.

I'll be rooting hard for both; Goodson taking the MLB job that would be a huge, huge plus.

Reports say  
mrvax : 6/14/2016 5:35 pm : link
Goodson is going to need a little time. Maybe 1/2 year. That's OK. We should have a decent LB group with a little depth.
I.m with you Sy....  
Bluesbreaker : 6/14/2016 8:38 pm : link
I think many here under-value Brinkley he played pretty
damn good down the stretch he brings a toughness to the D.
Kennard stays healthy . as well as Robinson ...
Goodson will get more reps as the season progresses .
LBs. 2016  
ROBUSTELLI81 : 6/15/2016 12:40 am : link
So it's not Taylor, Carson, Banks & Johnson, it's still a 1000% improvement over the 2015 disaster at LB. There are quality starters at every LB position, and no matter who starts quality back-ups at every LB slot, plus 4 or 5 special teams bangers.

The trio to start the season, a rejuvenated fired-up Kennard outside, flanked with man-on-a-mission Robinson, with Joltin' Jasper Brinkley in the middle. Sheppard, Thomas, Casillas all contribute and if injuries hit can play the positions, with rookie Goddard taking that first year back seat but not for long. Herzlich is history, but keep an eye on UDFA Izag Williams (sic), a dark horse who will probably be on the "Taxi Squad" - forgive that Old School reference - but is a bonafide sleeper.

Interesting note from OTAs, DE Brad Bars has been getting some reps at LB, maybe dropping back from hand-on-the -ground to Sam.
Start at linebacker  
johnboyw : 6/16/2016 6:06 am : link
Also agree with Sy56 with Kennard, Brinkley and Robinson as starters and Goodson as the first guy off the bench.
Having Sheppard, Thomas and Casillas in reserve is not bad either. Should be a much improved group.
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