The huge concerns surrounding the Giants’ linebacker corps
Leading into the start of training camp (rookies report July 22, veterans July 24) The Post will provide Giants fans with a position-by-position look at the roster. Next up: The linebackers.
Where have all the linebackers gone? Long time passing. It feels like years and years since this area on defense was fortified enough to be considered a positive force. The days of Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson and Carl Banks are distant memories. Heck, this franchise hasn’t taken a linebacker in the first round of the NFL Draft since Banks, way back in 1984. The big move to add talent to the group was the free agent signing of Markus Golden, one of coordinator James Bettcher’s former players in Arizona. This position was not addressed in the draft until the third round. Sack artist Josh Allen was there for the taking with the No. 6 overall pick but, much to the chagrin of Giants fans, he was not taken. Until proven otherwise, this remains a position of concern.
Key returnees: Alec Ogletree, Lorenzo Carter, Kareem Martin, B.J. Goodson
Key additions: Markus Golden, Oshane Ximines
The rundown: The Giants went to a 3-4 front with James Bettcher running the defense and that switch was not a great fit at a position in a perennial state of overhaul. The inside duo of Ogletree and Goodson did not get the job done in the run game last season and at times Ogletree was victimized in coverage. Still, Ogletree makes big plays – he had a career-high five interceptions, plus two touchdowns, and is a sharp guy and strong leader. On the outside, Carter is coming off an encouraging (four sacks) rookie year and is viewed inside the building as a potential star in the making. For the sake of general manager Dave Gettleman, Carter had better develop and blossom. It is essential Golden, following knee surgery two years ago, regains his 2016 form (12.5 sacks for the Cardinals) as he is the most accomplished pass-rusher on the roster and takes the place of Olivier Vernon (traded to the Browns).
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Leading into the start of training camp (rookies report July…
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Key camp battles: Second-year player Tae Davis spent plenty of time in the spring working with the first team and he will compete with Goodson for a starting inside spot. Goodson last season started a career-high 13 games but he is a product of the past regime and is vulnerable. Do not sleep on rookie Ryan Connelly here, as he is sneaky-athletic. The hope is Ximines’ production at Old Dominion translates to the next level and that he pushes for immediate playing time in pass-rush situations.
The verdict: There could be more dynamism than usual, if Carter’s immense physical ability kicks in and Golden finally sheds the knee surgery issues that slowed him for nearly two seasons. Those are big “ifs.” Finding a quality starter inside alongside Ogletree is likely to be a problematic situation, as Goodson has yet to live up to the promise he showed in his fairly awesome 2017 NFL starting debut in Dallas. That was quite a long time ago. Vernon was by far the most accomplished edge player on the team and he will be doing his thing in Cleveland. Counting on Carter and Golden to come up big and provide something close to 20 sacks is quite a gamble.
