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Inside Linebacker

Klaatu : 1/2/2020 8:11 am
There's a good thread running about the Jags wanting to keep Yannick Ngokue, with other ER/OLB's like Matt Judon and Bud Dupree mentioned as players the Giants might try and sign in the offseason instead of Ngokue. That's fine. Lord knows the Giants pass-rush has been pretty anemic, and adding a top=tier ER is high on everyone's wish-list, as it should be.

However, what worries me the most is how soft the Giants have been up the gut, how devoid of talent they've been at ILB. I'm not a fan of Alec Ogletree. Overpaid and underwhelming, I hope the Giants cut him loose. Ryan Connelly showed promise before he got hurt, but even if he's healthy enough to play next year, the anecdotal evidence suggests that he won't be 100% until he's two years removed from his ACL tear. David Mayo seems like a nice player...as a backup/spot-starter, not as a guy you want starting on a regular basis. The rest of the field is pretty uninspiring.

So, even though the Giants are likely to target an ER and an OT in free agency, I think it would be a capital mistake not to target a damned good ILB as well. I've seen a few names thrown around - Corey Littleton, Blake Martinez, Nick Kwiatkoski, Patrick Onwuasor, Joe Schobert...any one of whom would be an upgrade from what the Giants have now.

Get some talent at ILB (and at FS, too), and get back to playing the kind of defense the Giants used to be known for.
I agree. The only reason I can think of for not upgrading from  
Ira : 1/2/2020 8:15 am : link
Ogeltree in free agency is that there's someone that they like at that position in the draft who they feel confident that they can get.
Good post....totally agree and it’s been said here  
Simms11 : 1/2/2020 8:18 am : link
many times that the LBer position, especially ILB has been extremely lacking. Connelly was a nice surprise inside and one would hope could rebound nicely from his ACL tear. Mayo is good depth and could be a spot starter. If we remain a 3-4 base, then we have to address LBer even moreso. I’m wondering how the new staff will view Ogletree and will he get one more year? I sure hope not, because he’s definitely been one of the culprits and very uninspiring. Would love to see the Giants get back to being LBer central.
Spending in free agency  
slugox : 1/2/2020 8:22 am : link
I know many folks say build through the draft and not free agency, and I mostly agree. However, we also want to try and win while the QB is still on his cheap contract. With so many holes to fill, if you want that contention to begin next season you're almost forced to go crazy in free agency this year.

Two edge rushers, an ILB, and then one of CB/OL are basically a must. Then you can look at rounds one and two of the draft to "finish" off OL/CB. But with a minimum of six spots to fill in the starting rotation, it seems unavoidable not to spend, and spend big.
I am leaning towards the move back to a 4-3  
jvm52106 : 1/2/2020 8:23 am : link
as we just do not seem to be able to find the ER guys for todays 3-4 and LB's that can cover too.

Washington is moving to a base 4-3 from what I read yesterday.
I think Kwiatkoski is the best bang-for-your-buck option  
j_rud : 1/2/2020 8:28 am : link
Not the best of the bunch but can probably be had for a reasonable deal and would pair well with Connelly.
RE: I agree. The only reason I can think of for not upgrading from  
Klaatu : 1/2/2020 8:30 am : link
In comment 14751502 Ira said:
Quote:
Ogeltree in free agency is that there's someone that they like at that position in the draft who they feel confident that they can get.


They should hedge their bets. There's no guarantee that any LB they covet in the draft will be available when they pick, or that he will be the highest-graded player on their board.
Here here !  
Jimmy Googs : 1/2/2020 9:03 am : link
I think Klaatu may very well be an even louder advocate than me for this team to grab athletic inside LB. Defense badly needs needs a 3-down leadership type.

I was digging what Joe Schobert was showing early this season...not sure how he finished up or if he has the right leadership makeup.
There was an ILB for Georgia yesterday, Tae somebody,  
BlueLou'sBack : 1/2/2020 9:07 am : link
who looked pretty active and stout hitting wise. A late bloomer in college converted from RB/FB.

Now rated a 6th + round pick or UDFA level guy. Let's see him at the combine and where he falls.
.  
Bill2 : 1/2/2020 9:07 am : link
Good points Klaatu.

Agree
RE: There was an ILB for Georgia yesterday, Tae somebody,  
Jimmy Googs : 1/2/2020 10:35 am : link
In comment 14751586 BlueLou'sBack said:
Quote:
who looked pretty active and stout hitting wise. A late bloomer in college converted from RB/FB.

Now rated a 6th + round pick or UDFA level guy. Let's see him at the combine and where he falls.


Tae Crowder. Full effort guy. 5th year senior I think. Not as polished as others but still learning position to some degree. Interesting talent.
ILB is #2 on the priority list  
Reale01 : 1/2/2020 12:23 pm : link
Ol is first. The Giants have a decent line. They need ILBs who can fill the gaps. Will help with run defense and 3rd down defense.
Yes!  
gidiefor : Mod : 1/2/2020 12:28 pm : link
Good post Klaatu
RE: There was an ILB for Georgia yesterday, Tae somebody,  
MM_in_NYC : 1/2/2020 12:31 pm : link
In comment 14751586 BlueLou'sBack said:
Quote:
who looked pretty active and stout hitting wise. A late bloomer in college converted from RB/FB.

Now rated a 6th + round pick or UDFA level guy. Let's see him at the combine and where he falls.


i was gonna post this exact same thing. he was #32
the 2 best are Schobert + Littleton and both are likely to hit market  
Eric on Li : 1/2/2020 12:34 pm : link
is either one worth $10M+ in AAV over 4 or 5 years? That's the key question.

Michael Boley was a key piece for the SB team in 2011/12 - he was signed in 2009 to a 5 year $25m deal at age 26.

Antonio Pierce was a kay piece for the SB team in 2007/08 - he was signed in 2005 to a 6 year $26m deal at age 26 as well.

I believe DG's role in the organization had some direct involvement in each of those acquisitions. Both Schobert and Littleton are 26 years old. It stands to reason either 1 could be towards the top of the list of FA targets this offseason.
ILB is a top 3 team need, IMO  
giants#1 : 1/2/2020 12:34 pm : link
especially since Love at least looks competent at S and could be a solid pairing with Peppers.

1a. OL
1b. ER
3. ILB

And personally, I think we need 2 ILBs: one from that 1st tier (Schobert/Littleton) and then a young guy that didn't quite live up to expectations or had some injury issues and may do better with a change of scenery (i.e. a Golden type at ILB). Let the 2nd tier guy and Connelly battle for the 2nd ILB spot (assuming we stick with 3-4) and bring Mayo back (cheaply) for the 4th spot.
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