Don't Weep Too Much For Giants
The New York Giants lost Osi Umenyiora to a season-ending knee injury over the weekend and were rejected Tuesday by fellow defensive end Michael Strahan, who decided to remain in retirement after being contacted by the Giants about the possibility of returning to replace Umenyiora.
But no one should be feeling too sorry for them. They still have a pretty good set of defensive ends in Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka.
Tuck became a standout pass rusher last season as a part-time player and now gets a fulltime role, something that was planned even before Umenyiora's injury. He could become a star.
Kiwanuka is a former first-round draft selection who was shifted to outside linebacker last season. The Giants wanted to be able to get Umenyiora, Strahan, Tuck and Kiwanuka all on the field in passing situations; they accomplished that by putting Tuck at defensive tackle and Kiwanuka at linebacker.
Kiwanuka had some early struggles at linebacker. Now he moves back to end, where he mixed big plays with big mistakes as a rookie in 2006. If he reduces the mistakes, the Giants still should get fine play from their defensive ends. Their problem now becomes a lack of depth, although they have veteran Renaldo Wynn in the fold. Many NFL teams would be more than eager to have Tuck and Kiwanuka as their starters at the position.
By Mark Maske |
August 27, 2008; 8:47 AM ET
| Category:
Giants
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Posted by: Victor | August 27, 2008 12:40 PM
Well said, 100% agree. People forget Kiwi was a top ten pick until he ran into trouble at the Senior Bowl. Had Strahan come back, Kiwi would have still stayed at DE. The only question, is like you said, depth. But Im sure Jerry Reese will be picking someone up this w/e after the final cuts.
Posted by: Patrick C. | August 27, 2008 12:44 PM
yes, the Giants were knocked down a tier by losing Osi and Strahan, but only from "Great" to "Very Good". A more mature secondary combined with a great coach in Spagnuolo will keep the Giants in the hunt. And dont forget about an offense with a very diverse run game and a great pass game. Defense may not be such an issue when Eli and company put up 25-30 points a game. Go G-Men!
Posted by: Dave N. | August 27, 2008 1:41 PM
first off the giants DE's are not very good. a backup DE last year in Tuck and a hybrid DE in kiwanuka doesn't make them "very good". no where near the talent level of say andre carter and jason taylor
Posted by: jlang | August 27, 2008 2:15 PM
Hey jlang,
Tuck had more sacks last year than Carter and he was a "backup." He also should have been named MVP of the Super Bowl.
I'd rather have Tuck than Carter and even Taylor, who is in his mid-30s and already hurt.
Kiwi will be fine. He's had enough time to learn Spags system and goes back to what he does best-getting to the QB.
See you Redskins at the Swamp on Sept 4th. First they'll raise the banner, then they'll raze the Redskins.
Go Big Blue!
Posted by: romp | August 27, 2008 2:43 PM
Sorry...meant to say Tuck had almost as many sacks...10.5 to 10...as Carter.
Posted by: romp | August 27, 2008 2:45 PM
did anybody here about the possiblility of acquiring that DE from greenbay cNT MEMBER HIS NAME
Posted by: Raymond | August 27, 2008 11:49 PM
did anybody here about the possiblility of acquiring that DE from greenbay cNT MEMBER HIS NAME
Posted by: Raymond | August 27, 2008 11:53 PM
How is Kiwi a hybrid DE? he played DE all throughout college at BC..just b/c he played 17 months at LB doesnt make him a hybrid - he would start on the Redskins for sure...
Jason Taylor? He couldnt even win Dancing with the Stars, you think he can win in the NFL?
Posted by: Patrick C. | August 28, 2008 8:52 AM
KGB? Kabir Gbaja-Bialmila?
Posted by: Patrick C. | August 28, 2008 8:53 AM
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Thank you for writing that...considering you are writing for the WASHINGTON post.