New York Giants

Giant pass rush, Mathias Kiwanuka

(Note: This article comes to us courtesy of pat Kirwan at NFL.com. I thought it was an intersting piece, especially during a slow Giants news week in the off season).

As the Michael Strahan era officially ended last Tuesday and many looked back at a great career, one New York Giant was thinking about the future.

Linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka will add to the Giants pass rush this year

Mathias Kiwanuka's world just got a little bigger.

Like most fans, the Giants knew this day was coming, but the writing was on the wall even before Strahan's late arrival at training camp last summer. That's why the team drafted Kiwanuka, a defensive end out of Boston College, in 2006.

At the time, defensive end didn't appear to be an immediate need worthy of a first-round pick, but the Giants knew that Kiwanuka's athleticism, non-stop motor and work in the film room would find a spot in their lineup.

After working predominantly as a situational pass rusher during his rookie season, Kiwanuka willingly made the transition to outside linebacker in 2007 with Osi Umenyiora becoming a force opposite Strahan and Justin Tuck getting more time in the defensive end rotation. Kiwanuka responded with solid results until a broken leg ended his season in Week 11.

While the expectation has been that Kiwanuka would be ready to take over for Strahan as the strong side end, he is able to do much more than just rush the passer. His invaluable experience at linebacker combined with the aggressive schemes of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could allow Kiwanuka to have a bigger impact than most realize.

The six-foot-5, 265-pounder will be all over the field and will help Spagnuolo and the Giants play the matchup game against opposing offenses. Justin Tuck will take over left defensive end on run down situations, while the recent signing of Reynaldo Wynn fills the backup role left open as everyone moves up a notch.

What that means is opposing quarterbacks will have to take note of where Kiwanuka is lined up. Expect to see him aligned as the strong-side linebacker on run downs. On third down and in obvious passing situations like the two-minute drill, Kiwanuka could put his hand in the dirt and work from the defensive end spot with Tuck sliding inside as a pass rushing defensive tackle, giving the Giants three down rushers.

Spagnuolo makes extensive use of a fire-zone blitz package that brings pressure from several different points on the field, which would also allow Kiwanuka to take shots at the quarterback as a stand-up rusher.

Kiwanuka has a lean build and sometimes struggles to hold up at the point of attack in the run game, meaning his best position on this Giants team is at strong-side linebacker. It allows him to use his speed and athleticism to run to the ball as his motor and closing speed make him a threat in back-side pursuit on runs going the opposite direction.

Granted, Kiwanuka is still raw when dropping into coverage, but he is tall and can get into the passing lanes (he has two career interceptions). His ability to play linebacker allows the Giants to keep Umenyiora and Tuck at the ends and put their best 11 defenders on the field.

But look for Spagnuolo to find ways to have the group playing to their strengths while mixing his looks. Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson will step in for the departed Kawika Mitchell and will also be a threat in the blitz package. The Giants like to drop defensive tackles into coverage in their version of the fire zone, which means that any combination of players could be coming at the quarterback on any given play.

Much was made of Tuck's ability to play inside or outside during the Super Bowl win. Combined with Kiwanuka's versatility and the emergence of Wilkinson, the Giants seem poised to put pressure on the quarterback as they did during their title run.

The only reason that's the case is because they prepared for a future without Strahan.

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Michael Strahan press conference

I am watching the Michael Strahan press conference as I write this where Michael is announcing his retirement from the New York Giants.

As I tuned in, Tom Coughlin was speaking. He commented on what an asset Strahan was to the Giants, not only on the field, but certainly off it in terms of his leadership. Coughlin called him a "great, natural, inspirational leader."

Then  Michael came on and the gist  of it was, "we are  a  family" and that "once you are a Giant, you are a Giant for life."

It was a very sincere, heartfelt speech, in which he didn't cry (Osi Umenyiora told him not to). Strahan also praised the New York Giants as a "class" organization, then praised his teammates and the Giant fans.

He then thanked the organization, teammates, fans, and even the media, who he had a little fun with. Telling them now they could pick on Osi and Justin Tuck.

He emphasized that he was stepping down not because he couldn't do it any longer, just because of the toll it takes on you. He wanted to do it under his terms. He did! How much better can you do then leaving as a Super Bowl Champion!

Thanks, Michael, on behalf of all New York Giants fans!

The Michael Strahan era is over

Well, the mystery is over. Michael Strahan officially announced his retirement today from the NFL. After  a fifteen year career with the New York Giants, Strahan decided he had enough; "It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title," Strahan told FoxSports.com. "It's time. I'm done." I was wrong. I truly believed that Strahan would return for one more season in an attempt to get the Giants another title.

