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A Peek Inside how Bernardrick McKinney was Available

mittenedman : 10/25/2021 12:25 pm
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 257 lbs.
Age: 28

Resume/Accolades: 2nd Team All Pro 2016, Pro Bowl 2018. Known as a good run defender and blitzer who hits like a MACK truck but somewhat of a liability in coverage. The starting MLB for some of the best defenses in the league during his time in HOU.

*Why he was traded by HOU:
Played in only 4 games in 2020 before requiring shoulder surgery. HOU had just signed ILB Zach Cunningham to a big deal (4 year, $58M) and had 10.5% of their cap tied up in their ILBs. One had to go. In an unusual move, they were able to trade an injured player, getting DE Shaq Lawson in return.

*Why he was released by MIA:
The Dolphins strangely cut McKinney a few months after trading for him. It was a bumpy ride - they cut his salary by $4M and snipped the last 2 years off his contract. After spending most of camp as a starter, he was cut after incumbent starter Elandon Roberts came off PUP. Brian Flores called it a "tough decision" that came down to "position, salary cap and the kicking game".

The Dolphins beat, however, speculated the team never wanted McKinney - just to dump Lawson's salary (3 years, $30M the prior year). That's certainly what it appears like given how McKinney never got the chance to play in a real game for them.

*Why he wasn't picked up/Why he Signed with the Giants:
According to Ian Rapoport, he had several teams interested but was waiting for the right opportunity. From his perspective, I can see why he thought the Giants could put him on the map again. A talented D that was missing a 34 ILB. And don't forget Bill O'Brien being from the Belichick tree - there's that connection.

I was impressed with McKinney yesterday - there's gas in the tank. Reminds me of the Jon Beason pickup years ago. The interesting thing is - if he's healthy, you can make a pretty good case he's better than Blake Martinez. He really didn't get much of a chance in MIA and it's anyone's guess if he's back to form. He looked pretty damn good in limited snaps Sunday.
It was almost Jarring  
BigBlueJ : 10/25/2021 12:27 pm : link
I had to do a double a few times, I was like wow Xavier firing in there like a missile.
Coach Judge pulled the Miss. State card  
FranknWeezer : 10/25/2021 12:28 pm : link
on him.
This franchise  
Thegratefulhead : 10/25/2021 12:33 pm : link
Needs to hit on one the these reclamation projects. The Beason comp could be a good one. A shame he could not stay healthy here.
RE: This franchise  
Johnny5 : 10/25/2021 12:51 pm : link
In comment 15428845 Thegratefulhead said:
Quote:
Needs to hit on one the these reclamation projects. The Beason comp could be a good one. A shame he could not stay healthy here.

Agreed. To bad Beason couldn't stay healthy, he had a bunch of talent. And yeah some of those hits yesterday by McKinney were eye popping. It felt good to see that.
No way  
moaltch : 10/25/2021 12:54 pm : link
he's better than Blake. I'd like to see that argument.
RE: Coach Judge pulled the Miss. State card  
Lines of Scrimmage : 10/25/2021 12:55 pm : link
In comment 15428833 FranknWeezer said:
Quote:
on him.


Yep I was going to say that certainly. Judge broke out the cowbell, starting shaking and bingo.
He actually reminded me of B.J. Goodson yesterday  
Rick in Dallas : 10/25/2021 1:04 pm : link
A good run defender but a liability in pass coverage. He is a better tackler than Crowder.
RE: No way  
Batenhorst7 : 10/25/2021 1:08 pm : link
In comment 15428890 moaltch said:
Quote:
he's better than Blake. I'd like to see that argument.


even before getting hurt Blake was missing tackes and getting blocked out of plays. he wasnt himself
RE: RE: No way  
bLiTz 2k : 10/25/2021 1:14 pm : link
In comment 15428910 Batenhorst7 said:
Quote:
In comment 15428890 moaltch said:


Quote:


he's better than Blake. I'd like to see that argument.



even before getting hurt Blake was missing tackes and getting blocked out of plays. he wasnt himself


If mcKinney turns out to be a solid run stuffing MLB, physical, he could be a perfect compliment next to Blake for next year. (I like Martinez more in the cover 1 middle zone as opposed to taking on guards at the LoS).

Here's to hoping McKinney turns out to be a reclamation pickup worth keeping around.
Great Info- Thanks for posting  
ZogZerg : 10/25/2021 1:15 pm : link
I'm curios how the Giants afforded.
Well, actually, I don't really care.

This D is such a mess I don't think a previous 2nd team "All Pro" is going to help.
RE: Great Info- Thanks for posting  
JohnnyFlowers : 10/25/2021 1:28 pm : link
In comment 15428921 ZogZerg said:
Quote:
I'm curios how the Giants afforded.
Well, actually, I don't really care.

This D is such a mess I don't think a previous 2nd team "All Pro" is going to help.


He just did help you dumb ass
This is a terrific and really appreciated post.  
Beezer : 10/25/2021 1:33 pm : link
I read the stuff on him prior to this game, but then on a few of those plays we're talking about, I'm sitting there, like, "DAMMMMN."

Like someone else said, though, I'd like to see the argument that makes him BETTER in the middle than Blake Martinez. That's a tough one to imagine.

The two of them out there together? Now we're talking.
Ha! And yes, I realize Carolina  
Beezer : 10/25/2021 1:35 pm : link
is struggling right now, but regardless, the Giants' defense took a positive step yesterday, and McKinney seemed to be a piece of making that step a reality.

Having said that, which day this week do we read about his non-contact practice injury?

Ohhhhhh shut up, bitches. You know you think it, too.

RE: better than Blake  
mittenedman : 10/25/2021 1:35 pm : link
Simply a better overall football player. There are things Blake does well - he is far better in zone coverage than McKinney for instance.

