With the LBs the Giants have had lately, I have a feeling fans will love him
I agree, it won't take long for fans to come around on him. He'll be instrumental in the transition to Grahams' defense. Good get by NYG.. They made him a priority signing and for good reason.
and others on defense. Has me believing Giants will pick a OT with the first pick. The only player I see that could change that is if Young some how fell down to the Giants
Hopefully he stays healthy. Hopefully they protect him in pass coverage where he's ok at best. Hopefully he's more Pierce than Ogletree. He's over paid for his value but that's the deal with UFAs. The only way to prevent that is to draft better.
one of the other inside linebackers on market. A buddy of mine (who knows football) is a Packer fanatic and continues to let me know Martinez is steady but far from impactful. And does mention the coverage issues too.
Good article and I liked the Carl Banks video analysis though.
He is a Giant now so hope he becomes a staple leader on the D, and anybody replacing Ogletree immediately helps!
for a ILB or 4-3 LB is the most face value stat in football, like a shorstop with a lot of putouts and assists. And Martinez has had tremendous top level production the last several years.
I'm looking forward to seeing Martinez. I liked the Ogletree pickup as well at the time so there is some fear that this move is similar, however in hindsight Ogletree's production had taken a pretty big step backwards the year we picked up him, so I think he had just a lost a step he couldn't afford to lose (even though he was just 26 when acquired).
Totally separate thought - it's really crazy how quickly players can age in the NFL these days. Michael Barrow never played a snap for us before age 30. And Ogletree is likely done in the NFL at age 28.
Hakeem Nicks' era seems like a lifetime ago and he only just turned 32.
Ogletree was supposed to be our defensive playcaller
The difference in the defense after Antonio Pierce left was so stark, even though he was a below average player personally. If Blake can fill that role in the defense and still be an average++ player we will be much better on that side of the ball.
Martinez was not the free agent ILB I was hoping the Giants would sign, and no doubt that was the reason I reacted so negatively when it was announced. Well, as my Mom used to say, "Act in haste, repent in leisure."
If Martinez proves critics like me wrong (and Carl Banks seems to think he will), I'll gladly do some leisurely repenting.
Improving this defense will have a direct effect on the offense. Far to often for years now, the offense has played from behind. This makes it more predictable, makes the percentage of passing higher, which has exposed the offensive line even more than necessary. Garrett can scheme the offensive line better if he has more at his disposal. Having games tighter, more competitive will help with that.
I agree, it won't take long for fans to come around on him. He'll be instrumental in the transition to Grahams' defense. Good get by NYG.. They made him a priority signing and for good reason.
Good article and I liked the Carl Banks video analysis though.
He is a Giant now so hope he becomes a staple leader on the D, and anybody replacing Ogletree immediately helps!
Totally separate thought - it's really crazy how quickly players can age in the NFL these days. Michael Barrow never played a snap for us before age 30. And Ogletree is likely done in the NFL at age 28.
Hakeem Nicks' era seems like a lifetime ago and he only just turned 32.
The difference in the defense after Antonio Pierce left was so stark, even though he was a below average player personally. If Blake can fill that role in the defense and still be an average++ player we will be much better on that side of the ball.
If Martinez proves critics like me wrong (and Carl Banks seems to think he will), I'll gladly do some leisurely repenting.