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Starting linebacker Jacquian Williams will become free agent, unlikely to return to Giants


Mr. P

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The Giants defense needs to perform better in 2015 for them to return to playoffs. In order for it to happen, there will be some changes at every level.

The first known alteration was on the defensive line. The Giants cut nine-year veteran defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka last week.

Next up is the linebacking corps. Former starting weakside linebacker Jacquian Williams will reach free agency next week, according to a person close to the four-year veteran and with knowledge of his plans. It is highly unlikely he returns to the team next season.

The Giants have exclusive negotiating rights with Williams until Saturday, when teams are allowed to start negotiating with the agents of players set to hit the open market. Players are permitted to sign with other teams beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Williams, 26, is one of the few late-round hits in recent years by the Giants. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and started 22 games over four years.

Williams started all nine games at weakside linebacker last season, before a concussion prematurely ended his season. He graded out positively in six of the first seven games, but finished with an overall -4.0 grade in 2015, according to Pro Football Focus.

The confirmation of Williams' likely departure comes a day after a newly-created Twitter account (@jacquian57) emerged with some cryptic tweets that seemed to indicate his time with the Giants had ended. It in fact appears to be true.

Williams made 74 tackles (one for a loss), had a quarterback hurry and three passes defended in 2014, but didn't live up to the lofty expectations the Giants placed on him entering the season. They were hoping he had matured and grown into a significant three-down linebacker with cover ability based on his athletic ability and skills.

"He had a really good fall," coach Tom Coughlin said prior to the season. "It is because of a lot of things. He is healthy and has a good feel for his position. He has good energy. Very inspired camp."

While he never emerged as a difference-making linebacker, Williams left his mark as a special teams player. His forced fumble in overtime of the 2012 NFC Championship Game in San Francisco will go down as one of the biggest plays during that Super Bowl run.

With Williams gone, the Giants now have Jon Beason (who is working with the Giants to renegotiate his contract), Jameel McClain and Devon Kennard, coming off a strong rookie season, as their linebacking corps. The door remains open for veterans Spencer Paysinger and Mark Herzlich to return as well. They are set to become free agents next week.

Beason, 30, appears set to return as the middle linebacker and Kennard was mentioned after the season as the future on the strongside. Where McClain fits in remains a mystery, but new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo does know him well from his time with the Ravens.

McClain, 29, is set to make $3.1 million after he hit a $750K escalator in his contract last season based on playing time. Right now, at minimum, he appears to be a contingency plan for Beason and Kennard ‐ both who have extensive injury histories ‐ with the potential to start at any of the linebacker spots in Spagnuolo's defense.

With Williams out of the picture and the futures of Paysinger and Herzlich up in the air, the expectation is that the Giants will add at least one linebacker in free agency and/or the draft as they look to upgrade the position.

 

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/03/starting_linebacker_jacquian_williams_to_hit_free.html

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Nearly as surprising as Kiwanuka and Walton getting cut. Its too bad he never became the linebacker we needed.

Eh I'm not too surprised at any of them. They are easily replaced and likely easily upgraded

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Williams, 26, is one of the few late-round hits in recent years by the Giants. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and started 22 games over four years.

 

 

Seriously, what player was this guy watching for the past four years?

 

Yeah, he had a big fumble and a handful of other plays. But by "handful" I mean I can count them on one hand.

 

JaQuain flat-out sucked. How many times did the "best cover linebacker" end up chasing a TE or Fullback in the flat last season?

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Seriously, what player was this guy watching for the past four years?

 

Yeah, he had a big fumble and a handful of other plays. But by "handful" I mean I can count them on one hand.

 

JaQuain flat-out sucked. How many times did the "best cover linebacker" end up chasing a TE or Fullback in the flat last season?

 

I think when a 6th rounder is basically doing anything, it's a success.

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