July 23rd, 2012 
Jeremy Fuchs 
Posted in Good Monday morning. Let’s Muse
-Camp is finally about to start. Some rookies for other teams have reported. So we’re getting close. Finally.
-Let’s hope for a healthy camp. But let’s be honest: It’s not gonna happen. Never does.
-Thinking about the linebackers and the thing I keep thinking about is: What is the progression of Jaicquan Williams? Last year we were pleasantly surprised. What’s this year?
-I think, obviously, there should be a progression. Full offseason. Got a great deal of experience. Does he become the starter? Or is it Kiwi-Boley-Rivers?
-That’s the other thing: What’s Rivers going to do? Is he going to play like the top-10 pick that he is? Or is he going to struggle picking up the defense? That’s a big question.
-Is Boley going to be the MIKE? Or is that going to be Herzlich?
-I actually think Kiwi could play MIKE. I think he’s flashed some sideline to sideline range and could do the job.
-At least now there’s going to be some more depth and flexibility.
-I still think Kiwi is best as an end, but the fact that he can play all three linebacker positions shows his athletic ability and versatility and sheer talent. Kiwi goes unnoticed a lot, with Tuck and Osi and JPP, but he plays a vital role for the G-Men.
-Very excited to hear about David Wilson and how he does. Can he learn to be a 3rd down player? If so, he’s going to get a lot of playing time. If not, he’s going to be an expensive situational player.
-Of course, not being able to play on 3rd downs now doesn’t mean he won’t be able to pick it up later in the season or next season. But, I’m not sure he picks up after a camp.
-Pass protection, especially, is a skill. It’s a learned skill, but it’s not easy. Some guys can’t do it. Some teams play so wide open they don’t have to keep a back in. But the Giants do, and it’s critical to their success. Bradshaw can do it. Da’Rel Scott couldn’t do it. That’s why he wasn’t on the field too much.
-Jerald Ingram is a good RB coach, and if Wilson can’t pick it up, it’ll be on him, not Ingram.
-But by all accounts, Wilson is a hard worker, so if he doesn’t pick it up, it won’t be because of a lack of effort.
-Does JPP suffer a “sophomore” slump? Sophomore in quotations cause it’s his third year, but his second as a starter. What do you guys think?
-I think he’s so athletic that it doesn’t matter. You’re going to have a very hard time trying to block him.
-There’s no offensive lineman with his speed, his long arms, his bend. So how do you stop him?
-You have to try to get a great punch and stun him a bit. Have to play with great technique. But now we’re talking about the elite O-lineman, and those are hard to find.
This is what bothers me about Gilbide, he would rather waste talented players because of something than cannot do instead of changing the scheme and system to accommodate that and meet them half way.
This is why I say Joe Martinek is the man. He’s a great blocker and can run the ball, he has 4.4 flat 40 speed. I would not be surprised to see him get more and more playing time.
Not moving Scott to some other position by making a package for him is a total waste of talent. 4.2 speed!!!!! You can’t figure out some way to use him if he can’t block that well…PLEEEZE. Gilbride has no imagination at all. Scott will eventually end up on another team and have a good career.
In a 2 back set you have the FB to block. If Scott cannot block that well use him as a runner or pass catcher out of the backfield. Move him in motion and reset him as a split end or keep him in motion. Yes it’s that easy. How about using him in a deep I formation so he can use his speed to find a crease and burst through it. Did they even try that…NO.
Did I say how much I loath Gilbride?
I’ve been asking for 2 back sets FOREVER!!!! It’s crazy that they don’t use it and especially now with the versatility of our backs. All of them can catch the ball they all have decent to incredible speed and Hyno and Martinek can block on top of everything else. So I don’t understand how KG doesn’t come up with ways to getting 2 running backs on the field. I would try to create something where I have Bradshaw and Hyno or Martinek split in the back with Wilson in the slot or Scott on the outside running deep(take advantage of his straight line speed). I’m not saying we have to throw them the ball but I think it creates space,confusion and it gives options to even run a multitude of screens or stretch runs. Instead of everytime a running back goes wide they through a middle screen.
Loath is a strong word. I’m merely dissatisfied, though we could do much much worse. (The grass is neither greener on their side of the fence nor as brown on our side.)
With that said I’m sure Gilbride doesn’t make unilateral decisions concerning offensive philosophy. I’d put money on the fact Coughlin makes final decisions regarding field personal, so when players are incapable of living up to Coughlin’s definition of a complete football player they are expendable, especially when it concerns protecting the Giants most precious offensive commodity– Eli Manning.
I hope Joe Martinek indeed makes the team. He may be a diamond in the rough that could provide a unique skill set nun of the other Giant players possess. (If he’s good enough he may replace Ware in the lineup –I sense they may have a similar skill-set)
My major concern is not the Running Backs — I feel a commitee behind Bradshaw will suffice — nor the receivers — Hixon will fill in nicely as a third receiver channelling the 2008 season if healthy — but the offensive line. I have no idea how our new additions up front will pan out or whether the 1st and 2nd year guys are able and ready for any sort of pivotal role.
Only time will tell; Im not looking forward to it. Each and every second will be gut wrenching agony if the offensive line acquisitions and rotational scrambling doesn’t pan out.
I dare teams to double or triple team JPP. It isn’t like there will be an undrafted FA on the other side. I think even if JPP has lesser numbers next year, the d-lines impact as a whole (barring injuries) will be a great deal better.