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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 ...
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 .
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.
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.
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.
WLB: Robinson-Thomas
MLB: Shepherd-Goodson
SLB: Kennard-Brad Bars (pass rusher)
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.
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
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.
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.
The keys are the ability to stay healthy, anticipate and fill holes and the desire to play like crazed dogs.
(ahem, did u see what i did there...)
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.
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.
Problem is, we're going to get caught with Brink and Kennard in coverage when teams pull the hurry up.
MLB - BJ Goodson
SLB - Devon Kennard
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 .
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.
Having Sheppard, Thomas and Casillas in reserve is not bad either. Should be a much improved group.