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Linebacker depth question re: Pinkins

While watching Paul Dottino wrap up practice info from yesterday, he mentioned that injuries to our LB corps might pressure Spags into using Collins more in the box. For those who know anything about him, is Pinkins someone who is capable of plugging into a LB role (for depth)? I recall earlier in preseason reading that he's built like a hybrid S/LB that enjoys contact. Curious as to what people who might know more thought about this possibility.
He has to beat out  
NikkiMac : 8/20/2017 12:32 pm : link
Nat Berhe for that role I would think ...... and he's definitely a strong safety!
.  
arcarsenal : 8/20/2017 12:35 pm : link
This was brought up yesterday in another thread. It's a conversion that can work - Mark Barron did it quite well a couple years ago.

My worry with Pinkins is that he doesn't move fluidly and has trouble swiveling and changing direction. You'd be asking him to do it in some crowded areas of the field and I could see him easily getting lost in traffic.
It is possible  
Sy'56 : 8/20/2017 1:21 pm : link
He plays 3rd string safety as of now...and the coaches don't put a position next to his name other than "Special Teams"

I like him physically...very fast and physical. But there is a lack of quick decision making and agility in coverage. He is tight hipped. Those issues wouldn't arise at LB as much...but I think there are several options they would explore before throwing him in there.
RE: It is possible  
In comment 13566047 Sy'56 said:
Quote:
He plays 3rd string safety as of now...and the coaches don't put a position next to his name other than "Special Teams"

I like him physically...very fast and physical. But there is a lack of quick decision making and agility in coverage. He is tight hipped. Those issues wouldn't arise at LB as much...but I think there are several options they would explore before throwing him in there.


Thanks, Sy. I was curious why there was no clarity yet in the position defined for him. It would seem like a smart move for the team to explore the option in preseason games to see if Pinkins is up to the challenge. Never hurts to see what additional skill sets these athletes have that might help the team be successful.
The 4th safety  
Jay on the Island : 8/20/2017 3:17 pm : link
is currently not on the roster. It is more than likely that the Giants sign/claim their 4th safety after the 53 man roster cut down date.
RE: The 4th safety  
Klaatu : 8/20/2017 3:31 pm : link
In comment 13566165 Jay on the Island said:
Quote:
is currently not on the roster. It is more than likely that the Giants sign/claim their 4th safety after the 53 man roster cut down date.


I disagree. To me, there's no reason to believe that anyone else's castoffs would be better than the guys we have competing now. I'd rather see the Giants develop kids like Pinkins, Ryan Murphy, or Trey Robinson, and hope that Ihenacho or Berhe can shake the injury bug in the next couple of weeks.
He made the Seahawks team  
KWALL2 : 8/20/2017 4:05 pm : link
As a LB. He was injured early Sept and went on IR. But he made an NFL roster as a LB. Smaller but faster guy for LB depth. I'm sure that's part of his value to NYG.

I look forward to watching Pinkins on Monday night  
Jimmy Googs : 8/20/2017 5:02 pm : link
Have to admit I am a bit turned off by the following observations from posters regarding his play...

- doesn't move with fluidity and change direction well
- gets lost in traffic
- lack of quick decision making
- lacks agility in coverage
- tight hipped

But he's also very fast and physical and likes contact. Sounds to me like a guy you would want on the 53-man roster and look forward to see him develop in a year or so.

Don't we already have enough average guys in the LB / Safety group that we know what their ceilings are? Maybe taking a chance on Pinkins is the right stuff...
The problem with the Giants Safeties, and the Safeties in the NFL  
DavidinBMNY : 8/20/2017 6:32 pm : link
Is there are less and less players who fit true Free Safety. I'd Argue Duke, Behre, and Adams - all of their more natural position is probably Strong not Free.

Thomson is the only true Free Safety on the roster. Adams can play it, and he did pretty well last season but I see him as a more natural Strong.

Beer seems better playing forward as well and Duke was a Strong for Wash.
Pinkins, schminkins. What's the deal with Robinson?  
Big Blue Blogger : 8/21/2017 8:32 am : link
It's fun to watch guys like Pinkins, Munson, Skinner and Grant in pre-season. When the real bullets start flying, though, they are all likely to be exposed as liabilities. We'll know more about them in a couple of weeks, but exhibitions don't really tell you whether a defender can play against a real NFL offense utilizing its best personnel and its full playbook.

