BleedinBlue Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 It seems Herzlich has made big progress and could win the MLB position. Anyway, here's another (and latest) from Valentine: With the New York Giants mandatory mini-camp beginning Tuesday let's take a look at where things stand at one of the Giants most competitive positions, and the one that seems to draw the most interest around here. That, of course, would be linebacker. What did we learn about the linebackers from OTAs last week? Well, we learned that the starting linebackers continued to be Mark Herzlich in the middle flanked by Keith Rivers at the strong side and Spencer Paysinger on the weak side. That has been the case throughout OTAs, and it has been particularly interesting to hear that Herzlich -- who could not oust Chase Blackburn -- has been ahead of free-agent signee Dan Connor thus far. There is no guarantee that will continue, of course, but it does bear watching. Jacquain Williams, likely competing with Paysinger for the weak side job, took some reps last week for the first time. Williams is being cautious this offseason after dealing with a PCL injury last season. With Williams limited, Paysinger has impressed linebackers coach Jim Herrmann. "He is doing a good job. He has a great opportunity to get snaps. And he is competing for the job," Herrmann said. "He has matured over the last two years. To me, the biggest thing I have seen was his maturity level, because he is comfortable with the formation. Now he is going to go out and take the next step forward because he is anticipating the plays faster and faster." Head coach Tom Coughlin has been pleased by the competition at linebacker thus far. "It is a good thing. The other day Keith Rivers made a heck of a play ... Herzlich has made some big plays, two days in a row now he has intercepted balls," Coughlin said. "So I think the guys are anxious to make the contribution. They know the position is open. And I think that has motivated them in a very positive way to have a good spring and to give us some strong feelings about where we are." Veteran free-agent signees Aaron Curry and Kyle Bosworth are also among the players trying to impress the coaching staff and earn a spot with the team. Herrmann, echoing Coughlin, also talked about how competitive the position is. "This is basically a new group of guys. And I think the biggest thing right now is we are going out and learning what to do and competing. To me, the competition is going to keep going and keep going and keep going - which is going to make us all better," Herrmann said. "We are trying to develop a unit that can go out - regardless of who goes out and plays - we are going to be pretty good. Right now they have done a good job." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigblue25 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Herzlich, should not be on the roster. let alone starting at MLB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BleedinBlue Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 Herzlich, should not be on the roster. let alone starting at MLB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sephiroth Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Herzlich will be the starter at some point this season given Connor's injury history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Herzlich, should not be on the roster. let alone starting at MLB. A bit harsh for a young LB with potential don't you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishgutmartyr Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 He did well in non-contact drills, you say? Great news, since he won't have to shed blocks in the regular season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightFire Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Herzlich will be the starter at dome point this season given Connor's injury history. Exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allstarjim Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 He did well in non-contact drills, you say? Great news, since he won't have to shed blocks in the regular season. This. It's June. There is no scoop on our linebackers. You can tell more from exhibition games, and even then, you can't tell a lot. Nothing from now to Game 1 of the season really matters except for injuries affecting the depth chart. When that defense suits up against Dallas on September 8th, we'll start to get an idea of what we really have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Giant Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 You can scoop our linebackers out of the litter box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allstarjim Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 You can scoop our linebackers out of the litter box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sephiroth Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Connor is always injured. Rivers is always injured. Curry is always injured. Williams is always injured. At some point, our LB corps is going to be Herzlich, Paysinger, and Some Other Guy. Just let that marinate for a little while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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