Brandon Short (1 Viewer)

[Rod Farva]

With how Short has been playing WLB, does anyone think that he'll continue to play even when Emmons is back?

 

[Jene Bramel]

With how Short has been playing WLB, does anyone think that he'll continue to play even when Emmons is back?

Nobody's addressing that question this week in the NY media, but if Short continues to be as active as he's been it'll be impossible to send him to the bench. With Lavar Arrington reportedly tweaking his knee again this week and Short having experience on the strong side, it may also be possible that Short ends up getting time at SLB too.houndirish probably has a better insider/observer take.

 

[Rod Farva]

With how Short has been playing WLB, does anyone think that he'll continue to play even when Emmons is back?

Nobody's addressing that question this week in the NY media, but if Short continues to be as active as he's been it'll be impossible to send him to the bench. With Lavar Arrington reportedly tweaking his knee again this week and Short having experience on the strong side, it may also be possible that Short ends up getting time at SLB too.houndirish probably has a better insider/observer take.

Thanks Jene. I've been paying attention to the media in New York. I used to watch Emmons when he was with the Eagles and he was pretty solid in TE coverage as the SAM LB. Arrington has been ripped often on the radio in New York and Emmons could probably slide over to the strong side a little easier than Short.

 

[onionsack]

I was over at the NYG boards yesterday researching this very question, and while there was nothing definite from anyone that matters, it's pretty clear that the general opinion is that Short looks MUCH fitter this year, seems to add a spark and energy to the rest of the defense that had been missing, has more than earned the starting gig, and has pushed Emmons off the field permanently - healthy or otherwise. The Will spot in that D has traditionally put up a lot of IDP points (think Dhani Jones monster 2003 season), so he's definitely a great guy to take a flyer on if he's floating on the WW.

 

[Chaos Commish]

New York Daily News

Short gets long look at LB

Giant impresses in return

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

One of the first decisions Tom Coughlin made after taking over the Giants in 2004 was to upgrade his team at the strongside linebacker position. So when free agency began, the Giants moved quickly to sign Carlos Emmons, which allowed them to jettison Brandon Short.

Nearly three years later, Coughlin may have to reverse that call.

In two games since taking over for the injured Emmons, now at the weakside linebacker spot, the 29-year-old Short - who re-signed with Big Blue in the offseason after two years in Carolina - has been one of the Giants' best defensive players. He has led the team with six tackles in both games, and in their 27-14 win in Atlanta on Sunday, he sacked Michael Vick twice in one four-play span.

He has played so well, in fact, that when Emmons returns from his partially torn pectoral muscle, presumably in the next week or two, Coughlin is going to have a tough decision. Emmons was playing all right before he got hurt (19 tackles in the first two games), but Short has made an impressive impact.

And coincidence or not, since Short has entered the lineup the defense has been playing better, too.

"I don't think it surprises any of us around here," said middle linebacker Antonio Pierce. "He's really been physical. I bet you he'll tell you there's things he needs to improve on, but he's been playing very well and very aggressive. And that physicalness has really carried over on our team right now."

Actually, Short's emergence is a bit of a surprise. He was limited for most of training camp while recovering from offseason knee surgery and didn't even dress for the Giants' first three games. And after Emmons got hurt on Sept.24 in Seattle, rookie Gerris Wilkinson took most of the reps at his position during the bye week. Short didn't get the starting nod until two days before the next game.

But, despite playing the first six seasons of his career on the strong side of the field, the 6-3, 253-pound Short adjusted quickly to his new position.

"It's a position that's very much made for me," Short said. "You can attack the run, you're not matched up in the slot that often. I really like the position."

The responsibility of the position is similar to what an inside linebacker would do in a 3-4 defense, which is good for Short, who was a middle linebacker at Penn State. "When I came into the league they said I wasn't going to be a middle linebacker because of my body style," he said. "But I always felt like I was, even while playing on the outside."

However, as perfect as Short may be for the spot, the position still belongs to the 33-year-old Emmons, and Coughlin has been vague about what he will do when the incumbent returns. Emmons is expected to begin working his way back into practice when the Giants return to work tomorrow to begin preparing for their game in Dallas on Monday night.

As for Short, Coughlin said, "It's good to see him in a position where he can play and contribute and not have issues from a health standpoint. We certainly are encouraged by the way he's played."

One week earlier, Coughlin addressed the issue by saying, "There are plenty of places to play good football players."

I'm having a tough time with this. Maybe I'll take my specific quandry to the Coaches Corner, but I could see this situation working out a number of ways. Emmons was producing before the injury.

 

[nortobc]

Is Emmons going to be healthy enough to play on Monday? How many more games do you think Short will definitely start? From this arcticle, it sounds like Emmons is practicing this week and could play on Monday.

 

[Dave Baker]

Not sure if Emmons plays Monday or not, but Short will start. I address this in my article this week, but I think Short will be the mainstay there for the rest of year, especially if he performs as he has been lately.

 

[Sleeperz]

Giants | Emmons limited in practice Friday

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:35:40 -0700

New York Giants LB Carlos Emmons (pectoral) was limited in practice Friday, Oct. 20 but will not play in the Week 7 game. He is listed as questionable on the team's injury report. KFFL

Another week for Short to try and keep the job. I bet he comes through.

Sleeperz