Keenan Robinson is Plan A. A heavier workload for B.J. Goodson and Jonathan Casillas (who already plays a lot) could be Plan B. J.T. Thomas might be plan C. As far as I'm concerned, everyone else is Plan D. Could they surprise in a positive way? Sure, but the Giants are in win-now mode. Surprises - especially on defense - are not what we need.
Pinkins Physicality is being under utilized  
Elite Mobster #32 : 8/21/2017 1:02 pm : link
He is playing too far away from the action at safety.

He wants to get into the mix and play physical.

If there is a Hybrid LB position where he can Blitz and play up on sure running downs he should make the defense an even more solid unit.

Maybe he can be transitioned into playing more Outside Linebacker. Utilize him the same way Cam Chancelor in Seattle is playing.

depth players tend to not get on the field much  
JonC : 8/21/2017 1:14 pm : link
and tend to think Berhe's ahead of him.
Pinkins..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 8/21/2017 1:28 pm : link
is a key DISRUPTOR! He is a pain for the offensive coordinators in the Football National League of teams.

His physicality is made to break players in four or at least two and he should line up in the teams opposing huddle formation for maximum offensive disruption. Smash mouths with smash mouth play from this backer of the line, not defender twenty yards from ball placement

Many important publications of American football say that you require missiles in flesh to win matches. Front Row Sports said, "LB is important position available for coaches to use". Myassfromaholeintheground.com says "DISRUPTING offenses is practice player key role"

Pinkins needs to DISRUPT
FMIC appears to have perfected his 'dumb poster' bot.  
Big Blue Blogger : 8/21/2017 2:03 pm : link
Great application of machine-learning in reverse: the more data you feed it, the dumber it gets.
Fatman -  
Elite Mobster #32 : 8/21/2017 2:29 pm : link
Truth is Pinkins seems to be good prospect, but we don't know what he can do yet.

I hope he's good for the defense...how about you?

You don't..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 8/21/2017 2:51 pm : link
know what he can do??

As a practice squad player, you deemed him ready to play because he was "disrupting the offense in practice", despite never being able to produce evidence that was ever uttered by a beat writer, player, coach, fan or groundskeeper.
stick to the facts -  
Elite Mobster #32 : 8/21/2017 3:39 pm : link
You have been a Hater, even since I broke your heart and informed you of a player obviously unknown to you.
Eric Pinkins the word on the street, field , or to one particular beat writer was he was playing on the scout team and becoming a disruption to the first team offense.

He was upgraded to the team late in the season.

Now we are discussing him on the board on a weekly basis.

Pinkins for negative or positive reasons (punch Thrown at him for finishing strong on a conditioning sprints lap) is a make or break it type player who at 26yrs old should be given a chance to develop. He seems like he trying to break through but he is on the edge, they need to be patient with him. We have Collins and Adams and Thompson. If Pink can play find him somewhere to contribute, other than deep Safety.

Stop Fatman - OK he has our attention lets see him play his game.
Please respond when we know more. Its speculation.
Show..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 8/21/2017 4:14 pm : link
any evidence that a beat writer or anyone else said he was disrupting the offense?

It was bullshit then and still is now.
Oh I see  
Elite Mobster #32 : 8/21/2017 4:30 pm : link
Skinny Fatman is on the Lazy side?

It's kind of like Biggie Smalls right?

Ok I will see what I can do!
Dan Dugan -Interview with Eric Pinkins - first disruption  
Elite Mobster #32 : 8/21/2017 4:56 pm : link
3RD DOWN: I know you came here as a linebacker. How did you get moved back to safety?

EP: Honestly, I took initiative. I went up to the guy that runs the scout cards because they had two receivers at safety. I was like, 'I'll give a way better look than receivers out there.' So he ended talking to the head man (Ben McAdoo) and I saw him just smirk and shake his head, 'Yes.' Then I was like, 'Yes! It's my opportunity to show them I can play safety.' I ended up going back there. Two plays later, (Sterling Shepard) was running a corner route, I picked it and I've been playing safety ever since.
LOL...  
FatMan in Charlotte : 8/21/2017 7:38 pm : link
no mention of "disrupting the offense". Maybe if the article was in Slovakian, it would be more clear....
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