Strahan leaves as the Giants all time sack leader with 141.5. He was a force his entire career as one the NFL's most fierce pass rushers. A multiple Pro Bowl selection, Strahan was also a leader on the Giants for much of his career. During last years playoff run, teammates noted his inspirational pre game speeches, and locker room presence. Giants defensive end, Justin Tuck, Strahan's successor, raved about Strahan's leadership during an ESPN interview today. "There is no replacing Michael Strahan" Tuck noted.Agreed.

I feel this news is a big blow to the Giants chances of repeating. Not only do the Giants lose his leadership, but they also lose a devastating pass rusher and a very good run player as well.I was looking forward to seeing Strahan out there with Umenyiora, Tuck and Kiwanuka getting after the QB.

It will be interesting to see how the  Giants deal with this. Obviously Tuck is the heir apparent, but what will big blue do with Mathias Kiwanuka? Do they keep him at linebacker, put him back on the line, or, more likely, leave him primarily as a LB, but sort of use him as a "tweener" and use him in different spots at different times.

Strahan will go down as one of the all time great New York Giants, and probably, next to Lawrence Taylor, one of their greatest defensive players. He is a first ballot hall of famer and while he was sometimes controversial, sometimes had a bit too much to say, I will miss him.

From all Giants fans; good luck Michael and thanks for the memories!

Giants sign Reynoldo Wynn

The New York Giants agreed to terms with defensive end Reynoldo Wynn. Wynn, a former first round pick by Tom Coughlin in 1997, spent five years with Jacksonville before moving to Washington then New Orleans.

Does this move mean the Giants are preparing for life after Michael Strahan or just adding veteran depth to a critical position?? Time will tell. I still remain optimistic that Strahan will return. I believe, from his recent interviews, that he just had too much fun last season, still believes he can play, and believes the Giants are good enough to repeat. My guess is right near the end of training camp Strahan will have a sudden realization that he needs to return.

In other, sort of Giant news, Patriots chief dirty player Rodney Harrison called the remarkable Manning to Tyree connection a "once in a million years" type of play. We all know that Harrison lacks the class to simply congratulate the Giants. Of course it had to be luck...if that helps you deal Rodney. so be it.

Check back as we will begin a series of Giants player profiles beginning with the 2008 draft class. First up will be Safety Kenny Phillips who already looks better in #21 then the last guy....you know, the one from that TV show.

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Has Strahan made his decision?

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New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan said during a recent interview that he has basically made his mind up whether or not to retire. Strahan claims he is keeping it to himself until he is 100% certain of his decision.

You could speculate either way as to what that means, probably a waste of time, but I'll do it anyway. I think Michael Strahan will play for the New York Giants in 2008! I feel he knows that he has more football in him and would love the challenge of trying to repeat as Super Bowl Champion.

My guess is that sometime near the end of training camp, he will suddenly announce he will come back...sound familiar. Lets just hope for the same results as last year.

Giants draft needs/D-line

Let me be honest, this might be the most enjoyable "draft needs" post to do. There is no question in my mind that the single biggest reason the Giants pulled off the "Miracle in the Desert" in Super Bowl XLII was the fact that our D-line beat the Pats O-line  like  a  drum!  It  really wasn't close. Matt Light and the rest of the Pro-Bowl laden Pats line was simply over matched by Strahan, Umenyoira and company. Tom Brady was hit like he had never been hit before. Even when the line didn't get a sack or a hit, they made him rush his passes on numerous occasions. Keep in mind, they did this to the game's best QB (at least until we get Eli another ring or two).

The line is also excellent against the run. Looking at the post season, the Big Blue D made life very difficult for opponents to establish the ground game. The exception was the divisional round against Jerry's Kids when Marion Barber got on my nerves by running over our guys until they decided to start playing for real.    

Look at the key players; Michael Strahan, all time great who I truly believe will be back, Osi Umenyoira, the heir apparent to Strahan,  Justin  Tuck,  he  is a force, Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield, both very strong on the inside, Dave Tollefson who made key post season contributions filling in for Michael and Jay Alford who I will always remember for decking Tom Brady on that last, desperate drive for the Pats.

Looking at the draft, D-Line is clearly a strength of this team. However, you always need to improve. Unless some stud pass rusher falls into their lap, my guess is D-Line won't be addressed till round four or five at best.

Check back soon as we next look at the Giants Offensive Line.

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