Who Is That?: Defense.

Want to start the blog off with sending my condolences to Tyler Sash's family and friends. Sash was found dead at the age of 27 at his home in Iowa, cause of death is unclear. Sash was drafted in the 6th round in 2011 by the Giants, and won a Super Bow ring that year. A great special teams player, but was released in 2013.

With that said...

New season = New players. Can be rookies, new signees, or players that never really got a shot in recent years. This post, and the one coming tomorrow, should help you know who's making plays on Sunday night and beyond.

Lets start on defense:

Safeties:  Nat Berhe may have been a starter, but he was banged up all camp, and got surgery on his calf. Bennett Jackson was transitioning well after moving from corner to safety, but he tore his ACL.  Rookie 5th round pick Mykkele Thompson tore his achilles. Undrafted rookie Justin Currie fractured his ankle. Looks like Collins and Taylor will get the start. 

Landon Collins # 21 

Collins is a rookie safety out of Alabama. Drafted in the 2nd round, when some had him graded a first round talent. Some questioned his range and coverage ability, but no one questioned his ability to hit a ball carrier. He showed flashes of range in the preseason and grabbed the starting role.

Cooper Taylor # 30 

This is what I wrote on Taylor when he got drafted in 2013:

"5th Round - Cooper Taylor S Richmond - Started at Georgia Tech Second Team All ACC as a freshman. Had a heart condition that caused him to miss sophomore year on a medical red shirt then barely played the next year cause of injuries. Went to Richmond for his last 2 years. Giants will use him as a 3rd safety/linebacker hybrid. At 6-4 228, he is a little big for a safety, a little small for an outside backer. He also ran a 4.49 at his pro day. Freak athlete, that I really want to see play."

This is a big safety. He is still listed at 6-4 228 on his player page, but I would have to assume he has gotten bigger and stronger. Had a scoop and score in 2013 after a blocked punt by Damontre Moore vs the Raiders.

Brandon Meriweather # 22

Free agent acquisition that you should see in different packages. 8 year vet who you may remember from his Patriots and most recently, Redskins days. He runs into trouble when he decides to hit defenseless receivers

Craig Dahl #43

The 30 year old was actually on the Giants in 07 as a UDFA under Spags. Then played in St. Louis when Spags was the head coach from 2009-2011. 43 starts in his career (24 under Spags) and has experience at both Free and Strong safety. Went to San Fran and was a pretty good special teams player, not the greatest safety. Unfortunate, because he may climb the ranks of Giants safety pretty quick. 

Cornerback: Prince and DRC have the outside. Hosley may have the slot locked. 

Trevin Wade #31

This kid flashed ball hawking ability all camp. He has a reputation for taking a gamble for an interception, but it paid off during practice and pre season games. Drafted in the 7th round by the Browns in 2012, played for the Saints in 2013. He has a real shot of breaking into the CB rotation. 

Linebackers: The thing with this position, everyone I mention has a chance to be a starter any given week. This isn't a good thing people. To me, Kennard is the only lock to be a starter every week barring injury. He started to show you what kind of player he could be towards the end of last year. He's relentless to the ball and a skilled blitzer. Beason (sprained knee) should be a lock, but how could you lock him into a position when he is always hurt?

J.T. Thomas #55 WLB (WILL/Weakside) 

Drafted by the Bears in the 6th round of the 2011 draft. Released in 2013 and was awarded to Jacksonville off waivers. Has only started 12 games in his career, 10 coming in 2014. He is now lined up to be a started for the Giants. Yes, a starter. 




Jonathan Casillas #54 WLB (WILL/Weakside)

Signed this off season for 3 years, $10.5 mil. 7 year pro. Saints to Tampa to New England. 2 Super Bowl rings (Saints in 09, Pats in 2014). Was a backup pass coverage LB and a core special teamer in New England. Didn't play in final 3 preseason games due to a neck injury. Had a neck issue in 2012 on the Saints as well. 

 Uani' Unga #47 MLB (Middle)

Added in December of last season to the practice squad. Was not drafted due to a rough knee injury in his last game at BYU. In the injury, he tore his right ACL, MCL and meniscus which kept him out of the combine. Went from walk-on at BYU to team captain. Un-drafted to second string MLB. Guy obviously has the work ethic and hustle. He was fun to watch in the preseason. 




Jasper Brinkley # 53 MLB (Middle) 

Spent the whole summer with the Cowboys, so that is a good thing for this week, at least. Other than that, he is a 7 year vet at 30 years of age. 4 years with Minnesota. Has had hip surgery, and missed all of 2011 because of it. He had 99 tackles (no sacks) for the Vikings in 2012, his best season as a pro. 




Defensive Line: JPP really hurt the Giants with his fireworks. I touch on that below with a link. Look for a constant rotation with DTs and ends. It's a mess. 

Louis Nix III Defensive Tackle

Interesting case with Mr. Nix. He was acquired on Sunday (9/6), waived on Tuesday after failing a physical, and then back with the team Wednesday, after the failed physical was "straightened out". Spent last season on IR for the Texans with knee issues. What I believe happened is that the Giants brought him in, liked what they saw, but said he didn't pass his physical so they could resign him at a lower rate because of the knee history. Nix is 6-2 331 lbs. and looks bigger than that from all accounts I've seen. That big with knee issues, are not good. He's quick for his size and has some solid moves at the line. Has to stay healthy.

Owa Odighizuwa #58 Defensive End

Third round pick of this years draft out of UCLA. Raw and has to work on pass rushing craft. However, he may be called upon early with JPP not coming back anytime soon. 

And that should be it folks, unfortunately theres a chance you see every player in this list more than you should. Depth on defense really isn't a strength, too many injuries. Offense coming tomorrow. Madden simulation and prediction blogs coming Saturday.