But McKinney is the more accomplished overall football player, and he's more physical at the LOS which is a pretty big deal at MIKE. I don't think it's a leap to say McKinney > Martinez before the shoulder injury. He hasn't demonstrated he's back from that yet, but if he does, it may be Blake the odd man out off an ACL.

McK is playing for a new contract, and he knows it's likely to be his last. Expect a huge effort from an accomplished player the remaining 10 games. I'm glad he's here.
Ive been wondering how the hell he was available.  
mattlawson : 10/25/2021 1:36 pm : link
thank you
Liked the little I saw from McKinney filling a hole yesterday  
Jimmy Googs : 10/25/2021 1:43 pm : link
where the RB was going.

Crowder has decent speed to sideline but would rather push a guy out than tackle. And he needs tackling help from his teammates on plays inside hashes. Ragland too often takes on the blocker than makes his way to the ballcarrier.

Blake while a nice player is a little overrated  
Lines of Scrimmage : 10/25/2021 1:54 pm : link
here. He will also be coming off a ACL so I am not so sure he is even back next year. Part of why I think Blake was available was SF destroyed GB on the ground in the playoffs so the point about physicality should be noted imo.
RE: This franchise  
BigBlueJ : 10/25/2021 1:57 pm : link
In comment 15428845 Thegratefulhead said:
Quote:
Needs to hit on one the these reclamation projects. The Beason comp could be a good one. A shame he could not stay healthy here.


Ha such a good take, he was so electric on the field in comparison to what we were used to it was jarring. It was nirvana for the few moments we got to see him play. Martinez has been the closest to that feeling for me.
Let's assume McK plays  
mittenedman : 10/25/2021 2:00 pm : link
well the remainder of the year.

The Giants have a decision to make.

Re-sign McKinney, under this scenario healthy coming off a good year?

Or let him walk and bring back Martinez at big $$$ coming off an ACL?

Shows you how brutal the business is. Could go from unquestioned team leader, multi-year contract to *gone*, just like that. McK is an experienced, green dot commander of a defense. Let's see if he takes ownership.
RE: Blake while a nice player is a little overrated  
Beezer : 10/25/2021 2:00 pm : link
In comment 15428973 Lines of Scrimmage said:
Quote:
here. He will also be coming off a ACL so I am not so sure he is even back next year. Part of why I think Blake was available was SF destroyed GB on the ground in the playoffs so the point about physicality should be noted imo.


No idea how you could say he's overrated. He's statistically among the top linebackers in the middle of a defense, if not THE guy that has set the standard for several years now, and he's been doing that in blue, as well. He's also, by any account I've seen, a terrific leader, which I keep reading here that we no longer have on this team. How's that overrated?
One final point:  
mittenedman : 10/25/2021 2:13 pm : link
When McKinney's up to speed, Crowder can slide back to his orginal ILB spot, playing Robin instead of Batman. Crowder is 100% over his head directing an NFL defense but can (hopefully) be serviceable playing the originally planned role.

He was the planned starter next to Martinez, there has to be a reason for that.
RE: RE: Great Info- Thanks for posting  
ZogZerg : 10/25/2021 2:33 pm : link
In comment 15428935 JohnnyFlowers said:
Quote:
In comment 15428921 ZogZerg said:


Quote:


I'm curios how the Giants afforded.
Well, actually, I don't really care.

This D is such a mess I don't think a previous 2nd team "All Pro" is going to help.



He just did help you dumb ass


Yes, those 2 tackles made all the difference yesterday.
Fuck Off Douche.
Thanks for back ground  
George from PA : 10/25/2021 3:07 pm : link
A good addition.....I liked Roche out there as well.

The LBers looked better after the 1st series...where they got a little scorched.
Great thread  
The Jake : 10/25/2021 3:36 pm : link
I always appreciate added perspective on personnel moves and yes, it's nice to think we may have got one right for a change.

Thanks for posting.
He was a top 10 ILB  
Breeze_94 : 10/25/2021 5:27 pm : link
For a couple years there in Houston before the injuries.

He’s only 28 too so there should be gas in the tank. A definite upgrade from Ragland

Prob don’t want him in too much man-to-man but that’s the case for 90% of ILB’s.
Blake had a great season last year  
Vanzetti : 10/26/2021 12:07 am : link
But he is not a MLB who hits the hole. He is more of side to side guy who makes tackles 3-4 yards past LOS

Because of that , Blake is great at sniffing out screens and great in pursuit.

But I like s traditional ILB who pops guys. That’s McKinney
It doesn't matter if he's better than Blake  
Bill in UT : 10/26/2021 1:08 am : link
We've got two ILB spots. Let the 2 best play side by side
it wasnt the number of tackles McKinney made  
Batenhorst7 : 10/26/2021 4:09 am : link
It was the way he did it

Carolina was moving the ball on the ground and McKinney blasted them twice......ferocious hits we have not seen by a Giants D in a long time

After that Carolina looked a lot less confident running the ball

I hope he holds up

Reminds me of the signing of Kawika Mitchell for our 2008 SB run. Mitchell was a game changer but in that case we did not re-sign him. I believe he signed with Buffalo.

Hope this guy is not a one and done like Mitchell
IDK  
Bernie : 10/26/2021 8:42 am : link
if he is better than Blake, but he certainly is better than Ragland and it's not even close. I commented during the game "that he has been with the Giants for less than a week, has played all of like 5 snaps and he is already more productive than Ragland"; imagine how productive he can be once he fully learns the system. If he plays well the rest of the year and if the Giants can keep him for reasonable money, he is worth signing for 2 or 3 years. There are a few "ifs" there, but at 28, he still could be productive for a few years.
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