Kiwanuka may be tried at LB (1 Viewer)

[Bri]

Despite the presence of two Pro Bowl defensive ends (Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora) the Giants nevertheless spent their first round pick on another, Mathias Kiwanuka. Then, during rookie minicamp, Kiwanuka let slip that "the coaches have told me I might be asked to try linebacker." At 6-6 and 265, with 4.77 speed, he might make a dandy strong-side backer.

The third round pick was Gerris Wilkinson, a 6-3, 245-pound "true linebacker" from Georgia Tech, billed as another strong-side candidate. The three starters, at least for now, are UFA LaVar Arrington (strong-side), Antonio Pierce (middle) and Carlos Emmons (weak-side).

"You can never have enough pass rushers," Accorsi said. Reese and Coughlin echoed that thought. "We also have Justin Tuck (third round pick last year, a defensive end who has filled in at tackle and linebacker)," Reese said. "We could put Strahan, Osi, LaVar, Tuck and Kiwanuka on the field at one time and rush 'em all."

USAToday

 

[Chaos Commish]

I told Dufresne before the draft I thought NE would draft Kiwi and convert him to McGinist's spot. I know they worked him out at OLB and liked what they saw. It makes more sense in a 3-4. The Giants pass rush is potentially

 

[Rovers]

This is something I see as a general trend in NFL defensive philosophies. More and more teams use elements of the 3-4 and 4-3. They are taking DE's like Tuck, and installing them as down tackles on passing downs. Drafting tweeners like Kiwanuka and Lawson allows the defense more flexabilty and less predictabilty. Disguising where the pass rush will come from, etc.

The Jets used Bryan Thomas as a down tackle last year. There is talk in KC that Hali could play the tackle spot with Hicks as the DE on passing downs. Jason Taylor gets moved around constantly in Miami. Arrington may fill that role for the Giants this year. I have a sneaking suspicion that Vilma my be used that way this year, albeit in a more limited way.

How this trend affects the value of the players involved is still undecided, at least as far as I can discern. It's a copy cat league, and I see this as an emerging trend. For a lot of teams, the days of the 3 down MLB may be numbered.

For dynasty IDP leagues, I see it as a conundrum of sorts. My leagues use contracts, and assigning how many years to each player on defense is getting trickier to do with any certainty or security. Defensive players' roles in these schemes are changing, making it more unpredictable as to how it might affect any individual player's value. The 3-4 may work great in the NFL, but it's a b*tch for IDP players. Even MFL doesn't have a position listed that Suggs fits into. Maybe a new "rush linebacker" position will need to be added to IDP rules down the road.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I thought the Giants would give Arrington a chance at WLB. Guess not.

anyone think Carlos Emmons could be a nice value play this year?

 

[Renegades of Funk]

I would also keep an eye on Gerris Wilkerson. He is a pretty good player and will be competing for the WLB spot. I have to think Arrington and Pierce will be on the field for 3 downs. If Arrington goes to rush end on 3rd that would be a big plus for whoever wins out on the weakside.

 

[Toads]

.

anyone think Carlos Emmons could be a nice value play this year?

Just added him, and Matt MCCoy, to my list in a deep Dynasty FA/Rookie Draft. Ranked them both the same.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I would also keep an eye on Gerris Wilkerson. He is a pretty good player and will be competing for the WLB spot. I have to think Arrington and Pierce will be on the field for 3 downs. If Arrington goes to rush end on 3rd that would be a big plus for whoever wins out on the weakside.

Whoever plays weakside will have some value this year, and Emmons always seems to put up stats when starting. I think RoF hit the main point here, which is that there may not be a three down role for the WLB this season. Maybe a spot starter, but if Arrington plays well, probably not more.

 

[alg]

Any chance Wilkerson has a future at MLB?

 

[Bri]

another article

http://www.nflplayers.com/news/news_release.aspx?id=5164

 

[Donnybrook]

Giants | Ioane could start at nose tackle

Sat, 3 Jun 2006 21:38:18 -0700

FOXSports.com reports New York Giants DT Junior Ioane could wind up starting at nose tackle, if the team installs a 3-4 defense. The Giants are reportedly considering a conversion to the 3-4 defense.

Please say it isn't true.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Giants | Ioane could start at nose tackle

Sat, 3 Jun 2006 21:38:18 -0700

FOXSports.com reports New York Giants DT Junior Ioane could wind up starting at nose tackle, if the team installs a 3-4 defense. The Giants are reportedly considering a conversion to the 3-4 defense.

Please say it isn't true.

very interesting. Strahan and Umenyiora both have the size to play DE in a 3-4 although it would seem to be a waste of their talents. Kiwanuka and Arrington and Justin Tuck could all probably play OLB in a 3-4.I don't think they'd make a full conversion, but instead would probably just install a defensive package that they can use at times. I'm sure most 4-3 teams use a 3-4 front on occasion.

 

[redman]

Giants | Ioane could start at nose tackle

Sat, 3 Jun 2006 21:38:18 -0700

FOXSports.com reports New York Giants DT Junior Ioane could wind up starting at nose tackle, if the team installs a 3-4 defense. The Giants are reportedly considering a conversion to the 3-4 defense.

Please say it isn't true.

very interesting. Strahan and Umenyiora both have the size to play DE in a 3-4 although it would seem to be a waste of their talents. Kiwanuka and Arrington and Justin Tuck could all probably play OLB in a 3-4.I don't think they'd make a full conversion, but instead would probably just install a defensive package that they can use at times. I'm sure most 4-3 teams use a 3-4 front on occasion.

A full-time conversion to the 3-4 would not mesh with either their DL or their LB personnel, and it would in particular be a waste of their excellent DE talent. Even with a hybrid scheme, though, I'm not a happy Justin Tuck owner.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Giants | Ioane could start at nose tackle

Sat, 3 Jun 2006 21:38:18 -0700

FOXSports.com reports New York Giants DT Junior Ioane could wind up starting at nose tackle, if the team installs a 3-4 defense. The Giants are reportedly considering a conversion to the 3-4 defense.

Please say it isn't true.

Foxsports.com are not the poster boys for accurate info. Take this mention of the 3-4 with a grain of salt.

 

[houndirish]

I tend to agree with Aaron that there may be a sprinkling of 2 down linemen with 4 backers at times but the base likely stays 4-3. As was previously mentioned, the Giants best pashrushing talent is at DE, not OLB. A full scale conversion to the 3-4 would have Tim Lewis updating his resume February of next year.